CELESTIIAL is only myself. It wasn't really something that I decided I would form. I always had something like that in my head. Perhaps not necessarily the music - but the atmosphere you hear on "Desolate North" or "Ashen". That was something that I wanted to record and listen to. If I had to put a year on CELESTIIAL's inception, it would be 2004 when "Ashen" was recorded.


2.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: who came up with the name CELESTIIAL and why was name chosen?

CELESTIIAL: The name CELESTIIAL is more of a metaphor for the spirit. However you perceive that I suppose. To me, the name suggests something other-worldly and proposes that the spirit is something that transcends this earth or journeys to others. At the same time, I don't think I'm implying that it has anything to do with the astral world as much as how the astral world has to do with the boundaries we can break and explore as spirits. I don't believe many people explore the beyond as much as they should. Humbling yourself to these greater �powers' is the only way to absorb this essence.� It has nothing to do with a "God" or "Gods".Parallels exist between the celestial and the spirit because the imagination allows limitless possibilities just as the astral world is endless, chaotic, and spontaneous. Hopefully that makes some sense. The reason for the two I's is to give it character. It has nothing to do with Mutiilation or Mortiis - although I'm sure they had similar reasons.

3.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: what has CELESTIIAL released so far... (demos, Eps, etc) and how has the underground scene reacted to releases?

CELESTIIAL: I should really clarify that "Desolate North" is my only release to date. "Ashen" appears on "Desolate North" with 3 more songs. However, I did send out maybe 6 or so copies of "Ashen" after I recorded it. I didn't really submit it to criticism within the underground scene'. At the time, I felt far more removed from it than ever before. I did send a copy to Marty Rytkonen and that was the only label that got a copy.He expressed interest and we decided Bindrune would be a good fit for CELESTIIAL. I was honored because I used to read Worm Gear zine as a teenager as well as being a fan of GRUNTSPLATTER. They have very diverse tastes and didn't care about interviewing a power electronics project on the opposite page of a death metal interview. I am very pleased with the amount of dedication and support they have shown me and other people that really live for this music.

4. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: How would you describe CELESTIIAL 's music to someone who has not heard it yet?

CELESTIIAL: That would be difficult.It isn't that the music is beyond anyone's comprehension or something pompous like that. I think that I have a hard time separating what CELESTIIAL is to who I am. Bindrune calls it "Woodland Funeral Doom". I wouldn't disagree. I think that the person who enjoys "Desolate North" is someone very capable of hearing more than just music'. Because the music and the progressions are so slow - there is a lot of time to step outside of it.

5.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: CELESTIIAL at the moment is band where all instruments, vocals, and other stuff are handled by one person... do you see this changing in the future?

CELESTIIAL isn't a band I see performing live or something like that.� I have a very real vision of where this started and where it is headed. To bring another influence into it would be pointless and time-consuming. Also, it would lead to compromises as any kind of collaboration does. CELESTIIAL is not my only commitment. I play drums in GOATLUST, guitars and vocals in SIDHE, and other projects/bands. Having CELESTIIAL is unique because I don't need to compromise with anyone.

6.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Talk about your upcoming Cd "Desolate North"

CELESTIIAL: "Desolate North" is the debut for CELESTIIAL and I feel it is a strong release. I can't really draw comparisons because I don't have prior releases to do so. I will say that it has opened up a lot of possibilities to explore within the style. "Desolate North" refers to Northern Minnesota and our neighboring Quetico Park region of Canada. If you have ever had the chance to camp up there or sleep on the lake shore you know where a lot of the sounds on "Desolate North" come from.The cry of the loon is one of the most haunting and powerful sounds I have ever experienced. This part of the world is famous for many myths, stories, heroes, and of course scenery. I am very proud to live where I live and "Desolate North" pays homage to that.

7.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: How long did it take for Cd to be recorded ... where was it recorded?

CELESTIIAL: The "Ashen" material was recorded in one night at the AZRAEL rehearsal space when I was playing with those guys. I don't really remember how long it took because I slept there that night after the whole experience. There is a wooden loft in the corner of the space that I had a habit of falling asleep on often. The space was exactly what I needed.No windows, no people, no distractions. Then there were the 3 other songs that comprise "Desolate North". I recorded one of them at the same rehearsal space in early 2005. The two harp songs were recorded later in the year at home. That was very difficult. I wanted them to turn out somewhat raw like the rest of the album. That wasn't too difficult to achieve because I ended up misplacing my mic stand so I literally played and recorded those two songs with the microphone tucked under my chin. Surprisingly, it picked up everything.

8. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Are you satisfied with how the recording came out?

CELESTIIAL: Absolutely.

9.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: When writing songs for CELESTIIAL is there a process that you work with... are songs improvised... what comes first, guitar riffs, drum patterns, vocals?

