Diplomatic International Journalist
editor at digital magazine
rEUconnection – REUC
With their roots firmly planted in Lazarevac, Serbia, Claymorean stands as a powerful testament to resilience, authenticity, and passion in the heavy metal underground. Blending epic narratives with thunderous riffs and a fiercely independent ethos, the band has steadily built a name across Europe—earning the respect of fans and fellow musicians alike.
On the heels of their joint tour with German power metal stalwarts Crystallion and the release of their newest album Eternal Curse, we spoke with vocalist Dejana Garčević and guitarist-composer Vladimir Garčević about the challenges of touring without major backing, their connection to myth and history, and the deeper meanings woven into their music. What follows is an honest and inspiring conversation with a band that believes in strength, struggle, and the transformative power of sound.
Interview
Journalist: How did the collaboration with Crystallion come about, and what sparked the idea for a joint tour?
Vladimir: „The idea for a joint tour with the German band Crystallion came from Tony Sunclear, their vocalist. He first contacted me via social media two years ago, as Crystallion was reforming at the time with a slightly different lineup and Tony as their new frontman. Since Tony had previously worked as a roadie for the legendary American metal band Manowar, he really liked what our band (Claymorean) was doing—possibly because it reminded him of Manowar in some way—so teaming up made perfect sense. He even sent a family member to our concert in Munich in 2023 to see us live and assess our quality.„
Journalist: The tour name “Strong Winds Magic Mist” sounds almost mythical — what does it symbolize for you?
Vladimir: „Tony actually came up with the name of the tour—haha. Being a huge Manowar fan, he borrowed a lyric from the chorus of their iconic song “Blood of My Enemies.” Since we had covered that song for a Stormspell Records compilation, one of the “preconditions” for the tour was that we perform it every other night (he joked about it, but we ended up doing it anyway—haha). To me, that title symbolizes everything heavy metal should represent—power and magic.„
Journalist: What were your most powerful impressions from the concerts in Germany and the Czech Republic? Was there a crowd that particularly surprised you?
Dejana: „The biggest impression was the simple fact that there’s an audience out there that doesn’t just listen to this music—they live it. They react, sing along, participate. That’s a huge gift for any band. And honestly, the crowd in the Czech Republic blew us away. So many people “ready for battle,” as we like to say—completely immersed in the sound and atmosphere. They welcomed us with such hospitality and love for our music that we were left speechless.„
Vladimir: „Beyond the amazing camaraderie, even a brotherly-sisterly bond we formed with both Crystallion and Solar System from the Czech Republic—who joined us for four tour dates—what left the strongest impression on me was the audience. They sang our songs out loud and shared special moments before and after shows—chatting, taking photos, signing CDs, vinyl, or shirts. I wouldn’t highlight a specific city, but playing in Selb (our first show) and the Czech village of Zbytiny (our last show) were unforgettable experiences. The atmosphere was incredible, though I won’t go into details… I’m a serious man, after all—haha.„
Journalist: What does tour logistics look like for a Serbian metal band in 2025? What’s the hardest part — and what’s the most rewarding?
Vladimir: „Our logistics work on a DIY basis, held together with duct tape and hope. We’re a self-funded band, with no sponsors or management. Every penny we invest comes from merch sales—shirts, patches, CDs, and vinyls either sent to us or purchased from our labels. With that income, we rent a van, pay for fuel, various tolls, ATA carnets, and more. Our designated drivers are our drummer Marko and his brother Vlajko, who also plays guitar. We cover thousands of kilometers, doing our best to keep spirits high on the road. It may seem difficult, but we truly don’t complain. Sure, it would help to have local support or sponsors—at least for travel—but such is our fate. We’re rarely recognized in our own hometown. I don’t think many people in Lazarevac even know we exist—haha. Maybe that’s a blessing.„
Journalist: Do you plan to expand the tour to other countries — maybe Scandinavia, the Balkans, or the UK?
Vladimir: Right now, we don’t have plans for any upcoming shows. There’s been a brief pause—at least when it comes to touring and concerts. But once things settle down, we hope to organize gigs in other countries. We’ve played in Germany, Greece, the Czech Republic, and Romania. We’ve also received invitations from the U.S., France, Croatia, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Poland, etc. Though honestly, I’m not sure how financially feasible all that would be.
