AC/DC and rose Tattoo know ever still everyone, but then we air in this country already thinly, if one asks for harder mood from the country of the Kaengurus, which can show also still melodies on the credit side. To Vanishing Point applies all, and so Melodic Journey conversed with guitarist Chris Porcianko.

In Australia one knows Vanishing POINT since 1997. The debut "in thought" was selected from a local radiosender to the "Australian Metal album" of the yearly.

There is definitely a functioning Metal scene here. Naturally most people, which is internationally announced straight, hear thus the things such as Britney Spears or bake Street Boys also in Australia. You do not have a chance, with the really large radiosendern Airplay to wars, as Metalband but but it really gives us a multiplicity of small, independent stations, supports. At the moment does it probably give more Black? or also a Melodic develops Deathmetalbands, but? and progressive Metal scene.

With as much popularity in the own country it was not a miracle that one became also in Europe fast on the volume attentively wurde.1999 the debut album in this country over the small Prog label Angular published.

But Europe is nevertheless already a considerable challenge. Angular gave to bring us the chance "in thought" on the European market, and the label made and was expressed fair a very good job to us, but they really earned our respect. But one must naturally develop and around be able, must one still larger partners look around. That naturally often cannot be done, without doing to someone pain, but decisions must be made now times.

Did this decision look concrete then in such a way that one brought the successor to "seaweed LED in Dream" with LMP to the start, a label, that on Melodic? and Symphonic Metal is specialized. And the result can be able to be heard, there is itself critics and fans united, and selbstverstaendich also the volume is content.

We naturally further developed, both concern which our musical abilities and production. A better production gives to the Songs also another feeling, the material works more in-usually. Beyond that we could leave ourselves this time in addition, simply more time. The reactions so far are really great and exceed by far everything that we expected. It does not pass a day, on which we do not get enamels or also faxes. In addition, that concerns so far above all Europe, applies to the states. It may hold itself everything still within a quite modest framework, but it is simple already now a mad feeling. I believe, which proves new album, what we can do and that still some from us to is to be expected.

The music of Vanishing POINT into a drawer to put is obviously a quite complicated venture, one varies usually between progressive ones and Melodic Metal or AOR. The volume knows it in addition, not much better? whereby there are also really more important things.

I believe, our music is based on all possible kinds of Heavy Metal? that may begin with the Death Metal and reach over hard skirt and Melodic Metal up to Prog Metal. The volume members have there completely different preferences, and is reflected then in our own Songs again. Under line believes I lie we somewhere between Melodic? and progressive Metal.

I believe, our music be based on all possible kinds voDas new album contains a Hidden TRACK, a title, that beside eleven new Songs as bonus also before already on the Pink Floyd? Tributes double album "Sign OF Life".

We thought frequently about a Cover Song, and as we then the chance had to participate in the Pink Floyd of tributes we for "The Turning Away" decided. We did not want the Song however simply sequels. A Song has a completely own beauty, which one can anyway never reach in its original version, if one after-plays him only. We decided thus for their own version, the original are very melancholisch, our variant are faster and more rockiger. We received so many positive criticisms for the Song that we decided us to also take him as bonuses on the new CD.

Between both the album those got volume still the opportunity to arise with the Wacken open air 2000 an event, which one is probably never forgotten.

I must say, we was really rather nervous, when we entered the stage. But the in any case best, which we had so far experienced live, was. The Festival was perfectly organized, both which concerns volume and the public, was it for us a large experience, like that something like the Heavy Metal sky.

Times it look does whether Vanishing POINT can in the long term secure themselves a place in this? the chances do not stand anyhow badly.

Australia's Finest: Vanishing Point

Not too often is Metal from Down Under listed to in Europe. Of course, AC/DC, Mortal Sin, Mortification, Pegazus and Vauxdvihl have been able to make a name for themselves but a part from those? Only Diehard underground fans will remember the one or other band...

Whilst your label (Angular) compares you with bands such as Queensryche or Dream Theater. Listening to your melodic guitars and vocals I would rather base you as a variation of the NWoBHM-Legend Praying Mantis only 90's style.
.....It is overwhelming getting compared with such bands and if people see any simultaneity that's great. We have the utter most respect for those bands and there music but would hope people would see our very own style of music. Praying Mantis of the 90's, thank you very much. We are a very melodic band that has a lot to offer musically as well as lyrically.

How do you get the contract with Angular Records, who've been developing a very good reputation with the release of Eternity X?
.....Steve Ravic, our agent from Metal Warriors had a few offers on hand including some major labels but the chance of getting treated as a priority band from Angular seemed to be in our best interest.

When did you release "In Thought" originally?
.....We released the album in 1998 with a change (to the Australian version) of the order in which the songs were set out on the album plus a bonus track called "Inner Peace".

Did you expect such good reactions before releasing In Thoughts?
.....We Always wanted to release an album in Europe but "In Thoughts" exceed all our expectations. Originally we only wanted to record an EP but due to lucky circumstances we discussed the album with Steve Ravic who pointed us in the right direction. The reviews have been very positive in Australia as well as Europe and not to forget the feedback from fans.

