1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the musical project these days?
These days I'm still recording, still writing songs like a motherfucker, all different styles, although lately I have been sticking to the good old early 90's Euro Black sound....these songs are to be on an album called "Radiate" which will be released soon. A preview version of the album is up on the Cryostasium bandcamp page if anyone's interested in what I got up my sleeve.
2.So far this year you have released 2 ep's and a collaboration with 'Thor mallet', how would you describe your current musical sound?
This is kind of a hard one to answer but I'll do my best. It's basically what I would call "dark ambient metal" -- sometimes it's closer to black metal, sometimes closer to D-Beat Punk, sometimes closer to dark ambient or neoclassical. It's always under the banner of Cryostasium though, since it's not a misrepresentation. No matter what the form of music. CURRENTLY - I would say it sounds like a very warped version of early Emperor mixed with Darkthrone and Dodheimsgard, and maybe some Bethlehem in there, love those guys.
The "Thor Maillet" project haha....that is not a project, that's a real band I do with my twin brother, Thor. We call ourselves simply either "Cryostasium & Thor Maillet" or "CTM" for abbreviation. OUR style is like a clash of his and mine, where he has a strong electronic/ambient background, and i use the heavy guitars. Like maybe dark ambient ritualistic neoclassical.... Sometimes we switch off instruments, you really can't tell who's playing what, it's kind of amazing. We're very very similarly musically minded.
3.What are some of the concepts and images that you bring into your musical sound?
Throughout my career I have used abstract images, they all have a common thread which is solace. Yes, I admit I do play the darker form of music, always have loved it and always will continue...and the music is about my life, and the darker aspects of it....struggle, depression, anger, sadness. But in the end what I'm trying to do is create a sonic cocoon for the listener. It's ironic I guess how my weird life can maybe turn into something ok.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Cryostasium'?
This is an old one! Ok, so of course band names are difficult to be original with and overused occult terms, which I did not want. I had a dream one night where I was walking around this ice museum...like this frozen museum, and inside of course on display were frozen people, statues....but not a display of a person, more a display of a different state of suffering. And then suddenly the name "Cryostasium" popped into my head. That is it.
5.Since 2012 you have released a great amount of music, do you put a lot of time and effort into writing and creating music?
Of course! Music is my blood basically, I write it out of necessity, and I take the utmost care into creating the right type of atmosphere and sound. Sometimes I'll do 20 mixes before getting it right though. Time.....time well...hahaha....as you can see maybe from my catalog, time is not an issue. I can usually get what I have in my head onto recording pretty quickly.
6.On the albums you record every by yourself, do you feel this adds more to the creativity of your musical style?
Again, yes! It's great to work with people but I find that my mind gets in the way and my creativity and ideas just start flying out at rapid fire speed. Rather than have ill blood because of this, I choose ultimately to work alone. It allows me to use whatever the fuck I want to use for my music, and the end result only being judged by myself. I'm a very creative person and also kind of a dictator....which is not good but it's true....so it's better for me to work alone.
7.While the albums are solo, you do have a line up for live shows, what are some of the best shows that band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Wow! Thanks! The best shows we ever played weren't in big venues at all, a place called Champions, O' Brien's Pub, Waltham SPORTS PUB haha! Seriously, THAT was one of the most amazing Cryostasium gigs, it was a fest and we were the loudest, most oppresive band there. No one could talk over it. Success. It's a shame because that lineup is dismantled. Things just weren't working out between the members. I had to stop it before it got worse. Anyhow, our stage performance is basically a band performance. Loud, heavy, ambient, dark, a cocoon. but what you will SEE is a hard playing rocking band. No theatrics or extras. Lately though I could do it just with my brother, a dual guitar set/or bass-and -guitars over drum tracks. Time will tell.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Yes I do. Always will be open to playing shows, no matter what the incarnation. I would like to visit and play Russia, Japan, more of the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, hell, all over. Would be really great to play for everyone.
9.Can you tell us a little bit more about the collaboration's that you have done with any artists and also the split's with other bands that you have been a part of so far?
Well, one collaboration and the most prominent I believe is the band I have with my brother, CTM. Another band I'm involved with, CME, is myself teaming up with Mirg from Macabre Enslaver, from Italy, respectively. That is a very odd and interesting black metal band. I would describe that as more like extremely dark prog rock from the 70's but very heavy and black metal influenced. I have also done splits with of course Xasthur a while back, 2006. Also Tenebrious and Earthenwomb, both from the USA. Those splits came out recently. My most recent is going to be a collaboration with the mighty Abigorum from Russia. Really technical, but really dark and simplistic at the same time. Should be very interesting, Satanath is a great musician, sometimes it is hard to keep up!
10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
On a worldwide level, the interest and feedback hasn't been horrible. I usually get bad reviews of my first record and the split with Xasthur, nowadays my records get good reviews. Something I'm really not used to, people liking your stuff!! on a worldwide level even. I find I have some types of followings in Russia, Japan, the Netherlands and Brazil. In the USA people kind of could care a bit less..
11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that you are a part of?
Right now as I said I am working on a collaboration with Abigorum and the new CTM album is due out very very soon. Though lately, The other bands and collaborations have kind of taken a back seat to Cryostasium. It's just the most important thing in my life. I always try to to start work on another person's track and then something happens to me that's fucked up and I write a Cryostasium album.
12.When can we expect another full length and also where do you see yourself heading into musically during the future?
You can expect my next full length "Radiate" to be released within the next six months or so. Musically in the future really it is up in the air but staying heavy and dark. I will always stay heavy and dark. Right NOW it's still in the early Darkthrone/Dodheimsgard thing...could change next week! Could never change, only time will tell.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
The influences on my newer music, are the same as my older influences: Strid, Manes, Thorns, Darkthrone, Dodheimsgard, Zyklon-B, Abigor, Niden DIv. 187. Also, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, lovesliescrushing, My Bloody Valentine, Discharge, Plasmatics, Disclose, Black Flag, Christ on Parade....lots of music. These days I'm listening to a lot of Discharge, Disclose, Durutti Column, Jane Weaver, OFF!, Slayer, Mysticum, and Abigor.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Please check out my work at cryostasium.bandcamp.com. Hope you like what you hear.
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