1.Hails Draugr please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hails to you! I'm Draugr, the sole member behind the black metal project called Howling. I am based in Cincinnati Ohio where I was born and raised.
2.When did you first discover Black Metal and who were the first artists and bands you heard?Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
I first heard Bathorys self titled through a buddy of mine in high school. I was really into death metal at the time and the internet wasn't as big as it is now but I immediately found something in it. I went home and devoured everything I could find and its been a staple ever since. As for newer bands I've really been into Deathspell Omega, Leviathan, Taake, Minenwerfer, Spectral Wound, Helleruin, Enepsigos, White Death and Arkhtinn to name a few. I always find something every five minutes that I really like.
3.When did you first become interested in writing and performing music?What was the first instrument that you learned to play?
I used to hear a lot of different styles of music growing up but I was definitely more attracted to anything with a heavy guitar in it so I constantly searched for stuff that had that particular kind of sound, from then on I got into metal through sabbath and the big 4 of thrash and after a while I got my 1st guitar at 12-13 and began to teach myself how to play from books and online videos.
4.What are the current instruments that you play?Are their any instruments that you would like to learn to play one day?
I play the electric and acoustic guitar, bass, a little bit of drums and some keyboard when its necessary. I'd love to learn how to play the violin or the piano since I've always been into symphonic stuff.
5.Who would you say are your biggest influences and favorite musicians over the years?
Wrest from Leviathan is a huge inspiration for me. His music was visceral and incredibly punishing and mellow all at the same time, all around honest and creative musician. I really love Quorthon as well for his ability to write dark passages and his boldness to do what he did on his albums in the 90s. Mortuus/Arioch from Funeral Mist/Marduk for his creativity and ability to write the most brutal stuff I've ever heard. I've had the privilege to meet people like Hoest from Taake and Morgan from Marduk and talk with them about how they write stuff and thats rubbed off on me a little bit since it was earlier in Howlings formation when that happened.
6.You also handle the vocals when did you first start screaming and growling?Do you do anything special to keep your throat and voice healthy?
I first tried it years ago and kind of gave up because I have a naturally monotone deep voice and I couldn't get very high with it. Over time I learned how to use my diaphragm and mix my vocals on recordings the correct way and I was able to do something great with it. As far as keeping my vocals intact I tend to take as many breaks as I need during recordings and relax as much as possible. Seldom recording vocals helps too so I have a lot of respect for people who do this shit all the time.
7.Who are your all-time favorite vocalists?
Mortuus/Arioch from Marduk/Funeral Mist/Triumphator, Wrest from Leviathan, Mikko from Deathspell Omega, Hoest from Taake, Damon from Bestial Warlust, Dagon from Inquisition, Daemon from Limbonic Art and of course Quorthon from Bathory just off the top of my head.
8.When did you first get the idea to form Howling and are you satisfied with how things have gone with the band so far?
I had briefly played with other people from around my area and there just wasn't a scene for this kind of music. Everyone wanted to play some variation of death metal or power metal and although I like both genres it wasn't what I wanted to do so I started listening to 1 man bands starting with Burzum and going down the list and eventually said to myself "I can do that." so began the process of teaching myself how to record and write songs alone. I have to say though I am pretty happy with how things are going. I never thought anyone would pick me up but I'm currently sitting here on Blasphemous Creations Of Hell Records and Plague Demon records and I'm very proud of that fact.
9.Draugr you are the sole member of the band when you started this band did you plan to work alone or would you like to find some musicians to make a full line up?
I fully intend for Howling to be my personal project. I'm open to doing stuff with other people when I have time but Howling is a very personal thing for me and letting someone in on it would be uncomfortable for me.
10.Who would you say are Howling's biggest influences and for the readers unfamilar with your music how would you best describe Howling's style?
Definitely Bathory, Bestial Warlust, Revenge, Behexen, Leviathan, Burzum, Deathspell Omega, Taake, Funeral Mist, Krieg, Mayhem, Darkthrone, etc. I would describe Howling as a more dissonant take on the more brutal styles of black metal with some mellow passages added in to keep a flow going for the tracks.
11.If you had the opportunity who are some musicians you would like to work with?
I'd work with anyone, theres definitely a few like Wrest or Akhenaten of Judas Iscariot but if they are original and open to being as creative as possible I would definitely work with that person in a heart beat.
12.Altar Of Depravity is the debut full length that was released at the end of 2021 how long did it take you to write the music for the debut release?How long does it usually you to complete one song?
I started writing for it after the release of The Aesthetics Of Rot EP and a lot of it was brand new material but some were unused riffs that I had on the shelf so I believe it took me a good 8 months to compose every track. Every song has its complexities and its own character so the time varies, its taken me as long as a few months and as short as one night to write a single track from beginning to end but on average about a month if I don't go back and change something that no longer works for me.
13.Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some topics written about on the debut release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
Music is ALWAYS first, its the most important factor for me. If the riffs don't work or the structure then I don't care what the lyrical content is. As far as the lyrics go I do write open ended passages that give an opportunity for the reader to interpret it in their own way. I haven't released the lyrics to the debut yet (which I will soon) but anytime I write its from a visceral angle, its always about my observations and/or experiences with humanity and the complex state of being that we are in, good or bad.
14.Besides the debut full length are Howling's past releases still availible for the readers to purchase?Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently availible if yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase it?
Absolutely. My bandcamp has CDs and digital editions for both the EP and the album and there is clothing and misc merch available through Blasphemous Creations Of Hell Records. You may find the links through their social media.
15.What does Black Metal mean to you?
Black Metal for me is freedom and power. Its an extension of myself and others that comes from deep within that forms something dark, abrasive and punishing yet can be incredibly meaningful and insightful, the direction is purely up to the artist and when you have many different realms to explore and many outcomes and interpretations to work towards you have total freedom and endless power to draw from and you cannot put a price on something that powerful.
16.Besides Howling do you currently work with any other solo projects or bands?If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
I do not at the current time.
17.Thank you Draugr for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
The label and I both have social media you can like and follow so if you wish to support the underground please go to those pages and do so. All of the links to our respective bandcamps are on our platforms and anyone who wishes to inquire about anything may send me a message and I'll do my best to answer. Other than that keep supporting the bands you listen to by telling others about us and purchasing our merch. Hails to all who have supported me thus far! Band Contacts https://howling1.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HowlingBM/ https://www.instagram.com/howlingdraugr/?igshid=q3v55uupm0a7 Blasphemous Creations Of Hell https://bchrecords.storenvy.com/ https://blasphemouscreationsofhellrecords1.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/blasphemouscreationsofhellrecords/ Plague Demon Records https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/ https://plaguedemonrecords.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Plaguedemonrecords.net/
