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Post by taake on Apr 21, 2006 22:11:16 GMT 1
Hi there, I read perchancly at eBay about this, that " Vargas" was a sideproject of Vratyas. I don't know anything and I'm not sure if I shall believe this. Maybe Vratyas can say something about this, if it's true or it is not. Thanks. Taake |
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Post by shredmasterj on Apr 22, 2006 19:35:30 GMT 1
I highly doubt it. In an interview I read today, Vratyas said he had no side projects at the moment. Then again, I may be wrong, but I still doubt he's a part of Vargas.
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Post by Administrator on Apr 23, 2006 5:25:41 GMT 1
Hi there, I read perchancly at eBay about this, that " Vargas" was a sideproject of Vratyas. I don't know anything and I'm not sure if I shall believe this. Maybe Vratyas can say something about this, if it's true or it is not. Thanks. Taake As far as I can say Vratyas has never been part of any other bands or projects, except for Crimson Gates in the early ´90s. |
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Post by sunn on Apr 23, 2006 19:12:04 GMT 1
"Vargas" was a sideproject of Vratyas" - as I remember Vargas were norwegians so I don't think it's Vratyas' side-project. I guess the origin of this rumour was an old Vratyas' interview where he said that the only band that reminds him Falkenbach is Vargas. Besides that, in '96-'97 or so, both Falkenbach and Vargas were signed on No Colours Records.
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Post by andreass on Jul 20, 2009 3:43:05 GMT 1
Well I actually have a copy of the Vargas demo tape. And to my amazement, all 3 songs from the tape sounded VERY familiar...
I can confirm very early versions of both "Roman Land" and "Skirnir" are on the Vargas cassette. Or at least songs really really really close to the 2 mentioned above (aswell as a 3rd song that also sounded familiar but I haven't gotten round to checking what Falkenbachh song it is exactly)
Since those songs were written around 1995 that makes sense, maybe Vratyas more or less "lend out" some material he didn't plan to use (at the time, since the recordings for "The Fireblade" got cancelled)?
If you guys need proof I can upload a few sound samples by the way, if it's ok to upload 30 sec. snippets without getting into trouble for copyright infringement etc.
I actually e-mailed NCR about the whole matter but, surprise surprise, they ignored my questions =/
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Post by andreass on Nov 18, 2009 14:56:06 GMT 1
To summarize:
I now personally think (because of the information that's available) that Vargas = Falkenbach, or that Vratyas was involved in Vargas at the very least.
Here's my little conspiracy theory (fueled by the fact I never got answers to any of the e-mails I send out, which made me even more curious what exactly is going on...). Feel free to comment.
1995. Falkenbach starts recording material for an album to be titled "The Fireblade". Due to bad equipment etc. the recordings get halted and the whole "The Fireblade" project is stopped. Until 2005 that is...
1997. From out of nowhere a band called "Vargas" emerges, signed to NCR (the same small German label Falkenbach was signed to at the time), who release only one 3-track promo tape before disappearing again. No info about this band is available. Just the tape, which I bought after reading a 1998 interview with Vratyas on Chronicles of Chaos (more about this later).
2005. Falkenbach releases "Heralding - The Fireblade". It includes re-recorded and re-worked material that was originally meant to be used on the 1995 "The Fireblade" album. On the 2005 album are 'new' versions of the songs "Roman Land" and "Skirnir".
2009. I finally got a hold of the Vargas tape. Comparing the 2005 recordings to tracks 2 and 3 of the aforementioned 1997 promo tape, it becomes clear (it struck me the first time I heard the tape as a matter of fact) that the songs are identical (though the "Vargas-versions" are rougher, the vocals are different - but the general build-up and melody of the songs is the same.
I pointed this out to my brother (who's not familiar with Falkenbach) and to a few friends (some of them not even into metal/folk music) and all came to the same conclusion: The songs sound so much alike that it can't be a coincidence. Track 1 of the Vargas tape also sounds familiar, but I am not quite sure what Falkenbach song it evolved in, as my "Heralding - The Fireblade" CD is currently in a box in our basement due to a home renovation...
