1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Blizzard: Hails! We just released an anthology entitled ‘...Where Still Darkness Dwells’ on CD and tape this month, in order to commemorate the 15th anniversary of our existence. At the same time, however, it is also our return from the shadows after a 10-years hiatus.
2.For those that have yet to hear the music, how would you describe your musical sound?
Blizzard: Vorkuta has always been a formation loyal to its own and the genre’s roots. Therefore, tradition is an utterly important cornerstone in our way of thinking but on the other hand, especially on our later materials, I think Vorkuta have always had its own voice and understanding of Black Metal as well. To sum up, Vorkuta plays pure and traditional Black Metal, sometimes atmospheric, sometimes more direct but in general, has a dark and hopeless soundscape.
Inmar: Our harsh, rasping sound envisions monochromatic scenery. We use very, very simple riffs and themes, with a particular focus on the atmosphere. Sad and sombre melodies are articulated, often in long musical sequences.
3.Since 2008 there has been no music released, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
Blizzard: Well, we have been really active with Vorkuta in the period between 2003 and 2008, and I personally didn’t stop until a good while because I was also busy doing my other band called Drünken Bastards until around 2010–2011.(M.B. Hellspike was a member there as well but left the band short after our first album was released in 2007.) Since then,even though none of us pursued any musical activity, we followed the scene from a distance. Nonetheless, now we just felt the malicious urge to bring back our creature from the dead.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored over the years with your music?
Blizzard: Vorkuta’s lyrical realmwas always based on personal topics, primarilystemming from the dark side of the soul: triumphant visions, hidden lores, and nostalgic moods.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Vorkuta'?
Blizzard: Vorkuta is a remote town by the Northern Ural Mountains,where one of the most terrific Sovietdeath camps (called Vorkutlag) was located; according to historians, several million people have been killed there. A dark and haunted place in terms of its history, whereas in real life, a really depressing place to live in.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Blizzard: Vorkuta never performed live, and I am not sure it ever will...
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Blizzard: We have no plans like that.
8.Recently you have released a compilation, can you tell us a little bit more about the album?
Blizzard: As mentioned above, ‘...Where Still Darkness Dwells’ is an anthology, a selection of the most important Vorkuta tracks released in the 2003–2008 period. Some of those releases have been very limited and long sold-out. Thus, in terms of our return,we thought making such a compilation would be the best step – as a result, ‘...Where Still Darkness Dwells’ was born. First and foremost, it contains our very first demo entitled ‘...Where Only Darkness Dwells’ in its entirety,along with several other dark hymns from different split materials, remastered by Winterlord Rabenaas of Witchcraft fame, exclusively for this compilation.
The CD version was released by Metal Ör Die Records with an 8-pages booklet that contains photos, articles and liner notesnever seenbefore. Concerning the subsequent tape version, it was released by Fekete Terror Productions, with a 4-panels J-card and an exclusive outer slipcase.Both versions turned out to be fantastic; the design is just as dark as the music. Real Black Metal.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
Blizzard: Vorkuta isn’t the most overrated band for sure, however, it is a quite respected one based on the feedbacks that reach us. This makes us proud of course, but at the same time we still don’t think it’s that important what others say, since we do it predominantly for ourselves.
10.When can we expect new music and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Blizzard: We follow our own way, there won’t be significant changes. Vorkuta is, and always will be, a Black Metal band. We plan to release our second album this year.
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?
Blizzard: I listen to my childhood faves, all forms of oldschool Metal. Our most profound influence is probably Darkthrone.
Inmar: We do listen to a lot of Metal bands, including Black Metal of course, but nowadays – at this distance of time – I have to say my influences weren’t only these bands. For instance Dead Can Dance’s decadent ‘Spleen’that I discovered at that time, or The Cure’s three albums they did with Simon Gallup, especially ‘Pornography’ – along with a lot of non-Metal musical formations including classical composers.
12.How would you describe your views on Satanism?
Blizzard: I never really cared about it. I see life, existence and the whole cosmos in a dual way. There are evil and good forces around us but I cannot link these to Satan or God. I am myself a believer but not in terms of Satan or God. I rather believe in my own God. It is such an ignorant thing not to accept higher forces than men. However, I have always been fascinated with folklore as well(especially the dark side of it), and there you can find the same kind of duality, for example the devil’s character who isn’t always necessary evil.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Blizzard: ‘...Where Still Darkness Dwells’ CDs, tapes and T-shirts can be ordered, either directly from the band or from our labels. Currently we are composing new hymns of darkness for our follow-up second album;even I am curious about what we can come up with after 10 years of silence. In addition, we also plan to re-release our first album entitled ‘Into the Chasms of Lunacy’ from 2007.
Thanks for the interview! Hail Darkness!
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