Nil Abyss Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1. We're a two man outfit. The demo was written in 2010 with the aim of creating bleak, hideous atmospheres. We pressed the demo tape ourselves and Joe from Regimental Records did a CD. Our debut full-length 'Burgeoning Death Void' recently came out on cassette through Spanish label Nebular Carcoma Records.   

2.So far you have released a demo and a full length, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
2. The demo is pretty rough but the intent is clear. More a result of what gear we have access to as we record and mix everything ourselves, so it's been a bit of a learning curve. Burgeoning Death Void definitely has more power in the guitars which helps to convey the horror. Other than the production the sound hasn't changed, maybe a bit more movement in the rhythms.

3.The band has been around since 2010 but waited until 2013 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the first 3 years?

3. The demo was written in 2010, but we spent those years playing live and making records in other bands. We both backed the material and neither of us were in any rush to push the demo out until it was filthy enough. So the delay was a result of working around other projects and figuring out how to get the right sound with the gear we had.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
4. Human suffering, particularly relating to famine, disease, cataclysm and possession. And Inhibition, epiphany and revelation. Both of us write lyrics, and are taken by the horror of Poe, Machen, Lovecraft, Bradbury, King.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nil Abyss'?
5. 'Ill tendency to be, the Nil Abyss inverting deeper' is a phrase from the self-titled demo track. We were reading things like Less than Zero, and short, supernatural horror stories at the time and noticed a common theme of a 'moral abyss', be it on the behalf of a pimply teenager or elder god.

6.Has the band done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?
6. Making records has been the focus so no live shows up to this point. It's not completely off the cards but we have other projects which perform live so it's a matter of having the time to take another band on the road.

7.I have noticed that the band stays away from any social networks, do you feel that this been making black metal too mainstream?
7. We have a bandcamp page and that's enough. Social media is good for bands that want the exposure but that's not a priority for us. I've always thought people into underground metal will seek it out regardless. The actual substance of the music and how bands market themselves seems more likely to be what makes them 'mainstream', saying that I wouldn't consider bands like this to be playing black metal at all. A limp-wristed sub-genre at best.

8.So far you have worked with Regimental Records and Nebular Carcoma, do you feel these 2 labels have been done a lot  to get your music out there heard?
8. Joe from Regimental got behind us early on and definitely helped get the demo heard in the states and Europe. Nebular Carcoma have been promoting the full-length pretty hard, and being based in Spain should help the maniacs over there get their hands on some tapes too.

9.The new album was also released on cassette, do you feel this format has been making a comeback in the underground for the last few years?
9. I think tapes have always been a big part of the underground, especially for those getting into rock and metal before CDs came about. They never really lost their charm for us but at a guess I would say they're more tactile, and definitely more durable.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
10. Yeah good mate, we've had interest from hellmen in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, India, USA and Australia. Those who've gotten behind us should know what to expect from here on out, unrelenting, horror-laden filth.  

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
11. The emphasis on horrific atmospheres and rhythms will definitely stay as it is the foundation of the music. New chords and transitions need to be there personally to keep the interest for us. Further sickness and obscurity in the instrumentation is always a goal.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
12. Hard rock, death/black metal. Horror soundtracks by Bernard Herrmann, Jerry Goldsmith, Goblin, Hermann Kopp. These days AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Master's hammer, Pestilence, Mortuary Drape, Bathory and the likes normally get a spin over a few beers. 

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
13. Cheers to all the maniacs who've supported Nil Abyss. More communion of stark, charnal horror awaits.

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