遨游在浩瀚的宇宙 - 葡萄牙Symphonic Death Metal乐队Rise Of Ophiuchus专访

今天采访到的是来自葡萄牙的Symphonic Death Metal乐队Rise Of Ophiuchus，组建于2010年的Rise Of Ophiuchus乐队由Melkor和The Beyonder组建，Melkor担任所有的乐器，The Beyonder担任歌手并且乐队还邀请了才华横溢的音乐家Pedro D-Void演奏了Solo部分，也让Rise Of Ophiuchus在编曲方面更加的饱满，充满了技术感，2010 - 2011年乐队发行了两张精彩绝伦大的作品，让很多葡萄牙和其他国家的歌迷认识了这支乐队，但是在这两张专辑发行之后乐队则是选择“沉寂”，直到2024年乐队才发行了第三张正式专辑“As Galaxies Merge”，这张专辑完全由Melkor一个人创作完成，依旧保持着前两张的精髓，阴暗，冰冷的氛围，精彩的编曲，让Rise Of Ophiuchus乐队重新回归了所有歌迷的视野之中，也让这支乐队获得新的“生命”，在新专辑发行之际杂志与乐队的创始人Melkor取得联系进行了一次专访！

（V: 代表笔者 M: 代表Melkor）

Today's interview is with Rise Of Ophiuchus, a Symphonic Death Metal band from Portugal. Formed in 2010, Rise Of Ophiuchus was formed by Melkor and The Beyonder, with Melkor playing all the instruments and The Beyonder as the vocalist, and the band also invited the talented Pedro D-Void to play the solo parts, which made Rise Of Ophiuchus more full of technical arrangements. The band also invited the talented musician Pedro D-Void to play the solo part, which gave Rise Of Ophiuchus a fuller and more technical arrangement, and the band released two great albums in 2010 - 2011, which made the band known to many fans in Portugal and other countries, but after the release of these albums, the band chose to “sink” and “go home”. But after these two albums, the band chose to go “silent”, and it wasn't until 2024 that the band released their third official album, “As Galaxies Merge”, which was written entirely by Melkor, and which kept the same essence of the first two albums, with a dark, cold atmosphere. The dark, cold atmosphere and the wonderful arrangements have brought Rise Of Ophiuchus back to the attention of all their fans and given the band a new “life”. On the occasion of the release of the new album, the magazine contacted the founder of the band, Melkor, for an exclusive interview!

(V: for the author M: for Melkor)

采访对象：Melkor（Neural Plague乐队创始人）

采访时间：2025.04.13

V: 你好Melkor先生我又见面了。这一次我要采访您组建的Rise of Ophiuchus乐队。这支乐队成立于2010年，是一支历史悠久的老牌乐队。你当初是如何组建这支乐队的？

Hello Mr. Melkor, I am meeting again. This time, I am going to interview the Rise of Ophiuchus band that you formed. This band was formed in 2010 and is a long-standing old band. How did you form this band in the first place?

M: 当然。Rise of Ophiuchus大约始于2010年，当时我刚买了一个新的调音台并开始尝试使用管弦乐VST乐器。我最初的目标是创作一张全器乐管弦乐专辑，黑暗、电影化，完全没有吉他或人声，只有管弦乐编曲和鼓声。这是一次个人探索，探索更加电影化和史诗般的音效，远离传统的金属结构。然而，我俩所在的乐队Martelo Negro的主唱Beyonder听到了这些早期作品，坚持要我进一步创作。他说服我加入人声、吉他和贝司，将项目转变为一个完整的交响极端金属乐队。他的贡献对乐队早年的发展至关重要。事实上Beyonder为Rise of Ophiuchus的前两张专辑录制了主唱，为我们的主题和声音方向奠定了基调。在最新发行的这张双CD专辑中，除了作曲和录制所有乐器之外，我还亲自接手了主唱的工作。考虑到这张专辑的规模和雄心壮志，我觉得这是为音乐注入更多个人内省声音的恰当时机。Rise of Ophiuchus是我第一个正式发行的项目，因此前两张专辑反映了我在录音、混音和母带处理方面的早期历程。当时的音质与今天相差甚远，因为我仍在学习和完善自己的技术。这些早期发行的唱片见证了我在音乐制作技术方面的成长。贯穿乐队历史的另一个关键因素是出色的吉他手Pedro D-Void，他曾在Rise of Ophiuchus的所有专辑中担任Solo。他的精湛技艺是塑造乐队声音的基础，为音乐增添了一层卓越的技术和情感。Rise of Ophiuchus一直以变革、超越和神话般的黑暗为主题，融合了交响乐的宏伟和极端金属的强烈。这段旅程始于一个纯粹的管弦乐想法，但由于合作、实验和时间的流逝，它演变成了更为复杂和富有表现力的东西。

