Interview with Aphelion (USA)

Today Lachryma Christi brings you an interview with a Black Metal band from Missoury, USA.

Aphelion were around earlier, around 2007/2008, with the name Goat Sabbath, that some of you might remember. Then they were off for around 10 years, and they are now back as Aphelion, and planning to release a new EP soon. Lachryma Christi is really looking forward to it! Brandon Teel and Karl Dahmer answered some questions about this and other stuff, you might find as interesting! (All photos taken from the band's Facebook page)

Aphelion as Aphelion is a very recent band, or so I've heard you've been around since 2018, after ten years off, and after a name change. Would you like to tells us how it happened?

Brandon Teel: The band originally started around 2007/ 2008 as Goat Sabbath when Karl Dahmer (vocalist) enlisted me, Brandon Teel (guitars), to play guitar in a metal band. I had never played guitar in a band before, but we were all from a small town so most of the people who actually played guitar where already in bands. 

Karl and I were attending college, and I was approaching the end of my collegiate career and feeling the stress of trying to finish. I bowed out of the band and the rest of the guys started the grind band called Rimjob, which continues to play today. 

Karl Dahmer: Originally formed back in ‘07 under the name Goat Sabbath, the band was short-lived simply as the original members lives were headed in various directions. Brandon and I have remained in regular contact and a couple of years ago, talks of at least recording decent versions of the original tracks were discussed. The original songs had only one extremely crude recording as well as a few YouTube live bits.

Why the choice of releasing the EP now and not in the very beginning?

Brandon: We actually did try recording at a friends house in 2008...but it did not turn out very good for a multitude of reasons. We’ve also drastically changed the sound of the songs as well, to the point that they are hardly recognizable. And now, with all the modern methods of recording on a laptop, it just made sense to start recording ourselves. 

Karl: Lending itself to the previous question, we were in a very small town w/ varied schedules and not really the means nor the motivation w/ previous members to push for a quality release at that time.

What does Aphelion actually mean as a name for a band?

Brandon: I have to give credit to my cousin Wesley McGowen. Back in the early 2000’s we had discussed starting a band at some point. He actually wrote 2 of the riffs on EP II (which we are currently finishing up), and he also came up with the name, which is fitting for a cold sounding musical style. As defined by Merriam-Webster it is “the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is furthest from the sun.” We tossed around a few ideas, but ultimately decided Aphelion made sense for our style. 

Karl: Much like the dictionary definition or a planet or star at its furthest point from the sun, I feel we are now pushing ourselves into far darker, colder, and more unknown regions of creativity from our center or original point of origin.

Lachryma Christi has a lot (but a lot really) of readers from United States. How do you see the Black Metal industry in the US?

Brandon: There is an endless supply of great music in the US and abroad. In this digital age, the internet has become saturated with bands, labels, and promoters which makes it difficult to sift through and find the gems, but that has become part of the fun for me. 

Karl: I feel there are many quality acts from America. As to further inner-workings or politics, we keep out of those realms of debate. Creativity and worrying about ourselves first.

How come you don't have a label yet? Are you searching for one, or you wish to remain as it is?

Brandon: We actually released our first EP (I) with Anti//All - Forever records and with the help of Blasphemous Creations of Hell records and Mayhemic Overkill Records. Metal Archives has us as independent for that release, but we released the CD version through them. As far as moving forward, AAF Records is currently not releasing any new music, so we plan on releasing EP II on Bandcamp and on Cassette ourselves. The first EP is free on Bandcamp right now and the cd can be found online. 

Karl: We have simply been working on a wealth of new music and haven’t been actively searching. We are potentially very open to being apart of a label if it should suit us.

What are your lyrics usually about? Where do you get the inspiration for them?

