Pagan is a band coming fom Turkey that is continuosously evolving. Talciron, guitarist and singer of the band told us about this "transition and the way their music and lineups change.

Why is the band in a transition period? What changes are coming to your music?
There's no specific reason for that, everything's changing, and we are
changing as well . This does not mean that we'll change our musical style or
concept drastically, it just means that we are not the band we were when we
recorded our demo . I hope I made it clear .

Is the material of the new record ready? Have you found any label
interested?
Yes, the material is almost ready, we just need to do some aftertouches during
the recording period and write some lyrics for a song . There's a European
label interested in us, but no contract has been signed yet .

What happened after the release of "Heathen Upheaval"?
Well, unfortunately nothing significant . We've written some new songs,
appeared as an opening act for Tiamat, had some feedback about our demo from
various foreign sources, and replaced our drummer, who's doing his military
service right now . And I met the woman of my life, but I don't think that
would interest you or your readers :o)

Is it wrong to say that atmospheric parts are the most important parts of
Pagan´s music?
Yes it is . Every part has its own importance in our music, and atmospheric
parts (by which I believe you mean keyboard parts) is not more important than
the whole of the song . Another thing is that , atmosphere is not only about
the keyboard for us, it's the combination of the instruments and the lyrics .
The songs in the demo reflect a massive keyboard usage, but In our new songs,
we have less keyboard partitions. Another difference will be the usage of
samples & somekind of electronic background, supplementing the main frame in
some of the songs .

What do you think about the use of flutes, keyboards, acoustic guitars
and clean vocals in black metal?
Well, my personal thought is that the musician may use any instrument as he /
she sees it would fit his/her music . But in black metal, too much use of
flutes / keyboards drift the music from its origins . I don't say that it's
bad, but it's not black metal . In my opinion, black metal is meant to be more
savage, unaccessable, something not everyone can listen to . In this
description, it might be said that we're not a black metal band, well, we are
not trying to do something which would fit into a specific genre, we're just
making the music we want to make, and don't care about what people are calling
it .

How were the shows with Kreator and Samael? Do you have plans to new
shows after the new recording?
Ehueheuhue, well, Kreator & Samael were great, we were also quite good, among
the audience . Due to some problems with the organization, we were not able to
play . But that's quite a long story . A few months ago we opened for Tiamat
(Also On Thorns I Lay), it was ok, we got some positive response, although we
were able to play only for 15 mins, again because of the organization . There
are no plans for a future show at the moment .

Are there any particular art such as poetry and literature that are important

for you and the way you approach Pagan´s concepts?
In my point of view, Art is a culmination of an individual's experience . I
try to express myself in various ways through Pagan, music, poetry &
literature are all parts of it .

How big is the metal scene in Turkey?
Not so big . I guess a few years ago it was much better, but nowadays
everything seems to be in a decline in the metal scene, zines get closed down,
concerts get canceled due to lack of interest . Future looks quite grim .

Are you composing alone or are there any other people helping you with
the process?
We're composing the songs with Noctivagus . Then we give the last touches in
the studio all together .

Which is the philosophy behind your lyrics?
Generally we write about the creation of the Gods & Religions humanity has
spawned so far . Why were they invented ? By whom they were invented ? Do we
need any Gods now, or have we progressed beyond the border of morally
sufficing ourselves ? Who were our Gods, and why are they gone now ? And will
they ever come back again ?

Any final thoughts?
Keep up the spirit and carry on the good work !

Interviewed by Federico Marongiu

ACTUAL LINEUP

Talciron - guitars, vocals

Veb Noctivagus - guitars, vocals

War - drums