Isgarde interview posted up on 7-17-16 done by Patrick

Here is  a   new  interview  with the brand  new  one-mand  band   "Isgarde"  who  talk  about  the debut  cd  which  was  released through  Black Plague  Rec.{USA}  and  Symbol  Of  Domination {Russia}  and  the  bands  beginnings  and  future.So  if you  are  a  fan  of  well  written  and  played  fast  black  metal  with  some  atmospheric  sections  then  be  sure  to  pick up  a  copy today.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357/posts?hl=en
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher

Interview   with  Somath  vocalist  and  all  instruments  for   Isgarde    done  by    Patrick

 

 

 

1.Hails    Somath   what  gave  you  the   idea  to  form   Isgarde ? And  how  did  you  choose the  name for  the  band does  it  have  a  special   meaning?

 

 

I had a strong urge in me to create Isgärde. I actually had it in mind some years before I actually started to write material. Isgärde is a place on Öland where I live and Öland is my main inspiration for the music and the main purpose of creating Isgärde. I needed to do this.



2.  Somath   you  are  the  sole  member  of  Isgarde   did  you   plan  to  work  alone  or  would  you   like  to  find  more   musicians  to  work  with  on  future   releases?

Because Isgärde is such a personal thing for me there is no need for any more members. However I did use the help of two friends, Lord Aganaroth of Sapfhier/WAN and Filip Lönnqvist or Rave the Reqviem to do an intro and an outro written and performed especially for Isgärde. They both did a great job.

3.If  you  could  work  with  any  musicians  past  or  present  who  are  some  musicians  you  would  like  to  work  with  and  why?

 

Very interesting question yet hard to answer. I can’t really say since I have no feeling towards working with anyone. My musical journey is for me




4.  Isgarde  is  getting  ready to  release  the debut  cd  "Jag  Enslig Skall  Ga   how  long  did  it  take  you  to  write  and  record  the  songs  for the  debut  release?

The fact is that I recorded the main bulk, say 90% in 2015 and first thought to never release it. Then I did some additional content in 2016 to complete what became the album and decided one evening when I was listening to the songs to actually send an Email out. And I did. As to answer how long it took? I went into the studio with only a strong and sure feeling but nothing written. 7 days later most of it was done. When I open my portal of creativity things just come to me, it’s effortless. I don’t feel as I even think. 

 

 

 

5.Somath  I  believe  I  read  that the  lyrics  are  based  on  the  Swedish  island  Oland   when  did  you  get the  idea  to  write  about  the island?

The whole reason for Isgärde’s existence is Öland. It speaks to me in a way nowhere else does. Maybe it is an island thing? I don’t know. The nature, solitude… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.Besides  the  debut cd   does  the  band  have  any  plans  to  do  some  merchandise  for  the  debut?  If  yes  when  will  it  be  available  and  where  can  the readers  find  it?

No plans that I know of. It would be to check with the labels. I will have to see with them and let you know. 

 

 

7.Somath  you    handle  the  vocals  for the  band  when  did  you  start  screaming and  singing? Do  you  do  anything  special  to  keep  your  throat  and  voice   healthy?

 

Probably around the age of 13 I started to mess around (I’m 33). Believe it or not, my first black metal demo was recorded back then by me alone. I think I still have it on a tape. I never prepare before I sing or scream. That is kind of my trick. I don’t want anything to be rehearsed. That is a killer of atmosphere and feeling in my opinion. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.Who  are some  of your  influences and  favorite  vocalists?

 

 

There are no particular influences expect the feel of obscure black metal bands, known or unknown. It’s always about the feeling, not so much about the particular band. I like vocals that are raw and unique and that doesn’t sound overly rehearsed. Someone with a natural good voice for whatever style. Again, don’t know who to pick out especially.  

 

 

 9.Besides the  vocals  you  handle  the  instruments  in the  band    when  did  you  become  interested  in  writing  and  performing  music?  Are  you  self taught  or  did you  take  some  lessons  when  first   starting  out?

 

At a very young age. It was clear to me early that music was my thing. I am self taught. It came easy to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.What   instruments  do  you  currently   play  and  do  you   have  a  favorite  instrument?  Are  their  any  instruments  you  would  like  to   learn  to  play  someday?

