Interview with Marko ‘Despot’ Miranović
http://www.myspace.com/numenorband

Númenor is a relatively new and up-coming band to emerge on the Serbian metal scene. The band is the main idea of Marko Miranovic aka Despot, who’s also the main editor of the Metal Sound Magazine & label. After listening to his first official release, a split release with another Serbian band Forlorn Wisp, I decided to talk to Marko and ask him a few questions about his latest project, his webzine and the state of metal in that region of Europe. Answers on these and similar questions can be read in the interview bellow.

MR: Greetings Marko. How are you?
Marko ‘Despot’ Miranović: I'm feeling fine, but busy as usual. Currently I am just fixing some details for Metal Fest in Austria. I am planning to visit this festival so many details should be fixed before I start my travelling. So far, as I know, besides many bands for interviews, many promoters and business partners are waiting for me so there are going to be many contacts which could be important for Metal Sound and Númenor too.

MR: Awesome, it’s good to keep one self busy (Laughing). At the very beginning I would like to ask you for an introduction of your band Númenor. Where and when was the band formed and who came up with an idea of establishing this band?
Marko: Ah, indeed hard to say. The first ideas are more then a decade old, but yet during 2004 I have started seriously to think about music. Finally, in 2009, it seems that the whole musical and lyrical idea/concept was completed and this is the most important year. Actually, during last year I have, for the first time, officially used name Númenor. Also, during this year Númenor has, for the first time, appeared on one official CD. It was compilation The First Ring.

MR: What is your current line-up?
Marko: As a matter of fact I don't have stable line-up. At the moment, I am just fixing who will take care of the recording of the full-length. Andrej (Drummer) and I are constant members. Others are more like session musicians. And truly I have many musicians that I work with. Just for example, aside of my vocals, I have two more vocalists who are taking care mainly for the clean vocal parts.

MR: Is Dynasty of the Realm Beyond your only official release so far?
Marko: Yes, but also there was compilation CD The First Ring where Númenor first appeared with track “Once We Were Kings”. Currently, we are just recording the cover version of Summoning’s “The Legend of the Master-ring’’ which will appear on the second volume of same compilation. Dynasty of the Realm Beyond is actually promo split issue between two Serbian-based bands: Númenor and Forlorn Wisp. Both bands have fantasy lyrical base. I would also like to add that Forlorn Wisp is melodic Power Metal band.

MR: Where do you find inspiration when creating music for Númenor? I mean, how would you describe your sound?
Marko: Mainly from various fantasy novels and books. The sound of Númenor is yet to be discovered. Finally, I have an idea and I hope that it will be completed with the debut full-length. But, one thing is for sure: epic and symphonic are going to be the most important words in labelling Numenor’s music.

MR: You're also the founding member and owner of Metal Sound Magazine and a label Metal Sound Publishing. You're a very busy man… (Laughing)
Marko: Yes, indeed! (Laughing) Sometimes it is like a hell of work. (Laughing) I started Metal Sound Magazine some 5 years ago and it has developed into something really huge. We have print, web and TV version of magazine. Also, we organize some concerts here in Serbia, manly in our capital city Belgrade. To be honest, yet we are going to see what will happen with my own label. It very much depends of what I will do with Númenor.

MR: What other bands from Serbia and Balkans do you enjoy listening to? Anyone you would recommend for the people who also like Númenor?
Marko: Aside of Forlorn Wisp I don’t listen to any bands from nor Serbia neither Balkans. OK, this could somehow sound strange but keep in mind that I am oriented only on very small number of bands that I really enjoy to listen and definitely Balkan doesn't produce a kind of music that I really like.

MR: Are you friends and do you co-operate with metal people from the neighbourhood countries?
Marko: Since I don't have so much time to waste, I am mainly in contact directly with huge labels and their promoters. Through time I become friend with some of these guys. Of course, I am in contact with some persons from neighbouring countries as well, but yet these contacts are rare. Nonetheless, I am actually very connected with Austria.

MR: What are you listening these days? What’s your, lets say top-five, playlist?
Marko: Hard to say, because I listen to many records but I will give you my TOP 5 when it comes to new/latest release from 2010:
Rhapsody of Fire: The Frozen Tears of Angels
Keep of Kalessin: Reptilian
Kalmah: 12 Gauge
Carach Angren: Death Came Through A Phantom Ship
Mortemia: Misere Mortem

MR: Apart from us, I know that few other metal webzines have reviewed your Dynasty of the Realm Beyond Split CD. What has response been like so far? How have the fans and the media received this material?
Marko: Observing from the comments from our fan video-clip on YouTube it seems that many people like Numenor’s music and style. I am really proud of it. Also, it seems that many people from Power Metal circles like Forlorn Wisp's style of playing as well. Also, the reviews are very interesting and moreover inspiring. I am pretty satisfied. So far I think that everyone who has received CD was very interested to have an interview with me or to get more information.

MR: Are you also responsible for the distribution and promotion of this release?
Marko: Yes, but since this is just promo release (more for journalists) the distribution is a small, but yet this split release turns out to be very useful and important for both bands.

MR: Are you planning a live promotion of it? Any chance that people see you live in Serbia or abroad?
Marko: More abroad. (Laughing) Well, some few years ago I had many shows but now I am just focusing on the recordings. So, let’s just finish these important recordings and I am quite sure that we will have some concerts in Serbia and abroad, too.

MR: OK; then there’s a real chance to see you in Denmark too. (Smiling) Do you have any knowledge of Danish metal scene and what are our best bands in your opinion?
Marko: To be honest, I am not pretty sure that I listen to any bands from Denmark. When it comes to Scandinavia I am more oriented to Norway, Finland and Sweden. Of course I know about King Diamond (but I am not so into his music) and I think that some members from Tyr are from Denmark - but I am not quite sure if I am correct (Laughing) Anyway, I like Tyr!

MR: You’re right, actually Týr is from Faroe Islands, and those are a part of Denmark. What are your future plans?
Marko: Ah, it deepens from various matters, but the most important one is release of mini CD Once We Were Kings of Númenor in 2010 and to finish the recording of debut full-length.

MR: I wish you good luck with all your metal activities and your study at University… any last message for your fans and readers of our webzine?
Marko: Well, I would like to thank you personally for the review, interview and you interest in Númenor’s music. I really hope that this particular year is going to be huge since I plan to release two issues (mini CD and full-length) with Numenor. Also, I hope that Númenor is going to take a part on few compilations as well.

MR: Thank you for taking your time talking to us.

Interview done by Bato