The whole Modus Operandi (in regards to keeping a low profile) of both Vargas and Falkenbach is also very similar. People used to think Falkenbach was from Iceland for a while, and Vratyas' real name wasn't well-known either until some time ago. So both Falkenbach and Vargas like to lay low.
By the way, Vratyas never names any influences or bands he think sound the same. There's one exception: in a 1998 interview with Chronicles of Chaos, he is quoted as saying "The only band I know playing a bit similar music [to us] is Vargas." A bit weird the only band he names is unknown, small, has only released 1 demo and is on the same small underground label.
I e-mailed NCR and Vratyas about the matter, but I never got a reply. Very fishy indeed.
My theory in regards to what Vargas actually IS, is as follows: The Falkenbach songs that were more or less finished from the 1995 "The Fireblade" sessions were released under the Vargas moniker in 1997. Why? I don't know. Maybe because Vratyas didn't want those songs lying on a shelf collecting dust, maybe because he didn't believe they were good enough to be released under the Falkenbach name (but still good enough to be released), maybe he needed some cash, maybe it was all just a joke to see who was paying attention, maybe Vargas was intended to be a side-project that was soon stopped due to a lack of interest, maybe Vratyas even considered a name-change from Falkenbach to Vargas. I don't know. This is the thing I'd like an answer to. And I think the people from NCR and Vratyas himself are the only ones who can help solve this.
Very intriguing indeed...
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Post by andreass on Jan 1, 2010 17:22:12 GMT 1
As promised: soundsamples. Listen to this for yourself and tell me what you think (all sounds taken from physical copies of the CD and tape) rapidshare.com/files/328840014/97VRGS-FLKNB-PRM1.rar.htmlSong 1: <unknown> - Homeward Shore? The faster part is from a different song I think...also sounds familiar Song 2: Skirnir Song 3: Roman Land NOTE: these are just short SAMPLES. NO full songs. |
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Post by andreass on Jan 22, 2010 17:11:03 GMT 1
oh the file expired. Anyone want me to re-upload it on megaupload?
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Lucifer
Member
...and Oden shall hail us bearers of a pounding hammerheart...
Posts: 34
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Post by Lucifer on Jan 26, 2010 10:27:22 GMT 1
Oh, yes please, re-loading on megaupload or ifolder.ru )))
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Post by andreass on Aug 3, 2011 11:34:37 GMT 1
so still no news on this, huh?
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Post by sunn on Aug 11, 2011 9:33:32 GMT 1
I have an opportunity to buy VARGAS demo, but dunno if it's original or fake. Besides the booklet does the tape itself have any special artwork or it look like just as any ordinary TDK MC?
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Post by Alrik on Oct 13, 2011 16:35:59 GMT 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=peg1X81tHno I think it is obvious  EDIT: Is it possible that these Vargas recordings are those who have been stolen by some production companies when Falkenbach was looking for a first label? Because in the interview it is said that some companies reselled the demo tapes without Vratyas' permission.
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Lucifer
Member
...and Oden shall hail us bearers of a pounding hammerheart...
Posts: 34
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Post by Lucifer on Dec 11, 2011 4:09:47 GMT 1
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Post by andreass on Dec 2, 2013 17:56:20 GMT 1
Seems unlikely to me. Don't forget Mr. VV even more or less "promoted" Vargas in an old interview; why would he have done that if this stuff was stolen? He would be furious at No Colours Records...
I think the Vargas songs are just the only (more or less) audible results from the original "The Fireblade" sessions, too bad (sound-wise) perhaps to be released as Falkenbach material, but still special enough to be released one way or another. Don't forget Vratyas liked the songs so much he re-recorded them for the "Heralding" album. I am glad he did because I absolutely LOVE that album!!!
But since Vratyas doesn't speak about the matter (and I've been quite annoying over the years...hehe xD) I suppose he wants the truth to remain burried. And even though I would like to know what's up with the whole Vargas tape, I can respect his wishes.
If anyone is interested, I can make a scan of the tape's cover. Unless that is somehow illegal, ofc.
I bought the tape directly from NCR on a whim (it was cheap and basically the only reason I wanted to hear it was because Vratyas said in that old interview that it was the only band he knew sounding similar...) and I remember my amazement when I pressed the play button...would love to finally get some closure, but on the other hand the whole "shrouded in mystery"-thing going on makes it even more special.
