1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
G/ - We are a theistic black metal band. We do not follow any rules, laws or scene politics. Our music/lyrics are a reflection of our life experiences within the pathways we have decided to walk. Our songs are channels, gateways of communication. They are our attempt to explain thoughts and emotional responses from dealing with forces larger than ourselves, yet the essence of ourselves. This is the reason we make music - language itself fails as a tool to completely express these dealings, these states of consciousness (both elevated and altered) and their repercussions and echoes in our lives.
2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both recordings?
G/ - Our musical presentation is black metal unbound from any preconceived notions of what is acceptable and what is not. We just focus on listening to the voices which are speaking to us or through us. "I" is essentially a pre-production demo of songs from our first and second full length albums arranged in the order of our first live set with one song left in an instrumental version. "Through the Flesh... Into the Soul" is the first of many limited releases we are planning in which we will explore various pathways of madness which call to us. These will consist of various ideas be it electronic/ambient soundscapes, remixes or alternate versions of songs which we don't feel fit with the full length albums. The sound of the recording of "I" is due to the fact that it was recorded through an 8 track mixing board onto cassette tape after a computer failure the day of recording. The guitars and drums were recorded live simultaneously. The first three tracks were actually played straight through in one one take and then the last two were done the same way. The bass, vocals, bells and effects were then added later. The recordings were never planned to be released until we sat back with the finished demo and found that it was quite an accurate representation of what we intend to later fully unleash.
Proph - Like most modern extreme metal bands, we do have some elements of other subgenres - particularly death and doom - but overall I would have to label it point blank as black metal. I'm sure others would disagree, but I feel all of the elements are very much in place. Having said that, I do not feel it is one dimensional in any way and I certainly feel there will be even more variety, particularly in the rhythms, in the future. One of the things I do think further sets us apart is our willingness to incorporate electronic elements into what we do. This, as well, I'm sure will be intensified in the future without making it symphonic sounding. But make no mistake: this is intended to be a harsh sonic experience - not "pretty" in any way, shape or form.
3.The song lyrics cover a lot of occult and left hand path themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your views in these areas?
G/ - Our explorations and works within the left hand path are acts of transgression - pathways of transcendence. Those of us involved in the spiritual aspect of Teloch Vovin all have individualized views but have a common core with each other and each of us have a personal attachment to and an adoration of Death which unites the band as a whole.
4.I know that the name Teloch Vovin comes from Enochian, what was it that interested you about using this name for the band?
G/ - The name Teloch Vovin was chosen due to a recurring dream and has come to represent everything that I attain to, everything I worship and work towards. It represents the duality of the concept of Khaos which calls to me. "Teloch" meaning "Death" - "Vovin" meaning "Dragon". These are a synthesis that must be experienced to be understood as it is exceedingly personal and, unfortunately, could never be explained fully within the confines of an answer to a question in an interview.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
G/ - We have only played four show so far - the last one was definitely the best of the four. We shared the stage with Black Witchery, Negative Plane, Forced and Coffin Birth and the show was sold out. A most strange night and an awesome show. Our first show was quite great, as well. It took place on the winter solstice (12/21/12), which for us is a very important date due to the working intertwined within our first two full length albums. The turn out was excellent and we performed along with Evoken and Black Anvil. Black Anvil are good friends of ours and both are great bands that everybody should check out if they haven't already. Our shows are an all out assault on the senses. We combine our music with an extremely intense stage show of smoke, incense, strobe lights, candles, blood, dirt and bone fetishes that we have created. We are currently reworking our stage set up to expand it. Opening up new avenues of madness to explore. Our goal is to overpower the senses of the crowd and alter their perceptions through our music and performance. To make them forget about this world, their flesh, their current manifestation, and to invoke new levels of consciousness in them as well as ourselves. All we can say is, it's only going to get worse. Much worse. We have already had some backlash against our live rituals - bands that refuse to play shows with us and venues that won't allow us to play there. It's rather funny how a lot of bands sing of death but then when confronted with true death and its worship they become upset and declare that for them it's only an image - part of their "act." Well, not for us. This is our adoration of Him for we are aimed towards Him, promised to Him from birth. Bound by oath and deed and freed of all burdens upon His touch.
