SKY EYE
HEAVY METAL
FROM
SLOVENIA
Band Questions
answer by
Jan LEŠČANEC
Please introduce yourself and the band members briefly?
Ljubljana-based heavy metal band SkyEye was founded in 2014 by guitarist
Grega Stalowsky, bassist Primož Lovšin and singer Jan Leščanec. SkyEye
got its current line-up in 2016 when guitarist Marko Kavčnik and drummer
Jurij Nograšek joined the band. Unique and powerful vocals combined with
raw and melodic guitar riffs give the band its signature heavy metal sound,
reminescent of other major representatives of the genre, like Iron Maiden,
Saxon or Judas Priest.
What does the band name mean and how do you get it?
Skyeye is the ultimate power or the ultimate lie? Open your eyes and you
may find it out.
Where and how was the band founded?
SkyEye was founded in 2014 by guitarist Grega Stalowsky, bassist Primož
Lovšin and singer Jan Leščanec. SkyEye got its current line-up in 2016
when guitarist Marko Kavčnik and drummer Jurij Nograšek joined the band.
Have you played in other bands before?
We all played in different bands and genres before SkyEye. Our singer Jan
is still playing guitar in DreamOn and Hellcats. Grega was member of
Breedlock band. Marko was rock/blues guitarist in quite few bands. Primož
played in from clarinet to guitar in ethno, blues rock groups an Jurij our
drummer was first a guitar player an then drummer in blues rock band
Honkytonk.
Was it hard to find suitable band members who fit musically and humanely
with the band?
We had a little problem of finding a right drummer at first, but in 2016 Jurij
joined the band and he brought Marko as another guitar, both of them were
perfect fit and here we are.
What are the lyrics about and who of you is writing them ?
All the lyrics in our first album are work of our singer Jan Leščanec. There
are many topics covered on an album. From devastating tsunami, that hit
east India in 2004, to the battle of Jerusalem and unreasonable tensions
between religious groups through history. There are songs like Book of life,
Galactic wind and In the name of SkyEye that are dealing with human
mortality. Title track Digital god speaks of how humanity’s vanity, greed and
unrestrained abuse of technology is inadvertently creating an entity that is
greater and more powerful than its creator.
Which bands inspired you and how would you describe your music to
someone who has never heard a sound from you?
Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio, Saxon etc…
First album of SkyEye - Digital God is heavy metal album with a modern
twist, with high screamy vocal and heavy riffs. If you like bands above, you
should listen to our music.
Why should people listen to our music?
For anyone who like heavy metal, wants to her something new and is in
need of energetic live shows SkyEye will not disappoint.
I've heard that your debut album will be released soon? can you tell us
something about the album?
Album was released on 9.11. in sold out Orto bar in Ljubljana. The album
cover of DIGITAL GOD represents humanity, which is already almost
entirely enslaved by its digital god. Yet, a sliver of hope remains for us to
free ourselves from the digital shackles and hear the beating of our hearts
again. The brute, fast and uncompromising title track speaks of how
humanity’s vanity, greed and unrestrained abuse of technology is
inadvertently creating an entity that is greater and more powerful than its
creator. The day when we completely enslave ourselves is no longer far.
DIGITAL GOD is a warning against the downfall of the human race. The
album features nine other original tracks in English that the band has written
in the past four years, including three epic songs—Galactic Wind, Tsunami
and Jerusalem—whose combined duration of 30 minutes by far exceeds
today’s trends of instant music.
Will you try to present the new album live and also outside of Slovenia?
We had a few gigs after release and still trying to get some, to fully promote
album in Slovenija. There is a plan to do a short Europe tour in spring 2019
with Slovenian trash legends Eruption and some metal festivals in summer.
What was your first concert as a fan? and what memory do you have of it?
Jan Leščanec first time visiting Iron Maiden concert was somewhat spiritual
expirience for him.
What were your live highlights and with which bands did you play?
First, was our second concert in festival Trnfest in Ljubljana, then when we
shared stage with Slovenian legend Meetalsteel and Eruption and the last
was our release of album Digital God in sould out Ortobar in Ljubljana.
Have already resulted in friendship ?
We are good friends with all the bands we played together. I think there is a
special connection between metal bands in Slovenia, we all have the same
mission, to spread metal in an make metal scene strong in Slovenia, we had
a lot of help from our bands Metalsteel in particular. Thank you all!
If you'd like to play live and if you would like to ?
We are playing live shows in Slovenian clubs and trying to get concerts on
our festivals and eventually go to Europe to tour.
With what do you earn your money except with the music?
We all have jobs to support our music and band.
How important are social media for you as a band?
Social media is tool for spreading our music. At these times, everything
must be on internet, and social media is of big importance if you want to
bring music to the listeners.
