There's not much to tell, as there is only one EP so far. I am, or have been involved in certain other projects, including Horla, live duties for Wytchfilth, and most recently Soulphernus. Oppress. is a project in the vein of Mayhem, Aura Noir, Urarv, DhG ,1349, Corpus Christii, etc. The music for the current demo was recorded in the summer of 2018. There is more material in the works, which I will sit on until there is enough for a full-length album. My intention with the music is to do what the name says: oppress.
2.So far you have released a demo, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
The answer to the question above gives you some clues to the overall sound. I like to wrong-foot the listener from time to time in different ways. There's nothing technical here, nothing could be less interesting to me, but I'm also not interested in only giving you the same things you can get elsewhere. I used a very un-metal guitar to get a "nagging" tone because I want the listener to feel unwelcome, unsure, not quite at home in the comfortable world of "black metal". I used a mix of different vocal styles, grunting, croaking, gurgling, hissing, because that run-of-the mill BM shrieking gets boring quickly now that we've all heard it a million times on a million other records.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with your music?
Sex and death. Mass-murder-perversion, nuclear war and orgasm, fetishism of mass-extinction. Paradox. Insane desire for what is not possible. Transcendence - but downwards, not up. The lyrics are available to read on bandcamp, so find out for yourselves.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Oppress.'?
"Oppress." is an instruction to me: oppress the listener. Oppress. is not only about moronic blasting, it is sadistic, it withholds pleasure, it pleases itself with your discomfort. Future releases will go much further in this direction.
"Oppress." is an affront to the rational autonomy of my audience. I order you to do something "immoral".
"Oppress." is an order issued to the listener that they cannot help but obey in their daily lives, in small, subtle ways that they would rather not think about. It amuses me to make people sit with the thought of their own guilt, and then laugh at them for it.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the demo cover/
It's an absurdist dick-pic. The two symbolic meanings of the horn we all know. The meaning of the picture is your reaction to it.
6.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to remain solo?
We'll see.
7.Online there is very little information on the internet with no metal archives page or any social media, is this intentional?
Sure, why not.
8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Not actively, no. I can do without the hassle of extra paperwork. Maybe once I have enough material for another release.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Who cares what those idiots think! ;)
In all seriousness, it's early days, it's only the first title by Oppress. and the demo has been out for no longer than a week or two, so we'll see.
10.Are you also involved with any other bands or musical projects?
Yes. I am working on an industrial/noise/black metal project with old co-conspirator K.H. of Wytchfilth, in the vein of Blut Aus Nord, Gnaw Their Tongues, etc. I have various releases with other projects in the pipeline, too, but I won't say anything about those here.
11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?
Headlining at Glasto, appearances on chat shows, celebrity friends, a "featuring" track with Jay Z or Kanye, a legal dispute with Taylor Swift, money, glamour, fame...
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?
I already mentioned the main sources of inspiration above in Q1 and Q10. But also: The Arrival of Satan, Death Worship, Revenge, Axis of Advance, Throne of Katarsis, old Leviathan (USA), the other Leviathan (SWE), Antediluvian, Aosoth, Vhernen, Xasthur, old Deathspell Omega, White Medal, Lucifericon, Sonne Adam and a million others.
Non-metal stuff too like Boards of Canada, Burial, Death's Dynamic Shroud, Merzbow, Mars Volta, Keeril Makan ("the noise between thoughts"), Rued Langgaard ("music of the spheres") Penderecki, Ligeti, Mussorgsky, Berlioz.
Anything dark, mocking, obnoxious, evil.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Nothing especially.
Thanks,
OG
| Bandcamp |
| YouTube |
.jpg)
