The official trailer of the movie "Lords of Chaos" based on the book by the same title about the early history of Norwegian black metal is available on streaming via youtube for a while.
It is produced by film production companies of the calibre of VICE Studios, 20th Century Fox, Scott Free Productions and Insurgent Media and will be released by Gunpowder and Sky by the end of Februrary 2019. It claims that it will tell about truths and lies of Norwegian black metal history for it has been subjected to many controversial thoughts already before it is released. Director Jonas Åkerlund is ex-Bathory drummer and awarded film director who is known with music video projects like Metallica, Rammstein, U2, Satyricon, Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Solstafir, Coldplay, Ozzy Osbourne, Roxette, Candlemass, etc., short movies and many documentaries also.
The book that the movie is based on named "Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground" written by Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind, published by Feral House that is known by releasing books about forbidden topics.
The book won a Firecracker Independent Book Award in 2003 and translated into nine languages.
It is about crime journalism including many interviews from Norwegian black Metal scene and an extended perspective for Mayhem-Burzum dilemma together with church burnings back then in Norway.
January 2019 Interview with Australian black metal band called Ichor! Just like the band's name, the music itself carries the sacred fluid Ichor dragging you from the shores of melancholia to the bleak darkness! Australia has many unique dark sounds to explore... With Ichor, an ancient power awakens!
“A bleak roar of hatred towards modern spirituality whilst aggravating a sense of redemption for any failings of our own in the past.”
You released God of Thunder
God of War album lately from Séance Records. How are the reactions to the
album?
Diablore: So far it's been very positive. We
didn't really expect this given that we've embarked on a different sound and
approach to what we have with past projects like Nazxul.
Wraith:
The album has been well received.
We are very pleased with the outcome and the response.
There is quite long time after demo called
Ichor in 1993. What happened back then and you waited so long to release an
album?
Diablore:
We were going to do both Nazxul and Ichor at the same time but realized it was
very difficult so we made the decision to pursue Nazxul instead. We always had
the material and decided to put it away to keep focus on Nazxul.
Wraith:
Soon after the Ichor demo we decided to concentrate
on Nazxul exclusively. In late 2017 we decided to pick up where we had left
off. With a new found motivation and drive there will be more from Ichor in the
near future.
“…Heathen black metal but with a darker edge.”
New album reminds me Satyricon or
Enslaved’s oldtimes. The epic passages, raw, oldschool black metal sound with
dark atmospheric songs. How do you define this album to the listeners who haven’t
come across with Ichor yet?
Diablore:
It's a tragedy. A bleak roar of hatred towards modern spirituality whilst aggravating
a sense of redemption for any failings of our own in the past. It is black
metal.
Wraith: Thank you for
that complimentary comparison. We have maintained an aggressive sound and woven
melodic passages into the maelstrom that is Ichor. We wish to touch on heathen
black metal but with a darker edge.
Lyrical theme of God of
Thunder God of War is about Slavic folk tales & witchcraft. Why did you
choose Slavic tales for your music?
Diablore: We are Slavs and we've always been
fascinated and drawn towards the history of our culture. It's only fitting to
explore the myth and magic of these brilliant gods and demons that have been
passed on to us from our forebears.
Wraith: The use of
Slavic themes was due to wanting to incorporate a genuine folk connection, and
as both members of the band have Slavic heritage it was the only subject matter
that made sense to us.
“Melancholy plays an important part in our music.”
Can you tell about a figure/tale that
takes your attention most from Slavic folklore?
Diablore:
Many tales and lore span the universe from the battle of Chernobog and Svarog
to the nasty deceptions of Yaga and her devilish possessive powers over Veles
to disrupt Perun's rule over the heavens and all of these are wonderful. It
truly is difficult to pick one. Here in the west, it seems that Yaga is one of
the most dominant that has even been hailed as the mother of all the devil
witches to every folk tale of all cultures. I actually am very concerned about
her for she hides something that is beyond the mystery of any understanding of
the darkest of deaths. When a creature can't be defeated, then you know we have
something special here.
Wraith:
The witch plays an important part in Slavic mythology
and folk tales. We portray the witch or the wise woman as cunning wise and
alluring. A connection to the darker side of the cunning craft.
There are certain touches to melancholy
especially with the song "Spectres Of The Woods” which is my favorite
also. What does melancholia mean for you and your music?
Diablore:
It's a kind of pre-ritual before the battle if you like. It's taking a deep
breath. You look at the sky and if it's blue, you make it red. Then you charge
into your enemies and you win.
Wraith:
Melancholy plays an important part in our music. It
expresses loss. The loss of culture. The loss of knowledge of the old ways. In
saying that there is also glory and optimism. A triumphant energy permeates
through the album.
