Italian one-man band Evoked Eclipse is the brainchild of Max Havler, who recently released his debut album, The Cries of Evil. In this interview, Max discusses the project's origins, his musical influences, the album's dark concept, and his plans for the future.
Asmoth: Evoked Eclipse is a relatively new one-man band from Italy. What inspired you to start this project, and what artistic goals did you have in mind when you first created it?
Max Havler: I was inspired to start this project by the desire to propose the great music that was made by the first albums of In Falmes, Dark Tranquillity and the whole Swedish genre of the 90s, and also the first albums of Anathema, and these were also the motivation of my goals of having a band with which to make great albums following these musical trends.
Asmoth: Working as a one-man band requires complete creative control over the music. What attracted you to this format, and what are the biggest advantages and challenges of handling every aspect of the project yourself?
Max Havler: The biggest advantages of this are that I can do what I want, when I want, without having to wait and depend on other members. The challenges themselves aren't difficult, as it's a great satisfaction for me to be able to create and manage a band all by myself. Perhaps the challenge that might weigh on me a little is the financial aspect of doing everything myself, and we all know that recording a good album in a good studio has significant financial costs, and I pay for everything out of my own pocket.
Asmoth: Your debut album The Cries of Evil marks an important milestone for Evoked Eclipse. How long did the writing process take, and how did the album evolve from its earliest ideas to the final recording?
Max Havler: The writing process for this album was quite long, it took 4 years, because I wanted it to be a perfect album in every way and for every song to be complete and perfect. The album evolved by adding more and more "colors" to the songs from time to time. This process also lasted in the recording studio, we continued to add more and more "colors" and so the final result was great and complete in every way.
Asmoth: The album title immediately evokes dark and sinister imagery. What is the meaning behind The Cries of Evil, and what themes or concepts are explored throughout the record?
Max Havler: With "The Cries Of Evil" I want to give a testimony of the ghostly side that exists, the side that cannot be seen and touched by hand in everyday life and in reality, but still exists in the Spirit world, with which they can come into contact, and these are the themes and concepts that are explored throughout the album, death, darkness, spiritualism, spiritism, the world of the afterlife.
Asmoth: Every artist is shaped by a variety of influences. Which bands, albums, or even non-musical sources had the strongest impact on the sound and atmosphere of The Cries of Evil?
Max Havler: The albums that had a strong impact on me in the composition and creation of "The Cries Of Evil" were "Lunar Strain 2" and "Subterranean" by In Flames, then "Skydancer" and "The Gallery" by Dark Tranquillity, "Storm Of The Light's Bane" by Dissection, and "The Silent Enigma" by Anathema. These are on a musical level. Then non-musical sources that had a strong impact on the atmosphere of "The Cries Of Evil" were my personal experiences that brought the concept strongly linked to the world of Spirits and darkness.
Asmoth: Atmosphere is often a key element in extreme metal. When composing music for Evoked Eclipse, do you focus more on creating emotions, telling stories, or expressing personal ideas and experiences?
Max Havler: I focus on both things, precisely because I want to give the listener emotions through music by telling my personal experiences with the lyrics.
Asmoth: Italy has produced many notable bands across the extreme metal spectrum. How would you describe the current Italian underground metal scene, and has it played any role in the development of Evoked Eclipse?
Max Havler: As in every country and nation there are excellent bands and terrible bands, so this is the current Italian situation, it did not have a particular role in the development of Evoked Eclipse, as I have always drawn inspiration from the first records of the big Scandinavian bands, including In Flames and Dark Traìnquillity who invented this genre in the 90s
Asmoth: Now that your debut album has been released, what are your expectations for Evoked Eclipse? Do you see this project remaining a studio-based one-man band, or could it eventually expand into a full live lineup?
Max Havler: My expectations with this album are to reach as many people as possible, so that it can be listened to by many people. My intention is also to be able to do concerts soon so that I can promote and make this album and Evoked Eclipse known to as many people as possible, even live.
