INTERVIEW WITH ICHOR

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.”

More Info:

facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Ichorhorde/
bandcamp: https://seancerecords.bandcamp.com