Interview with Møllehøj

USBMS would like to thank Jennifer of  Møllehøj for her time
Interview done by Daemon Black






1. lets start off by having you introduce yourself and current members of the band, also can you explain the origin behind the name Møllehøj?





My name is Jennifer Christensen and I am the only member of Møllehøj! Møllehøj is the name of the highest point in Denmark, the country my family emigrated from. I do a lot of mountaineering and I had compiled a list of the highest peaks in many countries that I wanted to climb. During my search, I saw that the highest point in Denmark (but hardly a peak- at 170.86m) was called Møllehøj and for some reason, it became an imaginary place of inspiration for me. While I was writing music, the rolling hills in winter kept coming up and so I named the music after the muse.

 




2. Møllehøj is a fairly new band starting in 2012. can you give us some insight into and how and when the idea of starting the band came about? 






I have been writing music for a long time but I hadn't before taken the time to put music out myself. In 2011 when I became really driven to make this music, everything came very easily. I was very lucky to have found Anthony McCargar to play drums during live performances and once I put the wheels in motion, it was clear that Møllehøj wanted to be alive even when we didn't have proper songs! This was also the birth of the improvisational black metal that I played so much live in Colorado.

 





3. Briefly give us some history behind the concept of the band and what topics do the lyrics cover within the music?







Møllehøj is just everything that has been wanting to burst out of me from years of listening to black metal. The bands that always made me want to make my own music were the ones that felt the most “true” in the sense that they were able to effectively communicate something that was honest to their experience. I feel that when people are bearing themselves in this way, it is difficult, as a listener, not to empathize and really feel something through that music. This is what I hoped to do with Møllehøj and it's true that on the live recordings, a lot of the lyrics are improvised too. The music and the lyrics on the recordings are themed though (one song is about a group of crows protecting a sacred forest, another is about anguish) and then the music is a meditation on that theme. A lot of these older recordings are in Danish also. The new recordings are a little different because they are not improvised but they are still just a really honest meditation on an aspect of my existence. I will say that the upcoming album's concept is cohesive but I'm not saying what the concept is yet!


 


4. You play a multitude of instruments within the band, were you trained professionally or are you a self taught kinda of person, also at what age did you discover you enjoyed making music?







I have always had an ear for music and a great love for it but it was not nurtured in me. As a child, I sang constantly and left to my own devises, I found broken instruments or made my own make-shift instruments (from wires, wood, etc) and used them to re-create the melodies in my head. Eventually I wanted to play something more, so when I was in the 6^th grade, I saved up money by secretly foregoing lunch and pocketing the change until I had enough to purchase a bass guitar that I had been eying for a year prior. I didn't have an amplifier but I propped the instrument between the two sides of my closet door frame and when I played it, it resonated and was (with imagination) kind-of like having an amp and I learned to play music this way. I listed to a lot of my favorite bands and learned how to play each album, song by song. Then I wanted a cello, which took much more lunch money. In the meantime, I used an old violin bow to teach myself on the bass how to play the cello. I remember the bowing made an exceptionally rich tone and vibration in my door frame! When I finally ordered a cello online, I had a good idea of how to play it the first time I touched it. From there I picked up the piano and then the guitar while at university.


 





5.Can you tell us what Black Metal bands you were first exposed to and what are some of the genres of music and bands you grew up listening to?








Once I was in the 8^th grade, I was already really involved with the hardcore music scene where I lived. I wasn't allowed to go to these shows but by becoming friends with the bands I liked, I was able to manage getting in to the venues, etc. I didn't get along very well with people much at my school but at these local shows, I fit right in and was exposed to a lot of new music this way. I remember first hearing At the Gates' The Red in the Sky is Ours, which isn't considered black metal but there was something in the sound that I really liked which wasn't explicitly death metal so I sought out other similar music and was led to Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum.
I live in Washington but I do play with some bands in Portland, Oregon. I wanted to move out to t his region for two main reasons: First, I move every couple of years to a different area to climb different peaks, etc. I had been on several mountaineering trips in the Cascades and they all became my favorite climbs. I thought this would be a really inspirational area for me musically and otherwise. Second, I wanted to play live more and I felt there was more opportunity to do so when I was surrounded by bigger towns and cities----Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, etc. I'm not sure that it was the best decision for the project but I like having a lot of change in my life so on that level, it has been good.

