Unholy Black Cult
Put down the copy of Lords of Chaos you got for Xmas and leave your message boards and webzines behind. Unholy Black Cult has finally done something useful for black metal with the internet. Curious about the man behind the website and his reasons for creating it I contacted Neuntöter in April of 2005.

Greetings Neuntöter! Let’s start from the beginning. Describe to me how and when you initially became possessed by black metal.
Hell! I got into Black Metal pretty late I think. When I was at school a friend had a Dutch zine called Ugly Zombie and it was of course mostly pretty average boring gore bands and such, but there were two articles about Bestial Summoning and another about Fallen Temple. Both bands looked brutal as hell, spikes, paint, Satanic symbols etc. I wrote to Bestial Summoning to order the demo and Sepiroth sent me the Sodomastic Rituals demo, an adv. for The Dark War has begun and some tracks from some other Black Metal hordes like Samael, Burzum, Fallen Temple, Necromantia and some others. I couldn’t ever really relate to this heavy metal headbanging and beer drinking culture... all this denim and patches wasn’t my thing. There was always a need for something deeper, something darker. I had already some interest in (however primitive it was) Satanism and had some contact with The Order of the Left Hand Path. This was all in about 1992 and I was about 12 or 13 years old then. A friend of mine had some French girl stay at his place on some language course and she was heavily into Black Metal, after she left we kept some contact and got to know some more people... After awhile I started a zine (93-96), had some smaller bands that died. Most of my energy went into Dungeons of Darkness that I ran together with some good friends at the time (Varg Vikernes, Vidar Von Herske, Baron Von Abaddon etc). I still do cherish those days.
Tell me when and why you decided to start “Unholy Black Cult”. Had you always planned for it to be in the form of a website?
Heh, you know, I never really meant for this to be anything other than something for myself. I have so much things lying around here and in my parents basement that I just decided to do something with them. The result was pretty satisfying so I made it a little "public". I don’t really think the internet is the best medium to make such a thing as I did, but there isn’t any other choice really.
Black metal seems to be pretty poorly documented regarding its history. Would you wish for material presented on UBC to be presented in any other format? In the form of a book perhaps? There are several well done books about punk and hardcore that collect fliers, live pictures, etc. But it seems that the only major work that black metal has to show for itself is Lords of Chaos. Do you think that these old materials such as demo information, pictures, fliers and what not should be available to the public? Would you want such a thing to be available to purchase in a large bookstore or should this history remain relatively unknown? What I’m trying to say is; is the internet the ideal place to present UBC?
No, I certainly don’t think this should be made into such a thing.
The best medium would of course be some ugly fanzine type of thing, maybe several issues of it. Lords of Chaos is a pretty fucking disgusting book. Maybe some nice pictures in there but otherwise its just garbage. Of course the internet is not the best place for this. I have had a real battle of conscience over all this recently. Some people think this should stay in the past where it dwells and be kept away from the worms but on the other hand if Black Metal could cause the terror, fear and hatred it did in Scandinavia in the early days then it should be made do so at whatever cost. Otherwise, what’s the point? Do I like that some worm who has nothing in common with our Black ideology sees my page and thinks "dude...thats cool!"? No, it makes me sick. I’m very protective of Black Metal, I take it really seriously. Of course I have a sense of humour and all but I don’t see anything funny or "cool" about Black Metal. But we still cannot forget how weak minded and easily led teenagers are and if we manage to mentally fuck up even two of them, then we have done a good job. I know of quite a few worms who have been mentally or emotionally and two physically harmed by Black Metal. I think that’s fucking great!
The time period of 1990-1995 is often regarded as the most important for black metals growth. Why do you think it remains that so many of these bands are still heralded today? Do you not feel that certain bands from these few years are revered only because they released a demo or two prior to 1995? Without understating the greatness of certain bands would you not agree that it seems that the importance of that era as a whole has been overstated? Don’t get me wrong, bands from these years are amongst my favourites from the genre. But it seems that many new bands only try to emulate these old ones instead of making an effort to create something new or original.
