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Интервю със Стела Атанасова за DonMicrofon, с Евелина Илчева!

Красива, вдъхновяваща, пленителна, епична. Музиката на група Metalwings и нейният лидер и фронтдама Стела Атанасова. Чувствен и нежен глас, електрическа виола, симфоничен метъл, позитивни текстове, клипове с действие, развиващо се в красива местност някъде в България. Във видеото към Monster In The Mirror, първата песен от новия албум  A whole new land това се случва в резиденцията Евксиноград.

  • Издавате нов албум. Разкажи повече за музиката в A Whole New Land

Това е едно епично пътуване между класиката и метъл музиката. Исках в този албум да обърна малко наопаки стереотипите и да създадем албум, в който да преобладава класическата насоченост, но подплатена с тежки китари и барабани. Обикновено от това, което се създава в последните години в нашия стил музика, много групи се наричат симфоник метъл, като просто добавят един трак пиано в песните си, но за да се наречеш симфоничен метъл, трябва доста повече да се потрудиш. Аз исках да покажем на света красотата на този стил, който много хора вече приемат за остарял и изчерпан, а всъщност е точно обратното. Стилът е необятен и именно възможността да съчетаеш класика с метъл, го прави толкова интерес и интригуващ. Моята идея, която успяхме да реализираме в този албум е да имаш усещането, че слушаш класическо произведение, но подплатено със средствата и похватите на тежкия метъл. Във всяка една песен има различна история, която разказва за обратите в живота, за предателствата, за загубите и победите. Не бих могла да си представя по-добър начин да разкажеш за живота и света, в който живеем, от това да създадеш един великолепен албум, който да остане години занапред в мислите и сърцата на хората.

  • Как се справихте със записите в условията на пандемия и неизвестност?

Пандемията не ни спря нито за миг да спрем да работим върху албума. Всъщност започнахме работа върху него през зимата на 2019 до есента на 2020, когато всъщност влязохме в студио, за да го запишем. По време на пандемията заснехме и видеото към песента ‘Monster in the Mirror’. Ние, артистите, не трябва да се пречупваме и поддаваме на каквито и да било страхове. Не трябва да се крием и изолираме, защото това ще ни погуби, като личности и артисти. Ние трябва да даваме кураж и воля за живот на хората. Затова пандемията по никакъв начин не ни попречи да осъществим целите си и да го направим по най-добрия начин. Ние не обичаме да с оплакваме и да занимаваме феновете си с проблемите си. Всички имат проблеми. Ние искаме да даваме решения и да даваме глътка свеж въздух на тези, които жадуват за нея.

  • Обложката на албума изглежда доста интересна. Постапокалиптичен свят, различен тип животни и малко момиченце.

Да, това е едно пророчество, предадено от пророка Влайчо на майка ми преди много години, според което когато всички хищници заживеят в мир със своите жертви, на земята няма да има граници. Много години носих това в главата си и исках по някакъв начин да го предам на света, а вече всеки един да го тълкува през своята призма на съзнание. Обсъдих идеята за хищниците и детенцето, заедно с нашия дизайнер Ясен Денев и измислихме тази концепция, която да въплъщава идеята на новия свят, който идва след като нищо друго не е останало след нас и действията ни. Защото на края ще останат само нежността, интелекта и красотата. А това момиченце носи промяната, обединявайки силите на природата, за да спаси света или поне това, което е останало от него.

  • Правите малко концерти, но пък добри записи и видеа. Разкажи повече за начина на работа в Metalwings

Правим малко концерти, защото сцените, на които можем да свирим в България са много малко, а за да направим турне навън, са нужни много средства. Затова правим това, в което сме най-добри – хубави албуми и прекрасни видеа. А междувременно работим за деня, в който ще имаме възможността да правим периодично големи международни турнета. Честно казано, не пилеем енергията си просто да свирим където и да е, на всяка цена. Това някак уморява публиката, както и самите музиканти. Ние се целим нависоко и работим всеки ден, за да ставаме все по-добри във всяко едно отношение. Когато времето дойде, ще сме готови да направим своя лъвски скок, но здраво стъпили на земята. Славата и фалшивата популярност могат много бързо да те замаят и да те накарат да разпериш ръце над пропастта, мислейки, че можеш да летиш. Ние проправяме своя път, със съзнанието, че можем да летим, но понеже често са прекършвали крилете ни, много внимателно преценяваме всяка своя крачка, преди да решим, че сме готови да полетим.