Certainly. Rise of Ophiuchus began around 2010, during a time when I had just purchased a new mixing desk and started experimenting with orchestral VST instruments. My initial goal was to create a fully instrumental orchestral album, something dark, cinematic, and entirely without guitars or vocals, just orchestral arrangements and drums. It was a personal exploration into more cinematic and epic soundscapes, far from traditional metal structures.

However, Beyonder, the vocalist from Martelo Negro, the band we both play in, heard the early compositions and insisted I take it further. He convinced me to add vocals, as well as guitars and bass, transforming the project into a full symphonic extreme metal act. His contribution was essential in shaping the band’s identity in those early years. In fact, Beyonder recorded vocals for the first two albums of Rise of Ophiuchus, setting the tone for our thematic and sonic direction. For this latest release, which is a double album, I took over vocal duties myself, in addition to composing and recording all the instrumentation. It felt like the right time to bring a more personal, introspective voice to the music, especially considering the album’s scope and ambition. Rise of Ophiuchus was my first project to be officially released, so the first two albums reflect the early stages of my journey in recording, mixing, and mastering. The sound quality back then was far from what it is today, as I was still learning and refining my techniques. Those early releases are a testament to how much I’ve grown in the technical aspects of music production. Another key element throughout the band's history is the exceptional guitarist Pedro D-Void, who has played the solo on all of Rise of Ophiuchus' albums. His virtuosity has been a fundamental part of shaping the band's sound, bringing a layer of technical excellence and emotion to the music. Rise of Ophiuchus has always been about transformation, transcendence, and mythic darkness, a fusion of symphonic grandeur and extreme metal intensity. The journey started from a purely orchestral idea, but it evolved into something far more complex and expressive thanks to collaboration, experimentation, and the passage of time.

V: 这支乐队最初有一位名叫The Beyonder的歌手，但他并没有出现在我的2024专辑中，现在是否已经退出乐队？

This band originally had a singer named The Beyonder involved, but he did not appear on my 2024 album and has now withdrawn from the band?

M: 很遗憾，由于个人原因，主要是时间限制，The Beyonder不得不退出Rise of Ophiuchus。他是我一直尊敬的音乐家和合作者，我很想让他参与第三张专辑的制作，但这根本不可能。除了对家庭和事业的责任，The Beyonder还是Namek乐队的主唱和贝斯手，这是他全心投入的另一支乐队。此外他还和我一起在Martelo Negro乐队演出，虽然该乐队目前处于暂停状态，但很快就会回归。The Beyonder对这些多个项目的投入，以及平衡生活中所有事情的挑战，让他很难继续为Rise of Ophiuchus做出贡献。不过我完全尊重他的决定，我很感谢他为前两张专辑带来的一切。他的声音将永远是乐队早期特征的关键部分。在2024年专辑中，我决定自己承担主唱的工作，但我希望有一天，我们能有机会再次合作。我们仍然是好朋友，我继续支持他的工作，因为我知道他也支持我的工作。乐队的发展还在继续，虽然我们能感受到 Beyonder 的缺席，但如果情况允许，Rise of Ophiuchus将始终对他的回归持开放态度。

Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, primarily time constraints, Beyonder had to step away from Rise of Ophiuchus. He’s someone I’ve always respected as a musician and a collaborator, and I would have loved to have him involved in the third album, but it simply wasn't possible. In addition to his commitments to his family and professional life, Beyonder is also the vocalist and bassist for Namek, another band he’s fully dedicated to. Plus, he still plays in Martelo Negro with me, which, although currently on hiatus, will be returning soon. Beyonder’s dedication to these multiple projects, along with the challenges of balancing everything in his life, made it difficult for him to continue contributing to Rise of Ophiuchus. I completely respect his decision, though, and I’m thankful for all that he brought to the first two albums. His voice will always be a key part of the band's early identity. For the 2024 album, I decided to take on the vocal duties myself, but I hope that one day, the stars align and we’ll have the chance to collaborate again. We remain good friends, and I continue to support his work, as I know he does mine. The band's evolution is ongoing, and while Beyonder's absence is felt, Rise of Ophiuchus will always be open to his return if circumstances allow.

