With less than a week left until “Freakangel“ and “Preternatural“ show in Vilnius, Lithuania the event organizers “Vilko Promotions“ have reached the vocalist of Estonian band “Freakangel“ Dmitry and asked him a few questions. Enjoy reading it.

Hi! How are you doing? Are you excited for the Vilnius show on 24th of February?

Good evening. I’m fine, thank you. Siting in my room, listening to Scott Matthew and drinking Franziskaner. Yes, I’m very excited for this show because it will be our first show with our just released 4th album “How The Ghost Became”. I literally can’t wait to share our new songs with all of you! Hope we will have some great mosh’n’roll time all together!

Many remember that you have visited Vilnius before, and played a gig in “Metro“ club almost exactly one year ago. How was it from your point of view? What was the most memorable thing from that night, and from Lithuania overall?

That’s right. It was in February too. 13.02.16, if I remember correctly. “Metro“ is a nice place and it suited our sound pretty well. We were performing a bit different set from what we are going to play on 24.02, lets say it was more electronic and easier to perform. It was a good show. I really enjoy doing small venues more than playing huge festivals. Being in front of people and sharing my life with them is the best feeling ever. The most memorable thing? After-party in a huge apartment with moshing to grindcore tunes… moshing with fucking toasters in our hands.

You have traveled quite a lot up until now; do you notice any differences among industrial music fans from different countries? E.g., is it any different to play a gig in Tallinn and a gig in Vilnius?

It’s never the same. Even if we come back to the same city after some time and doing the same venue. It’s always different… and this is the best part about being able to perform and about being able to tour. Of course there are countries that are more advanced in one style or another, but we are always trying to give our best so people would be able to enjoy our show no matter the musical background that they are coming from.

“How The Ghost Became” is your 4th full length album, along with some other releases such as digital EPs. Can you tell those who have not heard it yet, more about it? How is it different, or how does it stand out from what you have released so far?

With „How The Ghost Became“ we wanted to provide something different from our old releases. You see… we are still looking for our own sound and we really like to perform live. That’s why we have decided to produce an album that will be similar to our live sound. Just because of this in 2015 we have released “The Show Of Violence” DVD, so listeners who were missing our live shows would be able to get themselves more comfortable with our sound. Lets just say that our 4th album is pretty different, but if you are not new to our music then you will hear our “signature” for sure.

What can people expect from your show in “nArauti” club on 24th of February?

We are going to play some new songs, but we are not abandoning our old tracks, never. So yeah, be there… get a drink, smoke some weed and be ready to have fun. Because only together we will be able to make it a night to remember!

Do you want to say a final word? Pass some wisdom onto us?

These are hard times for musicians, music lover and dreamers… Сheers to the ones who dream! Support the underground and see you on 24th of February!

Thank You!

In Lithuanian: FREAKANGEL naują albumą pristatys koncertuose Vilniuje ir Kaune

After 3 full albums, 3 EPs and the live DVD “The Show Of Violence” on Belgian label Alfa-Matrix, we are pleased to welcome Estonian outfit FREAKANGEL to the DWA fold for the release of their new album “How The Ghost Became” – a move that also marks somewhat of a musical departure for FREAKANGEL, taking them further into industrial metal than ever before.

Over the past several years, FREAKANGEL have toured relentlessly around Europe – mutating in the process into a full four-piece live rock act, and acquiring an ever-increasing number of fans. Aside from numerous headline performances, they have also appeared at a huge number of industrial and metal festivals like Resistanz (UK), Wave-Gotik-Treffen and Dark Munich (DE), Hard Rock Laager (EE), Summer Darkness (NL), Castle Party (PL), Lumous and Findustry (FI) alongside acts like COMBICHRIST, LORD OF THE LOST and most recently RAVE THE REQVIEM.

