Here in these Black Metal Chronicles pages, you'll find extreme metal bands having powerful vibe with their music, lyrics and stance from Turkey from past to nowadays regardless of the band's current situation as we all know metal music is eternal if it ever touches to our darkest hearts! Page will be updated time to time by 3 bands at once! No photos, no reviews, only main info, songs and a few lines to let the music infuse directly for the minds in short similia similibus curantur! This is the utmost match made in hell for those who dare to dwell! Shall we... remind the evil?
I
TYRANNIC OPPRESSION
Blackest vein in the clutching screams, striking riffs, and fervently idiosyncratic... This is a darkness within darkness.
There
were doors of perception reflecting the outrageous side of philosophical
thinking, now I present the band "ZİFİR" who is the sort of doors of
chaos, carrying the enchriched cultural influences from east to west under the malicious, dazzling atmosphere that you have never been experienced before!
Musically
black metal in utter darkness just like the name the band carries, surrounded by liturgical
tunes, but one should also delve into the lyrical side of Zifir as it includes the
crushing mockery towards religion in full acridity.
Check
out the Zifir's latest album "Demoniac Ethics" released by Duplicate
Records on Jan 2020 and come closer for the profound interview done by the
drummer Nursuz!
"...With
the blood squirting from their crammed bodies
I
built a road winding to hell out of their dead bodies.”
769 / Kingdom of Nothingness
"Demoniac Ethics is an altered expression of
doomsday."
Zifir band members have had long history in black
metal scene in Turkey by contributing various bands. How was Zifir born and have
become duo after all and actively flares up the black flame?
Nursuz: Zifir was founded by O.Ö and O.S. in 2006. By
December 2007, I joined the band on drums. After the release of second album
“Protest Against Humanity”, O.S. quitted the band. Finally, by November 2018,
Ilgar has joined the band on bass guitar and Zifir has become a trio once
again. And yes, Black Metal background of members have quite long history.
Especially Onur’s starting with MayheM’s legendary İzmir concert attendance
which had huge influence on him for the rest of his life.
Forth full-length “Demoniac Ethics” came out 24th
January 2020. This album has more atmospheric, apocalyptic vibe in composition
and by using liturgical vocals and lowering the tempo while sharpening the
knives. How do you describe the latest album in musical sense?
Nursuz: Actually, our initial purpose was to push the
boundaries, using some elements we have never tried before. I can’t say that
composition period was our longest session however the whole process was quite
intense. I see in a way that we find a sinister way to create the balance
between mid-pace, bleak sound, and the faster eerie mood.
Demonic Ethics / ZIFIR
“Demoniac Ethics” shines out with its production
quality as well. Especially the deep, rich drum sound conveys the avant-garde
approach together blackest tones which we are familiar to hear from Watain for
example. Hence, could you please tell about the mastering, mixing steps and
production details of the album?
Nursuz: We really spent hell of a time for mix and mastering.
Both were done at İstanbul but by different people. Especially the drum sound
took the most of efforts in order to achieve “what was desired”. It is really
not easy to judge the sound, when you are heavily working on the record and
keep listening different versions over and over again. However, despite long
sessions, the result came in a very solid way and we are satisfied with it. To
decide sound of individual instruments and whole album is very much related to
the identity of the band, even attitude & approach towards Black Metal. We
always consider album concept and then define/set the sound expectations
accordingly.
The song called ‘Spirit of Goats’ sounds like hailing
to the old Darkthrone times while the rest of the album has different vein. As
the previous albums are more into second wave but still carrying mystical
influences of the east like hymns, what do you want to say about Zifir’s
approach overall?
Nursuz: Influences and created atmosphere are for sure in the
vein of Darkthrone, Burzum and MayheM. Darkthrone sound is very special indeed.
One cannot admit that there is no radiation of unholy vibes and influence from
Darkthrone sound coming into the body and penetrate fully inside... We were honored when Fenriz played our song “769” in his
radio program where he mentioned that he found the whole album quite solid…
769 / Kingdom of Nothingness
ZIFIR
On the other hand, one key element in our music is
that we always focus on what makes Zifir unique. This is like the DNA of the
band. Within the years, composition structure, atmosphere and feeling may
change however this essence – which I call it the DNA of the band – will always
be there, to set the basis. This comes from the riffing and drumming structure
and the vocals used in different forms.
Black metal has many branches lately and this genre has
its own spiritual and philosophical sources depending on the chosen Ecole. What
kind of path has Zifir taken? To know more about the creators’ of Zifir, could
you name influences from literary area?
Nursuz: When it comes to lyrics and our statement, we are
more influenced by the events and happenings. We are not a member of any
formation and we do not follow a specific path.,
Zifir has a song Mina related with the religious
mountain under the same name. As one of the weird coincidences, I have a horror
story book called "Mina" including characters named 'Zifir' and
'Mina'. All I can say that this is another beautiful crossroads of arts
carrying dark flame and mocking on religion. What do you want to on this as
musicians?
Nursuz: That is a great coincidence indeed. “Mina” has a
special place for us among other track titles as it is a direct attack to the
enemy. We even plan to build on this concept for the next albums, by using the
same mockery and direct attack at the same time.