Dejana: Ah… wishful thinking, at least for now. Sadly, the situation isn’t simple. Our drummer is currently playing with another band, and we had to cancel several plans for the year. A new drummer? They’re hard to find—there’s always a shortage of musicians like that. But hope remains.
Eternal Curse Album
Journalist: Eternal Curse has already received excellent reviews — how do you perceive its reception among fans and critics?
Dejana: „It’s a beautiful feeling when something you’ve been “cooking” for four years is finally released and embraced with warmth. The album has even brought us new fans. People perceive it as a complete, mature, polished, and serious work. That means a lot to us.„
Vladimir: „I’m very happy with the response we’ve received—from fans, journalists, and fellow musicians—to our new album Eternal Curse. Still, my philosophy has always been that we, as the creators, must be satisfied first and foremost. As a lifelong heavy metal fan, I always approach things from that perspective. If I like what we’ve recorded, that’s what matters—regardless of others’ opinions. Of course, it’s nice when people enjoy our work and give positive feedback. But ultimately, we are our main reviewers.„
Journalist: Songs like “By This Sword We Rule” and “Bannockburn” carry a strong epic narrative. How do you approach writing such lyrics — are they rooted in history, fantasy, or personal symbolism?
Vladimir: „The song „Bannockburn“ was inspired by an idea from my friend Matt DeVries. I had the full musical arrangement ready but needed strong lyrics. Matt suggested using the Battle of Bannockburn as the theme, since the music had those Celtic vibes. With Matt’s help and by incorporating an 18th-century poem, I wrote lyrics based on the real-life clash between the Scottish and English armies—which eventually led to Scotland’s independence. The opening track “Overture 1914” is dedicated to the Battle of Kolubara, and the track “300” pays tribute to the Battle of Thermopylae. The rest of the songs follow a more mythological or fantasy narrative. Still, each one—whether historical or fantastical—is infused with personal symbolism. All those mythical battles are, at their core, metaphors for the everyday struggles we face in our lives.„
Journalist: The title track “Eternal Curse” conveys a powerful message about struggle and survival. Is that a reflection of the modern world or a timeless theme in metal?
Vladimir: „That’s a great observation. The song’s vampire symbolism reflects an ancient story of survival on our planet—about the raw, ritualistic act of taking life, whether plant or animal, to sustain one’s own. Every living being must consume to live. It’s a brutal paradox—the eternal curse—part of the endless food chain. Eat or be eaten.„
Dejana: „What’s interesting is that Vlada, even back in high school, knew that one day we’d have an album called Eternal Curse. The title speaks to the inner beasts we carry—this eternal damnation that is both metaphorical and deeply real. For me personally, it’s also a commentary on consumerism, conformity, and the way artists are misunderstood. It captures everything around us that pushes us toward the edge while we’re trying to stay true to ourselves.„
Journalist: The album includes a cover of KISS’s “The Oath.” Why that song, and how did you approach interpreting it?
Vladimir: „The desire to cover this particular KISS song goes back to my teenage years, when my cousin gave me that record as a gift. Back then, it wasn’t feasible—we were just dreaming about having a band, and money was an issue. When the COVID pandemic hit, Dejana and I quickly recorded a rough version of the cover, and surprisingly, it drew a lot of attention. People left comments asking us to do a full version with the entire band. At first, I wasn’t sure I even wanted any covers on the new album, but while we were recording drums, I asked Marko to also record the drums for that track—just in case. In the end, the cover ended up as a bonus track on the CD edition, and it’s not available anywhere else. I’d say we created a small exclusive—so if anyone wants to hear our version of the KISS song, they’ll have to buy the CD.„
Journalist: How meaningful is it for you that tracks from the album have already made it into your live setlist — and how have audiences responded to them on tour?
Vladimir: „For the tour, we chose four songs from the new album: “By This Sword We Rule,” “Under the Sign of the Cross,” “300,” and “Eternal Curse.” We wanted to strike a balance between the new material and songs from our previous four releases that audiences in Germany and the Czech Republic hadn’t heard live yet. I must admit—I do wish we had included more tracks from the new album, because the crowd’s reaction to them was fantastic, especially to “Under the Sign of the Cross” and “Eternal Curse.”