I really like to play the drums but my main instrument is guitar. Otherwise I play bass, piano. I could probably play more instruments but I haven’t gotten the chance to try. I would like to have tried out violin and something like trumpet or something similar. 

 

 

 11. Isgarde    comes  out  of the  Swedish  black  metal  scene   what  is your  opinion  of  Sweden's  black metal  scene?

 

Right now I do not follow any scene but when I grew up I did and then I thought of Sweden to be extremely strong with the black metal bands like Marduk, Dissection etc. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.Who  are  your  all-time  favorite  Swedish  bands  and  are  their  any  new  upcoming  bands  you  feel  the  readers  should  watch  out for?

Right now I do not listen to a whole lot of music so this is a really hard question. About upcoming bands I do not know too much but I am trying to get more involved. We will see how it goes. For me I always liked the best to write my own music and focus on that. 

 

 

13.Thank  you  Somath   for  taking  the  time  to  fill  this   interview  out.Do  you   have  any  final  words  for the  readers?

Thanks for the interest Patrick. The album ”Jag enslig skall gå” is out now. 

 

 

 

                                                                         Band    Contact

                                             https://www.facebook.com/Isg%C3%A4rde-985896741527921/

                                                                           Label   Contacts
                                                                  http://www.blackplaguerecords.com/
                                                                  http://satanath.com/sodp

                                                                 

Finland's Aegeon interview conducted by Patrick on 7-14-16

Hails
Here   is  a  new  interview  with  the  Finnish  atmospheric  black  metal  band  Aegeon.Who  talk  about  the  new  cd  "Devouring The  Sun"   and  about  the  bands  future  as  well  as the  Finnish  black  metal  scene.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357/posts?hl=en
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher





Interview  with  Lord  Aegeon  vocals  and  all  instruments  for   Aegeon  done  by   Patrick

1.Hails  Lord  Aegeon    when  did  you  first  get  the  idea  to  start    Aegeon?  How  did  you  choose  the  name  for  this  band?

 

Hails Patrick! I started Aegeon in 2010. The whole process of starting was originally kind of a random act. I had several lyrics written in a shell and I thought that maybe I should try to put the lyrics to use. So I tried to compose the songs as depressive as the lyrics were and the demo "portals" was made. 

Name Aegeon derives from Greek mythology. Aegeon is a sea monster with hundred arms and many names. He is also called Briareos and his names have several writing forms on literature. Aegeon was a suitable name because I've always been interested in mythologies and tales. For me the name also represents the time in Europe before christianity and the other religions of the mediterranean area nowadays.
 

 

 

2.  Lord  Aegeon    you  are  getting  ready  to  release  the  second  full-length  cd   "Devouring  The  Sun"  through  Elegy  Rec.  how  did  you  come  in  contact   with this  great   label?

 

 

After releasing an EP  Entrance to the Gardens of Death in 2012 I started to write some songs for the next release. When the time was right I contacted some labels. Elegy liked what he heard and we begun the work with the Aegeon's debut album Nocturnal Glorification.

 

 

 

3.How  long  did  it  take  you  to  write  the  music  for the   new  songs  on  "Devouring  The  Sun"  ?And  which  usually  comes  first  the   music  or  the  lyrics?

 

 

I started writing Devouring the Sun in 2014, some time before our first album Nocturnal Glorification was even released.

Usually I've had lyrics ready and I've just tried to make music sound like the mood of the lyrics. However this time I made one exception. The 3rd track of the new album entitled Art of the Terminal Metamorphosis has all guitar riffs written by Aegeon's additional guitarist Khakh so I wrote the lyrics for the song afterwards to get the lyrics the right feeling what the song is about.

 

 

 

4.Where  do  you  usually  draw   inspiration  for  the  lyrics  and  what  are  some  topics  you  wrote  about  on  the  new  cd?

 

 

The inspiration might come from visual art or nature, it can also come clear on some place or just on a specific moment. Lyrics on Devouring the Sun deal with anti-christian themes. Album has poems dealing with darkness between the awareness and unconciousness, death and witchcraft and some misanthropic apocalyptic desires and visions.

 

 

 

5.  Lord  Aegeon    you   handle  the  vocals  for the  band  when  did you  first  start  singing and screaming? Do  you  do  anything  special  to  keep  your  throat  and  voice  healthy?