V: 这支乐队的所有歌曲都是由你创作的。前两张专辑The Beyond还录制了人声。2024年的专辑全部由你完成。能否介绍一下新专辑的创作过程？

All the songs of this band were created by you. The first two albums, The Beyond, also recorded vocals. The 2024 album was all completed by you. Can you introduce the creative process of the new album?

M: 这张专辑实际上是几年前完成的。所有的创作都是在我的工作室完成的，我在那里与我的乐队一起排练。我首先创作了鼓点，迫使自己为吉他和贝司创作一些不同的东西。鼓打好后，我又创作了吉他、贝司和键盘。一切就绪后我把专辑发给了Pedro D-Void，他是一位出色的吉他手，每张专辑的独奏都是他完成的。之后这张专辑在我的抽屉里放了几年，直到2024年，我决定重新录制所有节奏吉他和贝斯，进一步完善鼓和键盘，写好歌词并完成整张专辑的录制。之后我邀请César Silva为与他的星座相对应的曲目录制人声。这为专辑增添了令人兴奋的元素。然后我花了整整一个月的时间为这张双CD专辑的所有13首曲目进行混音和母带处理。这一点都不容易，但最终的结果是值得的。

This album was actually completed a few years ago. It was all composed in my studio, where I rehearse with my bands. I started by creating the drums to force myself to come up with something different for the guitars and bass. After the drums were in place, I composed the guitars, bass, and keyboards. Once I had everything in place, I sent it to Pedro D-Void, the exceptional guitarist who’s done all the solos for every album, to add his brilliant solos. After that, the album pretty much sat in my drawer for a few years until I decided, in 2024, to re-record all the rhythm guitars and bass, refine the drums and keyboards a bit more, write the lyrics, and finish recording the whole album. After that, I invited César Silva to record vocals for the track that corresponds to his zodiac sign. It was an exciting addition to the album. Then, I spent an entire month mixing and mastering all 13 tracks of this double album. It wasn’t easy at all, but the end result was worth the effort.

V: 你的早期专辑和最新专辑都是在自己的工作室录制的？能否介绍一下录制过程？

Your early and latest albums were recorded in your own studio? Can you introduce the recording process?

M: 是的，我的所有专辑都是在自己的工作室录制的。每张专辑的录音过程都不一样，这取决于我想达到的方向和感觉。对于最新的专辑，我从鼓开始。我发现有了节奏部分的坚实基础，我就能更有创意地创作吉他和贝司。之后我加入了键盘，然后把所有内容发给Pedro D-Void，让他进行Solo，最后再加上人声。在第二张专辑中，我采用了略微不同的方法。我从键盘和吉他入手，旨在从一开始就确定旋律和氛围。这让我有了更大的灵活性，可以围绕已确立的旋律核心构建专辑的其他部分，确保声音更具凝聚力，第一张专辑是完全不同的体验。我从弦乐队的编曲开始，因为我希望这张专辑具有宏大的电影感。弦乐队就位后，我加入了鼓声来固定节奏，然后将吉他、贝司和其他元素分层。这是一个更具实验性的过程，但却为乐队的声音奠定了基础。每张专辑都有自己独特的方法，但目标始终如一：创作出真实的、符合我对项目愿景的作品。在自己的录音室里录制一切，让我可以在这个过程中不断尝试，慢慢来这种自由对获得我想要的声音至关重要。

Yes, all of my albums have been recorded in my own studio. The recording process is different for each album, depending on the direction and feel I want to achieve. For the latest album, I started with the drums. I find that having a solid foundation with the rhythm section allows me to compose more creatively with the guitars and bass. After that, I added the keyboards and then sent everything to Pedro D-Void for his solos, before finalizing everything with the vocals For the second album, I took a slightly different approach. I started with the keyboards and guitars, aiming to define the melodies and atmosphere right from the start. This gave me more flexibility to build the rest of the album around the established melodic core, ensuring a more cohesive sound. The first album was a completely different experience. I began with the orchestral arrangements, as I wanted the album to have a grand, cinematic feel. Once the orchestra was in place, I added the drums to anchor the rhythm, and then layered the guitars, bass, and other elements. It was a much more experimental process, but it helped establish the foundation of the band's sound. Each album has its own unique approach, but the goal remains the same: to create something that feels genuine and true to the vision I have for the project. Recording everything in my own studio allows me to experiment and take my time with the process, and that freedom is crucial to getting the sound I want.

