Date: 03/31/2021 | Band: Antrisch | Members: Maurice Wilson [MW] - lyrics & vocals

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

MW: Currently we're working on our 2nd expedition while waiting for the release of the first one.

2.Recently you have released your first ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

MW: The official digital release is still to come, it's the 8th of April. Our general route of march can be labeled as Atmospheric Black Metal, but we spice it up with ambient sounds typically used for Djent, Doom and groove parts in order to broaden the horizon.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

MW: Our leitmotif is the impact that the most extreme parts of the planet have on humans,  mentally as well as physically. It's kind of a stress-field between the heights of the world and the depth of man which we narrate and set to music by retelling historical expeditions.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Antrisch'?

MW: Antrisch derives from Austro-Bavarian dialect and means "eerie, strange or uncanny", a term which perfectly illustrates the very core of the band's identity.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

MW: It's a still picture taken from Hans Ertl's documentary "Nanga Parbat" from 1953. The way Ertl is abstracting the rope party by filming them against the dazzling sunlight and thus turning them into shady moving spectres perfectly symbolizes what Antrisch is about.

6.Does the band have any plans to do any live shows once the pandemic ends?

MW: So far we don't have concrete plans about presenting our material live, but it's not impossible. We don't feel the urge to play live at any cost, but with the right circumstances, maybe.

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

MW: Our first EP will be released completely by ourselves, that's why we chose a digital release for now.We'll see what the future holds for us.

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of atmospheric black metal?

MW: Quite well so far. Since it is not out officially there were just a few press commentaries, but "public reactions" are yet to come. We received a quite positive echo so far.

9.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

MW: Our general concept is tho limit the outputs. It's not our aim to release full length albums only for the sake of being full length. Currently it feels right to tell a story in five episodes. It might be possible that the songs will extend, so that we might extravagate the "EP character", but for the forthcoming expeditions this procedure is laid down.

10.What are you currently listening to nowadays?

MW: Not so much current stuff I'm afraid. I enjoy listening to the music of Jesper Kyd and Vangelis; when it comes to current Metal albums I should name Thy Catafalque's "Naiv", Grima's "Rotten Garden" and Kanonenfieber's "Menschenmühle".

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

MW: Mountain hiking, travelling, art & architecture/visiting art museums, history & prehistory

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

MW: Thanks for the benevolent review. Keep your eyes open and your binoculars polished: After the expedition is before the expedition. Cheerio!

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

1- Greetings ... thank you for your interest and respective interview for the Morte Sacra project. I am Phobus Espiritus Malignus a self-taught. I don't consider myself a musician but an amateur composer. I never thought about having a solo project but a band, and Ruina Humana Pestis, although it seems strange, is already 20 years old and the 6 themes were taken from another Phobus Perpetus project and is the summary of a life and home recordings on cassette . My taste and interest in music was born at the age of 4, playing by ear on the keys of an old Bontempi air organ, with a very characteristic sound. after 2 years I absorbed the first metal band and it stayed in my ear, but it was at school and in adolescence that I identified myself with the noise and power of Heavy and Trash metal, I only deepened later on to death metal and the preferred style until when I was 19 years old, and without thinking or looking back, I had the idea of ​​buying the first guitar, a cheap Maison, where I also learned to play alone and to see bands playing live, I later met a bass player and later a drummer and we rehearsed but it turned out not to be a serious thing, both on their part and mine, for a lot of alcohol and other personal distractions or reasons, the band never moved on. but I never conformed and in 2008 i bought the first Pc, i learned to work with musical programs, i perfected the way i play the guitar and i bought a new Yamaha organ and a borrowed bass, i made the first digital demos with a programmed drums which i hate the sound for sounding like plastic, and only in 2012 I managed to buy a second-hand Tama rockstar drum kit with the basic hardware, which was restored and where once again I learned to make some rhythms for this project, it was the year that I recorded this album, with a roland cube30 and a jackson guitar RR1 with very rusty strings and no interface, just like the drums I used a shure ovehead in the snare drum and two more micros from the Chinese brand, the three connected to only one cable, by spacing in front of the drum and toms without interface, which was on a single track and limited to better equalize

2.Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you have went for on the recording?

