Mirror is an international gathering of musicians that might come mostly from some extreme metal background but here surprisingly are attempting an occult heavy rock style that’s quite far from your average stoner doom thing and a lot closer to bands like Rainbow and Uriah Heep mixed with the early 80s styles of Maiden and Fates Warning (of old). Mastermind, composer & bassist Tas Danazoglou (Satan’s Wrath, ex-Electric Wizard) stares into the mirror that Grande Rock sets in front of him only for the mirror to stare back coldly before he starts to speak... Mirror, mirror on the wall are those guys heavy an cool, or what?!
Hi Tas. Thx for doing this interview. Mirror is a “new” band from people who‘ve been in the scene for quite a while now. How did it all begin? Is it you (Tas), the guy who’s responsible for the formation?
T: Yes, I formed the band and also wrote all the music and lyrics. I was playing with the idea of forming this band for a while and at first I contacted my friend Jimmy, the singer, and he was excited too. Then I went to Gomez that he is also a good friend and he agreed too. Then we proceeded choosing the two guitarists and the line-up was complete.
What were the criteria behind the selection of people in Mirror. Was locality a deciding factor and does the fact of having 2 members far away from the rest make things more difficult? (1 in the UK the other in the US?)
T: We chose the members cause were all friends really and to my opinion great musicians too.
The style is very oldschool, like Maiden meets Candlemass but even darker and doomier. Was that the “concept” from the beginning or did you jam out and that’s the sound you sort of made, when you combined your personal preferences?
T: As I made all music beforehand I was very specific of the exact style of music I wanted. Old classic heavy metal in the vein of early Maiden, Judas Priest, early Scorpions, Uriah Heep and so on.
How did you set on the name Mirror?
T: From a story of Brian Lumley I was reading at the time.
Who’s responsible for the trippy cover and was the “silver foil” a conscious decision and a sort of tribute to things like “Look at Yourself” etc., and a few other albums that had a mirror on them?
T: The concept is my idea and a great friend of mine Mike painted it. The mirror effect fits our actual name but “Look at Yourself” is certainly a good influence too.
Is Mirror a proper band, or is it a project that just became “bigger”?
T: No, we are a proper band.
You’re signed to Metal Blade. Did they reach out to you? Or you to them? (Being that you’ve a rapport with them through members of Satan’s Wrath, being signed to them) Are you happy being on this historical label?
T: I’ve send the album to Metal Blade’s co Brian Slagel and he loved it. My other band Satan’s Wrath are on Metal Blade too and we are happy as far as I’m concerned. So many of my fav albums were released there… to me it’s an honour.
I wanted to ask if Occultism is something that members of the band pursue seriously or if it’s only something done for effect and show and if so how do you feel, about people using occult-symbols etc., just as a means to create controversy?
T: I can talk only about myself really; I was fascinated with dark and satanic things since I was a little kid and I don’t know why. It just grew more because of my interest in heavy music, 70s horror films and witchcraft books. I find peace in darkness.
Do you think that the internet is making things easier or more difficult for “new” bands? Are fans stuck in the past, not giving newer bands a chance or do you think that it was always hard? (Certain members are old enough to have been around – back in the day)…
T: It works both ways I think. Internet is a blessing and a curse like anything else. Back then I remember discovering a new band was something of great importance. Now is just a downloading button I guess. It lost its magic.
Also do you have any concrete touring plans? I saw that you signed with an American agency? So does that mean “a tour” is in the works? What about Europe? Any chance of seeing you guys performing in Greece?
T: Yes, a tour is planned as we speak and we have already two shows with Repulsion in UK.
What do you wish to achieve with Mirror at long term?
T: I’m happy with just playing real heavy metal. That’s my goal. Anything else is a bonus.
It’s time for our Weird Questions!!! If you were a god for a week – what would you do?
T: I would hang the Pope by the intestines of the last politician.
If you could travel to the future or the past, what choice would you make and why?
T: I would go back to see all the pub gigs that Iron Maiden played when they started.
If you could be anybody else (man/woman/fictional or historical character) who would you want to be and why?
T: Steve Harris. You know why! Ha…
Which one of the seven deadly sins do you identify with?
T: All... I love them!
Is Satan the lord of this world?
T: Of course!
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
T: I hate seeing great bands being lower on the bill of festivals because crapy new bands are unfortunately more popular.
Which are the best 3 heavy metal albums of all time according to you?
T: First Black Sabbath album, “Killers” by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest’s “Sad Wings of Destiny”.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
T: Any of the three above.
