Interview with el-Ethnic Legist-!

Date: Monday, December 21, 2009
Writer/Interviewer: Henade
Translator: Chihiro
Questions answered by: Yuma, El, HIGE and Sin

Never heard of el-Ethnic Legist-? Well then, you are missing out on a great opportunity for a truly unique concept not only visually but also musically. Kanzen ni Jrock was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to interview these 4 talented gentleman.

1) Thank you for doing an interview with Kanzen ni Jrock! Would you please introduce yourselves and the instruments you play?

I am the Third Apostle Yuma, the vocalist.
I am the First Apostle El, the guitarist.
I am the Fifth Apostle HIGE, the bassist.
I am the Seventh Apostle Sin, the drummer.

2) What is the meaning of your name?

「The meaning of the band name is this; our concept is to create original and heterodoxy music, so it is the reason of the name "el-Ethnic". The history of the members name is this; we obey the word of 【弦音-Gento-]. He is the music creator and produces everything about the band. We have the word "apostle" as part of our names because we act as his apostles. 」

...

3) How did you all meet and decide to start el-Ethnic Legist-?

「It was all of our experiences about disbanding. All of us were the members of other bands before, and from these experiences, we hit it off immediately and found the theme 【The vengeance upon various feelings】. After which, we started el-Ethnic Legist, July 15th 2009.」

4) Your style is inspired by the Egyptian era, what is it about this period of time that you enjoy?

「First of all we have to tell you that Egyptian music has its own style of musical scale. It is very compatible with heavy metal sounds. It is unearthly, beautiful, and majestic. They have a unique view of the world. We were inspired a lot from their Gods in mythology, their culture and so on.  The reason all of the band members gauze wrappings [Like that of a mummy] is because we think our lives had faded away when we disbanded from previous bands. Our bodies became rotten, cast like shells. However, now our new souls traveled from BC 2500 Egypt to the cast-off shells. This story is a base of our musical activities.]

5) Your new single came out on the 11^th of November, which song is each members favorite and why?

・Yuma: 「Mine is Astarte. It is easy to memorize and sing, so I think it can be a great masterpiece of Ethnic Legist.」

・el: 「Astarte. Because we tried something new in this song and it can tell you the concept of Ethnic Legist music, but it being more deep and colorful.」

・HIGE: 「I like Nefertem, because when I play this song, I feel so good .」

・Sin: 「Kingdom is my favorite because it has a devastating view of the world even it is SE, I think.」

6) The members are known as Messengers and Apostle, what is the reason for these titles?

「I think I already told about some of it in the history of the name of the band. Our aim is to tell the listeners about our music in an original and heterodoxy way. And we hope to protect the devotees (what they call their fans) as our friends.」

7) What are your major influences for both music and lyrics?

「From over seas, we were influenced by 【HALLOWEEN】 and  【METALLICA】 kind of heavy metal bands. We were influenced so many artists, not only in musical style, but in other variations of art, like paintings, movies, novels, and so on.」

8) Who mainly composes the music? What about the lyrics?

「Both of melodies and lyrics are composed by 【 弦音-Gento- 】.」

9) What message do you want your listeners to receive when listening to your music?

「There are a lot of messages in our music that lead our devotees who love us. Sometimes it is the violent and angry complaint for a certain human being or the whole society, but we hope for them to agree with us and feel refreshed from the difficulties of their personal life.」

10) What musical styles have you not tried yet that you would like to mix into your music?

「We would like to have the atmosphere of being at a live performance in ancient Egypt and add it to our sound. So, we will hopefully use some analogue music instruments in future shows.」

11) Do you play any other instruments?

「The first apostle el can play some. 」

12) You are in your first year as a band, are you pleased with your success so far?

「Now we know that there are many people who support us in this world, since we were able to have this interview.」

13) What are your goals/dreams for el-Ethnic Legist-?

「One of our aims is to have a big concert at a large hall with all of our devotees, who are wrapped in the same bandages with us. We believe that the hall will be our kingdom. And we think our goal will have no end until it is our time to return to the heavens.」

14) What do you currently enjoy most about being rock stars?

「Well, we are too young a band to be called "rock stars", but when we see the people who are enjoying our music, get some good impressions, or moved in their hearts, we feel we can step  up to the "rock stars" level. We are really happy to feel it.」

15) Where would you like to perform that you haven’t yet?

「We’d like to have live shows in a pyramid! Also, we would like to have lives in the desert, but it will be too hot. (laugh)」

16) How does everyone spend their time off?

「We spent our 90% of our time off on promoting the band, even if it’s our private time. To focus on the music is our most important thing. But, if we have a little more time, we watch movies or so.」

17) What can fans anticipate from you in 2010?

「We already have plans to go to over seas to play in 2010.We hope to see many people there and have some great time together. 」

18) Please give a message to your fans and others reading this?

「We are shooting to get to our Kingdom with all the people who support us. We will continue to produce the supreme music for you all. Please keep having high expectations for us. We are really appreciative if you would read all of this interview!」

EXTRA:

01) 「Will you tell us about 【弦音-Gento-】?」

「Gento is another name of the first apostle. He used this name when he produced our music, wrote the lyrics and directed the band. When he plays the guitar as the guitarist of el-Ethnic Legend, he uses the name the first apostle-el. Also, he is a professional composer.」

02) 「Will you tell us about your tour to over seas in next year?」

「We are planning to go to Europe, but we have not decided the place yet. We will announce about it on our OHP when it will be decided.」

Check out el-Ethnic Legist-'s  Kanzen profile for more links and information!

Check out el-Ethnic Legist- on YouTube!