Brandon: Karl is our poet, but I wrote some of the lyrics for 2 tracks (Weathered and Adrift) on EP II. So I can’t speak for Karl, but for me, I take a different approach than most Black Metal bands. Adrift is a story about a sailor trying to outrun a storm at sea, and he’s transporting a cargo of dead loved ones home. The storm is coming and the only way to outrun it is to dump his loved ones remains over the side of the boat to make the ship fast enough, something he struggles with. It’s a metaphor for having to let go of the past to be able to move forward with your life. 

Karl: mainly deeply anti religious material. Inspiration for hatred of an utterly ridiculous world seems to flow freely from every direction these days.

What about the music, where do you get the inspiration? How does the writing process work?

Brandon: Nostalgia is a big one for me. The feeling of Winter really gets me excited for writing. My guitar writing is pretty basic and I try to capture pain, but also power. I am not a defeatist type of person and always want my riffs to have an element of warriorism, even when it sounds cold and downtrodden.  

As far as writing the music of the songs, It all starts with guitar riffs. I am not a traditional guitarist I guess you could say. I don’t know theory or any of that stuff. I just play sounds that I like that I think helps convey a feeling or emotion. I take the riffs to our drummer Zach’s house, and once the songs are done we send tracks to Dahmer so he can write lyrics. 

And for the 3rd release I will be writing with Zach in a more unified fashion. 

Karl: I’ll leave that to the talent to answer.

Do you guys follow any religion?

Brandon: Don’t pass out or grab your pitchforks and torches, but I consider myself a Christian… I would probably be considered a poor example of one by traditional Christians, and some would probably consider me a Deist. I disagree with some biblical text, and always wonder what is just a parable or if any of it had ever been changed during translation (or intentionally to control populations), and how much of it is dependant on the time it was written, but I could talk for hours about different philosophies regarding spirituality. When I was right out of college I started a book, but never finished it, called Genesis Revisited, and I remember being fascinated by it. It’s not what you think, and I may feel differently about it now though. I guess it’s a pretty complex topic to me.

As far as everyone else in the band we have varying beliefs. I have no problem with that as we are not a monolith. That is something that baffles me about Metal music. I’ve seen it said that if you are not Satanic you are not true Black Metal. Metal music used to be one of the most inclusive scenes around, but somehow it’s becoming about ideology and not free will and diverse beliefs. 

Karl: I follow myself. Do you currently play live? How is usually a show of Aphelion? Brandon: Zach joined the band in 2018 and has another band called Soheil Al Fard. Since joining I have been catching him up on old material before we start writing from scratch, and in the short time he’s been with us we have recorded 2 EPs and played one show, with another on the calendar for this Halloween, and 2 other offers to play in Kansas City with our Death Metal brothers Damned by the Pope, and a Black Metal Christmas show with Crypt Fiend in Omaha, Nebraska in December. As far as if we are able to do those shows we are still working out schedules etc. 

Hopefully in 2020 we will be playing more often. Check our Facebook or Instagram for updates. 

Karl: One live show w/ the current lineup and material thus far. A few more slated for the coming months. It went very well. We intend to play a handful of live shows per year, mainly focusing on actively cranking out new material as the priority. I live a couple of hours from the other guys, so we coordinate as best we can.

Any chance of you playing in Europe?

Brandon: I would absolutely love to play Europe! That would take a pretty fantastic alignment of the stars since we all have day jobs and I have a sizeable family. Being a teacher I do have a few months that I can devote to shows and recording, and my wife really wants to visit Europe...so who knows. I wouldn’t rule it out.

Karl: I think I can speak for us all in saying we would absolutely love the opportunity to. Here’s to the future!!

Since the EP I came out in April, what are you working on at the moment? Maybe it's too early to ask, but can we expect an album at some point?

Brandon: Zach and I just tracked drums at his house a few days ago, and I have been tracking guitars at my house. Once that is done we will get Karl over and track vocals. We want this EP done before October since we have a Halloween show. It will have 5 songs, and possibly a bonus track to boot. Once EP II is released I want to start writing a Full Length. I’m still learning to play guitar, and growing as a songwriter and I’m excited for the future of Aphelion. 