V: 这支乐队的Logo设计非常漂亮。这个Logo是你自己设计的吗？新专辑中的艺术作品非常漂亮，颜色比原来的专辑更鲜艳。这些作品也是你自己设计的吗？

The logo design of this band is very beautiful. Did you design this logo yourself? The artworks on the new album are very beautiful, with even brighter colors than the original album. Did you also design these artworks yourself?

M: 谢谢你对Logo和作品的赞誉！实际上Logo是由著名艺术家Christophe Szpajdel设计的。他以与各种乐队合作而闻名，我有幸与他合作设计了Rise of Ophiuchus的Logo。他独特的风格真正捕捉到了乐队的精髓和氛围。至于专辑封面，我希望它能反映出乐队的发展变化以及新专辑更加明亮、动感的声音。封面是由我的一位非常要好的朋友Christian P. Weller创作的，他在视觉叙事方面有着惊人的天赋。他的作品将专辑的主题栩栩如生地展现出来，给人一种生动活泼的感觉。小册子的其他部分，包括所有的内页插图和排版，都是由我完成的。我想确保视觉元素与专辑的声音和概念相匹配，因此我亲自参与了小册子的设计。这是我的心血结晶，我非常满意所有的视觉效果，它们与音乐相得益彰，给人一种凝聚力和震撼力。

Thank you for the kind words about the logo and artwork! The logo was actually designed by the renowned artist Lord Of The Logos, Christophe Szpajdel. He is known for his incredible work with various bands, and I was fortunate enough to collaborate with him on the logo for Rise of Ophiuchus. His unique style really captured the essence of the band and its atmosphere. As for the album artwork, I wanted something that would reflect the evolution of the band and the brighter, more dynamic sound of the new album. The cover was created by a very close friend of mine, Christian P. Weller, who has an amazing talent for visual storytelling. He really brought the album’s themes to life with his artwork, giving it a vibrant and vivid feel. The rest of the booklet, including all the interior artwork and layout, was done by me. I wanted to ensure the visual elements matched the sound and concept of the album, so I took a hands-on approach with the booklet design. It was a labor of love, and I’m really happy with how everything came together visually, complementing the music in a way that feels cohesive and powerful.

V: 希腊神话、古代传说、宗教、神秘主义是你们乐队的音乐主题。为什么选择这样的音乐主题？你们想通过这些音乐主题表达什么？你们还创作了歌词，这些歌词的灵感来源是什么？

Greek Mythology, Ancient Legends, Religion, Esotericism are the music themes of your band. Why did you choose such music themes? What do you want to express through such music themes? You also created lyrics, what inspired these lyrics?

M: 当Beyonder为前两张专辑创作歌词时，希腊神话、古代传说、宗教和神秘主义主题是他的重要灵感来源。他被这些主题深深吸引，并利用这些主题为乐队创作了生动而复杂的故事，帮助乐队确定了早期的身份。而我则只是遵循他的概念，让他的创造力随波逐流。在第三张专辑中，我采取了不同的方法，决定以十二生肖为中心主题。我想挑战自己，创作一个每首歌都对应十二星座之一的故事。我还为“被遗忘”的双鱼座设计了第13个曲目，这个星座一直让我很感兴趣。神话、占星术和小说的结合似乎非常适合乐队不断发展的叙事。Beyonder的歌词灵感来源于这些古老的主题，而这张专辑的概念则是我自己创作的，我的灵感来自于将这些元素与虚构故事相结合的想法。因此这张专辑既是对这些永恒主题的致敬，也是对它们如何在现代仍能产生共鸣的探索。

The themes of Greek mythology, ancient legends, religion, and esotericism were a significant inspiration for Beyonder when he wrote the lyrics for the first two albums. He was deeply drawn to these topics and used them to craft vivid and intricate stories for the band, which helped define the band's early identity. I, on the other hand, just followed the concept and let his creativity flow. For the third album, I took a different approach and decided to focus on the zodiac signs as the central theme. I wanted to challenge myself by creating a story where each track corresponds to one of the 12 signs of the zodiac. I also introduced a 13th track dedicated to Ophiuchus, the "forgotten" sign, which has always intrigued me. The combination of mythology, astrology, and fiction seemed like a perfect fit for the band’s evolving narrative. While Beyonder's lyrics were inspired by those ancient themes, for this album, I crafted the concepts, and my own inspiration came from the idea of blending these elements with a bit of fictional storytelling. The result is an album that is both a tribute to those timeless themes and an exploration of how they can still resonate in modern times.

