Talking with... Angtoria
Can you please introduce Angtoria to us?

Angtoria is a band spawned from a project Chris and I started a few years ago.I’m on vocals,Chris and Tommy on Guitars and programming,Dave Pybus on Bass and although John didnt play on the album,he is now playing drums for us. Dave is From Cradle of Filth, John is from My Own Grave and Chris is from Abyssos and he also played in Evergrey for a few years. As for me, I’ve sung for CoF for 12 years and also done other works such as Therion and Mortiis!

How has your debut album been received?

Really well we think! It’s selling well and we hope it continues.Amazing reviews also so far.... No bad ones that we know of either,so that makes us very happy.At the end of the day,a review is just one persons point of view.We hope people buy it a judge for themselves!

Why this album since Angtoria was a completely different project back at the beginning?

The project we started was loved by lots of people but companies found it hard to market so we got a few record deal offers but none that would have benifited us. One deal that was offered actually wanted to change the music and make it metal! That wasnt the point of that project at all.Why do record companies insist on wanting to change an artists music? Anyway,we decided to forget about my solo album and form a band instead.Angtoria.We would have formed a band at a later stage anyway and we do plan on releasing all 5 tracks in time. (2 have already been released onto the first album anyway)

Angtoria sounds very different from the other bands where we're used to hear you.

Good! Im glad! Why would i want to copy or recreate something I’ve already done? I’m so glad you think that! That was the plan! (laughs)

Besides the sound, in Angtoria you give another use to your voice. You don't sound operatic as in CoF or Therion...

I’ve done over 25 albums as a session singer and at least 22 of those are in an operatic style! It was time for a change! Something different and fresh! Besides,havent people heard enough opera lately in metal? We didnt want to jump on the band wagon and just do something because its popular with the kids.We just wanted to write and do what we felt.Trends are for people with no immagination.

"God has a plan for us all" is a very symphonic album but very dark at the same time don't you think?

A lot of people have said that but I suppose everyone hears something in music that others do not.Again it’s all a matter of opinion.The next album I want us to be a lot heavier but what I think is heavy,the other guys may not.Heavy doesnt always mean thrashing guitars and blast beats.I’ve learned that! But still.... we need to turn up the heat a bit for the next one (laughs)

The "melody" of the album has been very compared to the sonority of other bands such as Nightwish or even Therion. What do you think about such comparisons? Are you indeed influenced by them or is it just a coincidence?

I dont think we sound anything like these bands but people need to compare us to something.We are not influenced by any of these bands and we are not influenced by any female fronted band.

Who was in charge of the choirs and orchestrations of the album?

Composing is taken care of by Tommy and Chris but when I write and arrange my lyrics, I place the choirs, if needed, where I think they should be. Having choirs will not become a habit. If the song needs them, if I feel they will work, we will use them because again, we haven’t set out to follow a trend or use them because we think we can sell more records. If the music permits and there is a need for them, they shall be used!

Your lyrics are very deep and intimate. I suppose i am not wrong if I say that your main inspiration is your life?

My life,your life,peoples life.Things we can connect with and understand.

The third track of the album "God has a plan for us all" has a very strong and negative lyric. Can you reveal what we can expect from its video?

Well it is not graffic enough in my opinion but if I had been allowed to have my own way,it would have been banned.Its content has been kept as close as possible to the lyrics.So although you dont see the child abuse,it does leave you thinking about whats going on behind closed doors.The scene where Toni cuts her wrists in the bath is pretty hard hitting.It all is.Thats the intention,to wake people up.

In this album there is also a cover....from a Kylie Minogue song. It may sound weird but the result is sounds very pleasant but... Why Kylie Minogue?!

Why not!? No real reason,I liked the song,the guys thought it was a good idea also! The next cover will be better! Just wait and see!! And not im not telling you! (laughs)

I know you live in UK and the other guys of the band in Sweden. Does that put obstacles in your work?

Nope! A few hours on the plane! No problem! A lot of bands these days have members in other countries..... it doesnt stop us from aiming towards the same thing.It wont.I will always live in the UK and they will always be in Sweden... Nothing can stop us writing and getting together!

Since recently Angtoria has a new member: Dave Pybus on the bass. Curiously he is also on Cradle of Filth. Well you are also involved with Dani Filths' band and your disc cover/video model is his wife. Is there any connection between Angtoria and Cradle of FIlth or all that are just pure coincidence?

Two new members actually: John from My Own Grave and Dave From CoF. And of course there are connections! Ive been with CoF for over 12 years! And Dave is in both bands! Thats the connection! (laughs). I used Toni for the front cover because i thought she was perfect for it.She has always wanted to do something like this and I just knew she would love this oppotunity.She is a natural.Dani is very proud of her and my band and loves what we are doing.Like one big gay vampire family (laughs)

You chose "God has a plan for us all" as the album title and it is also a strong song of the album. Are you a religious person?

Not in the slightest.I loath religion.It could be such a beautiful thing if only humans didnt ruin it by there hypocrisy,hate and greed.If I had the chance, I would ban it and if I could do that,the world would be a happier place and there would be less war!

In your opinion what is God's plan for us all?

God does not have a plan for us because he doesnt exsist! And if he does,he is a very sick person allowing all those children and men and women to die at the hands of war,greed,hunger,poverty,desease and rape.We determin our own fate.We make our own choices and walk our own paths."God Has A Plan For Us All" is the common cliche religious people use because they have no other excuses left for why the wolrd we live in is run by scum! Humans and their bombs will destroy this planet.Sad but true and you know it!

Angtoria has not played live yet. Any reason for that?

We have only been together a short while and we are still finding our feet.We dont want to get into debt before we have sold albums! Some of us have families to feed!

You have been in Portugal several times now with CoF and I think with Therion too. What do you think of the portuguese public?

I love Portugal.Fans are always kicking arse in the mosh pits!

I think we will see you here again in November at another CoF gig but can we expect to see you with Angtoria here soon?

When we have sold enough albums and have enough money to tour!

Do you have any ritual befor you go on stage?

Warm my voice up and go for a piss! Thats the truth!! (laughs)

The new CoF album "Thornography" is about to rock out soon. Did you one more time did the female vocals on it?

Yes... I did 3 songs and Angtoria actually wrote the intro to the album. Only 2 of the songs were used on the main album but I think there will either be a special edition or an EP after it.Im not too sure. I’m also about to go into the studio to do another song for COF which again,wont go on the main album because they have too many songs as it is! It will go onto something else.

Now that you have release an album from YOUR band do you feel fullfilled?

Im glad we have finally done it yes but not fullfilled no.Angtoria is young,we have many doors to go through.Much awaits us im sure.Both good and bad and we are ready and waiting.

What are Angtoria's next goals?

Can’t really say any we have any goals.I mean,we just want to get somewhere,do sell out shows and do more albums and get to a stage where we are big.Every bands dream. As for what’s next? The album is due to be released into the USA market and also the video will be released sometime in September.So keep an eye out!!

And yours?

As for me, I’ve lots of touring with CoF... I mean LOTS!!

Anything else you would like to add?

Visit www.angtoria.com and www.jezebeldeva.com
We also have Angtoria myspace groups (myspace.com/angtoriaofficial),so join them!! Downloads of selected album tracks are also available from the myspace groups and
Angtoria website! Thank you very much for the interview and support!!