Dejana: „They embraced those songs surprisingly fast! The crowd’s reaction to “Under the Sign of the Cross” especially moved us. People were singing at the top of their lungs, approaching us after the concert and continuing to sing it with us. Even Crystallion’s members sang the chorus backstage before going on—they treated it like a mantra. It was unforgettable.„
Achievements and the Road Ahead
Journalist: From playing EXIT Festival to touring Europe — do you feel that Claymorean has finally stepped out of the shadows?
Dejana: „We’ll probably never be considered “important” in Serbia. But abroad—at least in underground circles—people talk about us. Still, the path to real recognition is long and thorny, especially now, when everything matters more than music—looks, social media, trends, money… Fame is a myth. We care more about truth and longevity.„
Vladimir: „To some extent, yes. Even our performance at EXIT didn’t help us much in that regard. Of course, it was a significant moment, but I don’t think it pushed the band forward. As Bane Lokner once said—paraphrasing here—it’s hard for metal bands from Belgrade or Novi Sad, and twenty times harder for bands from Lazarevac—haha. What truly helped Claymorean step out of the shadows were performances at foreign festivals like Keep It True Rising, Up The Hammers, Metaleros, and Headbangers Open Air.„
Journalist: How do you navigate the balance between your local identity (Kolubara, Lazarevac) and an international audience?
Dejana: „We’re definitely more well-known outside our lovely country’s borders. Even if people at home have no idea we exist, we still proudly carry the name of Lazarevac. Whenever someone says “a band from Belgrade,” we immediately correct them: “No, Claymorean is from Lazarevac!” That identity is a part of us—even if the town itself doesn’t recognize it. We know who we are.„
Vladimir: „Every job is hard, and to each person, their job feels the hardest—especially if you’re not passionate about what you do. Someone once asked me, “Why don’t you make music that actually brings in money?” And I said—I don’t need a second job. I already have one that helps me buy musical gear (on installment, and even that’s rare—haha). Music is love; it enriches me and gives me strength to keep going in my day job. In a way, it’s my personal ouroboros—haha.„
Journalist: What’s next for you — new music videos, festivals, maybe a U.S. tour?
Vladimir: „Unfortunately, we don’t have the funds for music videos—unless someone enthusiastic offers to help. And for touring? We’d need even more money—haha. The U.S. is still just a distant dream, even though we’ve received serious invitations. It’s an expensive hobby, one we simply can’t afford at the moment. But hey, dreaming doesn’t cost a thing.„
Dejana: „America is still a dream—it’s expensive, even for big European bands. For now, our priority is finding a new drummer. After that, hopefully back to the EU. The studio is always here, and the ideas keep coming. As long as we keep creating, Claymorean will live on.„
Journalist: What’s your relationship like with labels like Stormspell and GoldenCore? How important are physical releases to you in the digital era?
Vladimir: „To me, physical releases are an artist’s legacy. I understand streaming platforms, digital services, YouTube—and maybe I’m old-fashioned—but without a tangible format like a CD, vinyl, or tape, it’s like the album doesn’t really exist. An album isn’t just music—it’s also the packaging, the lyrics, the artwork. Yes, you can do that digitally, but it’s not the same if you can’t actually hold the album in your hands. That’s a whole different story—and I fear this interview would become too long if we went deeper into that topic. As for our labels Stormspell and GoldenCore, I can only speak highly of them. Both labels put great effort into ensuring our albums had quality, visually striking editions.„
Journalist: What advice would you give to young bands from Serbia aspiring to break into the European scene?
Dejana: „Work on yourselves and your music. Practice. Write from the heart—in whatever language the inspiration comes. Step outside your local bubble. Play abroad. Network. Be original. Keep learning. Vision, collaboration, and persistence are the keys. And never forget—put your hometown on the heavy metal map.„
Vladimir: „Never give up—no matter what. Set a clear goal and don’t spread yourself thin. Focus on what you want to achieve. Don’t just dream—build a vision where you see yourself on a global stage, and follow that vision relentlessly. I always tell younger musicians: if I could do it, you absolutely can too.„
Note: Please explore more about Claymorean at following links: Album, Facebook, YouTube and Spotify.
