Aetherium Mors Interview

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

Dan - We’re a UK based black / death metal band, currently a two piece consisting of myself (Dan) on guitar, bass and drums, and Kane on vocals he also writes all lyrics. We formed in 2004 but after our original drummer left we were unable to find a replacement so remained inactive for several years. I eventually took up drumming which enabled us to finally record our debut demo album which is available to stream or buy here - http://aetheriummors.bandcamp.com/

We’re aiming to hit the stage at some point; we have a small but talented pool of live musicians to draw on from the local area who are all passionate about playing metal.

2.     2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Dan - Melodic blackened death metal with thrash influences. The new songs we’re working on are leaning towards a more atmospheric and brutal style, building on the solid foundation we’ve established with our debut material.

3.     3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects that the band explores with the music?

Kane - The lyrics are an extreme unrepentant symbolic attack on all Christendom. This first opus is a concept album.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band’s name?

Kane - Aetherium Mors is Latin for Ethereal Death, Ethereal in this context pertaining to all that is pure, heavenly and good…

5. Has the band played out live or is this strictly a studio project?

Kane - We have done one live show; there are Two full time members that make up the band but we are not strictly a Darkthrone type, studio only band as we have contributing musicians for the live set! We are just working on new material at the moment but we are looking at tearing up the stage in the future.

6. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label and if so what kind of label do you think would be a perfect fit for your music?

Dan – In our current position I don’t see the need for a label in the traditional sense – however a distribution type arrangement would work more in our favour to help get our music out there, and to help promote the band. Maybe a smaller label would have some interest but I’m sure as the band grows and becomes more widespread, offers will follow.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death and black metal?

Kane - We have only just began to promulgate Aetherium Mors, however the album reviews we've had at this early stage has been very well received.

8. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?

Kane - We both have our own other bands, we give those bands 110% and we give Aetherium Mors 110% we are dedicated musicians and we are devoted metal heads!

Dan – I’ve been involved in quite a few bands over the years, mainly Wishlist (prog rock / metal), Daggers Drawn (progressive thrash) and Holodomor (black/thrash metal), however those bands have all ceased to exist and so my attention is now fully on Aetherium Mors.

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

Kane - The new material that we are working on is more violent, less melodic and more atmospheric.

Dan – The first release is a closing of the first chapter of the band – most of the songs were written almost 10 years ago… so the new material we’re currently working on builds on the solid basis of the existing material, but adds all of the influences and skill we have both picked up while working with other bands over the years.  

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

Kane - vocals from acts such as Carcass, Dissection, Emperor, Dark Throne, Cannibal Corpse and Deicide to name a few. Also the new Anaal Nathrakh album! And Gorguts, Cretinous breed, and I’m currently revisiting Cannibal Corpses gory discography..

Dan – The bands that got me into extreme metal are my main influences – Carcass, At The Gates, Dissection etc. Those bands along with all the rock and thrash music I grew up with have formed the DNA of my riff writing approach. However the worldwide extreme metal scene has matured and changed over the years, bands such as latter day Gorguts, Deathspell Omega and Ulcerate embracing a more experimental approach which has really seeped into my playing lately.

11. How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism?

Kane - I am a Satanist. Whenever I talk to people that are into other occult practices, I am willing to listen but I always find these theories vapid, delusional and hypocritical! But unlike white light religion, it’s harmless so if it feels good for them then good, but in the words of Levay “it’s just sanctimonious fraud”. There's nothing worse however than meeting a so called Satanist, only to find that they are that most lurid depiction of what you are, they are the credulous embodiment of what people think a Satanist is! I just want to cut their fucking head off!

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

Kane - Difficult to answer as the foundation of my whole life has metal at its core! From meeting my wife, to all of my brothers and sisters of metal I drink and have a blast with! It all reverts back to the impetus of Metal! Metal is my religion!

Dan – all the usual pastimes that humans fritter their lives away doing - reading, drinking, music of all kinds. Work, family and friends and music take up the vast majority of my time. Keeping up my guitar and drumming chops takes a huge amount of time and energy.

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

Kane - Infernal hails to the metal hoards\m/

Dan – Thanks for your support! Look out for our next release, which is currently planned to be an E.P. towards the end of 2013. It’s going to be something really special, and will blow the debut away for sure…