1. What inspired you guys to start a band?
Telmorn: Well TENEbRAE was born from my mind and my world along time ago in Florida. I moved here and met Danyael and we started working out some songs and the next thing you know we are where we are now with all the new people in the band. The inspiration for me was that I live my life by the philosophies of all that TENEbRAE means, so what better way to start a band then by putting your soul into it.
Danyael: Well the reason for me joining the band, was simple really. It was a type of music I have never really heard before. It intrigued me , I saw a lot of potential, and room to expand my playing. In my previous band, I was stuck in a box, I didn't like that, with TENEbRAE the possibilities seemed to be and still are endless. Plus Telmorn's Ideas, Ideals and passion about the music moved me, and well here I am.
Nocturna: The reason for me joining the band was the music, and how everyone had the drive that I've been looking for in a band. There was potential, and it was truly something different.
Astaroth: I joined because I was looking for a serious band that I could get along with and had a similar vision to my own. When I met Telmorn and Danyael and jammed with them, the decision was pretty much made then and there. The band concept and musical / lyrical ideas were fantastic, and it was a blast to play.
Kunal: I, as you may or may not know, joined TENEbRAE in June of 2004. What made me want to join the band was something very simple: The music. It was so refreshing to work with actual musicians again. Not.. only that, but we gelled pretty well from the get go. When it was all said and done, they offered me a position in the band, how am I going to say no? It was a wrap from there.
2. What inspired the name? (I know this question gets old but if your ever asked on here you can point them to the interview with out having to answer it unless you don't answer this and then that's ok too haha)
Telmorn: TENEbRAE is the birth of my ideals, my philosophies and all that I live by. It means Darkness, but the void of all things, everything and nothing at one time. To be as we are, to excesses. It inspired it self upon my soul, my heart, my mind.
3. What inspires your music?
Telmorn: Stories and reason detailing the truth of TENEbRAE and putting characters, different ones, in situations that reflect the purpose of the band's motives, ideals, and such things like that.
Danyael: As far as what inspires me to play, its expression , it is an outlet for many different emotions. Also a big part is the affect it has on people and to see that they emotionally connect with you and the music or lyrics or are moved by it is truly something special.
Nocturna: The music and lyrics inspire me to perform on stage. They're something that many people can relate to, and what they mean to me is what helps me bring it out and help others feel them as they're hearing the words for the themselves.
Astaroth: Darkness. That would be the obvious answer, but also any kind of emotion, anything that I may be going through in my life.
Kunal: Pretty much everyday life. The night is pretty much the only free time I have, so it is the only time I get to reflect upon not only my day, but those around me and whatnot. If you want to know what inspires me, why not spend some time and find out? You'll either have fun or never talk with me again, but hey, you asked.
4. What is the greatest moment on stage for you?
Telmorn Altayon: The people having a good time, and really the energy of the whole event. I don't like the build up to the show though, I just don't like waiting around, I want to get up there and give the world a show of shows. Or just beat the feeling of all we do into each fan/friend that shows up.
Danyael: Wow, we have had quite a lot. The encore we received ate the Sun n Steel fest in Florida, where no one really knew about us there yet, was amazing. Or the fans to demand an encore form a band they have never heard before was quite flattering. For me all moments on stage are great though, our fans are great and always give us a great reception, and there is nothing more we can ask for really. Also, I think the moments coming off stage are just a s special, when people take the time to come up and tell you their feelings on the music etc.
Nocturna: The greatest moment on stage is hearing and seeing the appreciation from the audience. It's a very special feeling. It is flattering and I'm glad when they cheer loudly. I can only be thankful that I can bring melody to them and help them feel the music as much as I do.
Astaroth: Probably the time we opened for Kittie at L'Amour on July 5th in 03. The place was packed, and everyone was into the music. It was awesome. The most amusing time would be when we played recently at BMT (the newer version of L'Amour) and after our first song, the crowd went silent except for one guy who shouted "Holy Shit!!"
Kunal: With TENEbRAE, my fave moment was at the Milwaukee Metal Festival, hands down. Not only was it a cool venue, The Modjeska Theatre, but the crowd there was absolutely rockin. A lot of the people in the crowd were in bands themselves, so they really REALLY gave it up for us. Hey, talent recognizes talent, and I suppose envy recognizes it too.
5. What bands influence you the most?
Telmorn Altayon: TENEbRAE, Dream Theater, Type O Negative
Danyael: Well, just citing specific band influences, there are a lot but a few are :
Dream Theater, Type O Negative , Pain of Salvation, Helloween, My Dying bride, Classical music… the list goes on and on.
