EMQ’s with SULLEN GUEST

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EMQ’s with SULLEN GUEST

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Lithuania based, Death/Doom Metal band, Sullen Guest. Huge thanks to composer/guitarist, Justas G, for taking part.

What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

My stage name is Tenebra (darkness in Latin), but formally known as Justas. G.

I am the main composer and guitarist of Sullen Guest. The band started in 2013 as a female-fronted melodic doom band. After 10 line-up changes, we are releasing our third album called “Chapter III”.

How did you come up with your band name?

We owned a studio in the street whose name begins with SG letters. So, we stuck with the idea that the band name should begin with these letters. After brainstorming, we have found a name that perfectly suits our mood.

What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?

Lithuania – Baltic states. There are no big metal names in our region. There are around 50 active bands, and most of them – black metal. In Lithuania, there are two big open-air metal festivals, and every weekend you can find a few metal gigs in Vilnius or Kaunas, mentioning the cities that do have a regularity regarding the metal scene.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

It’s a music video called ‘Samsara’ from the upcoming album “Chapter III”.

‘Samsara’ (Official Video)

Who have been your greatest influences?

The main influences were made by Novembers Doom, Katatonia, Opeth, Death. But all these influences were taken into account from the period when the bands had more raw power (albums 1992-1995). Furthermore, October Tide, Deinonychus, Forgotten Tomb…

What first got you into music?

Whenever I listened to metal music. I empathized with it, and I had a feeling if the music were created by myself, this experience would be even deeper. Eventually, I decided to start my emotional journey by creating music.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

October Tide!

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

It would be “70000 Tons of Metal”. The atmosphere there is not doomish at all, but it would be an unforgettable experience.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

A huge wall calendar with a large picture of our recent artwork which was a total surprise.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

We walk forward with hopes of meeting our audience during live shows, otherwise, we thank you for the support, any kind there is or could be. It’s still a long and difficult journey, but we will not give up, regardless we are glad that you have been visited by Sullen Guest!

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Chuck Schuldiner.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

Being on the stage, of course. There I can feel some kind of nirvana, regardless of the quantity of an audience. On the other hand, organizing gigs is the most frustrating part of the game.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Bands would gain their fame for their accomplishments, and not because of a producer with a big name.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Black Sabbath – “Paranoid”. One of the biggest artefacts of early metal with massive impact for generations of musicians.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?

For myself, there’s no time to spare for Vinyl or CD’s personally. Currently, I listen mostly to digital formats.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

Gig in Königsberg. It was a crazy crowd and a great afterparty after the gig, we did not anticipate such support before then.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

I’m a machine programmer and a musician simultaneously.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

It would be previous Sullen Guest members to remember the great times we have spent together.

What’s next for the band?

Survive till the end of Covid-19 and make a presence on the scene eventually after the disturbances we are facing right now and begin composing new material.

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

Three main platforms: Facebook, YouTube, Bandcamp.
www.facebook.com/SullenGuest
www.sullenguest.bandcamp.com/
www.youtube.com/channel/UCv0xbKnDWrgJDFkgyqgwa6w

Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?

The answer depends on the amount of beer before the question is presented 😊.

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

It is a great pleasure to spread the news. I put my hopes in our new line-up and album with a desire for the listeners to experience the emotions we are portraying until you are visited again.

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

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