V: 你发行的三张专辑都是由你的唱片公司发行的，看来贵公司成立已久。这支乐队早期的专辑有联系过其他厂牌吗？

The three albums you released were all released on your label. It seems that your label has been established for a long time. Has this band contacted other labels for their early albums?

M: 一开始我确实联系过几家唱片公司，但老实说听了前两张专辑后，我就很清楚自己为什么没能获得任何合约了。虽然这两张专辑的想法和创意都很有趣，但录音、制作和母带处理的质量却不尽如人意。这是我在自我制作和管理项目的道路上迈出的第一步，我仍在不断学习和尝试。音质对当时的我来说绝对是一个障碍，我花了很多时间反复试验，才取得了今天的成绩。在苦苦寻找愿意为我提供机会的唱片公司后，我决定创建自己的唱片公司，这样我就可以按照自己的意愿自由发布音乐。这并不容易，但从头开始建立一切是很有意义的。这个厂牌虽然相对较新，但已成为我发布所有项目的平台，现在我把所有精力都放在推广我的音乐上。随着时间的推移，我的声音和制作水平都有了提高，最终让我能够创作出更贴近自己想法的专辑。

At the beginning, I did reach out to several labels, but, honestly, after listening to the first two albums, it’s pretty clear why I couldn’t secure any deals. While the albums were interesting in terms of ideas and creativity, the recording, production, and mastering quality were not up to par. These were my first steps in this journey of self-producing and managing projects, and I was still learning and experimenting. The sound quality was definitely a hurdle for me back then, and it took a lot of trial and error to get to where I am today. After struggling to find a label that would take a chance on me, I decided to create my own label, which allowed me the freedom to release my music the way I wanted it to be heard. It’s not easy, but it’s been rewarding to build everything from the ground up. The label, though relatively new, has become a platform where I can release all my projects, and it’s now where I focus all my energy on promoting my music. Over time, my sound improved, and so did the production, which eventually allowed me to create albums that are much closer to my vision.

V: 首先祝贺你的第三张正式专辑"As Galaxies Merge"于2024年发行。强烈的氛围让我有一种亲身经历冒险的感觉，旋律优美动听。不过你们的鼓应该是用鼓软件编出来的，但却非常接近真实的鼓，而且经过了很大的改动。你对这张专辑有什么看法？新专辑和旧专辑有什么变化吗？

First of all, I wish you the release of your third official album "As Galaxies Merge" in 2024. The strong atmosphere gives me a feeling of experiencing an adventure firsthand, with beautiful melodies. However, your drums should have been programmed using drum software, but they are very close to real drums and have undergone significant changes. What is your opinion on this album? Is there any change between the new album and the old album?

M: 感谢你对"As Galaxies Merge"的赞誉。我真的为这张专辑的成果感到骄傲，尤其是考虑到在完善专辑的各个方面所做的大量工作。很高兴听到你对专辑的氛围产生了共鸣。我一直致力于营造身临其境的旅行感觉，将听众带入另一个世界。这些旋律旨在唤起人们的情感，带你经历不同的时刻和风景，我很高兴它们能达到这样的效果。至于鼓声，你说得没错，它们最初是用鼓软件编排的。不过随着时间的推移，我花了很多精力对它们进行了改进，用一种更有机、更接近真实鼓声的方式对它们进行了分层。我一直在不断挑战软件乐器的极限，使它们听起来尽可能真实，而每一个新项目，我都会学到更多关于如何操作它们以达到最佳效果的知识。在这张特别的专辑中，我的目标是让鼓声不那么机械，赋予它们更多变化和深度，这样它们听起来就不会太静态或做作。"As Galaxies Merge"与旧专辑之间的变化相当大。前几张专辑是我早期学习制作的产物，而这张新专辑则代表了我的声音更精致、更完美的版本。从录音技术到混音和母带处理，一切都发生了变化。曲目更有凝聚力，配器感觉更丰富，我相信这反映了我作为音乐家和制作人的成长。总的来说"As Galaxies Merge"感觉是早期作品的自然发展，音乐和制作都更加成熟。

