7-Sep-2004 :

This article may come to you as a shocking surprise to the tune "never thought  this was taking place in Malta!". Undoubtedly for others it might also be pleasantly appealing since we also found out that there's quite a crowd for the scene. We felt its our duty to fill you in on the details... 

Louisa meets DJ Gool from the ominous Bisoul Promotions and Noel from CYBERIA, local forerunners of the industrial metal scene in Malta. DJ Gool : "At the moment we're working on fReeZe, another in a line of parties with a difference providing an alternative for those into more hybrid dark tones than your usual fun-in-the-sun!"

So, guys. First and foremost who are you and what brings Bisoul to think the way it does?

Well, we started out in 1998 keen on strengthening dark underground music so present overseas on a local basis. Since then, we have managed to bring together varying forms of music like classical, gothic, post-rock, industrial, metal, trip-hop. Simultaneously, we also ventured and explored fashion, BDSM culture, film noire, holographic art, middle-age concepts, and more.

Surely there must be some age-group screening with things on offer like BDSM etc..! Is there anything of the sort or is it a free for all regardless of the consequences?

First of all we are world citizens not citizens of Malta, and with that I mean that what is accepted worldwide goes in our books, wherever we are, even locally!! Ultimately, we are people who are not afraid to speak our minds & desires, living our life in the society we form not as a reflection of what society asks of us!!!! We do not try to push anything down people’s throats and hence during the event, if you seek you find, if you do not, you explore lots of the other interesting stuff on offer!

Notwithstanding, some things are on offer only during certain times of the event, when our younger generation punters would be already reading the stories of Willie-Willie-Winkie J Oh gosh, do you remember that nursery rhyme, it used to give me such a thrill when I was young?! J

DJ Gool, where does the flow of ideas come from?

Hmm, I spend time checking info online, as having been active in this scene for a good while now, I have always believed that communication keeps us close and strong!!!! I have also been to clubs in NY, Sydney, Melbourne, Italy, Germany, Holland, actually wherever I go overseas I investigate before where on can find clubs of this kind of music before even checking info like train connections etc, which I may then get once I land anyway!

What may I add? We strive through our events to present darkness in a form that appeals not only and repeatedly to the same given selection of the alternative public, keeping our events fresh from event to event. Doing so, we create a treat that keeps our varied audiences go woo-ha-ha boo-hoo-hoo!

So what do you believe is the greatest appeal of this scene?

Just as squares cannot become circles, and circles cannot become squares, people are people (as the great DEPECHE MODE used to sing) and what appeals to one may not appeal to the other, and what might appeal to me a lot may appeal to you but on a lesser degree.Why does a person listen to a sort of music, follows a particular line of fashion, prefers certain cuisines more than others? Very simple answer – since we are all different, and each individual is made up of different experiences and stories to tell.

What we guarantee is that our parties stand for people who are not intimidated to present their individuality and style, so if you think you are unique (as everybody is), just drag yourself to our party, and you will definitely meet up with polite and  intelligent, very musically cultured individuals whom you might enjoy to share an idea or two with! People who are there being themselves wanting to have fun, and who greet others for who they are without any preconceptions!

Before we turn to CYBERIA, would you like to update us with your upcoming fReeZe party…?

Yes, fReeZe is on this Sept 20th! Through the night, we shall present CYBERIA live on stage, with other events before and after, like the amusing BISOUL BARBIE BABE CONTEST and THE VAMPIRE DANCE CHRONICLES. All this complimented by different stalls and visual displays off and on the floor of hard-pounding music!!!! There is also a special  BLOOD RED & GREEN SLIME BREAKFAST, but feel free to join our mailing list at www.bisoulpromotions.tk and www.cru2.net/bisoul for more info as it leaves our furnace!!!

And now onto you Noel, frontman of CYBERIA. Please tell our readers who are you and how you came about etc……

Well just as Einstein gave us E = mc2, CYBERIA was created around 1998 to prove that  444 = mc2! Back then, the band had a different vocalist and a 2nd guitar, and although principally a gothic-rock band, it leaned a lot to metal overtones. But nowadays, we have diversified our sound opening up to influences even from electro-pop,  progressive music, and industrial. Notwithstanding, we continually keep an open ear and I assume anything we listen to may actually be influencing our sound to some extent or the other!

So for those who are pretty new to CYBERIA, what may you say?

Well, other than the loads of stuff documented at our web portal www.virtualcyberia.com, over the years we have shared the stage with diverse metal acts like Sceptocrypt, Achiral and Norm Rejection to the more current machine-like hybrid SPIN and punk ska act I-SKANDAL.

We have also been featured as a whole band or as individual guest musicians in EBM parties like BREED, animation events like ANIME, art stuff like THE CYBERNETIC EDGE + some few TV slots here and there. Not to forget our appearance at one of the first Bisoul parties accompanying the internationally known classical violinist James Grech!

As you see, we like most music and try to keep a participating profile in many areas!!! That is why our shows are attended by both the uptight uni scholar wanting to release some stress as well as the happy-go-lucky street punk, and anything in between!!!! 

I am in the knowledge that some recording is also in the process right?

Spot on! Shortly after fReeZe, we shall go back to the finishing touches of our first EP!!!! Make sure you catch us at the party as it will take some time again before we hit the stage!  

CYBERIA does have a distinct sound, so we were wondering;  How you would describe it to a newcomer?

Well, CYBERIA stands for strong guitar licks and riffs lending off a palette of metal, bat-cave rock, Zappesque references & blues intertwined with voices borrowing from too many diverse influences, all enhanced by a strong electro-pop/techno/new-wave/industrial backline!

As this nice DJ Gool chap here from Bisoul once summed it up, CYBERIA is like “ROB ZOMBIE being filtered through WUMPSCUT, then covered by SISTERS OF MERCY and further de-constructed by EINSTURZENDE NEUBATEN just before being handed over to DEPECHE MODE to lay the final vocal tracks”

Anything else you would like to add re CYBERIA?

Check out our website at www.virtualcyberia.com and ensure to catch us live at Bisoul’s own fReeZe!

As for you DJ Gool obo BISOUL PROMOTIONS?

Well we would enjoy lots of punters at fReeZe on Sept 20 at Signals. For more info re advance tickets etc check out www.bisoulpromotions.tk

Exclusive interview for Manicmalta by Louisa