Interview With Mau "Angriff" Part 1 y 2

Entrevistador:

mau, how you feel about this project, Acropolis....how was the first contact?
Mau :
I remember as it was yesterday
I was travelling in the bus, can’t remember exactly where I was going, when I received a sms from Charly

Entrevistador:

yes, and what was the message?
Mau :
it said: "Mau, I’m going to ask of you something you thought no-one would ever ask of you again..."
I think I answered: "How much?", but to my surprise, it wasn’t about that!
Charly replied: "Sing again, for my metal opera"
One doesn’t say no to such proposals, it would be stupid and wrong.
That’s how I became part of this project, Mr. reporter man.

Entrevistador:

that’s an anecdotic tale! I love it,.,.,.,.(as an interviewer I shan´t say this, but im a big fan of you mauci´s) I saw you that epic night in the Caxton castle
Mau :
Really?! Well damm! Now I’m even more embarrassed! *more laughs*
Entrevistador:
that was a hell of a night,,,,,,,all the girls were crazy. The crowd wanted to touch you (including myself)
*sigh
Mau :
Ahhh... nice memories

Entrevistador:

what do you think its acropolis? the meaning,,,,I mean, what represents? to you
Mau :
Well... to me, Acropolis` meaning is fourthfold
That is not word, but let’s suppose it is, let me explain:
This project has four meanings for me, which, now that I think about it, makes a lot of sense with the actual story behind it.
In first place, well, Acropolis means a reunion of artists/friends in pursuit of a common goal, and the sole idea of it makes my skin crawl.

Entrevistador:

yes... we made interviews to charly and caute and they are excited too,,,
Mau :
In a good way and in a scary way also, because it is so much more complex than a solo project, as you can imagine
Yes, yes, we, luckily, are all very excited, but let me finish, please

Entrevistador:

ok...go on please...
Mau :
The second "meaning", if you will, would be that of a personal test, a training mission of sorts, a chance to prove myself, see where I am standing as an artist, how far have I actually got since I began, you understand?

Entrevistador:

yes, see your evolution as an artist, as a singer

Mau :
Specially because of the particular character I’m portraying, this "Indro" entity, who is, to me, very, very interesting, and fun to play as, maybe because I feel somehow connected to him, I feel a side of me is very well represented in him, and it gives me the chance to explore it further from reality, in a fantastic plane... maybe I’m sounding a little crazy, but that’s how I feel about him.
Yes, as a singer in particular, because I’m also required to sing ALONG artists the size of Gaeruki, Michael Kiske and of course Charly Sannat, which scares the ever loving shit out of me, but hey, I welcome such fear!
Besides we all have been looking for a nice excuse to make me sing putrid and growled vocals for a long time, and in this case, you know.... things just fit... it’s like all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, perfectly balanced!

Entrevistador:

hahahah, but remember a lot of people are going to catch this cd because of you,,,,your return to metal......
yes, ive read somewhere, you are going to sing very putrid, very "macho"
Mau :
I know some of my fans will, and that’s what’s cool about projects like these, because they gather fans of different artists and almost FORCES them to listen to new ones, and it usually happens that this way, they "discover" new artists they like, new bands, new styles,, you know
Hahahahaha, yes
the word Charly repeats when trying to be clear about Indro´s voice is "Sumomabich!"
So, you can imagine *laughs again*
Summing up what I was saying, the third aspect about this particular project is that I’ve been asked by Mr. Sannat to record the voices in my personal studio, Thanatos Studio (also friendly called The Forge Of Lies), and then mixing the voices with Cauteloso´s instrument tracks, and the final masterization of every piece. I don’t know if you know, but I’ve studied and very recently became a Sound Engineer, though I lack any kind of real field practice, so I’m very hard pressed to bring this over-the-top project through the finish line, with flying colours. So you see, I’m not just a singer in this album, I’m also responsible for the engineering! I try to see it as a test, to find out how much I have actually learned and, if positive, I hope Acropolis would be like my calling card, you know? Hahahaha!
Finally, the fourth reason I’m thrilled to be part of this insane masterpiece is that I like the story. It is fantastic but at the same time very real, as it deals with a wide range of human emotions that anybody could feel identified with. It is intense, complex, dynamic and very intriguing, It’s a great story through and through!

