1. Hails brother!! First let's start by telling me what it is you do in The Stone?
Kozeljnik: Ave! I’m the guitarist and main creative force/composer of THE STONE. Together with Nefas, the vocalist, I remained as the only original member since the time of creation (1996).
2. You are a founding member of the band which began as Stone to Flesh. What were the goals of the band then? Are they still the same today?
Kozeljnik: The goals, the aims, the struggles remained the same since the elder days. Of course we became more experienced and wiser individuals in the time that passed. Our views and perspectives are more cleared, more focused to what we want to express and achieve with our art. We kept the same Flame of Black burning at the horizon, initiating the values of Darkness to be spread.
3. Why did you guys change the name of the band? What symbolism does the name hold?
Kozeljnik: The name was changed due to the problems we had with the label who released our first record. Our ultimate will back then was to leave the label which didn’t treat us correctly, but the contract obligations were bounding us to stay with them and the only move we had left was to continue with the band using a different name. The choice was made and we shorten our name to THE STONE and cut the flesh once and for all. The essence of meaning remained the same, but it’s even more radical. It symbolizes the magic of anti-flesh, the negation of every life, the sinister hammer of nihilism!
4. The band has been pretty active totaling 11 releases in less then a decade. Was this a case of a huge creative spurt or just trying to keep the name fresh to black metal fans worldwide?
L.G.: You know, THE STONE’s always been productive and this is the thing you can surely always count on. I believe that each album of ours truly stands on its own, each one’s a devilish stronghold and a story we try to imprison our every listener into. Band has never suffered a creative collapse and lack of enthusiasm and is definitely evolving with each new material directed from its chambers.
5. I noticed that while most of your releases are in your native tongue, there are a few in English. What decides this and do you prefer to sing in your own language? Some bands feel that it takes away from the essence of the music to sing in English? I am sure you are not too worried about having a mass crossover appeal from singing in English?
L.G.: I definitely disagree with this thought of essence’s loss while writing songs in English. It all just came naturally to our singer Nefas, while he kept exploring within the limits (roughly said) of our language, its roots, virtuosity yet complexity and pure magic that It has. Kept him free to write exactly the way he wanted and so far it really fit our music. Nevertheless, our plan is to put back the ol’ English into our lyrics, make the thing a bit easier to the fans abroad.
6. You guys have now released two full lengths on the German label FOLTER RECORDS. How is that relationship and do you plan to continue working with them?
Kozeljnik: We’re quite pleased working with Folter Records. They are very dedicated and honest label devoted to the true and old values. By time we became very good friends and our cooperation will definitely grow in the future.
7. Being from Serbia you guys have a strong pagan heritage there, which was the prominent focus of the lyrics in the early days, but that has changed now hasn't it? Why is that?
L.G.: Well, we closed, what we call a circle with “Zakon Velesa” album, which last had these themes of darkened Slavic ancestry. Now we’re rather focusing on the individualistic misanthrope-reflex, down to its very depths: an instinctive philosophical Waste and Death aspect and unavoidable presence of morbid, nihilistic attitude to it.
8. How does the songwriting work for the band? Is it a group effort or is it mainly a couple of people, then brought together in the studio?
L.G.: Yeah, I believe it’s pretty much a group thing. Kozeljnik and Demonetras usually come up with mere structure of the song, then they do a whole bunch of arrangements for their riffs, we then try out the thing as a trio, give it some shape at first, with sometimes completely re-arranging it (even for several times), until it nearly satisfies us. The rest of it reveals after the skeleton of the album is constructed.
9. In the 90's, especially the late 90's, there was a lot of shit going on in your country. Was it hard to stay in contact with others in the scene? How did you initially become involved in it?
L.G.: I’m a younger generation’s outcast, but rest of the guys really felt and experienced true filth of this decade. Wars, regime and our land’s consuming politics put sideways, there was no real Serbian scene back then, same as now, maybe a dozen of Underground souls devoted to this life’s Aspect, Vision and Sound, reaching highly for the Individualism inside of it. THE STONE started in ’96. Each album’s a statement, each word in it a razor, with each of them we tend to re-create and expand our style, always tempting to achieve some new(er) feeling, if possible unexpected and different atmosphere every time.
Urok: Well I was involved in war at Kosovo back in 1998 and later in entire territory of our Motherland Serbia in 1999 but these are just private and personal topics , not for wide spread masses… Just to mention, all this stayed as huge deep scar and became real experience that definitely affect any of mine inspirations and artistic creativity!
