1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Gilles - Well, first of all we've been busy planning some gigs to play through France. We also try to keep daily updates on the band's Facebook page, with the album reviews and the whole promotional things you do when you have an album coming out ! We're also rehearsing every week the setlist we'll play on stage, and that's pretty fun to mix songs from our both records.
2.Recently you had released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Gilles - The new album is definitely more "Rock" than our first record "In This Life Or The Next". The songs are shorter but they get straight to the point. We tried to reach the listener quicker and the choruses are aimed to that. I think that the fact that we now know each other better expanded our creativity. It was easier to bring along ideas or exposing influences to each other. That's for the genre, I would say :) The sound is really heavier. The people we worked with were getting completely what we had in mind. The instrument takes were well-done and then the mixing kept on enhancing the whole sound we were looking for. It's more "Metal", the drums, the bass and guitars are wider and punchier than they were on the first record.
3.This is the first album to be released in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
Gilles - Quickly after the release of "In This Life Or The Next", we decided to write new songs to get back in the studio as fast as we could. But we had plans with our other projects and also parted ways with our former bass player Vincent. We then tried to hire a new guy on short notice to pursue the work on the new songs. Unfortunaltely we weren't able to find a decent guy so I stood up for the bass part on the recording sessions. After the recording and mixing, we went back on researching a new bass player and we met Guillaume Sence who was perfect for the job. So it was now time to work with him in order to get ready for the gigs. Afterwards we decided to look for a cool way to release the album, that's why we ended up working with Dooweet. They amazed us by the work they did with bands of their roster. And by the time the record came out, four years had already passed.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Gilles - The album is constructed around a concept, which has been thought by our lead singer Guillaume Richard. It deals with a man who discovers that his fate is sealed. Then he has to choose how to end his life, either with burning both ends of the candle or trying to get his stuff together in order to achieve his existence in a decent way. Suicide is also a dwelling theme throughout the record. The choice of ending life as you know you're doomed and eventually you'll die.
Guillaume - Besides, I've tried to use as much as possible in my lyrics the light/sun lexical field, even in song titles where white became black.
5.Originally the band was called 'Pretence', what was the decision behind the name change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ommatida'?
Gilles - Well, we figured out that this name sucked :) The meaning was cool, but in France, you couldn't name a band after that (it could refer to "pretentious" ) And Ommatidia was way cooler anyway :)
Guillaume - Ommatidia came to my mind after reading a book back from Costa Rica.
Ommatidias are the compound eyes of insect such as dragonflies, bees...
With this name I wanted to express all kind of inspirations coming to us in all our little facet (as human beings) to a single unique creation (as musician or artist).
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Gilles - The band was originally a studio band so we did only one gig after the release of our first record. We toured with our fomer projects so Ommatidia wasn't meant to be a touring band at first. When the new songs started to emerge, we decided to bring them on stage 'cause they had energy and they had to be played live. We now have many gigs planned for the support of the new album, so, i guess what you can expect is an Ommatidia backdrop, stacks of amps, double-drum kit and five guys headbanging to these new songs :)
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Gilles - For the moment, only gigs through France with our friends LODZ from Lyon. We'll try to be cast on some festival by next year.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of gothic and doom metal?
Gilles - I think that the doom fans were pleased with our first record. Even though the song on the new album are a little faster, i think everyone will recognize the style of Ommatidia and the doomers won't be left apart, we still have very loooooooow tempos here and there on the record. As for the gothic fans, we wear black clothes on every photo shoot, so they couldn't get happier :)
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part off?
Gilles - The Old Dead Tree are releasing a free EP of old material, recorded last year. But no live plans. Jarell is dead and gone. Dustbowl called it quits and Olivier (drums) left Far From the Sun. So we're all yours :)
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Gilles - I think we'll try to expand the band's versatility a little further. We'll probably keep it melodic but i think we'll also try different textures. I've been personally influenced by a lot of non-metal bands that i think you might perceive elements in the next songs you'll hear from us. Who knows ? It might go to extremes in both ways, with thrashier parts and eerie atmospheres. We'll try to keep it interesting anyway. And it has to be fun to play above all.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Gilles - I think that we let our roots talk for this one. Some people say it has a 90's vibe at times, i can't disagree. We've all grown with the likes of Alice In Chains, Paradise Lost, Moonspell... What influences us today could be in many things. The guys in the band listen to different stuffs from 60's Rock to nowadays Death-Metal so... How wide-minded is that ? :)
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Gilles - Movies ! Isn't that the ultimate form of art ? :)
Guillaume - Reading comic books and drawing ;) Playing video games; traveling.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Gilles - I hope you'll like the new record. Then relax and have a beer with your friends. And keep on supporting metal !!!
http://www.ommatidia.net
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