 

 

When first time I did bm-vocals... It was   a really long ago. However I also had really long pause on doing anything with music but just listening before starting Aegeon, so I feel I kinda had to start all over again when I started the band.

I have no healty tricks for voice. Maybe alcohol strong enough to disinfect the sore throat after the session. Maybe if Aegeon would do a tour some day I would have to come up with something.

 

 

 

 

6.Besides  the  vocals  you  also   handle  the   instruments  when  did you  become  interested   in  writing  and  playing  instruments? What  were  some  of  the  first   instruments  you   learned  how  to  play?  When  first  starting  out  did you take  lessons  or  are  you  self taught?

Guitar was the first instrument. Later I also learned to play drums and some keys. Bass I really never did learn to play it just came by itself with guitar. I've never taken any lessons for any instruments
 

 

 

7.Are  their   any instruments  that  you  would  like  to   learn  to  play  soon?

 

Not really at this point. I'd rather strenghten the old skills.

 

 

 

 

8.Has      Aegeon   ever   played  "live"   or  do  you  prefer to  keep  this  a  studio  only  band?

 

 

Aegeon has not played and propably never will play live because I have no intentions of gathering a full band around me. It would take a lots of musical compromises and sacrifices. I'd rather keep it this way and compose the most of the music myself. When thinking about it, I also don't have any desire for the live performances. Atleast at the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

9.   Aegeon  comes  out  of  the  Finnish   black  metal  scene   what  is  your  opinion  of Finland's   black  metal?

 

 Finland has and has always had a really strong black metal scene. I wish I had more time to explore all the Finnish bands out there. still somehow I don't feel like belonging in Finnish black metal scene. I've not been very active in the scene since the days of tape trading in mid 90's, so I really don't have much new band contacts or contacts to the whole scene in general in Finland.
 

 

 

10.Who   are  your  all-time  favorite  Finnish  bands?  Are  their  any  new  bands  you  feel  the  readers  should  watch   out  for?

 

Beherit was my first touch in finnish black metal and black metal in general. I still mostly listen the older stuff what I used to listen long ago. I don't unfortunately have any new bands to introduce and since Aegeon is quite new band in Finnish scene I'd rather not introduce any band as "new Finnish band".

 

 

 

 

 

11.Besides   bands   are  their   any  good  labels  or  distro's   you  can  recommend  to  the  readers?

 

 

Since I haven't really had time to explore the new music for a long time I can't really answer this. Besided I've always bought my records from abroad.

 

 

 

12.Besides   working  in    Aegeon   are  you   currently  working  with  any  other  bands  or  projects  at  this  time?

 

 

I have some projects of course but nothing really worth to mention at the time. Everything still related to black metal the way or another.

 

 

 

 

 

13.When  not  working  on  new  music  or  band  business   what  do   you  like  to  do  in your  free  time?

 

Travelling and walking in the nature, exploring ancient sacred places and old graveyards, photoshooting and working with graphics. Of course I have also combined these things to making record.

 

 

 

14.Thank  you   Lord  Aegeon   for  taking  the  time  to  fill  this  interview  out  do  you   have  any  final   words  for  the  readers?

 

 

 

Thank you for the interview. I will start creating music again at autumn when darkness has devoured the sun again here in the North. I think anyone mixed-up with the black metal should give a try to our new album Devouring the Sun.

 

                                                                 Band   Contact

                                                         https://www.facebook.com/aegeon666

                                                                 Label   Contact

                                                            http://www.elegyrecords.org/

 

 

 

 

Interview with Norway's Deathfare done by Patrick posted on 7-6-16

Hello
Here  is  a  new  interview  with the  Norweigan  death  metal  band  Deathfare  who  discuss  the  their  debut  release  "Shotgun   Surgery"   and the  bands  future plans.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com





Interview  with  Robert  Bassist  of   Deathfare   done  by    Patrick





1.Hello  Robert  how  are  things  going  with  you  these  days?Please   introduce  yourself  to  the  readers?

Hello! Well, I am bass player, but currently I am focusing more on my film making. You can check out some of my work on www.robertvawter.com You readers might find the documentary Riding the Apocalypse interesting. Its a sort of an experimental road/tour movie I shot of Mayhem back in 09. Its available on my page for free!  I am also a hobby photographer, https://www.flickr.com/photos/robertjtvawter/


2.At  what  age did  you  first  discover  metal  music and  who  were some  of the first  bands  you   listened  to?