Thank you for your kind words regarding As Galaxies Merge. I’m really proud of how it turned out, especially given how much work went into refining every aspect of the album. It’s great to hear that the atmosphere resonated with you. I always aim for that immersive feeling of a journey, something that pulls the listener into another world. The melodies were designed to evoke emotions, taking you through different moments and landscapes, and I’m glad they came across that way. As for the drums, yes, you’re correct that they were initially programmed using drum software. However, over time, I spent a lot of effort refining them, layering them in a way that made them feel more organic and closer to the sound of real drums. I’ve always been keep on pushing the boundaries of software instruments to make them sound as authentic as possible, and with each new project, I’ve learned more about how to manipulate them for the best results. In this particular album, I aimed to make the drums less robotic, giving them more variation and depth, so they wouldn’t sound too static or artificial. The change between As Galaxies Merge and the older albums is quite significant. While the previous albums were a product of my early days of learning production, this new one represents a more refined, polished version of my sound. From the recording techniques to the mixing and mastering process, everything has evolved. The tracks are more cohesive, the instrumentation feels richer, and I believe it reflects my growth as a musician and producer. Overall, As Galaxies Merge feels like a natural progression from the earlier works, with a deeper sense of maturity in the music and the production.

V: 这支乐队以前应该参加过一些小型的现场表演。你还记得演出时的气氛吗？

This band should have participated in some small live performances before. Do you remember the atmosphere during the performances?

M: 啊，很遗憾Rise of Ophiuchus只在我的梦中“表演”过。我从来没有机会把这支乐队的音乐带到舞台上，但如果我能想象一下，我想那一定会是一次真正令人着迷的经历。现场的气氛会非常强烈，融合了宏伟与黑暗，就像音乐本身一样。在我的想象中，舞台上点缀着戏剧性的灯光，深蓝和深紫主宰着整个空间，营造出一种近乎超凡脱俗的氛围。音乐流淌着管弦乐队的精确和力量，但又被现场表演的原始能量所放大。声音将是巨大的，强大的管弦乐元素与金属元素融合在一起，给人一种既迷人又压倒一切的感觉。在我的设想中，乐队的气势将统领全场，Beyonder（或任何担任此角色的人）的有力歌声将在会场中回荡，编织着远古神话和宇宙之旅的故事。鼓声如雷，不仅是节拍，更是宇宙本身的心跳。每首曲目都将带领观众踏上黄道十二宫之旅，视觉元素也将与不同的主题相匹配，从天体到神话意象，都将为现场气氛锦上添花。虽然现在这还只是一个梦想，但我相信这样的演出能唤起人们的敬畏和惊奇之感，是一场音乐、视觉和氛围交织在一起的真正奇观，创造出令人难忘、身临其境的体验。这将是宇宙和尘世的完美结合，是一次视觉和听觉之旅，在最后一个音符消失之后，人们仍会久久不能忘怀。

Ah, unfortunately, Rise of Ophiuchus has only ever "performed" in my dreams. I’ve never had the opportunity to bring this band’s music to the stage, but if I could imagine it, I think it would be a truly mesmerizing experience. The atmosphere would be intense, a blend of grandiosity and darkness, much like the music itself. I picture the stage adorned with dramatic lighting, deep blues and purples dominating the space, creating an almost otherworldly vibe. The music would flow with the precision and power of an orchestra, but amplified by the raw energy of the live performance. The sound would be massive, with the powerful orchestral elements merging with the metal aspects in a way that feels both captivating and overwhelming. I envision the band’s presence commanding the audience, with the powerful vocals of Beyonder (or whoever would take on that role) echoing through the venue, weaving the tales of ancient myths and cosmic journeys. The drums would thunder, not just as a beat, but as the heartbeat of the universe itself. Each track would take the audience on a journey through the zodiac, with visual elements to match the different themes, from celestial bodies to mythological imagery, all adding to the atmosphere. While it remains a dream for now, I believe such a performance could evoke a sense of awe and wonder, a true spectacle where music, visuals, and atmosphere converge to create a memorable and immersive experience. It would be the perfect union of the cosmic and the earthly, a visual and auditory journey that would stay with people long after the final note fades away.

V: Rise of Ophiuchus在2025年会有新的工作要做吗？你能和大家分享一些信息吗？

Will Rise of Ophiuchus have any new work to do in 2025? Can you share some information with everyone?