Karl: We are currently nearing completion of the recording of a second ep release that should be completed and out this fall. From there we are already knee-deep in continuing on into ideas for what should be our actual full length that should begin this winter and hopefully be released early 2020. We have had a great wealth of creativity in returning and we intend to take advantage of the inspiration.

How would you define the music you play?

Brandon: Absolute emotional honesty. 

Karl: Straightforward black metal . Raw, cold, and unabashed darkness.

What are your favorite bands, the ones that made you like and get into the Black Metal?

Brandon: As far as Black Metal goes, and I’m a bit embarrassed to say this, I am no expert. But lately I have been LOVING the Pest record Ara, Trest’s release Ordalium, and Bloodspell’s Cloaked in Burning Night. Karl also introduced me to Departure Chandelier, and it is fantastic. So much good stuff out there. I absolutely love Goatwhore as well, and I have been a HUGE fan since the Eclipse of ages into Black release in 2000. 

Karl: Darkthrone, Beherit, Burzum, Gorgoroth,Marduk, Profanatica, Leviathan, and Ritual Killer to name a few.

Do you consider it easy or difficult to get in the industry nowadays? Do you think the public is receptive to new bands?

Brandon: I think it depends on your goals. The industry has changed so much, and in the age of social media and digital recording, the market is so saturated. Basically anyone with a laptop can be a band, label, or promoter.  I am content self recording and releasing and find that it’s quite liberating, but I’m not saying I wouldn't love to be on a label that understands and supports our goals and can help us network and promote our work.

Karl: I feel like there are so many potential outlets into any of the industries various platforms that so long as you keep producing material and keep out there you can get somewhere. Yet, you don’t really need “the industry” to help you get places either.

And how was it for you after a ten year break, to come back?

Brandon: It has been great making music again! I’m having a blast. It helps give my life balance. 

Karl: EXCELLENT! This is entirely a whole new band these days. Zach is an excellent new addition and he and Brandon do their creative dance very well. I couldn’t be happier in where we are as well as where we’re going.

Lachryma Christi wishes you all the luck and hopes that since you're back, it is to stay. Thank you for the opportunity!

Brandon: Thanks so much for the opportunity and for your commitment to underground, and often unloveable music!

Read more in: https://www.facebook.com/aphelionblackmetal/ https://aphelionblackmetal.bandcamp.com/releases

Ewigkeit re-release Starscape

The british act Ewigkeit is re-releasing their album Starscape, that came out originally in 1999. This is the Starscape 2.019.
For those who don't know, the man behind this project is James Fogarty (who also is a member of In The Woods...) and all music is written, performed and produced by him.

Starscape 2.019  was released digitally on all platforms to buy and stream on the 23rd of August, and the CD will be available on the 23rd of September.

Review to Zloslut new album "Sahar"

This time Lachryma Christi brings you a review to this black metal band from Serbia called Zloslut.
For those who don't know, this band has been around since 2010, although first it was a one-man band, but a few years ago they became a band with a full lineup.
Sahar is the third full-length of the band and it was released earlier this year.
So for those who haven't heard it yet, what can you expect?
It is definitely a black metal release. However, the voice is quite different from what we usually hear. It's less high pitched and has a lot of feel.
The songs are quite furious and full of feeling and emotions. Fast enough but not just speed as sometimes people think black metal is made of. Yes, the speed plays a big part on this style of music, but black metal is a lot more than just that, and Zloslut know how to make a really good black metal.
Sahar has seven tracks.
What's different in this album besides the voice? It is indeed quite heavy. Very dragged and groovy at the same time. There are doom bits, mixed with the rest of the music in a very intelligent way. It's enjoyable and imponent at the same time. A bit experimental. And instrumentally, we could say sometimes it resembles Shining.
Lachryma Christi advises everyone to give it a go.