Thinking about it, I didn't really listen seriously to music before I started playing in a band around when I was 15. I remember looking at bass guitar and thinking wow, those things looks great and sound interesting. I Finally bought a cheap Ibanez six string and started a band called Graabein with a friend. We were discussing what kind of music we where going to play and he put on Satyricon with the song Nemesis Divina. My brain exploded. I could say I like it, but I didn't hate it neither. It was just so different from what I had ever heard before. But we ended up playing black metal, which opened my ears to a lot of bands.

I didn't really listen a lot to Satyricon though, but more to Darkthrone, which I found a bit more groovy. We played some Black Sabbath, because it was fairly easy to play and sounded groovy as hell. I was also very influenced with Carpathian forest, because it has such a prominent aggressive bass sound.







3.When  did you  first  meet the  other  members  of  Deathfare  and  was  it  long  before you  all  formed  the  band?

Deathfare started several year before I joined them and had releasing some demos and EPs. I knew the band well. A lot of great local musicians had played there. Deathfare was kind of a harbor for metal musicians, which would come and play, leaving behind riffs and lyrics when they left the band (a lot of these riffs are in the Shotgun Surgery Album). When they lost their former bass player, I got a call from our the former vocalist in Deathfare asking if I wanted to come and play for them. When we got a new vocalist and new guitar player we started working on our debut album.



4.What  is  the   current  line-up  of  Deathfare? And  for the  readers  who  have   never   heard   Deathfare's   music  how  would  you  best  describe  it?


Deathfare simply but; filthy extreme death metal with high groove factor.


Our current line up is:
Nidhogg - Batterist

R.T.Drome - Bass

C. Tjessem - Guitar

Nikki - Vox

M.Wiig - Guitar






5.Deathfare   is  getting  ready  to  release  the  debut  "Shotgun  Surgery" how  long  did  it take  to  write  the  music  for the  songs  on  the debut  release?  Does  the   whole  band  take  part  in  the writing  process  or  does  one  member   usually  write  everything ?

It took along time to finish. I released over the years, both as a musician and film maker that art takes time - when you think something takes 1 month it will in reality take 4 months. This was also the case with shotgun Surgery. From the time we had recorded everything to we had a release almost 5 years went by. But that doesn't matter. Good things will last and there is no rush.


Our music is very collaborate. Our batterist will have ideas of how the bass should sound like, the guitar players may have some idea about the drums. The vocalist will bring some lyrics or ideas on riffs, the guitar players will do the same. Everyone brings their own ingredient, or have an opinion. Then we will cooking everything together. I think being able to listen to other peoples opinions is an essential skill when working creatively.



 6.Besides  the  debut   does   Deathfare    have  any  other releases  or  merchandise   available  for  the  readers  and  if  yes   where  can the  readers  buy  it  from?


We have some limited patch and T-shirts which we currently haven't setup to sell, and some shirts but we might start selling some merch through our record label Heathen Tribes. Checkout the facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heathentribes/






7.Does  the  band  get  to  play "live"  very  often  or  do you  prefer  to  work  in  the  studio? And  what  have  been  the  bands  most  memorable  shows  to  date?


We haven't played live in years. But we will do some day. We love playing live, but we are in no rush and not really perusing to play live.


We had a great show back in 2013 which was the last time we played. You can check out some live performance here:



 8.Are  their  any  tours  or  shows  coming  up  that the  fans  should  watch  out  for?


We will let you know on our facebook page






9.Deathfare  comes   out  of  the  Norwegian death  metal  scene  what  is  your   opinion  of  Norway's  death  metal  scene?

In my opinion Norwegian death metal can be a bit too experimental and «avant-garde-ish I like my death metal brutal and straight forward.


10.Who  are  some  of your  all-time  favorite  Norweigan  bands? Are their   any  new  bands  coming  out  of the  Norweigan  scene  you  feel  the  readers  should  watch  out  for?


In terms of straight forward death metal, Blood Red Throne is one of my favorites, which I also was fortunate to make a  music video for the song Taste of God.  And of course Obliteration, which is more thrashy. Horizon Ablase which is leaning more towards the experimental black metal. Killing for Company, Goat the Head. And of course the black metal band Carpathian Forest and Mayhem

Also the Norwegian band Shining, is producing some great death jazz. I love their music video «Fisheye» directed by my friend Leif Kyrre Larsen.