M: 说实话，目前我不打算在2025年为Rise of Ophiuchus发行另一张专辑。目前我认为2024年的专辑"As Galaxies Merge"是乐队的最后一章。这个决定目前感觉是正确的，尤其是在这样一个庞大而紧张的项目之后。然而与我的许多其他音乐作品一样，我从未完全排除新作品的可能性。如果合适的时机和灵感出现，我肯定会考虑制作一张新专辑。但我可以这么说，这不会是另一张双专辑！这是一项极具挑战性的任务，我不能忽视其中付出的努力。一张双专辑需要大量的时间，虽然我喜欢这个过程，但有太多的不眠之夜和大量的工作。除非有令人信服的理由，否则我不确定我是否愿意再次承担这项任务。目前，我的重点是我正在进行的其他各种项目，我给Rise of Ophiuchus一点喘息的时间。但和往常一样，如果缪斯再次来袭，你永远不知道会发生什么！音乐是不可预测的，有时是意想不到的火花创造了新的、令人兴奋的东西。所以我敞开大门，但目前还没有积极推动新专辑的发行。

To be completely honest, at this moment, I don't plan on releasing another album for Rise of Ophiuchus in 2025. For now, I’m considering the 2024 album As Galaxies Merge to be the final chapter of the band. This decision feels right for the time being, especially after such a massive and intense project. However, as with many of my other musical endeavors, I never fully rule out the possibility of new work. If the right moment and inspiration arise, I would certainly consider making a new album. But I can say this much, it won’t be another double album! That was an incredibly challenging task, and I can’t ignore the amount of effort that went into it. A double album requires a tremendous amount of time, and while I love the process, there were far too many sleepless nights and an immense amount of work. It’s something I’m not sure I would want to take on again unless there was a compelling reason to do so. For now, my focus is on the various other projects I have in the works, and I’m giving Rise of Ophiuchus a bit of time to breathe. But as always, if the muse strikes again, you never know what might happen! Music is unpredictable, and sometimes it’s the unexpected spark that creates something new and exciting. So, I’m leaving the door open, but not actively pushing for a new album at this point.

V: Rise of Ophiuchus是一支非常出色的乐队，我将永远支持和追随你们的乐队。我也希望通过这次采访吸引更多的中国歌迷关注和支持你们的乐队。最后你有什么要对你的中国粉丝说的吗？

Rise of Ophiuchus is a very outstanding band, and I will always support and follow your band. I also hope to attract more Chinese fans to follow and support your band through this interview. Do you have anything to say to your Chinese fans in the end?

M: 非常感谢您的赞誉和支持！这对我来说意义重大。对于所有中国球迷，我想表达我最深切的感激之情。尽管我们相隔遥远，但通过音乐建立的联系是非常强大和普遍的。无论你在世界的哪个地方，你的支持都给了我继续创造和前进的力量。我很荣幸Rise of Ophiuchus在中国找到了观众，我希望我们的音乐能继续与你们产生共鸣。我还想说，音乐是一段跨越国界的旅程，我希望它能让我们更紧密地联系在一起。虽然乐队可能不会在不久的将来发行新专辑，但我会一直创作音乐，谁知道呢，也许有一天我会有机会亲自见到你们所有人。再次感谢您的支持。我真的很感激，我期待着在未来与大家分享更多的音乐。保持坚强，保持灵感，继续支持你喜欢的音乐。加油！

Thank you so much for your kind words and support! It truly means a lot to me. To all the Chinese fans, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Even though we are separated by vast distances, the connection through music is something incredibly powerful and universal. Your support, no matter where you are in the world, gives me the strength to keep creating and pushing forward. I’m honored that Rise of Ophiuchus has found an audience in China, and I hope our music can continue to resonate with you. I’d also like to say that music is a journey that transcends borders, and I hope it brings us closer together. Although the band may not be releasing new albums in the immediate future, I will always be creating music, and who knows, maybe one day I’ll have the chance to meet all of you in person. Thank you again for your support. I truly appreciate it, and I look forward to sharing more music with you all in the future. Stay strong, stay inspired, and keep supporting the music you love. Rock on!

Rise of Ophiuchus乐队主要作品：

The Rise of Ophiuchus - Serpentarius（2010）

The Rise of Ophiuchus - Pantheon - Legacy of the Ancient（2011）

The Rise of Ophiuchus - As Galaxies Merge（2024）

The Rise of Ophiuchus乐队官方Facebook网站：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069290723360#