Interview with Hisemtuks Himi: done on 7-25-23

 

1.Hello Nathen please introduce yourself to the readers

Hello everyone, I am Nathen Ehli, I am from Spokane, Washington. I am the solo musician for Hísemtuks Hími•n!

2.When did you first discover black metal music and what was it about this genre that drew you in?

I first discovered black metal when I was in middle school, didn’t really like it at first but when I found out how many sub genres they were I started getting into it a lot more. It drew me how much each and every band sounds different, either it was beautiful atmospheres or harsh sounding riffs. I built up a tolerance to listen to different bands.

3.Who were the first bands that you listened to?Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?

The first bands I got into were pretty much on the melodic/symphonic side of black metal. Catamenia, Dissection, and Emperor. Currently thats caught my attention is Hoth, Pathway, and Nechowchen.

4.When did you first become interested in writing and playing music? What are the instruments that you currently play?

I think when I was a freshman in high school, I would record little demos here and there through my phone on Bandlab. I didn’t really take it seriously until I got signed onto PDR. I currently play drums, bass, and guitar.

5.Are you self taught or did you take some lessons when first starting out? Are their any instruments that you currently do not play but would like to learn one day?

Well, my older brother plays guitar and he gave me basic lessons and taught me basic songs that everyone learns when they first start out. My Uncle taught me the basics of drums, but now I can just hear a song and figure out how it’s done. I do want to know how to play keys but doing solos on them, listen to any COB song and you’ll understand why.

6.Nathen you also handle the vocals for the band when did you first become interested in screaming and growling?Do you do anything special to keep your throat and voice healthy?

I figured if I can’t really sing that well I can scream lol! I think I was in high school when I got into screaming. I learned what kind of screams where necessary in parts of a song. Now as far as what i do specially, not much. I just scream from my stomach and not my throat and if it hurts I’m doing something wrong.

7.Who some of your all-time favorite musicians and vocalists over the years?

For drums, Sean Reinert. Bass, Linus Klausenitzer. Guitar, Alexi Laiho. Keys, Stian Aarstad. And vocals, Deimhal.

8. you started Hisemtuks Himi:N in 2020 what gave you the idea to start this band? How did you choose Hisemtuks Himi:N as the name of the band and does it have a special meaning?

I was doing another project for awhile before Hísemtuks Hími•n. It was going more towards the atmospheric BM side, wasn’t really feeling it, so then I told PDR that I wanted to change the name before making it official. I wanted a name that was rooted into my Spokane/Nez Peirce heritage. Hísemtuks Hími•n is in the Nez Peirce language, it means Night-Sun Wolf in English. As you can see in the logo, there’s the 2 wolves on the sides and the moon in the middle.

9.For the readers who have never heard Hisemtuks Himi:N music how would you best describe it?Who would you say are the bands biggest influences?

I would say empowering. If anyone would take a drive through the PNW it fits well. Every album is different in its own ways. I would say my biggest influences are Catamenia, Dissection, Vinterland, Death and Wintersun.

10.I believe you are the sole member of the band did you plan to work alone or would you like to find more musicians to work with in order to do some live shows one day

I think I might just continue on my own, although Im thinking on getting some features in the future. And as far as live shows go, im looking into it. Right now im making backing tracks for live gigs. I think for any band, playing live gigs is real promotion.

11.Witch Of The Night is the third full length that was released through Plague Demon Rec when did you first come in contact with this label

I contacted Namter from PDR when I was 17 I believe. Emailed Namtar my demos, told him the information about the project. Right after I turned 18, I released Wendigo officially with the merch and the cds. Cant lie, I was super excited!

12.How long did it take to write the music for this release?How long would you say it usually takes to complete one song?

It took me under a year to write this whole album. I dont have as much time as I used to. And I think it takes me on average about a month to complete a song, including guitar solos and lyrics.

13.Besides the Witch Of The Night release are the previous releaseses still availible to purchase?Besides physical releases do you currently have any other merchandise for the readers to purchase if yes what is availible and where can the readers purchse it?

Yes, you can find some cds on PDR’s Bandcamp and you can get the merch on their store https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/?

14.What does black metal mean to you?

To me it means war blasting through your speakers!

15.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?

I like to be outside! Spokane has plenty of lakes to fish in, Lots of places to hike, and cool spots to camp! I also like to take long drives just to see whats out there!

16.Besides working in Hisemtuks Himi:N do you currently have any other solo projects or bands that you work with.