“How The Ghost Became” seems almost light years removed from the dark electro sounds of FREAKANGEL’s 2010 debut “The Faults Of Humanity” – finally taking what has now become a full band firmly into metal territory, and quite definitively so. Dmitry’s singing, now freed from distortion, has never sounded so powerful nor his vocal range so wide – and the no album has ever come this close to capturing the full ferocity of FREAKANGEL’s live performance.

With “How The Ghost Became”, FREAKANGEL have fashioned an album of rare beauty where raw and emotional rock sits smoothly alongside electronic elements to form an entirely organic-sounding whole – and one which adds up to so much more than the sum of its parts. Setting a formidable new standard in industrial metal, this is an album that even FREAKANGEL themselves may find hard to follow!

Reflections Of Darkness are happy to present their interview number eleven. Today we have a guest from Estonia – Dmitry Darling who is the man behind FREAKANGEL and SUICIDAL ROMANCE. He is not only a talented musician, but also owner of many beautiful and different tattoos.

Reflections of Darkness [RoD]: When did you get your first tattoo and what was it? Did it take much time until you decided to get it done?

Dmitry: My first tattoo was made when I was still in high-school… sweet 16. I had a friend who was five years older than me, but already worked in a tattoo studio and was known for doing some wicked tattoos. He also made me lots of piercings before I came up with an ”idea” of my tattoo. I wanted to have something “tribal-ish“ on my shoulder and in an hour it was ready. Many people become puzzled when they start thinking about their first tattoo. In my case, I have skipped all this shit about thinking and went stupid without any hesitations. Good for me. Because if you want to start somewhere… just go and start. If you won’t do it when you want it… well… you will never do it.

RoD: How many tattoos do you have? Could you please tell us their story?

Dmitry: I can not say how many tattoos I do have because they are all tied together… well… most of them. I have some separate tattoos on my legs… Mr Johnny Cash and my tribute to John Woo’s “Hard-boiled” with Chow Yun-Fat are located there. Talking about other tattoos… well… they all got connected and I really do not remember what is where and why. Fuck… I just enjoy what I have. You know, sometimes it’s like reading a book that you have already read. Standing in front of the mirror and thinking… damn… I totally forgot that I have you here. Sweet.

RoD: Have you already got all the tattoos that you wanted or will you get some new ones in the future?

Dmitry: I’m getting older and “smarter”… or whatever… and yeah, I’m getting new ideas pretty often… we are working on my back and on my neck at the moment, so yeah, I still have some time before doing something new, but I will definitely get something new as soon as we will be ready with what we are doing at the moment… as long as I have some spare places there and there I’m sure that I won’t stop doing tattoos.

RoD: Have all your tattoos been done by one tattoo artist or by different ones? How do you choose the tattoo artist? In addition, who draws your sketches?

Dmitry: No, there are three persons in my life who were able to “draw” on me. Jan, who made me my first tattoo and who lives in Norway now. Then there is Konstantin from Auriga Tattoo – the one who left most significant marks on me. He is a great guy and I’m very happy that we’ve found a common language with him and that we’ve established good friendly relations. I do not think I ever go to another tattoo artist, and not because of the fact that for regular customers there is a good offer, but only because I appreciate our friendship and constancy… oh and there is my wife who used me as her “guinea pig” in the times of learning how to make tattoos.

RoD: Getting tattooed hurts, how do you cope with the pain during the sessions?

Dmitry: When I was younger I was less sensitive to pain… at least it’s what I used to think because now, yeah, it hurts as hell. Maybe it’s because all my “painless” places are already covered up… that’s the reason why my back is not completed yet… So my idea was to switch to the neck, and this place is less painful than my back. Normally two hours of nonstop tattooing is my limit.

RoD: Do you regret getting tattooed sometimes?

Dmitry: No, why should I regret what I did? There is no such thing as a regret… but there is experience. A couple of times you will do something that not fit, then paint it over, then think again and paint it all over again. In fact, I only have covered two tattoos and not because of the regret. I just needed to connected few things there and there and some bitches were in between.

RoD: What is your taboo in terms of tattoos? What kind of tattoo would you never get done and don’t like to see on other people?

