Hi Savvas, good to have here on Grande Rock. It took a while, but I think the new album, “Evolution”, was worth the wait.
S: Hello, thank you for this presentation! Yes, almost 6 years but, as you say, it was worth the wait!
“Evolution” marks your eighth studio album and the first since “Primal Energies” in 2019 – a full six-year gap. What factors contributed to this extended hiatus, and how did the band navigate the challenges of getting back into the creative groove during that time?
S: It was the covid thing that kept us away all the previous period. From 2020 to 2022 actually everything was under destruction… We preferred not to make an album during that period, having in mind that “Primal Energies” was out of live promotion due to that thing. Imagine, we had arranged a tour at Netherlands and Belgium that was cancelled of course. So, we took a small break during those 2 years although we were working in the background on the new songs and we started rehearsing again from 2022.
Which are the similarities and the differences between the new album and the previous one?
S: At first “Evolution” includes all the musical elements that someone can find in Acid Death from the beginning until today. There are thrashy parts, coming from the “Balance of Power” era and prog/tech/fusion parts that remind “Pieces of Mankind” and “Random’s Manifest”. So, it is the most complete album we have ever made. This is the main difference from all the previous albums. The second and important thing is that the entire production sounds more “natural” more “analog” than “Primal Energies”, something that we wanted as main production point on this album.
What has changed in your songwriting formula or the way you approached the songs this time?
S: Well, actually in this album Dennis wrote most of the music tracks and I was behind the lyrics. The album’s concept is thematic, the theme is the human evolution through the ages. It is the first time that we tried to create an album with a special theme…
“Evolution” explores the theme of human evolution through the Ages, blending progressive sound with aggression. How did this concept emerge as the album’s backbone, and what personal or global events inspired tying it to your prog-tech death metal style?
S: Well, the progressive elements are an important part of our music for many-many years. On the other hand, the “aggression” is the Death Metal style we are dealing with over 30 years. These two elements are both present at a high level in this album. We had the idea of making a concept album the same time we started rehearsing on the new songs; the idea came from Dennis and the theme from Kostas (drums). Since it was the first time, we tried to do something like that, we were really curious on how this could work. I think it turned out fine!
John Nakos handled the artwork, bringing his experience with bands like Evergrey and Blood Red Throne to the table. How involved were you in the visual direction? Does the cover art tie directly into any specific lyrics or themes from the album?
S: We work with John from 2012, when “Eidolon” saw the light of the day. Since the album had a specific theme behind we had many conversations and tests on how the entire layout could fit. John made his best for one more time! Without being too “speaky” the album cover shows what we had in mind.
What does the album title “Evolution” declare?
S: It is an album that was made with true love and dedication for what we do and we made to have it released right on time.
Do give us a hint for each track…
S: “Singularity”: Two AI’s are talking… they accept that “we are not alone anymore…”
“Coded Dominion”: Human Kind under code… It is our future or just the end?
“The Rise of Salvation”: Religion… From Past to Present and Future.
“Γένεσις”: New-born man..
“Flesh Dancing in the Fire”: Human Genesis…. Creation of Nature and Pain.
“The Gateway to Knowledge”: The Knowledge topic…How we use it?
“Humanity”: Humans under attack…
“Shadows of Our Despair”: The end of Human Kind…
“Fallen Empires”: Companionship… Solidarity… Do they exist?
“Babel”: Everyone has an opinion… Until someone says “Stop”!
“(Walking) The Path to Certainty”: Human civilization. Who’s giving the directions?
“Forging the Chains”: Economy and prosperity… From “then” to “now”.
“The Gateway to Knowledge”: also features Kelly R. Shaefer (Atheist, Till the Dirt, and Neurotica) on vocals and James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Testament, etc.) on lead guitar. How did this collaboration come about, and can you describe your experience?
S: It was a dream of life for us to have these musicians in the album! The idea was given by our webmaster and owner of Altars Of Metal e-magazine, Dimitris Petrakis, who had interviewed both, Kelly and James. I got in touch with them, having in mind that we may receive a “No Luck” answer. Finally, after listening to a specific track’s pre-production they said “Yes, we like it, we would like to take part”! It is worth to mention that Kelly R Shaefer and James Murphy are really good friends and the one and only time they are together in a song is the song “The Gateway to Knowledge” from “Evolution”. For the friends who haven’t listen to this song, they can find it below.
Which song or songs pushed the band’s technical boundaries the furthest during writing and rehearsal?
S: For sure “Flesh Dancing in the Fire”! It was the first new song we tried, having the idea “ok, it is a piece of cake!” Nooo!!! It was hard!!! Really hard!!! The second was “Forging the Chains”. Although it is a more thrashy track we had to change the music parts so many times that we had the idea “this track it is not meant to be in the album”. Finally, when Kostas changed the drumming we said “Ok, now it works”!
Where did the recordings take place and who is responsible for the production, the mixing and the mastering? What has changed in the way you recorded and what do you think of the final outcome on the whole?
S: The recordings took place in three studios. At first we recorded the drum parts at Sierra studios, a place with almost half a century of music history in recording. Alexandros Chrysidis was behind the mixing desk and the results were totally different than the classic “plastic” sound that everyone prefers to have in an album today. Guitars were recorded at SymbolicP studio with Youth Iria’s Costas Papadopoulos behind the desk. Bass, vocals, mix and final mastering were made at our own recording studio, S.I.A. Recordings, I was responsible for the final mix and mastering, as well as the overall production. The album sounds for sure more natural, more “analog”, something we wanted from the beginning.
As bassist and vocalist, you’re at the heart of Acid Death’s dual aggression. How did your role in producing “Evolution” shape the balance between the “perfect symmetry” of prog elements and raw death metal fury that the band is known for pioneering in Greece?