Vanishing Point have already got three video clips which have been screened in local (Australia) shows. What do you expect to come from this ?
.....We made videos for "In Company of Darkness", "Forgotten Self" and "The Only One". "In Company of Darkness" shows mostly the band footage while "Forgotten Self" got filmed in a burning out forest. It also contains band footage mixed with sequels of a young boy. "The Only One" has band footage but shows pictures of Australia's history. Not to mention my Grandfather had a small roll in the video. All these videos where released though Metal Warriors and have a purely promotional purpose. We do hope to get some more attention and reach more people with this medium. We'll definitely make more videos in the future, probably for our next album.

Traditional Heavy Metal seems to be on the top up in Europe and the USA. Whats the scene like in Australia?
.....From a commercial point of view, Heavy Metal is not too successful in Australia since the scene here is very isolated. The charts are dominated by Techno, Pop and Grunge music also there not too many opportunities for bands to play but we do have a very strong underground scene in which we do have an ever growing fan base.

Did you speak to Angular about a possible Europe-tour?
.....So far there have been no plans but we do work towards a Tour in Europe and the band treats this as a priority. I think this would be the next step after release the new album; something we are working on currently.

Interviewed by Michael Kuhlen

Australia has unfortunately produced very few Heavy Metal bands of International standard, with the exception of Mortal Sin, Taramis, Vauxdvihl and Pegazus, this country of ours has been lacking in top quality Metal acts. Well, I am pleased to say that for a while now, the Melbourne based Vanishing Point, have been honing their craft and performing their material in front of the local scene here with much success. With their 1997 debut, in thought, officially re-released by Samson Productions Australia wide (March 18th 1999 to be exact), a couple of clips and a very healthy dose of praise and support from the domestic and worldwide Metal community under their belts, Vanishing Point, have overcome many obstacles, to get where they are now, poised for some very serious recognition. I spoke with guitarist Tom Vucur and drummer Jack Lukic one afternoon and together we discussed the many things facing the band now.

The band has been around for a few years now, can you give my readers an outline of Vanishing Point's activities since the release of in thought?

Jack: Well, at this present moment, we're looking around to find a recording studio to record our next album in, We have got about 12 to 13 songs that we will soon be recording, so we are now trying to decide what songs should and shouldn't make the album.

Tom: But going back further, since the release of the first album, we were meant to do a European tour, which unfortunately didn't happen, We were meant to go on tour with Nation, but their keyboard player fell ill (he was diagnosed with cancer) and had to go to hospital, so that meant that we couldn't do the tour. We also suffered a few other set backs that were both personal and managerial, as our European promoters had been declared bankrupt, so when the tour etc. fell through, we decided to start writing the new album and have been doing so ever since.

Jack: Despite all the crap that has happened, the writing and rehearsing hasn't stopped.

Tom: We also played a number of shows around town, had our album launch and did a few Metal Warriors video launches. So we have been busy.

So the game plan for the band now is to concentrate on the new album, but I also believe that in thought is being re-released? How did this all come about?

Tom: Well, Steve Ravic (head of Metal Warriors) has recently completed negotiations with a label and they are keen to take on the bands in his catalogue, so it's basically through Ravic, because otherwise the album wouldn't be released here in Australia.

Jack: He will be starting his own label here, that will be Australian based, and it then may grow worldwide. Steve has also found us a European label to take over the distribution of in thought for Europe.

You have also managed to score yourself a couple of features and have done two clips on the Metal Warriors videos as well. What have they done for you?

Tom: The first clip 'In Company of Darkness' (Australian Metal from Melbourne '97) has been played on Rage. I don't know if it has done anything, but the next video, 'Forgotten Self', is being shopped around to different labels overseas. The feedback so far is good and everyone, who has watched it, has freaked out and said that it is the best clip on the video (Metal Warriors Video Magazine - Vol 1).

So what was it like, being involved in the whole process and making the clip?

Jack: We went down to Mt. Macedon, down in the bush, to a site that had burnt down and the clip in the remains of the fire.

Tom: The clip was made about a year ago, but it is going to be sent to Rage, Foxtel, etc soon to coincide with the release of in thought.

Your story in a sense is not different to many bands, as you often have to release your work a long time after it has been done. But in your case, apart from the new album, you are also going to re-release in thought and all the extra within the next year, so it must please you that in thought is going to finally get an official release?

Tom: It is going to be good because in thought, the videos and the new album will all be released at the same time. I just can't wait, because it has been a long time and I am looking forward to the feedback and for people to hear it.

How do you view the songs nowadays?

Tom: Well, we always freshen them up a bit and add new things to them. We like to add new dimensions to the songs, so that they remain fresh to us when we are rehearsing and performing the material live.

So what is the song writing process like for the band this time around?

Jack: Well someone like Chris (Porcianko - guitars) for example is full of ideas and when we're stuck at a rehearsal, he is one of the people that is like, 'Hang on, I've got an idea... I've got another idea". It gets overwhelming at times, but it's a matter of picking that will best suit the song.