Well of course just because a band existed back then doesn’t mean they are worth anything. There was a hell of a lot of worms around back then too, probably more than there is today within in the scene since then it did have more of a media pull, but musically the beginning of the 90s created some of the coldest and ugliest music I ever heard. The FEAR and TERROR they spread was also fucking great! They put words to actions (at least some of them did), Black Metal wasn’t something funny like it is today on most parts. The problem with bands is, while they have a pretty good looking front you never really get to see what they as people are like. Countless times you get disappointed when you meet some band who you have some respect for because they turn out to be nothing but a bunch of mindless hardrockers. Black Metal has always stood something above the rest; it’s been something more spiritual and more intelligent than the rest. Well...heh...less black METAL and more BLACK metal!
What do you think about innovation in black metal? Is black metal a form of music that is not suited for innovation or is it just that none have managed to accomplish this task successfully? Are there any current bands that have progressed within the genre effectively?
Innovation is too fucking overrated. Black Metal is Black Metal.
Tell me your thoughts on bands that are still in existence that are covered on UBC. Are there any bands from this era that you feel manage to strive forward with the same spirit that they possessed at their birth? What do you think of bands that have decided to reform after many years of silence? Two examples I could give would be Archgoat and Bestial Summoning.
Most of the bands have turned to shit. Some bands have of course kept the same spirit of adversary, such as Nåstrond, Gorgoroth (to some level anyway). I don’t see what place "musicians" have in Black Metal, the music should never be as important as the message. As for reformations well I guess it depends on the reasons for it but mainly I don’t see any good coming from it. In the end I think these bands only serve to damage the good reputation they once had. They kill off any mystique or whatever about themselves. Some things are best left in the dark. Take a band like Darkthrone f.ex. Had they died after Panzerfaust they would have had some seriously good legacy left behind them. Now they're nothing but a joke. And a bad one at that.
An entire section of the website is devoted to media articles pertaining to crimes committed by black metal musicians (namely Varg). Do you think that criminal activity is still important within the black metal scene or has the importance and urgency that it once held been lost?
Well I wouldn’t call it criminal. I think those times were like...the awakening of a primal European instinct that had been suppressed for far too long that came alive like a tidal wave and it influenced a lot of people in Europe and the US too obviously. Well its not "criminal" activity for the sake of "criminal" activity, but rather words put into action. There so many dorks within the scene who have these big words and fancy "ideologies" but there is no real conviction behind them. Of course Black Metal should be something that people fear; it should be something that the "normal" person is suspicious of not some freak show of people. It should be serious and dangerous. As for Varg, I had a lot of contact with him from 94-99 and he truly stands for what he believes in so you cannot help but admire and respect his dedication. He sacrificed himself and any real chance of a "normal" life in order to spread the ideas he believes in. His influence on Norwegian youth is pretty impressive and his influence within the Black Metal movement has been noticeable too. As for now and then, these days the prime aim seems to be record collecting among the vast majority of people within the scene...I never had that feeling back then...perhaps it existed but not as blatantly as it is today.
There was a point at which black metal seemed to be united by its anti-religious ideology. Now it seems that this common enemy once shared by all has been all but forgotten. Do you think that there is any relevance in continuing the fight against Christianity or should bands focus their efforts elsewhere? What is your opinion on NS black metal bands or ones that preach orthodox Satanism?
Well I know that in the US over 80% of the population attend a church at least once a week where as here in Sweden f.ex it’s probably something like 7%. I don’t think that Christianity has been forgotten within Black Metal but in some respects its relevance has diminished somewhat. It’s not an enemy worthy of destroying and besides, do you really feel so close to people that you wish to save them from this terrible desert religion? I certainly do not. For sometime I did but now I don’t see anyone worth "rescuing". Rather annihilate them all and start from scratch. NS bands are fine with me, I have no problems with it. Maybe don’t share all their opinions but certainly there is common ground. Orthodox Satanism the same. I admire the total fanaticism of such people like f.ex Mika from Ofermod.
From the mission statement given on the website it is apparent that you are disgusted with the current state of black metal. Would you say that the growing popularity of the internet has greatly contributed to hindering the way that this music is created and perceived today? What do you think of webzines, ebay, and file sharing?
