Stevan: We are carefully preparing the release of "messe basse" in close collaboration with our label Source Atone Records. The video for our single has just been released so we are in the promotional phase of the album. But all this does not prevent us from already working on new sound, because we would like to release quickly a sequel to "messe basse". As for many, I think that the crisis we are going through has particularly inspired us!
2. The new album will be released in May. Musically, how does it differ from what you have released in the past? Stevan: I think it's our most accomplished work to date. Both technically and artistically. There is a real risk-taking in that we chose to explore a lot of different paths. We are 3 in the group but we are often sensitive to things sometimes diametrically opposed. The real challenge was to link all our influences without going in all directions. To give coherence thus, but especially to tell something while leaving the beaten tracks...
3. What are the themes and subjects that the band explores in its new music and how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
Chris: They are often the same, related to my observation of the world and of these individuals, as well as my experiences with them. On this album, I also did a little introspection on my past and these famous feelings that I could have had over the years so that this goes in adequacy with the theme that we tried to develop as well in the music as in the visuals: nostalgia. Practicing the experience of writing for years, this comes much more naturally to me but the fact of playing an instrument at the same time (during about fifteen years I was only a singer), forced me to be much more direct, to concentrate on the words more than on the images and accompanied the music as it should be, not to overdo it.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name "Nature Morte"?
Chris: The name came to us after writing the first song, which was Grief at the time. We already wanted to play on this duality between shadow and light, beauty and ugliness and just like a still life (nature morte in French) we decided, through our music, to try to find beauty in rot, mold and above all in the passing time. Then, even if we sing in english, the French sound of the name was more musical to our ears than the English one and given our nationality we said to ourselves, let´s go
5. Can you tell us a little more about the cover art for the new album?
Chris: It’s the continuation of our cycle of nostalgia. The cover is the first step towards a patchwork of photos inside the album retracing the 70s and 80s, which we continued in video with our first clip, White goat, dark hoof. This one retraces the 90s to the present day. This photo also has a second reading (even more following the psychological derivatives of each one) thanks to the title of the album.
6. What are the best gigs the band has played over the years and how would you describe your performance on stage ?
Stevan: Unfortunately, our last gigs go back to over a year because of the current health situation. We still had the chance to tour Europe in February 2020, just before the first pandemic restrictions. So I would say that our best shows are those. We had a great reception, especially in Hungary and Romania where people are very open-minded. Concerning our live performances, I would say that they are dark and bright at the same time as on our albums!
7. In 2020, you were part of a split with 'Hegemon', what do you think of the other bands that participated in the recording?
Chris: Hegemon is a band that we respect and appreciate very much. They are for us one of the pioneer groups of the French black metal scene of the 90s. and it was an honor to share this split with them The singer is a very very good and close friend of mine, I'm not going to hide it, so that tipped the scales ...?
8. The new album is released on 'Source Atone Records', can you tell us a little more about this label?
Chris: We have a great bond. They were actively involved in the production of the album and everything that follows. They listen to our requests and leave us complete freedom over the visual approach to the project. They contacted us very quickly to suggest that we be their first release while other labels wrote to us as well, but the contact was so natural, the deal super interesting and the guys so cool that the choice was quickly made. In our entire musical career, we've never been treated so well and their work is phenomenal. The proof: we have just signed again with them for the reissue of our previous album NM1 for the first time on vinyl (released in September).
9. On a worldwide level, what was the reaction of the post black metal fans to your music ?
Stevan: When 'NM1', our debut album, was released at the end of 2018, we had overall good feedback. Both in terms of the music and the image we convey. The fact of having an approach little conform but totally assumed could destabilize some people but nothing very negative... We can’t wait to see and hear the reactions following "messe basse".
10. Where do you see the band going musically in the future ?
Stevan: It is likely that we will continue our time travel and that we will draw our inspiration towards other currents. But especially to continue to free ourselves from certain codes
11. What are you listening to now ?
Stevan: For my part, I always listen to reference artists like Radiohead, The Cure, Yob, Converge and many others. More recently, Emma Ruth Rundle, Russian circle and Holy Fawn. I'm also moving more and more towards orchestrated music like classical or film music
Chris: like Stevan, Radiohead is a very important band for me ... I am also very influenced by Wolves In the Throne room, Mayhem, This Gift is a curse, mainly for the voice and the moods but also Slowdive, Nothing, Whirr ... and, indeed, a lot of film music composer
12. Before concluding this interview, do you have a last word or a last thought?
Chris: Looking forward to life back to what it used to be
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