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1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
“Henere began as a solo project, a personal outlet to create without boundaries or expectation. It was never about following a scene, it was about finding a sound that felt honest to who I am. The first release, Eye of the Storm, came out in 2023, but those songs were written across nearly eight years. Each one marked a moment of growth, reflection, and learning. Over time, what began as one vision started evolving into something larger. Henere became an entity shaped by solitude and darkness, a force to merge atmosphere, melody, and aggression into something that feels alive..”
2.In September you have your first full length coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep's?
Musically, The Chosen Path feels like the moment everything aligned. The earlier releases ( Eye of the Storm and Frozen Veil of the North) were about discovery, shaping the sound, and testing boundaries. With this full length, the vision became clear. The melodies cut deeper, the aggression feels more controlled, and the atmosphere carries more weight. It’s not about being more polished, but more deliberate. Every note serves a purpose now. This album captures the sound we’ve been chasing since the beginning.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
The lyrics in Henere are rooted in isolation, endurance, and the struggle to find meaning within the cold. Every song reflects a step along that path, confronting fate, embracing silence, and understanding strength through suffering. There is no religion or fantasy in what we write, but there is spirit. The words are a reflection of that inner war we all face, the will to keep walking through the storm even when nothing waits on the other side.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Henere'?
The name Henere is drawn from an old word meaning darkness or gloom. It carries the weight of shadow and stillness, the place between silence and understanding. I chose it because it felt natural, something that already belonged to the world Henere creates. To me, darkness is not emptiness, it is origin. It is where reflection begins, where creation finds its first breath. The name carries that spirit, born from silence, shaped by shadow.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album covers?
The artwork for The Chosen Path captures the world the music was born from. It shows a moment caught between life and nothingness, a frozen silence where fate feels inevitable. The colors, the light, the emptiness, everything reflects that journey inward. For me, darkness is not just physical, it is a state of being, a place where truth and reflection live. The art embodies that feeling. It is not meant to tell a story but to set a tone, a reminder that beauty can exist in ruin. When I saw the final piece, it felt like looking at the music itself, cold, distant, but alive.
6.The band members live in Missouri and New Jersey, what impact does this have on the recording process?
I have known Bloodcolt for decades now, and our connection has always been natural. We understand each other’s vision and intent, so even with distance, it never felt like we missed a beat. When we finally decided to release Eye of the Storm, it came together during that post-Covid era when everyone was learning how to work differently. We found our rhythm and figured out how to make it work from separate places. That approach has now become the foundation of how we create. The distance doesn’t matter when you share the same pulse. It’s all instinct.
7.Has the band done any live shows or are open to the idea?
Yes, I have thought about it a lot. The idea of returning to the stage has been strong lately. Personally, as Wretch, I have been working toward bringing my original band Demonar back to life. That lineup will include Flakpanzer and Rune from Gersey Deoful, both long time friends and brothers in this scene.
As for Henere, I have talked with Lament recently about the same idea. Since he and I are in the same location, we have been exploring ways to collaborate with local musicians to bring the sound to life. Bloodcolt is in a different state, but distance has never stopped us before. With Henere, everything would have to be built carefully, the sound, the presence, the atmosphere, it all has to feel perfect. It is something that could happen when the time feels right.
8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
The reaction has been incredible so far, especially for a band that has stayed deep in the underground. I am grateful to Void Wanderer Productions and War Productions for believing in this vision and helping The Chosen Path reach corners of the world I never imagined. The reviews have been strong, and hearing people describe the music in their own words has been surreal.
For me, Henere has always been about atmosphere, emotion, and truth. Seeing listeners connect with that has been powerful. The response has gone beyond what I expected , people are not just hearing it, they are feeling it. If you haven’t listened yet, step into it and see where it takes you. The Chosen Path is meant to be experienced, not just played.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
There is a lot happening beyond Henere right now. As I mentioned earlier, I have been working on bringing Demonar back after twenty-five years, alongside Flakpanzer and Rune from Gersey Deoful, and Anti-Human from Misanthropy. That project has deep roots in the old spirit of black metal, and it feels good to return to it with the same fire that started it all.
I am also continuing work on Maut, my solo project that dives into the more depressive and atmospheric side of my sound. It is a very personal form of expression, stripped down, raw, and reflective. Each project exists in its own world, but they are all connected through intent and emotion. Different storms, same source.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We are motivated and already thinking ahead. Writing for Henere has always been about instinct, but even instinct follows its own ritual. There is a process, a rhythm that we trust when creating. Nothing is rushed, everything takes form when it is meant to. Bloodcolt and I have already started discussing ideas for the next album. We plan to keep pushing forward, taking chances while staying true to what defines Henere. If all goes well, expect another release next year, something colder, deeper, and truer to our vision.
11.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?
My influences come from the old spirit of black metal, the era that valued honesty, atmosphere, and feeling over perfection. That rawness shaped how I write and hear music. Beyond that, I draw from different forms of dark and emotional sound, not limited to one genre.
In rotation lately I’ve had Grima’s Nightside, Grab’s The Inevitable Filth of Mankind, and Limbonic Art’s Opus Daemoniacal, to name a few. For me, influence is not about imitation, it is about connection, something that stirs the same fire inside.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to listen and share their thoughts on Henere. The response so far has been incredible, and I am deeply grateful for it. It means a lot to see the music reach across different places and connect with people who truly understand this sound.
I also want to thank you for taking the time to speak with me and for helping bring this vision to more listeners. I look forward to hearing more from those who have discovered The Chosen Path and the earlier releases. Every message, every review, every connection matters. It reminds me why this exists, not for attention, but for resonance. Hail to all who walk the chosen path.
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