1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
ALITOR is a Progressive Thrash Metal band from Indjija, Serbia, founded on July 11th 2011 by Marko (bass guitar/vocals) and Stefan (drums) along with Aleksandar (guitars) and Jovan (guitars).
Our intention, from the very beginning, was to play Bay Area style of thrash metal (in honor of our favorite bands like Forbidden, Testament, Exodus, Vio-Lence) and a little bit later, we just mixed it with a bit of progressive elements of Death metal and progressive metal in general. So far we have released one EP entitled "Embittered" and our first full length album "Eternal Depression" which was released on August 28th, by Witches Brew from Germany (Gama Bomb, Toxic Holocaust). Right now we are promoting it as much as it's possible.
2.Recently you have released a new album. how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and how does it differ from the ep you had released 2 years ago?
I would say that our new songs are much more colorful and gripping when compared with some of our old stuff. We introduced different influences from other music genres to our new album, and the songs are much faster and dynamic than those on the EP. Also, the lyrics are a lot darker. Just like our EP “Embittered”, the album “Eternal Depression” was produces by Luka Tower Matkovic from Space Eater (Citadela Sound Production Studio), while the artwork was done by my girlfriend Jelena Katanic. We did not want to change the good things.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
All my lyrics are quite personal. I find inspiration in people around me, everyday life and our very existence. I see music as a medium through which I can express my deepest emotions, some of which I wouldn’t be able to share in any other way. Music has helped me many times, as I was able to lift “the burden” I carried inside, and I am so happy I got the chance to do what I love while being surrounded by my loved ones, with whom I get to share the best moments of my youth and my life in general.
4. The music brings back a lot of the technical side that some of the more underrated thrash bands played in the 80's, what was the decision behind going into this direction?
From the beginning we have simply tried to satisfy our own musical taste. Every member of the band contributes to the writing process, we share ideas and work on the music that will first and foremost suit us as a band. So I would say that everything came together on the spur of the moment. Try to mix four different personalities and temperaments into one, and you will probably end up with a VERY UNUSUAL mixture. Well, we tried to do something like that with our music. And let’s be honest, there is no chance for your riffs not to sound “progressive” when you have albums such as Forbidden’s “Forbidden Evil” or Death’s “Individual Thought Patterns” as your favorites, which is the case with us.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Alitor'?
Alitor is actually a high school joke I used for the band name, just because I had no better idea, and this one seemed like a good solution since I considered it different and easy to memorize. It is a combination of the first three letters of the word “alien” and the last three letters of the word “predator”. There is no special meaning behind it, it's just a band name.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Just recently we had a great show in Novi Sad, along with our friends from Paimonia, it was awesome! Also, we love performing in the southern parts of Serbia, where people are truly passionate about heavy metal. Furthermore, we had some magnificent gigs in Belgrade with our mates from Infest and Centurion. We expect a big promo show of our new album and also Space Eater’s new album on November 1st in Belgrade. And before that, we'll play a really important show for us, in our hometown, we'll share the stage with Deadly Mosh, Prisoner and our hometown mates Superhammer it's gonna be huge! I hope that big shows are yet to come, and that we will have the opportunity to share the stage with our friends as much as possible, whether they are bands from our country or from abroad. As for our stage performance, I don’t think I am competent to say anything, I think you should ask those who follow our work. The only thing I can say is that anyone who comes to an Alitor show can expect us to give our 100% when it comes to energy, effort and honesty. We genuinely try to make the best not just out of our shows, but out of everything we do as a band.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Yes, this year in November we, together with Space Eater, are starting our European tour which will last for 10 days. We will visit Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, The Czech Republic and Germany. You can find all the info about the tour, our concerts, merchandise and other band activities on the Alitor’s official facebook page.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?
I am well pleased with how things are going on that matter! Additionally, I am delighted by the fact that Alitor music is finding its way to those who are not exclusively thrash metal fans. So, for that matter, I hope our fanbase will grow even more as the time goes by.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We will continue to do things the way we have always done, follow our hearts and try to present our emotions and what we have to say in the best way possible. We’ll see where this approach will take us, we just let things run their course.
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Some of our favorite bands that we have been influenced by are Testament, Death, Control Denied, Forbidden, Sepultura, Metallica and many more, the list goes on and on. Right now we are especially influenced by Gojira, The Stone and At The Gates. As for me personally… Nowadays I have been listening to Blind Guardian’s – “Tales From The Twilight World”, such an awesome album! It feels incredible to go back to a masterpiece like that one, after so many years!
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Stefan (drums) studies history, I study business informatics, while Alek and Jovan are still in high school.
12.before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Always be true to yourself and do something you love, because when you are happy with yourself, the ones around you will be happy as well.
See you on the road! Cheers!
