1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
“Since recording the album in February of last year we’ve focused on performing our musick onstage and, very slowly, beginning the composing new material (as well as awaiting the actual release of the album, which takes time it seems). Presently we only have one completely new song written and rehearsed so as you can understand this process takes some time. Inspiration moves in waves, but recently I have quite a few new ideas we shall begin working on shortly. The goal is to have at least two more (new) songs done by the end of the year at least.”
2.You have a new album coming out in August, what are some of the things you feel you have done differently with this recording that you where not able to do with the ep that was released in 2015?
“Phantasmal Triunity is a natural continuation of what was begun on Conjuring The Red Death Eclipse. We spent a little more time recording it and as such it was room for adding more layers of stuff which enhanced the power of the musick, additional melodies and harmonies and a few other things which strengthened the material overall. There wasn’t a huge difference in the songwriting compared to the EP, just an overall improvement in it’s final form. We’re more or less happy with the result, although there is always room for improvement of course. You learn as you go after all.”
3.According to your fb page you refer to your music as 'deathly black metal', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?
“I see this as hinting at the role death as a spiritual (as in it’s not preoccupied with death in a literal physical sense) symbolism has in our musick and, more specifically, the lyrics. Although it might also refer to some influence from death metal in our musick. It’s a moniker that just sort of emerged when describing our musick, so I’ve not really analyzed it too closely to be honest. Perhaps it also indicates that we aren’t a typical Norwegian style sounding black metal as well.”
4.Your lyrics cover a lot of death and necromantic themes, can you tell us a little bit more about what both of these mean to you and also do you feel a lot of other black metal bands lyrically rely to much on the same topics that have been overdone over the years?
“It is hard to avoid clichés at this point in time. Ultimately one has to go with what happens in moments of inspiration without giving to much thought to whether or not it is original. But like with our musick I try to create our own thing rather than aping the works of others too much. The lyrics are a little harder to create in that respect, as trying to explain a certain mood or emotional state is harder with words than sounds, at least to me. The lyrics are of course of high importance though, so much time is spent working and re-working the lyrics.”
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
“The artwork is related to the title of the record and the lyrics contained therein. It represents the trinity of death, darkness and knowledge leading to the gateway to that which lies beyond our mundane senses. I am very happu with the artwork which was done by R.K.V of Obliteration. He really brought to life the vague idea I had for the cover, so respect should be given where respect is due. The cover art also represents the aura of the musick quite well too.”
6.I know that the band name comes from Hebrew, do any of the band members also have an interest in the Qlippoth?
“Yes, I’ve personally had/have an ‘interest’ (if such a word can be used) in the Qliphoth. I’ve worked with ritual techniques and meditations related to some of the ‘lower’ qliphas (Lilith and Gamaliel). This has in some cases yielded some peculiar and/or strange (even unpleasant) experiences that has both inspired the musick and lyrics of Nachash. I won’t proclaim an expertise or high level of adeptness in these matters, but if certain practices can bring about a change in ones state of mind and perception that again results in useful inspirations then I consider them valid, to put it that way. ”
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
“We are never totally satisfied with our performances, but our gig in Gothenburg as a part of the Abyss Festival in january was one where we felt most aspects of the show went well. Our last gig at Chaos Descends in Germany we were not that happy with, the sound on stage was quite terrible and some annoying mistakes were made on our part, and our overall performance were somewhat lacking (I felt anyway) unfortunately. But you get through it and learn from your mistakes. The festival itself was killer, though. Our stage performance is pretty stripped down and we focus of letting the musick consume us in a frenzy of headbanging and a simple surge of power. Hopefully inspiring the audience in the same way.”
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
“We aim to play some more gigs later in the year, but presently we have nothing planned/booked. So we shall see what offers come our way. We aren’t the most self-promoting of bands and we don’t really ‘beg’ for gigs after all. We’ve gotten a couple of tour offers thus far but the time has not been right. In the future a tour of sorts may take place but it depends. We shall see.”
9.The new album is coming out on 'Shadow Kingdom Records', how would you compare working with them to your older label 'Unborn Productions',?
“The guy behind Unborn Productions is a friend of ours and we appreciated his support in the early days. He heard some rehearsal recordings early on and wanted to release it when the time came, on cassette tape only originally. However when it came time to making a full-length we felt it was time to move on to a somewhat ‘bigger’ label, perhaps, and Shadow Kingdom seemed like an interesting deal. Although we weren’t exactly swamped with offers I should add, so that made the choice quite simple of course.”
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
“It has been quite well received thus far and we’ve seen somewhat of a spike in interest as our full-length has been getting closer to release. The few reviews of the album has been very good, so we shall see what happens. We’ve been growing slowly slightly more ‘known’ in the underground I’d say and the people with whom our musick resonates seem very into it.”
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
“ We shall just continue on the path we’ve chosen and improve upon and refine our sound. In the future we may experiment a bit with different rhythms and songs with alternate tunings. It’s not our goal to deviate in an extreme way as we are rather ‘old school’-minded at the end of the day. Ultimately it’s hard to predict until we are done with all the songs for a second full-length.”
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?
“Personally I’m influenced by heavy, thrash, death, doom and black metal, and elements of all of these find their way into our musick. I’m influenced by stuff from old Metallica to Master’s Hammer, although that doesn’t mean we sound like those bands. Old Samael, Slayer, Bathory, Morturary Drape, Grand Belial’s Key, Death SS, etc, etc. has also been important for me. But again, we don’t try to sound like any particular band, rather we use these influences to create as much of our own sound as possible. A cliché perhaps, but true nonetheless (everybody might not agree, but whatever.). As far as more recent bands go I am very into Malokarpatan’s latest album - Nordkarpatenland. It’s brilliant. Although I am still awaiting the vinyl version. I also believe the new Faustcoven album will be great.”
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
“Thanx for the support. Obtain our album and dissolve into the phantasmal triunity.”
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