Hey, please tell us something about the person behind Aynsophar. Who are you, where do you live, what are your musical influences and when did you start Aynsophar ? And what is the meaning of the word „Aynsophar“ ? I think Death are a huge influence, am I right (you mentioned something about your record as the sound of your own perseverance…)?
At first I'm sending my greetings to the readers and thank you for this interview opportunity! Presently I'm living in England, I moved here a year ago. Great place and home of pioneer bands.
I listen to a wide variety of music and I try to get inspiration from different places. I try not to limit my interest, this way I'm hoping to create something „ear-catching“. Lately I got inspired by Carlo Regadas (Monstrance, ex-Carcass / Blackstar) a lot ,he is a brilliant player and I'm always amazed by his skills (even if he doesn't know or doesn't believe haha), he is responsible for my musical growth (haha) but it's obvious that Death had / has a huge influence on me. Actually I think 90% of death metal bands are inspired by Death at some level, haha. I think it's amazing. It's amazing to reach such a high stage musicially where you inspire such a big number of people with your work. Brilliant.Lately I'm inspired by such fantastic players as Yngwie or Becker. Obviously I don't even dare to dream a bout being able to play like them but inspiration is not only about abilities.
Aynsophar as a word is made by me from the Hebrew Ain Soph Aur. Ain Soph in itself means „without limits” and Ain Soph Aur means Eternal light. What it tells me personally, what it means to me personally is that anything is possible and the human being is a creator being. Everyone dictates their own limits.
About "The Sound of Perseverance". Chuck is an inspiration not only musically but as a human being (Same goes to Carlo actually). I actually have a TSOP tattoo on my leg. I decided to have it tattooed on me when I had a harder period in my life. I think the title says it all really. Whenever I had some harder time I got comforted by his words. His words kept the fire alive in me.
About "The Sound of Perseverance". Chuck is an inspiration not only musically but as a human being (Same goes to Carlo actually). I actually have a TSOP tattoo on my leg. I decided to have it tattooed on me when I had a harder period in my life. I think the title says it all really. Whenever I had some harder time I got comforted by his words. His words kept the fire alive in me.
Thank you for your words!
When I was eleven years old I applied for the local music school. My school experience didn't last long, only a couple of months because I found boring what they've tried to teach me, however I liked to play my own stuff on the guitar. I was just a kid, excited about guitar, not learning (haha)! I have to be honest with myself in the first years I haven't improved much, I just didn't look at music and guitar the same way I do it now. I actually had a time on my journey which I call as my rebirth as a guitar player. I'm not educated musically, at least not in school. I gathered my knowledge by myself, or sometimes with the help of local players. But I've been always such a loner (haha). I appreciate your opinion about my playing and about your ideas of my musical education but it's not the case.
Your first EP named „Abysmal secrets of unknown“ was released on tape by Neverheard Distro and on self-released CDs, which are sold out. How much did you sell ? In general I think the reactions towards your release were really positive and enthusiastic, right ? Or did some people or writers dislike your music ? Are you actually searching for a (bigger ) record label?
Obviously there's always going to be someone who doesn't like my work but that's natural. I don't want to appeal to everyone, it's impossible. At some point I think I wanted to. But I went through a lots of changes in my personality and in my way of thinking. I think when I made the EP I just wanted to appear in the music scene. Don't get me wrong I made it with passion. I always felt some kind of special passion towards music, metal and guitars. But to tell the truth I used this EP as a tool to show that I can make my goals come true. I felt that an EP is a very good first step. I wanted to show that I am able to achieve things on my own, just simply because I want it. For some reason I always rather listen to people who don't believe in me and my skills. But that's fine, I just use it as a fire. Actually I would say that's rather my past self. I fully accepted that you can't fit into everyone's box. When you get a negative feedback of something you worked on hard you will feel bad obviously but I think lately I lost in the world of trying to compliance. So however I was able to dwell on negative feedbacks, the opinions about my record were in 99% good. At least the ones I've heard of. Well as I tend to wallow in compliance at a point I lost the magic I felt about playing when I was a child. I could be depressed if I couldn't play the way I wanted, I was frustrated if something haven't worked the way I wanted, sometimes I cried during recording that's how frustrated I was. And yes, all my wish was to find a bigger record label. But you know, being absolutely honest here, I haven't really played lately. The material of the new EP is recorded (scatch) but in the last couple of months a barely touched the guitar. If it happened in the past I was dead depressed and desperate. But just read back the words I'm using about my past recording exprience: „depressed“, „frustrated“, „desperate“.... No, it's not the way to do it. I don't force anything now. I just want the magic back. I just want the joy of playing. For this reason I won't force record labels, big labels. If it meant to happen it will. But I don't want to destroy the magic of music by expectations. The joy has to be there even without big labels. Of course I would be happy to have part in such a honor to be recognised by a bigger label but I think it shouldn't be the main thing. You know, it's expectations again. If you make a record just because you want to be recognised – you will fall big times if it doesn't happen. You will suffer, you will question your own abilities, you will rely on other's feedback... I know, I went through this, that's why I let this change happen in me. It's nice to have a goal obviously. Let this goal be playing joyfully, just from a pure heart and „create“ „music“. Just „create“.
