1. What is your Band Name? caelestia
2. To kick things off: Tell our audience a bit about the origin story of your Band?
First of all, thank you very much for the interview opportunity. Caelestia was initially formed as a symphonic extreme metal sextet back in May 2013 in Athens, Greece. Under this framework, we released two full albums and a 7-inch single (2015, 2017 and 2019). After covid-19, the band actually reformed and shifted its musical direction to a more guitar-driven death metal style, however preserving some atmospheric elements (and abolishing female vocals).
3. If you had to describe the sound of your Band to someone who hasn’t heard you yet: What would you say?
We would define our sound as “extreme metal”. We have recently shifted our musical direction towards a more guitar riff-driven style, blending technical precision with atmospheric passages and dark inspired lyrical themes. So, one can find elements of melodic death metal, technical death metal and black metal in our music.
4. How has the songwriting evolved with the band over the years? What does that process look like for you lately?
A demo version of each song is prepared (usually guitar, bass & drums – no vocals) by the member who has the idea. Then we all listen to the demo, and we discuss what parts to add, or to omit, or to embellish. Afterwards, individual members work on their parts. Then we come back and track the pre-production version of each song. Then we rehearse the pre-produced version, until it flows naturally from our hands. At the same time, the vocals are written. After that (after we gather all songs that we want to include), we are ready to hit the studio for official tracking. Sometimes we do minor changes even during the tracking process.
5. What was the inspiration for your band name? What meaning does it have behind it?
Our name “Caelestia” is a Latin word for all things heavenly. It makes a sharp contrast with the dark lyrics and current extreme musical direction of our band. It was conceived back in 2013, by one of our former members. It came out as a result of searching, in the context of the aforementioned contrast between heaven & hell, light & darkness and all things similar.
6. What are some of the recurring themes or messages you find yourself exploring in your lyrics?
The central subject in the album is darkness in all its forms. Quite a number of its songs deal with grim historical events (“Jutland”, “Wolves”, The Slopes Of Tenmokuzan”, “Fall Of The Demon King”), whilst the title track and “Buried” are inspired by dark literature (C.R. Jacobi & T. Gautier). “Reflection Of The Beast” deals with altered states of the human mind and soul, and “Dead Eternal” is a homage to Per Yngve Ohlin of Mayhem (known as “Dead”) and his legacy. Maybe “Dead Eternal” is the most optimistic track of the album, regarding the subject of the lyrics.
7. What is one song you’ve written that you feel captures the absolute core identity of the band?
The title track “Revelations In Black” comprises all of the elements of our new musical style, all driven to their extremes. Although it had been written as a demo track as early enough as 2021, it undergone constant and significant changes in the process. It was as if this song didn’t want to complete itself. It has the most complex harmonic structure of all the tracks, it’s written in the fastest tempo, it has the hardest riffs & the most complex guitar solos; this song is the hardest one to even rehearse. Besides all these, it also has the longest lyrics text of all songs in the album.
8. Do you find your energy translates better in an intimate club style venue or a massive festival setting?
It all depends on the kind of connection that the band establishes with its audience. A small club audience may be easier to “capture”, but is also easier to “lose”, if a band does not live up to the expectations. A large festival crowd is often much too difficult to “move”, but once it gets “warm”, that feeling stays longer. In our case, we have tried several small club audiences and have seen that it works for us. However, we are very eager to play in front of larger crowds and see how this works.
9. Which show performance stands out as your all time favorite? is there a specific reason?
By far, our headline performance at our hometown of Athens on April 25th, 2026. First of all, it was the first time we hit the stage with our new lineup after 7 whole years (our last live appearance was in September 2019). Secondly, it was the first time that we presented our new musical style live (in front of an audience) and we had some butterflies in our stomach, to be frank. The energy of our performance managed to be infused into the audience that evening, something that made us extremely happy (despite the small technical difficulties that we faced). That energy was also captured in the filming of that performance, something which our fans will be able to see very shortly.
10. Which Artists or Band inspired you to be in a Band?
There are different influences and inspirations for our band members; As far as our vocalist, Lordwinter, is concerned, his main inspirations are C. Barnes and the late B. Hoffmann and his favorite bands are Death, Malevolent Creation & Cradle Of Filth. Andrew Geo, our guitarist, drew his playing inspiration from J. Loomis, J. Waters and R. Rhoads, citing Death, Behemoth and Nevermore as his “go to” bands. For Bill, inspiration to pick up the guitar came from J. Loomis, T. Azagthoth, A. Skolnick and Ihsahn, whereas his favorite bands are Death, Morbid Angel and Obituary.
11. If you could sit down and collaborate with any Artist or Band right now, who would be at the top of your list and Why?
Our vocalist, Lordwinter, would like to collaborate especially with Tim “Ripper” Owens or Dani Filth. As far as the other band members are concerned, any collaboration with a “classic” death metal act (such as Death, Morbid Angel, Obituary, Malevolent Creation, Immolation etc) would be something that we would surely dream of.
12. What’s the current Pulse of the Metal Scene from your perspective?
Competition has risen steeply. Internet mass media has made it possible for every band / artist to get an audience, but on the other hand, it has become way easier and cheaper for a band / artist to make a home production and release its music, even if it lacks the financial means to go to a professional studio. So, especially after covid-19, we have noticed an increase in the number of bands formed. One has to “compete” with way more bands to get a slice of the global audience, than in the past. Social media has become a tool that is being assigned to professional publicists / PR agencies nowadays. Gone are the innocent days of MIRC e.g., when bands communicated directly with other bands and listeners. Things now have become way more complicated and professional.
13. Are there any endorsements or gear brands you’re currently working with that you’d like to shout out?
Our drummer, Marc Reign is endorsed by Paiste & Weckl cymbals and Ludwig drums. Our guitarists, Bill & Andrew, use Jackson, Schecter & Ibanez guitars and are fully endorsed by Seymour Duncan pickups. Our bass player Stelios also prefers Ibanez basses and Bartolini pickups.
14. What does your tour calendar look like? Any big shows or festivals we should be made aware of?
As of now, there is a live show in our hometown of Athens, scheduled for January 2027. We are waiting for more shows to be booked for summer & fall 2027 outside Greece (small tour & some festival shows).
15. What is your very first Metal album you ever bought ?
“Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son” by Iron Maiden.
16. What was the very first metal concert you ever went to?
Iron Maiden live in Athens, September 13th, 1988 (Seventh Tour Of A Seventh Tour).
17. Where’s the best place for fans to keep up with you and dive into your community online?
The best place is our Facebook page of course
