Death Metal have never been stronger. A lot of new bands are releasing CDs these days. Some of these bands, release their CDs on their own label. Aurora Borealis from USA is one of the best unsigned bands at the moment. They have released two very good releases. We caught up with them on world wide web and this is Ron Vento’s answers to our questions.



1. When and where was Aurora Borealis started ?? Could you give us a brief biography ?

- Aurora Borealis was first thought of around 1994 while I was playing with an Atlanta based band called Lestregus Nosferatus, I was not into what that theme of the band was all about. But it was not until around late 95 that I really tried to get the band started. I then traveled to Tampa, Florida to find a drummer and Found Tony Laureno (now in AngelCorpse) to do the first CD. After the recording I relocated to M.D to begin writing for the 2nd CD. I found bassist Jay Eckert here mid way through completion. Being that Tony was very wrapped up in doing other things I called Derik Roddy to play drums on the next full length CD. Derik had just finished doing the latest Malevolent Creation CD and was not real happy there so he said sure, There after we recorded the latest CD and we are just trying to promote it the best we can.

2. Your choice of band name seems a bit strange to be a Death Metal band. Could you please tell us more about your choice of band name ?

- I chose that name because the lights have always fascinated me. They are very mysterious, serene and chaotic all at once. I think this is somewhat how our music is as well. So I thought the name fit nicely.

3. How would you compare your new album with the "Mansion.." MCD you released in 1996 ?

- The new CD is maybe a bit more technical, and the songs are structured better. It is still very, very fast and we have not changed the general style. Anyone who liked the last CD will love this one.

4. How much did that MCD sell and did you get offers for record deals after the release of that MCD ?

- We sold like 2000 and had 2 pressings. Only about 100 remain now. we did get offers to release the next one but they were all not so good, so I decided to release the new one myself again. we are still talking to some others about releasing the next CD, it is hard doing it all myself so we may sign with someone as long as they can give us what we need.

5. You recorded that MCD in Morrisound Studio, Tampa Florida and Scott Burns mixed the MCD. How was it to work in Morrisound and with Scott Burns ? Why did you record the new CD in another studio with an other producer ?

- Morrisound was great as well was Scott, he is a superb producer. I think that Morrisound are very overpriced though. I heard some stuff that was done at another studio in South Carolina and was very impressed with it so I checked it out and the rates were half of the Morrisound ones so I decided to just go there and get double time so I could make the CD sound even better. The new Nile was also recorded there and that sounds great as well. At Sound Lab I also a better hand at producing the CD along with Bob the engineer. I think we might use this studio again just for the drums but I may use my home studio do the rest of the CD this time. I have been building it for a while and it is probably capable of getting just as good of a sound. I just like the drums done on analog and then we can do the rest digital.

6. Please tell us more about the "Praise The Archaic Lights Embrace" opus ?

- Well, Like I said it is a much better CD than the last. Lyrics deal with anything from Ancient Egypt again to ancient Greece and the shang Dynasty there are other purely fictional stories on it as well. I generally write the music fist and then lyrics unless I have a catchy phrase then I base the music around that. I think each track is very good, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be the last track called the Storm.

7. Which bands or piece of art/literature has inspired "Praise The Archaic Lights Embrace" and/or Aurora Borealis ?

- There are really too many for me to even begin to name as far as bands go. I listen to everything from Rock to classical to some other stuff that you would not believe. As far a literature goes clearly the Tolkien books from his war of the rings trilogy and really any history books in general I find it all very interesting.

8. What is the positive and the negative sides of releasing releases on your own without a record company ? How about the distribution of the CD ?

- The positives are you get to keep up with everything as far as how many are sold where they go to etc, and also the cash aspect I get all the cash in return, Granted I have to pay myself back for the recording and reproduction but that only takes a little while, I am able to make a little cash from it. the negatives are just all the headache it causes, it is a lot of work and I am ready for someone to take some of that from me. I really want to start concentrating on a studio a bit more. I am still going to do Aurora for a very long time , but I just need some of the work load off me, the other members really don’t do much other than write a bit and play. all the business stuff I have been doing from the start.

9. Which bands would you compare Aurora Borealis with ?

- I compare Aurora Borealis with all the big name bands, We are in the ranks of Morbid Angel, Marduk really any band that is doing really well, not so much music wise because we are different from those bands but in the talent area, If we had a good label backing us there is no telling where we would be. I’m not trying to sound conceated but if you don’t believe in your band who will? If you don’t think that your band is one of the best why bother doing it, Just go play in a cover band of whoever you think is.

10. What are your plans for the coming months and year ?? Any tour plans ?

- As far as a tour, that takes a label that can back it. so I don’t think that is up for now, but if a label came through with one we could do it no problem. I want to promote this CD more and try to sell it out soon, to do another pressing. Then just get on with the next one.

11. Do you have a merchandise list ??? From what address can the band be contacted ?

- Sure we have list we have both Cds, a comp CD, short sleeves ,Longsleeves etc.
We can be reached at PO Box 1327 Clinton M.D 20735-5327, or via the internet at AURORA4DTH@aol.com (see link at the bottom of the Menu bar -ed)
Let me also take this time to thank you for this interview, we really appreciate the chance to further promote ourselves. We encourage all your readers to write, all mail is answered.

We wish Aurora Borealis good luck and we will follow their progress with interest in the coming months and years.
Reviews of their two releases can be found under the reviews section.