Dmitry: I am a very open-minded person and I do not climb into the affairs of others, I do not care what people are doing in their bedrooms or what tattoos they have. I am totally Ok with every tattoo as long as this tattoo is not shoved up my ass. I mean… you have it… I can see it… now chill the fuck out. I would never do anything that is somehow connected to politics. Fuck this shit.

RoD: Some people say that the drive to acquire body art is addictive while others say it fails to meet the true definition of an addiction, simply calling it a passion. Is it really impossible to stop?

Dmitry: In my case it might be true… the problem here is that I’m a collector. I collect video games, movies, music, figures from the comics and etc. So receiving tattoos is another addiction of mine… and yeah, one more thing, I feel completely naked, if I imagine myself without tattoos. But shhhh, it’s a secret.

RoD: Last Year’s tattoos are a new trend; many people do not care about the meaning, they just want to have something coloured on the skin, to be in trend. Those people often just go into a tattoo salon and ask which drafts they have. Tattoo artists are not artists any more, they produce consumer goods. Not all of them, of course. How do you feel about this situation?

Dmitry: As I said before, I do not care. Let them do what they want. They are pleased to be “trendy”, and tattoo artists like to get paid. Everyone is happy.

RoD: I would like to talk about the social aspect of tattoos, too. Previously, many people believed that if you have a tattoo, you will be never be successful and will not find a “good” job. Have this state of mind and people’s perceptions changed or are these prejudices still alive?

Dmitry: It’s pretty hard to say… in Estonia I have not seen such problems, but again, it all depends on with whom you are communicating and how are communicating. I love music, but I was never ashamed of the fact that I am working on a normal, so-called “day job”, but even there I have not seen any problems.

RoD: Which advice would you give to people who are going to get their first tattoo? How to choose a tattoo artist? Colour or black and white? Any practical advice?
Dmitry: Everything is simple. Either you do this or you do not. Do not fuck around… make a decision once and forever.

Project by Daria Tessa and Daniela Vorndran, Interview by Daria Tessa.

We would like to thank you for your support! We’ve come a long way, from where we began. To express our gratitude we have decided to make “The Show Of Violence” available FOR FREE on YouTube starting from October 9, 2015! We salute you for your support! THANK YOU!

“It’s not too often that industrial bands release live albums, let alone full blown live videos. But Freakangel is one of those exceptions. Recorded during their extended “The Ones To Fall” tour last winter, they are to release the 11-track counting live download album “The Show Of Violence” via Bandcamp (pre-orders available) and several other download stores.

The live album acts as a closing chapter for the band’s 3 first albums (plus multiple EP releases) before returning with a next full length studio album in 2016. Unlike many other industrial bands, what you get live from Freakangel is quite different from the studio versions. “The Show Of Violence” therefor gives you the opportunity to rediscover the band’s discography in alternative live versions.

The concert was recorded at the Rockstar’s Club in the band’s very own city Tallinn – Estonia, and was also filmed using 5 different cameras. The video of the live concert will be spread for free on several internet platforms.

A live video teaser of this soon to be released free video concert can be seen below.” (c) SIDE-LINE MUSIC MAGAZINE

Like a steamroller of emotion, inter-wined with a touch of harsh-ebm and a driving force of an industrial/metal monster, meet Freakangel. Glad you could join us Dmitry for this little interview! As Freakangel has been around since late 2009, what possessed you to get into this genre and create the music that you are known for?

Hello and thank you! We all had some musical past before starting Freakangel. I was mostly working with Suicidal Romance (Infacted Recordings) in 2009, but something inside was telling me that I needed to try myself from a different angle. Maybe it happened because of my metal past or maybe because I was getting older and naïve romantic songs from gothic Suicidal Romance became a bit boring to me. I do not know… but I wanted to rage… this is for sure.

As I have wanted to know this for quite some time and I am sure this question is on the internet somewhere… But I shall ask the man himself: Why the name Freakangel?

