Temple Of Baphomet Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

ToB is a satanic black metal band/project (from Denmark) that has been around for like 15 years or so.
I am Lord Beezanborgh, main man and grand magus of the Baphomethean Temple of Old and you may know me as the vocalist from bands such as Rex Satanachia, Skyggesjæl and Diabolicum Mystica. For those new to my stuff; what may be noted with ToB is: That "we" are one of the very few serious satanic bands left on these parts !
So ToB´s primarily function is to act like a medium for diabolical spirits - to manifest there presence through vibrations and
to carry hidden messages out to our kind - scattered as they may be! And after a too long and involuntary break - I now re-present Temple of Baphomet to you all. The gates to the temple is open once again !!!

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new EP and how it differs from the previous recordings?

The sound/style is very ritualistic and has been so since the beginning. But this particular recording has got more
of a "theatrical" feel to it and also going into some serious minimalism to achieve a deep meditative effect.
The biggest difference from this one and previous efforts is the production. As this EP represents a big step forward production vise and was a much more professional session. Before there was absolutely no budget and I just used the gear that was available at the time. Now, I am so privileged to have a much more professional set up and a lots of experience to pull from too - Which is very noticeable with the new tracks!

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

The main topic has always been rituals and magic; from a satanic perspective! But a returning theme is also that of metaphysical journeys and spiritual progression. This new one is no exception. The overall topic of "In morbid fascination of Sathan" is Necromancy and loss of humanity - and it may be either positive or negative - depending much on the listeners perspective. And of cause the title track, is pretty much self-explanatory. An ode to the Devil.....

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

I originally formed ToB under a much longer and complicated moniker, something like "The arcane order of the serpent Baphomet"
So I guess "Temple of Baphomet" is short for that. Both names signifies like a connection to some sort of lodge or secret order and In many ways ToB is just that: The visible face of something most secret and obscure. But don´t be confused by the others who has since "borrowed" that name - There is only one true ToB!

5. You have a history that goes back to 1997 and have remained underground after all of these years, what is it that motivates you to keep on creating evil music after all of these years?

Yeah, it has been 15 odd years since the creation of ToB - A lot has changed - But the song remains the same.... This goes for me too,
I am still after all these years the same guy - just older and wiser. So like 3 - 5 times a day I find my self playing that cursed guitar of mine and from there composing just comes naturally. I simply can´t help my self from writing new songs, its an obsession of mine! and even during that long "break" with no new ToB releases out, I was still pretty much active as a composer every day. So now I got material for like 2-3 albums just waiting for me to get my shit together and record some more ! Well... The real reason to start releasing ToB again; is to underline what should be the purpose of all black metal
- Satanism !

6. The new demo came out on cassette which is something alot of younger bands dont put out anymore and I have noticed that the music sounds way more darker and underground sounding than these over produced mp3's what is your opinion of the younger black metal bands that release their music on the mp3, zip or rar formats?

Only tape is real!!! Despite being declared dead about 10 years ago, this humble format still lives on in the underground and for me personally nothing captures the raw essence of underground metal more that audio cassettes. I chose this format because of its analogue nature and therefore inaccessibly in these digital times. Not that I am against digitization, or the wonders of modern technology - But simply to keep it from being uploaded and distributed online without my consent. The observant reader will also notice I have not officially uploaded any new mp3´s to any of my ToB portals. As the new EP is pretty much just for those who stuck to the "scene", stuck to satanism and stuck to tape!
So even with this very limited tape release, I don´t feel I have excluded anyone yet. But the good news for the digital audience is that there will also be a free promo single CD - One can request this item in a month or so, keep an eye out for it and write to SDP for more info.

7. The new demo came out on Satnaic Deathcult Productions can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

I am also behind SDP, of which I founded to release the audio cassette version of another project of mine.
Since that I have released 5 high quality titles on tape with various bands including my own EP. Another SDP release worth mentioning is V/A: "Satans cure for christianity" - which is a compilation of extremist Satanic Black metal bands and of cause ToB appears there too with a different version of "In Morbid Fascination of Sathan"

8. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by fans of black metal?

