Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members? Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

The origin of the band name come from my adolescence where I was obsessed with horror books. I loved to read Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Stephen King, Clive Barker and others. The idea came from Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith where some of their heroes and sometimes even they used to turn their names backwards. So, Silkof come from Sofoklis and grove I don’t even remember it’s been so many years. This wasn’t a band name back then but my nickname as I used to write horror stories for school competitions.

Regarding the history of the band there is not much to say. From a young age I wanted to play music. My dream was to make a metal album related to mystical ideas and stories based on Carlos Castaneda books. Slowly as my readings and practice changed to eastern philosophy and meditation so did my interest for my metal album. Regarding music Death Construction has riffs and passages collected from many years of playing the guitar. There are some riffs I came up with 15 years ago and others more recent.

Nikos the Constructivist was the first guy who I collaborated with to write the song Death Construction. He is a very cool guy who like metal and guitar playing and singing as well. We were friends from Greece but we found ourselves interacting musically in the Netherlands. He has released some nice songs online you can check him at https://theconstructivist.bandcamp.com.

Kriton is also a friend who evolved from a drummer also to a very good music engineer in Greece. He lives in Thessaloniki and he works as a music engineer. He was the guy that opened my eyes on recording and mixing music. His help was very crucial in some songs of the album. You can find him on facebook https://www.facebook.com/kriton.qrtsis/

Vaggelis is also a drummer who lives in Thessaloniki. This guys is a maniac with metal drums and he also plays the guitar. His skills and drum knowledge uplifted the songs of the album greatly. He also plays drums for other bands as a session drummer. I was introduced to him for another friend in order to help me with my songs. You can find him on facebook https://www.facebook.com/vaggelis.drums

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

It’s difficult to pick some artists/bands as favourites as I like so many of them. When I was 15-16 I was more into classic metal like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Manowar and power metal. Slowly I turned more to thrash and death metal. The turning point regarding death metal was Projector from Dark Tranquillity. It was introduced to me from a friend called Giorgos when I was studying in Serres. This album made me get used to death  metal vocals since it is a mixture of great clean vocals, melody and heavy vocals and riffing. From then on I started listening more Swedish metal and thrash death. My influences are many but I could narrow them down to  Dark Tranquillity, Nightrage, Rotting Christ, Evergrey, In Flames, Nevermore, Tool, Megadeth and who knows what else.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

As I mentioned above it was my dream to play metal music since I was a kid but this wasn’t my only goal/ plan. Playing music was and still is a hobby for me. It is  the time where I relaxed from other more “strict” activities like studying or working.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Savatage – The lost tracks

Bury Tomorrow – Portraits

Gus G – Quantum Leap

Hypocrisy – Worship

Do you sing in the shower?

No, but I sing in the car. Coming from work takes me 45’ every day so I use this time to practice vocals.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

The plan is to relax, play and be creative for this and the next year.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

No, I don’t have anything ready to be released since my first album have just been released but I have started working in new material.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

I have no idea. I haven’t given attention to play venues.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

If I had to choose one it would be Youthanasia from Megadeth.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

I listen to various things but I don’t feel guilty. I enjoy listening to synthwave a lot. It takes be back to the 80’s. Ace Buchannon is my favourite synthwave artist. I also love Stephan Micus. He is a great musician.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Hetfield and Loomis on the guitars, Lombardo on drums, Mikael Stanne on vocals and Demaio on the bass.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Yes the first albums I bought were Shades of God from Paradise lost and Chapter VI from Candlemass.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Thank you guys for your support. Always try to make yourselves better more serene, creative and free.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

https://silkof-grove.bandcamp.com/album/death-construction

https://www.facebook.com/sfssfs

On youtube search for Silkof grove channel

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thank you