Entrevistador:

you said,,,,,the character,,,,,is "Mau" ,,,,,,,is mau a sumoma$#"! that’s what you are trying to tell us......?
Mau :
I wouldn’t exactly call me a sumomabich, you know? But hey! Who am I to judge myself… I mean, who says what is right and what is wrong… good or evil? No one can, because it is a matter of perspective, good for who? Bad for whom? It implicates lots of contrivances and rhetorical insinuations that no liberal or conservative lobbyists could in their right minds….

Who am I kidding, I’m one big, sick, son a harpy, yes.
Next question.

Entrevistador:

whats your favourite tune? I mean,,,you were recording some tracks, so you know most of the songs
Mau :
Well, it is hard to say, being so immersed in the process... but I would say... mmm... Heaven Underground
the chours is very very powerful, and one of the very few parts where we all sing together

Entrevistador:

everyone says its explosive.....
Mau :
it is... BANG!
*laughs*

Entrevistador:

we cant wait to hear it.....are there other cool songs? I mean,,,its going to be diverse and inmerse? I mean,....the cd, the experiencie
Mau :
Oh yes! It is definitively not one of those albums where every song feels like the same. Cauteloso has made an amazing job keeping certain diversity inbetween every piece, and the story, the characterization, the distinct "mood" they print in each song, also amplifies the different "styles" that comprehend this album. It is "metal", but in a very , very wide conception of the genre. You´ll find from really soft, romantic ballads, to gut-wrenching, gutural-growling, angry riffed thrash slammers that will roundhouse-kick you in the teeth, twice, in the air, and then summon Chuck Norris to perform an Infinite Mass Punch to your rectum.

Entrevistador:

ROMANTIC BALLADS??????
Mau :
You bet.

Entrevistador:

do you have a solo on the cd? some info talks about some characters performing a solo
Mau :
Yes, I do. That information is correct, some characters have a "solo song", where they take center stage and the listener can learn more about them, about their concerns and worries, about their intentions and their deeds. It´s a great way to add depth to the characters, so they don´t feel so two dimensional.
My character Indro has a solo song, yes, and it rocks.

Entrevistador:

fade to black, say last time "off the record" there's is a song like a "metallica tune"..........could that be your song?
Mau :
Mmm.. I´m not sure I´m allowed to answer so many revealing questions. Let me just say: Mayhaps.

Entrevistador:

jajaja "mauhaps" im looking forward to that song of yours........
is this your greatest challenge as a singeR?
Mau :
*laughs*
Definitely. You want to know a secret? During my first sessions recording this album I couldn´t get a single fucking note right! And after many failed tries I freaked out and kicked everyone else out of the studio! *laughs* You should have seen there faces! And I've been doing it alone from then on. And even like that it takes me dozens of takes, sometimes even more, to get a single phrase DECENT. So yes, it is my greatest challenge. I want to do my best, even though I know my best sometimes just doesn't cut it, so I have to my best, and then some more! And I'm still not happy with some of the takes I, for now, let there.

Entrevistador:

how's the relationship with the other singers??
Mau :
Great! It's great, like always!!
... oh... you meant, like... profesionally?
Well... gee.... mmmm... ehemm... oh dear.... what can I say? You got me in a tight spot now, haven't you eh? *laughs nervously*
I would be lying if I said we haven't experienced some.... mmm... friction... during session... and off them.... and elsewhen... and... well... mmm.... Ok, ok ok. Ok, I'll put it this way: We won't have problems finding a source of inspiration when perforimng rivalries between characters.
*traga saliva y se seca la frente, y rie superficialmente*

Entrevistador:

