Interview Salem Atakor 24/12/2005
Q1- Hello Salem. Let’s start from
the beginning. How did you
decide to create Atakor ? how can you describe the beginning of the band,
and explain what motivated you to write heavy/progressive songs, since you came
from therock/pop/jazz scene? Is the current line-up the original one?
A1-The idea
of forming a metal band was in my mind ever since my youth. After having played
acoustic guitar and sang Neil Young and Bob Dylan, I found myself accompanying
pop, rock and jazz bands, on keyboards and backing vocals.
My goal was
to play heavy metal, so in 1994, I contacted Djamel and we started looking for
other musicians. We quickly found the guitarist, Allal, and the rest came by
itself. It was in 1996 and the original line-up was there! The name Atakor
immediately came to my mind because I had already thought about it, and it all
started this way.
Like most
of the musicians, each one of us has influences, but in our case, our
influences converged; we listened to metal, as well to progressive rock.
Actually, we all have been brought up on bands like Yes, Jethro Tull, Pink
Floyd and Genesis, and you can feel the fusion in our song-writing.
Q2- Concerning the newcomers; Moncef and Zinou
(ex-Slam), how did you guys meet and what do you think they might bring to you
music?
A2- As you
should know, Atakor had many musicians, some of them fit in, others didn’t.
Actually, it’s a matter of musical background, and we have a clear style from
the start, so there’s no need to argue about it. As far as Zinou and Moncef are
concerned, we knew them fro years, and we consider them as buddies; and I think
that could bring something new to our music, more energy, since they came from
a death metal band.
Q3- I found in your music the efficiency of
old-school heavy metal, and the evolutionary side of progressive music, kind of
a mix between Black Sabbath and Dream Theater, but without the clichés of these
genres. I have to say that Atakor has got its own identity, with its folk and
even epic moments. How do you define your style?
A3- look,
our music is a fusion, a special result between heavy metal and progressive
music, and it’s not intentional, it came naturally through the writing,
because, as I told you, our influences are various.
When you
listen to Black Sabbath, Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Queen, Yes, Jethro Tull…, the
outcome can only be heavily influenced by those, as well as Algerian
traditional music (in particular Berber music). We the music that we feel, and
I hope we succeeded in creating our own style, that I would define as
progressive, melodic heavy metal, tinged
with Celtic-Berber influences.
Q4 – Here comes the everlasting boring question:
what bands did have the greatest influence on you? And
A4 – The
bands that have mainly influenced me are Led Zeppelin, Sabbath, Deep Purple,
Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queen….mainly old school traditional metal, but I’m
forgetting some. As for the vocalists, I’d cite Robert Plant, David Coverdale,
Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy, Ian Gillan, Bon Scott, and of course, Freddy Mercury. I
also like folk singers like Bob Dylan and Neil Young…
Q5- Do you remember what was the very first
metal band you’ve listened to?
A5- The
very first one, I think it was my brother’s record: Deep Purple – Machine Head.
The one with Smoke On The Water, their legendary song. This one and Led
Zeppelin debut album.
Q6- What are the themes you write your lyrics
about? Do you follow a guideline? You seem passionate by ancient cultures,
particularly the Berber culture.
A6- The
approached themes are generally the difficulties of life, the Algerian youth
problems. It’s hard to live in
Black
Caravan has got an epic, historical side, a reference to the tribal wars, in
the ancient period of paganism, when we would kill for power and booty… and
this track reflects the reality that prevailed during the massacres of 97. It
has been written in 96. Lalla is a tribute to the Algerian woman who has fought
fro freedom and brought up the men that saved this country, since Tinhinan,
Kahina, and Lalla Fatma ‘Nsoumer.
Little Dove
is about an assassinated dove that represents the peace and purity, and through
it, Thililli (Freedom) is assassinated.
Bled
Eddoulm is a cry against injustice and the ‘Hogra’…This is what Atakor talks
about in its songs.
Q7 – Do you put lyrics on the same level of
importance than music? Do you prefer abstract lyrics or texts that are more
rooted in reality?
A7 -
Sometimes things are done automatically; when the music is aggressive, the
lyrics are acerbic too, and when it’s evolutionary, the lyrics ate more refined
and the text evolves according to the tempo and the complexity of the melody.
Sometimes we disregard reality and we immerse ourselves in lyricism and
imaginary, and then the music follows too. We put the lyrics practically at the
same level than the music. Lyrics are rooted in reality but there’s a part of
imaginary and fantasy.
Q8 – How do you proceed to compose the music?