Well I think Black Metal from ca. 95-2001/2 was a heap of shit. Infested with worms, good for nothings, posers...but recently its really started to rear its ugly head again...bands are more serious and more dedicated to what they are doing. The state of the scene in other respects is of course far from pleasing. I Think internet has fucked things up badly of course. File sharing where things are so public is pretty much ok with me since if a bands music is Black Metal then a normal person cannot relate to it. Black Metal is or should be esoteric by nature! Webzines are a fucking waste of space. ebay...heh, this above anything else has contributed to the idiotic trends of record collection like never before. Useful for somethings of course, but the negatives out weigh the positives by far.
Although you consider black metal the way it once was as being dead what bands do you believe remain true to the black metal spirit? Are there any current bands that manage to spark your interest like those of the past?
Sure, Katharsis, Watain, Ofermod, Warloghe, Nåstrond, Peste Noire, Gestapo 666, Satanic Warmaster, Wod, Necroplasma, Funeral Mist, Kaosritual etc.
Rather pointless, but please tell me what bands or albums from that period are your favourites. What bands still retain their importance and relevance today? Feel free to comment on any bands you feel have been either underrated or overrated.
Hmm thinking about the bands as they are today makes it hard to see their importance but had this been ten years ago I would have said:
Beherit - Drawing Down the Moon
Burzum - Burzum and Aske
Impaled Nazarene - Tol...
Samael - Worship Him
Gorgoroth - demo
Nåstrond - demo
Strid - demo
Emperor - MLP
Mütiilation - Vampires of Black Imperial Blood
Darkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky
Could go on but you get the idea I think. Bands being overrated or underrated isn’t something I care about anymore. There are plenty of people into certain bands for the wrong reasons. I remember when I was listening to f.ex Vlad Tepes old demos and all the people I knew were laughing at me...fast forward ten years later and its all pretty laughable. It’s the same with Bestial Summoning...no one gave a fuck about them until recently. It’s not really a matter of concern I think. I don’t listen to a band just because they make good music...it all has to fit...the lyrics, the atmosphere, the "image" and the people most importantly. The purpose of the horde should also be highly important.
This interview is about finished. Please tell me what to expect in the future from Unholy Black Cult? I’m assuming that in the coming months UBC should increase greatly in content. If I am correct, what kind of content shall we expect?
Aye, I have a lot of things to add to that...so much I hardly know where to start with it. I need some help with some programming shit that will make things easier to update. I have a lot of interviews, zine information, more newspaper articles of course, some interesting things about the first Black Metal related "crimes"...lots of good things.
That’s it. Thanks for your time and good luck with the project in the future. Finish this interview however you like.
Thanks for the time and space. Keep up the work.

Sigh picture taken from website.
http://www.blackmetal.nu/~ubc/

Pest
I was extremely impressed by Pest's 2004 release Vado Mori so I contacted them for this interview which was done in spring of 2005. Nothing else to add. Enjoy.

Greetings Pest. First off, your newest album “Vado Mori” has been out for a while now. How have responses to it been and are you satisfied with it?
Yeah, we are really satisfied with “Vado Mori”, and most of the responses have been positive by now.
Does “Vado Mori” have any sort of theme or concept? What kind of purpose do you hope it serves and what type of feelings or reactions do you intend for it to evoke from the listener?
“Vado Mori” is not a concept album. Most of the lyrics are about death, but every song stands for itself. There’s no special purpose behind this album. We just want the listener to enjoy the musical darkness.
On your website you state that you were not completely satisfied with your two previous full lengths. Can you tell me why this is? Do you view “Vado Mori” as the album that Pest was building up to or do you feel that the band has yet to reach it’s ultimate goal?
Well, a lot of things on our previous albums could have been done better. The sound is not the way it should be, because back then we were not so experienced with our recording-equipment, and also some songs have been played badly, as we think now. “Vado Mori” is the first album we are really satisfied with, but we hope that we will still be able to improve in the future. In any case we want a bit more variety on our next album.
