Arrealhue Interview

 

Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

To give an update about what we are preparing in secrecy you must have in mind this number: “II”. We are working in two big productions, one of them will be released in early 2023, and the other maybe in two years. We can`t give you more info – mostly because we don`t talk about what we are working until is near to be finished – so bangers must be alert.

2. Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Previously we released an EP with 4 songs, 3 of those are included in the LP. What is different is mostly the sound and interpretation maybe, but are the same in general.

3. This is also your first release in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during this time frame?

We made “Post Lux Tenebras” LP during pandemic, recording between quarantines with all the typical difficulties from it. So, all was belated because we wanted to release the album in 2020. But despite all the delays, we loved the result. 

4. In one interview you also mentioned an interest in the myths and legends of Chile and South America, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

Mal Cristiano as a composer always was interested in mythology from his early years, reading and researching about legends from his country and the south. Fascinated with the richness of this cultural heritage, begins a hard work to understand and connect ancient stories, having as a goal to discover the origin of them and the concepts behind this imaginative tales.  “Post Lux Tenebras” in resume, is the beginning and also the end of this research.

5. Lyrically you also covered some European Paganism on the new album, how would you compare this region with the myths and legends of your homeland?

As inhabitants of South America, Arrealhue´s work is inevitably influenced by two sources: American native`s culture and European culture. The latter influence arrives to our country mostly with the Spanish conquest and all European activity, including Greek, Nordic, Celtic and even Slavic stories among others. This mixed during 500 years with local tradition and generates a unique sorcery tradition and a grim set of legends that we consider as one of our missions spread it into the world.

6. What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

Personal experiences, philosophy, nature, human nature, transcendence and so on.

7. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Arrealhue'?

“Arrealhue” is a concept from the ancient sorcerers of this land. As we always post in a lot of places was the “warlock’s scream before flying” using their magical abilities. Etymologically, “arre” is a word used to order to an animal - a horse for example - to begin to walk, and “alhue” is a native’s word that means “ghost”, meaning something like "spirit, fly!". As you can see, this name contains the mixture that we talked about in a previous question, trying to bring to life a long tradition of witchcraft that remains untouched until these days. 

Further, we can add some interesting things about the nick names of some band members: for example, “Mal Cristiano” means something like “evil” Christian, but in our slang meant something like “unchristian” or “unbeliever" and was a popular nick name for sorcerers. 

The rest of the members nick names refers to ancient archetypes from our country tradition, and the musicians as a whole are “The majority”, the name of warlock’s organization that operated in the past in south of America. 

8. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

It was made through two years, not because was difficult to draw, but because was difficult to gather all the concepts that we wanted to portray in the cover. Is a depiction of an ancient warlock in his context and with its symbols, a reunion of elements containing his mysteries and knowledge. That’s why, as an example, you can see at his back an erupting volcano or an eight-pointed star being fully dominated by his hand.

9. So far, the band has not done any live shows, are you open to the idea in the future?

We are always open to good show proposals, but is a little difficult in our country because the poor development of our cultural scene in general. We are interested in big production proposals, with a real interest in the band and his concepts, and with dignity for the musicians. For example, here we don`t even have laws that compels producers to pay the band for their show. We have a lot to develop this in our country, so in the meantime, we do decide to not perform live here until some minimal conditions are assured.

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

Incredible. A lot of fans making us know that they love our music. Even in a review in Germany, despite the language gap, the reviewer describes the music exactly as we imagine it. That was surprising for us and make us to realize that we are walking the right way.

11. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Working, working, working. There are a big number of things to say, melodies to play, images to show and situations to record.

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?

As a band, every member has their own style choices. As a composer, Mal Cristiano is influenced by Death and Black Metal (e.g. Dark Funeral, Immortal, Nile, Vital Remains, Borknagar and others), Chilean folk music and even classical music. He is interested nowadays in the proposals of bands like Akhlys, Aosoth, Aevangelist, the Ruins of Beverast and other great bands arisen in the last 10 years.

13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Only to thank to Occult Black Metal Zine for their interesting questions and invite the people to follow the band in all our internet media an RRSS:

FACEBOOK FANPAGE: https://web.facebook.com/arrealhue/

FACEBOOK: https://web.facebook.com/malcristiano.arrealhue  

INSTAGRAM: @arrealhue

BANDCAMP:  https://arrealhue.bandcamp.com/releases

SOUNDCLOUD. https://soundcloud.com/arrealhue

OFFICIAL EMAIL: arrealhuefolk@gmail.com

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/arrealhue

“POST LUX TENEBRAS” VIDEOCLIP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87kjKtp2SNs

You can hear ARREALHUE in the following digital sites: Itunes, Spotify, Google Play, CdBaby, Amazon, Deezer, Shazam, Rhapsody and many more.