Interview with Donn vocalist all instruments of Teutoburg Forest done by Patrick
1.Hello Donn how are things going in the UK. this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello Patrick, things are great here thank you. I am Donn Philo Sophia the founding member of Teutoburg Forest and I create all the musical, visual and literate elements of the project.
2.When did you first discover black and death metal and who were the first bands that caught your attention? Are their any current bands that have caught your attention?
I grew up in the hills of North wales and had quite an isolated upbringing. My Dad introduced me to Metallica, AC DC, Van Halen etc but the first (brutal) band I heard was when my brother introduced me to slipknots ‘slipknot ’album. You must understand there was no community. No circle of friends that was interested in metal and at that time no internet. So this, thing, was mind blowing. Then I stumbled across the TV channel Kerrang and I was introduced to mainly Numetal, but then I saw Cradle of Filths ‘Her ghost in the fog ’which seemed to have another layer, another dimension to it which I didn’t understand, but I was intrigued . I bought ‘Lovecraft and Witchhearts ’and became acclimated with more complex musical structures and fascinating, but confusing lyrical topics which added another dimension of curiosity.
I was perusing through the CDs, and then I saw a logo that was sharp and emanated a sinister tone, which echoed a similar feeling that I got from of cradle of filth, but more intense. I looked at the back and the was wearing, what I would later came to know as ‘corpse paint ’and so I thought ‘why not?’. It was Mayhems; European legions and Grand declaration of war. Much like the leap from slipknot to cradle of filth. This shattered my expectations of extreme music. By this time we had the internet and I started looking into Mayhem. I found out they played a style of music called ‘black metal ’and so I started looking into that title, and then it exploded. Emperor, Burzum, Gorgoroth, Satyricon. If it wore corpse paint I would listen to it, and then it just grew from there.
The interesting point is that Black Metal was not introduced to me, but it was a slow discovery by following threatening tones and strange aesthetics. What would normally be a deterrent, was was lured me in. It was the result being inquisitive, open minded and the desire to wonder into the unknown. Profoundly, the fundamental essence and principles that lead me to Black Metal, would become the core tenants that shaped Teutoburg Forest.
3.Donn you started Teutoburg Forest back in 2006 when did you first get the idea to start this band? How did you choose Teutoburg Forest as the name of the band?
Out of arrogance to be honest. I listened to music and thought ‘I could do better than that’. But Over time that focus shifted from trying to be better than others, to trying to be better than my previous state. It is obvious that that came from a state of insecurity and trying to desperately assert oneself and be recognised in the world. But it was a powerful impetus, an acknowledgment of ones dark nature and the power you can wield with complete self conviction. The wisdom comes from knowing how to channel that power, otherwise that self assurance will turn into narcissism, resulting in an inability to recognise ones own faults blinding you from being able to see things as they are. Which is the direct contradiction of knowing thyself.
The name came from the battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9AD where three roman legions where ambushed and slaughtered. This meant that the Roman Empire never established itself past the Rhine and was so significant that it changed Europe’s history forever. One simple example of this is European languages, where Italian, French and Spanish are Romance language. Cross the Rhine and they are Germanic, totally different linguistic roots and consequentially different cultures because language shapes thoughts. I chose it because I am interested in history, and considering that I was entering into a scene which valued secret meanings, hidden gems to those who would engage. I thought it was an ‘occult ’depiction of the struggle between chaos and order, civilisation and the wilderness, slavery and freedom. Also the fact that the Romans were defeated because of subversive, sinister tactics of betrayal and infiltration from Arminius, it seemed fitting with the general tone I was going for.
4.Who would you say are the bands biggest influences over the years and have they remained the same over the years? For the readers who have never heard the band how would you best describe the bands musicial style?
The most influential bands were those who seemed to focus on the lyrical content equally as much as the music. Bands such as Behemoth, Watain, Absu, Ofermod too name but a few. I have always been interested in history, mythology, spirituality. And these people made it cool to be interested in academia, and used it to add another layer of interest within the project.
How to describe the sound; like putting the your soul to the grind stone. Consciously engaging with the deepest hatred that’s so malevolent that it wants to nullify existence itself. That’s the sound, but the purpose is to recognise your own capacity for darkness, to truly know thyself.
5.I believe Teutoburg Forest has been a one man band since the beginning have you thought of adding more members to make a full line up or do you prefer to work alone?
Yes it has been a one man band for the vast majority of its life span. Maybe less than a handful of times, has there been a practice with another musician with the intent of collaborating.
I’m in the process of finding musicians to take Teutoburg Forest live, but in regards to writing, I have found a process that accomplishes the intent and so I am willing to go with the flow.
6.What do you feel is the easiest and hardest part about being the sole member of the band? If you had the opportunity to work with any musicians past or present who would you like to work with?
The fact that everting relies on you is both the blessing and curse. You don’t rely on anyone, but you can’t rely on anyone. If something gets done it’s because you made it happen. Subsequently if it doesn’t happen, it’s because you haven’t done it. I have learnt a lot from working this way, about personal responsibility and learning the limits of what can feasibly been done. What you can reasonably expect from yourself and what you know you can improve on if you are put the time and energy into it. It’s a great teacher.
I do not look at other bands like that. I respect that it’s something different and take it for what it is. I am quite content with how things are, but again, I’ll accept the flow.
7.Voltigeurs is the newest EP that was released in 2019 how long did it take you to write the music for the new EP.?How long does it usually take for you to complete one song?