Worldwide ? well ToB always had its own mini-following and after this long of a "break", I seriously thought there would be none left.
But to my surprise most of them was still there and with the tape trading scene still going strong there has been good distribution as well.
Thus far it has been well received by fans and we are almost all sold out. Also a couple of good reviews show that the zines seem to be catching up as well. I am a bit surprised to say the least, in a very positive way... I can´t wait to reveal the next chapter !!!

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Like I said, the song remains the same.... Still there are some different schools of riffing within ToB, and I guess the one I presented on the EP is a bit progressed when it comes to scales and chords - compared to where I come from musically. But with the coming sessions I will return to authentic ToB riffing, as next time I will be recording material composed between 2003 - 2006
(and even older) for an upcoming album. The "In morbid fascination of Sathan" song was written 2007- I think and represents
the latest style of riffs and for the rest on the EP - To tell you the truth... was just improvised in the studio... not pre-rehearsed at all.
Very different from the 9 conceptual tracks I have lined up, as these have been rehearsed, arranged and played over and over again!

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

My main influence as a singer was always Kind Diamond, Attilla Chisar, Big Boss, Dead and Qourthon. Musically, for ToB
I can´t deny I have been heavily influenced by the early Scandinavian scene and the important albums from that time.
But also traditional songwriting from old Danish folk music and hard rock from the 70´s has there influence on me when I sit down to write a riff. And yeah, I also have a classical background as a pianist... Nowadays ? I don´t listen that much to music,
I have my old top 10 albums which I cant live without and every now and then I get recommended some stuff, but I really don´t follow any bands anymore. I am too caught up in paying rather than listening....

11. How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism, how did you get into it and what are some of the different forms of the left hand path that interested you and your practices?

As far as I can remember, I have always been aware of the spiritual side of life. I recall from my early childhood communicating with a spirit of which to this day I still consult for guidance. I think I was 5 when this spirit first spoke to me, but the first real like WOW
revelation sort of experience was at the age of 15 and it was also around that time I founded ToB. So For the past 15 years I have been practicing rituals and magick. All in all to benefit my own spiritual growth and strengthen my knowledge of the occult.
But also for the intent of influencing others and events in the outside world. But only when I at times hit certain barriers in life
- so just a little magic is utilized to achieve my goals. I have never followed any ritual teaching from any book or the likes,just what was revealed to me back then. And founded on this revealed wisdom I have devised a powerful system of magic.
Complete with rituals, meditations, spells and its own occult philosophy. I call it "Gnostic Baphometheandom"
- A school of magick which may be used by certain high level devilworshipers to achieve Godhead through reflecting the Baphomet and its esoteric virtues.
But all that is a far deeper and much complicated subject that we have no time to discuss here... Just for the initiated few...

12. Denmark is not as well known for their black metal scene as compared to the other Scandivian countries, how would you describe the scene out there?

True, Denmark has not the biggest nor the most well known scene when it comes to black metal and ToB is properly the most well kept secret of this scene.
But as I have always said.. I am an outsider to the scene - But an insider to the occult ! I have not much contact with others, let alone with the Danish scene.
Still a lot has happened nationally here these last 5 years or so, but if it is negative or positive I can not tell. I just keep to my own path, as I don´t have a lot in common with your average Danish metal head.

13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Music is a passion / obsession and the occult is my life. All outside this is just "interests" and I have a few - which may include: Painting, drawing, writing.
And on a less serious note I can tell you that I am very much into retro gaming and electronics, cooking and messing about with natural chemistry (alchemy)
But not much time for these things on a daily basis... I just keep returning to that cursed guitar, as not much else can capture me like that!

14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Yeah, thanks for the interest and keep up supporting the satanic underground !!! And for your readers I would like to say; Keep an open eye and stay critical towards the bullshit we are fed everyday - there is more to life than this! and for those who are interested in my music:
Be patient - An album is on its way and for the meantime there will be a compilation of old demo tracks out on SDP and DSR - Also, if interested in the coming promotional single write to: satanicdeathcultproductions@hotmail.com - to secure a free copy !

HAIL SATHAN!