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Black Suicide: First of all, how have you all been?

Albatross:  We’ve been better than we ever have before. We just concluded a 4 city tour to support our new split with Vestal Claret, and the response throughout has been overwhelming. Not only is it an honour to visit different parts of India when you play such an obscure genre as ours, the fact that people show up to support and cheer us on is very humbling. Like we’ve said before (and as has every other band in the world), we have the best fans ever!

Black Suicide: What does Albatross signify? Is there any concept or denotation in particular behind the name ‘Albatross’?

Albatross:  Albatross is a seabird of ill-omen, which has most notably made an appearance in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem- The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. If an Albatross is hung around your neck, it is a sign of great shame.

Black Suicide: You recently released your EP ‘The Curse of the Kissing Flies’. Congratulations for that! Tell us more about it? (Here, tell us about the tracklist, the touring, and all.)

Albatross:  Well, ‘The Curse of the Kissing Flies’ is our second release and a split with Vestal Claret from the US. The tracklist runs thus:

1. Albatross- Wither(featuring Murari Vasudevan)
2. Albatross- Uncle Sunny At the Tavern(featuring Niklas Stalvind)
3. Albatross- Kissing Flies(featuring The Demonstealer)
4. Albatross- From Ashes Comes Life
5. Vestal Claret- Black Priest

Both are very over the top, gruesome horror stories. Our side in particular, deals with a town on the verge of decay infested by demonic flies. The story is told over 4 tracks and features, in true Albatross fashion a twist in the tale. It’s very over-the-top, very operatic, very cinematic. Check it out yourself.

Black Suicide:  During the tour, you shared stage with many different bands, and got to see different audiences everywhere. How did you like the fellow bands, and the audience response?

Albatross:  Well, all the bands we shared the stage with were really very good, very tight! Especially Insane Prophecy from Guwahati, Bevar Sea and Shepherd from Bangalore. And the response was brilliant. The Bangalore crowd were awesome. Also Guwahati has a strong metal base so…. We were glad they liked us.

Black Suicide: Is there any memorable experience Albatross had during the tour? Tell us more about it.

Albatross (Nishith): Yes, I have a really good one! Getting inked when drunk, lol! It was too much fun to get tattoos when we were completely wasted. In fact even Jay and Vignesh did the same. It was one crazy experience.

Black Suicide: Since, Albatross is based in Mumbai, how would you define the Mumbai metal scene?

Albatross: Mumbai’s facing a severe venue crunch right now, and one can only hope that the new B69 will return soon. I’ve personally been part of the Mumbai scene for around a decade now, both as a fan and a musician, and it has seen its ups and downs. But today, there are several awesome bands (and several not so good ones), like always. But right now, it’s more positive than negative.

Black Suicide: Tell us about your influences in detail? Who and how influenced Albatross the most?

Albatross:  I’m a very big fan of theatrics in music, and am very close minded in the music I choose to listen to. Some of the bands I’m very influenced by are King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Wolf, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slough Feg, Celtic Frost, Ghost, Hell etc. Biprorshee likes a lot of the music I like, especially a lot of glam like Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Def Leppard, Queen in addition to Cradle of Filth, etc. Nishith is influenced by Nevermore and Megadeth while Vignesh likes Opeth, Death, Necrophagist etc. Jay only listens to Dream Theater.

Oh yeah, and we all dig Metallica!

Black Suicide: What are Albatross’ future plans? What are the fans going to see after such an awesome EP?

Albatross: To be honest, I have no fucking idea. I’ll leave the thinking bit till after BOA.

Black Suicide:  Talking about Bangalore Open Air, what do you have to say about it? It obviously feels good to play at such an event, but is there anything the band is expecting from this concert?

Albatross: We’re just kicked to be sharing the stage with Iced Earth- a band that has been a direct influence on our music from the time that the band was formed. We’re just going to play the gig, get wasted and participate in something our friend Vikram Bhat calls an alcoholocaust!

Black Suicide: Well, what all tracks are you guys going to play over there at BOA?

Albatross: Mostly stuff from the first and second EP and maybe a Dio/Priest cover.

Black Suicide: So, before we wrap up the interview, is there anything you would like to share with your fans?

Albatross: Stay heavy, stay true, and at Bangalore Open Air, we’ll see you. We’re planning a second leg of our tour in the months to follow, so if you want to see Albatross play your city, send us a mail or contact us on Facebook. We’d love to visit you and tell you our nightmarish tales. Horns up!

Black Suicide: It was a nice time talking to you. We congratulate you for your kickass EP, and wish you all the best for Bangalore Open Air.

Albatross: Thank you, Shrey. Stay true.