Chad Bowar: How did the band form?
Achraf Loudiy: The band formed after I came to Canada in 2007. I was searching for people to play metal and I met with Antoine and Alex who were already playing together. So, we started writing music and doing little shows here and there.
After a while, we had a permanent line up and we started planning to enter the studio. We had written quite a lot of songs before we actually found what our sound was going to be. When we finally were ready to go in the studio, being still very inexperienced, we decided to go with someone who’d be willing to evolve with us. That’s how we picked JeF (Fortin, producer).
What does the name Aeternam signify?
Literally, Aeternam means “eternal” in Latin. Why did we choose this name? Because it refers to the history of humanity that belongs everlasting.
The past represents for us, the jewel of knowledge.
How did you come to sign with Metal Blade?
After we had the last master of the album, we uploaded some of the songs on our MySpace page. Then, a local website did a review of it, so the Metal Blade crew found this review and it encouraged them to listen to our music. Then, they proposed a deal to us that was satisfying and we joined the Metal Blade roster. Actually, we are very proud to be label mates with such great bands like Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse, King Diamond, etc.
How would you describe Disciples Of The Unseen?
A mix of everything we love. The good thing about playing music in Aeternam is the fact that we are not limited to a proper style. If I want to put on an epic power metal part on a song, it will fit. And if I want to make the most brutal song ever, it will also fit. It’s not supposed to work easily. Maybe the Oriental feel in all our songs helps make them homogeneous in one CD. I guess that it is what glues our music and all our influences together, otherwise we’d be all over the place, yet going nowhere at all.
What inspired your lyrics for the album?
Evil, religions, ancient civilizations, social issues, occultism. Actually, we use metaphors and historical tales to illustrate the present. We are very critical toward religion, especially Islam. I was born in a Muslim country and it was not easy for me to express my refusal of religion. I struggled a lot and I’m still struggling.
Aeternam’s message is very important. When I want to write a song, I start with the idea of the lyrics in my head and that helps me visualize the song and increases my frustration. That how the metal gets created.
What are your expectations for the CD?
To be honest, I don’t have any idea. We have good reviews everywhere and people seem to love the music. However, I know how easy it is to be forgotten in the mass of quality music that is available at your fingertips on a daily basis. We can’t really go over a year without releasing something new because many other bands will have beaten us to it, you know? I guess my expectations for this CD would be that it becomes a statement of what we can offer, be it live in concert or on our subsequent albums.
What are your upcoming tour plans?
We are working very hard to try and bring the music on the road. However, being Canadian, that’s not an easy feat so we can’t really say what’s going to happen in terms of touring right now. One thing is sure though, we keep our playing in great shape and we are already working on new songs. This album is already a year old for us so we’ve had some time to get new ideas and really evolve as musicians.
Have you done much touring in the past?
No, not really. We did shows in the province of Québec, but we have never been touring seriously.
How did you get started in music?
I started playing music when I was 14 years old. I took a classic guitar and started playing Metallica covers on it. After I had my first electric guitar, I started playing solos. I am not a very technical musician. I have never taken guitar or vocal lessons other than those first classical guitar lessons. I learned playing metal by listening to the bands I love and I’m still learning in the same way. I think that metal is a folklore; we have to feel it before trying to analyze it.
Was there an album or artist that inspired you to want to perform music?
Judas Priest. Classic metal is essential for our generation to understand the essence of heavy metal and to know how to contribute in the evolution of this music style. That band stayed honest from the beginning of their career until today. They are very inspiring to me.
What was your first band, and what kind of music did they play?
I played in two non serious bands before I formed Occulta, a symphonic black metal band. We played mostly covers. After that, I formed Imperium which was more a blackened thrash metal band. I also played bass for Metal Inc.
Who are some fellow artists you admire?
James Hetfield (Metallica), Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Midnight (Crimson Glory- r.i.p-), Nergal (Behemoth), Erik Legion (Marduk, Devian) and many many more.
What is your all time favorite album?
It’s a difficult question. I have one all time favorite for every metal branch. If I had to stay in an island alone with one CD I think I would take my Judas Priest’s Screaming for Vengeance album.
Anything else you'd like to mention or promote?
Hi to everyone reading the interview. Be sure to purchase your Disciples of the Unseen album. That’s so cliché, but that is still what helps and supports the most the artist. I know that the album has been on the internet for quite a while. Go ahead and check it out but make sure you support the music if you like it.
The same goes for every other band too you know? There are so many outlets to shop around and try to find a price that seems reasonable for the music, but in the end, it all comes down to actually supporting the product and helping everyone involved. Until we are able to actually come and play for you, welcome us into your home through our CD.