11.When  not   listening to  death  metal  do  you  enjoy  listening  to  any  other  forms  of  metal  or  music  in  general?

I listen to grind core, like Rompeprop (which my one year old daughter loves) and stoner/sludge music. I have also been listening to Ambient and noise music like Merzbow, NON, Nocturnal Emissions. Also Matta is an interesting dubstep band from England.





12.Robert  are  you  or  any  of  the  members  currently  working  and   playing  with  any  other  bands  at this  time? If  yes   please  tell  the  readers  a  little  about  them?


Our batterist Nidhogg is currently playing in a black metal band called The Konsortium from Stavanger. A great black metal band.






13.What  does  underground   metal   mean  to  you?

Mmmm… That 's a hard question to answer living in this digital age. More and more underground is becoming available on the same platform as commercial music through places like Spotify.

But to me underground metal or music has this grittyness to it. Often music that is challenging to listen to. I like that.


 14.When  not   working  on  new  music  or  band  business  what  do  you  enjoy  doing  in your  free  time?


As mention I do film making. But also I am volunteering together with a local NGO on helping victimes of sexual violence in DR. Congo (check out the work at https://greatactions.org) I think too a certain extent death metal is to blame for my interest in Congo and the brutality going on there. Death metal can be several things - just music I enjoy, but also a comment on the human condition, illustrating the underlying evil potential that I believe lies with in all of us. Metal music connects us with our ancestral brutality, something I have been very interested in exploring. To me, personally, this is what we to in Deathfare through humor and music.




15.Thank  you  Robert   for  taking  the  time  to  fill  this  interview  out   do  you   have  any  final   comments    for  the  readers?

Thank Patrick you for letting me spew my words on your fine webpage.

Review blog posted up on 7-6-16 done by Patrick

Here   is  a  new  blog  of  reviews  this  tome it  is  a  bit  of  all genres.So  hopefully   you  will  find  something  to your  musical  tastes. And  keep  watching  Winter  Torment  new  reviews  and  interviews  will be  coming  soon
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357/posts?hl=en
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher








Deathfare--Shotgun   Surgery   cd  {Heathen  Tribes Rec.}Norway's Deathfare   play  a   nice  blend  of  brutal,old-school  death  metal.The  debut  cd  Shotgun   Surgery    features  eleven  songs  of fast and  catchy  death  metal.The  guitars  are  heavy  with  some  very   well  written  and  performed  passages.The  guitarist  even  blends  in  some  well  written  and  performed  solo's.The  vocals  remind  me  of the  early to  mid  90's  death  metal  vocalist with  some  deeper growls  and  a few  screams  mixed  in  with the  music.If  you  are  fan  of  mid  90's  style  death  metal  then  be   sure  to  pick  up  Deathfare's Shotgun   Surgery   today.

                                                                Label   Contact

                                                        https://www.facebook.com/heathentribes/

                                                        https://heathentribes.bandcamp.com/

                                                                Band   Contact

                                           https://www.facebook.com/Deathfare-166090810084514/
                                                           Deathfare.theband@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guttural  Corpora Cavernosa--You Should  Have  Died  When  I Killed  You  cd  {Gorehouse  Prod.}

Coming  out  of  the  brutal death  scene  in  Taiwan  is  Guttural  Corpora Cavernosa with their  second  full  length.You Should  Have  Died  When  I Killed  You  features eleven  songs  of  brutal,slamming  death metal.The  music  is  mainly played  in the  mid  tempoed  speed  with  some  faster  guitar chords  and  drums  mixed in  a  few  sections.If  you  are  a  fan  of  the bands who  play  later  nineties  to  present  day  brutality  and  slam  style  death  metal  then  be  sure  to  pick  up  Guttural  Corpora Cavernosa's   new  cd.