Not right now. I would be willing to do so though! There is so many good musicians out there, I can just imagine what could happen!

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

Hope everyone enjoys the album! Thanks for the support! Hails /,,/                                                            Plague Demon Rec.                                                                                                                                      https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/                                                                                                   https://himutukshimin.bandcamp.com/album/witch-of-the-night                                                                https://www.facebook.com/Plaguedemonrecords.net/                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/namtar.axarcuth/?hl=en                                                                                    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt4Jqad8hAHPHisR2aU4Q4A                                                                                                                                                                    

Interview with Deteriorot done by Patrick posted on 7-24-23

 

1.Hello Paul  thank you for taking the time to  fill this interview out.Please introduce yourself to the readers?

I'm Paul Zavaleta from Deteriorot. I'm a songwriter, composer, producer. The Lead Guitarist and Vocalist from an Underground Death Metal band that would be considered one of many that pioneer'd the genre during it's infancy in the 80's and early 90's

2.When did you first start listening to underground metal and who were some of the first bands you listened to?Who are  some of your  current favorite  bands?

Well I only knew metal on the more commercial end like Slayer, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Dio, Judas Priest, Motorhead, until I was around 13 years old and my friend Renzo introduced me to Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Sodom, Kreator, Destruction, Bathory. Eventually after starting a band and having demos/promos in circulation then lead to more Underground unsigned bands started writing to me and that more or less is it. 

3.Paul you  started Deteriorot     back in 1990 when did you  first get the idea to  start this band?

1990 is when the name was changed to DETERIOROT after 2 years already. 1990 is more or less is miscommunication by many advertisements and articles. The idea for the band started in 1987 and by 1988 I formed a full lineup and recorded 2 releases with our prior name Mortuary. When we found out in 1990 about the Mexican band also called Mortuary, we had to change the name to something unique, our own word, so we wouldn't have the same problem of having another band with the same name.

4.Who would you  say  Deteriorot's  biggest influences and how  do you feel the bands music has  changed  over the years?

Biggest influences has to be Black Sabbath, Metallica, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Slayer. These are all the bands I listened to when learning to play guitar, and it is what taught me how songs are best structured. When music wasn't just the guitar riff, it was also the great drumming, the bass was a rhythm that went along with the drums more vs bass following the guitar. The only real change I can say for Deteriorot is that I wanted to focus more on feeling, and atmosphere in the composition vs what was on the initial first demo recording. This question about change is probably best suited for a different band honestly. The reputation of what Deteriorot is known for is that people are expecting it to still sound like it was in 1992 and it's our niché and something that we've become known for now. Some are afraid when they hear of a lineup change that it will affect the sound to evolve into a more contemporary Death Metal style. The traditionalist don't want the formula to be messed with and I agree, I happen to be one of those traditionalist and I analyze and plan it while writing it to make sure it coincides with what sounds like Deteriorot. We don't want the recipe of Coca Cola to be messed with and people come home to Grandma's Cooking and expect it to taste the same. That's what you get with Deteriorot. I believe in consistency of a brand and when your music is more than 3 decades it then does become a brand on it's own. 

5.The Rebirth is the bands third full length  how long did it take you to write the music for the new release?

One of the songs "Dark Embrace" I got together with a friend of mine who plays drums earlier this year and we were at a studio. He just wanted to see if we can just free jam, improvise and he just play along and see if we have any musical chemistry. I just came up with the riff on the spot, had an idea of the next verse, chorus. Wrote it and put it together in 15 minutes. It's become our most streamed and down loaded song of all time. The Rebirth Album was really an on the spot album to write. I had taken somewhere around 3 months to write an album I called "Awakening" 12 songs in total. I spent around 6 weeks in recording all the guitars, bass, and vocals. I sent it to my friend James who is playing the European Tour this year 2023. But he just has had so much on his plate, it's a lot of time for anyone to learn out set of 10 to 11 songs. And he also plays in 2 other bands. He had to also learn music for a band he had just joined. Add that to also the responsibility of being a husband, a father, and working full time. So our first focus had to of course be the live set. By April and May, the time was going and passing fast and I know we needed to put out an album by summer to help the tour with promotion, publicity of a new album would help our tour with people hearing, reading on it, getting the album and then seeing we're coming to their city and country. I had to write an album that is a catchy album, and something that would be quality and I just turned my phone on record and played some stuff that came naturally to me. I like to make a plan like a template of how a song should go when I write so there is a structured formula. I wrote the music for the album in 2 days. Recorded what both guitar parts would be on separate tracks. We already had that one song "Dark Embrace" which was a demo version. So we had that one to re record. I drove up to Kentucky to teach the songs to the lineup and we recorded 3 songs a day for a 3 day weekend. After I wrote the lyrics the next week and finished the recording for my guitar, leads and vocals. 

