Hello Polo, thank you for doing another interview with us, how are you doing?
I'm fine thanks and I'm ready to do an interview with you again.
In 2008 you released your latest album, Madness in Abyss, how do you look back on it now?
Yes, I really liked that album and the people liked it too, because it was harsher than the last one (“From Abuse to Apostasy”) and all the tracks are totally different from one to the next. I think it really showed how we evolved over the years.
Everyone has certain expectations of the success of a new album, did this album bring you what you hoped for?
Yes, of course, we put a lot of effort into that album, and you get back what you put into things. With “Madness” we gained new fans and pleased the old ones, so what more could we ask for? We have always tried to evolve with each album and the new one will be no different.
We saw you perform in Germany at the Out of Line tour, was this the only touring you did in Europe after the album?
Yes, the only European shows we played after “Madness” was released were part of the Out Of Line Festival, so I am excited to be returning to Europe this summer.
A little later we found out Raul and Amduscia parted ways, why was this, why did you decide to make Amduscia a 2 person band?
My brother always made the music and I wrote the songs and lyrics for the albums. Raul contributed in some lyrics, but 3 people in an electronic band is just too much, so my brother and I decided to thank Raul for his effort and move on without him. Of course Raul and I are still good friends. He has his own project now, as well, and I wish him much luck with it.
In March your brother Edgar passed away from leukemia, you got so many responses from all over the world. What did this to you, did you ever realize you had so many friends?
This situation has been so hard for me. He wasn't only my brother, but my best friend and my music partner. Now I'm living in a really difficult moment, playing Amduscia songs on stage without him. We always met good friends on the road and many of them have stayed with me in this sad time. They have helped me a lot to be strong and show me how to continue on after this tragedy.
Can you describe in a few lines what kind of person your brother was, how would you like us all to remember him?
He was my teacher, my best friend, and he was so very human. He was always very disciplined in everything he did and had an appreciation for justice. The thing that will always stick with me is how he enjoyed the music with such passion and how he put that into all of his melodies. To me, he was the best and always will be.
You decided to finish the new album you and Edgar started to work on, how far was it and how is it going? What is the hardest thing you are facing in having to complete it alone?
He was working on the new album before he passed away and I was ready to write lyrics. The hardest thing has been trying to find the files on his studio computer and working with the virtual studio, because I never used it before. It is not so easy. Most of the songs were incomplete. I actually only found 2 completed songs for this album, but he sent me the strength I needed from where he is now. I was able to do it by myself, because he was and still is my music teacher. The hardest thing for me, of course, is finishing the songs without him. It was always something we did together. It's very difficult without him here.
Is the feeling for this album different, I can imagine it’s not just music anymore but became way more personal?
Yes, it is definitely different. I made 50% of this album, but I saved his structure and melodies, so you will hear his soul in the melodies when you listen to it. I really put my heart into this one as a tribute to Edgar and I hope the fans like it as much as the others.
There were also two festival shows booked, you decided to do them anyway, why did you decide to do this and how will you do the shows, will you use guest musicians?
I decided to perform the scheduled shows and Out of Line has supported me in my decision. These shows will be in honor of my brother, to show to him how much I love him and how I always respected his music. I only hope I have the power to put on a good show without him. Some friends of mine will be helping me out on keys at these festivals.
On myspace you wrote that the future for Amduscia is uncertain because Amduscia were the both of you, can you say a bit more about your future plans.
At the time, it was very difficult to make any decisions about the future of the band. On the new album I created 2 songs by myself, so I need to wait and see if people enjoy those and the shows. This will be a better determination of whether I can continue on alone. The fans are the reason we have been doing this for so long, so they will help me decide.
Any last words for the readers?
Thanks for this interview cyberangel friends. I'm excited to play in the Netherlands again, after 4 years, and I want to say thanks a lot to all the people who wrote to me on myspace and the other sites to send their condolences, so if you, reader, are one of them, this is the best way I can tell you thanks.