 

 

 

 

6. Møllehøj originally started out in Colorado relocated to Oregon and now based in Washington, can you tell us what promoted the move and has the change of scenery been beneficial for the band?
 

 

 

 

I live in Washington but I do play with some bands in Portland, Oregon.    I wanted to move out to this region for two main reasons:   
First, I move every couple of years to a different area to climb different peaks, etc.  
I had been on several mountaineering trips in the Cascades and they all became my favorite climbs.  
I thought this would be a really inspirational area for me musically and otherwise.   
Second, I wanted to play live more and I felt there was more opportunity to do so when I was surrounded by bigger towns and cities----Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, etc.    
 I'm not sure that it was the best decision for the project but I like having a lot of change in my life so on that level, it has been good.




7. You have been involved in a couple different project in past few years, how have you enjoyed working with these other bands and how does it differ from your work with Møllehøj.

I have really, really enjoyed playing with other bands over the past few years. I love playing many kinds of music and the diversity has been really great for honing in what I would like to create in Møllehøj . I especially like playing different instruments in the other groups! There are more projects going on now also that haven't yet gone public---stay tuned!


 











8. Can you tell us how you got involved in joining Sadhaka, and how did the tour with them in Europe go? give us a highlight of your most memorable time there?







I played a solo, candle-lit cello concert of Møllehøj songs in Olympia, Washington last winter and the members of Sadhaka were in the audience. They asked me if I wanted to be involved in Sadhaka and after discussing their vision for the group, I knew that I'd like playing with them. The European tour was great---I met so many unforgettable people and it was wonderful establishing contacts for the Møllehøj tour! I think my favorite part was playing to the enormously passionate crowd in Athens. They nearly flipped our van!


 






9. Take us into your musical creative process, where do you record at and are lyrics written before the music is created or vise-versa?





















All of the Møllehøj recordings thus far have been tracked in Colorado. Those were improvisational but the future recording has already been written. I like to write everything on my classical guitar for black metal (I wrote the hardcore songs for my old band The Wage of Sin on the cello!). This also makes it fun and interesting to play for small groups in the forest or wherever while I'm in the process of creating the music.

10. Tell us about your demo that was released through Red River Family Records, Did the recording live up to your expectations, I read that the songs on demo were at first not intended to be released, what was the reason behind this?



















Well, the demo recording was made during two live-performances Tony and I did and although I liked what we created, I wasn't sure that it was more than just recorded “ideas”, since they were almost entirely improvised. The connecting pieces of music too—the singing at the beginning of the demo and the cello piece were improvised and so was the compilation piece I recorded for the Red River Family tape. To me, as I said, they were just ideas but people were interested in hearing them so I decided to do the release. Sometimes I feel awkward sharing them because they are not really the final idea that I have for Møllehøj and they are riddled with less fluid parts that make me cringe but I also like the recordings very much.


 


















11. Are you writing any new material at the this time? and what does  Møllehøj have in store for the up coming year?






















Yes! I know I have been saying this but there IS an album coming that I would like to release on vinyl. I got a little side-tracked with touring, recording on other bands' albums and also I suffered a serious injury from glacier climbing almost immediately upon my return so I haven't been able to play very much. I will begin recording very soon though!

         

12. I don't usually ask this question but i thought it was appropriate in this case since Møllehøj is strictly your project.
My question is how do you feel about being a women in Black Metal which is a mostly male dominated music genre and do you have an opinion on stereo types people might have about female fronted metal bands or women in metal for that matter?

This is a difficult question to answer because I have so many thoughts on the subject. I would say that generally people are very supportive of me having this project but I have also received a lot of hate mail from people about my “pussifying” black metal and things like that. Sometimes at shows people deliberately try not to look at me or will leave when I'm about to play. I know that a lot of people who haven't listened to my demo are adamant about it not being “good.” Black metal is a really specific sub-genre and some people that listen to black metal are really specific about what they like. It is my experience that what some people like in this genre does not include the presence of strong women playing black metal. That being said, most of the people that I have played for or that listen to my music are really happy to see that the general opinion of women in metal is changing. I am too!