6.Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics amd what are some subjects written about on the new release?

 The inspiration all comes from the music itself. The music without the vocals has a story. Like a movie score. A song title comes. Then the lyrics go around what the song title is. Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics? Always the music. I feel inspired by a melody and I try to play what is in my head. I think about the drums, which is the centerpiece of the whole atmosphere to me. It's all about the feeling. All of the subjects of the new album is really more or less the concept of the album title. The Rebirth. Coming back. I write the lyrics and put thought into them for people to read it, like a story. I rather a fan read them vs me telling them what it is about. 

7.Besides the The Rebirth  release you have two previous full lengths and some splits  are these still availible for the readers to purchase?Besides physical releases do you currently have any other merchandise for the readers to purchase if yes what is availible and where can the readers purchse it?

 

No splits. We never had any splits. But all of our Merchandise is available at Deteriorot.bandcamp.com and you can see all what is available there. Shirts, flags, patches too. 

 

 8.Deteriorot  will  be doing a European tour  soon  is this the bands first time playing Europe?

We've been to Europe before. 

9.Who are some  bands you will be touring with and sharing the stage with?

We're touring with Ascended Dead. We're playing over 20 something shows all with different openers. Some bands I know from some other shows are Deadspeak, Anatomia, Druid Lord. 

10.What does Underground Metal mean to you and how do you feel it has changed over the years?

 

It means everything to me. It's a culture within itself and completely outside the more common pop rock commercial metal, or whatever is of the Thrash scene. This community is like no other and the way the network operates is incredible. It's changed for the better with the ease of the Internet and being able to send files, video chat, instant communication. More can be down now and the scene is bigger than it ever was. 

 11.Back in the 90's i know  fanzines were huge did you read very many fanzines?What do you feel made a good fanzine?

I did read fanzines but only when they were sent to me. Being in a band them and now with releases was overwhelming then and now when it comes to the amount of replies you have to do. It sucks really to be honest when you work all day and then feel you have all of this homework to do that takes 4 or 5 hours every night. Then I had 30 to 50 letters coming every day along with fanzines and tapes. Today I get probably a dozen instant messages from Facebook, Instagram, along with a dozen interviews a week constantly. Either email or podcast. Then the podcast they tell me it's an hour. It's Sunday and I am now 5 hours deep in it. It's too much really. Thats my long drawn out answer to say I don't have time to read fanzines or remember. I don't have time for any of this really. 

12.What are your all-time favorite  fanzines?

I don't really have the time. My wife is next to me and I'm ignoring her the past 2 hours just filling out these questions so I for sure don't have time to read fanzines. 

13.Tape trading was also huge  did you ever do  much tape trading?

I did trades when I would receive a cassette from another band and they would ask for a Deteriorot tape in trade. 

14.When you need to take a break what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Spending time with my wife and daughter Cooking for my family. Watching funny reels on Instagram or Facebook. 

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

Get the new album The Rebirth and get any merchandise from me at Deteriorot.bandcamp.com

Deteriorot                                                                                                                                                   https://deteriorot.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                           https://www.facebook.com/Deteriorot                                                                                                     https://www.instagram.com/deteriorot_official/                                                                                       https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ny9FQjDL2VGgaizM2lG3g                                                         Xtreem  Music                                                                                                                                           http://www.label.xtreemmusic.com/                                                                                                         https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-rebirth                                                                         https://www.facebook.com/xtreemmusic666?fref=ts                                                                              

Deteriorot--The Rebirth cd{Xtreem Music} done on 7-23-23

 

The Rebirth  is Deteriorot's third full length release.Musically the band performs and plays a relentless old school death metal style.The guitars are a mix of crazed fast passages that are played with intensity.Their are some slower,heavy md paced guitar patterns also used throughout some of the tracks.The vocals are traditional powerful death metal growls. Deteriorot plays a great style of old school death metal that is intense and well delievered.If you are a fan of  quality death metal then be sure to pick up a copy of The Rebirth today.                                                                                                 Deteriorot                                                                                                                                                      https://deteriorot.bandcamp.com/album/the-rebirth                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/Deteriorot                                                                                                         https://www.instagram.com/deteriorot_official/                                                                                           https://twitter.com/DETERIOROT_BAND                                                                                                 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ny9FQjDL2VGgaizM2lG3g                                                         Xtreem  Music                                                                                                                                              http://www.xtreemmusic.com/                                                                                                                     https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-rebirth                                                                                https://www.facebook.com/xtreemmusic666?fref=ts                                                                                  https://www.youtube.com/xtreemmusic                                                                                                      