 2. it couldn't be any other, especially since I have always lived in a remote Christian-minded village, 3 km from the Alhadas circle, Portugal, where I met their identities, (Corruptor and Morphine). where rituals were performed and with whom I had improvisational jam sessions and original themes, black metal was more popular with them, sharing on pirated cassettes and CDs, and for example the founding members of (Israthoum). So ,in 2001 I ended up completing the skeleton and composing with the virtuoso guitarist (W.uR - Monte Penumbra / Ab Imo Pectore) the opening theme Entranhas Demoniacas. it was there, still without me knowing that Morte Sacra took shape and gave the first breath, since I welcomed the Black Metal that is ingrained in my blood and is certainly the purest style to express myself in music and what I have in mind

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with your music?

3-- well it is a satire to the religious believers that surround us, the Entranhas Demoniacas, the lyric talks about sinful believers who end up casting and practicing spells and witchcraft against other people, even in today's times and to those who are jealous or want their own evil, already Morte Sacra is the total criticism and invocation to the extinction of the church. and their crimes committed over 20 centuries, sins such as pedophilia, torture, punishment, falsehood, morality, lust and raising money for their welfare and not for the sheep that follow them.Tempestade Sangrenta , is based more on the forces of nature when it manifests itself and causes the death and mass destruction of the Human (plague) species,Peste Negra talks about the same, the plague that decimated half of humanity, believing the church at the time that it would be witchcraft made by women they called Witches and burned in bonfires to serve as an exorcism basically an attack on false morality ,the evil surround us the black nature and plagues, Spirits, Witchcraft, invocation to bloody chaos and Death 

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Morte Sacra'?

4- - Morte Sacra is born from the lyrics of the same theme of this album. and when I wrote the lyrics, I understood that this would be the name of the project, which basically invokes the destruction and extermination of the church as I had previously responded, this is an attempt to control whoever wants to be free is an obsolete aberration. even more nowadays and since I was born I’m sick of seeing popes rise to power in the Vatican, and they all come with the same soft words, as if they were saints, and the most ironic thing is that they don’t want to end pedophilia in church itself, an aberration against vulnerable children who cannot defend themselves, and in the end nothing is ever done until another case comes up, here in Portugal we have Fatima, and an invention by 3 illiterate shepherd children who ended up claiming they had seen a miracle, the church soon took advantage and started to do one of the biggest business of today without paying taxes in this country, where thousands of faithful leave the money, but this is just one of the countless lies around the world

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?

5- it was a futuristic image that crossed my mind, many bones and skulls of disciples, priests, bishops with the beheaded pope himself, wearing the Miter with a perched raven, to symbolize the Church's own death

6.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

6-it would be nice to find a drummer who could give something more and a bass player to play live, you never know, I really don't like people very much, especially when they constantly change their mind, they don't know what they want or just like to appear. And to play Morte Sacra, which is a ritual, you have to feel what you are doing and not be playing just for playing and showing the musical gifts or clothes you have on (posers). I believe that it will be difficult to work with someone at the moment unless someone from the Alhadas circle but only I rest around these parts, but I also don't need to, and even on the hardest path I end up doing everything myself

7.The album was released on 'Nomad Snakepit Productions', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

7- in fact I am a little isolated and disconnected from the musical world, or from the bands that are at the top, and I still know less about publishers, I in 2012 had even sent this project to contacts within the black metal environment and who could find a publisher to launch the demo, but it came to nothing and I ended up almost giving up. In the middle of last year as soon as I was leaving a local bar, I came across someone I hadn't seen in a long time, I ended up drinking another beer and catching up with the conversation and ended up touching Morte Sacra, when he asked me if I continued to play or record something new. - I replied that very little, and from what I had done, I had already sent more than a decade ago, so unexpectedly, I received a phone call after a month, asking if I wanted to edit the project, I felt like a child I just received a new toy, so from the beginning of autumn until last November I worked on the demo, which ended up becoming an album, I know the Dutch publisher Nomad Snakepit for less than half a year, I am eternally grateful for what they did with Morte Sacra, for that I realized are competent, quick to work and as good professionals as they are, I think they are on the right track and have everything to be an even bigger publisher

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

8-well, for now i have few fans hehehe, but who really likes black metal and is on the subject, i have received good reviews on the themes, and who like the composition of them, but strange as it seems the few fans i have and although be sung in Portuguese are few, and mostly from other countries like Usa, Mexico, Hungary, England and Holland and I know very little about it

9.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

9- to tell you the truth, I'm already 42 years old and I see myself in exactly the same place without major changes or expectations, nothing will change or even very little, just with two or three more albums edited, even more now that I have one home studio with all the material I need, or whatever it is possible to do, and that's just what goes through my head

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

10- well i'm like an old elder, some doom metal heavy metal death metal and black metal, of course, I usually hear what was good and what is good remains, of course I heard BURZUM / EMPEROR - / Immortal - Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism - Pure Holocaust / Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas - Wolf's lair abyss / Thy Serpent / Darkwoods My Betrothed / Satyricon / Obscenus /DARKTHRONE / Gorgoroth / Varathron / SWORDMASTER / Dissection / watain / THORNS/ Dodheimsgard / Craft, e.t.c - something new I believe that nothing but BØLZER

11.How would you describe your views on Occultism?