 

13. Are there any final words you would like to say about Møllehøj before we finish up the interview?

Thanks for the great questions! I'm in the process of building a Møllehøj website but in the meantime, for more information, check out the Facebook page at Http://www.facebook.com/mollehoj. Thanks again!

Interview with Winterlore

                               
                                                                       





Interview done by: Daemon Black







USBMS would like to thank Winterlore for their time.
 






1. Before we get started can i ask you to introduce your self and the members of Winterlore to our readers and also give us a brief history of how and when Winterlore was created?














Winterlore consists of Thorstein on vocals/bass, Thorolf and R. Sodomizer on guitars/vocals and Nortaath on drums. Winterlore has been a project that has been off and on since 2005, we have had the same 3 band members for the majority of that time frame while the fourth member slot has always given us trouble.

2. you guys took a 5 year hiatus from the band, what was the driving force behind starting up Winterlore again in 2010?












I think we all just got the itch and time to be playing black metal as a band again. That and with a new member joining the ranks (now departed Helgrim) helped revitalize the energy and song writing going into it.

3. Were any members involved in any other projects while Winterlore was on hold?














Thorolf has been working on a solo project entitled 'Ered Wethrin', which will hopefully see a release by years end via Northern Silence. Thorstein had a solo project Mørkvinter that he recorded a demo for. Nortaath has one solo project entitled city at worlds end that was self released.

                                                                     

    









4. Can you explain to us what the lyrical concept of Winterlore's music is and who is behind the creation of the lyrics for the band?














Four Swords Against the Pious says a lot about the anti-religion aspect of our lyrics. We also have the more fantasy based lyrics that conjure darkness, solitude, war, winter's lore, etc. The members of Winterlore wrote all lyrics except for 2 songs written by a friend Bill Drew.

5. You guys recently added a new guitarist, how has the addition worked out so far, and how has it change the sound?














The addition has been great! The sound hasn't quite changed as he hasn't been able to write for Winterlore as of yet, but R. Sodomizer tends to be a quick learner and will undoubtedly leave his mark with the band's next release. 

6. Winterlore has played a decent amount of shows in its tenure. Can you tell us which show in particular has been the most memorable thus far for the band?


















Probably our CD release show. We summoned hefty a winter storm (literally) that night as we have on almost every show we've played. Our albums initially had technical difficulties in the printing process so we unfortunately couldn't sell them at the release show. Two of the four bands dropped off and combined with the snow, the turnout was surprisingly good despite the circumstances.

7. Give us some insight about what a person who has never seen a Winterlore live performance could expect from one of your shows?






















Expect to hear something you wouldn't otherwise get in the states. Winterlore brings an energetic vibe, a great live sound and a refreshing Scandinavian writing style to a nihilistic black metal filled country.

                                                                        












8. Currently you guys are signed to Slaughterhouse Records, How did this deal come about and have you guys been satisfied with the relationship and the promotions for the CD?




















J.R. Torina/Slaughterhouse records has been a great relationship that goes back beyond Wintlerlore days to a now out of operations metal shop 'The Abyss'. Slaughterhouse records is growing and we hope its future as with Winterlore's is strong.

9. Winterlore performs live in full corpse paint, What is your opinion on the importance of this tradition in Black Metal?


















Corpse painting is in-line with the anonymity we present using aliases. Since we were youngsters, it has helped give a certain darkened feel, which helped the energy of the band. As the craze over corpse painting has died out a bit, we find all the more reason to continue the tradition.

10. Can you tell us which "Metal" bands had the biggest impact on you guys growing up?














If we are keeping it simple: Darkthrone, Burzum and Bathory were a huge part of Winterlore's reason for existing. We all had other bands and other musical pleasures of course, but we all took cues from the aforementioned bands and there was no stopping us once we had the mindset to play black metal.

                                                                












11. Is there a certain band or person that inspired you guys to become Black Metal artists and play this type of extreme metal?














We loved the older black metal of Burzum and Darkthrone as mentioned previously, so once Nortaath introduced the idea of doing black metal to Thorolf (and leaving an at the time current death metal band) we were hooked. After a couple songs were written and had been rehearsed for a while, we introduced Thorstein to the material and we immediately started working on our demo; “Fire and Ice Upon the Throne of Might”.

12. How is the support for (Metal, Black Metal) in Utah, Is there a decent turnout at the shows and do local people get involved in spreading the word about bands?


















Salt Lake City isn't a metropolis of a city, so turnout is bound to be less than 50 for a show; but is known to hit over 100 or more. When Winterlore plays, the turnout seems to be above average due to the fact we don't play out frequently and our music and presence is something different for the local scene. Despite the size of SLC, its a very tight scene and the word of mouth is very large.

13. How has the overall feedback worldwide been concerning Winterlore's music, Have you garnered more interest from any certain country in-particular?


















We have gotten great feedback worldwide from the people that have heard us. Eastern Europe in particular has shown quite a large interest in us. Despite the old age of the band, our discography is still in its infancy. We hope with the attention we have gained from our first full length, we will have a wider reception surrounding our next.

                                                                    












14. Before we finish up this interview, tell our readers what they can expect from you guys in the future? and give us any final words you would like to add about Winterlore?




















Currently we are nearing the completion of the writing process for our second full-length. We are starting recording in November this year and we hope to have an early spring release. Our second album will have the classic black metal sound while moving the progression of our music forward with new elements we think fans of the genre will appreciate.

          For band contact and info visit

          https://www.facebook.com/winterlore

          http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Winterlore/58061

                                                                     

        

Interview with The Nightstalker

                                                                                 

Interview done by: Daemon Black

 

USBMS would like to thank The Nightstalker for his time.





1. Can you introduce our readers to both of your musical projects, Sercati and The Nightstalker, and give us a brief history about how and when the bands started?





So for Sercati, it goes back a few years ago. I had the opportunity to play in a black metal band (Ooirim) and it was my first experience in the black metal. I was having fun and at the end of the project, I decided to recreate one band with two other friends (Damien and Nico). We recorded a few tracks to testing compositions and finally some people like them and we have decided to continue to record under the name Sercati. When the possibility of recording the album was presented, I asked Yannick who joined us for the drums.

For The Nightstalker, this comes from my affection to the character and a need to do something more ambient and more narrative. I wanted to go deeper into the concept and I wrote a number of songs that doesn't take place into the atmosphere Sercati. I preferred experimented solo, the lyrics are more personal and the music too.

 2. Describe the sound of both of your musical projects and how they differ from each other?
 

 Good question. For me, Sercati evolves in the influences of old black metal with modern influences and modern sounds. As part of the lineage of black metal with progressive trend I think.

For The Nightstalker, I seek the atmosphere and narrative. The music attempts to agree with the emotions and situations that the character lives. There is a desire to remain ambient passages but more aggressive when the situation allows. I will say that I remain in the atmospheric black metal.

                                                                           

3. Both Sercati and The Nightstalker's concepts are based on an angel known as The Nightstalker from the book "Le journal du Nightstalker" can you give us a little more insight into how this concept was conceived and how did the book deal come about?

 The concept comes when I was writing the first album. I really wanted to find a continuity in the songs. And in one of our songs, I was referring to a hero that anybody couldn't say if he was good or bad (I wrote the song after seeing Batman The Dark Night). The song was called at the time "The Night Stalker". We also had a song called "The fall" which spoke of a fall forced to live by somebody to discover the freedom. And trying to bring together the different themes, I got like a puzzle to put the pieces together and make a story. Then I created the links between all the songs and we readjust the lyrics of the songs to go in this direction. While I worked on the design graphic of "Tales of the fallen", the desire to tell his adventures was there. I began by telling the story after released the CD. Then I wrote several little stories, introduced a lot of new characters  and added logic to the universe. And finally a lot of little stories became the book.

4.Can you tell us what is the meaning and inspiration behind Sercati and whats the origin of the name?

At first, it was a joke between us. A kind of word that meant nothing, and finally we decided to make a band name. I think the meaning behind is more about friendship and passion for music.