You choose to record all of your material yourselves. Do you think you will ever stray from this routine in the future? What do you feel you gain by doing your own recordings as opposed to recording in a professional studio for instance?
We will for sure continue recording our material in our rehearsal-room. It guarantees us a very unique sound, which we think is very important. So many bands today sound all the same, and we hate that. Also we have all the time we want, and we save a lot of money.
Your first album was released by Ketzer. Why did you decide to return to the label for your latest album? How satisfied are you with the label, distribution and all of those matters?
Well, our first album “Ära” was originally released by ourselves on CD in May 2000. It was limited to 300 copies. Ketzer re-released it in 2002 on MC, and in 2003 it was re-released by Fullmoon Prod. on CD with 3 bonus tracks and a different artwork. By the way, the contact with Fullmoon was managed by Ketzer. At the time we wanted to release our second album “Ad se ipsum”, Ketzer was fully booked, so we asked the label Fog of the Apocalypse to release it, and so it was done. When we were recording “Vado Mori”, Ketzer asked us to co-operate with him again, and because we have always been very satisfied with the work of Ketzer, we agreed. Ketzer is really a true and honest underground label. Hail to Alex!!!
You use both English and German when writing lyrics. Is there any reasoning behind this? Why not stick with one language? Is there any language that you prefer, both in terms of writing, as well as singing?
It just came like that. We are a German band, so we decided to use the German language, because it’s easier to express yourself in your native language. But some things we think sound better in English, so we use both languages. That’s it.
I’d like to talk about the name “Pest”. I know that it is a tribute to the plague that swept through Europe but as I’m sure you’re aware, there exist two other European bands that have used the name. I wonder how you feel about this and if you’ve ever thought of changing the name because of confusion? Also, forgive my ignorance but please tell me what the image is in the band’s logo and what it represents.
When we started the band in 1997, we didn’t know about other bands using the name Pest. Later we were told of five or more other bands, but we didn’t and we don’t care about that. Most of them have ceased to exist or changed their names anyway. At the moment we only know about the Swedish band and the Finnish. We have released a demo tape and 3 albums now under the name Pest and meanwhile we are well known as the German Pest. So why should we change our name now?
The image in our logo represents a plague doctor of the 14th century. They wore a costume which should protect them from any contact to the air. It consisted of a tight gown of leather, a cape, gloves and a mask with a beak-like lengthening which was filled with herbs and vinegar-sponges to filter the inhaled air. It looks really gloomy and fits perfectly to a band named Pest, doesn’t it?
In the band biography on your website you state that you hardly have enough time to rehearse, let alone play live. How much of your lives are dedicated to Pest and black metal as a whole? Would you say that Pest is the main driving force in your lives or is it merely a small part of it?
The band and the music is just one part of our lives. Of course it’s very important, but we don’t live only for that. We all have a lot different needs which have to be satisfied.
I know you’ve performed live in the past. Please describe this experience for me. Are there any live gigs planned for the future? What would be an ideal live experience for Pest in terms of setting, bands, and whatever else might apply?
On the whole it was a good experience, but recordings are much more important for us. Probably we’ll play live again, as we hear about a lot of requests for that. It would be ideal if we could play in front of an audience which consists only of pure Pest-fanatics.
The lyrics are described as being of a very personal nature. I must ask where the inspiration for your lyrics comes from, be it certain writers, music, films, or your own thoughts.
The lyrics are about darkness, death, hatred, sorrow and insanity. Inspiration comes from a lot of different things like historical events (the plague conquers Europe in the 14th century), daily news, books, films, music, personal thoughts, dreams, experiences…
The new album features acoustic and ambient pieces. I’d like to know how much thought is put into the creation of atmosphere when writing, or is this something that comes naturally? How much attention do you give to atmosphere when you listen to music?
The music comes from deep within our souls. We don’t say we have to play like this or that. The creation of atmosphere comes naturally. We like the contrast from the silent acoustic songs to the raw BM songs. Albums with nothing but blast-beats are very boring in our opinion. By the way, I (Atax) adore a lot of ambient music, as long as it sounds gloomy.