This question is a pretty popular one. Freakangel is a game of words. It is some kind of contra of distinction. Maybe even grotesque at some point. People are taught to see angels as something beautiful but there is always a problem child, the white crow. We wanted to have a name with some protest in it. Protest against basic things or common sense.

I have been such a huge fan of The Faults of Humanity. Could you elaborate on the musical change from this album, and leading up to The Ones That Fall?

Thank You. The Faults of Humanity was a good start for us. I can’t say that I love this album, but it really helped us to spread our name. The main problem with this album is that it’s pretty cliché. To be honest, I never thought that something good would come out of it. I started Freakangel as a side project, because at first glance, it was somewhere deep. I was afraid of losing Suicidal Romance. That’s why when we got some love from listeners we have decided to work on 100%. You can hear it in our second album Let It All End. Song structures became more complex. Also, as for The Ones to Fall, I’m very proud of this album because for the first time in FA’s history we were working in the studio as a band. Everyone contributed 33.3%.We love electro music but at the same time we love metal. We are from Estonia and metal is popular here. So we are trying our best in combining two styles. Let’s wait and see what future will bring.

In the past couple years alone its very noticeable and quite amazing how much you all have been able to promote, play, and put out quite a bit of ep’s and albums. Was this difficult for you all to manage this much?

I’m working very hard on promoting Freakangel, but I still not sure how those things work. I send out ten emails and get a response only to one. Yes, we are on a label, but this is a different world. We love underground and in underground there are different rules. Every artist should remember that labels can’t and will not cover you for 100%. Writing music and touring is a bit different thing. But then again, it gets only harder to get your band on the road. It looks that people prefer to see the same band from month to month and promoters/bookers are happy to book the same band because they are sure that they won’t lose any money and at the same time no need for a huge promotion. It just gets ugly.

What have been some of the most stand-out events or shows that Freakangel has been part of that you could give us a couple stories from?

To be honest, there is no difference to us if it’s a small club or huge festival. Every show is very important to us and trust me they are never the same. They are all stand-out events for us. We enjoy every second of being out on the road. It’s a great experience and a real adventure. I am very thankful that I am still able to enjoy those things.

Are freakangel currently working on a new album right now?

We are working pretty slowly during summer combining remixing works, traveling and spending time with our loved ones. We have some rough demos, but still not sure in which direction we should go. But to answer your question short… yes, we are working on a new album right now.

Between the members of Freakangel, is there any side projects currently from any of the folks involved in this project?

Art and Roman are playing death metal in Beyond the Structure. Be sure to check them out as they have released their debut album not that long ago. And me, well, I’m trying to resurrect Suicidal Romance from time to time. Let’s wait and see!

Does the future hold a US tour?

This is our dream and I really tend to believe that dreams are here to come true. We have no current plans at the moment, but we are working hard to make it happen.

What are your views on the current state of industrial/ebm?

There are some great bands out there. We love Shiv-R and Terrolokaust but there is a huge problem once again. As I have said before, it’s pretty hard to spread your name around. I mean with the internet, it has been easy to spread your music, but at the same time it became even easier to get lost in the pile of shitty tracks that are being released those days. Every second cyber/goth/whatever youngster with Fruity Loops thinks that he is another Suicide Commando. The only solution for this situation is doing some live shows. As I have said before it gets dirty those days and it is pretty hard to book a gig if you are a newcomer. I think that this is our main problem. If it will be solved somehow then industrial/ebm scene will rise once again.

What current bands/projects have you been really stoked on this year?

I’ve heard preview from Shiv-r’s new album and this is something really great! Be sure to check it out when it will be released. Also there was a pretty nice release from William Control – Neuromancer and Thomas Azier. Thanks to him, I reinvented electro pop for myself.

Thank you so much Dmitry for taking a couple minutes to give us some more insight to Freakangel, any last words you would like to add?

Thank you for your time and your questions! I really hope to see all of you out on the road one day!