Interview with Crest of Darkness (NOR)

After some days off for holidays, Lachryma Christi brings you an interview with Crest of Darkness, Black Metal band from Norway.
Crest of Darkness have been around for such a long time, more precisely since 1993, and they are releasing a new album later on this year, called The God of Flesh.
Lachryma Christi asked some questions to INGAR. In this interview you can read about his ideas about Black Metal, about Satanism, their upcoming shows and albums, and a lot more!


Hey! How would you describe the sound of Crest of Darkness? 

INGAR: I'll give it a try... Dark and brutal Metal with elements from different musical styles. It's a lot of variations in the song material, we've been called a progressive Black Metal band, and I guess that's not so far from the truth. It's not easy to describe your own music, and personally I do have problems with this. Whatever; I like to present Crest of Darkness as a Satanic Metal band. Norwegian Black Metal also sounds good in my ears. We've been in the Norwegian scene since the mid nineties, we always believed in doing things in our own way, and nothing has really changed through all this years. We try to create music and art in our own special way. As all other artists I guess we do also try to stand out as something unique, -a band with it's own identity. 

What does Crest of Darkness exactly mean as the name for the band? 

INGAR: I first saw the expression "in the crest of darkness" in a poem I was reading a long time ago, and already back then I was thinking that this was the perfect name of a band! I guess that Crest of Darkness as a band name can be interpreted in many different ways. I also get different accusations myself....  at the darkest, in the darkest night, at the most "evil", when the man is following his instincts (to survive?!) That's some of my thoughts around our band name..... I don't know what more to say.. Many years ago I probably had a more clear idea about what was the meaning of the name, but like it is with my music, the name Crest of Darkness is more and more living "it's own life" nowadays. I like it that way, that I'm able to watch my own work from "the outside". At least I can do that to a certain kind of point. 

Do you follow any type of religion?  

INGAR: I'm a Satanist! I guess I have been that my whole life, but it was first in the mid eighties I really understood this. For some people I'm afraid it sounds like a cliché now in these days, but the truth is that it all started up when I read The Satanic Bible of Anton LaVey. Through his writings I finally found the inspiration I needed to live my own life fully! Unlike what many people believe Church of Satan isn't first of all a philosophy full of "rules". If there are any rules I'll say that the most important of them has to do with the fact that every human being should believe in itself, not follow a lot of "rules" made by others! Not follow the "rules" of a metaphorical, supernatural God! This has nothing to do with "good" or "evil" as predicted in many different religions! This has to do with scientific facts! But on the other side it's important to say that the Satanic philosophy as I see it, opens up for every persons inner world and fantasies,  and everyone should be allowed to live in his/hers "own world". So as a Satanist I'm first of all worshipping FREEDOM! 

Having been around for so long, how do you see the Black Metal music around the world nowadays? Do you think there has been evolution? 

INGAR: Yes, absolutely! In the metal scene it has come a lot of great dark, emotional, sometimes very aggressive music the latest years, and many of these bands wouldn't have existed at all if it was not because of Black Metal. Some bands are playing more "traditional" Black Metal while others hardly can be called Metal at all... But for sure, the Black Metal genre has meant a lot to the whole music industry. Much more than many people are aware of! 

What drives you to make the music you make? What are your main influences? 

INGAR: I find inspiration everywhere. In my own life through my own experiences, but also through my interests in music, art, history, religion, Satanism,  vampirism, folklore, being out in the nature...  It's a long list. I've always been very much fascinated by the darkest sides of life, and that  reflects in my music and art. It's a reason why I started to play Black Metal!! 

What are your lyrics usually about? 

