Spyros: Hi The MetalList and readers. OUT OF THE LAIR was formed back in 1995 under the name WOLVERINE. After some gigs, recordings and line-up changes the group is now consisted of: Spyros V. (guitars, vocals), Dim (guitars), George Kantzios (bass) & Dionysis Nikolaidis (drums). This is the form of the band for 2 years, that has played with CANDLEMASS, EVERGREY, SENTENCED, NEVERMORE, ROTTING CHRIST, PRIMORDIAL etc. Under this line up the debut cd "Psychotears" was recorded in 2003.

Scorpio: Your debut album, "Psychotears" is self-released, are you reach guys?

Spyros: No, we just worked hard to make some money, so we can make this dream come true.

Scorpio: Tell please how much is it to release album in Greece?

Spyros: Don't ask us. Contact studios and labels about that. Depends on the length of the cd, the musicians and many many more…

Scorpio: Have you contacted any labels?

Spyros: We have contacted some labels and we're still waiting for some answears. After all of them have answeared we may be able to choose the one that is best for us.

Scorpio: Whos idea was to include the multimedia section to the CD?

Spyros: George had the idea. We all agreed and we started thinking of its content. By having the multimedia section, it's very easy for everyone having a PC to get to know the band, listen to the songs, watch some videos without being forced to get online to do all those things.

Scorpio: You've done it by yourself. Are your jobs connected with web-design, programming?

Spyros: Yeap, I'm in web design. I can handle some html, php, macromedia flash and some photo processing programs. I'm the one that have made OUT OF THE LAIR's site too. (outofthelair.com, currently offline, due to server problems)

Scorpio: You also pay much attention to present your effort: pro-printed flyers, press-releases, ad posters. Do you think this is really so necessary?

Spyros: Nowadays that technology and media are proliferating, some promotional things are necessary. We think that our music deserves that kind of promotion.

Scorpio: Describe please concept of your cover and who did it?

Spyros: Chris "magbox" Karietis is the designer of the main artwork (cover, leaflet, etc). The illustrations are made by Fani, inspired by the lyrics of some songs. The logo and some trademarks are designed by Chris Matzieris. We think that Chris made a very good and professional job for us. He understood what we had in our minds. The cover is describing our music. It's twisted enough, it's good & evil at the same time, it has something of vampires, tears, fear; in general forms it's a psychotears cover.

Scorpio: Sakis from ROTTING CHRIST took part in recordings of "Psychotears". Are you good friends?

Spyros: We have known Sakis for some time. After coming at our studios and listening to us he agreed in helping us with some vocals. He is very professional and very friendly and associable. He is a great singer and we really thank him for his contribution.

Scorpio: Another well know Greek band SEPTIC FLESH split up last year. What do you think about this sad event?

Spyros: We have known SEPTIC FLESH in person. They are nice guys and excellent musicians. We are very sad they split up. Their music was great. We hope that someday the will reunion again and they will write some more good songs.

Scorpio: What studio are you dreaming to record album at?

Spyros: Our studios.

Scorpio: Don't you plan to include more black vocals to your songs. like on Nosferatu?

Spyros: Including more black vocals is not in the program. We may do that, we may not. Some new songs we have made have some black vocals, but none of them has black vocals exclusively.

Scorpio: Are you proud, that live in such coutry like Greece, country with the very rach history, country of Homer?

Spyros: Homer is probably not a relative of mine. Also Homer's grand father may have been illiterate. I don't hink myself as an offspring of ancient Greece. My grand grand grand dad may not have been born in Greece and my grand grand grand mother may have been Zimbabwe. I judge people by their brain and their behaviour, not by the country the come from. I like living in Greece tho.

Scorpio: What can you say about your native city, Thesalloniki?

Spyros: It's a very nice city. Very friendly and has a low level of criminality. Thessaloniki also has very good looking women and nice food. Also has many & good heavy metal bands and some really nice gigs are taking place here. Worth paying a visit. More info about Thessaloniki on the internet.

Scorpio: Wishes to your fans and our readers:

Spyros: We would like to wish to all of you happy listening of our debut cd "Psychotears". In order to inform yourself about the band visit www.outofthelair.com' . We would also like to thank The MetalList for this interview and for supporting us. Stay metal bros.