With:	Warharan - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Conducted by:	Azhidahak
Published:	15.09.2004

-You are a pretty new band so most people probably don't know about you. Could you please introduce yourself to them?

Achaemenid was started in 2000. I always wanted to start up a band to play fast and aggressive Black Metal. I wanted it to lyrically be something original and not done before, but still keeping in the traditions of Black Metal.

-You are working on a new album, "Taking back what was mine", could you please explain a little about it? How is the progress going on? When will it be released? Etc.

It's only a 7inch with 2 songs. I think the material is quite aggressive and pretty fast. It's pretty much done, just need to add vocals and mix it down. It will be released by Heidens Hart Records (Holland).

- Will your new album sound different compared to your first release?

The new material is much better. I found the sound and musical direction I finally want. The new stuff is much more thrashy, but still fast. The riffs are a bit more technical than the demo material. It will pretty much progress in this direction. The key word is aggressive.

-Could you please explain about your name, "Achaemenid"? What does it mean?

Achaemenid is the name of the first dynasty of the Persian Empire created by Cyrus the Great.

-Your main lyrics are about the Persian Empire, why did you choose this subject? What do you find the most fascinating about it?

I think ancient history is quite fascinating because so many turning points happened and moulded civilization as it is today. The Persian Empire was quite important in history. In the development of the west, it was one of the main Empires along with the Roman and Greek.


-What about gigs? Do you plan any tour inside or outside of America?

No gigs. Not planning on it. If it happens, that would be cool.

- Which bands are your main influences?

For Achaemenid, no bands really.

-What do you think about today's American black metal scene?

There are some good bands around. Xasthur is doing quite well these days, and he deserves it. His music is good and he works hard on it. Infernal Hatred is another excellent band from PA. I generally like European BM. There haven't really been any American bands that have really got me yet.

-Which albums are your favourite black metal albums?

I hate questions like this. It's hard to say which albums, there are too many. I'll name you which Black Metal bands that I really like. Nokturnal Mortum, Graveland, Dub Buk. Gorgoroth, Carpathian Forest, Kvist, Burzum, Finntroll, Gontyna Kry, Kataxu, Dissection, Immortal? I can go on for a while.

-What's the biggest problem with today's black metal scene?

Too much whining.

- Thank you for your time, I'll leave the last words for you, feel free to say anything you want.

Thanks for the interview and support.