Fragmentary Solid Abyss Interview

 

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

1. The project began under the name Ancient of Days, which comes from Aramaic and is pronounced Atik Yomin. It's a concept in Kabbalah that has its source in the Book of Daniel and is elaborated on in the Zohar. There's also a William Blake painting of the same title that I felt resonated with the project. However, upon realizing that the name was actually not that unique and there were other artists using it, I changed it to Fragmentary Solid Abyss. Originally the music was more like Black Sabbath and I set out to really record and release whatever kind of music I felt like playing at the time. This could range from electronic or Industrial music to more coldwave type songs, to slow doom blues riffs, to straight up Black Metal. Eventually I accumulated enough original material that I started compiling it into albums. Over time my output was overwhelming Black Metal, and that's essentially how I came to find myself here today. 

2.Recently you have released a new full length, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

2. This new full length album was already in its seed level when the solo project began. The title was conceived before the music, and I had written it by hand with a quill and ink in blackletter, having in mind it would be a serious album. The music was then eventually sketched out over time and I pieced it together as you hear it now, but that's not the whole of its essence. The pattern I followed for its spiritual narrative was deeply influenced by Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon as well as Nine Inch Nails' The Downward Spiral. It essentially is meant to guide the listener through a coherent story that follows a path of no return. The album however is cyclical in its structure and is meant to be listened to over and over again, like a ritual, and each time the listener passes through it there's always something new to discover.

3.You have released music in both the electronic and black metal genres, how would you compare the 2 different musical styles?

3. I'm a firm believer that synthesizers belong in music, and I use them in all genres I work in. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, video game music became an ingrained part of my musical influence. I feel a lot of freedom with a purely electronic composition. I approach it as if I were playing a pipe organ, or writing for an orchestra. The downside is that it's really a more cerebral artform and lacks the brutality and animalistic satisfaction that I love and enjoy in more rock based genres. The imperfections that arise in Black Metal in particular are in my opinion beautiful and are a trademark of what cannot be achieved in electronic music.

4.You also cover a lot of spirituality and mysticism themes with your lyrics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?

4. In my early 20s I was a student of Buddhism, and I practiced meditation and Yoga. However, I became much more interested in the spiritual teachings of Judaism during my mid 20s, and have been practicing Kabbalah and learning diligently ever since. I spent time in a Yeshivah run by the Lubavitcher Hasidic movement, studied scriptures and texts in their original languages and even considered becoming a Rabbi, and living a very strict life. But as my journey continued I found my grievances with organized religions, and trusted more in my artistic pursuits. 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Fragmentary Solid Abyss'?

5. Fragmentary Solid Abyss was originally the title for one of my songs, and then it became the band title. I wanted to highlight the fact that we live in a fragmented reality in which we see ourselves as separate from one another and from things. However, it was also important to try and create a sentence that cannot possibly exist in the imagination by any standard methods. The audience is meant to grapple with it. The intention is to basically shock the mind into contemplation of that which cannot be expressed. 

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

6. The artwork for the new album stands on its own and can be interpreted any way the viewer wishes. Like a Rorschach test.

7.Since 2022 you have released a great amount of material, do you spend a great amount of time writing and creating music?

7. I'm a huge fan of the artist Kim Jung Gi. He was particularly known for his ability to sketch amazing masterpieces on the spot. He would constantly sketch and draw all the time and his skills were unmatched. I find that lifestyle where your practice becomes your work to be deeply spiritual and ritualistic. To be constantly doing is to be constantly improving. Simply doing the best that I can in the moment is all that I can ask from myself, and then it's time to move on, and create more work.

8.With this project you work solo but have worked with other musicians in the past, do you prefer working by yourself?

8. Yes I have worked with other musicians in the past. I was deeply involved with a Black Metal band here in New York and I was playing second guitar. The fellow who started the band became a good friend of mine and we were looking forward to our success. Over time though we butted heads and had creative differences, and after rejecting potential singers, he made it clear to the rest of the band that the singer of the band must be white. I find that to be unacceptable, so I left that project. I have since tried to find people to collaborate with but have yet to find a good fit. 

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

9. Surprisingly I have received a lot more positive feedback than I ever thought I would get for this music. My intention was in no way shape or form to get attention. I simply create what I want to hear. Often it's challenging and difficult for most people. It seems though that a lot of people in the Black Metal community are telling me they like it, which makes me feel like I'm contributing to people's lives in some way, and that's important.

10.What is going on with 'Incineration in The Infinite' these days?

10. As for Incineration in the Infinite, there's an EP called Serpent's Tongue that is set to be released by WormHoleDeath Records in March of 2025. 

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

11. I feel like I want to make more Black Metal albums, but I'm also considering some other avenues, so let's see what happens.

12.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?

12. Bands that are my main influences are Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Tool and Nine Inch Nails.  I listen to a lot of classical Turkish music these days, mostly taksims, which are solo improvisations. Great performers that I like are Kutsal Sütoğlu and Zeynel Demirtaş.

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

13. In conclusion, I feel honored and humbled that people are interested in my music at all. I sincerely thank everyone who has shared inspiring words to me and I look forward to sharing more moments in the future with the Black Metal community.

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