10. You have a 10" MLP coming out soon on the mighty DIABOLIST SERVICES CULT. How did your relationship with this label come to pass and what can we expect from this release?
L.G.: We made contact with Kevin some years ago and agreed this release instantly. For this occasion, we re-recorded one song from our first album (back then behind Stone to Flesh moniker), one song from our first demo and two special cover versions. The release has been delayed few times due to a lack of finances, but nevertheless it’s going to look nice as hell, once it’s out, don’t hesitate ordering it directly from Kevin.
Urok: To add this that Kevin stayed as greatest supporter of the band in US and also my close cooperative partner regarding my label Grom Records.
11. What bands if any have had the most influence on the band, on you?
L.G.: It’s always a hardest thing to say. We’re all dedicated music freaks, collectors and worshippers of musical devilry and we tend to explore as much as we possibly can, in all (non)possible directions. As for THE STONE, you can never hear definite influence coming from some specific band(s), scene, decade or whatever. It’s mainly black/death eerie sound of the underneath. We never know where the next material will take us.
12. You are also the owner of the Grom Records imprint. What led you to this endeavor and what are your goals for the label, especially now with times being hard for most labels these days?
Urok: Grom Records started back in 2002 if I remember clearly when my ex partner invited me to start distro and later label as well. Before that I was running my own tape label called Awaken as well as distro and zine. Grom Records represent just pure dedication to the underground scene and my goals is to collect in our roster just meaningful and devoted bands and individuals who share the same spirit as I do. Yes, it’s damn hard to run underground label, it was always like that, but these days are real struggle and war for existence. People don’t buy releases, don’t care for supporting the bands..The main thing as spirit and honor is crushed and “fans” just download the albums all around the internet and consider themselves as true freaks and maniacs.. that’s pity and sad as if thing continue to go that way, underground scene will vanish and stay as something forgotten…But I won’t give up and I will start with that fight for Grom Records and my personal honorable codecs! Find all details and info here www.myspace.com/gromrecords
13. I know that yourself and a few others are also involved with another band May Result. What is the biggest difference between the 2 bands and how do you separate the 2 in terms of the writing and balancing shows recording etc., as both are pretty active bands?
L.G.: Well, nearly all THE STONE’s member percentage is involved in MAY RESULT, that’s true, though musically, these two differ completely. May Result is more in the old vein than The Stone and by structure, not as complicated and severe. MR is also not very active with live performances and studio recordings, we’re simply glad when the album not so intentionally takes us into making and we end up seriously involved with the thing. Right now, we have a good deal with Battlegod from Australia and you may soon expect another audible madness to appear, most likely in a form of a new full-length. Also we are going to tour with May Result this April. Together with Czech allies Avenger, Panychida and Asgard we’re the part of Easter Massacre Tour.
14. There were rumors of a US appearance by The Stone last year which obviously didn't happen. Why is this and are there plans to finally make it across the Atlantic any time soon?
L.G.: Those rumors were actually true and there still dwell sincere plans of bringing THE STONE to US shores sometime soon. No serious steps regarding this matter were taken thus far, but both we and the organizers of these future events are very enthusiastic about the whole thing, it’ll come true soon enough.
15. Do you guys find it hard to do full on tours, even in Europe, I know you have made several festival appearances and done few mini tours, is touring something that is difficult for the band? Does this have anything to do with not having a stabile line-up? Have you found it hard to keep people in the band?
L.G.: Not really, we love performing to those who truly appreciate and greet our sound, always a pleasure. Finally, band really has a stable line-up, for studio and live, we just didn’t have this opportunity to conclude serious deal for the tour, which would help us spread the plague farther then usual. We’re in search for the agency that will really stand side by side with us, so anybody interested is more than welcome to write Anyway some serious plans for massive touring are on the way so we’ll reveal the news when it’s 100% certain.
16. What are the plans for the band in 2010 and beyond? What goals do you have that haven't been achieved yet?
L.G.: Improving our sound as always, playing the tour and diving into making of some new material.
17. Well, I thank you for your time and do you have any final words or thoughts for the readers?
17. Well, I thank you for your time and do you have any final words or thoughts for the readers?
L.G. Thanx for the interview, we appreciate it. Stay loyal to our sound and spread the word.
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