Thank you very much. Yes, I believe all of us are happy with the result this time around. We did a lot of preparation in advance with this album, though, so everyone knew exactly what to do when we entered the studio. Sure, there was room for improvisation, but the major arrangements and guitar lines were all deeply thought through to avoid any last minute solutions. Of course with time, there are things that probably could have been solved differently but I believe in the moment - especially in art. It’s the representation of who you are at the time, you know, and it should be left alone. That’s why I am against re-recordings and stuff like that as well, with a few obvious exceptions. But I believe there is magic in every moment, so leave it alone and capture the next step instead of worrying too much about what’s done. It is, after all, done.

“Burdens” (Ava Inferi’s debut) was a very symbolic word for the state of mind upon its creation and release. It represented the whole album, lyrically and musically, and the problems surrounding us at the time. With "The Silhouette" I’d say we have come further into a ‘solution’ or realisation, although the problems might still be there, but they are rather shades or silhouettes of what they used to be. It’s a step away from it but it’s not gone yet - hence the title. Let me also conclude by saying that both albums deal with life, its tragedies and downfalls in your mind. It’s all about the hope for a new day to come and to conquer the seemingly endless dark.

The band started in Almada, Portugal in 2004. Carmen and myself formed it as a result of our relationship and a passion for sombre and philosophical music. I consider myself a very creative person, you know, and it is very important for me to express myself with the means I know. Music for me is the deepest form of communication there is and I constantly dwell within these realms. I do hate categorizations, and would like to be taken seriously and be understood for what I do, despite my sometimes genre-defying outputs. There is no greater enemy than that of limitation, and I believe that it is out of that Ava Inferi was born. It is free expression by free will, defined by those who created it. The bass player and the drummer came into the band shortly after the idea of the band got into shape, and the preparation for "Burdens" started and continued throughout 2005 until the studio work was completed in July, 2005. We were actually a five-piece to start with but due to lack of communication it soon got evident that something had to happen. Therefore, shortly after the debut was recorded we had to cleanse the air and revitalise. The flow between the members involved at this stage is of a highly creative and positive character, so I am very pleased with the situation for the moment. The four of us recorded and captured "The Silhouette" during May and April this year.

I like to take care of my voice, since it's my way of expression and it needs to be cherished. In everyday life I avoid closed places filled with smoke, since I myself am a non-smoker as well. I practise yoga because it has excellent breathing exercises, and when I sing I am more aware of those exercises, taking advantage of them to get a better performance. I also avoid eating greasy food as much as I can, because with time it gets into the vocal cords. I do what I feel is the best for myself... It's certainly not the same for everybody, and it always depends on your style.

You could say they are actually a part of my influences, together with some other great singers such as Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance) and Anneli Drecker from Bel Canto. Since I was very young I’ve come to believe that the voice is an astonishing way of expressing yourself, even without words. From the earliest days that I started with music I became aware that there are people out there that can identify themselves with my form of art and with my realisation, and I believe that shortly thereafter I found myself singing. Nowadays, I still listen to and get inspired by the above-mentioned artists.

I don’t really bother with any techniques or rules connected to the development of the songs, if that’s what you mean, so basically the musical ‘approach’ is like what I always do. But of course, obvious differences are in the mindset, the energies involved and what’s being invoked. For Mayhem it is a constant negative focal point in order to manifest a floating and destructive force of energy, whereas with Ava Inferi it is almost exactly the opposite, even though we are a band of dark origin. There is actually hope in Ava Inferi, heheh. I believe in the balances of energies and the ‘one can not exist without the other to achieve’ train of thought. Therefore, I see Ava Inferi as something free and independent in opposition to the more submissive and dwelling. But then again, one cannot work without the other, so the shadow of the words reflects the opposite, if you get my point. Evil is not necessarily negative…

Well, during the preparations for "Burdens" I kept on sending MP3s through to them, and they gave really positive feedback to me. It still hasn’t ceased, so hopefully we have a long and promising future ahead under their wings, heheh. No, I believe they knew that it would contain a certain level of professionalism and quality, and I’m not saying this to flatter myself, but from their point of view rather as a token of trust based on my previous recordings. I also have another project signed to Season Of Mist (Mezzerschmitt). I see this as a sign of confidence in me and I am very happy about it.

The relationship with Season Of Mist is very good, I’d say. They are very professional and they have built the label to be one of the more important independent labels in Europe - which in itself is a goal worth noticing. Within the band there are no negatives either, not at all. We are good friends who respect each other. I wouldn’t allow any disturbance either, as I have had my share of fights in other bands. You know, finding that right constellation is tough, but when you do, you can break down any obstacles ahead.

We are not a typically female-fronted Gothic Doom band at all, even though per definition, we are. I’d say our musical influences and our visual aspects go far beyond any of those limited tags. Based on the music I can say that there are a lot of differences in influences and inspiration within the band - I personally have a background in classic Heavy Metal, and I was also a Doom head at a rather early stage in my life as well, way before my extreme music career brought me where I am today, actually. Carmen has the classic Gothic Rock influence such as Fields of The Nephilim, The Mission, The Chameleons, and so on. Our bass player is an AOR guy, and our drummer has both Jazz and Metal influences. It’s all a big potpourri, really, and I believe that shines through in our products.

Yes, we do have plans. Actually in these days we have been added as direct support act for Christian Death on their two Spanish dates in early February next year. This means a lot to us and not only because we’ve been fans of the band for years, at least Carmen and myself have been, but also because we know the importance of playing live. In this overcrowded scene it takes persistence and hard work to get anywhere, and when you imagine the several thousand releases there are monthly you have to be able to prove that you have something for real. That’s where the live shows come in. Hopefully things will go well and that the opportunity to tour overseas comes up as well, heheh. We would love to do an extensive tour over there as a support band for some dark and important act...

Well, the creativity flows freely in the band and yes, we are actually aiming for a 2008 release for our third album. We have several parts already written and so far we are totally excited about it. You know, I am in a fortunate situation where I actually live from my music, and this means that I also have a rather good amount of spare time as well, except during touring times, of course. But, when my other bands have months off I’m free to do whatever I desire. This results in music! So, for 2008 I have two albums on the agenda; the third Ava Inferi and the first full-length of Mezzerschmitt, named "Totalitär".

No!

I listen to Rune's creations in Mayhem as well. I don't consider myself a narrow-minded person, and I'm able to listen to different styles of music. I really do like his work, and I like his way of thinking and how he is developing the songs. With his guitar he creates a wide, underground horror movie in my head, that’s how I feel it and see it in my imagination.

I’m listening to a lot of music, and a lot of diverse music as well. I am by no means limited to Metal either. I guess the latest pile reveals me: Beck - Sea Change, Muse - Origin of Symmetry, Bathory - Blood On Ice, Electric Wizard - Let Us Prey and Ulver - Shadows of the Sun, whatever the moment requires. New bands? I don’t really know anything special, at least nothing that I can think of at the moment.

We are actually in the finishing process of the making of our first video ever. It will be to the opening theme of the album, a song called "Dança Das Ondas". The clip will be a magnificent sort of 3D animated video with a vivid, dark and haunting tale based on the Portuguese Fado ‘mythology’ (traditional Portuguese music), which deals with the drama of loss at sea. It should be available for streaming on our MySpace and also on our homepage, as well as on Season Of Mist’s homepage shortly. Make sure to check it out! For those interested, our MySpace also contains cuts from both our albums, so check it out, get caught up in it and then reserve your copies! ;) Join us!

Thanks a lot for the interview, and the great review! All the best from A-I!