Цялото интервю можете да прочетете тук!

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I had discovered the Bulgarians of ‘Metalwings’ with their first EP ‘Fallen Angel In The Hell’ and 2018 had seen the release of their first LP, ‘For All Beyond’ which already showed all the potential of this leading symphonic metal formation. by soprano and keyboardist ‘Stela Atanasova’. They continue their adventure by releasing a second studio recording of almost an hour and ten minutes and I once again fell in love with this new opus from which we had two extracts, first with the beautiful ballad ‘Still Believe in Us’ in 2020 (repeated in a different tone on the new album), then with ‘Monster in the Mirror’ in spring 2021 (see video above). Entirely written and composed by ‘Stela Atanasova’, ‘A Whole New Land’, I quote their page ‘bandcamp’, “is a concept album, both in music and in lyrics. We will take you to a whole new country where all predators and their victims live in harmony and peace … Each song tells a different story of the life of a little girl in search of the lost land of her ancestors. It’s a whole new land where there is once had honor, dignity, beauty and strength. Where there was life, peace and harmony. “

In summary, the Bulgarians of ‘Metalwings’ confirm all the talent of their first album and stand out from other symphonic metal formations by an even more marked fusion between classical music and metal with beautiful melodic lines sublimated by a remarkable moving and captivating singer. . ‘A Whole New Land’ is recommended for a symphonic metal audience featuring rich orchestral arrangements and a lyrically trained singer …

Follow the link to read the full review in French!

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Why did you choose to include as much music as possible, almost 70 minutes, which is not the norm nowadays? Did you feel so confident about your new material?

If I wasn’t convinced of what I was creating, I wouldn’t be trying to make music at all. The truth is that in recent years everything in music has become easier, more uniform. There is no fire, no passion. Everyone follows a successful formula – I’m talking about the most famous bands and relies on the fact that whatever they release, fans will accept it. I do not accept such things. To call yourself an artist, you have to have the courage to be yourself and do what you love, not just release album after album in which you have not invested anything. This album consists of 70 minutes of love for music. We put our hearts into this album. I cannot doubt even for a second in our hearts. Whether our fans will like it remains to be seen.

How did the pandemic affect the making of the album and the promotion of it?

The pandemic slightly delayed the recording and release of the album, but in no way prevented us from creating what we wanted.

How is it being a woman in a “man’s world”? Did you ever feel that people underestimate you as a woman in a heavy metal band? Have you felt/faced any kind of discrimination?

So far, I have not felt for a moment any kind of discrimination or underestimation, because I am a woman in a metal band. I don’t pay attention to such things in general. This is a kind of chimera that is time to unravel and forget. Women are wonderful creatures and can only create beauty. How could anyone dare to say that because you are a woman, you have no place on the metal scene. This would be a very limited person. I do not know such people personally and I hope not to meet them in the future. The fact that years ago there was such a term as ‘man’s world’ – it is only the fault of women that we allowed it and paid too much attention to what men say.

What are your future plans? What do you plan to do to promote your new album?

In these strange times we live in – I do not plan anything. I let things just happen. Most importantly, we managed to record and release this amazing album, in the midst of a crisis and a pandemic. We work with a great press promoter Mike de Coene, which helps us a lot to promote the album. We hope that if not this year, next year we will have the chance to do a long tour to promote our album live.

Follow the link to read the full interview!

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The mixing and mastering was done by Jens Bogren (in parentheses put a series of first-class bands) at Fascination Street Studios, which indicates the high expectations of its creators, but also their high level. Because it is not enough to have the money to go to such a sound engineer, but also the necessary musical and artistic level.

Stela Atanasova does not have an unreal voice. She is not Floor Jansen, but her voice is correct, it perfectly serves the songs she sings and in the final analysis, that is what is required. As a composer, he manages to create long compositions that last close to 7 minutes, which do not tire, while at the same time they have smaller ones, such as “Second chance” which is my favorite song from the album and admittedly they succeed. in both song categories. “Milo Moe Libe”, which has Bulgarian lyrics, also sounds good.

