Crimson Moon: How did the band get started?
Vangelis K.: It started as a project between me (Vangelis Kakarougkas) and a good friend (Theodore Pegousis, ex drummer of Equal Vector) in 2004. This project was supposed to gather all the discarded ideas of Equal Vector and put them into Sedate Illusion as instrumental music.
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Vangelis K.: Honestly I wouldn’t characterize it as progressive metal, but mostly as experimental/melodic metal music. But for the sake of the labels, let’s say it’s progressive metal.
Crimson Moon: How has the fan response been?
Vangelis K.: Fans all over the world are reaching out to the band, sending us nice messages and their support is immense!
Crimson Moon: Where did the band name come from?
Vangelis K.: I really liked the word Illusion, but I thought it needed something more, so I found the word Sedate and it turned out that it described exactly the character of the music of the project.
Crimson Moon: Introduce the band members.
Vangelis Kakarougkas: Vocals/Synths
Anastasios Kibizis: Guitars
Vangelis Glavinas: Bass
Andreas Alamanos: Drums
Crimson Moon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Vangelis K.: Six.
Crimson Moon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Vangelis K.: I (Vangelis Kakarougkas) am the main composer and lyricist, also some ideas come from Anastasios Kibizis.
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Vangelis K.: Everyday life, the struggle of it, people’s feelings and anxieties and so many more subjects! There is a wide range in it!
Crimson Moon: Has the Covid Pandemic impacted the band at all?
Vangelis K.: The impact was good for the band, we made this new album during the two years of the pandemic.
Crimson Moon: Do you have any side projects?
Vangelis K.: I do, I have a personal channel with some songs of mine that I make and some covers as well.
Crimson Moon: What is the music scene like where you guys are from?
Vangelis K.: The music scene is not that good here, the bands in Greece are not represented well enough and there are so many talented musicians out there that need to be recognized for the amazing work they are doing.
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Vangelis K.: So many bands, some are Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Savatage, Katatonia, Leprous, Conception, Therion, Metallica, Megadeth, Rage and the list goes on and on.
Crimson Moon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Vangelis K.: No, we hadn’t had the chance yet.
Crimson Moon: Do you do any special warm-ups you do before you play live?
Vangelis K.: Special warm-ups? Not really.
Crimson Moon: What made you want to be in this band?
Vangelis K.: I created this band, it is my child, my legacy. It is an expression of an aspect of me and throughout the years it grows with me, we grow together, becoming better and better.
Crimson Moon: If you weren’t in this band would you still be involved in the music industry?
Vangelis K.: Yes, of course.
Crimson Moon: As a musician what advice can you give to fellow musicians just starting out?
Vangelis K.: Write as much music as you can, have a straight mind and be true to yourself first.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for the band?
Vangelis K.: Playing at gigs, composing new stuff and having fun along the way without stress and anxiety, because life is short!
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/sedateillusion
https://www.youtube.com/sedateillusion
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5snJSEk6RRQba0Rvwlh5Ug
https://sedateillusion.bandcamp.com
