We founded Aara in 2018. The project is run by two people who are responsible for the music, lyrics and concept. We create unconventional black metal with an epic classical component, but without using too many keyboards. The lyrics are influenced by the dark side of human existence and its manifestation in philosophy, psychology, literature and historical development of science, art and culture. Since 2018 we released our first album "So fallen alle Tempel" and a promotion track called "Anthropozän (I & II)". Since 2019 we are signed by Debemur Morti Productions.
2.In April you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The new album is the result of a different approach. On the one hand this has to do with the concept of the album, on the other hand we wanted to improve in terms of production. The lyrics of "En Ergô Einai" are inspired by the developments of humanism in the 18th century and their effects on the understanding of society, religion and culture as well as the negative admissions of this for the individual. This should also be transported in music. In addition to the feeling of a new beginning, a constant doubt should be perceived at the same time. A chaos of feelings, which carries the listener into this inner conflict. The melodies have become more complex, sometimes up to four different guitars were interwoven. This could already be heard from "Anthropozän (I&II)" on. On the new album the whole thing should be continued. With means of typical Black Metal the mood of chamber music should be created.
3.The lyrics on the new album are also inspired by the Age Of Enlightenment, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this era?
The inspiration for this came from the examination of various literary works, especially with regard to the awakening self-perception and idealization of the human mind and soul. The lyrical concept of the album deals with the fundamental nature of human existence and the discovery of the individual away from monarchistic or ecclesiastical class society, which in the epoch of Enlightenment fundamentally changed the world view of people and thus also culture.
4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have also covered with your music so far?
The lyrics of the first two releases deal rather with the awareness of the nothingness and transience of man in this world, especially in "Anthropocene". The relationship between man and nature played an important role in the first two works. Here it was not the matter to convey a message to the outside world, rather that the lyrics are inspired by various, local historical events and to transport a certain mood. For example the lyrics of "Rote Trümmer" is inspired by the earthquake of 1356 in Basel, or "Monologue eines Berges" by the Elm landslide in 1881, which was caused by the mining of slate.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Aara'?
The name AARA comes from the combination of the name of the swiss river "Aare" with a Latin expression for altar "Ara". The river Aare is also called "Ara" in old maps. Ultimately the meaning of "AARA" could be formulated as "the river as altar" or more precise “nature as manifestation of a spiritual place”.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The cover was painted by Michael Handt, a very talented young artist from Germany. It fit perfectly to the atmosphere we wanted to express. It gives a feeling of warmth and beauty. At the same time it expresses coldness, distance and loneliness. There is something mysterious and “long forgotten” about it. Michael will also be responsible for the design of the third album.
7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
Aara are basically “Fluss” and “Berg” yes. But on the first album there was already guest vocals of another person “Wald” and on En Ergô Einai you can hear a new drummer "J". We will continue to work with different people in the future when it is appropriate.
8.You also had a quest appearance from V. Of 'Blut Aus Nord' and 'Yerusalem', can you tell us a little bit more about his contribution to the recording?
We connected with Vindsval shortly after we became part of Debemur Morti Productions. Blut aus Nord stands for the best of experimental Black Metal for years now and I'm especially fond of the guitar work on the albums. However, the decisive factor for the intro was the first Yeruselem album "The Sublime". The effects and playing of the instrumental "Sound over Matter" gave me the idea to ask for an intro. I sent him the first song in its demo-version and he came up with his ideas, which can be heard on the album as an intro to the first song.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
So far, all reactions have been positive, but there are certainly people, especially from the underground scene, who can't do anything with Aara. We are aware that with our music we are breaking the conventions of traditional Black Metal. We are connected to the Black Metal scene through friendships with other musicians and bands, but we wanted to do our own stuff. For us, exploring new possibilities creatively is more important than repeating what has already been done better years ago.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We are not planning that long in advance, but the third album is already half composed. In the future we try to put even more emphasis on the elaboration of concepts. The songs will be faster and a bit darker. Everything else will be heard during the next years.
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?
Both of us have a “black metal-background”, so there is a lot of influence by various black metal bands of the last decades, but there is also a lot of ambient, electronic music and other genres that influence our approach. AARA is heavily influenced by classical music - from the Renaissance to the modern age – by all kinds of composers. However, it is not the structuring or playing style that we want to adopt but the mood and atmosphere that is created in these works. For “En Ergô Einai” I focused mostly on the works of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century like C.P.E Bach, Haydn, Boccherini, Telemann, Corelli, (…) .
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for your interest in our music.
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