1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?
1. Baneful Tongue is a Blackened Death Metal project. The project spawned out of the blue in 2023. A sudden spur of inspiration gave birth to some new riffs that did not fit anywhere in my projects at the time. I was determined that I would perform and record all the instruments.
2.Recently you have released a full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
2. The musical style kind of happened on its own. I did have in mind somewhat of a direction I wanted, if I were to make a new project. Bands like Teitanblood, Howls of Ebb, Black Curse sort of gave birth and inspired a more sinister "straightforward" sharp riffing. Not that those forementioned bands are "straightforward" but I wanted something less atmospheric and fast paced.
3.Previously you have recorded music under the name 'Nemesis', how does the music of 'Baneful Tongue', differ from your previous project?
3. With Nemesis, both the demo and the debut record, the songwriting is more elusive and atmospheric, there are plenty of riffs but the whole sound is more shrouded in dread and atmosphere. The Nemesis demo being the most primitive, Nemesis debut album kinda ramped up the dissonance and chaotic nature in terms of songwriting. With Baneful Tongue I wanted more of a straightforward approach, no holds barred mentality.
4.You also have experience playing doom and stoner metal with one of your previous bands, how do you feel the black and death metal styles you currently work with differ from the material you recorded with that group?
4. There are some similarities and some apparent differences. I feel, for me, the only difference is perhaps how the music is portrayed and performed. I like extreme music, and I believe extreme music comes in different forms. With Dunbarrow we went extreme in that regard in that we wrote exactly what music we wanted and we played it how we wanted no matter how unconventional it perhaps was perceived. We went for the protodoom obscure approach, rather than the more conventional 70's retro rock direction. It would be inane to say that that band had black metal elements but there are some parts and some songs that make me feel and also channel the darker influences. Take "Feberdrøm" for example, its just two acoustic guitars playing together but the chords and how the different sections connect, conveys a certain mood that I can trace to my own projects. Me and one of the other guitar players played that piece of music live together.
5.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with this project?
5. I do not consider myself a poet or a particularly good lyricist, nor a poett. I do try my best to read different litterature. The lyrics for this particular album are inspired by a lot of things and cover different themes. We all suffer, in one way or another, and suffering I think functions as a connective tissue. Suffering portrayed through music and lyrics provokes and incites some sort of connection between us. Some lyrics on this album were written in spur of the moment, and some kept as is. For me it is not that important to bring forth a message so to speak, it's more about how I view the world and fits with the music. Lyrics to me are about personal introspection, processing of certain emotions and thoughts. I would say though that the recurring theme throughout these six songs is severe criticism of religion and the flaws of Man, and the idols these people kneel before. I find it baffling what lengths people go to for what they call "salvation" and "heaven above".
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Baneful Tongue'?
6. Baneful Tongue is a name that, especially Baneful, was inspired by The Baneful Choir and the lyrical themes of DsO. I do not have any shame admitting my influences and try to be elusive. I find inspiration everywhere and I at least try to make it my own. I feel the name fits together with the musical expression of the album. It is sharp, poisonous and vile. For me at least, it has a certain ring to it. Baneful Tongue was the second thing I created after the first song, which coincidentally is the first song of the album.
7.In the band logo you have a sigil, do you have any interest in Occultism?
7. I have always found Occultism fascinating. And sigils, I find very intriguing and powerful. I am not a religious person, at all, but I like to believe that there is something, an unknown that makes us make art, in all shapes and forms. It can be litterature, music, paintings and the like. With Satan being the fallen angel, rejected for his rebellious ways, I do relate to that symbolism but not religiously. And for me, I channel my inner demons and project them through the dark arts in a musical form.
8.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
8. The artwork, excellently crafted by Belial Necroarts (Nuno Zuki). I had some imagery in mind and with the help of Belial Necroarts, we conjured this artwork together. I had in mind some sort of demon, an entity of the nightmarish sort. For certain periods of my life I struggled with having waking nightmares, hypnagogic hallucinations, very vividly. It felt poetic having an elusive slithery demon portrayed as the artwork.
9.With this project you record everything by yourself but have experience working with musicians in another band, do you prefer to work solo?
9. I have a lot of experience now, working solo and in a band setting. I have recorded several records in band settings, been on a lot of tours round and about. Later years I have found working by myself as freeing. I would love to try and practice and perhaps do some live shows with Baneful Tongue. Yet have I made the effort, nor is it a high priority as of right now Working and writing solo sort of happened through the years out of practicality because of the lack of people interested in making this sort of music I make, and also lack of connections to be blunt. Writing solo is convenient, there are no compromises to be made and you do not have to adjust anything for anyone. Of course writing and composing with a band has its charm and magic to it. Also having input and different takes of riffs and song parts are both rewarding and fruitful. Where I am personally and musically today, I find it rewarding to write whatever I want, and in the tempo I want and need. I have learned to be more critical of my riffs and sketches when I start writing. The way I write music though is very streamlined and focused, and I usually have a song ready pretty early. I try to write music every day.
10.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
10. Yes that is right. In this day and age there are probably thousands of OneManBands and they all want that record deal. I am one of them. You do end up sending a lot of emails to labels you see yourself as both a good fit and also labels that you really like and respect. So either the labels do not respond or they respond with that they do not have the time for another band/project. Which is fine, and understandable, and how the industry works. I do hope to be on a label one day with this project. So maybe if the word gets around, maybe a label will be willing to cooperate with me. I do this for myself, so it is a victory of sorts that I get to the point of releasing the music I make. I have a lot of music stored on my harddrive.
11.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
11. I do feel the general consensus of the reaction is positive, and I, of course, really appreciate that. I never expect positive responses, music, and especially the genre I operate in, the fans are particularly invested and passionate. A cool Youtube channel (Odium Nostrum) took its liberty and uploaded the album, which I think is a good sign.
12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
12. There is a lot of cool music I am looking forward to releasing. With Baneful Tongue I have a second album well under way, also an EP is in its infantile stages. The next Baneful Tongue installments will be more downtuned and brutal, faster and slower. Maybe those releases will make somewhat of an impact in this fruitful genre. Currently Nemesis is not on a label, but I do have two albums that are completed in regards to the music, only lyrics and recording it properly awaits. I haven't yet decided if Nemesis will have programmed drums or drums played by myself.
Musically I also operate under the names of The Sacrifice and Joy Heads, The Sacrifice being a proto/70s rock band and Joy Heads being proto-punk a la Joy Division, The Smiths and the likes. As a "live musician" I do perhaps have some cool gigs but nothing is announced yet, so I cannot speak of it.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
13. Depending on the project but regarding Baneful Tongue, I would have to cite Teitanblood, Black Curse, Howls of Ebb and DsO. I would have to mention Leviathan (USBM), DsO, Svartidaudi, Taake regarding Nemesis. Currently I am listening a lot to Krzysztof Penderecki, Car Bomb, Teitanblood, Deathspell Omega, Mithras, Witchcrafts debut album, Phurpa, Altarage, Rope Sect. Penderecki has a particularly musical impact as of late, I have listened to him and his works for some time. It invokes certain emotions and reactions, Utrenja and Die Teufel von Loudun being prominent.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
14. I want to thank you for both this interview and review of my album. A cool experience to be able to speak my mind through these questions. World, keep on suffering!
https://banefultongue.bandcamp.com/album/baneful-tongue
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