Misery Spell Interview

 

Lord Cold (LC) – guitar, vox, lyrics, ideas

Darkholder (D) – drums, bass, technical stuff

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

LC: Misery Spell is a duo from Saint Petersburg, Russia, formed in 2017. We play raw atmospheric metal. Every note and every word is our flesh and blood.

2. So far you have released 3 ep's, musically how do they all differ from each other?

D: Our first EP was mostly recorded at live session (drums & guitar, other instruments were recorded later) and self-mastered. We tried to achieve raw crispy sound. Musically it is in depressive raw black metal style.

Other releases also self-recorded track-by-track, but mastered by our friend (https://donewithfish.bandcamp.com/). They are more ‘atmospheric’ rather first EP and this is the path we chose as a mainline. However we are going to make some tracks in ‘raw’ style as it matches better to our musical ideas of them.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?

LC: Most often these are themes of mysticism, depression, nature, death and afterlife.

The lyrics of the last EP are based on stories and legends about the volkodlak warriors (analogy with the Scandinavian berserkers). This is the history of his path through the prism of pain, loss and suffering.

4. You have also covered some witchcraft themes with your lyrics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

LC: My interest is limited to the magical effects of alcoholic potions. Without joking, for many of those involved, the subject is taboo.

I'm rather just an observer. For example: Track “Болотные Огни” (“Swamp Lights”) about a real natural phenomenon that I happened to see. Night and an acid colored ball hovering over the swamp, isn't magic? Track “Колдовство” (“Witchcraft”) is about a curse, such an incident happened with my father in real life.

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Misery Spell'?

LC: For a long time our project did not have a name. At some point, the feelings and mental suffering that I have experienced were poured into this name.

6. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the current ep cover?

LC: All the covers of our releases were drawn by one artist - Valeria S.(https://sakseeva.bigcartel.com/) 

For the last EP I just asked to depict a rare natural phenomenon: the witch's circle. As a result, other details were added that made the cover more personal, this is the artist's merit.

7. With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

D: As was pointed out in first question actually we are a duo. Also we have session keyboardist, he helps us to bring our ideas in life from time to time. At different times we rehearsed with several bassists, but finally decided that it’s much easier to keep this project as a duo. Maybe in future we may found musicians to make live performances, but it is still a raw idea.

8. So far very little is known about the project, do you prefer to keep a lower profile?

LC: Yes, it is much more comfortable in the shadows. Actually we are not hiding, rather we do not impose. You can often observe how a boring copy is hidden behind beautiful words and images.

9. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

LC: There a few who showed interest in us. The last EP will be published on one Russian label soon. We are open to suggestions for cooperation.

10. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

LC: I haven’t seen any negative reviews or comments, it’s a little disturbing. Most interest was shown by listeners from the USA. Special thanks to them.

11.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

LC: At the moment we are starting to record a full-length album.

D: We are planning to release it in spring/summer 2022.

12. 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?

LC: I listen to music all the time, every day and hour. It will be difficult to compose the current playlist. Here are the projects that influenced me as a musician: Xasthur, Krohm,Deinonychus, Enslaved, Negura Bunget.

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