                                                                   Label   Contact

                                                      http://www.gorehouseproductions.com/

                                        https://www.facebook.com/GoreHouseProductionsOfficial/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isgarde--Jag  Enslig  Skal ga   cd {Symbol  Of Domination/Black  Plague  Rec.}

Isgarde   is  a  new  band  coming  out  of  the  Swedish black  metal  scene combing  both  fast,semi-raw  black metal  and  some  atmosphere  elements.The  guitar  work  is  done  with  a lot  of  talent  and creative  guitar  patterns.The  guitars  do  speed  up  to  faster  pace  in  a  few  of the  songs.Their  are  some  well played  and  done  keyboards   usually  I  am  not  a  fan  of  the  newer  bands  using  keyboards  but  Somath   does  a  good  job  of  writing  and  playing them  so  they  flow with the  rest  of the  instruments  instead  of  getting  lost  in  the  sound.The  vocals  are  a  mix  of  harsh  black metal  screams  and  some  deeper death  metal  growls  used in  a few  songs. Highly  recommended  to  fans  of  well  written  and  performed  black  metal   that  has  both atmospheric and  raw Swedish  black metal   elements.

                                                                       Label   Contacts

                                                              http://satanath.com/sodp

                                                      http://www.blackplaguerecords.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Nox----Ancestral  Arte Negro  7inch  {Forever  Plagued}

Colombia's  black  metal  beasts   are  back  with  a  brand  new  four  song  seven inch  put  out  by  Forever  Plagued.The  seven inch  as  stated  contains  four  songs   of dark  and  aggressive black metal   played in  the  traditional  way.The  guitars  are  played  with  both  mid  paced  and  some chaotic and  faster  sections  mixed  into  the  music.The  drummer  knows  how  to  write  and  perform  fast almost  blast  beat  speeds  but  the  drummer  can  create  some  well  played   mid  tempo  drum  patterns  mixed  into the  songs.The  vocals  are  done  with  harsh  black  metal  screams  and  some  screechy  vocals  are  also  used  in  a few  of the  songs.If you  are  a  worshiper  of  South American  black  metal  then  do  not  miss  the  new  release  from  Nox.

                                                              Label  Contact

                                                   http://foreverplaguedrecords.com/

                                                 http://fpr666.bandcamp.com/music

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valgaldr---OsTenfor Sol  cassette  {Heathen  Tribes}

Valgaldr  are  a new  two man  band  coming out  of the  legendary  Norweigan  black  metal scene.Playing  the  early to  mid  ninties  traditional  black metal.The  guitars  are  played  with  raw  and  cold  feeling  that  ranges  from  a  faster  tempo  but  can  play  a  good  mid tempo  range  within the  songs.The  drums   are  played  in  the same  style  going  from  a  mid temped  style  to  a  faster  drum  pattern.The  drumming  is  done  with  a lot  of  experience  and  well  written  patterns.The  vocals  are  traditional,cold  raw  black  metal screams  that  really  fit  this  bands  musical  style.If  you  are  a  fan  of  early to  mid  ninties black  metal  then  don't   miss  out  on  Valgaldr's  new  release.

                                                              Label   Contact

                                                   https://www.facebook.com/heathentribes/

                                                     https://heathentribes.bandcamp.com/

                                                             Band  Contact

                                               https://www.facebook.com/valgaldrmetal/

                                                https://valgaldr.bandcamp.com/

 

 

 

 

Interview with Serbia's Kozeljnik done by Patrick on 7-4-16

Hails
Here   is  a   new  interview   with  Serbia's  Kozeljnik   who  discuss  their  new  cd  "Death Gives Unto  Life"  and  also  the  bands  past  and  future  plans  as well  as  the  Serbian  metal  scene.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357/posts?hl=en
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher









Interview with Kozeljnik, done by Patrick

1. Hails K. and L.G. When did you guys decide to start Kozeljnik? How did you all choose the name for the band, does   it have a special meaning?

 

L.G.: We had some ideas and rough sketches of what we intended to do, prior to official formation, but as a band we ultimately began in December '06. Two full-length albums and three EPs later we remain a duo, with few occasions of additional members added per studio and live sessions. Kozeljnik was a natural choice for the name of this project as it fully represents the entity and vision we give life to through our music and poetry.

 

 

2. Kozeljnik is getting ready to release the new MCD "Death Gives unto Life". How long did it take to write the music for the new release? And do you both work on the music or does one member write everything?

