1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new ep?
There is always lot of work to do if you are going to release some new stuff thoroughly. For our part we spent some time and effort to create visual material which always has been an important element of V/Haze Miasma besides the music. And additionally we´re already working hard on songwriting and recordings for our second full-length album.
2.You have a new ep coming out in January, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Hard to judge by ourselves… But from my point of view it is rawer, darker, more emotional - but at the same time it appears to be more coherent, as if we just found the right path to go on. On „agenda:endure“ everything happened extremely spontaneous and impulsive. „Nebula“ still is very versatile, no track compares with another, but there’s a specific dark mood that is maintained over every single minute, no matter what instrumentation is used or if there are vocals or not.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
The key element and impetus of V/Haze Miasma was and probably always will be the beauty and force of nature. But also its vulnerability which consequently leads to wrath and resignation concerning human´s constrained but likewise ignorant and destructive dealing with it. This also includes addressing the narcissistic and exploiting temper of mankind when it comes to getting along with each other. And besides that the lyrics are always driven by self-doubt and dark personal and depressive feelings nobody is fully spared from.
4.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?
Like the music the artwork for „Nebula“ this time is entirely done by ourselves. More precisely it is the elaboration of the first layout of my long time life companion, Regine, who had the awesome vision to combine the geometrical circle element of „agenda:endure“ with the visualization of our mutual desire for mountains, wilderness and nature.
5.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?
To be honest, V/Haze Miasma started as a studio project and for different momentarily reasons I don’t see V/Haze Miasma entering a stage within the next months. But you know, things always change and develop very quick, and in a way I always liked the imagination of bringing this sound live on stage, far back in my mind. So never say never…
6.Currently you are signed to 'Supreme Chaos Records', are you happy with the support that they have given you so far?
Robby and SCR are great! I didn’t really care about labels when I started V/Haze Miasma as I appreciated mostly the freedom of just doing what we wanted, fully independent of any pressures of the music business. But I’m a fan of the idealistic approach of Robby and SCR, so this was kind of a first choice and we are super proud SCR are working with us in a growing collaboration where we still manage many things on our own. And I know there are many problems small labels like SCR are facing at the moment as the situation isn’t easy for everybody. So, to answer your question shortly: Yes, we are happy - even if we are still waiting for our re-release of „agenda:endure“ to finally please all the vinyl junkies out there, hehe!
7.Do any of the band members have any experience playing in other bands?
Oh yes, lots of! We each are still very busy in other bands and projects - most of them quite different to V/Haze Miasma. Roar (drums) plays in uncountable metal bands like Empyreal Sorrow (together with Wisdom), Revanchist and Meister Ehder. Shine (our clean vocals) is part of a fantastic - hold on - Irish folk band (Tir Nan Og) and does all the flutes, bagpipes there (and some backing vocals)! Wisdom (bass and producing) and Atmosphere (me, guitars and songwriting) are musical soulmates for almost 20 years now, played many years in bands like Shapeshift (Progmetal) and Gloomball (Modern Metal) together, spent endless times in rehearsal rooms, narrow vans on tour and shared many stages together. Not least we are sharing the same passion for dark and atmospheric music. I´m convinced this still is the basis for our current musical creativity.
8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of post black metal?
We still are pure underground! Which is great - but also means there aren’t so many people out there who know us at all, I guess. But the reactions we received for „agenda:endure“ were overwhelming. I mean, we really enjoyed reading great reviews in common print magazines like Rock Hard, Legacy or Metal Hammer as well as in some nice and enthusiastic fanzines. But the essence of humbleness is to get direct reactions from individual persons who apparently just feel the same way while listening to our music as we do while writing it. And I can tell you - songwriting for V/Haze Miasma means emotional struggles and exhaustion…
9.When can we expect another full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
As I said before, we are already working on the new album stuff so I’m confident there will be a new album in 2023 (as you know - everything needs its time). I think if you listen to „agenda:endure“ and „Nebula“ you’ll get quite a hint where our path is leading. But we ourselves are most of all surprised about the outcome when the last note is played and the last line sung on our recordings. So just let it happen!
10.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?
I think you can hear some of my very personal roots in V/Haze Miasma. I never created music so close to my soul as it happens here. I always loved extreme music and especially was fascinated by the intensity and emotiveness of black metal bands like Satyricon or Emperor. But at the same time I grew up with Grunge and all this Seattle stuff - which for me isn’t a contradiction. I think I just always liked intensive and emotional music. Today I listen for example to Ghost Brigade, Der Weg einer Freiheit, Katatonia, Enslaved, Cult of Luna, Behemoth, Solstafìr and all the fantastic Icelandic black metal stuff like Audn, Sinmara, Almyrkvi etc. but also to more progressive stuff like Ihsahn, Leprous or even the great Pain of Salvation. But you know there is so much good music out there. I´m also very into smooth stuff like Madrugada, Emma Ruth Rundle or PJ Harvey.
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Definitely being outdoors, going for a hike, enjoying forests and mountains, being one with nature. And I still love to hang out on festivals - oh wait, that’s music again!
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
It still is a miracle to me when people show serious interest for our music and art. So thank you for letting me chat about it and THANK YOU ALL for reading until this last words and giving „NEBULA“ a shot in January!
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