What are the steps? Who’s in charge of what?
A8 – We
first write the music and the rest follows, but sometimes there’s already a
text and we try to stack a melody on it, depends on the mood…
Allal and I
write the music, we are complementary because we have almost the same musical
influences. When one of us starts a song, the other finishes it, and vice
versa. We first start with the melodic line and the main riff, then we write
the chorus and the improvisation line for the guitar solos…and then I write the
lyrics.
Q9 – Your music is very emotional. What are the
emotions that you try to pass on it?
A9 –
Indeed, there is emotion in our songs; otherwise, it wouldn’t be worth writing.
In Lalla, there’s emotion, as well as in Win Ennour. You know, when we compose,
we don’t particularly want to pass on emotions. When people feel then so much
the better. People after a concert have come to tell me that they got really
emotional while listening to Lalla. We pass on emotions and we want to pass on
a message of tolerance and freedom through our music and lyrics.
Q10 – Is the fact that you played them live so
many times that gave to your songs so much efficiency? We can feel that on
“Fight The Evil” and “Little Dove”
A10 – The
fact that we did so many gigs allowed us to have this stage presence and this
energy that you feel when listening to us. It’s a part of the experience, as
well as Atakor’s sound, which is a particular and personal sound.
Q11 – How would you describe Atakor’s evolution
since the beginning?
A11 – Atakor
has evolved since 95 in creating its own style that sets it apart from the
other bands, and in the experience potential that gave us the ability to
improve more and more in the future.
Q12 – Have you thought about your future
evolution? Do you intend to incorporate traditional instruments to give more
depth to you Berber-Celtic tones, like the violin, for instance?
A12 – We
wanted to incorporate string (et à vent?) instruments from the start,
like the violin, the flute and the bagpipes; but it’s not easy to find the
musicians. On stage, we’ll get traditional instruments, like the Derbouka, the
Bendir, etc.
Q13 – What’s your opinion on the success of
Souad Massi, who has been a member of Atakor for 3 years, and who’s currently
quite big, especially in
A13 – Souad
has succeeded in her career and I’m happy for her. I remember when she first came
in our rehearsal place; she was very intimidated and asked us to help her make
a name in music. For 3 years we have helped her on the musical level, and we
recorded with her her 1st album, we have accompanied her on stage
everywhere in
Q14 – Since you are one of the godfathers of
the metal scene in Algerian, do you think that there have been a significant
evolution since the beginning? Do you thing that the scene is reaching its
heights, even though we can objectively say that this year hasn’t been very
prolific when it comes to metal?
A14 – The
metal scene hasn’t evolved in years, even if the number of the bands has
increased, but the infrequency of the concerts and the bad organisation in this
genre affects the scene that remains weak, because of the artistic inactivity
and lack of maturity. We have to try to organise ourselves and to think about
the suitable means that will help the youth to get used to this musical genre
that is not encouraged at all down here, in particular by the public authorities.
So to
answer your question, unfortunately, I don’t see anything positive coming out
of it. We have to show solidarity, like what Lelahel does, for instance, which
is praiseworthy and encouraging.
Q15 – I’d like to have your opinion on the Arab
metal scene. What bands do you like the most? Ate you in touch with them?
A15 – I
discovered Arab metal through the Lelahel Metal website, and I’m happy about
it. It’s a pity that there are no international festivals or gigs. I know some Moroccan,
Tunisian and Syrian bands, like Nuclear (Of?) Dawn. I like bands that
play heavy and prog metal like us, but there still are no contacts. So, if by
chance any of those bands members are reading this interview, I salute them!
Long live rock’n roll and write us if you want to know us better!
Q16 – Do you think that the internet is a good
promotional medium for bands? I think that your website will soon be online.
A16 – Internet
is a great means of promotion for bands, especially underground bands like us,
because we’re still underground! As for our website, well, I’m still waiting
for the hébergement.
Q17 – As a last question, how would you
describe Atakor for someone who has never heard of it, in order to make him
listen to your music?
A17 – I’d
invite the person to listen to us and to come to our concerts, and I’d say: If
you love heavy metal and progressive music, you won’t regret it!
Atakor
makes the music as we feel it.
Q18 – What are your projects?
A18 – We
intend to record our 1st full-length. Apart from that, concerts
outside of
Q19 – What do you expect for Atakor?
A19 – As I
said before, we expect a better organisation of the metal scene in
Q20 – Do you have anything to add?
A20 – I’ve
got nothing to add except : thanks a lot to you and to all who make metal and
rock in general spread and improve.