S: It was really hard!! But the same time it was a challenge for me. You know, the “sound art” is something I am working for many years, although I don’t advertise it as an occupation. I had a deal with myself: “I will work hard to make this album tremendous and if I fail, I will personally undertake the cost to give the material to someone else out there for making the mix and mastering”. The average channel number was more that 72 per track, we had lead, rhythm and melodic guitars everywhere, drums had to be natural but big, the basses also to have the correct role in mix… Vocals had to be growly but clean the same time. For sure not A piece of cake! Me and the band are really happy with the final result, I am sure the people who will listen to it will be happy too.
You’ve been with 7hard/7us Media Group for a decade now, making them a true “musical home” as described. What ultimately led to the decision to reunite with the same label for “Evolution”, and how has that partnership evolved over the years to support this release?
S: Yes, we are in 7hard/7us Media Group GmbH for 10 years. “Evolution” is the 3rd album we are doing with them. The decision was simple. Very simple. We are happy with the way they work, they give us the desired freedom to work on our own way and the deal we made for “Evolution” was a really good one. You know, when you work with a team of people for so many years, you can understand their way and they can understand yours. Most important they trust us and we trust them.
As Greece’s prog-tech death metal pioneers, how does “Evolution” build on or challenge the foundation you established in your early years? Is there anything that longtime fans might catch as a reference to classic influences?
S: For sure the American Tech/Death Metal of Atheist, Cynic, Death is in our veins from almost the beginning that we started the band. At early years the Thrash/Death elements were stronger but from “Pieces…” era the prog/tech elements came in the front. I dare say that, at the moment, we have achieved the perfect balance between all. You know, we were never be a “trendy” band, we never check “what is popular this time” for making a new album. I don’t know if this is good or bad but for sure this is our way of working in the band.
With the full album hitting digital platforms and physical shelves simultaneously, what are your hopes for how fans will experience it… streaming on repeat, or cracking open that Digipack for the full ritual?
S: Maybe both! The digital platforms is a “must” today, it is true, but the same time the classic way of obtaining a new album is a magic experience. In our case the physical album is available even through our official site at www.aciddeath.net/merch , on the other hand if someone would like the digital form only, of course he can find it in any known platform of today.
I’m aware that you have plans to perform live shows. Do tell us about your plans for them in general.
S: At first we started managing the Greek dates, so far, we have the following live dates: January 24 in Ioannina at Studio 203; February 15 in Athens at Piraeus Academy; March 8 in Patra at Frida Live Stage; and April 4, 2026, in Heraklion, Crete, at Cine Studio. There will be some more Greek dates during the 2026 and we will arrange a European tour from the second half of 2026.
Time for our “strange questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Acid Death initially?
S: Hehehehe!!! It was a really difficult decision back in 1989. We were searching for a band name that could describe the “No Physical Death” moto we had in mind. You know, no internet that season, we were searching at the “special thanks” of the records we had at hands to check if there is any band that has the same band name! I don’t know if somewhere in the world there is any band active or not that had the same name but until now….no one hit our door!
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
S: The first thing is that actually most of the labels don’t pay the desired attention to the new bands. They thing that “working with legendary old bands” is the best solution. No! Not giving attention to new blood means you will finalize your business sooner or later. People out there need to have new music from new bands. Fortunately they are not all the same. 7hard/7us e.x. is one of the labels that believes in new music from new bands.
Have streaming services had a positive or negative impact on the band and the music industry as a whole?
S: Well, it depends. Streaming platforms have their today’s role in music industry. Imagine that 10-15 years ago, when a new record was out no one had the chance to listen to it before purchasing. Remember – especially in Greece – how many crappy things finally became “best sellers” just because there was someone who simply payed enough money on some advertisings to sell something that was a real crap. Today this has stopped – fortunately – since everyone has the ability to listen to anything that would like to buy before giving his money. This is the good role that the platforms have. Of course there is some darkness over it since the musicians have no actual income from these platforms. Everyone just streams without offering a penny to the musicians who spend time and money to make the creation he streams… The truth is somewhere in the middle… as always.
Are “social media” a “compulsory part” of music biz these days or bands, artists & labels can do without them as well?
S: No! I am pretty sure about it, (un)fortunately we need social media today. It is the today’s way of promotion. Although this will make some people out there angry… but it is the honest truth.
Fill in the phrase… “Extreme metal music wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
S: …Those who spend their time and mind to create…
Which are the best 3 Death Metal albums of all time according to you?
S: You know, I am a more “traditional” guy on my preferences… so: Death – “Human”, Carcass – “Heartwork” and Obituary – “Cause of Death”.
Which is the composer/songwriter who influenced extreme metal music the most?
S: For sure Chuck Schuldiner! He left a tremendous legacy to all of us. My opinion…
Which do you consider to be the best male & female vocalist in metal history?
S: That’s a really difficult question…. Personal preference. Ronnie James Dio and Tarja…
Which is that band that you’d like to be part of (any time & era)?
S: For sure Death the “Human” era!
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
S: Personally, I don’t think I am a good music composer… But definitely I would like to participate in “Human”. The reason is very simple. The first prog/tech death metal album was created by Death.
If you had the opportunity to invite any musician, living or dead, to play on your album whom would you choose and why?
S: You know, it was a dream of life but he didn’t answer to my message… He is Tony Choy. I would like to have his bass style in one of our songs.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
S: For sure!!!…. “The Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd!
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
S: To the future…. Just to see Humanity’s fail… Sorry about that!
That’s all for now Savvas. Thank you very much for talking to Grande Rock. Say anything you feel like saying before we close… take care!
S: Yes, it was a good conversation, thank you very much! Give a good spit to “Evolution” boys & girls! We are sure you will like it!
