1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
Menschheitsdämmerung is, plain and simple, a one-man project. It has come into existence because I needed to articulate a feral emotion. That need has been solaced by expressing it through music and words.
2.A year back you had released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about your musical sound?
That EP, "Cleaver of Skies and Tenets", consolidates the unnamable hatred I felt at that period. Musically, we're not talking about extreme dissonances and pure evil (like, for example, Svartidaudi). The venom is in the lyrics - the instrumentals are trying to imitate and support the ideas. That's why the songs are -mostly- high-paced black metal; they have been composed with nothing but fury and relentlessness on my mind.
3.Your last recording was a concept album, can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrics that where on the last release?
The concept is a case study on human instincts, the perversion of the mind, the toothsomeness of domination and deceit. The lyrics, as you might guess by now, are the residue of past contemplations - I never had the intentions of publishing them or rehashing them after the release.
4.What is the meaning and and inspiration behind the name 'Menschheitsdämmerung'?
The moniker is based on the word Götterdämmerung, which means "twilight of the gods". Given the conceptual approach, a "twilight of humanity" seemed fitting. Later, I found out that Menschheitsdämmerung is also the title of a 1919 publication by Kurt Pinthus.
5.Currently there is only 1 person in this project, are you open to working with other musicians with this project, or do you chose to remain solo?
For the debut EP, there was no other option but to complete everything myself - for the reasons stated above. I never had the ambition to turn MHD into a live act, and all the instruments can be provided by me. Since composing and lyric-writing is the most singular and challenging experience in the process, I want to put my own soul in the music, not someone else's. Menschheitsdämmerung will remain my musical alter ego, for now.
6.The ep was released on No Sleep Till Megiddo Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Just like MHD, that label is a one-man thing. Behind the label is a great German guy, who is regularly releasing underground acts in small CD print runs. It's definitely rewarding to check out the catalog, there are some top-notch albums to be found (way better than MHD)!
7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
That's quite a dual situation really. Judging from the responses, people seem to either love it or hate it. Some have nothing but praise for the production and compositions, while others find it almost an abhorrence. Of course, the release wasn't actually promoted as such, apart from a few forum posts. All in all, not that wide an audience was reached.
8.Are you still involved with any other musical projects these days?
Yes, I'm a session guitarist and composer for the death metal band "Strange Facts in the Scalpel Case". I have participated on all the releases and gigs so far, although I can't predict how long the cooperation will continue.
9.When can we expect new material and where do you see this project heading into music wise in the future?
Currently, I'm writing a full album which will consist of eight tracks. Like the EP, it will tell a single story in the same conceptual framework. The thematic focus remains, but it will relate events in another cultural setting, in a different place and time.
My approach to songwriting has not been altered, and the idea persists to create compelling melodies with a basic one guitar configuration. Two tracks are already finished - the fast-paced elements are still prominent, but there are more mid-paced and atmospheric variations present as well.
10.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I can't sum up specific names, as I'm not trying to imitate anyone. Of course, everything I've ever heard might be an influence in one way or another. Some riffs that might make it on the new album, are in the line of the typical dragging, sweeping melodies like a.o. Nargaroth's. But again, I just try finding and using anything that sounds fitting.
Extreme metal is the essence of my playlists, with a few exceptions.
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Everything I deem necessary to acquire "mens sana in corpore sano".
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
For those interested: the entire EP can be streamed athttp://menschheitsdaemmerung.bandcamp.com/
Thanks for your time.
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