 

 

L.G.: Few months being delayed from original release date, this new EP finally saw the light of moon at the end of February, bringing four new lasting offerings. Once K. had all the ideas put on the table, he sent them my way and I worked on it for a period of three months, having them convey and bend to the right feeling I had in mind. We decided to do another long playing EP prior to starting work on our third full-length release which should commence later this year.

 

3. What are some topics and subjects you write about in the lyrics?

 

L.G.: Journeys and experiences that I collect on the astral plane I inevitably explore further and divulge in my lyrics. They are extremely personal and would invoke a sense of negation from obscure angles, when in right state of mind, and are not always easiest to tell but I wouldn't know any other way. On this new release they tend to dive deeper into occult symbolism, most notably engaging with the Primal Light that is Inner Void, which in turn leads to impenetrable darkness of Self. Clouding all visions until finally they are submerged in One - the Absolute. From poetic side, I keep simple form in writing, having them sorted in three to four verses per song, with occasion of several chants and random passages that K. would repeat. These are more often than not a gate to deeper meaning behind the song when listened to carefully.

 

 

 

 

4. "Death Gives unto Life" is the band's new MCD. How would you say Kozeljnik's music has evolved and changed since the debut release in 2006?

 

 

L.G.: Music evolved quite a bit since our inception and equally our first EP (2007) and debut album (2008). We explored some broader horizons and chose whatever fit the exact moment when new songs were starting to take form. We are never negligent towards new musical ideas and different expressions that our songs may carry. Still, it is very notable that this is inevitably a black metal outcast, ever brave to walk its own path and leave its mark. The thread between all our outputs, that single obscure yet visible thread is always there and this is what keeps listener at bay with our form of art and all our records from the beginning onwards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Has Kozeljnik ever played live or is this strictly a studio band?

 

L.G.: Kozeljnik is very much a live band and has performed on multiple occasions. One of the main reasons we are not as active with this project as we are with The Stone is that we live far from each other and meet mostly for tours with our main act (The Stone that is) or to work on a new record. We do have plans, however, to expand our live reach and perhaps conceive a tour in near future as this band definitely deserves more of it.

 

 

 

6. Besides the new MCD "Death Gives unto Life" does the band have any past releases or merchandise available for the fans to buy? And if yes, where can the readers find your merchandise?

 

L.G.: Our webstore is up and running at http://kozeljnik.bigcartel.com; it contains all possible merchandise we have at the moment, with new EP being added as we speak.

 

 

 

7. K., you handle the vocals for the band. When did you start singing and screaming? Do you do anything special to keep your throat and voice healthy?

K: Since the early days I used to perform add vocal for The Stone and May Result occasionally, but when Kozeljnik band was created, vocal duties became my permanent invocation of artistic expression.
I don't use any kind of special treatment to keep my voice in good shape. Unluckily, we don't rehearse that much with Kozeljnik so I need to get through the whole process of regaining my vocals every time when we do practice for live activities or simply composing/recording new songs.    

 

 

 

 

    

8. Besides the vocals you also handle the guitars. At what age did you become interested in playing the guitars? Are you self-taught or did you take lessons when first starting out? Besides handling the vocals and guitars, do you currently play any other instruments?

K: I was at quite young age when I got my first guitar. It was in 1988, a gift for my eleventh birthday. I've never used to have guitar lessons, nor having a guitar tutor. I am totally self-taught. Since the early days I was more into the creating of my own playing patterns. That gave me an opportunity to create my own style of composing and performing with my bands on later stage. Beside guitar I also play bass.     

 

 

9. L.G., you handle the drum duties for Kozeljnik. When did you start playing the drums?

 

L.G.: I started out in my late teenage years.

 

 

 

 

10. Who are some of your influences and favorite drummers? Besides the drums, do you currently play any other instruments?

 

 

L.G.: A truly wide variety of drummers influenced my playing and it would be ungrateful to mention just a handful of them. I spend hours every day studying great players from decades past and decade present. What I am usually impressed with (and it always comes to this) is the basic, genuine feel that a drummer possesses and is able to express fully, shape it according to the need, transform it and think well outside the borders (if one chooses to have them in the first place). Musicality and technical aspects come hand in hand and all these combined is what I look for in the player. I play piano, too, albeit modestly, and would do well to come back to this instrument once in a while.

 

 

11. What does black metal mean to you two?

 

 

L.G.: It is the most liberating of all musical creations, one we are endlessly infatuated with since the earliest of days. It gives us absolute and unimpeded approach to shaping our Art in any way (un)imaginable.

