Fathomhell Interview

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

FATHOMHELL born early 2010 in Cuenca, a small city in Spain, with three members: Ludwigar (guitar and music composition), Al-Wars (guitar, vocals and lyrics) and Necroghoul (bass and vocals). We started to record in October 2011 our first work ''Non Pietatem Erit'' but various reasons the ending of that work was delayed until September 2012. Today, we’re two members, Ludwigar and Necroghoul, and we’re recording a second EP that it will determine our way forward in the black art.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

I think you described in the review our music perfectly, but we can add the Fathomhell music explores classic black metal but more dynamic. Under a same base but with different touches, always we try to search our own personality. Melodic and dynamic touches can remember bands as Dissection and Sacramentum, the ferocity of first Watain or Mayhem, and coldness bands as Immortal. Also, depressive, thrash and even heavy elements can be found.

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

Mainly, the lyrical topics have been the exploration of hell and damnation of human condition through a misanthropic and hellish vision of the death, despair and hate & self-hate. The hatred engenders of the hatred toward hypocrite human race. If I have to choose a word to describe it, the word is misanthropy. 

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

The lyrics of each song describe the meaning of Fathomhell. Fall to the Infinite Depths of Abyss.

5. Has the band been able to play out live or is this strictly a studio project?

Fathomhell born with the motivation to play a gig with Xerión because one of the Xerión members proposed us play with them in our city. Then, we didn’t have not even a name. From there, we formed the band seriously and later we made many more performances until recently. We’re in process of reforming the band with new members because we have received offers to play. I think in google can find pics of some of our shows...

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

For the CD edition we have self-edited through Kunaki but before long ''Non Pietatem Erit'' will edited in a very limited tape edition by an underground German label. I think this label is perfect for we’re looking for this tape edition. Stay tuned!

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

We haven't moved the enough material to know the feedback, but from what little we've been told, there are good words to our music.

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

Undoubtedly, the direction of our music is going in another way. The next second EP will keep the ''Non Pietatem Erit'' essence but less melody and more darkness and twisted elements. For a not too distant future, we have the 90% of first full-length that will be more twisted and dissonant with progressive elements. Musically, it will be more difficult to classify but it certainly will haven’t much to do with the first released.

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

Of course, the classic Nordic bands is the most influenced, especially in our early days as Dissection, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Bathory, Immortal, Sacramentum, etc, etc and more current as Watain, Ascension, Shining, Sargeist… Today, I am musically influenced more of bands as Mgła (the fucking best black metal band nowadays), Kriegsmachine, Medico Peste, Deathspell Omega, Aosoth, Scartidauði, Balmog, Andhord, Aversio Humanitatis… Listen stuff of the last three Spanish bands! No waste…

Now, in my player is playing ''Crimen Lasae Majestatis Divinae'' from the Swedish band Portrait, the best Heavy Metal album that has come in years, pure occult!! We’re two true fans of the old school, classic and true Speed & Heavy Metal. Listen to emerging gems as Portrait, RAM, Ghost, Enforcer, In Solitude, Witchgrave, Iron Curtain, Steel Horse…

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

Is being in complete rebellion against imposed by religions and hypocritical modern society. Being free for your actions and uncover the taboos that our own nature endowed us but society today looks away or condemns it. It's back to our roots and our purest primal instinct.

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

Drink alcohol and keep alive the flame of true metal with our heavy metal association (Litrona de Acero that means ''Liter (of beer) of Steel'' in Spanish), organizing concerts supporting the worthwhile bands. Buying their stuff or going to their concerts, as well as going to other concerts organized by other associations in our country that deserve our support.

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

Thank you very much for giving us place in your zine. Just say that whoever want purchase a copy of our work can write us to fathomhellmetal@gmail.com or enter our bandcamp: http://www.fathomhell.bandcamp.com where they can hear a teaser. Also they can follow us through http://www.facebook.com/fathomhellfor more news from Fathomhell.

Ludwigar.