1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
T: We started in 2015, with minor ambitions which grow over time playing black/death/extreme metal, with other subtle influences from other genres. Currently it’s just the two of us, with me on drums and E on guitar and bass. We share the burden of the vocal performances.
2.So far you have released a demo, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
E: NPU covers some initial ground, representing some early material that we’ve been playing more or less from day one. There’s more material from then, but it doesn’t hold the same enjoyment for us to play anymore so it hasn’t been included. We’re basically a studio band, so in a way the demo’s two different sides represents the two sides of the band; the A-side is the ‘studio’ aspect while the B-side portrays a raw cut from our rehearsals, just us, a few mics and stuck in a small room.
Stylistically, we seek to mix arrangements, moving from fast, chaotic riffing to creating atmospheric soundscapes through longer, more repetitive sections.
T: The NPU tape represents raw production and big soundscapes, where maybe not every single note is distinct, but the emphasis is on the atmospheric wall of sound that the arrangements produces.
3.Your lyrics cover metaphysics, philosophy, theology and biology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?
E: The world is a fascinating place and there´s so many minuet, chaotic events that occur. It´s only natural that the lyrics will cover a wide variety of topics. Personally, I find symbolism to be immensely interesting, not so much for what they 'represent', but for the representations which we attribute to them. In a similar fashion, I pay great tribute to the idea expressed by Linnæus - Omnia mirari etiam tritissima - so often the lyrics become a way of conceptualizing these acts, occurrences or calamities.
T: One may also add that historical events offer another source of inspiration. The acts of man, throughout history, can be interesting in how it delves into, or reveal aspects of, human nature and opens for interesting ideas.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ezov'?
T: The name of the band refers to a plant, or herb, used in religious rituals. To a degree the name refers to some recurring themes and inspirational topics of the lyrics. However, as the plant is said to have a variety of properties and used in several ways, such as within healing and cleansing, in a similar manner, so does it represent the band. We try not limit the music to any one topic nor our understanding of what music should sound like and push our abilities as musicians, even though we still operate within a specific genre. Simply put, the name refers to the multiplicity of ambition of the project in the sense that it emphasizes how we try to widen the instrumental and lyrical properties of the band.
5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
E: We´ve made some attempts at expanding the members, but that´s predominantly been a disappointment in my opinion. Early on when we only rehearsed we had a bassist, but he left after a while; there was nothing personal in this case, just differences in commitments and desires. But in general, there´s so much that needs to align; musical vision and desires obviously, ability to some extent, availability... But then there also needs to be a level of camaraderie, this is vitally important. Find someone else who is right and it can be liberating, opening for a new level of musicality and creativity; bring someone else onboard who shouldn´t be there in the first place, and it´ll just destroy the dynamic – of course, some degree of ‘destruction’ can also be creative, but that´s usually a different type. Basically, there´s always a trade-off. We’ll see if we find someone, but until then the duo suits us well.
6.The demo was also released in physical format by War Productions, are you happy with the support you have received from this label so far?
E: Certainly. We´ve had a good working relationship with War Productions on the release of the demo and look forward to cooperating on more projects in the future. It´s always enjoyable to encounter individuals who do what they do with a passion, and as for WP, this shows in the level of commitment even to untested bands, so we appreciate that.
7.The musical project has been around since 2015 but you waited until 2018 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the earlier years?
E: In the beginning the band started off as a side-project to give some creative release from the normal routines. We both have other commitments in life and so music is always, unfortunately, dependent on time. Releasing material was never the initial ambition, but as we´ve continued rehearsing and writing material we´ve come to realize that we can, and have wanted to, do more with Ezov, so we´re only letting it develop naturally as time goes along.
I think it’s only natural too that in the beginning, there’s more exploration to see what you can do and what you want to do. Then, with time things begin to take form and you start to collect and condense into a more coherent sound; you keep what you want and do away with the material which doesn’t resonate with you. NPU represents some of the material which we’ve been playing from the start which still does that.
T: In the beginning we shared our rehearsal space with a variety of other bands, which were as frustrating as interesting experience. In 2016 we got our own rehearsal space, which mark an important turning point for the band, since it gave us the ability to record our own material and come and go as we desired. This is also when we recorded NPU and the material for the coming full length.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
E: We´re still a relatively ‘young’ band, the demo is quite newly released and we aren´t notorious for having a marketing strategy, so I doubt our reach has spread that far. However, now that we´ve got some material out – and more on the way – that may change. Sometimes however, its more satisfying when you realize, years later, that you have a small ‘following’ in some small god-forgotten place you´ve never heard off. Anyway, so far, the feedback we have gotten has been quite positive. It's usually good for ones ego to see how other people interpret what you do, be it good or bad.
9.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
E: We actually have a full length sitting around and waiting to be released, we´re just looking for the right time to do it. Currently, we´re in the midst of recording a couple of tracks for an EP and are slowly starting to write and compile new music for future releases too. Musically we both like to experiment, push our musical abilities and incorporate ‘oddities’ into our music. Music becomes more interesting when there are small, hidden nuances buried inside, things you only notice even after you think you ‘know’ a song; that's the ambition at least. Develop and create. The coming material continues and furthers certain qualities which are in line with some of the demo material. One of the rehearsal tracks are fleshed out with full orchestration, so to say. I think one can notice that there's a progression, musically, which is only natural.
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?
E: Both of us listen to a wide variety of music and we draw inspiration from various sources. There are many very good bands out there, not just within metal, which inspire in one way or another. Classical music figured heavily in my upbringing, something I´m much more appreciative of now for example. Even if I don’t enjoy certain genres, most music has elements which catch my attention and which I appreciate.
T: This sort of question is just as interesting as they can be hazardous to the music. Since depending on how you answer them, it can either limit the listeners interpretation and experience of the music or enhance it. That stated influence becomes a lens through which the listener views the music. Thus, people tend to sometimes read in more, or less, depending on what influence you state. This can also become true when you tell about your own personal background. I can sometimes be inspired by a minor detail of what other artists are doing, but at the same time neglect a lot of other aspect. Thus, when we create music the influences can come from a variety of places, and not just music, so it can become hard to pinpoint just one source of inspiration.
11.What are some of your non-musical interests?
E/T: Most of them are musical in nature.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
E: Thanks for the time and the interview!
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