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Post by Vratyas on Dec 2, 2013 18:38:44 GMT 1
Seems unlikely to me. Don't forget Mr. VV even more or less "promoted" Vargas in an old interview; why would he have done that if this stuff was stolen? He would be furious at No Colours Records... Maybe I am also "furious" about the re-released LP-versions of "Magni...", "Ok Nefna..." and "Fireblade", without my permission, without informing me, even without getting just one single copy of it? Does this change anything? No, it doesn´t.I think the Vargas songs are just the only (more or less) audible results from the original "The Fireblade" sessions, too bad (sound-wise) perhaps to be released as Falkenbach material, but still special enough to be released one way or another. YOU think ... no more, no less. Meanwhile I cannot even count how often I said it´s neither a side-project of mine, nor the original Fireblade recording. I also mentioned several times, the Fireblade recordings were cut / cancelled at a rather early point already, and the songs were not completely recorded back then. Don't forget Vratyas liked the songs so much he re-recorded them for the "Heralding" album. I am glad he did because I absolutely LOVE that album!!! But since Vratyas doesn't speak about the matter (and I've been quite annoying over the years...hehe xD) I suppose he wants the truth to remain burried. And even though I would like to know what's up with the whole Vargas tape, I can respect his wishes. I do speak about it, but you obviously don´t care  You plainly prefer to speculate and call it "truth". What I indeed would love to see burried: rumours and speculations about erroneous ideas concerning me and/or Falkenbach. If anyone is interested, I can make a scan of the tape's cover. Unless that is somehow illegal, ofc. I bought the tape directly from NCR on a whim (it was cheap and basically the only reason I wanted to hear it was because Vratyas said in that old interview that it was the only band he knew sounding similar...) and I remember my amazement when I pressed the play button...would love to finally get some closure, but on the other hand the whole "shrouded in mystery"-thing going on makes it even more special. Things get "shrouded in mystery" no earlier than at the point when people start to shroud it in mystery. You´re making it special for yourself without a real reason, and certainly not due to the reasons you think making it special for you. But you´re free to keep the idea of a secret, hidden, mysterious Fireblade tape out there, released under a different name of course, even if I tell you it doesn´t exist.
No hard feelings |
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Post by andreass on Dec 9, 2013 15:18:58 GMT 1
Haha fair enough Obviously, you are right. Also, thanks for correcting my false assumptions. Like you so correctly pointed out (and I want to make it clear once more): the whole "theory" was pure and utter speculation, based on absolutely nothing. I never denied that, but maybe I should have made it clearer to begin with. You have disproven this "theory" so that's that as far as I am concerned  Furthermore, I was not trying to make "more of it than it is" per se, although I do feel a bit foolish now, hehe. And even though the sound quality isn't so great (to put it mildly), I suppose I like the 'roughness' of the "Vargas" songs and they have intrigued me greatly over the years. Knowing exactly what circumstances brought these recordings about won't change anything - I just like the songs, regardless. I sincerely apologize if I somehow let the whole thing get a bit out of hand and I never ment to put a false "truth" out there or annoy you in the slightest. I do, in fact, greatly care. Last but not least: Thank you very much for taking the time to spell it all out for me and correct my many wrongs in this matter. |
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Post by Vratyas on Dec 9, 2013 15:51:38 GMT 1
By the way: I honestly didn't know about that NCR stuff until now - and I must say I am apalled at their behaviour in this matter. Part of the story btw is, that NCR can´t be blamed for it, neither for the LPs I mentioned of course. |
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Post by andreass on Dec 9, 2013 16:01:42 GMT 1
By the way: I honestly didn't know about that NCR stuff until now - and I must say I am apalled at their behaviour in this matter. Part of the story btw is, that NCR can´t be blamed for it, neither for the LPs I mentioned of course. When reading your comments, I interpreted what you said about the re-releases in a different way. I understand you weren't talking in regards to NCR, so I took it out. |
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Post by Vratyas on Dec 9, 2013 17:35:34 GMT 1
Good, just wanted to avoid misunderstandings here |
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You plainly prefer to speculate and call it "truth". What I indeed would love to see burried: rumours and speculations about erroneous ideas concerning me and/or Falkenbach. 