Doomed Confessionary: Goran Mladenović (The Bloody Earth)
The Bloody Earth is first Serbian death-doom band, formed in 1995 and disbanded few years after release of the first album. Reincarnated in 2015 and since active. Currently working on a new album.
Current line-up consists of Goran Mladenović (guitar), Vladan Kitanović (drums), Marko Tričković (organ, vocals), Strahinja Đorđević (guitar), Dušica Antić (vocals) and Aleksandar Petrović (bass).
Can you say a few words about your band?
First incarnation of The Bloody Earth (TBE) was seen in the middle of ’90s (XX century 😀 ), actually, in ’95. and it was in fact the first known Serbian doom effort. First demo was recorded in early ’96. and the whole material for the first album till the end of the same year. »Requiem Of Weeping Souls« was out in early ’97. on tape with big support of, at that time, well known Butcher Sound. Sadly, due to personal issues we’ve disbanded soon after, although, the first album was reissued on CD by Buffalo Revenge. After pretty long hiatus, original two members (Vladan and Goran) joined forces with some younger dudes and brought TBE to second life in 2015. and it was celebrated by “reunion” gig in our own city, Niš, which was quite success, more than we expected. New material was recorded, and second album »Inevitable« was out on CD in early 2017. followed with two editions on cassette tape. First promotion of »Inevitable« was, of course, at home, in Niš, but true promotion followed up in 2018. when we played in Niš, Belgrade, Exit fest Novi Sad and Sofia, Bulgaria, strengthened with a new member, Dušica who took a role of a soprano singer. Then we started to write new stuff, but Covid pause did lot of damage, both to personal health and to band activity. Until recently, when we have started a bigger effort in finishing new songs.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
Well, the biggest challenge, for sure, was to be fully back in the saddle after the pause caused by Covid and some other situations. I have to mention that we did make initial contacts with mighty Solitude Productions about signing for the new album, but, due to Russia/Ukraine conflict, SP have stopped all activities, and this was great disappointment for as and slowed us down pretty much, so we had to find a new aim to go forth. Other thing, that I personally do not like to mention often (it’s so cringy nowadays) is my constant battle with depression. Then it came this Slaughter fest (festival of Horror movies and Metal music, which is held in old, abandoned slaughterhouse near Niš) where we had great show. The thing that fueled us up with quite new and strong energy was that we were excellently accepted by the younger audience, which was a great thing, since doom, especially funeral is vastly known as “music for oldies”. As a result of this new energy, there is an EP »Crnoslovlje« issued especially for the great underground fanzine of the same name, and which is now much more than a simple ‘zine, it’s became a true underground “any kind of art” movement.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Personally, I’m most proud of my kids, son and daughter, but I don’t think that is the right answer to your question 😀 As a band, we’re most proud of the fact that lot of people (for our standards) in the whole world has heard of us so far, and that we’ve sold CDs and merch on all continents (except Antarctica, of course). Also, it’s a great pleasure when you scroll down through some FB pages or forums and you see that some random guys from Germany or Finland or Thailand, talk about your band, or you see picture of metalhead from Belarus with all of your CDs in hands. One must be proud of it.
What was your biggest regret?
So far, we regret mostly that we’ve made such a long pause after »Inevitable«, since, initially, plan for the next album was to be released by 2020., 2021. eventually. The songs were far in progress, but I’ve already mentioned main reasons for the delay… We would also like a more gigs, but the style of music we play is great difficulty in finding promoters, not to mention venues.
What was the best concert/tour last year and why?
If you mean our concert, we had only one, mentioned above, at the Slaughter Festival, and was great. If you mean generally, I think Pantera “reunion”, nevertheless vilification of the “die hard” fans towards Zakk and Charlie, both of them are great replacements to the late brothers (RIP), and the shows were great.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Ever? That Ozzy became R’n’R superstar. That Ghost is considered metal and play at metal fests. That Keith Richards is still alive. Recently? Mighty Pantheist release a single »Kings Must Die« and few days after, there’s announcement from the GB Royal family that king has cancer… So, be careful with doom… Also, Slayer announce reunion few months before KK solo album. Jokes aside, nothing surprised me recently. Without intention to sound like every other boomer, but nothing new arose on the scene for the very long time that would leave a great mark. Even well-known bands repeat themselves without some will to go further and do something different.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’m for years into funeral doom, so, Evoken, Pantheist, Skepticism and rest of style more or less known bands. Also, I’ve never gone too far from death metal, so, Suffocation, Incantation, Immolation (and the rest of –tion) are regularly in my CD player. And as a superposition of before mentioned, doom-death is my favorite style to torture the family and the neighbors – Disma, Coffins, Primitive Men, Temple Of Void etc.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Niš / Serbia?
There is a very thin scene in our city. Biggest problem are venues, clubs in Niš itself. Also, it’s very hard to get involved in any happenings, mini, maxi fests in Belgrade or Novi Sad… I have to mention Stellar Tomb as an effort in prog-death, also Dawn Of Creation, tech-death. There were few bands that existed some time but unfortunately disbanded… There are also a few very young bands, with a promising quality, but there’s a long thorny way in front of them. As of Serbia, we have good relations with Belgrade’s The Father Of Serpents – some kind of gothic-doom. Surely, many know mighty The Stone which is probably THE best black metal (maybe metal in whole meaning) band from Serbia. There is also lot of thrash bands, but I do not prefer thrash in 21st century, and most of them are copycats, although some of them do have “the name” in region. Also, a whole lot of genuine “trve” black metal I personally do not prefer.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
That is enigma, even for us. First of all, we have and we’re trying hard, to finish new album, to find proper label.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Mentioned above, this year is a must for a new album. Then promotion. Then another EP (yes, we already have ideas and songs). Also, although it’s not so popular, we’re thinking even few years further for the cover EP, maybe whole album. So, we’ll see. First things first. There’s a lot of plans for so slow band. 😀
How can people best support your band?
Like they do to any other band. Follow us. Talk about us. Buy some stuff, physical or digital. Download free. Listen. And if you like it, write a few words, on any platform, direct message to us, mail, anything. For such an introvert genre such is funeral doom, any word is worth a gold. If you have any chance to see us live, don’t miss, you’ll regret.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
DOOM OR BE DOOMED!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well