11- it is a mystical parallel, since there have always been rituals of witches, sorcerers or healers, for good and evil and long before Christianity and which were forbidden by them, I often wondered where this teaching came from and how it is possible and how it has been passed down through generations, or how the elders knew things that today still have no explanation, or are still hidden from science and from everyone, and the fear of the unknown that this still causes, from simple ones prayers for the evil eye, or a circle of people who call for a spirit or more to communicate with him, but some are not true and only a distorted or manipulative sick brain, but the sacrifice of humans by higher forces has always been what fascinated me the most and I believe that if there is enough concentration everything is possible and I am the proof of that, by being a conductor and a sponge of negative energies

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

12- I think the world is entering the final abyss at a great pace, like Black metal in general, which is becoming commonplace and that there are more and more uneducated bands and fans, most bands are a counter product made for selling like faces covered with masks and caps, and which are nothing more than a poorly made and absurd recipe, sometimes from older master pieces, are all things that did not exist in my time, I think it’s enough, for example, empty lyrics, tutorials and the competition of who is the fastest and most technical drummer / guitarist and bassist, end up forgetting the sonorous and dissonant melody,

 black metal composition, involvement, atmosphere and sharp brute force

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

Ok, this musical project was born during winter of 2019 as a solo project of The Dire (Bastardi´s bassist). The project started as a therapy for the depression and anxiety disorders that he suffered during longer periods of insomnia. Almost 12 songs were written (mostly on bass and guitar), however due equipment and budget limitations the record of songs started in December 2020. In addition, The Dire tried unsuccessfully to add drummers or singers. The above, due lack of compromise and bella-donna clown attitudes of the invited musicians. However, Leviathan (owner of Dracon Black LTD and Bastardi´s guitarist) introduced Ornagar Hell, who embraced the idea of participating in Vae Mortis adding his talented voice.

2.Recently you have released a demo, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

Well, we have tried to play true black metal that can produce dark sensations to the listener. The idea behind that, is to introduce the listener to a deep dark void, then shock it and finally accept that he or she is lying in the bottom of the void, surrendering their life essence to preternatural abominations.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Mayan Mythology and Occultism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

Ok, as the Dire suffered of some mental disorders he started to read about that and he discovers that an ancient Mayan deity (Ixtab) had responsibility for some mental disorders that lead suicide. Then, after meditation about the symbols that surround such deity, he concludes that a physical force related to emotions was behind his illness. As the deity symbol represents (a dead hanged woman), it suggests that the left side of the brain (passive) needs to be equilibrated. But, first symbolically die by himself (suicide). After several experiments he decided to create a musical concept to promote his own creativity and symbolically killed himself creating Vae Mortis.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Vae Mortis'?

As explained before, The Dire needed a symbolic death and close some chapters that had energetic malfunctions on his life. When he created Vae Mortis the developed a symbolic death and grief. Literally, Vae Mortis means in ancient latin “Lamentation for the dead” so he passed away and experimented with a grief period such as the kriah.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the demo cover and what the sigil represents?

Ok, as mentioned above, The Dire needed a symbolic death and equilibrate energies related to depression. In order to contrast the energies, he symbolically evokes Mars god of war (Bartzabel or BRTZBL) through Aliester Crowleys books of rites (https://es.scribd.com/document/369141096/Aleister-Crowley-La-Evocacion-de-Bartzabel). The sigil represents war, masculinity, and the active side of the brain (Qyin). Then, the black-green colors represent death and the rotting of a corpse. So, he died, then grief, then rotting to finally be reborn in The Dire Abu Malak (reaching equilibrium between Qyin+ and Abhel-).

Then, talking about the two covers (digital and tape demo) they represent death in different ways. First, symbolically winter represents death while summer the resurrection. The above is practically taught in every religion of the world. Since, humans discovered agriculture and the importance of quantifying the travel of the sun among 12 constellations (this is the cornerstone of all religious myths).

The winter trees represent The Dire´s death, the band name symbolizes the grief, the sigil the resurrection and equilibrium. In addition, the tomb and the poor landscape employed in the promo tape version (by black metal spirit) had the same meaning as the winter landscape…death, decomposition and the reborn.

6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

No, VM will remain as a duo. We don't want to deal with the futile attitudes of other musicians.

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

Well, of course we are open to receive propositions to release our work. Currently, we yielded our first work to Mr. Fran Rocha (Blackmetal spirit) because he believes in us and gives us a very good kick off.

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

We believe that was very awesome. The above, since we were invited by Mr. Rocha (Black Metal Spirit) to release our demo in tape format. Moreover, our demo had a lot of good reactions within black metal facebook pages and bandcamp. After Mr. Rocha signed us for this demo tape, three labels requested our material. However, the rights of this first demo now belong to Mr. Rocha in order to gain more promotion and visibility.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that both of the other members are a part of?

Well, Ornagar Hell continues his one man band project “Ornagar” and recently released a split CD with a very cool band named Patient (UK). The new split is named “The dawn of nothing” and was released though Mexican Label Dracon Black LTD. The split includes 12 cold, raw and very original black metal songs. It’s a must!.

On the other hand, The Dire Abu Malak continues playing the bass with Mexican cult Band Bastardi. Bastardi recently released a split with English black metal band Niroth. It is worth mentioning that all material included within the split is unreleased and has a very good quality. In addition, they participate in the tribute to Ereshkigal which is a very prominent black metal band in Mexico. Also the Dire AB MLK is working in a Vae Mortis full length, in a DSMB project named TOC666 (with Ornagar Hell collaboration) and a melodic death metal project named COLDVOID7.

10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band going musically during the future?

Excellent question, as mentioned before we have a lot of material that needs to be recorded and released. Nowadays, we have the cover art made by Alifh (Indonesian artist or necroculto in instagram) and probably the full length will be released again in winter 2021. You know, to maintain the symbols…

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Ufffffff, a lot of bands and music. For example, The Dire has a lot of influence by Germanic music such as Wagner, Beethoven, Furtwangler to mention a few. In metal, of course Bathory, Mortuary Drape, King Diamond, Mr. Doctor´s Devil Doll, Defuntos, Jacula, Behemoth, Thromos, Infernal Hate, Burzum, Mayhem, Lidelse, lifelover, Death SS to mention a few. On the other hand, Organar Hell´s influences are Enthroned, Azaghal, Armagedda, kult ov Azazel, Antaeus to mention a few.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Yes, that the darkness is brighter and more beautiful than the light…just need to find the keys in the meaning of the words. TARTALOS.´.

  Sterbefall  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Verlorene  Zeit"  which  will  be  released  on  April  23rd  as  a  joint  effort  between  Satanath  Records  and  Fog  Foundation.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  riffs  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  post  metal  style  melodies  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Elements  of  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  some  deep  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments  as  well  as  a  later  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  stringed  instruments  and  most  of  the  music  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction,  the  album  also  closes  with  an  instrumental.

  Sterbefall  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  an  atmospheric  style  of  post  black  metal  as  well  as  mixing  in  some  elements  of  doom  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Russian  and  cover  Human  Feelings,  Emotions,  War,  Nature  and  Science  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Sterbefall  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Kvlt"  "Negativ"  and  "Augenblick".  8  out  of  10.

  Greece's  Archemoron  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  an  epic  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Flagellum  I'  which  will  be  released  on  April  21st  as  a  joint  effort  between  Satanath  Records  and  Pluton's  Rising  Productions.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into a   very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  while  the  growls  are  also  done  in  a  very  demonic  style  when  they  are  utilized.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  old  school  style.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  guitar  leads  also  bringing  in  a  more  modern  approach  on  later  songs.  A  brief  use  of  semi  melodic  vocals  can  also  be  heard  as  well  as  some  clean  playing  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  music,  spoken  word  parts  and  whispers  are  also  introduced  on  a  later  song.

 Some  of  the  album  also  shows  an  influence  of  the  classic  Greek  style  along  with  some  influences  from  other  parts  of  the  world,  synths  and  horn  instruments  are  also  added  on  the  closing  song.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Esotericism  and  Philosophical  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Archemoron  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RFECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "When  Blades  Shape  Our  Feelings"  "Thronos"  and  "Utter  Tranquility".  8  out  of  10.