What is your outlook on the current state of mankind? Is humanity worth saving? I assume you advocate another plague. What would you like mankind’s future to be like?
There’s no denying that too many people live on this planet. Population grows and grows. If this doesn’t stop, humanity will have destroyed the whole earth and so itself very soon. It’s time for mother nature to stop this pathogen. A smaller population and more environmental awareness would be the right way for the future of mankind. But it would be no loss if mankind would cease to exist.
Tell me about the bands religious beliefs. Does Pest focus on the destruction of all religions or only Christianity? There are some that no longer consider Christianity as a threat. How do you feel about this? How great of a factor is religion in creating music with Pest?
We just believe in the law of nature and despise any kind of religion. It would be great if all religions could be destroyed, but this is a utopia. Christianity and other religions are still very powerful with millions of followers. As long as humanity exists, there will also be religions. Sad but true. Some songs of Pest are about our hate against religion, but at the moment it’s not a great factor for us in creating music.
Considering that the bands name relates to one of the most notable events in European history, are there any other historical events that the band finds particularly interesting or important? Are there any points in history that you’d like the opportunity to experience or change?
History is full of interesting events (wars, natural disasters, creations, inventions…), but by now the plague is the only one to be assimilated in our songs. But it could be possible that we’ll turn towards other events in the future, as there’s not much left to say about the plague.
There are a lot of points in history I would like to experience, for example the construction of the Egyptian pyramids or the battle in which the Teutons destroyed the Roman legions in the year 9.
What can we expect in the future from Pest? Are there any new releases planned at the moment?
We plan to release a vinyl box-set with our three albums “Ära”, “Ad se ipsum” and “Vado Mori” in the near future. Also a 10’inch and T-Shirts are planned. Our 4th album will probably be released in 2006.
Those are all of my questions. Thanks for the interview. Please end it however you’d like.
Thanks for your support!!!

http://www.pest-musik.de/

Werewolf Records
One of the few current labels that seem to stand above the rest. My interest in this label began after I heard the debut albums of Goatmoon and Black Blood, two promising new bands that serve to solidify the fact that Finland is at the forefront of todays Black Metal scene. Since this interview, Werewolf Records has been busy releasing albums by acts from across Europe as well as a collection of unreleased material from the founders own band Satanic Warmaster. Since the interview is a year old I decided that it was time for it to finally be published. Short and to the point.

You seem to be quite busy lately with the first issue of Zabulus recently released, a new full length on the way from Satanic Warmaster, and now Werewolf Records launched with already three releases out. Tell me why you decided to start WWR and what the main goal or purpose of the label is.
Werewolf records was started as a sign of the true resistance inside the Black Metal scene among all these money-makers, opportunists, traitors and traitors who start their own labels to leech on our Black Art without deserving it! I want to spread total black metal / hate / fascist / torment propaganda, which is the TRUE FACE OF SATAN!
The bands on WWR manage to do something that most current bands fail at, that is that they create a great deal of atmosphere. Is this a quality that you look for when deciding what bands to release material from? Is there any type of criteria that WWR uses when choosing bands for the label? For instance, must all the bands share a common ideology or outlook on Black Metal?
I only deal with artists 100% devoted to their cause. A heart burning with a pure undefiled flame will always create magnificent art. All the bands I have released have a totally different approach towards Black Metal.
Thus far WWR has only released material on CD format. I know that there are plans to release the Goatmoon album on LP, which will be limited to 100 copies. Will the Black Blood and Dead Reptile Shrine albums receive the same treatment? I must ask the old question of how important you think vinyl is to Black Metal. Do you yourself have any preference when it comes to format? Also, do you not think the purpose of limited releases has been somewhat ruined as a result of things like eBay?
There is a plan for the Black Blood album to be out on vinyl too, but about D.R.S. nothing is certain yet. Format does not matter too much when it comes to the content of the recording, yet there are a lot of great possibilities in vinyl that no other formats have.
I don't give a shit if some idiot wants to spend hundreds on buying stuff from eBay.