Is it easier having more people/ideas to work with now?

Jack: We have one thing, in that everybody in the band has to be happy with the end result. If one person has a problem with a part, we have to fix it and change the song.

Tom: It is a lot stricter, because everyone knows what they want, and when we try to get to it, it sometimes is difficult. I mean, there will be songs that come and go, and you'll think that was easy, but there are times when we have been stuck and just left it (the song) aside and moved on.

Do you believe that the song writing process for the band has changed at all, I personally can hear some positive improvements (more speed and a more technical approach), was it conscious decision to expand the bands sound?

Tom: I don't know, it's just a change of atmosphere. I guess. I used to think that maybe some parts were a bit too technical, but once you learn it, it really isn't too technical. It may sound technical, but it isn't, the majority of our songs consist of simple melodies and get arranged in a particular way.

So how is work on the second album coming along, you said earlier that you're close too actually recording it?

Tom: It's all coming along well, we are checking out a number of studios at the moment, and we don't want to spend too much money this time around because we discovered, through experience, that we don't have too spend as much to make it sound as good. So this time we want to get it recorded and spend more time and money on the mixdown, which is really the most important part of the recording process.

When do you hope to enter the studio?

Tom: We have plans to go in on the 4th of January 1999, and stay in the studio for about a month. Jack and I are really keen on redoing the song 'Vanishing Point' acoustically, getting the original reels back that we recorded with the keyboards and drums. We do have the take for it (that were recording during the in thought sessions)p, as we recorded 24-tracks for that song, and would like to include it on the new CD. Jack: The song does sound awesome that way...

Jack: And Silvio (Massaro - vocals), may change the vocal melodies around.

Any other surprises?

Tom: We also have plans to release a single first up, with a few B-sides, and new cover artwork. We want to give that out to people at gigs, so that if they like it, they can then go out and buy the album.

And then what, a promotional campaign, touring, has the band thought that far ahead?

Tom: Yes, we have already discussed this and hopefully are going to head off overseas and do what we had to do at the start.

Jack: Basically what has happened is that the fist CD has made us noticeable, and labels know who Vanishing Point are, but that are still waiting for the second album to see if we are legit.

Tom: Like I said earlier we already have sent out the videos and the in thought CD to labels worldwide and while the feedback has been positive, they obviously want to hear what we have to offer in 1999. So when the new album comes out we hope to get signed.

Melody is a very important part of the bands make-up, that when combined with the heavy riffing, make for an intriguing sound, is that essentially what the band are aiming for with their music?

Jack: That is the one thing I am really strict on, being one of the band members that is not into Progressive Metal at all. I believe that many Progressive Metal bands go overboard with the technicality and it throws me right off, I just lose track of the song. That is why I make it an issue and always say, "Melody, melody, melody".

And how do the lyrics fit within this musical concept?

Tom: Well it's different, someone like Chris has got boxes and boxes of lyrics that he has been working on over the years, and what he will do is bring some in and mix and paste them together. Joe (Del Mastro - Bass) on the other hand will go home with the tape, as he prefers to write on his own, because he doesn't get vibed when he writes with the rest of us. Whereas Silvio, comes in changes a few words here and there.

You tend to avoid using typical themes though, and instead opt for a more abstract approach?

Tom: Well we have written a song that we have never done before, that is all acoustic, called 'The Real You'. Chris wrote about his father, but he is like Joe, they just write about things that affect them.

One of the many compliments the band is receiving at the moment focuses on your original approach, how difficult it is then to maintain some uniqueness within a Metal format?

Tom: It is not difficult at all, because we have never done any covers, I personally have never felt the need to, and we are all self taught, except for Chris, but I really don't know what it is that makes us write the way we do. But I do believe that the decision to not do any covers was an important one.

How so? I mean, why not do a cover tune, people always want familiarity, so why not slip in the odd Metallica or Maiden cover?

Tom: I don't think that you have to do that, if you can write good original songs...

Jack: I see no point in doing covers, for us it's basically a waste of time. Why do covers when you can write new material?

Unfortunately Australia is a country that supports overseas acts before their own, How has the local and broader scene in general reacted to Vanishing Point so far?

Tom: I'm shocked. I didn't even know we had a following.

It must please you?

Tom: Well Silvio went and saw Taramis, and a 49 year old guy came up to him and said that he had been waiting for over 29 years for a band like Vanishing Point to come along in Australia, It's great, we're capturing an audience from the age of 49 to the age of 17, females as well, and turning them on to Metal. It's good to know that we aren't wasting our time.

Finally, with the way things are turning out for Vanishing Point, and how everything is falling into place, how positive are you of the future?

Tom: Well, things are looking good at the moment and hopefully after the new album is released things will improve. But we just take things day by day now. I mean our live haven't changed at all, we still work nine to five, but I am a little drained from last year and the problems we went through. But fortunately it hasn't affected the music in any way.

Jack: Another point is that we are now fully committed to the band and everyone is going 100%. We all want it so bad and we're all so hungry, that we know that we will do well.