I met all of them through the internet even though Richard is Hungarian and I lived in Hungary while I was recording. Travis and Chris showed their interest in working with me before so I thought this was the perfect time. Richard helped me a lot through the recording process and we became really good friends. He's actually a guitarist but - you can hear it too – he has a voice like hell! He already asked me if I want him to sing on the next record and knowing his work, hell to the yes! Also I asked my partner, Carlo Regadas, who offered me to be my producer, if he would be interested in doing growls on my songs and he expressed his interest in this task, so we will see what will happen. He's presently working on his own projects, Monstrance's EP so I don't want to bother him with my music yet (haha).
The title „Abysmal Secrets of Unknown“ is based on the saying „just because you can't see anything it doesn't mean that the thing doesn't exist“. Like, you can't see wifi but it's still there. You can't see sound but it's still there. It sounds rather „spiritual“ but this relates to social things too, if we consider the lyrics of „Feed the machine“ on „Inhuman condition“ they rather speak about a „social awakening“. Just because people cover their eyes and let themselves to be brainwashed it doesn't mean that the real issue isn't there.
The whole EP is about a spiritual awakening and that we should realize the inhuman things on earth. The first song, "Abysmal Secrets of Unknown" is talking about this awakening, about that we should have an open mind towards the things of the world. It also warns that often the ones who are looking for the mysteries of the world seem strange in the eyes of the others.
"Feed the machine" shows the operation of a machinery, when people stay rather in silence than giving a voice for their and for others own interest. As I see the world goes into a very strange direction which is not unconditionally good for people. Just as the first verse says: „When all the prophets die who will predict the suffer? An ocean of hidden dreams about a darkened future?” If people turn away from the ones who have an open mind towards the world's things then no-one will stay who could warn them for being careful. But the lyrics later suggests that if people work together as a team, they have the greatest power. Personally my favourite part is the following:
„Why should I let this deviation When I'm also God's creation Who has the knowledge controls the masses Our lives are like fragile glasses Should I close out what's all around And as an individual improving on Or on a long lost world's ashes Should I be reborn?”
Everyone has the right for a safe future. "Inhuman Condition" is again about the man made inhuman world. Just look around: Wars, hatred, terror attacks, mass shooting...„Belial is walking to spread disease over this world” You know if there is evil, it's people.
"Eternal soul damnation" is about a man made hell in one's soul. An emotional hell. This is what symbolized by the angel who tore out her own wings. I am also constantly following what happens around us, but I try not to believe everything I hear or see. I also believe that the world is more than what we can perceive. I would just like to have an open mind. I also like to perceive the things from more different views. I like to study the human psyche and mind.
The whole EP is about a spiritual awakening and that we should realize the inhuman things on earth. The first song, "Abysmal Secrets of Unknown" is talking about this awakening, about that we should have an open mind towards the things of the world. It also warns that often the ones who are looking for the mysteries of the world seem strange in the eyes of the others.
"Feed the machine" shows the operation of a machinery, when people stay rather in silence than giving a voice for their and for others own interest. As I see the world goes into a very strange direction which is not unconditionally good for people. Just as the first verse says: „When all the prophets die who will predict the suffer? An ocean of hidden dreams about a darkened future?” If people turn away from the ones who have an open mind towards the world's things then no-one will stay who could warn them for being careful. But the lyrics later suggests that if people work together as a team, they have the greatest power. Personally my favourite part is the following:
„Why should I let this deviation When I'm also God's creation Who has the knowledge controls the masses Our lives are like fragile glasses Should I close out what's all around And as an individual improving on Or on a long lost world's ashes Should I be reborn?”
Everyone has the right for a safe future. "Inhuman Condition" is again about the man made inhuman world. Just look around: Wars, hatred, terror attacks, mass shooting...„Belial is walking to spread disease over this world” You know if there is evil, it's people.
"Eternal soul damnation" is about a man made hell in one's soul. An emotional hell. This is what symbolized by the angel who tore out her own wings. I am also constantly following what happens around us, but I try not to believe everything I hear or see. I also believe that the world is more than what we can perceive. I would just like to have an open mind. I also like to perceive the things from more different views. I like to study the human psyche and mind.
To answer the last part of the question: I've got a religious upbringing. I was praying every night, I attended a religious high school, I attended church, and to tell the truth religion saved me at one point, but I fell over that point and I realised that religion – taught in school and churches – was way too much and had way too much control over my mind. I was desperately afraid of my own thoughts, wishes, everything. I had to stop and think: it's not right. God can't be a loving father who will punish you for even your feelings, thoughts. I looked more into „spirituality“. I believe in the mind, the power of mind, energy, universe. I would say, let's call „god“ the „universe“. But it's such a complex topic.
It's a Photoshop work. I was the model, the photographer, the editor. I just wanted to make everything on my own. I was working a lot on those pictures and I was thinking about the concept a lot too. I was a bit disappointed seeing that the actual prints were too dark. I'm not really into painting but rather drawing and Photoshop. I create artwork for other bands - under the name of „Metaloplast Artwork“ or just simply my name - which is a huge honour for me. I really value their trust and it makes me happy that they like my work. My latest artwork was for Plague Throat, an absolutely fantastic death metal band from India. I think that is my favourite graphic design so far. But I also made album cover for such bands like the UK harcore pioneers Intense Degree. I really enjoy doing art and my customers' trust will always
be a honour for me. When someone plants their trust in your skills, that's really amazing.
You wrote on your facebook site, that the first EP reflects your situation during the times these recordings took shape-so it sounds, that the announced future EP „Demigod Eternal“ will sound maybe much different, because you talk about change and how change can happen in an short amount of time. Is the new EP in a progressed state yet ? So do you agree, that change could be described as the real magic of or in life ? Futhermore, I have the impression that although your music has so much to offer and is based on a high-quality level, that you seem to be very thankful that people like your stuff and that sometimes you can’t really believe this ?
I feel when you create something you freeze that time for the rest of your life. That EP is a frozen segment of things which I was interested in or went through at that time. The record was released in September 2017 and here we are now, a year later: I'm in a new country, with a new set of things to solve, with a wiser personality. Yes, change can be magic but sometimes transformation hurts. I'm constantly trying to better myself as a musician and as a human being so this results that I have different things to talk about. Musically I had a turn. Who knows me knows well what a big inspiration Chuck Schuldiner is for me. And this hasn't changed. But I dug myself more into Malmsteen's, Jason Becker's or Paul Gilbert's music. I am very lucky to share my life with such a brilliant guitar player so I learn a lot from him too. I learn theory, I better my techniques, everything. Partly that's why I don't want to rush the next material. I'm in a progress and I want people to hear the best of me at this stage. I'm always going to be thankful for everyone who takes the energy and time to listen to my work. It's a huge thing for me. And when I see people actually enjoy it – it's just unbelievable. For me, as a „creator“ it's a fantastic experience.
At this stage I just want to enjoy music and want to enjoy making music. Doesn't matter if it's on stage or not (however sometimes I miss playing on stage, haha). As one of my friends said: „No one else needs to know about if it means something to you!“ Obviously it would be a honour to be recognised and valued as musician, songwriter, guitar player. I am sure it is a fantastic feeling when you hear your music being played or sung by others, for different reasons. My partner can't imagine what his songs mean to me, as they don't mean anything to him. A couple of days ago I just told him about a song he wrote and I really love, that actually when the solo is on and I hear the rhythm guitar, it just chokes me and makes me want to cry. It brings lots of emotions out of me. I think if there is something I want to achieve then it's something like this.
I often see musicians having an unwanted break from playing and they feel frustrated. I haven't really played for almost a year. This was my longest „break“. But this was my very first occasion when I didn't become frustrated – maybe I was too distracted. I've learned this: Don't be desperate. Give it time. If it wants to come, it will. Listen to lots of different music, different players, try to get new information, let things settle, let things bloom. Let the flower grow. If something is worth fighting for: never give up!
photographer first pic: Kyle May
photographer third pic: Chris Baugh
photographer third pic: Chris Baugh