ALITOR is a Progressive Thrash Metal band from Indjija, Serbia, founded on July 11th 2011 by Marko (bass guitar/vocals) and Stefan (drums) along with Aleksandar (guitars) and Jovan (guitars).
Our intention, from the very beginning, was to play Bay Area style of thrash metal (in honor of our favorite bands like Forbidden, Testament, Exodus, Vio-Lence) and a little bit later, we just mixed it with a bit of progressive elements of Death metal and progressive metal in general. So far we have released one EP entitled "Embittered" and our first full length album "Eternal Depression" which was released on August 28th, by Witches Brew from Germany (Gama Bomb, Toxic Holocaust). Right now we are promoting it as much as it's possible.
2.Recently you have released a new album. how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and how does it differ from the ep you had released 2 years ago?
I would say that our new songs are much more colorful and gripping when compared with some of our old stuff. We introduced different influences from other music genres to our new album, and the songs are much faster and dynamic than those on the EP. Also, the lyrics are a lot darker. Just like our EP “Embittered”, the album “Eternal Depression” was produces by Luka Tower Matkovic from Space Eater (Citadela Sound Production Studio), while the artwork was done by my girlfriend Jelena Katanic. We did not want to change the good things.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
All my lyrics are quite personal. I find inspiration in people around me, everyday life and our very existence. I see music as a medium through which I can express my deepest emotions, some of which I wouldn’t be able to share in any other way. Music has helped me many times, as I was able to lift “the burden” I carried inside, and I am so happy I got the chance to do what I love while being surrounded by my loved ones, with whom I get to share the best moments of my youth and my life in general.
4. The music brings back a lot of the technical side that some of the more underrated thrash bands played in the 80's, what was the decision behind going into this direction?
From the beginning we have simply tried to satisfy our own musical taste. Every member of the band contributes to the writing process, we share ideas and work on the music that will first and foremost suit us as a band. So I would say that everything came together on the spur of the moment. Try to mix four different personalities and temperaments into one, and you will probably end up with a VERY UNUSUAL mixture. Well, we tried to do something like that with our music. And let’s be honest, there is no chance for your riffs not to sound “progressive” when you have albums such as Forbidden’s “Forbidden Evil” or Death’s “Individual Thought Patterns” as your favorites, which is the case with us.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Alitor'?
Alitor is actually a high school joke I used for the band name, just because I had no better idea, and this one seemed like a good solution since I considered it different and easy to memorize. It is a combination of the first three letters of the word “alien” and the last three letters of the word “predator”. There is no special meaning behind it, it's just a band name.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Just recently we had a great show in Novi Sad, along with our friends from Paimonia, it was awesome! Also, we love performing in the southern parts of Serbia, where people are truly passionate about heavy metal. Furthermore, we had some magnificent gigs in Belgrade with our mates from Infest and Centurion. We expect a big promo show of our new album and also Space Eater’s new album on November 1st in Belgrade. And before that, we'll play a really important show for us, in our hometown, we'll share the stage with Deadly Mosh, Prisoner and our hometown mates Superhammer it's gonna be huge! I hope that big shows are yet to come, and that we will have the opportunity to share the stage with our friends as much as possible, whether they are bands from our country or from abroad. As for our stage performance, I don’t think I am competent to say anything, I think you should ask those who follow our work. The only thing I can say is that anyone who comes to an Alitor show can expect us to give our 100% when it comes to energy, effort and honesty. We genuinely try to make the best not just out of our shows, but out of everything we do as a band.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Yes, this year in November we, together with Space Eater, are starting our European tour which will last for 10 days. We will visit Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, The Czech Republic and Germany. You can find all the info about the tour, our concerts, merchandise and other band activities on the Alitor’s official facebook page.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?
I am well pleased with how things are going on that matter! Additionally, I am delighted by the fact that Alitor music is finding its way to those who are not exclusively thrash metal fans. So, for that matter, I hope our fanbase will grow even more as the time goes by.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We will continue to do things the way we have always done, follow our hearts and try to present our emotions and what we have to say in the best way possible. We’ll see where this approach will take us, we just let things run their course.
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Some of our favorite bands that we have been influenced by are Testament, Death, Control Denied, Forbidden, Sepultura, Metallica and many more, the list goes on and on. Right now we are especially influenced by Gojira, The Stone and At The Gates. As for me personally… Nowadays I have been listening to Blind Guardian’s – “Tales From The Twilight World”, such an awesome album! It feels incredible to go back to a masterpiece like that one, after so many years!
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Stefan (drums) studies history, I study business informatics, while Alek and Jovan are still in high school.
12.before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Always be true to yourself and do something you love, because when you are happy with yourself, the ones around you will be happy as well.
See you on the road! Cheers!
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