41 comments on an emerging artist’s single news is a rare feat at JENESAISPOP. Montedapena achieved it months ago thanks to the success of ‘No te tiras a un facha’, his guitar-driven and anti-fascist single, which even contained some metal traces that we are now beginning to understand better, since in his interview for the section curated by Jägermeister, “Meister of the Week”, Montedapena has decided to dust off his earliest musical hobby: symphonic metal. An influence on the music of Héctor Rodríguez from Pontevedra that may be more or less evident – cuts like ‘Lista de checks’ are more punk rock-, but it is there. Montedapena tells us about his favorite artists and albums and explains why this musical style is no longer mainstream, as it was a couple of decades ago thanks to groups like Within Temptation.
Why do you choose to talk about symphonic metal?
Because it is the musical style that made me most passionate about music, being a crazy fan of bands and wanting to make a musical group of that style.
What elements do you think music needs to be considered symphonic metal?
Maybe it’s a bit of an obvious answer, but some metal (guitar and metal rhythm base), something symphonic (some violins are sometimes enough, but there are groups that record with entire symphony orchestras) and, in most cases, a female voice in front.
Is there a moment (a song, an arrangement or an orchestral introduction) that has particularly marked you?
I think that the epicness of ‘Nightfall’ by Xandria marked me a lot.
When did you discover this music and from what artists or albums?
I discovered it when I was a teenager, around 14 years old. I was beginning to be interested in rock and metal in general and, downloading music to put on mp3, I downloaded a couple of Epica songs (they were from the album ‘The Phantom Agony’). I didn’t know the group, but sometimes I downloaded things that were recommended to me, and I listened to those two songs on a loop for the entire week I was camping with my family. We were without internet and I couldn’t download anything else from the group or see what they were like or anything, so I think this generated a lot of expectation and interest in the band. As soon as I got home, I started downloading their entire discography and watching live shows on YouTube and everything about them.
Which artist or group best represents the genre, whether it’s your favorite or not, and why?
I believe that Nightwish is the clear winner, due to the track record they have and for being the ones who put this genre on the map the most.
If you had to recommend just one song to understand the genre, what would it be?
‘Ghost Love Score’ by Nightwish.
What symphonic metal albums do you think are the best in history?
‘Imaginaerum’ by Nightwish, ‘Design Your Universe’ by Epica, ‘Mother Earth’ by Within Temptation and ‘Apocalypse and Chill’ by Delain.
Has symphonic metal influenced or inspired you in your musical proposal?
Absolutely, especially in the melodies and harmonies they use, which generally tend to be quite pop.
On the other hand, I have a theory as to why I was so inspired and attracted to these groups. I had very strong musical tastes in metal and, at the same time, I was very attracted to the figure of pop divas, who are a clear influence for the people in the group (what gay person doesn’t have a Madonna, Britney, Lady Gaga… on a pedestal?). Well, I think that for me those divas were Floor Jansen, Simone Simmons, Tarja, Charlotte Wessels…
«Symphonic metal does not appear in the press because it is not fashionable and the press only talks about what interests people. More mainstream references are needed»
What is your opinion on bands like Within Temptation, which went on to sell millions and be featured on Los 40 Principales? Why do you think symphonic metal has not repeated this level of commercial impact?
I don’t know, really, but sometimes commercial trends come back. I don’t rule out that it could happen again in some time.
Do you think it is a misunderstood genre because it moves between two worlds?
A little yes. There are even metal festivals where its presence is practically non-existent, since there are people who like metal who, for some reason, reject this genre.
Do you think symphonic metal is undervalued in the music press?
I suppose it is not fashionable and the press talks about what people are interested in and what may be more mainstream, and at that level it is a genre that is in the doldrums. Although there are many great new bands, there are not many super well-known ones, and even less so here in Spain.
How important are lyrics to you in symphonic metal?
To tell you the truth, although it is something very important, I never gave it much importance, but it is my personal case. When I started to be interested in these groups I didn’t know much English (not much more now, eh?), and the lyrics took a backseat, since all that was important to me was the music.
How do you see the evolution of symphonic metal in recent years?
There are many new groups that are great, underground bands keep coming out that you love, but it is true that we still need some new, more mainstream references. In the end, I answered many questions in this interview with the same bands, because they are the greatest references and it seems that there are no new ones as such.
If symphonic metal disappeared tomorrow, what do you think music as a whole would lose?
I would lose a lot more than not having bands of the genre, since many live arrangements by current pop artists are clearly symphonic metal arrangements and there are many people who drink from this.