I've read statements from you saying that Black Metal should not be viewed as simply a style of music (or something to this affect). I must say that I couldn't agree more, but could you please shed some more light on this? Was WWR created as a means to also combat the ills of Black Metal and purify the genre? Feel free to use this as a forum to discuss all that you see wrong with the current state of Black Metal and how WWR might correct this.
Black Metal is the reflection of the Luciferian light. Werewolf Records supports the destruction of the human minds of those who think Black Metal is a thing for spectators to analyze.
Judging by the photos of the bands WWR has released material from, and the WWR website itself I assume you place a great deal of emphasis on the aesthetic aspect of a band (corpse paint, candles, darkness, etc.). How much influence does a bands image have on you? Do you think that these images have become too common place within Black Metal and that there are some that are using them for all the wrong reasons?
Black Metal is a 100% aesthetical experience. Not music, not images, but everything. Thus everything is important.
That's all I've got, thanks for your time and good luck with all of your projects. Please close the interview by telling me what we shall expect from WWR in the future?
Next crimes: SATAN'S SIGN OF WAR (ger) CD, WODULF (gre) CD and more...
THE TRUE DARKNESS IS ALSO THE TRUE LIGHT.

http://werewolf.blackmetal.fi/

Xasthur Interview
I conducted this interview with Malefic of Xasthur in the summer of 2004 for what would be the first and thus far only issue of Bloodletting zine. At the time Xasthur was gaining a lot of attention from the more glossy metal magazines like Unrestrained!, Terrorizer, Metal Maniacs, etc. By the time the issue was published the interview was already several months old and it seemed that the attention given to Malefic was waning.
Since this interview Xasthur has only released two split albums, one with the Nortt and the other with Leviathan but the attention given to the band has grown exponentially. Malefic's collaboration and tour dates with Sunn 0))) has made him one of a number of token black metal names to drop amongst hipsters who see Black Metal as the next hip quirky genre to dabble in and his music is reaching a new audience.
Seeing as how this interview is nearly 2 years old and all of the original copies of Bloodletting are long gone I feel that it may be of interest to those who didn't get the chance to read it the first time around so here it is:
To begin with, you’ve been releasing an astounding number of releases lately. How have the reactions that you’ve received from the new material been? Do you find that you’re receiving more attention lately or have you been trying to stay out of the public eye?
The reactions have been okay, but on a couple re-releases, it seems some people don’t like some of the adjustments made here and there, like some keys added/removed, vocals lowered/removed, songs remixed etc. they can fuck themselves. When certain recordings were going to be re-released, I saw it as a second chance to do some things and add ideas that I didn’t think of or get the chance of doing the first time, so I was pleased with this, even if no one else was. As far as the new CD on Moribund (Telepathic With The Deceased), there has been some good feedback on this one, for the most part I’ve noticed. This is an album that sort of crept up on me, at first I thought it was okay, but the more I look back on it, listen to it, review it, the more that I am pleased with it! I am a nobody in the eye of the public, yet I am hatred in the eye, towards the eye of the public, but as far as both publicly and black metal is concerned, I have been trying to keep to myself for quite some time now, my roll in this ‘scene’ is to play music, black metal, and that’s all, not to have people knowing what I am doing/not doing with my life, my goals, who I’m dating, what kind of food I eat to exist etc. It’s not like my personal life is un-black metal or something to even talk about, to give a shit about, I have my own problems to deal with. I might just be a quiet person who has a hard time expressing how they feel, especially to quite a few people. Tabloids are for MTV, not black metal.
What has been influencing you lately both musically and otherwise? Is there anything now that has a strong influence on your music that wasn’t there in the past?
Most of the feelings and inspirations that have always been there are still there, with the addition of more frustration and claustrophobic feelings that having been adding up more and more over the last year or so. I feel as if I have the same kinds of enemies that any black metaler would have to inspire them. Musically, as far as some current bands I’ve been listening to lately that inspire/influence me, Drudkh, Tenebrae in Perpetuum, Nortt, Warloghe, Leviathan and a few others.
