Nihilo Machina Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Well, we're a black metal band based out of New Brunswick, Canada. Everything came together by accident really. Myself (James) started writing this album not knowing it would become a full album. I contacted Matt after I had a couple songs and asked if he'd play some solos on the material. After a few months we had the bones of a whole album. We tracked it all in my home studio over about 10 months just the 2 of us.

2.In September you had released your first album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

Well we obviously take a very melodic approach. A lot of guitar harmonies, some keys here and there. Lots of really fast parts and some really doomy slow parts. We spent a long time getting harmonies and song structures to work. We are both big fans of older melodic black metal like Dissection and Old Man's Child. So that was what came out really.

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

I (James) wrote most of the lyrics but Matt wrote Disillusion. I approached him early on about writing a lot in nihilism. It's something we've both studied and spent a lot of time thinking about. The songs get more specific into that however. For example, Vacuous Lexicon is about the illusion of meaning within language and Pendulum of Apathy describes "time" as an apathetic enemy of human experience. The title track, "The Last Messiah" is based on an essay of the same name by Peter Zapffe. I'd like to get into the meaning of that. But I'd suggested reading the essay then listening to the song. Too much to get into in a short time.

> 4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nihilo Machina'?

Well it translates from Latin as the "Nothing Machine." Which obviously reflects the lyrical content of the album and how both Matt and I feel about most things.

> 5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you chose to remain a duo?

We are currently in the process of adding 2 more members to our lineup.

> 6.Has the band done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?

We have not played any shows yet. We are working with these 2 other guys to get the music to the stage this year sometime. A drummer and a bass player that I've known for a long time.

> 7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for label or have received any interest?

We have been actively looking for some label or distro. Nothing yet.

> 8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

We seemed to pick up a following in Russia somehow. We've sold a handful of digital copies of the album out there and it's being rampantly pirated there as well. Otherwise we are selling mostly in our native Canada with a few albums being sold in other countries.

> 9.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

Matt has been involved with his original band Black Frost for years now. They used to be an active touring band. But these days they do mostly studio recordings.

I (James) play in a rock band called The Head Is Dead as well. We are currently in a hiatus and will be starting work on a new album this year.

> 10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We started writing for another EP or album already. It'll be a bit more technical I think. But it will remain melodic. Also we want to tour the material.

> 11.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?

I can't speak for everything Matt listens to and he's not with me right now but we have pretty similar taste in metal. Which is why our album sounds the way it does. We both like older more melodic black metal. Early Dimmu, Dissection, Emperor, etc.

I tend to listen to a wide variety of music. Anything from folk to death metal.

> 12.What are some of your non musical interests.

We live in a small town. So there isn't much else to be interested in. Movies. Alcohol.

> 13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Yeah, the album is out digitally right now. But we're going to be selling physical copies starting in March and you can preorder it on our bandcamp page.

Http://nihilomachina.bandcamp.com

Thanks for checking us out!