Updates - interviews
Interviews
Panegyrist
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When I first came across Panegyrist's Hierurgy debut earlier this year, I knew before even listening that I was going to be in for something truly unique and atypical for the realm of black metal. Angelic, Christian-influenced imagery adorned the album cover, and subsequent statements I read from guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist Elijah Tamu appeared to rebuff the idea of Panegyrist as a simple "Christian black metal" band, and hint at something much darker and more subversive behind the album's music and themes. As repeated listens to Hierurgy made me admire the composition and genuine inspiration behind it more and more, I decided to reach out to Elijah for this interview. To call the conversation that ensued enlightening would be an understatement, for it was no less than a glimpse into the mind of a man who truly breathes the driving forces behind his life into his work. Read more ›› |
Interviews
P.H.O.B.O.S.
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I have been a huge fan of the French P.H.O.B.O.S. since first crossing paths with the utter monstrosity that is the Atonal Hypermnesia album four or five years ago. The colossal, hypnotizing blend of industrial, doom, and black metal is something that was simply unmatched for me by any other band at the time, and I still haven't heard anything quite like it since. Reviewing the band's latest album from this year, and being informed they were up for an interview, I seized an opportunity to talk to Frédéric Sacri, the mastermind behind it all. As far as I can tell, this is the first online interview with Sacri in well over a decade, and as he implied in the conversation that ensued between us, it could very well be his last. I simply cannot express what an honor it is that he has chosen Metal Storm for this rare, possibly final exposé of his work and inspirations. Read more ›› |
Interviews
Vulture Industries
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After attending Metal Gates Festival in Bucharest, I was about to attend Haywire Festival in Timișoara as well, which would mean I will have seen Vulture Industries twice, a week apart, so five times in total. We reached out to them to have a little chat. Being the first festival bracelet owner, the venue gave me the ceremonial beer and palinka shot that they give to people who arrive for opening bands. After waiting a bit for Bjørnar to set up the merch stand, he takes me backstage where Eivind is sleeping with earphones (he does wake up at some point) and Øyvind is ready for the interview. Obviously it being the backstage of a somewhat small venue, we were often interrupted by either folks going to the fridge or the sound of sound-checks, but that didn't stop me from getting 70 minutes worth of interview material and the burden of having to transcribe that through so much background noise and Norwegian banter. Read more ›› |
Interviews
The Ocean
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After some e-mails and some wondering if they'll reach their target, I managed to schedule an interview with The Ocean during their performance in Timisoara, while they were on tour with Rosetta. Since I had no idea whether the interview will take place or not until the day of the concert, I did what research I could at work and wrote what questions I could and hurried to the venue so that we would have enough time between the time doors opened and when Rosetta's performance started, since they were the ones I hadn't seen before. The Ocean I had previously seen opening for Katatonia just one year beforehand. After finally meeting Paul near the merch stand, he invited me in the tour bus, where Robin was working and it was more quiet. At first Robin had a bit of work to do and didn't join until a bit after the interview started. Read more ›› |