What would you (her) want to achieve with the band?
We would like to make good music, albums, and live shows.
What do you think about the Slovenia metal scene in general?
Slovenian metal scene is well developed, there is many good bands in all
genres of metal, and we have big festival Metal days where new forces can
present themselves. All good, maybe heavy metal is a little less develop but
we are trying to fix that.
Maybe you can recommend some bands from your area?
Eruption, Metalsteel, Hangar 55, Requiem, Mary rose....
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
I grew up in Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenija. As a kid, It was all about
80’s action cartoons (Masters of the Universe, Dino Raiders, M.A.S.K,
Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles...) Then Guns N‘ Roses came along and
changed my main interest from cartoons to music.
How was your school time you were rather the good student or the break
clown ?
Well, rather a responsible student. I always understood the
meaning of education.
How did your parents react when you started making metal music? did they
support you and how do you feel about your music today?
Well they were against it, because to them it was a bunch of
lost cases screaming and abusing instruments Later on, when they saw, I
was pretty serious about playing guitar, they started supporting me.
Would you be successful in making music as a musician?
I definetely hope so hahaha
Are you someone who loves the hustle and bustle of the big city? or rather
looking for peace and relaxation in nature?
Somewhere in between probably. I’m not exactly a desert fox, but also can’t
stand too much of a city hustle.
Do you actively practice sports or are you more of a passive spectator?
I try to workout with weights in the local gym, as much as time permits it.
Sure like also other sports, but there just isn’t any time for it.
When it comes to your physical well you can cook or let you cook for you
I consider myself a pretty decent cook As long as you are into vegetables,
not meat.
What does your environment tell you about your passion for metal (friends /
family / colleagues) ?
I grew up listening to all kinds of heavy music. There are some great places
for metal here in Ljubljana. But I think, back in the day, people were just
more passionate about music and the bands. Kids nowadays are just too
overcrowded with social media and everything going on, on the internet. A
lot has changed in the last 20 years.
How do you see the problem with the haters on the internet who have to
announce their mental garbage in anonymity always and everywhere?
I have always been the „promote what you love“guy, not the „throw around
hate“ guy. I really can’t understand, why people spend all that time writing
hate comments, when they could spend that time doing what they love.
What do you think about the internet in general? a blessing or a curse?
Definitely both. Depends on how you use it.
What would you personally like to do in your life?
Well beside playing stadium shows hehehe, I would really love to work with
animals. Not as a vet, but like in an animal shelter type. That sort of thing.
Or be a part of a biologist team, that shoots documentaries about whales,
sharks and other wildlife.
Which question would you like to have answered and why?
How was the universe really created and what/who created it.
Slovenia
Our Homeland. Small, beautiful, but in need of a better leadership. We need
to improve the living conditions for the residents. Got some great places for
metal concerts, just lacking the mid-range venues (for 300 – 400 visitors).
Austria
Our northern neighbour. Great for skiing and winter sports.Great for metal
shows also. Would definitely love to come and play some shows. Just invite
us and we are there
Iron Maiden or Judas Priest
Maiden...Maiden.
Metallica or Megadeth
Megadeth all the way!
Women
I have my own at home
UNION Beer
Ah, the eternal classic. Definitely, the beer we grew up on
Beer or Juice
Beer! What kind of a metalhead would I be, if I choosed juice
Štruklji
Not on my menue.
Holiday
Just had mine 3 weeks ago. Some late season swimming in the Atlantic
Ocean on the Island of Gran Canaria.
Family
Don’t have any kids yet, but we’re getting there slowly.
Drugs
Drugs were never my sort of thing. I always knew that sooner or later they
mess your head up. I’ve seen it happen to people around me and I’m happy
I was always clever enough to stay away. Only alcohol for this metalhead!
Soccer
Not my favourite sport. Never been much of a fan. Basketball has always
been in the first place.
Movie or Series
I don’t spend much time on either. If I have to choose, I would say series.
Nowadays movies in general suck.
Your top 10 all time faves
Iron Maiden
Megadeth
Primal Fear
Blind Guardian
Machine Head
Alestorm
Bruce Dickinson
Grave Digger
Terror
Obituary
your top 5 in time !
Machine Head – Bloodstone and Diamonds
Brainstorm – Liquid Monster
Ayreon – The Source
Alestorm – No Grave but the Sea
Primal Fear - Apocalypse
The closing word is yours?
Thank you very much for the chance to present our band SkyEye with this
interview. We would like to invite all readers to check out our debut album
Digital God. We believe we have created a really good album for all metal
fans and hope to get a chance to present our music also live in Austria.
Cheers and keep supporting metal!
© 2019 by Haschi`s Metal Corner