“The scene is as dark and
bleak as it's ever been…”
The song called “A Daughters
of Wrath” was also at your demo called Ichor. What is the reason of putting
this song to the new album also?
Diablore: At the time of release on the original
demo, the response to Daughters was of the highest of praises. We thought to
add it here and give everyone a new re-working that makes it sound more epic.
We didn't have a good recording of this track before so it was essential to
anoint it with the forge we have now.
Wraith:
We decided to re-record Daughters of Wrath for the
album in order to connect the demo and the new incarnation of Ichor.
The name of the band has a
mystical meaning as Ichor itself the ancient Greek word for the fluid that runs
in the gods’ veins. Why did you choose that for the band at that time?
Diablore: We were looking at creating a series of
albums that explored all the legacies of the ancients from all mythological
pantheons in the honor to bring them all together as a call to arms against the
poison that is these new simplified pathetic deceptive gods of today. It's a
word that everyone knew and shared amongst the immortals across the universe.
Wraith: We felt that the
name Ichor can represent a concept of humanity attaining godhood as the only
thing which separates us is blood.
There is another band with
same name in deathcore style from Germany. Whenever I check your band from
spotify, they come to the forefront. Has this similarity in name become a
problem for you ever? Do you have any idea to get rid of this?
Diablore:
Not at all problematic. We had it in 93 and it didn't bother us when we saw
multiple bands with the name over the years. These bands must also have the
magic in their veins like us.
“Horror literature is what I
will love forever and there will always be a need to get some Poe and Alighieri
in there before rest.”
Are you still active in your
other black metal bands of Nazxul, Nox Inferi, Toil? I am also fan of Nazxul,
so I wanna ask if there are any plans for new album as the last EP called
“Quickener of the Dead” is from 2010.
Diablore: Yes, we are going to release a Nazxul
album hopefully early 2019 . It is very powerful and a lot more constructive
than previous releases.
Wraith:There
are a few releases planned for Nazxul in 2019. As for the other bands it is
highly unlikely any new material will ever see the light of day. Our focus is
Ichor and Nazxul at the moment.
Is Australian Satanic Black
metal community called Ordo Ater Anguis (Order of the Black Serpent) still
active? Are you part of it? What are the main concerns/priorities at there?
Wraith: This
group does still exist. And yes we are part of it. Its membership has expanded
outside of Australia. 2019 will see a more public presence. With various
compilations and splits planned.
How is the Australian black
metal scene lately? Which bands do you listen from there? Do you think if there
is certain Australian black metal sound and how do you define it? For my
observations atmospheric black metal style has a pick in Australia as Ichor,
Nazxul, Drowning the Light, Austere, Midnight Odyssey, Striborg and Woods of
Desolations are very prominent examples with their sounds dragging one into
abysses, melancholia and pathos.
Diablore:
The scene is as dark and bleak as it's ever been. The sound is a distinctive
sound that spans quite a few styles from sickeningly piercing to overwhelmingly
apocalyptic. We have a few bands like you mention but we are many.
Wraith: With such diverse sounds as Nocturnes Mist and Darklord
from South Australia to the thrash inspired bands from Melbourne and to the
melodic atmospheric bands you mention in your question. We have a varied
vibrant and diverse scene. That grows stronger day by day.
Do you have influencers from
other genres, music styles?
Diablore: When it comes to writing, we tend to
listen to programmed cinematic score and orchestral symphonic pieces to get
into our minds when creating riffs and structure. Sometimes we find noise
driven guitar soundscape post rock to be influential at times, but not as much
as the symphonies.
Do you have an interest in
literature? Do you have any authors/poets that you follow and influence your
music?
Diablor: Many authors and poets are great and
sometimes I just need to rest on Lovecraft, Barker and Matheson. Horror
literature is what I will love forever and there will always be a need to get
some Poe and Alighieri in there before rest. My personal favorite story of all
time would probably be Stoker's Dracula.
Do you think if art is born
from suffering or is it a journey into pathos? Could you please tell me about
your point of view on creating your art.?
Diablore:
I believe it's both. This is a way to explore the magic in us and we thrive to
continue the journey as it heals and inspires.
Wraith: Creating music and stories of woe and loss is very
powerful. It is a universal emotion that can be heard in music which transcends
language. And everyone regardless of ethnicity cultural background can feel and
understand its sentiment
What is next for Ichor? Are
there any plans for shows, festivals?
Diablore:
We wish it to be a studio project for it feels proper to treat it as a
carefully crafted ritual. There haven't been any insights into live shows for
now.
Wraith:
2019 will see a new album for Ichor, as mentioned above there are no plans for
live performances.
Thank you for the interview.
Please share your last words…
Thank you and many hails to our fans for the
interests and support.
“Creating
music and stories of woe and loss is very powerful.”