Voltigeurs is the remastering of two songs from previous albums and one new song to complete that era/chapter of writing/thinking/awareness. So it’s hard to say with Voltiguers. But I have written a new Album entitled ‘Enantiodromia ’which I will be releasing after Voltigeurs. That took about a year, but there were huge gaps because of technical issues including, having to write all he music again because the computer broke and my external hard drives were corrupted. So six months is probably the more accurate number.
8.Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some topics you wrote about on the new release? Which usually comes first the lyrics or the music?
I draw inspiration from the experiences I put myself through as a means to gain understand of how I would react as a means to understand myself. That continuous process of testing and refining the knowledge of self is the very essence of what drives the project. Hence why I describe the music as ‘putting the soul to the grind stone’.
This includes practicing the occult with the intent to become receptive to desired frequencies, to then summon those fragments into your perceived existence. This is the process of throwing yourself into situations that you don’t know if you are ready for, but in doing so, you learn the true nature about yourself, and in doing so destroy your own self imposed illusions about yourself. Will I break under pressure? What really matter to me? What will I compromise and what will I stand for? It like removing weeds and discovering what truly is, rather than a perceived sense of it. This is my intrinsic purpose of engaging with the practice. To know my Self.
Normally the concept comes first. The music is written to represent the idea, then I write lyrics whilst listening to the music so I get inspiration from both an emotional and logical perspective. Then it’s a rapid succession of vocals, instruments, vocals, instruments to get the right balance. You serve the song, which serves the intent
9.Besides the newest Voltigeurs release are the bands previous releases still available for the readers to purchase? Besides physical releases do you have any other merchandise currently available if yes what is available and where can the readers purchase it?
The original trident trilogy; Chao ab ordo, Anti-subhuman scum and Cult of the individual, three albums written at once (the very embodiment of the limitless power it tapped into) limited to 100 copies each, but are available on Spotify and Bandcamp for digital download.
‘Horns curve into broke circles ’written under the title ‘Donn the Philosophy’. This album is the conscious descent into the qlipoth, opening with an invocation of Naamah, the portal to the subconscious is torn and the full fury of chaos is channeled into songs entitled ‘Malkuth transforming into Lilith‘ ’Revolt against solar singularity ’and ‘Rotten blood and dead seman as the foundation of creation’. The absolute manifestation of the destructive, vengeful, lawless energy which is barely contained.
10.What does Black Metal mean to you?
Consciously engaging with the unconscious. Exploring the shadow aspect of yourself, from the limitless well of creativity to acknowledging our darkest desires that we try to repress. For It was only when I recognised my capacity for malevolence did I no longer see myself exempt from the corrupting consequence of ignorance. innocence is the mantra for perpetual incompetence and so I see Black Metal as a tool to know thyself.
11.Donn you live in the U.K what is your opinion of England's black metal scene over the decades?
There are some great bands in the UK such as Inconcessus Lux Lucis, Funeral Throne, Deitus to name but a few. I have been out of the scene for some time but coming back into it, it seems to be quite active. There are some great festivals such as Legions ov Darkness in Cumbria, Bloodstock and Damnation festival so I think there is still life yet.
12.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of England and are their any new bands that have caught your attention?
Akercocke is high on that list and Saor was probably the newest act from the UK I heard where I was highly impressed.
13.I believe your all your releases over the years have been based on Occult and Satanism when did you first become interested in studying these subjects?
I was always interested in religion, mythology and history even though I came from a completely secular environment. Maybe because I came from an absolutely A-religious environment that I felt a yearning for something that I wasn’t getting in the society. Finding Black Metal gave me inspiration, references and a direction to focus my attention and guide me through the darkness.
14.Who are some Satanists and Occultist that you enjoy studying? Besides Satanism and the Occult do you read and study any other subjects?
Kenneth Grants study of the qliphoth was invaluable in shaping my intellectual understanding of the subject. Dion Fortunes book ‘Mystical Qabalah ’was the most concise and rich explanation on the ‘Tree of life ’(and its tunnels) that I have read to date. Lon Milo DuQuette helped refine my practice of western ceremonial techniques. Mark Alen Smith provided an example of no nonsense, purely practical path. Vexior 218 showed me the anti-cosmic correlations between cultures. Thomas Karlssons ‘Qabalah, Qliphoth and Goetic magic ’might be one of the most important books I ever read because I found it, between the age of 18-19, and it was so concise that it pierced through the liminal fog and started the amalgamation between my emotional draw to these topics, and then providing a logical framework to truly engage with it. Merging the disparate elements and providing a torch in the dark. These are just a few examples, but I hope it implies that the path into the unknown requires true engagement with many fields and perspectives. And what I learnt most was that the path itself was the goal, that you never stop learning and you should keep that interest in life because that’s what will make life interesting.
15.Besides working in Teutoburg Forest do you currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
I have several other solo projects though their purpose is purely to experiment with different formats and so I doubt they will be released. But we will see what happens. I particularly like one project entitled ’Sound in silence ’which is a soft rock, Fleetwood Mac esk (but with more intense tempos) there is an entire album written, but I need to develop my clean vocals before that is produced.
I have done some vocals for the blackened soundscape band ‘catacombs of doom ’but other than that I have been putting all my effort into refining Teutoburg Forest.
16.Thank you Donn for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thank you Patrick for taking the time and effort to compile this interview and to those who engaged to the end. I enjoyed answering the questions and I hope that it has expanded people’s understanding about the projects purpose. To the readers, I hope to see you at a Teutoburg Forest show when it is fully active as a live band and feel free to contact me on any of the social media platforms if you want to know more.
Band Contacts
https://teutoburgforest.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/teutoburgforestbandofficial/
