Velingor: When is the release of the new SOLITUDE AETURNUS album "Alone" expected? Has it already been recorded?
John Perez: As I do this interview (March 15th), we are now ready to record the new album! We're looking for a suitable studio to record in here in Texas. I think we'll most certainly be recording by the second week of April. We're very excited to record the new material, as it's been a very long time since "Adagio"!
Velingor: Your vocalist Robert Lowe has always been such an emotional singer!!!! Is he still with you?
John Perez: Yes, Robert Lowe is still with us! He is the voice of SOLITUDE AETURNUS, and without him there is no SOLITUDE AETURNUS. Thank you for the compliments!
Velingor: Will the new album "Alone" be in the same classic doom style as the previous ones? Who wrote the material for this album?
John Perez: I believe our new material is every bit as good as anything we've done in the past. On this album, I think the heavy metal influence will be very apparent on a few tracks. We've also kept most of the songs slow and doomy, with many changes in some and fewer in others. I think it's very much in line with everything we've done so far and should please any existing SOLITUDE AETURNUS fan! We continue to play melodic, emotional, heavy doom-tinged METAL! Our bass player Steve Moseley contributed a lot of material to this album, along with the usual songs written by myself (John Perez).
Velingor: Your previous album was recorded in England. Why there? Where will the new album be recorded?
John Perez: We liked going to England, as we had recorded "Through the Darkest Hour" there as well. The atmosphere in England is gloomy and cold most of the time, and that helps us maintain the right mood. It's also isolated from everything else, and we could concentrate more on the record because of that. However, we'll be doing the new album in Texas, simply because it's too difficult right now to coordinate an overseas recording session.
Velingor: SOLITUDE AETURNUS is one of the most consistent purveyors of pure doom metal. Do you ever feel the urge to experiment with other styles? Do you or the other members of SOLITUDE AETURNUS have any side projects?
John Perez: Thank you for the compliments! Actually, I've always felt that we've incorporated different elements of non-metal and non-doom metal into our songwriting. I've always thought of us as a "melting pot" of ideas and styles. It just so happens that we like to keep things doomy and heavy most of the time! I've always liked adding elements of death metal, heavy metal, groove, rock, experimental stuff, and death rock into some of our material.
Velingor: Nowadays the USA is mostly associated with "new metal" bands like LIMP BIZKIT, KORN, MARILYN MANSON, and the like. SOLITUDE AETURNUS's music looks exotic against that background. How do people in your country perceive your music?
John Perez: I don't like most of those types of bands, although I have to admit that I do like some of MARILYN MANSON's and GODSMACK's stuff. Most of that music is just too much of the same, with no real feeling (other than aggression), and it just doesn't appeal to me. I like MARILYN MANSON's dark approach and I like GODSMACK's sense of melody and tight riffing.
Velingor: How often do you play gigs or go on tour?
John Perez: Not too often these days, as everyone has regular jobs and it's hard to get time off to do these things.
Velingor: When can your fans expect to see SOLITUDE AETURNUS tour in Europe? After all, your label Massacre Records is based in Europe!
John Perez: We will possibly tour in support of "Alone" sometime soon after the release. I'm not sure at this point, but I think something will happen later this year.
Velingor: The official SOLITUDE AETURNUS website still isn't working. But many fans are interested in the band's history, news, and photos. When will it be back up?
John Perez: Yes, we really need to get an official site up. I have so little free time that it's difficult to do. I'm trying to get something up by the time we finish recording our new album. I'll post some updates on the Brainticket Records website news page at www.brainticket.com. For now, you can check out this fan site at solitudeaeturnus.cjb.net
Velingor: In Europe, many musicians have to work regular jobs to make a living outside their bands. Is it the same for you?
John Perez: Unfortunately, we're in the same situation. We don't make money from SOLITUDE AETURNUS, and all of us have to work "real jobs" to support the band.
Velingor: How are your businesses going — Brainticket Records and the Liquid Sound Company? Do you run them with your wife?
John Perez: Yes, my wife and I run Brainticket Records together. Our goal is to put out the best heavy and psychedelic music we can find and make it available to the entire planet. The Liquid Sound Company is just a studio project of my own — psychedelic acid rock.
Velingor: The albums "Into The Depths Of Sorrow" and "Beyond The Crimson Horizon" are very hard to find in Europe. They're considered rare. Do you have any plans to reissue them?
John Perez: We've already re-issued "Into The Depths Of Sorrow" on Brainticket and will do the same with "Beyond The Crimson Horizon" in May. Both include extra tracks not available on the original releases.
Velingor: Has anyone been producing merchandise (T-shirts, for example) for SOLITUDE AETURNUS? Many fans would love to have it, but they can't find it anywhere, unfortunately.
John Perez: We've signed a merchandising agreement with Massacre, and they're responsible for making new merchandise for us. I'm sure we'll have some shirts for the new album, and I think they may still have some "Adagio" T-shirts as well. I'll be making some "Into The Depths Of Sorrow" shirts in a few months, and they'll be available through Brainticket.
Velingor: Do you maintain friendly or business relationships with other bands (in the US and beyond)? Are you in touch with any ex-members of SOLITUDE AETURNUS?
John Perez: We know and respect many bands here in the US! Especially our doomy friends in HIDDEN HAND, PLACE OF SKULLS, REVELATION, OMEN, NEVERMORE, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, and many others. I don't see the ex-members of SOLITUDE AETURNUS anymore. Maybe Lyle a little bit, but not very often. We all still get along, though. No bad vibes here.
Velingor: The lyrics on your early albums were written by bass guitarist Lyle Steadham.
John Perez: That is correct.
Velingor: Who handles that now?
John Perez: Robert writes the lyrics now. He wrote most of them for "Adagio" as well.
Velingor: What do you know about the metal scene in the CIS (russia, Ukraine, Belarus)? Do you know any bands from there?
John Perez: Unfortunately, I know nothing about bands from your area. I do love the one disc that we sell through Brainticket from SCALD! Excellent doom!
Velingor: Do you have any plans to tour the CIS (russia, Ukraine, Belarus) and the Baltic region? There are many SOLITUDE AETURNUS fans here!!!
John Perez: We would love to, but it's usually up to tour organizers to get us over there, so unless someone makes us an offer to tour, it's very difficult to do.
Velingor: Please, a few words or wishes for the SOLITUDE AETURNUS fans in the CIS.
John Perez: To everyone who is a SOLITUDE AETURNUS fan — we thank you! Music is the language for all of us to enjoy and communicate with. We love sharing it with all of our brothers and sisters in metal out there in the CIS!!! Keep it heavy!