FollowBane
Date: 12/08/06Interviewer, writer: 1-5
Band Members: Nosuke (Vocals/Guitar), Kob@ (Bass/Guitar)
Questions Answered by: Nosuke
Hailing from Kyoto, FollowBane have a very distinctive style of metal. This uniqueness has earned them great reviews from various independant metal sites as well as gaining them fans.
J-Music Ignited was recently given the chance to interview vocalist and guitarist Nosuke.
First of all, thank you for doing this interview. Please could you introduce yourself?
(FollowBane are) a Symphonic Death Metal band who are active in Tokyo. We have two central members, Nosuke (composition, guitar, vocals) and Kob@ (arrangement, bass, guitar) and we depend on a support keyboardist and drummer.
Could you explain the origin of the band name?
It isn’t usually possible to follow destruction and disaster. However, if a certain kind of beauty is found in it, you end up following it. Because we wanted to follow the beauty in the disaster called Death Metal, this name was chosen.
When did you start playing music together?
Around December 2003.
Has FollowBane’s music changed since then? If so, how has it changed?
Although the melodies haven’t changed fundamentally, we put in new ideas and improved the sound quality by trial and error. However, FollowBane hasn’t become something that doesn’t change. To the best of our abilities, we will change to raise the quality of FollowBane.
What are your inspirations when composing music and lyrics?
Simply, I vaguely have the image of a sad tune or an imposing tune while I write. On top of that, I try to conjure up some melodies, and the sounds that come to me are joined together as a song. I listen to the finished ones and the song meaning comes into my mind.
Your music is really unique. Why did you want to make music like this?
Because Death Metal/Black Metal are the most emotional, I think.
Which FollowBane song is your favourite?
"The Soulrise" and "Dead Fantasia". I’ve chosen two because I like both the same. The best melodies and feelings harmonize.
What genre would you call yourselves?
A genre called FollowBane! However, because it’s not understood yet, I think that the closest to it is Symphonic Death Metal.
What is important when writing a song?
Various events in the world make me angry or sad and I become passionate about them. I think of melodies while venting that.
Which artists have influenced you?
From a melodious point, RunningWild and BlindGuardian. For the darker parts, I’m influenced by Dissection.
Are there any artists you’d like to work with?
Dissection...though their leader is no longer in this world.
Does your music have a particular theme or message?
FollowBane’s music is my feelings, my world itself, therefore, I want people to understand it however they like. I think that the song title and lyrics are supplementary. Mostly, FollowBane songs are sung with coined phrases and this is also to prevent the image (created by) the lyrics from being fixed. Oppositely, in songs with lyrics, there is of course one part I want you to tell and for you to understand within the whole,
Which do you prefer, recording or live performances? Have there been any memorable lives?
I don’t know, because FollowBane haven’t performed a live yet. Because we have a live schedule next year, maybe I might like performing live. There are no (memorable lives) yet. They’re all next year.
Do you want to play lives in any foreign countries?
I think that because (we play) music that’s accepted in foreign countries, I’d like to do that sometime.
What are the band’s plans for the future?
First of all, lives! Next, signing a contract with a (record) company and then launching overseas. We haven’t thought ahead of that yet.
Could you give a message to your fans?
We’re beginning to play lives in 2007, and I’m honestly looking forward to meeting our fans. Also, I want you to look forward to our new album, which is scheduled to be released in July.
Additional Information
Official SiteCheck out FollowBane’s Official Site for more information on their history, 2007 live schedule, discography, and more!
FollowBane @ J-Music Ignited
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