Hisemtuks Himi.N-Witch Of The Night cd{Plague Demon Rec.} Done on 7-21-23

 

Witch Of The Night is the third full length release from Washington's Hisemtuks Himi.N.The songs on the new release continue the bands melodic black metal style of previous releases.The guitars are played flawlessly with some fast paced passages that are played with skillful writing.There are some creative and very well performed mid paced guitar passages.The drumming is done in the same vein with some fast drum passages.And some equally well played slower more melodic drum passages.Usually i am not a fan of keyboards in the newer bands of black metal but Nathen does a great job of creating and executing some well played keyboard passages.Witch Of The Night is a masterpiece of well composed melodic black metal if you are a fan of this genre do yourself a favor and pick up a copy today.                                                                                                                                                    Plague Demon  Records                                                                                                                                https://plaguedemonrecords.storenvy.com/                                                                                                   https://plaguedemonrecords.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                https://www.facebook.com/Plaguedemonrecords.net/

Putridity--Greedy,Gory Gluttony cd{Willowtip Rec.} Posted on 7-16-23

 

Italy's Putridity return with a brand new EP.Greedy Gory Gluttony  consits of four original tracks and a cover of Cannibal Corpse's Ecstasy In Death.The four  original songs are solid slabs of old school brutal death metal at it's best.The guitars range between extreme fast passages and some slower more mid paced guitar patterns.The guitarist does write some memorable patterns and adds some very well played solo's.The drums are executed with some fast drum passages that will pummel the listener into the ground.The drummer does slow to a heavier mid paced range throughout a few songs.The vocals are powerful death metal growls.Greedy Gory Gluttony is a must have for all who love brutal death metal at it's  finest.                                                                                                                                                   Putridity                                                                                                                                                        https://putriditydeathmetal.bandcamp.com/music                                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/PUTRIDITY.OFFICIAL/                                                                                Willowtip Records                                                                                                                                         http://www.willowtip.com/home.aspx                                                                                                          https://willowtip.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                                https://www.facebook.com/willowtip                                                                                                          https://twitter.com/willowtip                                                                                                                        https://www.instagram.com/willowtiprecords/                                                                                            

Intrepid--Slaying Of Sanity/Murder Of Mind digital release{Self-Released} Posted on 7-2-23

 

Intrepid are a old school death metal band coming out of Estonia.Slaying Of Sanity/Murder Of Mind is the bands latest EP. featuring five tracks of solid well performed death metal.Musically the band blends a great mix of fast death metal and some slower heavier mid paced passages.The vocals are traditonal death metal growls that are delievered with power.                                                                                   If you are a fan of well performed and delievered death metal then be sure to check out  Intrepid today you will  not be disapointed.                                                                                                                          Intrepid Contacts                                                                                                                                            https://intrepidest.bandcamp.com/album/slaying-of-sanity-murder-of-mind                                              https://www.facebook.com/IntrepidEST/                                                                                                    https://www.instagram.com/intrepidest/                                                                                                      

Mutual Hostility--Inhuman Anguish cd{Lethal Scissor Rec.} Posted on 7-1-23

 

Inhuman Anguish is the debut full length from Ohio's Mutual Hostility featuring nine songs.Musically the band delieveres a great debut with a mix of heavy mid paced sections and some faster more extreme passages.Each musician  can play their respected instrument with skill and power.The vocals are pure death metal growls that fit Mutual Hostility's style perfectly. If you are a fan of quality death metal then be sure to pick up a copy of  Inhuman Anguish today.                                                                                  Mutual  Hostility                                                                                https://mutualhostility.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                          https://www.facebook.com/MutualHostility                                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/mutualhostilitymetal/                                                                                        https://twitter.com/mutualhostility                                                                                                                https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1tPKIDnpiMLDlSj6strL2Q                                                              Lethal Scissor  Rec.                                                                                                                                      https://www.lethalscissor.com/                                                                                                                      https://lethalscissor.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                              https://www.facebook.com/lethalscissor/                                                                                                      https://www.instagram.com/lethal_scissor_records/                                                                                    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtp9zYaKp3SxTwd9kFAzsQ/featured