Interview with Alucard

Alucard "means Dracula spelled backwards" – by Mel in Toronto

Alucard "means Dracula spelled backwards," lead singer Ced Dorian introduces the band, "I am a fan of Anne Rice books; and also Dracula for the intense love story beyond death." Five musicians from Mons in Belgium found each other to create beautiful piano driven rock music with strong classical influences. Welcome to Alucard's world of ‘Dark Romantism'.

Alucard formed in 2004 and comprises of Ced Dorian (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Julien Delay (lead guitar), Jonathan Jefferson (keys), Sylvain Signore (bass), and Sebastien Door (drums). The band members are heavily influenced by classical music and also classic rock music. Julien says that "I've learned guitar through private lessons of guitar/harmony and intensive playing, eight hours a day during several years." Jonathan says "I've been playing music since the age of four and studying the piano at the conservatory." Dorian says "I've been learning music since the age of 18. Reading books on harmony, private lessons in piano and guitar for several years. I've also taken singing lessons with several teachers. Working with Jonathan on the arrangements of ‘Dark Romantism' has been a very rich experience for me also." Sylvain has been playing bass in bands since the age of 15 and Sebastian says "I've been playing music since the age of six; starting with the violin and piano but at the age of 14, I decided to play drums. I've been following lessons in a music school in France."

Dorian explains the concept of ‘Dark Romantism', which "is the name of the first album and also the name of the concept. It's a visual and musical concept around the theme of a sadly passionate love. ‘Romantism' has to be understood in its original meaning of ‘Passion.' ‘Dark' illustrates the nostalgia presented in the lyrics." Alucard is currently recording the album in Riga, Latvia, with producer John Fryer. Dorian adds that "a whole mythology will be present in the album depicting a whole realm under a lot of metaphors."

Alucard's music and lyrics are written by Dorian, who gets his inspiration from "a feeling deep inside for the lyrics and musically from classical music." Generally, the songs are about "a dark and passionate vision of love," Dorian adds and gives an insight into the band's lyrics: in DEAD ROMANTIC "everything is in the chorus ‘And the Romantic is dead – Buried deep inside my head' - A way to exorcise my over-passionate behaviour. These were one of the first lyrics I wrote for this album." I LOVED YOU is about "a situation where all you knew is lost: friends, love, etc., but the memories are so strong that they keep haunting you and coming back," Dorian says.

As to why COLD will be the first single off the new album, Dorian says "because it depicts well what ‘Dark Romantism' is; classical verses with rock choruses, solos; lyrics about the incomprehension of the intensity of someone's love." Alucard will also release a video for their first single which was shot in "Les caves de Cureghem in Brussels, Belgium," Sylvain says. Dorian adds that "the idea behind the video is to illustrate the music with the opposition ‘Classical – Rock' and ‘Verse – Chorus'. The place also depicts a sort of dimensional gateway, which is present in the mythology, to the realm of Dark Romantism called ‘The Void'." Stay tuned for the release date of COLD, the video and the upcoming album!

"In your own words" – ONE on ONE with Mel and Alucard

Mel: Who are your influences?

Dorian: Mostly Classical music and bands like The Doors or Queen.

Mel: What does it mean to you to be an indie artist?

Dorian: Being an independent artist means artistic freedom to me.

Mel: What would you like to achieve with your music?

Dorian: I'd like to create Total art concepts.

Mel: Which opportunities do you see with indieSolo?

Dorian: Another opportunity for people to discover our music.

Mel: Looking at your individual bios, your band has strong classical music influences, but also rock. How did you find each other and when did you decide to make this kind of music?

Julien: I was looking for a band which wanted to work in a professional way and saw an ad asking for a guitar player. Dorian had already songs written and I thought they had potential.

Sylvain: I met Dorian through a friend and I've liked the songs at the first listening.

Jonathan: Same way as Julien.

Sebastien: I was a friend of Jonathan; we had already played in a band together. When their last drummer left the band, I seized the opportunity I had been waiting for more than a year.

Mel: Who came up with the concept for your website, especially the book idea and could you please tell me a bit about the Oracle?

Dorian: I did. The Oracle is a specific section of the website where you can personally ask questions to the band or individual members and get an answer, plus/minus every two months. We're going to expand the concept in audio and video.

Mel: Where do you see Alucard in 5 years?

Dorian: Two albums done, a total art show and working on the third concept!

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