Regarding all of the attention you seem to be receiving lately do you think you will go the way of so many others and shy away from the public eye completely? Or will you continue to conduct interviews and interact with interested individuals as long as you are creating music?
There are certain ‘obligations’ I attend to concerning interviews through Moribund, other than that, and on the other hand, I have done enough interviews, I’ll probably avoid most because of this. Most interviews just seem like a contest or a game that I’m sick of playing, I don’t feel the need to have to constantly prove myself or advertise myself, I’ll have contact with people here and there, seems unavoidable, but I really don’t like talking about myself, and won’t. I can’t get along with people, or communicate with people, never could and this includes black metal people, I am equally disgusted with all kinds of people.
It seems that a great deal of attention is being paid to single member Californian black metal acts. Do you regard yourself as being part of this “trend”? Do you feel that any bands that should not be overlooked are, or vice versa, that some bands undeserved of attention are getting more paid to them?
I really haven’t any idea as to why there are so many one-person bands here in California, other than the possibility of some of them discovering that the people who want to play AS a band are complete idiots, flakes and rock stars more often than not, this IS California you know? What do you expect other than rock star mentality and California stereotypes crossing into black metal as well? So with this in mind, the only person you can count on is yourself and in a lot of cases, I believe it’s either become one-person band or no band at all. I think Draugar is one of the bands being overlooked, really dismal and agonizing black metal.
In regards to the amount of releases with the Xasthur name lately are you working towards a specific vision? If so what?
I’m not exactly sure, but I do know that its difficult stop recording new material, being stagnant in this department is very difficult for me. I’m interested in out-doing a previous release, because I am only temporarily satisfied with a new recording. Some recordings are spontaneous, and some are not. Visions of being blamed for someone’s death would be a goal, if not, then making music that can help a person’s life digress is something I would settle for too, be it a shrine to their own worthlessness. Sometimes I can see myself, my own subconscious more clearly and darkly through making music, so from time to time, some horrors that are real to me come out of me through playing black metal, but that’s hard to explain or be specific about, but this is the only vision I care about.
To me black metal and nature will always be directly linked. How do you feel about this take on black metal? Do you find yourself drawing any influences from nature or does humanity play a greater role on influencing your music?
I not only hate humans, but I think I would have to hate human nature more than anything, and if you were talking about nature as far as the outdoors, the forest, landscapes etc, I would probably like that kind of nature more than anything. Being in the woods feels far from human nature to me, these memories are one of several non-black metal (music) influences that I have.
I know that you’ve been asked about suicide before but have your thoughts or ideas on the subject changed at all? Is it something you are growing closer to or straying further from? What do you think of individuals in the black metal scene that have committed the act?
It’s something I would rather do impulsively rather than talk about or give a threat about, yet if things don’t get any better, it almost seems like it wouldn’t be able to be avoided, how can it not be done eventually when a person feels a certain way about life? How could we not when there’s nothing left inside anymore, nothing left to feel, dreaming of dreams that will only be shattered? I’m going to be honest, its something I’m putting off and would rather not do, there are a couple ways to change your life, one way is by… changing it, the other way is by ending it, it’s not really something to aspire to, it’s not really ‘fun’ or ‘kult’ because the feeling is darker than any words can possibly explain, yet in the back of my mind, it almost seems inevitable, maybe years from now. I respect the corpses of those who have taken their own life, I have some sort of empathy towards them, the ones who died by their own hand, a hell of a lot more than those who are alive.
What are your thoughts on playing live? Has it or do you think it will ever appeal to you? Do you feel that black metal is a genre that has no need for live performances?
I think that there are certain bands that go over well for playing live, but I think bands that are depressive or atmospheric don’t really have a reason to play live, it seems pointless. I’ll never play live though, I don’t need that kind of attention, or any for that matter.
Those are all the questions that I have for you. Thanks again for granting me this interview. Any final words or thoughts you’d like to end with?
I would like to say thanks for this interview, the questions were a little different than the usual. There’s a new full length CD called ‘To Violate the Oblivious’, available as of July, but I’ll call it a slash to the jugular of those who doubted me and/or whined about the operations of this ‘band’.