Firstly thank you for doing this interview! How are you doing today?

Well, my pleasure to be with you at “Underground Industries”! Thank you so much for inviting me to answer this interview! I’m good, thanks for asking… just promoting “Infernum Liberus EST” and thinking on the new record! Hopefully you’re doing ok as well…

Could you give us a brief biography of Darkside of Innocence please?

Well it’s a long but important story to be just a little brief… with lots of drama and stuff involved you know? Trying to resume it, Darkside of Innocence commenced 4 years ago, when I decided to give wings to my romantic poetry and ideas, my darkest feelings and melancholic thoughts… André joins the band as a previous keyboard player, later on playing guitar (fortunately the best member I could ever find) giving me the hands I needed, so it’s been like this all these 4 years; I’m the soul he is the body, if you know what I mean. Notice that none of us knew how to play an instrument; we just enjoyed beautiful music… Then Pedro Bandeira (fortunately once again) gave us a big help with the drums and then you got it… Darkside of Innocence! Later João Arcanjo (bassist), Paulo Roque (guitarist) and Sara Henriques (vocals) the newest one (she’s on the band since July), became members as well adding a great personality to our sound line, improving our music in many ways! There were lots of other members and line-up changes but they’re not relevant.

You call yourselves ‘Gnostic Metal’, Gnostic to me means that you are acquainted with some sort of spiritual or divine knowledge. What does it mean to you?

Yes, you’re right… the word Gnostic derivates from the word gnosis which means: divine knowledge as you said and well. Generally, gnosis is something that you are given, like a special gift once you’re born evolving as you grow in life and it tells you a lot of interesting things sought but never found by others. It is believed that, gnosis is conceded by “Sophia” and this very beautiful word (well don’t mind it, I’m suspect to say anything about it ahahah) that originally came from Greece a long time ago to explain wisdom, has also 2 points of view (for me of course); one more mystical as the great goddess of wisdom, truth, love, Lucifer’s (or Christos the bringer of light) mistress, gazing upon the mere mortals as the bright moon, bride eternal bride, embracing her sons and daughters on the immense seas which she commands… and another one more philosophical and agnostic that is sort of; “Sophia” is your own knowledge and the most purest truth of all, one of a kind, let’s put things on this way; no truth is bigger than that of yours; you are your only god or goddess; you weren’t born to serve another entity other than you; it’s your Sophia (your knowledge), the truth lying within your mind that matters and I personally believe that we need to follow it, because what we’re seeking for, rests deep within our souls! That’s something like this.

What does this mean in terms of your lyrical concepts and outlook and actions within life?

Well basically I’m pretty inspired by what I answered on the previous question.
 
What attracted you to this Gnostic way of life?

Since very little I’m in close contact with Sophia and to what she/it is related! It’s a part of me you see? Without knowing of course! I’ve experienced a lot of things; from “visions” I had, contacts with this “Sophia” entity, premonitory and regular dreams that involve the sea (every night I dream with it for example) and other important things, my tastes and loads more. All these things attracted me to where I am nowadays, I’ve became aware of it all before knowing that this Sophism, theology, ideology, mysticism whatever you want to call it, actually existed… It’s like you knowing a story before reading it… it’s on your veins! Besides as Portuguese people we value our origins and culture and the Gnostic message has a really strong influence on the Portuguese culture and its story (barely known by our people), so we’re going to explore it on the next record. That without any doubt is an extra for my enthusiasm! There you go with this divine knowledge ahah, that’s where the story begins!

How does it fit in with modern society?

As far as I’m concerned with this question; the word “Gnosticism” is not really known by a lot of people, it’s really underground and to tell you the truth it’s not the most important thing… but the message, well it’s the rule of our world even if people don’t know it of course (yet). If you still have a global order then it is because of the “Sophist” message.

You claim to be Sophia’s Heirs, Sophia being the last emanation of God, what does this mean?