If the output was a click better, especially the sound of the drums, my final score would be half a point better. But listening to songs like “A whole new land”, “Monster in the mirror” or “Second chance”, I can say that I am very satisfied with the overall level of the album and I recommend to all the friends of this idiom what we say female fronted symphonic metal, but check them.

Follow the link to the full review!

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Opening track is the title track (A Whole New Land ) and sounds a bit into symphonic metal (guided by a synth). Slowly we hear more guitars and even a beautiful female voice (Stela Atanasova). The classic (strings) instruments give it an uplifting touch. The operatic feel grows towards the end of the track: giving it an epic feel. Monster In The Mirror has a good tempo and presents itself as a classic symphonic metal track with great vocals and a good production! It’s a nice show off (with more fragile and more powerful parts). Like A Willow Without Tears is more emotionally loaded and proves how good Stela’s voice is! Be ready to shed a tear! Another song filled with a lot of feeling and a lot of variation is the marvellous pearl called: I See Your Power. It reminds me a bit of Xandria. Silence starts slow, with an almost whispering voice and slowly growing stronger and louder. Slowly it gets the typical symphonic metal sound and the tempo goes up (guided by the strings and the guitars). The break renders the more fragile part of the song. Still Believe In Us starts under the guidance of strings and an acoustic guitar. Once Stela starts to sing we also hear a piano. In the end it’s a magical and magistral ballad filled with emotions and o so fragile! Killer Of The Angel’s Love starts slowly but get’s some lifting after one minute and becomes a more power driven song empowered by some symphonic metal slices. Wonders Of Life sounds as charming and sweet as the title on itself. Stela’s voice sounds warm and deep, with now and then a touch of fragility and excellent symphonic metal slices! Passengers Between The Rails Of Life is the kind of typical symphonic metal track that goes up and down, goes high and low with lots of instrument on board. Second Chance sounds like the second life of a butterfly: light and softly with a romantic touch and only positive feelings. It’s a song that fit’s Stela’s voice like a handcrafted glove! The lift of the tempo towards the end almost feels like not done as the previous part is of such a beauty! Milo Moe Libe sounds a bit different from the previous tracks (partially due to the flute, but also because it’s sung in Polish, the mother language of this band). It’s a cool last track, making the end a beauty!

Well: this was a blast! I enjoyed it! I hope to get caught up by a large audience and can play a lot of gigs once life can go back to normal!

Written by Van Muylem

Follow the link to read the full review!

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I have heard the name METALWINGS pop up over the past few years but never actually sat down to listen to them until their latest release A Whole New Land. It is most certainly one of the more intriguing albums I have come across and it makes me curious to find out more. Let me explain.

It gets off to a promising start with the title track. When listening to this, Arabian Nightsfrom Disney’s Aladdin comes to mind in terms of melodies and the epic atmosphere it gives off. If you add a pinch of NIGHTWISH’s Decades In The Sun, this should give you a rough idea on what the song sounds like

One of the most notable things about A Whole New Land is you never know what’s coming around the corner. There is the perfect balance of keeping us on our toes and not including too much so we’re not left feeling baffled. Even in the tracks where you think you know what you’re getting, you are still caught off guard by subtle changes that change things up completely.

It took me a little while to see the appeal of the album, it didn’t grab my attention straight away, but I am glad I gave it another try. For me, A Whole New Land is a grower and it’s an interesting piece of art that can be admired from every angle. It also shows METALWINGSare ones to look out for. Recommended if you like WITHIN TEMPATION, LEAVES’ EYES and NIGHTWISH.

Rating: 7/10

Words: Lotty Whittingham

Follow the link to read the full review!

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Metalwings, formed specifically in Autumn 2010, have been refining their brand of symphonic power metal for over a decade now and with this latest release, ‘A Whole New Land’. It was self released on the 11th of June this year.

The dramatic and rousing self titled opener sets the stage. Drums and guitars adding a layer of heaviness to the delicate and purposeful vocals keys and strings. It is not really a power metal record until there is the obligatory gallop and here it is. ‘Monster In the Mirror’, which is also the first single from the album, carries the baton of the heavy opera and it carries it well. Heavy and soaring there is a lot to like here, not least of all the guiter solo and nice moment of focus the bass gets. My favourite intro is found on ‘Like a Willow Without Tears’, it calls to my Scottish and Irish heritage with its Celtic feel. It is catchy, sinister and the headbanging section with the string is downright glorious. Hankering for something with a feel like The Phantom of the Opera but newer? Look no further than ‘I See Your Power’.

