| Black
metal that defines total blasphemy. Satanic worship! Astral Projection!
How far can Germany's CHAOS INVOCATION push the limits
of the black circle? It's rather difficult to delve the answers
in their occult world. However, guitarist, vocalist and founder
of the band A. spills the blood that leads to cryptic riddles
and ideas for their new, long awaited album Black Mirror Hours.
Sioux:
Greetings, it has been some time since we last spoke. Let's talk
about Black Mirror Hours. How long did it take to write
the songs and record it?
A.: It’s been a while, indeed. The songs on Black
Mirror Hours arose between 2006 and 2012 as a result of
experiences that we have made while walking upon the path of snakes.
To manifest the eleven songs that now characterize our new record,
we entered Hellsound Studio on October 28th last year.
Sioux:
The release date of the new album was delayed, what was the reason
for that? When will Black Mirror Hours officially be available?
A: There are several reasons for the delay. Reasons beyond
our and our label W.T.C.’s control. The CD is still in the
press shop, but we hope that we receive all copies within the
next weeks so that we can start with the distribution.
Sioux:
It truly sounds amazing from this end, are you satisfied with
the way it turned out?
A.: It is very simple. If we were not satisfied with what
we have created, we would not even enter the studio to record
it. Yes, we are satisfied with the final result. We knew it from
the beginning on, that we will release some very powerful songs
into this world. It took us ten days and ten nights to record
this album and it took us one year to find the right mix. Anyway,
we found it…
Sioux:
Explain how you came up with the title.
A.: In the last years we have put a lot of time into our development.
To increase our knowledge and wisdom we cooperate with energies
whose origins lie beyond the borders of this world. The Black
Mirror could be used as a gateway and a tool to make things visible
and to make contact. The title therefore describes our act of
growing and experiences that we have made during this process.
Sioux:
Let's talk a bit about the lyrical content. Especially the songs
Faces On My Spiritual Plane and Walking In His City.
Astral projection is very intriguing, and a subject not often
mentioned .
A.: Probably because most humans do not have any clue of astral
journeys. Walking In His City describes the order of events
that could take place after the death of your body. To make it
more concrete the order of events that occur when a person dies
that has not succeeded in escaping the borders of a normal human
during lifetime. The lines “you shouldn’t be here,
you went not far enough” illustrate that.
Sioux:
The vocals on this album are a step above and a little different
from the previous album. There is also some clean singing in certain
places on this album. How do you plan your vocal approach to get
it to sound the way it does?
A.: The vocals were split since the very beginning. M. does
the main vocals, while I do the spoken and clear parts. But since
I did some songs and strophes in the (most would probably say
“black metal typical” way or whatever), I will answer
this question for M.. We always understood Black Metal as a very
emotional type of music. It is therefore essential that you can
relate to the things you deal with in your lyrics. The right mood
and atmosphere are also very important. Gather energies around
you, dismember yourself, fulfill the air with the stench of death
and olibanum, light up some candles or whatever. It makes no sense
at all if you do not mean and feel it.
Sioux:
Aside from that, your songs are hymns to Satan. Is there a certain
writing process involved to come up with such intense lyrics and
music?
A.: The writing process is less certain, but more natural.
Compare it to a birth. Usually I carry an idea, feeling, characteristic
in mind for months (which is mostly connected to a song title
or at least a special topic). When the pressure gets too strong
you have to release it. You will feel it and you are well advised
not to ignore this moment.
Sioux:
The guitar work on this album is phenomenal, is it hard accomplish
this being that there is only one guitarist?
A.: No, it is not hard to accomplish. It makes things even
easier. As I said before, the writing process of our music is
a natural one, completely unforced. The fact that I am the only
guitarist allows me to write the music almost exactly as I want
it to sound. M. and T. always understand where I want to go with
a song and they support me to realize it. T. is a much better
guitarist than I am and has occasionally ideas that inspire me
for other outgrowths of a song.
Sioux:
You’ve had some members leave and new ones appear recently
is that correct? How is that working out?
A.: Yes, that is correct. The circle of CHAOS INVOCATION
consists of three permanent and three live members.
T. – drums
M. – vocals
A. – guitars, vocals
J. – rhythm guitar
SMD. – bass guitar
S. – rhythm and bass guitar.
The current line-up allows us to be more flexible. It works out
fine and I feel that it will be successful.
Sioux:
You’ve done some live rituals, have you ever had any supernatural
manifestations or anything unusual happen during your performances?
A.: Try to find out what happens during a CHAOS INVOCATION
concert on your own. Most visitors are not capable to feel or
see a supernatural activity.
Sioux:
Are there any personal supernatural experiences you’d like
to share?
A.: No, I don’t want to share any personal supernatural
experiences in this interview. I know how it is perceived by the
public and can do without small minds that tear this to pieces.
We share our experiences with everyone through our lyrics. That
should be enough…
Sioux:
What are you touring plans? Will you bring CHAOS INVOCATION over
seas?
A.: We haven’t planned a tour until now. It is one of
our goals to cross the Atlantic, but it is not easy to realize,
because we are still an unknown band and hence dependent on bigger
bands to take us to the American continent. It really sucks…
Sioux:
You’ve got some festival dates coming up in 2013, is that
correct?
A.: Yes, we will play on Deathkult Open Air and Under The
Black Sun, but these won’t be the last festival dates for
this year. We will receive some more inquiries after the release
of Black Mirror Hours. It is going to be a year full of live invocations.
Sioux:
Thank you for your time, anything else you care to say?
A.: Visit http://chaosinvocation.wordpress.com/
from time to time to get the latest news. |