“Demoniac Ethics” has an influential opening with the
track called ‘Sûr’ which is a metaphor of doomsday. What kind of impact did you
want to create by this?
Nursuz:
“Demoniac Ethics”
is an altered expression of doomsday. Opening with the‘Sûr’ and then you hear the “Chants for Execution” which leads to
the “Massacres in Heaven”. The concept is about the forsaken believers which
are ending up in the most terrifying form of hell.
“People who are already blind
Now go deaf with their own voices one by one
The promised lakes of paradise
Filled up with the blood seeping from their ears
Massacres
have begun in heaven
So
that they can be admitted to hell”
The lyrical content of Zifir is sharp criticism and
even mockery of the religion from the beginning. Coming from the society, day
by day sting into religion more, please share your observations and background
of your lyrics more?
Nursuz:
Exactly as you’ve
mentioned, sharp criticism (direct attack) and mockery is the dual ways we use
when writing lyrics. Each and every song, we discuss internally, the idea and
the expression way of lyrics. Words are carefully chosen and used by sequence.
There are also many “reverse voices” used and these are several hidden messages
embedded in the album.
Inspiration comes from the events and happening as
mentioned. “769” is a good example, it is the official number of deaths during
the pilgrim squash that happened in 2015. The lyrics were written from the
mouth of the devil. His victory upon those pilgrims who came to stone him but
ended up being dead instead...
“Those
that came to stone me
I
had them trampling on each other
I
showed them their very selves in my own image
I
released fire into those who came to become closer to their God
And
they flowed before my eyes trampling on each other
They
paid the price of stoning me
With
the blood squirting from their crammed bodies
I
built a road winding to hell out of their dead bodies”
Most of the metal media from EU interests in the music
coming from east (according to them) and gives more attention but on the same
time they have very few information about Turkey, or let’s say only information
coming from the news about the one man, his wingman, his lifestyle, religious
intonation. In fact, there has been an alive metal scene, many great bands, magazines,
concerts, and godless modern lifestyles as well. What do you want to say about
Turkey and the aspects of outsiders?
Nursuz: There are different people. Some of them are not
interested to find out what is really happening there so they are quite
surprised when they find out about the metal scene in Turkey. In general, many
people find it interesting, when we mention we are a Black Metal band from Turkey.
So far, this has been our experience.
Kingdom of Nothingness / ZIFIR
Zifir has powerful album titles like “You Must Come
With Us”, “Kingdom of Nothingness”, “Demoniac Ethics” that resonates like
holding some sort of doctrines. How do you decide album titles? Do they address
any ideologies?
Nursuz: Doctrine is the correct wording to describe the way
we decide album titles. First of all, it should represent the overall concept
and each theme that are covered in the album. We see the album title as a kind
of “seal” for our album. It is the ultimate form of our commitment & statement;
for ourselves and for the others. Usually album titles come at the very last
stage of the whole process.
Black metal has various branches so far, post -black
is the trend lately. Zifir having the sharp icy tone still and oldschool approach,
how do you position yourself in the black metal scene? What do you think of
black metal’s popularization with various sub-genres?
Nursuz: We always find ambient and avant-garde vibes in our
sound.
We find a sinister way to create the balance between mid-pace, bleak sound, and the faster eerie mood.
You Must Come With Us / ZIFIR
‘İllet’ teaser just released, when will the video came?
Is it the black bile in the video, how does Zifir describe “illet” in its own
words?
Nursuz: Actually “illet” was a ghoul of quarantine process.
It was recorded and filmed in a very short time. It is very short in terms of
its form so not sure if it will continue…
“illet” is something Zifir states in every platform:
“Spread the Malady” – illeti yayın. For us it is the unstoppable spread of a
thing (virus, idea, any other) that cannot be controlled and destroys the
humanity without any discrimination at all.
İllet
Cover art was done by Ukrainian artist Vergvoktre who
is like a nightmare illustrator. What do you think about “Demoniac Ethics”
cover art? Does it refer demons in the unconscious, surrounded by, tearing
apart?
Nursuz: Vergvoktre is an amazing artist. Working with him, we
always feel there is a lower place than hell. Regarding cover artwork of “Demoniac
Ethics”, it represents a scene from the “Massacres in Heaven”. Good and evil
are slaughtering each other, and this unique moment gives the chaotic
impression with a very special demonstration. Thanks to Vergvoktre, we have a
great way of understanding each other and it is a great pleasure to work with
him in all aspects of Black Metal.
The pandemic captures all over the world, but still,
festivals and concerts are making plans for 2021. What are you planning for
Zifir? Is there any plan to play live in the future?
Nursuz: We already started working on live performance
rehearsals. At the moment, there is no fixed date however we are working on it
and as soon as some dates will be fixed, we will announce it. So far, Zifir
haven’t played any live shows since the very beginning.
Please share your last words. Thank you for the
interview.
Nursuz: Support the demoniac propaganda and spread the
malady!
“illet” is something Zifir states in every platform:
“Spread the Malady” – illeti yayın.