‘Silence’ is a class power ballad moment, break out those smartphone torches. ‘Still Believe in Us’ is as tender as it is tragic and calls to the heart of anyone who has ever had a relationship breakdown. The sinister is turned back up with ‘Killer of the Angel’s Love’. Despite the opening hard rock bars, ‘Wonders of Life’ take a carnival like twist which was unexpected. It rounds out with some classic heavy metal riffing and swagger. ‘Passengers Between the Rails of Life’ is heavy and dramatic as you have come to expect at this stage, and hits a soulful note lyrically as it talks about taking changes, spreading your wings for good or evil and when you tie that with the global climate slowly opening again it resonates all the louder. The next track is a gothic love story, it tells you as much in the opening lyrics. ‘Second Chance’ has heart, passion and tremendous string use.

We round out with ‘Mimlo Moe Libe’ – My Dear Libe. A letter to a love, bring home the trademark vocals, musical prowess and the feel that grabs the listener. This was a fun album for me to review, it is not my go to genre but this powerful and passionate album have changed my view for the better. It is big, bombastic and a whole lot of fun, even with these tender, beautiful moments.

Follow the link to read the full review!

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The review is written by Ever Metal

The Symphonic and the Gothic work best when they take their time to build up layers of mood with sound and this bunch nail it perfectly. Equally they take time to unpick and appreciate, and a casual first pass listen is simply not going to do justice to the monumental technical and musical effort that has gone into the crafting of the album. I have to stress that, because when you are an independent & self-financing band, the costs of recording and producing “A Whole New Land” will not have been insignificant. I am curious to know how they will tour this, particularly outside of their home market, as taking more than five of them on the road will clearly be something of a challenge and some of the music will lose its sense of majesty if it’s delivered by the click of a switch live.

It’s long, it’s technically complex with superb musical depth, but needs a good three listens before you really start to appreciate the work that has gone into it. With a bit more balance of the accessible and immediate, then this would be top drawer stuff. That said, if the chance to fly to Bulgaria and watch them do the whole thing live with the full orchestra comes up, I will seize it with both hands.

Follow the link to read the full review!

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The history of the Bulgarian band Metalwings dates back to 2010, when classically trained Stela Atanasova had the idea to combine elements of classical music with Melodic Metal. Soon she found like-minded comrades-in-arms. But the band had the same problems as many other smaller bands, there were many changes in the line-up. So today only two musicians from the early days are active in Metalwings, the singer herself and keyboarder Angel Kitanov. So it is not surprising that in these more than ten years only one EP and two studio albums were released. Recently, “A Whole New Land” was released. Reason enough to ask the singer some curious questions.

You have played many live gigs, including at various festivals. But the first EP was released in 2016 and the debut album “For All Beyond” followed in 2018. Why did it take you so long?

Good and real things happen just when they should – not a day sooner or later. I understand that our fans would like to release an album every year, but what most of them do not suspect is how difficult it is for an independent band like ours to release quality albums with good material and quality sound. It is almost impossible financially, but we do it despite the difficulties. With each new album, with each new video – we raise the level and prove to the world that even an independent band from Bulgaria can achieve the level and quality of famous bands and not be broken by problems and obstacles. In addition, it is very difficult to create music with the wrong people. In order to present your work and make people love it, you must have created it with love and created it with people who also invest 100% of themselves. And until I find these people, this core of the band – time has passed. The important thing is that the core of the band is present. When it is there, even if there are some changes, things are fixable.

I’ve never set a goal to just cover a norm for the number of albums released – the important thing for me is that they be meaningful, experienced, suffered and to touch people’s hearts. It doesn’t matter how many albums you have created, but how long the creation will continue to be listened to. Some of our songs will stay in people’s hearts forever.

There are a lot of symphonic metal bands.  Many also with women on the microphone. How do Metalwings differ from other bands of this genre?

Each band has its own distinctive feature. We are distinguished by our wonderful melodies, beautiful lyrics, epic orchestrations, the sound of the viola and last but not least, the fact that we do not compromise with a single tone in our music. We are perfectionists and we want to create only the best we are capable of.

Read the full interview here!