Fill in the phrase… “Heavy metal wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
T: Venom…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
T: “Let’s listen to Guns n Roses”…
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star of all time?
T: Jinx Dawson…
If your g/f-wife sold all your most prized albums (this is just hypothetical silliness) how would you react?!
T: She can’t! There are too many!
I think we’re done Tas. Close this as you wish. Take care dude…
T: OK guys thank you. Stay Heavy and Die Hard…
T: Yes, I formed the band and also wrote all the music and lyrics. I was playing with the idea of forming this band for a while and at first I contacted my friend Jimmy, the singer, and he was excited too. Then I went to Gomez that he is also a good friend and he agreed too. Then we proceeded choosing the two guitarists and the line-up was complete.
What were the criteria behind the selection of people in Mirror. Was locality a deciding factor and does the fact of having 2 members far away from the rest make things more difficult? (1 in the UK the other in the US?)
T: We chose the members cause were all friends really and to my opinion great musicians too.
The style is very oldschool, like Maiden meets Candlemass but even darker and doomier. Was that the “concept” from the beginning or did you jam out and that’s the sound you sort of made, when you combined your personal preferences?
T: As I made all music beforehand I was very specific of the exact style of music I wanted. Old classic heavy metal in the vein of early Maiden, Judas Priest, early Scorpions, Uriah Heep and so on.
How did you set on the name Mirror?
T: From a story of Brian Lumley I was reading at the time.
Who’s responsible for the trippy cover and was the “silver foil” a conscious decision and a sort of tribute to things like “Look at Yourself” etc., and a few other albums that had a mirror on them?
T: The concept is my idea and a great friend of mine Mike painted it. The mirror effect fits our actual name but “Look at Yourself” is certainly a good influence too.
Is Mirror a proper band, or is it a project that just became “bigger”?
T: No, we are a proper band.
You’re signed to Metal Blade. Did they reach out to you? Or you to them? (Being that you’ve a rapport with them through members of Satan’s Wrath, being signed to them) Are you happy being on this historical label?
T: I’ve send the album to Metal Blade’s co Brian Slagel and he loved it. My other band Satan’s Wrath are on Metal Blade too and we are happy as far as I’m concerned. So many of my fav albums were released there… to me it’s an honour.
I wanted to ask if Occultism is something that members of the band pursue seriously or if it’s only something done for effect and show and if so how do you feel, about people using occult-symbols etc., just as a means to create controversy?
T: I can talk only about myself really; I was fascinated with dark and satanic things since I was a little kid and I don’t know why. It just grew more because of my interest in heavy music, 70s horror films and witchcraft books. I find peace in darkness.
Do you think that the internet is making things easier or more difficult for “new” bands? Are fans stuck in the past, not giving newer bands a chance or do you think that it was always hard? (Certain members are old enough to have been around – back in the day)…
T: It works both ways I think. Internet is a blessing and a curse like anything else. Back then I remember discovering a new band was something of great importance. Now is just a downloading button I guess. It lost its magic.
Also do you have any concrete touring plans? I saw that you signed with an American agency? So does that mean “a tour” is in the works? What about Europe? Any chance of seeing you guys performing in Greece?
T: Yes, a tour is planned as we speak and we have already two shows with Repulsion in UK.
What do you wish to achieve with Mirror at long term?
T: I’m happy with just playing real heavy metal. That’s my goal. Anything else is a bonus.
It’s time for our Weird Questions!!! If you were a god for a week – what would you do?
T: I would hang the Pope by the intestines of the last politician.
If you could travel to the future or the past, what choice would you make and why?
T: I would go back to see all the pub gigs that Iron Maiden played when they started.
If you could be anybody else (man/woman/fictional or historical character) who would you want to be and why?
T: Steve Harris. You know why! Ha…
Which one of the seven deadly sins do you identify with?
T: All... I love them!
Is Satan the lord of this world?
T: Of course!
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
T: I hate seeing great bands being lower on the bill of festivals because crapy new bands are unfortunately more popular.
Which are the best 3 heavy metal albums of all time according to you?
T: First Black Sabbath album, “Killers” by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest’s “Sad Wings of Destiny”.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
T: Any of the three above.
Fill in the phrase… “Heavy metal wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
T: Venom…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
T: “Let’s listen to Guns n Roses”…
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star of all time?
T: Jinx Dawson…
If your g/f-wife sold all your most prized albums (this is just hypothetical silliness) how would you react?!
T: She can’t! There are too many!
I think we’re done Tas. Close this as you wish. Take care dude…
T: OK guys thank you. Stay Heavy and Die Hard…