Liminalanimal Interview

 

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

I usually describe the project as blackened doom since the black metal and doom influences are the most prominent but there some other inspirations present in the sound.  The earliest work under the name liminalanimal started around 2021 and I released the first tracks publicly late in 2022.

2.So far you have released a demo and 2 full lengths, musically how do they all differ from each other?

The demo - 'In Defiance of the One You Claim to Serve' - consists of a couple of early tracks which I decided to release in advance of the first album.  The sound is a little less refined than the albums but these songs are the first steps towards the sounds I developed in the full-lengths.

The first LP - 'Punished for Existing' - has quite a distinctive sound across all the tracks with a lot of reverb, distortion and feedback.  I wanted slow tracks which carry a lot of melody buried in those layers.

The new LP - 'The Furies and Futility' - has a dense sound compared to the previous album.  It has some faster, more overtly aggressive passages, a lot more dissonance but also carries some of the slower, melancholic and melodic elements from the previous release.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?

The lyrical themes would best be summed up as a study of the human condition with a healthy dose of disdain and contempt.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Liminalanimal'?

Assistance with the name came from Christopher MacKinnon (currently releasing music under the name GermAeon).  I decided during the earliest days of the project that the name would feature something related to liminality since the sound was on the bordered black metal, doom and certain other influences.  He suggested liminalanimal which felt right and made sense for the kind of project I was creating.

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

The artwork on the new album cover is a recent photograph taken at a location which was significant to me in my childhood.  Aside from the personal connection it also relates to some of themes of the album.

6.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

I've been involved in full live bands, collaborative studio projects, remote collaborations and solo projects.  Each way of creating music has pros and cons.  For liminalanimal in particular I think it would be difficult to produce the desired results in a group setting as the writing and recording process is very specific to my own approach.  In other projects there can definitely be strength in numbers.

7.You have worked with 'Depressive Illusions Records' and 'Master Of Kaos Productions' on the physical versions of your albums, do you feel these labels have been very helpful when it comes to getting your music out there heard?

Working with these labels has been a great help in reaching more ears.  M.Y.R.F.I.P. Productions, a label distributed by War Productions, also released a small run of tapes of the demo.  I'm honoured and very grateful that these labels who have a passion for underground metal have been enthusiastic enough about the project to produce physical releases.

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

The reaction so far has been positive.  I'm sure there are plenty of people who haven't enjoyed the music but they've been kind enough to move on to something they enjoy instead of bothering me about it.  Some listeners have been very complimentary and it's humbling to know that people from various parts of the world have found and enjoy the music I've made.

9.Do you also have any experience playing in other bands or musical projects?

Yes.

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I've started work on the LP which will follow 'The Furies and Futility' but beyond that is still to be decided.  If I have inspiration there may be more liminalanimal or I may channel my energy into other projects.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that you are currently listening to nowadays?

I listen to a lot of genres but if we focus on metal a few bands I've been enjoying lately are Scáth Na Déithe, Asagraum, Misþyrming, In Twilight's Embrace, Draconian, Nyrst, Gołoledź, Mgła, Alburnum, Frailty, Myrkur, Asgrauw, Gojira, Behemoth, Asunojokei, Dauðaró, Drastus, Grafhond, Crawling, Within Temptation, Sól Án Varma...the list could get too long, there are many great projects out there and more released all the time.

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

Thanks for interviewing me and thanks to anybody reading the interview.  Listen to my music, you might find worth in it.

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