Orelisk Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

            Orelisk was created out of an obsession for 90's second wave black metal.  Modern black metal cannot hold a candle to the atmospheres of darkness and nostalgia present in the early years of the genre, so I was compelled to start Orelisk as a vessel to continue these traditions invoked over 30 years ago.

 

2.You have your first full length coming out towards the end of June, musically how does it differ from your previous demo?

Musically, The Underworld Obscura full-length is very similar to the Mold demo.  The main difference is in production.  The demo had a very warm cathartic sound, while the full-length is much colder, heavier, and angrier.  The demo also used amp modelers, but the full length was recorded with old combo amps in order to stay more in-line with a truly raw old aesthetic. 

 

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with this solo project?

Lyrically Orelisk is a storied anthology of evil and despair.  Each song contains their own account of historically based lore and atrocities.  While these stories may be fictionalized, their depictions of darkness and deadly ordeals are very real. 

 

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Orelisk'?

"Orelisk" is a combination of the words "oration" and "obelisk".  This blending of terms is the lyrical basis for the project.  The stories told therein are orated to the listener through the monolithic medium that is black metal. 

 

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

Both the Mold demo and The Underworld Obscura feature paintings of local abandoned buildings.  Abandoned man-made structures are fascinating since their histories are often veiled and yet they stand for no other purpose but to remind us that they have been forgotten for some reason.  On both releases a song is dedicated to these monuments, containing terrifying stories of what very well could have led to their abandonment.  The paintings on the covers of Orelisk are interpretations done by my mother, who herself has a darkness within her, as we all do.

 

6.With this project you record everything by yourself, but work with musicians in your other bands, which one do you prefer?

Full bands have the obviously positive impact of additional creative ideas and the comraderies that come with sharing these ideas are essential to me, but multiple personalities can lead to several differing fundamental desires that can detract from the personal aspect of each member's own connection to the music.  This is why it is imperative to operate with members with similar mindsets and goals and I am lucky to share these projects with the people I do work with.  I don't necessarily have a preference between the two as I enjoy working in both spheres, but the deeply personal pull of a solo project is undeniable.

 

7.Both the demo and full length where released on 'Northern Spire Productions', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Northern Spire Productions is a label that I created to house my projects under one umbrella.  Future operations of the label involve cultivating a scene of like-minded local extreme metal musicians who wish to spread their music to a wider audience.  We are a small team and an in-depth about page can be found on our website. 

https://nsp.neocities.org/story

 

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

Although our scope is very limited, feedback has been extremely positive so far, especially in Eastern Europe.  While I am honored to have a handful of loyal listeners of my projects, feedback is not the driving goal personally.  I create this music because I am passionate about it, and commercial or critical success is always secondary.

 

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that you are a part of?

My band LanzerRath is releasing its fourth drunken full-length foray Metagalactic Domination on July 14th 2023.  LanzerRath will then be finishing up a split release that will bring the band into some exciting new territory.  I am currently recording full-lengths for my death metal band Draudr, as well as some additional projects that will be announced at a later date that will certainly interest fans of raw black metal.

 

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I don't like to speculate on such things, I prefer to do my writings in a spontaneous manner, so future progressions will have to be seen.  I will however say that I will be taking some projects onto the stage again in this post-covid world.

 

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?

I had never been enveloped into music until I heard extreme metal for the first time, and since that time I haven't strayed far from that path.  As far as influences go, I am enamored by amateur musicians, and thus acts such as Judas Iscariot, Burzum, Darkthrone, Enslaved, and Ildjarn.  I still listen to these bands extensively today.  I also listen to local acts such as PAN, The Glorious Dead and former Michigan act Shroud Of Despondency.  These guys are keeping the torches burning!

 

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

If you don't have a local extreme metal scene, then start one!   https://orelisk.bandcamp.com/album/the-underworld-obscura 

 

Orelisk/The Underworld Obscura/Northern Spire Productions/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Orelisk  are  a  solo  project  from  Traverse  City,  Michigan  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "The  Underworld  Obscura"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Northern  Spire  Records.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in t he  90's  era  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts..  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  yet  aggressive  style  and  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  classic  Nordic  and  USBM  bands  as  well  as  the  closing  track  also  being  an  instrumental.

  Orelisk  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  old  school  and  melodic  in  the  90's  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  doomed  nomads,  ancient  beasts  and  unhinged  minds.

  In  my  opinion  Orelisk  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  and  melodic  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  War  Of  Despair"  and  "Derelict  House  Of  Desires".  8  out  of  10.

  https://orelisk.neocities.org/