Esqarial, the name actually means nothing
The band began their activity in 1991. The first demo tape entitled “Refuse” surfaced a year later. After two years and a few line-up changes the second demo tape “A Conspiracy of Silence” was recorded in Wroclaw’s Digital Studio.
Soon after “A Conspiracy of Silence” was released, a few more rotations of guitarists and drummers happened. At the end of 1997 the band recorded in the Fonoplastykon Studio their new album “Amorphous,” which was released in 1998 through Pagan Records. "morphous” generated a number of positive reviews both at home and internationally, most of which emphasized magnificent virtuoso solos and the mastery of overall musicianship.
In 1999 ESQARIAL already had the follow-up to “Amorphous” written but due to the lack of financial backing the recording did not happen until a year later. In June 2001 ESQARIAL inked a deal with Poland’s Empire Records and their sophomore album “Discoveries” was released in October 2001. In Europe the new album was marketed and distributed by Plastic Head; in America it was licensed to WW3. Similarly to its predecessor “Discoveries” received a number of very good reviews in the most important European magazines, including Rock Hard, Legacy, and Metal Hammer.
ESQARIAL’s latest masterpiece “Inheritance” was recorded during summer 2002 and released in Poland in the last week of November 2002. The European premiere is scheduled for May 2003. If you love good thrash death metal and beautiful guitar solos with the Satriani and Vai touch, don’t hesitate to check it out! A new quality in metal style is here!
interview with Bartek on 26- 06-2003
Please give us a short introduction of yourself?
Hello. The band was formed in the early 90’s and after recording a couple of demos (the most known - “A Conspiracy Of Silence”) and some changes inside the band, our first album - “Amorphous” came out. That was in 1997 and since that time we can think about ourselves as a serious band. After solving all problems with our previous label we recorded “Discoveries” which was released by Empire Rec. in 2001 and then we also did our first tour with Vader and Krisiun. Right now we’re here to talk about our new release - “Inheritance” which is our third album.
So explain the bandname first? What does it mean? Where is it taken from?
The name actually means nothing. Pajak was sick and tired of finding a name for the band. Every young band knows what I mean - “Hey guys I gotta name. Let’s call our band X”. - “No fuckin’ way, there’s one in Vietnam”. So right now we’re 100% sure that our name is unique.
How would you like to describe your musical style? What makes it significant?
Shit, I don’t know. We’re mixing so many styles that it is hard to find one thing that would be our trade mark but what is important, is the fact that we try with our music to build a tension, to leave a listener both with the feeling of satiety and hunger for more.
The guitarleads are great. So who are your fav guitarist besides Vai and Satriani?
Oh, there’re a lot of great guitar-players we admire. John Petrucci, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert, Frank Gambale, Angus Young and many, many more. Next time I’ll send you a list.
Do you still practice or follow lessons? Think you will learn everyday?
Right now we don’t have much time to practice (I must share my passion with University and work) but there’s always at least one magic hour for the guitar everyday. I think that consequence and discipline is more important in the work with an instrument than overtraining once a week. I guess that the words of Wladyslaw Szpilman, great pianist, hit the mark: “When I didn’t practice for one day I felt that something’s wrong. When I didn’t for two days my fingers felt that something’s wrong and for three days, my listeners and fans knew that.”
Why did you covered "Fire"? Do you know the version that the Red Hot Chili Peppers did?
We did it for fun. We had a few hours left in the studio so we decided to celebrate it by drinking beer and playing some of our favourite cover-songs. Our engineer made us a joke and recorded one of them. It sounded cool so after recording vocal parts and solo we decided to put it on the album to share with that atmosphere with our fans. I know the version of Red Hots and I like it too.
Do you play more covers live or when rehearsel? Ever asked to join a tribute album?
Definitely during rehearsals, because we’re not well known yet, so we want to avoid situation that some of our listeners would shout a title of one of our cover-songs. Unfortunately we haven’t received any proposal of recording a tribute album yet.
Which band deserves a tribute but still hasn't got one? Why?
I don’t know if Iron Maiden got one but if not, such album should be recorded. They opened the door for metal music and made it more popular. I’ve listened to Iron Maiden since I was 6.
How many minutes per day are you busy with music? What are you doing the other time?
It depends on situation. If we prepare for the recording or touring, we try to spare every minute playing together, writing lyrics or practicing but of course there’s also time for a vacation, which we usually enjoy together with our girlfriends for example sailing.
The previous album is released in USA. Did you get reactions from that area? Asked to play there?
Yes, there were a lot of great reviews from the States but unfortunately we haven’t been invited there yet.
On what festival would you like to play? Why and are you trying to get it done?
I’d play on an open-air-festival and I don’t give a shit where it would be. My choice would be connected only with the list of the bands I like.
Are you a sports fanatic? Supporter of some club?
I’m not a sport maniac, but sometimes I like to watch football matches and ski jumping, that’s all.
What are your other interests outside music? Collect things?
Everyone of us has a different hobby. The most interesting is Ludendorf’s passion. He’s interested in history so he loves searching for coins, badges and other things left by German soldiers. He’s got a metal detector, a lot of maps and other equipment. He also collects antiques.
Do you watch a lot of television? How does Polish TV looks like? Many foreign movies, series? What are you fav things to see?
I don’t have time to spend it in front of the TV-set, but I can tell you that right now Polish TV looks as almost every European station. I mean American sitcoms, soap-operas and other shit. I watch only news and sometimes films.
What kind of transportation do you use in daily life? If you had the money what would you buy?
I must use buses and trams because of the traffic jams but if the quality of Polish roads was better and I had a lot of money I’d buy myself Ford Mustang ’69 and Harley Davidson.
What gets you irritated in traffic? Ever put the middle finger up?
The most irritating thing is ignorance of Polish drivers. They drive like shit but they think they’re geniuses of four wheels. When you try to cross the street you must sometimes wait a few minutes. I’ve never put the middle finger up but I kicked car’s door twice and once a driver.
What is the best promotion for the band? What would you like to say that is important to know?
Concerts, concerts and concerts. It’s the best thing to promote a band. You meet a lot of people, improve your skills and release all the energy which normally is closed in the CD-box.
Last rites?
Thanx for the interview I hope that we’ll meet during our European tour.