CELESTIIAL: I think anyone who creates anything knows that inspiration hits us at very strange times. I wrote "Desolate North" when that feeling was nothing short of overwhelming. As far as what came first' - I actually did record the drums first and didn't like how they were being picked up in the room. I had a drum machine and decided to record that for the moment. After some reverb and EQ adjustments I really liked the sound of the drum machine and went with it. After that, I put down the guitars, bass, and vocals. As far as structuring a song I'm not sure. I really think that it depends. Even though "Desolate North" has a drum machine, sometimes playing drums will inspire me to write a riff on guitar or the other way around.� I wouldn't say anything is improvised. I have riffs in mind and I suppose sometimes I just keep recording them until I feel another should come in. Funeral Doom is a strange style to dissect. It doesn't have any tricks or formulas.

10. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Not many bands today play your style of music... what inspired you to play this kind of music?

CELESTIIAL: I don't know. I feel as natural playing at this speed as I do at much faster tempos. I used to take walks down at a park near where I grew up called Purgatory Park. Algol of AZRAEL actually used to walk it often as well. Surprisingly, we never met as kids on the paths. When I was older, I would bring a flute or guitar to the park early in the morning. I would sit by the stream and watch the water pass by or if it was winter I would stare at the snow and ice and the weight it added to branches of trees. I would look, smell, touch everything I could. I think that feeling - the slow and deep pulse of the earth beneath me inspired me to play something like this. It certainly wasn't from listening to a lot of doom because I don't. Especially what might be labeled as "traditional doom". I don't really identify with much in the doom scene. Also, because traditional doom incorporates a lot of the same elements as rock or progressive rock - it brings in a very stereotypical group of people who really have no grounds to stand on regarding more extreme metal or whatever you want to call it.They have a problem understanding why the devotees are telling them to get the fuck out. Its simple. Extreme metal isn't a genre for tolerance, religion, pacifists, or promoting and condoning benevolence. That can be hard for outsiders to understand when they try and explore the underground. I don't think I'm alone feeling this way though.

11.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: do you follow the underground metal scene any bands you like, dislike?

CELESTIIAL: I am involved in underground. I don't know about scenes.I think I was into that when I was younger and more impressionable. I'm 23 now and a scene isn't something I really feel I need to participate in. I don't go to shows or support local bands around here. The worthwhile ones don't play here anyway.. AZRAEL of course and VOTHANA are incredible but not a lot of others intrigue me or strike me as being sincere. Outside of Minnesota though, there are a lot of good bands, distros, and labels. I can't say enough for the underground aesthetic of Non Compos Mentis or Northern Sky Prod (MN). Great people just living and breathing the underground.As far as what I've been listening to lately: CATACOMBS, ALCEST, RAATE, STRIBORG, MOURNFUL CONGREGATION, STAR GAZER, VEIL (WI), NYKTALGIA, ENKIL, I SHALT BECOME, NASHEIM, FUNERAL FROST, BONE AWL, WOODS OF INFINITY, STABAT MATER, BLOODHAMMER, NOCTERNITY, MOEVOT, MORDOR, NIHIL NOCTURNE, NORTH, PARAGON IMPURE, WORSHIP, GEIMHRE, KADOTUS, CHARNEL VALLEY, ARGHOSLENT, OLD OAK, more I can't think of.� As far as just bands I enjoy and grew up with: MISCREANT (swe), VARATHRON, EUCHARIST, AVENGER, ILDJARN, THERGOTHON, OPHTHALAMIA, AMORPHIS (old), GOREMENT, DEMIGOD, DEMILICH, BATHORY, BURZUM, BLUT AUS NORD, GROTESQUE, NAGELFAR, GORGUTS, SARCASM, INQUISITION, HIEROPHANT, DISEMBOWELMENT, FALL OF THE LEAFE (only "Evanescent, Everfading"), VINTERLAND, DAWN (swe), CEREMONIUM, ROTTING CHRIST (old), DARK TRANQUILLITY (demos, 7"'s, and Skydancer only), ARCKANUM, GONTYNA KRY, a lot of stuff like that - Too many to name. I think you have an idea of what I listen to though.

12.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: any merchandise available from the band? (list items, prices, and how to get stuff)

CELESTIIAL: "Desolate North" is available from Bindrune Recordings and its distributors.� I would prefer people go through them. The copies I have I would like to trade with other underground bands/projects. I think CELESTIIAL shirts will be printed by Bindrune sometime this year. Visit the official site and I'll make sure to have the necessary information when it becomes available.

13.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: any last words, comments? thanks for the interview

CELESTIIAL: Wilhelm - thanks for the interview and all the best to Dark Recollections Zine!
visit CELESTIAL on the web at:
http://celestiial.xathagorra.com

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