 

 

 

 

 

12. Besides Kozeljnik I believe you two are members of The Stone. How would you say Kozeljnik's music is different then The Stone's sound?

 

 

L.G.: We share our respective energies between these two bands, but Kozeljnik does not have much in common with The Stone musically and vice versa. With the band you're currently conducting an interview with, we intend to bring out our most personal selves both musically and lyrically. It is free of any particular patterns and doesn't need any kind of guidance. A stream of emotional unconscious if you will. One either experiences it fully or doesn't. The Stone has almost militaristic approach in writing music and conducting rehearsals as well as recording albums. We like doing things this way too. A new record will surely come out every two or three years at most and there are more than just two souls having an impact on it, so in this case it makes things faster and more accessible to people than what we do in Kozeljnik.

 

 

 

13. Kozeljnik comes out of Serbia's black metal scene. I remember back in the early to mid 2000's Serbia had a good black and metal scene. What is your opinion of Serbia's metal scene over the years?

 

 

L.G.: The whole vibe was very different 10 to 15 years ago, not to mention before. For example many of us were very eager to put their hands on latest magazines, especially those circling the underground realm and thus seek and discover potential killer bands and dive deeper into sphere of Metal art from its most secluded to its most extreme. Naysayers and loud mouths were easily ignored and you could always find refuge in what meant most to you and what sparked your fire. I truly believe that social media and general accessibility to things I've mentioned ruined most of it for a lot of people without them even realizing it. Magic is still alive and well but it is being counteracted with senseless bragging, avoiding the true matter at hand and there's of course general overwhelming of information out there, that is often completely unnecessary than not. This is also true for our little scene in particular. Speaking of black metal scene, there isn't such in Serbia I'm afraid. Some individuals are in the loop constantly and some work hard to get their art recognized; there is but a handful of them and it isn't rare that some of them are missing that much needed spark to roll their wagon so to speak. We'll see how it goes from here, but I'm rather pessimistic.

 

 

 

 

 

14. Who are some of your all-time favorite Serbian bands? And are there any new bands you feel the readers should watch out for?

 

 

L.G.: For me there is always reminiscence of glorious days of former Yugoslavia, when the scene was quite rebellious and ever changing. We had some insanely great groups in the 70's and 80's, but going forward much of it relapsed and went into oblivion, greatly due to a war that separated all republics of former country. This had a big impact on all, music not excluded. You would do well to check out early works of Smak, Leb i Sol, Riblja Čorba, Atomsko Sklonište or Azra, the classics, but also some of earliest New Wave and Rock bands such as Ekatarina Velika (EKV), Napred u Prošlost, Disciplina Kičme or Dobri Isak. Satan Panonski out of Croatia was a truly influential figure and most controversial punk icon to come out of there, deceased GG Allin had nothing on this guy. Check Pankrti, too. Bands like Borghesia and Devil Doll had immense goth and dark electronic vibe and were very inspirational at the time. And of course, everybody knows Laibach. Metal scene, ever stagnant and ever in the making was small but had some bright moments like Bombarder out of Bosnia, but that didn't come until late 80's. Bloodbath were one of the first serious extreme metal acts to come from Serbia, in big part owing their sound to influential bands of an era such as Death and Pestilence.

 

 

 

15. Besides bands are there any good labels or distro's you feel the readers should watch out for?

 

 

L.G.: Nowadays.. not really, no. I could single out Grom Records (formerly Awaken Productions) as one of the pioneering underground labels and distros in Serbia, today involved mainly with organization of live shows in cities of Belgrade and Novi Sad and occasionally releasing records to underground by up-and-coming acts from around the world. On the other hand, fair coverage of Serbian scene, should you be interested to explore in detail, can be found on web lairs of active zines such as NocturneMagazine.net and Serbian-Metal.org

 

 

 

 

16. Thank you K. and L.G. for taking the time to fill this interview out. Do you have any final words for the readers?

 

 

L.G.: You're more than welcome and thanks for stealing time to come up with these questions. We hope our new record will echo through nether regions and gather some attention. Until next time!

 

 

                                                                                 Band   Contact

                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/Kozeljnik/
                                                                       http://www.kozeljnik.bigcartel.com/