INGAR:  I'm writing about life itself, life and death, and most of the time I have a pretty clear vision, or should I say meaning, behind my lyrics. I'm using a lot of symbolism from different religions, my Satanic belief obviously comes through in my lyrics, some of my lyrics are based on my own dreams....  It's a dark and brutal world I'm describing, but there is definitely hope in my lyrics! What I try to say over and over again is the fact that people have to live their own life in full, as I try to do myself, and they have to do their very best to get something positive out of their lifetime here on earth! You have to believe in yourself, you have to take the most important decisions in life knowing that many of your choices will have big consequences for yourself and the people around you. Many times it's very sad to watch how we, the human  race, is destroying everything around us, in the end the earth itself. But that doesn't mean that each and one of us don't have any kind of responsibility for our actions here on this planet! 

How does the writing process work for Crest of Darkness? 

INGAR:  All the members of the band are influencing the music and taking a part of the song writing to a certain point. I want you to know that, we are a team. Whatever, most times I'm making the basic of the songs at home. To be more precise; It comes up ideas for new songs in my head everywhere I am. At home I'm structuring all this ideas, and making songs out of them. That's how I most often prefer to work with the song writing of Crest of Darkness, and I guess my bandmates just have to live with that. This is the reason why I started up with Crest of Darkness from the first beginning. I wanted to make something very personal, and nothing can change that! 

But, and this is important, my bandmates make it possible for me to accomplish all this ideas! In the next step,  when I feel ready for it, after I have worked with the songs at home, I present the song material for the band, and together we are doing the last work on the songs. In this part of the process I'm trying to be as open minded as I can when it comes to the input I get from my bandmates. I know that the band is sounding at its best when we are working well together! 

You have been playing some shows and towards the end of the month, you'll be participating on the Garasjefestival in Norway, which is known to be a very intimate show. What are you expecting of it? 

INGAR: (we have done the show now, but I can say something about it...)  For several reasons it was great to play at Garasjefestival this year! It's a festival right in the neighbourhood of the band, that's very cool! And honestly; it's a great festival! -Quite small, but it's marvellous how many great bands they had on the line up this year! They have already got a very good reputation among many bands, and many bands want to play there simply because of the good atmosphere.... Lots of enthusiastic metal heads together with the bands are creating something quite special! It was an honour to finish the first day as the last band right before midnight! 

How is a show of Crest of Darkness? What can people usually expect? 

INGAR: The music itself comes first, that's for sure! Whatever, we try to give our audience a "bigger" experience, and we are sometimes using a few theatrical effects. It depends very much of the size of the stage, the equipment as light and sound, what we can actually do. Anyway, we deliver our very best no matter where we no matter if it's a very small place or we are playing at bigger events. 

We try to have a set list that shows different sides of the band and our music. That means that we're playing everything from our most brutal songs to the more moody and melodic songs. 

Last time you released an album it was in 2016, Welcome the Dead. When can we expect a new album coming out? 

INGAR: We are releasing a new album in October this year, and we're looking very much forward to that!! 

Watch this link for more details: 

https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/2019/07/09/norwegian-black-metallers-crest-of-darkness-announce-details-of-ninth-full-length-album/ 

What is in store for Crest of Darkness? What's coming up?

First of all we're focusing on the album release of THE GOD OF FLESH! We'll present some videos later this year, and it's more to come.

When it comes to live activities Crest of Darkness are set to play the following three dates in the UK with Stahlsarg:

Fri 6th Sep:  Retribution Alive, The Black Heart, London
Sat 7th Sep:  The Wheatsheaf, Banbury
Sun 8th Sep:  The Soundhouse, Colchester

Whilst on the 12th October they will be at Good Omens, in Trondheim, Norway. More dates will be announced later....

Are there any words you would like to leave to everyone who is reading this interview? 

INGAR: Thanks a lot to all you Metal Heads out there! Without you I wouldn't be here

I'll also send a special thanks to all our most dedicated fans who have supported me and Crest of Darkness in so many years! Some of you have been there since we started up more than 20 years ago!! 

Thank you very much for your time! 

INGAR:  Thanks a lot to you!

(all photos taken from Patricia Thomas Management page)

Read more about Crest of Darkness here: 
https://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial/