1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Well, we played live at Hellfest 2016, then we released our “initium belli” mcd in 2017, a split LP with NATURE MORTE by the beginning of 2020 and in between all of this and july 2021, we composed, recorded and mixed the new album, released on the 8th October, after something like 3 years of work. Usually we are not so busy but this time, as you may notice, we’ve done many things.
2.Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
We would say that there is nothing deeply different from before. “Sidereus Nuncius” is to “The Hierarch” what “The Hierarch” was to “Contemptus Mundi”. Musical and genuine evolution without trying to re-invent the wheel or whatever. Somber parts are darker and much more violent maybe, altough the most atmospheric ones are clearly more sharpened, more ethereal and dwell in a melancholic dimension we didn’t reach that far until now… We worked harder than never on the guitars parts, drums and bass. The vocals are more diversified, and we increased a lot on the work of sound. But that’s the job of D, and he did more than well we think. But all in all we didn’t plan anything, things happen the way they happen, we don’t think really about how we are sounding like.
3.Some of the lyrics on your new album touch on occult and esoteric themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?
We see what you mean, but actually occultism and esoteric stuffs are just a door to enter the universe of “Sidereus Nuncius”. We have never been as HEGEMON into occultism that much. There are interesting things but more on the philosophical aspect of it. We don’t believe in God, so we do not believe in Satan either, and we don’t believe in anything at all. But to use arcanes of occultism allows us to cast a different view on the topics we deal with. It’s a kind of entrance ticket to our minds, a tool to appreciate what we are talking about. But that’s not the only one.
4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with your music?
All lyrical topics deal with mankind and its way to self destruction, annihilation and greed. We reject everything that enslaves Man, be it religion, politic, money, greed, power, media, TV, ignorance...And many more. We have always been fascinated by that! We try to seek through the mists of human history, be it shamanism, ancient beliefs, cosmological representations, philosophical and scientific discoveries, how we deal with Chaos. Chaos seems to be the ruler of the way things work out throughout the universe. Chaos reigns and should share the throne with order. Humanity has always fought what we call chaos, instead of trying to tame and accept it. Doing the perfect contrary made us all crazy, frustrated and insane. We try with our modest music to spread this idea that mankind should absolutely refuse any kind of enslavement! We are talking about that idea of total freedom since the day we founded HEGEMON. We reject all dogmas, all forms of oppression. Seeking truth and freedom are the only path to tread. Everything else is useless… That’s at least the core of our philosophy. We don’t pretend knowing the truth, we don’t preach, we have nothing to teach, we just see things evolving around us and we ask questions. We don’t talk for everybody, just for us.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hegemon'?
There is an idea of a warrior ruling himself and imposing to the others his own path. Domination not to be a leader, but to be totally free. Freedom of act, speech, thought and mind. We deeply cherish our liberty, in our everyday lives or in the metal/ musical scene. We walk alone along our own way... And remember that back in 1996 when we choose the name we were only 20. So you can easily imagine we wanted to have a « conquering » name ! But it still fits us today, and that’s a pride.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
David Thierree created it and he made a fantastic job. He is a very sincere artist. This tower represents everything that has been enslaving men since the dawn of times, as we told earlier: religions, politic, money, greed, power, media etc… And all people are gathering around it, running to it as if it was their “salvation”... This tower symbolizes the ultimate temple of the ultimate god to worship, the one that will erase us all definitely : and this god is simply ourselves, Us, the entire humanity. We are worshipping ourselves, this is the end, the real one. We are so pathetic, WE, human beings! And I count ourselves in them...
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?
Undoubtely our show at the Hellfest 2016! That being said, you must know that throughout our 25 years of existence, we barely played live more than 15 times. So we play quite a few, don’t we? What to expect from our shows? No make up, no dress code, no fire, no nothing indeed! We just deliver the energy that flows in us, we put all our anger and feelings into the show...And let’s roll! This is pure fucking energy, no theatrical performance. It’s just like we are in life, simple, straight to the point and sincere.
8.The band has been around since 1996. What is it that motivates you to keep going after more than 25 years?
Music and only music, the pleasure to play together for 25 years, A, F and I (N) and the freedom to express ourselves the way we want, when we want and if we want! These are the only golden rules here at HEGEMON. We just want to create black metal the way we feel it, we breathe and live it. This is it.
9.Last year you were a part of a split with 'Nature Morte', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?
First of all NM are the almost only friends we have in the scene. That’s, in the first place, why we wanted to release something together for quite a long time. And the fact that they play a totally different kind of black metal than us is also very important: a fresh young modern band sharing wax with an old bunch of crappy warriors from the underground is a tasteful pleasure. Being where we aren’t expected is always attractive.
10.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of black metal?
We don’t really know yet. It’s too early but the few reactions we could collect seem to be positive. Wait and see...But it has no matter anyway, as usual, it won’t prevent us from making music again. Of course it is satisfying when the reactions are good, but when we face negative comments, it’s normal. Our music can not please every body, and that is a very good point.
11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
We won’t discuss about that as it doesn’t concern HEGEMON, sorry.
12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
No idea. We will continue doing things as we have always done. Following our instinct, composing and creating freely, without pressure, this is exactly how we are considering HEGEMON. A space of total liberty. As long as the flame will burn, we’ll burn with it. So we’ll be where the winds will carry us…
13.What are you listening to nowadays?
I got the chance to work in the “world” of music so I can discover many great bands in many different genres. By now I mainly listen to THE DEAD SOUTH 1st album, but also the new AORLHAC, SERMON OF FIRE, TINARIWEN, ARCHGOAT, LEONARD COHEN live London 2008, THE MURDER CAPITAL, DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT and more… And I always have a classic ready to be spinned, like IMMORTAL, EMPEROR or BOLTTHROWER, MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE etc… I spend hours a day listening to music.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
First things first, thank you for your time and ITW. We have nothing special to say, except maybe don’t listen to anybody, do your stuff and the rest is of no important matter…
OCULOS HABENT ET NON VIDEBUNT.
Thanx man for your time, always nice to see someone appreciating our universe.
Cheers
N
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