1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
--Idolatry is just about to headline a black/doom festival called Black Mourning Light on Halloween. A grand ritual is planned for this. Once complete, we enter the studio to record our full length " Visions from the Throne of Eyes" as well as booking some touring in the USA in 2016
2.So far you have released an ep and have also been a part of a split, how would you describe the musical sound that is present on both recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
--we are fortunate to have Daemonikus Abominor amongst us as he is a sound tech by trade. On both recordings we sought a fine line of raw production that isn't overtly muddy and indiscernible. Akin to the sound of early Behexen/Sargeist albums. I personally feel he achieved this quite well.
On the 7" split with Unrest, we had a slightly new line up; with Valac Nocturnum departing and Lycaon Vollmond taking over guitars. There is an evolution
of sound between them in terms of dynamics I believe...
Also I had a wretched throat infection at the time of the recordings for the split. There is a noticeable sickness in my voice that we felt suited a single song release and the depraved subject matter of the lyrics.
3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
--there's a wide range of scope in lyrics with us... Periods in history that define Satanic virtue, crushing depression/despair, black magic/witchcraft, elements of nature that affect us... Anything that awakens our senses , unified by the values inherent in being ones own master and opposing anything alterior to such exaltation.
4.I have seen the term 'Atheistic Satanism' which is usually more influenced by Lavey, Neitzsche, and Rand, why did you choose this approach as opposed to theistic Satanism and also do you have any interest in other types of Occultism?
--absolutely. I consider Rand and Nietzsche to be the cornerstones of my philosophy. Rand is true Satanism in practice. Living, breathing and exerting Satanic values in real life. The true question of religion isn't god or no god, it's ability versus need at the heart of the matter. The needy are empty inside themselves and fabricate deities to absolve their short comings and errors; while the able... the truly powerful... Know that they are complete in and of themselves and don't need to seek anything from outside. Purpose and drive. That is the true Satanist. 'Satan' is Latin for 'adversary' and that's what Idolatry are... The adversary of religion. Theistic Satanism requires a believe in that which the senses cannot perceive and although many of their tenets are similar, Idolatry does not deal in esoteric solutions.
I enjoy the study of occultism and have done since I was very young, but I take it at face value. Whatever your emotional output conjures, your only realistic benefit is the expulsion of energies to that effect.
5.Recently the author Lord Matzigkeitus released a book of Satanic Poetry, can you tell us a little bit more about this novel and also are there any future writings planned?
--( I am him) the book is a poetic interpretation of living as a Satanist. Although the subject matter, which ranges from Death, despair, and witchery to harsh kinky bondage sex, does not solely center itself on Satanism itself, it does give an unfiltered viewpoint from one who has chosen to walk the left hand path with passion and no reservations.
The art is lavishly done by Jan Pysander Whitney who has done album covers for Drowning the Light. It's a great presentation overall I'm pleased with it. More is always in the works. 17 new entries at the time of this writing...
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Idolatry'?
--it is indicative of man worshiping Idols. That man must only worship himself as he is the vessel by which he experiences reality, and also as a mockery of those that would have fictions as their point of worship
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
--in Sudbury on tour earlier this year, Ash from legendary German black metal band Nargaroth was in attendance having heard our music beforehand. During the performance a pipe burst directly above the stage.... As workers frantically tried to temporarily patch the roof, fans motioned towards the door thinking the night was undone, but I ordered them to stay. I told them a story of how as we recorded " Of Myth and Shadow" we had struggled over a section of it, as we came outside to take a breather, the sky opened up and dumped it's fury and might on us. Lightening, thunder and heavy rain. I recorded the sound of it and we went back in and crushed the song in one take. As I finished the entire venue was enraptured by the story and the repairs had been made. We played through our set to a crowd greedy for each note. Ash recorded the performance and proclaimed that we were " the best black metal show he's seen in years" openly on the Nargaroth page the next day....
Our stage show is theatre, manic vicious energy and power. Using the imagery of the old ways of black metal. It can be seen on YouTube. Ash's video " Idolatry Waterfall Ritual"
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
--we are currently organizing shows and festivals in the USA and looking to Europe on the horizon.
9.Recently you where a part of a split with 'Unrest', what are your thoughts on the solo project that had participated on the recording?
--Destroyer from Unrest and I are currently working on my eponymous project Lord Matzigkeitus. I'm obviously a supporter of his work. Unrest is dirty, ugly and barbaric in an uncompromising manner. It's inaccessibility is also its appeal to me.
10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
--Internationally, response has been unbelievable. We currently have distribution deals in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and Brazil. As well as serious discussions regarding the future recordings with noted U.S. Labels. Aside from North America, our biggest supporters are in Latin America. The Latin fans are rabid and die hard. Very loyal and community driven in their support circles.
11.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects?
--Daemonikus Abominor plays in Blëed, a local death/thrash band who just released their album " the Hatred Inside" as well as excellent industrial band Ivardensphere who earlier this year unleashed "Fable"
I myself have been heavily active on projects of late... With the assistance of Destroyer of Unrest and a host of other spellcasters, I just completed the first Lord Matzigkeitus album" Isophillic Dementia Overture" which is an Xasthurian spoken word black metal record and am actively at work on its follow up " Poisonous Disengagement" which is to be in a more vicious vein. I'm also writing lyrics for and performing vocals on a black metal opera with a band called Sartoraaus out of Texas, USA. I'm also likely contributing to an upcoming Unrest album.
12.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
--Our full length will likely see an early 2016 release.
We shall stay the course musically with the dynamic black metal we have crafted thus far. Idolatry have discussed recording a grim, more sombre doom/dsbm EP in the fall of 2016. Some of the newer songwriting veers into that path. I doubt we could stray from the fury we perpetrate for too long though.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
--Idolatry has varying tastes overall. As a whole, for black metal, we gravitate towards the excellent bands coming out of the Finnish scene. Horna, Behexen, Sargeist, Satanic Warmaster come to mind. DA and myself are into harsh dsbm such as Nyktalgia, Silencer, Bethlehem etc... As well as him and I both love Twisted Sister and WASP.
Nox Invictus loves more ferocious guitar attack bands such as Angel Corpse, Belphegor and Aura Noir
Lycaon is into Swedish death metal, and black metal with folk elements like Windir, and Nokturnal Mortum.
Personally, I've been dwelling on Jim Morrison's spoken word poetry album "An American Prayer" and a murk and mire of Xasthur, Striborg and Leviathan, which are all heavy influences on my solo project.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
--" There is no eternal reward for wasting the dawn" JDM
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