5.With Sercati you worked with a full band lineup, for The Nightstaler you are working solo, how would you compare the two different situations, and how does it affect the musical and writing process?

                                                                                

Writing songs are basically the same. I write most of the songs and lyrics. The differences are in the compromise everyone's desires and the need to express each musician. For the drums in Sercati, I don't write anything to let place for the expression of Yannick. Regarding the establishment I bring a good foundation and after we adapt like we want. This way avoids falling into too influences that don't correspond to the general atmosphere of Sercati. But the biggest bonus is that we had our sound engineer. Jonathan Mazzeo of  Mathlab Studio has teaching us a lot and make a lot of things. He teaches me a lot.

 In The Nightstalker, the question doesn't arise about the influence, I have more freedom to do what I want to base. I experiment, I try. This allows me to think like the character. I really try to give the listener a more personal side of my work and my realization.

                                                                     

  6. You played some live shows with Sercati in 2011, how was the experience and will The Nightstalker ever play live or is it strictly a studio project?
 

I must admit that the scene miss us a lot. We were really focused on recording the second album. The public enjoyed ourselves and made ​​some concerts were very good. We look forward to resuming concerts faster. We work in this context, following the departure of Nicolas (guitar), we found a new guitarist (Florian Hardy). We are currently working to get back on stage as soon as possible. We intend to add a few tracks from The Nightstalker in the set-list of Sercati to see the public reception and advise at this time for the next step.

7.The Secrati album was released through Grom Records and The Nightstalker album came out on Wolfshade Records, how did you get in contact with these labels and how would you describe your relationship with them and the support they have given you so far?
 

Sercati had the chance to work under the guidance of Carlo Bellotti Publishing (he is our manager). They allowed us to release the first album "Tales of the Fallen" under Copro Records. But unfortunately with Copro, nothing went as planned. Very awful time for us. But Carlo was there and find a solution, the album remained available and he found us the opportunity to re-release at Grom records and the second album to be released soon. The people from Grom records are truly amazing and are passionate for music. We could meet at a party they organized in Belgium. They find the words to make us comfortable, they advised and assisted. The contact is very easy and they are very understanding and investing.

For The Nightstalker, I had the opportunity to meet the label ideal. Enjoy by the project and the music, the contact is moved quickly and there is a real human contact. I actually found someone full of confidence and courage. He has always shown determination to fix the situation. I'm really happy to work with him. A big thanks to Andriy

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal, metal and dark ambient?

Opinions are divided, but most are in positive. Among other things, we have a lot of encouragement to go deeper our concept with the story. We have a lot of good advice and people say k us going. I think the bad reviews are needed to grow. But always take constructive criticism of each. The reception of the two projects has delighted us with a lot of web-zines and radios.

                                                                             

9.How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism, do they play a part in your everyday life
at all ?

So not really, I'm interested in the occult and it doesn't influence my life everyday. It affects me in my writing. But I use Catholicism as a backdrop. I'm not against Catholicism, but i don't like what the human do with.

10. what are you listening to nowadays, are there any certain bands or musical styles that influence the way you create music, also outside of music what are some of your interests and hobbies?
 

My favorite artist is particularly Satanic Warmaster. My favorite album is the Carelian Satanist Madness. He always art of writing powerful riffs. I always have a special affection for Blutklinge which also influenced me a lot also. But I'm very admirative of Agalloch, Fall of Rauros and a lot of other band in this type of music. I try to share my time between music and my girlfriend. I take care of administrative and everything about the two groups. I spend a lot of time. But I like video games with a good story.

11. How do you view the state of Black Metal now days in your country as well as from around the world?

The Nordic countries and Eastern European countries are in my opinion open in this wave of music and south America too. In Belgium, we don't have a good way of distribution, it's difficult to purchase vinyl or disc of Black metal. The concerts are always going but it's very difficult to have access of the stage, despite the good festivals we have in Belgium. It is hard to get a place there. Thanks to the internet, the community can better grow and spread more in some countries than others.

12. Speaking about the state of Black Metal what direction do you see both of your musical projects heading towards into the future?

