Since the recording of the split we have began working on material for yet another split, three songs in total. That's all we can say about that for now. Besides that we started the year off with our first show in 2019 with Alkerdeel and Turia in London which was very well received and a night of total Black Magic(k). Other than that, the layout is being worked on for the previously unreleased first album which was written and recorded in 2009/2010 to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the band. All I can say on this is for now is the album will have a different mix, mastering and proper artwork this time as opposed to the primitive version found previously online. There will be linear notes explaining the reason why we chose to do this to the original and a few rare photos from back in those days.
2.Recently you have released a new split, musically how does it differ form the stuff that you have released in the past?
I would say it is a little more layered than the last couple of releases, we made a bit of a return to the 'middle-era' of the band in terms of the instrumentals, by this I mean some the synth and keys used holds a torch up to the same mood from the 'Smitciv-Victims' album but with a totally different atmosphere. The songs are marginally longer than before with less vocals and lyrics. I did this to give the songs more breathing space to enable the monotony of repetition of the music to entrance the listener.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
I prefer no to really discuss the lyrics I write for the band personally to any real depth. Cryptically I will say the abstract themes from balancing what sometimes feels like 'two realities' that battle in my regular day normality certainly appear more 'surreal' in my lyric choice when put down on to paper.
4.I know that the bands name is a mixture of absinthe and misanthropy, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?
The pair of us have shared a fair few of what could be described as spiritual and unhinged experiences when consuming Absinthe, amongst other things in the early days of the band. Getting into that mind frame through consumption abuse can sometimes take you to places that you may not want to go to that you never quite recover from just like any other bad lessons learnt in life. Life can drive you that way sometimes, often in my case because of the state of humanity and the modern world.Finding madness a form of gnosis can feel a saner alternative to a reality utterly hostile to myself, I revel in a sense of self-chosenness and self-apostasy.
Music is a tool that can paint these lessons more black and white for me than anything else I choose to do.
Is this weak immaturity? Probably. Is this hatred for real? Very much so.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on your side of the recording?
The artwork is the coat of arms for Warwickshire, England where we are from. I wrote the music and lyrics in solitude in various locations of the Warwickshire area at various different times of the year so my perspective and surroundings would tend to alter the mood. Also as this split is an international project by two bands from two very different and polarizing parts of the world I think that a symbol which shows your origins is a way of getting people to explore heritage and often forgotten messages taken away from modern life.
6.On the recordings the band works as a duo but has a live line up for shows, would you be open to working with a full band in the studio on future releases?
In an ideal world I would be open to the idea greatly to a certain point. But due to the nature of how Absinthropy works, the timing of us working just as a duo is not as simple and accessible as you might imagine.
Never say never.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
There have been many faces to the live interpretation of Absinthropy over the years. When we first decided to try and translate it live the line up was quite an unstable 'mash up' of members who we were already involved with in other projects past and present at the time. In those days we made quite an impression with our debut show in Birmingham, March 2011 but we only played one more after that with the said line up. Then for nearly 5 years we had a core live line up which did not include a drummer anymore so everything was programmed in the drum department but this meant we could play alot of our songs that had keys as backing track too. I would describe this era of the band as it's most 'chaotic' but also it's most unfocused, we were more theatrical back then and I felt this kind of masked the music a little too much. Nowadays the line up has remained the same with our current drummer since the end of 2015, with additional second guitar duties from other like minded individuals from well respected acts in the UKBM scene. Since then if has translated as far as I'm concerned at it's finest, a window into the mind of our music that makes me feel totally in the moment. That certain plateau I reach when we are writing the music is peaked, it's just me, the music, my Absinthe and Crowley's words 'Do What Thou Wilt, Shall Be The Whole Of The Law'.
Absinthropy has always been a very 'on the fence' band when it comes to playing shows, this is due to our style I guess, some could argue we are not 'heavy' enough to fit certain extreme/black metal bills and on the flip side we are too much for lighter audiences on other shows we have played before. There are no best shows only moments.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Several shows are lined up for this year which are beginning to be announced, we never plan to be a touring band in the conventional sense of the meaning. Worthwhile 'one offs' work best for us.
9.Recently you where a part of a split with 'Salix Babylonica', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?
I have great respect for Salix and their dedication to their own messages and outlook. I wish them the best for the future and hope to see them spread their message the best way they feel fit. Hails to the Ecuador Hordes!
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
For years I would say it was 25% UK reaction and 75% the rest of the world. Europe and South America seem to 'get' what we do alot more than the home turf, there are waves of interest at home that come and go but similar to alot of trends in metal music, alot of the UK scene fans or whatever are quick to jump onto something else very quick so we never really give much back when we have seen it come and go like revolving doors in regards to positive reactions.
11.When can we expect another full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
When the time is right and who knows.
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?
The main influences to begin with came from fusing 80's post-punk with Black Metal. bands such as Joy Division and The Cure have played a monumental part to the main influences, particularly 'Pornography' by TC. In regards to the Black Metal influences, we were listening to alot of the contemporary French scene at the time as we felt they were doing what we aimed for quite well. Bands such as early-Alcest, Amesoueurs , Peste Noire etc in our earlier material. Nowadays we don't really pay attention to other bands to gain influences, we have sort of found ourselves in our own sound.
13.How would you describe your views on Occultism?
Occultism is something I completely support. The esoteric message and insight from Thelema and Aleister Crowley (who was born in the same town we are from) plays a massive part on Absinthropy's personal aesthetics. I can recommend The Book Of The Law and The Book Of Lies as a great starting point. I feel many could gain something greater out of performing Mass of The Phoenix!
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you.
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