1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?
Thank you, I am greatly honored to be interviewed by you. The Xenomorph Nihilistic Rustbelt Black Metal project was born out of a purely isolated individual’s struggle to overcome and dominate a miserable and oppressive environment, eventually taking the form of black metal music artform to convey these themes and experience.
2.Recently you have released your first full length, musically how does it differ from your previous demo and singles?
The full length is an ultimate realization of the project, the previous demos and singles were very much a gestational and testing ground for what Xenomorph was capable of.
3.You refer to your music as being 'nihilistic rustbelt black metal', can you tell us a ,little bit more about this term?
Yes, NRBM is a term to describe black metal that has taken form within the urban decay and horrid ugliness of the industrialized central United States; the failure of one to find natural beauty within this realm, instead choosing to embrace and find strength from the laborious indentured servitude so ubiquitous here.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?
Xenomorph has and will continue to explore topics such as the application of Nietzche’s will to power; reconciling a deep confusion about one’s own nature; harnessing of dangerous and negative emotions, hatred of abusive authority, acceptance of nihilism as a meaningful philosophy, and describing personal experiences that have spanned the very globe itself.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Xenomorph'?
Xenomorph, Greek for “Strange or Alien Changer” has been the creator of this project’s alias for 2 decades under different art forms and endeavors. Besides the reference to the creature born from HR Giger’s imagination, the artist relates much to a being who is merely born into the world, and forced to undergo morphosis in rapidly fluctuating environments.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The artwork done by renowned artist Rotting Reign, was concepted as a nightmare aesthetic of an industrialized world of brutal labor, ubiquitous decay, environmental ugliness, and total isolation. Cavan at RR produced an absolute masterpiece from this commission by myself.
7.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?
Thus far, I have attempted to learn as much on my own as possible, and have relished the struggle of self recording and producing, but have recently learned to reach out for help from more talented musicians and artists than myself to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.
8.Recently you where a part of a split with 'Wolfraven', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?
Wolfraven reached out in the early days of demo recording, and featured an undeniably unique industrialized sound, as well as similar outlook on the general plight of those damned to eternal labor. The split was an excellent opportunity to be exposed to fresh sounds and production styles that carried over strongly into the Rustwelt album released this year. I remain good friends with Wolfraven.
9.You also have done some 'Gorgoroth' and 'Shining' covers, what was the decision behind doing your own versions of their songs?
Gorgoroth remains the chief influence on Xenomorph black metal, and the song covered was one of the first I learned when I picked up guitar in the summer of 2020 during the pandemic quarantine. Shining, quite differently, is not a favorite influence but the song covered, Black Industrial Misery, was an enormous influence on the development of NRBM, both thematically and musically.
10.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
I am open to being signed, but remain wary of unneeded assistance or the desire for clout, any label relationships must be borne out of mutual benefit for the fans.
11.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Response to Xenomorph black metal has been humbling in its scope, since the demo was released, I have personally sent nearly 100 orders of demo tapes and merch to countries all over the world as well as locally here in the US, and as far as Indonesia and Australia. For this interest and support, I am eternally grateful, and hope to continue providing even more meaningful and authentic music to future fans.
12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
Improving my craft in musicianship is a total priority for the foreseeable future. Within 5 years I hope to bring Xenomorph to live performances, but until then, much work must be done to bring this to fruition.
13.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?
Chief influences will always be Burzum, Gorgoroth, Mayhem, Bathory, Emperor, Leviathan and Judas Iscariot. For their range of style and highest and best uses of the art form known as black metal. In recent years I have gone completely underground, listening exclusively to what is being put out in the local underground scene such as Stakedriver, Ends Embrace, Pyromancy, Fomalhaut, Alghol, Till, Gates of Mourning, Valdrin and Clenching Shadow.
14.How would you describe your views on Satanism?
Satanism is a key feature of my music and personal life. Only in the sense that Satan was recorded in biblical mythology as the one encouraging knowledge and self-reliance over blind faith and obedience to spiritual authority. Often times I grow weary of the stale cliches associated with Satanism, and hope to provide the scene with new interpretations of this cornerstone element of Black Metal.
15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Again, thank you very much for taking this time to listen to my music, and I hope to encourage individuals to support the underground black metal scene, where a rich community and authentic sense of belonging can be found.
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