Proph - We have only done a handful of shows and each have had their good and their bad points. I will state that the bands we have shared the stage with thus far have all been pretty respectable and professional to deal with.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
G/ - We are currently finishing up material for our first full length album as well as a 12" along with another one of the aforementioned limited releases which is tentatively titled, "Further Down the Tunnel." When we finish up the 12" and the limited release we will play a few shows before heading into the studio to record the debut full length.
Proph - Touring is questionable if we will ever do and shows are intermittent. If a performance isn't for something unique I fail to see the point in doing one just for the sake of doing one. Personally, I don't find performing live very enjoyable at all.
7.Currently, you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
G/ - We are not even looking for a label yet. As previously stated, the "I" promo wasn't planned to be released to the public but after listening to it when we finished it and the fact we had people asking for some recorded material since our first performance we decided to self release it. We will be "shopping" the 12" and the tracks from the next limited release to labels. If we have a label pick us up then that would be great but if not it won't really change anything we have planned as we essentially provide for ourselves. Time after time, through faith and our will, all of our works will be accomplished.
Proph - Since I'm not expecting to make money through what we do I would tend to say no. However, in the fairy tale off chance a label were to throw millions of dollars our way to make a Teloch Vovin record I would welcome such a generous investment.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of occult black metal?
G/ - The reviews have been divided. We have received some great reviews, some reviews that are favorable but complain about the recording/production values (or lack thereof) and some terrible ones all pointing towards the sound. Unfortunately, most reviewers did not or were not able to read the specific message on the layout for "I" regarding this as more of a demo than a traditional record as the promotion for it was done digitally and they didn't receive a hard copy. This is one of the many drawbacks of our digital age - some of the magick and message gets lost. As a result, most people have missed the point that this was more or less a glorified rehearsal recording. I won't even get into the fact that black metal has lost a lot of its dirty, disgusting malevolence. Or should I say a lot of what passes for black metal these days does not possess these qualities???
Proph - So far the response has been primarily revolving around the "production values" in front of the performances or the material itself so it is almost impossible to say. The fact that people who are familiar with this genre of music seem to find it difficult to get past the sound quality to even get to a position where they can actually appraise the music and have an actual opinion is most disappointing. I wouldn't feel this way if we were playing in a traditional rock band but when factoring in the production we have all heard on many other records that have circulated throughout the years, I would have imagined this to be a non-issue at this point. Considering this was not intended as a traditional "studio" release and essentially a glorified demo we are realistic about what we have presented to people but it seems to not be properly being understood as such. This isn't Bon Jovi.
9.Are the band members involved with any other musical projects these days?
Proph - I create dark industrial for a "solo project" (despise that expression) but usually end up incorporating most of what is created into Teloch Vovin in some varying capacity which is the only reason why it is being noted here. Otherwise, most of us have other musical endeavors which won't be discussed here as within the context of anything relating to Teloch Vovin they are irrelevant.
10.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
G/ - In any and every direction in which we feel inspired. Remember: "The Law of Sin is Restriction. Our Law - No Laws." That being said, all avenues of musical exploration will be of an honest nature and there are certain roads which we have no interest of walking down. One thing I can say is we will progress and evolve our sound, as well as presentation for one, as we will be recording in a professional studio. Though we don't desire a "cleaner" sound, we do lust after a "clearer" mix.
Proph - Harsher, colder, more primal but somehow more... mechanical???
11.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
G/ - We all have a wide range of musical tastes from classical to metal, industrial to gothic, etc. ad infinitum....
Proph - The spectrum. Cliche but true.
12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Proph - Our interests outside of the music and our beliefs/practices don't relate to Teloch Vovin and won't be discussed within an interview in regard to Teloch Vovin except that horror is incorporated into what we create as it is into life in general and incorporation of an actual visual medium of conveyance is a goal in the very near future. I prefer to let whatever I create represent me more than speak myself. Further, I have always valued privacy and anonymity above all else which can, unfortunately, be exceedingly difficult to maintain when creating any kind of art - particularly in the internet age.
13.Any final words or thoughts before wrap up this interview?