Nocturna: I grew up singing to Whitney Houston, Celine Dion (yes…I'm sorry…
, and Mariah Carey. During those times I also took classical voice lessons so I began listening to Operatic Sopranos (Renee Fleming, etc.). These days, I've been warming up to Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Heart, Kamelot, and Therion. I believe I got most of them.Astaroth: My playing is mostly influenced by playing with people. (Un)fortunately I've been playing pretty much only with Tenebrae. But. . . Bands that have influenced me also are: Emperor, Slayer, Loreena McKenitt, Kamelot, Hammerfall, Pain of Salvation, Celtic Music, Classical music, Jazz, and of course, Tenebrae.
Kunal: Symphony X, Evergrey, Tool, Dream Theater, Megadeth, Guns N' Roses, and more. Also my classical influences are Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven, Vaughn Williams, Grainger, and Chopin. My jazz influences are Duke Ellington, Count Baise, Charlie Parker, and Dexter Gordon. I'm sure you can tell the solo influences versus my compositional ones. Come on now…
6. Who was your favorite band to play with? (God you guys played with a lot of kick ass bands.)
Telmorn Altayon: I don't have one, but I believe I answered this one already.
Danyael : That is a tough question. Most of the bands we have played with have been great. If I had to pick one it may be Kittie. I say that because Morgan , when we first met her that day, she said she was interested in hearing our sound and would check us out. She came out off of their bus, right before our set came out on to the floor and watched the entire set, supported us, and hung around until after we were done to compliment us and say how much she enjoyed it. For her to keep her word like that really meant a lot. They were also very courteous with their sound checks and didn't want to take too much time away from the local acts. That was nice, they don't forget where they have come from like some bands( not mentioning any names). But really most of the bands we have played with have been wonderful and really down to earth. Ok I think im done now.
Nocturna: I haven't yet had the opportunity to play with any Major, big-name bands, but I do enjoy playing with a few local bands.
Astaroth: Kittie, without a doubt. They were the nicest people to be around.
Kunal: Seven Witches was such a treat to share a stage with. Such cool dudes and great tunes. Good times!
7. One thing that, to me, sticks out about you guys is there is a lot of bands that I Telmorn: know don't take time with their fans or even ask what they like about the music but you are defiantly not like that, what was the very first TENEbRAE show like? Like when the public actually was open to hear the sound of TENEbRAE?
Telmorn Altayon: Um there were a few people around, and Danyael, my brother on bass and I was standing on stage playing the music. My strap broke, my guitar dyed and my string broke too. It was not all that great, I mean people still cheered but it felt more like a mercy cheer more than anything. It was the worst show ever really in retrospect to the life of TENEbRAE. The best part about it was that we knew it could only get better. Plus we were a three piece back then and now we are a six piece. We also played a few songs you will never hear TENEbRAE play again, unless we are bored out of our minds. But yeah that was the exciting first show, you know like when Led Zeppelin played Stairway to Heaven for the first time live, no one cared and they were more or less bored out of their minds listening to their favorite rock band play soft stuff. Well that is the way the story went.
Danyael: As far as interacting with the fans. We love it. It can be time consuming and it is difficult to talk to every single person, but they take the time to listen to us and support what we are doing, it is the least we can do to thank them and keep in touch with them as best we cam. If it wasn't for the fans, we couldn't do what we are doing. Our fans are great and I can say how much we appreciate them. We try our best!!! The first show, was………….interesting. The video is safely locked away at my house. We were young. That's really all I can say. Id say people were open to it, but then again our first show was basically our friends, so not very objective you know. But over time we have improved especially working the live show. It has become second nature, being on stage is where we belong and I think people can see that. Most people are open to our music, even though it is quite different and not radio friendly , because the see we believe in and have passion for what we do. They can identify with it in a personal way.
Nocturna : The first show I had played with TENEbRAE was the Milwaukee Metalfest in '04. That was a great experience. Since then, I really do enjoy talking to our fans. I really, as I'm sure the rest of the band does as well, appreciate their feedback and their appreciation for the music.
Astaroth: Well, the first time I played with Tenebrae was in a seedy bar, and most of the people were into it, but they were mostly our friends. The public was first most open to our music when we started playing at L'Amour. People who didn't like us at first we won over pretty quickly. It's a good feeling when you at the beginning of your set are looking at you like they don't even care if you're breathing, and by the end of the set they are clapping and nodding their heads in time. Or trying to.
Kunal: That's a great memory. My first gig with TENEbRAE was the Milwaukee Metal Festival. Plain and simple, I'm still in contact with all the bands from that weekend, and to this day have made great friends with people since our performance. We attract people with the sound, and keep friends with our loyalties.
Telmorn: Male Vocals / Lead guitar
Nocturna: Female Vocals
Danyael: Drums
Astaroth: Rhythm Guitars / Vocals
Kunal: Keyboards
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