1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording and release of the new album?
Since the release of the album, I am currently focusing on my first live performance, I managed to get in touch with a few friends to be session members, and since then we are focusing on rehearsals, and practice to be ready, approximately the live performance will be maybe in about a 1 or 2 months from now.
Apart from that, I am currently working on my next album, it should contain around 8 or 9 tracks, one track is finished, and 3 other tracks have a clear structure and few riffs already recorded. I am not sure when it will be released, but there is steady progress.
2.Recently you have released your second full length, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have done in the past?
The first album was highly personal, it was pure and raw emotions translated to music, it was not Oriental in nature, it was way too open, there was no predetermined notion, -in more informal words- i just feel some stuff, and play the instrument and record. It was more like a diary than an album, The subject is a person, and the whole album is dedicated to them (Lyr'tha).
In contrast the second album was predeterminedm i wanted it to be Oriental in nature, singing fully in arabic, using arabian scales and trying to touch down to my origins, it was a really old idea since i was a teenager, and i kept composing music in that genre for way too long before i choose to actually record and release, it still personal, as it touches my own existential crisis, and the Morality of life in a sense i was using vivid imagery and abstract concepts more to transmit the ideas behind it.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the new release and also how would you describe your progress as a songwriter over the years?
The lyrical topics, revolve around existentialism, death, and personal experiences, metomorphed in a surreal mood, concepts that i often think about, ideologies that i adopt and sometimes even the lack of them, the first track is called La'anat Al-Woujoud, which translate to the 'The Curse of Existence' it is self explenatory, life have been hard on me, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic depression, and the harsh reality of existence, are the core of that album, it is me having a conversation with someone sharing how i see the world, in a nutshell thats what the lyrics of the album are about.
i am not sure if i can assess my progress in songwriting, i love to write, either be it stories or poems, i feel like i am getting better at producing the words to match exactly what i think, as i have a huge problem in that aspect, and i think writing songs, helps to improve in that regard.
4.I know that the band's name means 'Manhole' in Tunisian Arabic, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?
Well , I live in a Manhole, not in the physical sense, but imagine yourself trapped inside a manhole with all the disgusting fluid and the thick air inside, that's how I feel by being alive. Since the project is personal, and is a reflection of myself, the name is more related to me than the musical style.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Initially the album cover was hand drawn since i am a painter as well, then digitized to be able to use it for the album, i have a small obsession with portals, and i always wish there is any way or sense, me going through a portal to another place and just leave everything behind me, that album felt like an escape and that's it, it's simple and there is no deep meaning behind it.
6.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?
Well i am a bit conflicted in that regard, i would love to work with other musicians, but i think only in collaborations, or feats, and actually i would love to collaborate, and make music with other artists, but as i mentioned before, since it is way too personal, i need it to be exactly as i feel or as i think of it, and to be honest ordering people around to make things the way i want it to be is not fair, so i try not to drag anyone with me in Gomma, because i can be a little bit fanatic, to have it my way, but you can never know, maybe the idea evolve or change in the future, for now, i have a lot to say to the world and i have to do that on my own first.
7.The new album was released on 'Hypnotic Dirge Records', how did you get in contact with this label?
A friend of mine, The Founder of the local Trve Black Metal Band 'Valak' put me in touch with 'Black Metal Artists' we have been in contact for sometime, then and i did my first interview with them, by time they became my Business manager, and they put me through with HDR, they were interested in my music, we exchanged few emails, and they adopted me, and they were so supportive since then.
8.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
To be honest, better than I expected, I received great reviews and opinions from listeners and artists, Oriental metal, and Arabic singing in Metal, is not that common, so in a sense it was able to attract attention.
9.Very little is known about underground metal bands in your home country of Tunisia, are there any other bands or musical projects you would recommend from your home country?
Definitely, The black metal scene in Tunisia have not been alive for the past years, but few of the bands are reviving it currently, and it is an honor for me to be part of that, It all started when Lord Vladimir the frontman of Valak, initiated the split album containing around 15 Tunisian Black Metal Bands, and there is a sense of sharing and pushing each other forward in the current state of the scene, which is helpful, My to go bands would be, Valak , Amor Fati , Tree Of Lies and Guros
You can find the Split Album here if you are interested in the Tunisia BM Scene : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdGLUKQNjAk
10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
To be honest i do not see it heading into something fixed, but more a descent into deeper depths of my self, i think the further i go the more uncompromised the music will be, each album should feel like its own entity that is necessary to the whole imagine Gomma have Dissociative Identity Disorder and each album is one of those identities. if i have the funds and the necessary support there is a very far idea of having an animation serie about the band, as for me each album is a person, i am working on painting the characters now, and i already wrote a chunk of it but this is a dream that i am not sure it will be realised to be honest.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays?
A lot, people sometimes assume that since i do black metal i am a fanatic to that genre, but to be honest that is not true for me atleast, currently i am listening to 'Nusrat Fath Ali Khan' a pakistani Qawwali Musician , Gorillaz , Nifrost , Dunhaim , Heilung , The works of Mick Gordon , Boko Yout , Glass beams and alot more, listening to music is a daily thing for me, it's part of a routine, it's instinctive like breathing.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
I would love to thank everyone who supported me, it makes me happy even if 5 persons hear my music and enjoy it, i did not expect this to be honest, big thanks to HDR as they are so supportive and kind, hopefully this will reach more people and they hear and understand my message, in a sense i am just venting, and everyone on earth is my confident,
Thank you,
https://www.instagram.com/gomma_owlficial
.jpg)