That is an interesting question. Well I’ve came up with “Sophia’s heirs” as our main trademark due to the message we’re spreading; it’s basically a Sophist message, it’s like we are her envoys for playing this role, bringing her concealed word to the masses.

Satanism has always been associated with Black Metal, yet recently there are more bands claiming to be Heathen, Pagan or following other ideological paths. What do you think of this? Is Satanism still relevant to Black Metal?

Well… I think that people are discovering new forms of art and expression which is leading to new metal junctions and that’s the main reason why Black Metal among many other genres is expanding its origins to heathen, Pagan and Gothic for example! And yes I believe that there are still a lot of black metal bands across the earth claiming to be Satanists. 

Your debut album, ‘Infernum Liberus EST’, is quite an engrossing listen, is there an overriding concept or lyrical theme?

I’m grateful for your words, glad it made you feel that way!!! To be honest we tried to make this record a tragic adventure, something truly beautiful and sad at the same time, filled with very melancholic poetry, diving one’s self into a maelstrom of intense feelings! A lovely place that you could travel leaving all reality behind, to again never return… somewhere you could imagine a mystic world on a parallel line, where dark fantasy actually happens to be true. “O’ Utopia…” ahaha… That’s quite a hard task to accomplish but still we tried and we put on “Infernum Liberus EST” our soul and our feelings, trying then to make the most enthralling music (at least for our ears) pleasing us in many forms and different ways. “Infernum Liberus EST” is a conceptual album; it tells the story of Laila… a little angel, which was supposed to be the guardian of a planet named Vália… what happens is that a demon named Aneon actually seduces Laila to unleash evil against the gods and above Vália. This tale hence evolves throughout the 12 songs.

The album has the atmosphere of Cradle of Filth at their most grandiose, were you going for this kind of epic atmosphere?

Thanks! For me, that is frankly positive to read! Well it’s just natural you know… Not a big deal at all, we’re just big fans of music, always trying to compose good themes inspired for example on the Mediterranean atmosphere found on great movies, which really gives your sound an epic background. We tried to achieve that intense atmosphere adding an orchestra into it and fortunately we made it somehow.

 Would you say that Cradle influenced your music at all? Who else has influenced you?

Well as I said, we love music in general so we’re trying to expand our music to the max, can’t tell you of an artist or a song… you’ll just have to compare the next record with “Infernum Liberus EST” to understand how eclectic we are. Yes… it’s true; COF influenced our origins for they had a great atmosphere, poetry and beauty on their songs; however this album counts out with too many things… Sending us to a whole different plane! There you go, my humble opinion ahah!

How’s the label hunt going?

We’re not searching for a label yet… we’re just going to take care of this upcoming record I’ve told you on the previous questions and then off we go! Let’s see what’s going to happen!

What do you think of the scene in Portugal?

Portugal has a really strong musical scene at the moment whether you’re into the underground stuff or to something more mainstream! This year for example a lot of big festivals happened to be a success with great attendances and big bands (again)! It’s growing faster and faster due to the great crowd we have here, very receptive!!! You should come over and try to see a concert here or drink/party with us; people most of the time are always on a festive mood, that’s why the foreign bands really enjoy to play here!

What does the future hold for Darkside of Innocence?

Only “Sophia” knows what’s about to happen (haha)… Now seriously, we’re cooking some new songs possibly to release a single or an EP this next year and furthermore the release of our second album (can’t wait). We’ll try to tour the Europe as soon as we can but I’m not sure yet… Well let’s just hope…

Thank you very much for the interview! Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?

Well don’t worry; I’m grateful for the time! Thank you so much for this awesome interview!!! Thank you so much for reading guys! May Sophia be with you all… See you on Arcadia and keep tuned to UNDERGROUND INDUSTRIES!

Darkside of Innocence – “Sophia’s Heirs”

Carl Sucharyna Thomas

www.myspace.com/darksideofinnocence