Fade to black told us on a radio program that the "hey! we all want to be in the spotlight and do it great" is natural and he would not expect less from you, that means also that you are taking this project seriously
Mau :
Yes, I am, but I am very conscious about being a co-star, not a star. Im very happy with the piece I get to play, I feel like it´s one of those characters that are not always on-screen, so to say, but and some point or another they prove to be crucial to the development in the story, and even then, you don't get to see a lot of them. This creates certain mistery around those figures, and always leaves the audience wanting more. I see this as a sort of "doing much with very little", and I really hope to pull it right. I can´t actually reveal much, but I´m quite sure Indro will harvest as many haters as ge will devoted fans.
*smiles*

Entrevistador:

well, tell us about your influences, what did you listen to when you were younger,,,,and what about now
Mau :
Oh shit... Do you really want to know that I listeden to when I was young? This could get really embarrasing. For me, I mean.

Entrevistador:

.............tell us.........dammit
Mau :
Ok, Ok, I'll tell you. But let me give you a little context, not as an excuse, just on informative terms. I didn't have the luck of being raised by music lovers, nor even music entuthiasts, not even people with a decent musical taste. In my house music was rare and my fathers tastes were like... the Bee Gees... my mom was even cooler than him, she had a few Dire Straits albums, and even one Kiss album, but they never put them on! You could say I grew up in silence *laughs*
As an early teenager I started listening to Will Smith and the Spice Girls.
I have no idea why.
I'm not exactly proud of it or anything, but I am a little considering how much my musical sense has evolved from then, and how fast, considering that a very short time afterwards I was already taking drum lessons and listening to Metallica, The Offspring, Queen, etc. on a daily basis. Not much afterwards I started developing a kind of fascination for progressive rock, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, Yes, etc.

Entrevistador:

WILL SMITH?= how ws it called,,,,,,,,,,,,,that song, wild wild west? terrible song,,,,horrible......
yes, your musical taste discovered new flavors and grew (we cant say the same about you,,,,,,,,you are still little)
Mau :
Yes, I am *laughs a lot*
Later on, as I grew up I started broadening my spectre to more things, even took a few babysteps outside of rock, like some Jazz, Fusion, whatever-the-hell-you-call-the-music Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass do, some oriental sutff too, Irish folk also, and I even had a short period in which I became such an instrumental music lover that I stopped listening to anything with a voice. Yeah, I know, I was a very drastic young man. I still am, but less of a brickhead... not a lot less though *laughs*
Still, my shit is rock man, that´s what I listen to mostly. And among rock, Metal prevails in my heart. Metallica was only the beggining, they opened the door, and after it was opened, an avalanche went pouring in, I could recite all day, Vanden Plas, Apocalyptica, Iced Earth, Pantera, Megadeth are among my most favourites bands ever, and I'm sure i'm forgetting a few.

Entrevistador:

well,,,,,,,,say something to your fans worldwide who are reading this loooong interview
Mau :
About my influences for this album, well, I tried to look up to my most favourite metal singers, Lord Hetfield, Matt Barlow, Phil Anselmo, Sully Erna, and so on and so forth, I'm sure you already see a pattern *laughs*
GROWLLLLLLLLLL!!!!
*laughs more*
But I'm also trying to input some new and interesting styles to my vocals, like Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, In Flames and Trivium. Man, do that guys rock tits.

Entrevistador:

jajajaj..........I feel like acropolis would be a super smash brothers of voices in a cd......cant wait to hear the entire cd
Mau :
Something to say to my fans? Mmmm... sure.. let me think...
Well, maybe It is a good oportunity to talk about the increasingly alarming rate of seals that get killed each year to *suddenly gets on his feet and approaches the recorder*
HEAVYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
FUCKINGGGGGGGGGGGGG
MEEEETAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*laughs* That game rocks! But you know who hates it? Charly Sannat! Yeah! He does! I think he hates it because he sucks so bad... Yes, I said it, you heard me Sannat, you suck at smash bros! *laughs*
....I'm such and asshole

Entrevistador:

Yes you are
but we love you little hobbit
Mau :
I know, I'm also overconfident and egothistical.
*laughs hard*
Well, is that it? You got what you came form, you sensationalistic prick?! Now get the fuck out of my studio!!
But sit, we are in coffehouse.
OUT!!!
(xD)