SEA OF TRANQUILLITY
USA
In a little trade done between Cursed Production (USA) and Eternal Night Records
(Colombia) we knew this brutal band and Pete answered this interview.
To start the interview, tell me about the creation of Sea Of Tranquillity...
Sea of Tranquillity was formed back in 1992 after the demise of
my first band "Shades Of Grey" which was predominately a thrash metal
band. The last original members of Shades Of Grey had either quit music
altogether or decided to head towards more commercial avenues so I decided to end
the project and begin work with Sea of Tranquillity. The 2 remaining
members of Shades Of Grey joined in on the SOT project which would follow a
heavier path in terms of sound & audience.
Which is the discography of Sea Of Tranquillity until today?
Our first release was the 2-song demo (untitled) featuring the songs
"Berserk" & "Darkened". Following this the guitarist Dan Roque left
the band leaving us a three-piece with Ralph Hernandez, our new drummer
David Ross & myself (Pete Clemens) on bass/vocals. We then entered Sheffield
Studios and recorded the demo "Dead of Winter" which was later remixed
and released on a split cd with the band PAX MORTIS on the Cursed
Productions label. Finally, the last release was a full length cd entitled "The
Omegan Ruins" that was recorded at our friends studio (Northern Sound) back in
late '96-'97. After 3 years with SOT in hiatus we started to record "The Pale
Man" in 2000/2001 but haven't actually finished the final product (which we
are recording ourselves) as we've basically been demoing material since our
original drummer (Dave Cady). Oh, we also released a 7" on Rage Records
back in '93 I believe with our friends in the band NUM SKULL!! Very limited
release, it features the song "Berserk" from the first recording sessions
that was pressed on red vinyl.
All your recordings have been released by Cursed Productions?
Yes, we have found it easier to work with a label that is only
several miles away rather than 700 miles away. Besides, Ray Miller has
been very supportive of our unique style of metal and has always allowed us
to explore different avenues that aren't copied 1000 times. Each of our
releases sounds different & it's only ourselves who strive not to
repeat each release to sound the same and become repetitive.
What's the reaction of the latinoamerican fans for Sea Of Tranquillity?
For the most part very positive! Obviously we haven't been doing
much over the last 3/4 years but the support generated in South America
during the release of "The Omegan Ruins" has been uplifting & in
general pretty good. On some occassions people have corresponded with us that
don't care for our "style" as we sound nothing like generic death metal but
more a combination of black/death/trash & doom which they don't care for. The
sounds that we convey range from old Obituary crossed with Iron Maiden &
Anathema. For that reason alone people don't generally like where we
are coming from, but thats alright. The fewer the truer...
About Colombia, ¿how do you imagin my country?
I would pretty much say the same as Mexico perhaps or southern Texas.
I've seen Colombia only through the eyes of "American Media" on Discovery or
other major corporate outlets which slants everything into a negative
view so thats not really my honest expectations if I ever arrived within
your country? If I understand correctly you have a civil war taking place
now but our news coverage is again very slanted & covers almost nothing
concerning your countries problems.
Do you play covers in your gigs? which?
Yes, we usually play old covers from the bands WINTER; "Servants
of the Warsmen" , GRAVE ; "Extremely Rotten Flesh" and UNLEASHED; "If They
Had Eyes". We haven't played out in almost 3 years and obviously our
choice would change I'd believe. As of now I'd like to perform anything by
the bands UNCANNY (Sweden), MOURNING SIGN (Sweden) or perhaps ROSICRUCIAN
(Sweden). Our new drummer is a die-hard DEICIDE freak so maybe something
off the 1st or 2nd album!
From where your agresivity comes?
From my opinions towards useless government action, stupid money
grubbing idiots & general incompetence (plus that and the fury in metal
music). I behooves me to watch stupid people do idiotic things and
either waste their lives or injure somebody else's. I also enjoy aggressive
music which I think enables us to summon that demonic fury & play metal! ha ha
Which plans do you have for the future?
We are currently recording new songs for the next release "The Pale
Man" which again maybe released on the Cursed Productions label. We
finished recording the demo versions back in 2000 and have since been
adding material for the new album by ripping songs apart or adding/changing
song structures. Its alot different than the "Omegan Ruins" release as our
new drummer is a double bass/grind manic and trying to tone his style down
in impossible! His drumming I think has allowed us to revert back to the
"Dead of Winter" sound & gives us that "hammer-in-your-face" style that
wasn't present on the debut cd.
Now, tell me the actual line up.
As of now we are still a three piece with Ralph Hernandez
(guitars/keyboards), his brother Alex Hernandez (drums/percussion) and
myself on bass/vocals (Pete Clemens). We hope to have the new album
finished by December this year & a February release date with either
Cursed Productions or a new label here in Indiana called Forever Underground
Records.
Last words for Eternal Night Zine
Thank you much for the interview & appreciate the support for
Sea of Tranquillity! Best to you & the readers of Eternal Night Zine & much
success in the future! We are currently working on our new website
that you can reach in the links of this webzine and if you need to
contact any members of the band you can search the site and find the provided links
necessary! We still have merchandise available (demo, both cds & the
vinyl 7") so contact Ralph if your looking for anything! We are hoping to
record the new album "The Pale Man" & have finished with 2/3 months so please
visit the website for updates!!!! Again, thanks Alex & stay metal...
