-Disciples of the Void is a 2nd wave black metal band from Finland (and Norway). Originally formed as a side-project but since the feedback has been so amazingly positive the project might upgrade as a fulltime band. Time will tell.
2.You have your first album coming out in December, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
- Yes, the idea behind this band is to play black metal the way it was once we discovered it. All of the bands we listened to back in the day have developed in to something else. In some point Mayhem went to more progressive style and so did Emperor and Enslaved. Gehenna went to death metal, Darkthrone to black'n'roll or whatever that is. Burzum...Ulver...Well. You know what I mean. None of the bands have remained the same. Not saying there is something wrong it, don't get me wrong. It just left us missing the good ol' days. And this is why we decided to put up a project combining all the good stuff that we describe as quality black metal.
3.When I listened to the album you had a good amount of keyboards but the music was more close to the early 90's approach instead the later more symphonic approach, do you feel there has been a huge decline in bands playing the old school style that you play?
-Well, I stopped following the scene long ago so I'm only guessing here, but yes. Like I said before the most of the bands have turned into something else. But I guess it is only natural. Bands that started out with 1 or 2 tracks of synth are nowadays performing with actual symphony orchestra or backing tapes with 20+ miditracks roaring behind them.
There's also some modern black metal bands that say that they are ”old school” style but they have hard time to maintain the interest from their audiences by their music alone some how. So they tend be more extreme and write super-fast songs with tempo reaching 260bpm etc.
Or even better, build up an image that is provocative enough to make people notice them and leave the music as a secondary matter. And this is where they get lost in being 'old-school'. The music I grew up with was all about satan and anti-chrisitan values or nature and mythologies. And the songs based on just awesome riffs. Not the high tempo.
The way we use our keyboards is pretty subtle. I think it is a good way to create a cold atmosphere to your music.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
- There's some references to the writings of A.Crowley and Nietzche but for the most part they are apocalyptic visions of the world being swallowed into the void by the Great Beast. So, satanism, philosophy and the apocalypse.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Disciples Of The Void'?
- Years back I had an idea for a band name Disciples of the _____ . Then fill the blank with a short memorable word that describes the main concept of the lyrical themes. In this case the word would be ”Void”. The idea sounds kind a silly but it worked out great. I think it is a very cool band name.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
- The drawning is titled ”The Lifting of the Veil” and presents the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. It was inspred by our track ”Per Aspera ad Noctum”. I made couple of different drawnings but we thought this is the best choice for the album cover.
7.With the exception of a session drummer on the album the band is a duo, are you open to expanding the line up or moving into doing live shows?
-Yes, actually. We are currently looking for some extra members for the live shows. So yeah, liveshows are possible.
8.On the album you had also done a cover of Bathory's "Home Of Once Brave", what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?
-Since the day Quorthon passed away we felt that we needed to do a Bathory-cover as a tribute. We just didn't have appropriate project for the cover song until now. Home of the once brave is a perfect way to end the album and to say ”R.I.P” to Quorthon. I found Bathory back in '91 and it was sort of a gateway band to black metal for me. Hail Bathory!
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
-Too early to say. We only have some ideas for the next release like lyrical concept and guest musicians and that sort of stuff but we haven't proceeded to the actual songwriting phase just yet.
10.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/
- As for the musical style, mid 90's black metal. Nothing more, nothing less. Bands:(old) Darkthrone, (old) Mayhem, (old) Emperor, (old) Burzum, (old)Gehenna, (old) Ulver, (old) Enslaved, (old) Celtic Frost, Dissection, Necrophobic. Not listening much music these days, probably the same old.
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
- Our music is our life. Everything is usually music related with us. If it is not about the instruments or the gear then it is about the production or lyrical concepts or the aesthetics and so on.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
- Grab the album and enter the soul-absorbing shadows
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