                                                                            

I write music that I like ear and play and I want to share with people. Both in Sercati in The Nightstalker, we will continue to advance this. It's true that the expression of Sercati will slowly move towards something less ambient and more punchy. I have always a lot of thing to say and to tell about the Nightstalker.

                                                                                  

13.Any final words or thoughts that you would like to add about The Nightstalker before we wrap up this interview?

Too many things to say. I record this moment a lot of new songs which will follow his adventures after the fight against the anesthetist who is expected to announce a major significant change in history. I hope that I will ever be able to write the whole story. Thank you for the interview. 


For band contact and info visit
https://www.facebook.com/Thenightstalkerofficial
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sercati/153116211453468
http://vacula.com.ua/eng/index_eng.htm

Interview with Elathan

                                                                                    

USBMS would like to thanks Elathan for this interview
Interview done by: Loki





1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?








After the release of our first Album “Sotnemal Led Res”, we presented our work in many places through gigs, interviews, reviews, etc..., it received a great welcome from different countries; concretely from Turkey, Russia, France... Now, we're preparing our following gigs with our promoter; after it, we'll enter to studio to release our second Album in 2014.








2. You have a new album coming out in 2014, can you tell us a little bit more about it, and what direction will the music be heading into?
        










Our upcoming album will follow the direction of “Sotnemal Led Res” but it will be more dynamic com-positionally. It'll be more neoclassical influenced, and will has more tracks than our last work. It'll also has a little more instrumental complexity; it's all we can tell you about our upcoming work; we don't want to make too much spoiler hahahah.

                                                                           






3. You describe your musical style as being epic depressive black metal, can you tell us a little bit more about that label? and how it differs from typical depressive black metal style?



                                                                           

To understand the rapport between these two concepts; we'll divide the two concepts as individual ideas:
What make our style “Depressive” are the compositions, of course, but especially, the lyrics.
What make our style also “Epic”, are the com-positive entrances of all the different parts of our songs. These are composed in minor tonalities, but with some harmonic arrangements that fills the atmospheres of our melodies; and makes it sounds powerful (or at least, it's what we pretend hahaha).



                                                                       

                                                                      

                                                               



4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects that the band explores with its music?






The subject matter of our songs lyric puts special stress upon the misery of human existence in the mystery of death. And the thin line that separates life, we try to reflect and explore the human psyche and their most hidden facets; sometimes pathetic, sometimes inspired in our own personal experiences.






5. You guy write and perform some songs backwards, do you feel this gives the music a lot more originality?






Perhaps this will give a touch of originality to our music, but the motivation to write and sing our songs backwards is to get that, who really wants to get our message has to make an effort to understand it, so be understood for who he really is interested in.





6. Explain the meaning and inspiration behind the band name?





The name comes from Celtic mythology, Elathan is the demon king of the Formorians.






7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?






We think one of our best shows is one what we did in Igualada, Spain. There were a great amount of audience. Also our gig in “A Ultranza Metal Fest I”. We describe our performance as a typical and classic black metal band performance. There's not a lot of secrets about it in our case hahaha.


                                                                                  

                                                                  

8. Do you have any touring or shows plans for the future?

                                                                         
                                                                                       

Precisely we are working in it, there will be occasion to see us at different dates that we are closing, along to the next months across the country, and hope to soon also abroad other countries!





9. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest from any labels?





As well you say, for now we are not with any record label, spite of having received certain offers, but we would be interested in joining some label that will offer favorable conditions to both sides, ahead of the publication of our next album.






10. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of depressive black metal?





Internationally, is being pretty good in the black metal underground circles, can 't say that's especially from the depressive crowd only, but rather of a general public in the black metal.






11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?






We can name bands like Windir, Burzum... but at fact; our music is more influenced by other styles out of Metal; some like Classical for example.



                                                                            

12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?


                                                                                      

Outside of music? hm... it's difficult for us to give a response to this question, basically cause Music is our most important interest on our lives. But we can maybe say that to travel (concretely to forests) and video games are our second most important interests.






13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?





First; Thanks to USBMS for the interest to make with us this interview; and for your support.
And thanks to our fans and their support too!

For band and contact info visit
https://www.facebook.com/elathanblackmetal
http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Elathan/3540295890