nether Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Our album “Between Shades and Shadows” was recorded at the end of 2019. Shortly thereafter we inked a deal with Art Gates records and were preparing everything needed. Artwork for the album, technical details concerning covers for Spotify and so on. We planned the recordings of a video-clip and made some arrangements for lyric-video’s. At a certain moment the Covid-19 crisis had a huge impact on this planning. But hey we managed to keep everything running through the electronical high – way! Due to the lockdown and all te regulations from the Belgian Government we where not able to rehearse or play live. Hence we started rehearsing physically again a week or 2 ago. nether is a band that is at his strongest when all the individuals play and work together in the same (well ventilated) room (with respect for social distance 😉). 

2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of October, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style, you went for on the recording?

nether plays fast melodic black metal with a raw feeling. This is the style of music every individual within the band is most “linked” with from the beginning of their musical career. Every individual has a history in one or two black metal bands. And so you can conclude more strongly that black metal is the music style that has grown inside of us and always will come out in one or either way.

3.Most of the band members also have experience playing in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'nether' that you where not able to do with your other groups?

nether is a band of equal minded individuals that wanted to go back to the essence of creating music, melodic black metal. Creating music, a lyrical theme and visualizing a concept that was based on every individuals input. In the other bands we played in, there’s was a certain moment that one bandmember created everything or took over the songwriting and the input of the other members was cut-off. That’s not a strong fundament to work on. 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

The tree is the centerpiece of our concept. The tree with his roots in the soil is in fact an individual, a reflection of a strong and solid person. A person that’s normally not pushed aside by a negative action, an unexpected event nor an opinion of meaningless others. A person that’s strong in it’s core, in his essence. So the band name nether means that you have to search for this core in every person, this essence. You have to take your time to search to the bottom, to search for the roots. At that point, when found, you can connect with this individual or not...

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

We where searching for this aforementioned concept to be visualized and by surprise we where struck by the photo’s of Artem Gordienko, an artist from Ukrain. His work reflected all of the details we wanted to be caught on the front cover. The trees, the fog, the somehow lost person...or the person in search of... That’s what struck us the most. His professional way of working made it a quick deal.

6.I have read the band has plans to do live shows, what can we expect from a life performance once you have an opportunity to play a stage?

That’s a difficult one. At this moment we are able to rehearse again so that’s an important one for us. Normally we had a try out show in Belgium on the 14th of September and this with label-mates  Noctem, but this had to be postponed to a later date. We are working something out but it’s very difficult ‘cause lot’s of tour’s are cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At this point we better take a step back and make plan’s for 2021 like other bands are doing in the same way. You could say this hampers the growth of the band, but we all have to stay safe and follow the advised regulations. So when at a certain moment everything is under control we can strike hard! And waiting for that moment, check out our lyric video of the song The Hand Of The Unspoken or the video-clip for the song To The Shores.

7.The album is coming out on 'Arts Gate Records', how did you get in contact with this label?

Art Gates records is a great label to work with, fast and clear in their way of working and in communication. They where one off several labels that contacted us after receiving our promo – package. They came with a proposition we had to accept. Also the fact that in the first mails they gave us a lot of confidence is of importance. The way this worked out for now is really great. Check out the pre-order page, check out the upcoming merch!

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

Due to the fact the promo’s for the album are sent out at this moment, as we speak, the reactions are still coming in. I really liked your vision on the album, thanks for that. Hopefully more of that kind of reactions will be sennt in to us, I’m confident it will 😉.

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

I hope that, after the Covid-19 pandemic, the music – industry, and I mean playing live in small venue’s or on big festivals will be possible again. Hopefully this time will come fast due to the fact that nether is eager to play live. Besides that fact, our musical journey will be not that difficult because the path we are walking on now, creating and playing fast melodic black metal with a raw touch, is the path we will continue to walk on. We are working on some new material but it’s to soon to give you more details on that.

10.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?

It’s is not difficult to say that the Swedish black metal scene has had a massive impact on me and my fellow bandmembers. I can remember the first spins of Dawn’s first full length – Naer Solen ... or Naglfar’s Vittra. I have to mention Dissection’s The Somberlain and of course Storm Of The Light’s Bane. Do not forget Setherial’s Nord... Oh, I can continue for hours 😉

Sometimes I listen to those classics I just mentioned but also some newer bands are getting the attention they deserve. For example Gaerea from Portugal made quiet an impression with their latest work Limbo. But also Selbst with their opus Relatos De Angustia is making lot’s of spints lately. Do not forget the Hadal album by Over The Voids... and of course Mgla’s Age Of Excuse.

Again, I can continue for hours....

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

Thanks for this interview and your honest opinion about our album Between Shades And Shadows. Check out the latest video-clip To The Shores or look back to the lyric-video of The Hand Of The Unspoken. If you’re into merch check the pre – order page at the Art Gates website. Hope to see you on stage...

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