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We were pleasantly surprised about the new album from Majestic Downfall, and since it is a one man band we were very interested to hear what Jacobo Cordova comments to his new masterpiece are.
Now it's your second album, please tell us about the beginning of the Majestic Downfall band. And is there a specific history about how you choose the name Majestic Downfall?
Hey Lars, thanks a lot for the interview mate. The beginnings of Majestic Downfall have to do with the fact that I have always been a 90's Doom/Death lover and I wanted top pay my tribute to a genre of music has always meant a lot for me. So in 2006 I was able to buy some stuff and make my home studio and from there everything is history.
The name Majestic Downfall explains perfectly what doom / death is really about and the emotions it creates. It is as beautiful as it can be, but at the same time asphyxiating and with roads leading to hell. So it is a grandiose fall, a Majestic Downfall full of joy.
When did you start writing songs for The Blood Dance?
I started writing The Blood Dance in the beginning of 2010 and finished it 2 months later. Then it was recorded and came out in mid 2011 in Europe through My Kingdom Music and in the beginning of this year it was released in the Americas by Chaos Records.
What inspires you to write music / lyrics?
If you can call human disgust and inspiration I guess that is what really stands behind my lyrics and musical concept. We are full of nothing and we have definitely not appreciated all our surroundings. The end is very near and we are doing nothing to avoid it. We are all scum and so shall we end. Besides this I also talk about personal experiences where I use music as a catharsis.
By the way: what bands/artists made you start playing? And which bands / artists are you listening to these days?
The bands that influenced me to start Majestic Downfall are for sure the first albums by and all the English / Dutch movement of the 90's. Today the bands influences are a bit different since I have incorporated more black metal into my sound, yet you know when hitting play that Majestic Downfall is coming through the speakers.
What artists am I listening to nowadays, that is a good question. I have been listening to Forgotten Tomb's latest Under Saturn Retrograde, Morbid Angel - Covenant, Arckanum - All Gorement – My Ending Quest and all classic 90's death metal and doom / death metal.
Is it difficult for you to be doing the music as a one-man band? I mean, don't you miss some input and ideas from others during the songwriting process?
Sometimes it can be very frustrating to be a one-man band. There are a lot of things to do and sometimes ideas don't flow or time is just not enough. At the same time, I know exactly how I want to sound and don't need to ask anyone for their opinions which after being in a band for 12 years is pretty sweet. I don't really miss songwriting with other members, I hate egos and stupid problems, that is why I decided to go my way.
How long did the recordings take? Where did you record The Blood Dance? And who produced the album?
The recording process for The Blood Dance took around 1 month and it was recorded at Revolution Studios by Jesus Bravo, one of the best metal producers in Mexico. He also did the mixing and the mastering and all I can say is that I am extremely happy with the overall product.
Who did the artwork? And how is it tied to the album title?
I love this question for one simple reason. Many people have said that the art sucks, that it is pretty primitive, and so on, at the same time, many people have really embraced it. And you know what? It is great to hear so different points of view, because I have stepped away from the plastic Photoshop arts found all over the place. Everyone has an opinion of the art and it is not a neutral topic, it is a love it or hate it one. I actually have almost finished the art of the 3rd full-length and there will also be a surprise, you won't find anything plastic or typical in it. I guarantee!!!
Now it is a small album, but which songs do you think represent The Blood Dance best? And why?
I don't really know what you mean by small album, it is almost an hour! If I had to pick a song that represent this release, for sure it would be The Blood Dance. I think it is one of the most complete songs I have ever written. You have the doom metal elements with a lot of black metal thrown in slow tempo. You have the dreamy passages and the asphyxiating ones. I think this song is truly the most complete song on the album in terms of diversity, not the best one though.
Will you do a video? Which songs would you like to visualize?
With this album I won't do a video, I have had no time and instead I decided to focus on the new CD. For the first album, I did the Temple Of Guilt video, and the response has been extremely great! I am really satisfied with the final outcome. You can watch it on YouTube and please leave some feedback!
I guess you already got some feedback. Are you satisfied so far?
I could not be more pleased with the response. Reviews have been outstanding with an average of 8.5/10 points! People are really digging The Blood Dance and Majestic Downfall is growing day by day.
What about playing live? How do you practice that task?
There is no playing live yet. At the moment the music is to personal to share it with others.
Talking about the internet...... Social network is both a blessing and a curse. What's your opinion about it?
I think that the Internet has really helped spread the word of the bands and in the end it comes down to the same thing, if you are good people will appreciate it and if you suck, no matter what you do, things won't work for you. It is great to be able to have a bigger exposure but at the same time one must work harder to stand out from all the shit.
What's next on your schedule? Anything you want to add to the interview?
Right now I am finishing the mixing of the new album which will hopefully be out by the end of the year. I am extremely satisfied with the result and it will once again be different from the previous albums. I haven't decided on a title yet, but will soon do. At the same time I am getting ready to record the new Zombiefication album, my death metal project with Mr. Hitch also from Mexico. Regarding the new Zombiefication EP it is coming very soon through Pulverised / Chaos Records worldwide.
Thanks a lot for everything Lars and please join Majestic Downfall at facebook.com/majestic.downfall and Zombiefication at facebook.com/zombiefication666
Jacobo is also working in the project called Zombiefication, so it could be a good idea to watch out for their new release this spring, and if you get inspired by Majestic Downfall's album, then look forward to the next album that comes later in 2012.
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