- Hi Harmonize! What’s the meaning of your band’s title? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?
When I saw the Greek band Disharmony, live when the opened the show for Arch enemy in Cyprus, I remember how intrigued I was by the name. I then took the word harmony and played with it. Since the band was formed, we remained as Harmonize. It is about restoring the balance between light and darkness.
- What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences? Also, what can you tell us about “Warrior in the Night”?
We used to consider our work to be thrash & power metal, but we have evolved a lot since then, by adding more extreme elements, even doom. Warrior in The Night is an amalgamation of these genres. Our main influences are Amon Amarth, Iced Earth, Blind Guardian Behemoth and many more. The album expresses our own style which has been created because of many different styles
- How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
I have known everyone before they joined the band. I met each at different stages in my life as a young man growing up in Cyprus. These types of friendships have reinforced our sense of brotherhood. I met Sozos, when I was only 12 during karate lessons. I met Lambros & Harrys as a teenager in the metal community of Cyprus, when we got to share the stage together, then they joined Harmonize. Panayiotis and I met when I was in the National Guard as a young man in training in Cyprus, when we used to chat for hours about Metal. When we reunited years later, he joined the band as the bass player.
- When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Harmonize was formed in 2012. However, I happen to be the only original member. My love for metal and the vision I had for this band inspired me to start writing music. As the founder of Harmonize I am very lucky to have these guys, who share the same vision as me, on board.
- What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?
Each one of us chooses their own equipment. We base our choices on quality and sound as well as our budget of course. As of now, we are not sponsored by any brands, but give us a call if you know a company who is interested!
- Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Due to the pandemic, we can’t speak of any future shows at the moment. We have performed at the Power of The Night Festival in Cyprus twice and we played at many metal gigs in Cyprus with many local bands.
- Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
Depending on the show, our setlist can look different every time. We used to play a few covers our crowd likes, but now we are solely focusing on our own music.
- Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Song writing is a team work where everyone’s input is valuable. Our main source however, is the story we are writing, hence the Warrior in the Night character, one of the main characters of the story. We plan to utilise our story for many more projects as we have a lot more elements and plots to introduce. Based on that, each future album is a different chapter, but only time will tell if anything is to change and how, in the future.
- Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Guitars are usually responsible for writing the main riffs, which we then all develop in the studio during a lot of improv and brain storming. Then we proceed to add the lyrics we have been working on. Our sessions can be very creative and although writing new material can be nerve-wracking, it is always an exciting process.
- What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
We aim to always have two meetings each week, one of which is a rehearsal at the studio. If someone’s routine or schedule changes, or we are on holiday, then rehearsals end up being spontaneously planned.
- How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
What Harmonize used to be when the band was formed, is completely different to where we are now, but I believe this is naturally the way we were supposed to evolve. Being the founder and only original member, I have witnessed this evolution in an omniscient way that the other members haven’t experienced.
- What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
The main challenge has been making our first album only just now in 2020, although the band was formed in 2012. As a 17-year-old, forming a band, it was no surprise that I would face certain challenges in the small metal community of Cyprus. Not taken seriously, was only a minor challenge compared to the countless line-up changes. Circumstances such as members leaving to join the mandatory National Guard, or going abroad for their studies, put a huge pause to our plans of producing our first album. However, throughout these years we have matured a lot and developed our own personal style and sound. Finding like-minded individuals, who are committed to this project and who share the same vision, has made this band stronger.
- What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
We aim to play at metal festivals, develop our brand and story and to broaden the Harmonize family. We desire to make art and play metal. We wish to be recognised for the work we do and we plan to work hard.
- What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Surround yourselves with people who share your vision and who intent to make you better and become better. Get rid of toxic carcinomas who only aim to drain your energy. A band, a family, a relationship, are all about give and take. As mentioned in Herodotus’ Histories, some people’s ‘advice to you are like the gales of wind, which vex the sea and don’t allow it to be what it is meant to be’. Well, welcome to your circle people who don’t aim to steal your thunder, but who want to create a most powerful, earth-shuttering one with you. Oh! And a lot of practice. And savings.
- How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
You can find us on all social media platforms. You can subscribe on the Harmonize Official YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Spotify. If you wish to learn more about the band and the story, visit www.harmonizeofficial.com
- Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
As mentioned previously we are not just a band, we are a family. We have a lot of people who care about us and embrace this mutual vision and support it. There are a few people who I’d like to give a shout out to. Giorgos Kyriakides, who has been with us during the making of this album, offering support, help and beer. Arsenis Agisilaou, a former member and close friend, who was involved in the production of our upcoming album. Andreas Paraschos from the thrash/death metal band Blynd who recorded the backing chorus vocals of the tracks in the album. Finally, Nicolina Papas who is my co-writer of story and who has helped in multiple ways, assisting in the creation of the album. She wrote and recorded the piece Beyond Darkness, as well as directed and filmed our video clips. I’d also like to thank our music producers Sofianos Charalambides (Studio 35, Cyprus) and Kyriakos Lorentzos (Rhythm Power Studio, Greece) and for the amazing artworks Giannis Nakos (Remedy Art Design, Greece).
- Any last words?
Note the date down, 2nd October, Warrior in the Night will be available on all digital platforms and will also be available as a physical copy. Join the journey and stay tuned!
