Interview with EVER METAL, 2022
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Answer: My name is Sascha, i’m the vocalist of FOC. In 2014 Arkadius wanted to do something different and new besides his main band SuidAkrA and started Fall Of Carthage as a project. We did a few demo songs and the fire was lit within all of us. Shortly after that our debut album BEHOLD was recorded. Two more albums followed. Now after a break we’re back with DRAWN INTO MADNESS.
How did you come up with your band name?
Answer: Arkadius had the idea that all great empires that fall apart, make room for something new. That's the way it's been historically and it can also be applied to other things in life. I brought up the Phoenix symbol. The birth of FOC for me was like the rise of a phoenix from the ashes, cause I haven’t been in a band for about twenty years.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
Answer: We’re from Germany, but we live in different cities, a couple hours apart from each other. I really don’t know if there is still an active scene where I live but it was awesome to hang out with local bands and do jams every weekend. I hope things like this still happen out there.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Answer: Our fourth album DRAWN INTO MADNESS just got released on Sep, 23rd. SESAME SEEDS is the first single of this album, check out the video on Youtube or stream the album on Spotify, Bandcamp or the likes.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Answer: Too many to list and not only metal, but to name a few: Pantera, Downset, Biohazard Machine Head, Refused, Breach. Arkadius’ influences among others are The Ghost Inside, old Parkway drive stuff and bands like Pantera and Machine Head as well.
What first got you into music?
Answer: Kindergarden maybe. :D
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Answer: Robb Flynn from Machine Head maybe. I really like the new MH album and that Robb still seems to be down to earth and true in what he says and shares on social media.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Answer: Arkadius played at WACKEN and other huge festivals a couple times, i prefer smaller club gigs and being closer to the audience. I’d love to play in someone’s living room some day, not kidding.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Answer: Lol, never got a gift from a fan. Not even a weird one. But now that you mention it, i think i want one :D
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Answer: Stay open minded, double check hearsay.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Answer: Dimebag or Jimi
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Answer: We hate limitations, borders and thinking in stereotypes. With FOC we have the chance to live out our creativity and do what we love and feel like.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Answer: The whole business part of the music industry sucks. In most cases it doesn’t respect the artist as it should be.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Answer: Maybe “FRICTION” by “breach” from 1995 or ERASE by Gorefest.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Answer: Vinyl for best sound quality and experience imho.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Answer: We played a couple of gigs in Germany for our first albums. Our first one was at a small festival in Bavaria, we were not used to playing live together yet but it was an awesome feeling and the crowd seemed to like our shit, lol. Even though we didn’t really fit in with the other bands.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Answer: Well, we’re both not musicians in the first place. We do have full time jobs in marketing.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Answer: If time and space were irrelevant: One of my best friends i lost too early, some dear fans from Brazil and two more people that make sure we’re constantly having a cold beer in our hands and give us a back massage.
What’s next for the band?
Answer: Possibly working on new material again next year. No certain plans as of yet. We are very happy with how DRAWN INTO MADNESS turned out. The process was fun and very inspiring, so it would be great to continue songwriting real soon.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Answer: We’re on facebook, Instagram, twitter, Mastodon, bandcamp and so on. Just check our website for all the links: www.fallofcarthage.com
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Answer: Jaffa yourself, MF :D hahhah, we do have them over here, not sure what we call ‘em though. I’m not really into biscuits, Arkadius is …(yeah, i’d say they are a biscuit). Loved the question though.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Answer: We’re very grateful for every kind of reaction and comment on our music. We love talking to fans & friends all over the world, so feel free to get in touch. It’s great seeing that we can reach out and have a positive and inspiring impact. Thanks for your support and motivation! Much appreciated.