Imperial Truimphant Interview

> 1. Can you give us a brief history of the band?
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Phlegethon: We came to conception in the year 2005 A.D. in the EmpireState, New York City. I am the founding member. After a year of writing music we became a performing outfit with the addition of bassist Naagryl and drummer Maelstrom. Our company was made whole with the final member joining, Amarok on cello. Then in the winter of 2008 they parted with Maelstrom and hired the mighty Aleksandr to man the skins. From 2007-recent we've been playing local clubs around the city and recorded songs for our debut album.>

2. How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you> before?
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Naagryl: Imperial Triumphant plays viking war metal with a thrash edge, and we mix our dynamics from a brutal blasting assault to epic melody. We choose to create a very grim and medieval atmosphere.>

3. Were did you come up with the idea for the band name?
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P: I was born in raised in New York City. The Empire State. The greatest city in the world. I was born into a family of nobility. So naturally I have the desire to conquer and see the world as my throne.Also we are from the USA which has a history rich in imperialism.Imperial Triumphant is the perfect name for us because it reflects our music exactly as it sounds. Two moods. Imperial aggressive speed and triumphant melodic glory.
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4. Have you received any label interest yet?

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N: I've been working to put together a comprehensive promotional kit,which is almost complete. We've received good criticisms from a few,and we're slowly getting the word out more and more. With all the virgin blood we spill for Odin, a contract doesn't seem far off.
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5. What are some of the best shows that you have played so far?
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N: My favorite show we've played was our last one, the first round of a battle of the bands at Sullivan Hall in NYC. It was our first with Aleksandr behind the kit and we absolutely murdered our set. Our armor was brutal as fuck and our corpse paint was utterly grotesque. I also vomited acid blood all over the audience and they fucking drank it all. The judge had no choice but to let us conquer.
P: My favorite gig was a local school show we did. Most of theaudience was made up of little kids. All the other bands were playing guns and roses acoustic covers  and then we came onstage in full armor and corpse paint. I torn up a bible and then we played our set whil eall these little kids were crying.
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6. How would you describe the musical progress over the years?
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P: It only gets stronger. We're progressively getting more darker and technical. We have been and always will be pushing for faster speeds.I really like the idea of black metal with guitar solos because there isn't much of that. Lately Naargryl writes a lot of melodic stuff while I take care of the darker more atonal riffs. I'm currently enrolled in a music academy where I am learning so much and when we get the money to record another album it will be the most epic work.
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7. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?
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P: My lyrics reflect my favorite parts of ancient medieval history and mythology. We are skalds who spin tales of war and combat. A lot of songs have to do with either vikings, epic battles, raping nuns and/or raiding monasteries.
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8. What are your main influences music wise or non music wise?
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P: Empiricism, ancient and medieval history and mythology.
N: Frost covered landscapes and pagan tradition, heathenism and the brotherhood of northern blood.
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9. What are you listening to nowadays and what are some good bands or
> releases that you would recommend?

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P: Sturmkaiser, Frostmoon, Justice, Nile, Bathory and Immortal(forever), Hate Forest.
N: Ulver, Branikald, Kroda, Bloodrain, Bethlehem, and Windir
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10. Are there any plans for a tour?
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P: We plan to tour in the next summer provided the gods give us their blessings.
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11. What rule does the Norse Gods play in the band's music and life?
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N: The gods of the Northern Pantheon are very near to us and have helped us greatly as a band in exchange for our undying loyalty. We give praise and sacrifice unto them as it seems fit, and they and the Norns have granted us great fortune. We invoke them before every show or important moment, and they guide us with omens and grace us with victory
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12. Are there any good books or films that you would recommend?
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N: We read the traditional sagas and eddas for inspiration andstrength before battle. Our favorites are the Heimskringla and theVolsung Saga. My favorite films are Dead Alive, The Big Lebowski andThis is Spinal Tap.
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13. How would you compare the metal scene in New York to other states?
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N: Metal in New York is a diverse thing. There are a lot of scene wigger pussy slamcore bands like everywhere else, but there is also the New York Death Militia, which is very powerful in the underground here. Since we're in the city, we have a lot of opportunities to play shows at great venues, but there's a great lack of dedicated black metal warriors like ourselves.
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14. Any final words?
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N: Victum Panton!
P: Meekness is weakness and strength is triumphant.
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15. Thanks for the interview?
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N: Thank you, the gods shall be with you.P: May you die with your sword in hand.-- Thanks, Phlegethon and Naargrylcheck out our music at myspace.com/imperialtriumphant