1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
We rised this project drawing inspiration from the Finnish school ( in particular behexen, Sargeist and Horna) but also giving a personal and distinctive touch to the sound at the same time.
2.You have your first album coming out during the end of March, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
We created a perfect sinergy giving each of us the opportunity to make his contribution. Starting with guitar, if SadoMaster (guitar) is a Finnish black metal connisseur, me in other hand i'm far more focused on Swedish and U.S. scene. I put my intellectual contribution in the composition of each song. Gibil (drummer) was also inspired by old school thrash style. The result is, so to speak, a personal and nuanced style. So our sound falls within the finnish one but, at the same time, has its own peculiarity.
3.Most of your music is heavily rooted in the Finnish style, can you tell us a little bit more about the decision behind going into this musical direction?
We chose to start from the Finnish style because was our real point in common about black metal, this is not an old school attitude choice. Even if i prefer Swedish and U.S. BM, it was also my first experience in a band. Having a project with other people involves limits in freedom of choice but, with the right sinergy, it also turns out to be a positive and satisfying experience that can produce great results.
4.Some of your lyrics cover occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
My interest took shape studying philosophy and religions at university, deeping certain lesser known aspects by my own. Ancient greek philosophy (Pytaghoras,Parmenides,Plato,Socrates) derives from the Eleusinian mysteries wich in turn derives from Osiriac mysteries. the various Gnostic currents are the continuation of this process wich then branched out into Hesychasm, Sufism and Yazidism. I also take care about esoteric Buddhism (Mahayana,Varja and shingon), Tantrism, Taoism and Bon. There are related aspects between various esoteric currents. In the contemporary world i consider Michael Aquino a true, sharp minded, philospher.
5.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
If symbols are tautological, as Ricoeur said, i also use allegory to represent aspects of reality beyond matter. As the lone lyrics writer, i don't set strict limits on the content. Said that's my approach and so will be in the next albums.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ghostly Aerie Coven'?
Both name and logo riassumes our sinergy and symbolize our style, sharp and evocative as the same time.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
iI's a terrifying figure like the three goddess of Trika or Anubis, his role is to melt wath is given for certain or motionless. The head of Christ ( the exoteric Christ, not the esoritc one ) represent the passive reception of things wich is a real cancer today. This kind of problem afflict black metal scene as the whole western society today. On one side some people are attached to old school imaginary like fervent Catholics to dogmas, on the other one the fashion of "being different" has taken old in an uncritycal way. Both are passive approach we abhor. The sound must be "characteristic" ( settling or not into a specific style, it's about giving a typical feathure to the sound ) , today many reviewers and listeners confuse and exchange "characteristic" with "experimental". "The Residents" is one the most important band for me so even if i really appreciate genuine experimental music, i warn this widespread vogue for innovation (as a an end in itself) as the death of experimentation itself. Simply, "experimentation" is ceasing to be experimentation.
7.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?
We had nine shows behind us before the vile lockdown.
8.The new album is going to be released on 'Vacula Productions', how did you get in contact with this label?
We contacted several labels, Vacula proved to be the most serious and efficient.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Generally very positive, we are having a great feedback.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We're a really good point with the second and third albums, so our prospects are flourishing.
11.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?
In addition to the ones mentioned before: Sielunvihollinen, Korgonthurus, White Death and Sarkrista. Said that, SadoMaster is involved in a DSBM solo-project ( Griverion ) and Gibil ranges between different genres in the metal as listener scene and has played in several projects (Eden Beast) as guitarist.
So, to respond to your question, first of all In Finnish scena i personally consider "The Poisonous Path" ( Behexen ) and the last three albums from Horna pure masterpieces.
Among Black Metal styles i listen first of all the Swedish and U.S.; Marduk, Watain, 1349, Erebus Enthroned ( Australians but really "Swedish") , Grafvitnir, Leviathan, Nightbringer and Black Funeral ( Ordog and Az-I-Dahak) just to name a few. Talking about Swedish style, i want to mention the great italian band "Noctifer". Honor and barbed wire ! Industrial Black Metal is another style i really appreciate, Aborym is another compatriot band i really value. I also listen Sludge and Death (U.S. , Brutal/Slam , Swedish and few Deathcore bands wich are really good like Rings of Saturn ). If i had to say wich band i prefer in the vast Death panorama, i would have no doubts about Demilich. I was mainly inspired in screaming by Jan L. from X-Fusion, a great and particular solo-project. So, i listen also any other musical genres outiside Metal like Industrial ( Coil, Deutsch Nepal...), old school electronic like Mort Garson, Darkwave, Post-punk, EBM , avant-garde ( Sleepytime Gorilla Museum in particular is a project i love ). I have also to mention Meads of Asphodel, Ajattara and The Vision Bleak wich are differents examples of wath it means to have a characteristic, indepent and not fully classifiable sound.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Making music implies ( or, should ) sincere expression without compromise.
Setian.
