PAGAN HELLFIRE still burns.
How many Canadian Black Metal acts have you ever heard about? Not more than five, I suppose. Perhaps, it is the matter of distant emplacement of Canada and lack of expedient promotion. However, the interview below was given by the master-mind of one-man BM project PAGAN HELLFIRE that has been active since 1995 and managed to spawn several mindraping releases, last of them being the full-lenght debut CD. Let us take a look at what Incarnatus had to say. By the way, the corresponding review can be found in our "Album Reviews" section. (Krasniy)
1) Greetings to Incarnatus. Could you start this interview with the enumeration of PH's most important biographical facts.
PAGAN HELLFIRE began in March of 1995 with myself and fellow comrade,
Blackthorn. The two of us handled all the composing, lyric writing and
instrumentation. The first cassette was released at the beginning of 1996
consisting of 4 songs entitled "Everlasting Funerals." At the end of 1996,
the second 6 song cassette was released under the banner of "Honor Black
War" and following that was "Outlander" at the beginning of 1998 which
consisted of 8 compositions including a lengthy outro. The fourth release
and the first CD was unleashed in September of 2000 under the name of "A
Voice from Centuries Away." In between the release of "Outlander" and "A
Voice..." I contributed various pieces to a number of sources. A
classically-oriented, dirge-like piece was contributed to website supreme
"Mourning the Ancient" which was featured on their second PC-Photo CD and I
also submitted a reworking of Burzum's "Frijos Einsames Trauern" from the
Hlidskjalf album for the Tribute to Burzum album being released by
Cymophane. All has been well for PAGAN HELLFIRE and things will only get
stonger from here on.
2) What was the reason of line-up changes after the release of "Outlander" demo? Why did Blackthorn leave the band?
Blackthorn departed from the project for basically two reasons. First, he
was losing interest in playing/writing music and in Black Metal in general
and also because he was moving halfway across the country which would have
created an obvious burden in terms of working together. He actually left
PAGAN HELLFIRE before the recording of "Outlander." Regardless, I kept
writing and just when I was ready to record "Outlander" by myself, I asked
Blackthorn to play guitar on it just for the hell of it. He wanted to and
thought it'd be alright. I showed him the hymns that I wrote for that
release, he learned them in one day, and we recorded the whole thing on two
gray winter days. That was Blackthorn's last stance. He's a good comrade,
nevertheless!!!
3) "A Voice..." is a self-released record. Didn't you manage to find a worthy label to release it? By the way, what is the number of copies?
The CD is self-released by choice. After an unsuccessful "deal" with a label
called Conspiracy Evolve from California prior to "A Voice..." in which they
sort of gave up and back out half way through the plans we made, I thought
"Well, if I am going to do what I want, I'll just have to do it myself." I
was done relying on people and companies. I did not bother looking for a
label to release "A Voice...". In the future, I must add, I will seek a
label for PAGAN HELLFIRE releases. The CD is getting around, but I would
primarily like wider distribution and also I guess it is more financially
constraining to release a CD entirely on your own. It is kind of interesting
though, the places I have received attention like Turkey, Germany, Peru,
Chile, India, and you in Moldova.
4) PH is currently a one-man project. Do you find it difficult to be a multi-instrumentalist? Are you going to keep it that way?
Handling all the instruments is very satisfying and not difficult at all.
For PAGAN HELLFIRE at this point, I know what I want, what it is probably
going to sound like, and how to get the sound the way I desire. I just
figure what is the point of getting anyone else involved with the project
when I can do it myself. I have the feeling though that when I start to
experiment more, which I've already been doing lately, others might end up
taking part in the composition process, which is fine with me. Its not that
I am strict about letting others get involved with PAGAN HELLFIRE, it is
just that I want anyone else who is going to contribute to be skillful,
creative, and with good ideas. I would like them to be as strong or stronger
than me, so to speak. I can do what I do now on my own, but the future might
hold some interesting changes.
5) Are you pleased with the final audial result on the debut? What would you change if you had the chance?
Perhaps it is a principle of mine, but I feel it is useless to look back and
think of things I could change about "A Voice...". Production wise, the
result is extremely close to what I wanted. It is very raw and dirty which I
require, but all the instruments are audible. That's what I like. I would
not change anything on CD, except for maybe a little less bottom end on the
acoustic guitars on track four, "The Enlightened Place." Otherwise, it is
fine. The guy who recorded me did a excellent job considering he was quite
unaware of how Black Metal sounded and was sort of new at using the
equipment he had.
6) The band's name doesn't seem to reflect the lyrical and ideological concept behind your music. What was the reason of inserting the word "pagan" in the name?
Well, the name was born in the peak of this decade's Black Metal "movement,"
which began in the early 90's, and to me was a time of serious extremity
and, to a certain degree, sensationalism. To be honest, I could give you a
few interpretations of what could be meant behind the title PAGAN HELLFIRE,
but when it comes down to it, it is just a name. I would probably be better
off having no name to this project, only the titles of the releases and, of
course, the song titles. The concepts I write about and the central ideology
behind this project, which is anti-Christian ideology, are what's important
for people to know about PAGAN HELLFIRE, not the banner it presides under.
The word "pagan" is completely not Christian. It is apart from Christianity
and pagans are the ones who the Christians did not like. You could
definately relate this idea to the concept of PAGAN HELLFIRE as well as I
seek to be far away from Christianity...to be truly what I call
"anti-Christian." This means to be away from Satanism also. At least, as it
is portrayed by the Christian belief and modern day Hollywood theatricals.
7) Please, cite your main musical and non-musical souces of inspirations.
Musically, I am inspired by Burzum, older Mayhem, Gorgoroth, Ulver,
Graveland, Lord Wind, Perunwit, Judas Iscariot, Blood Axis, Puissance, Vlad
Tepes (band and historical figure), Arckanum, Veles, various classical
music, various sountracks. I listen to lots of other stuff too which
probably indirectly contributes to my ideas. As for non-musical, nature and
landscapes are a huge inspiration that I cannot deny. It is very important
for my creativity without a doubt. Visuals, whether they come from nature,
art, film, or photography are greatly responsible for many of the results
you hear in PAGAN HELLFIRE. I like mythology, certain liturature, and
philosophy as well. War, conflict, and domination are becoming more and more
inspiring for me as it is a rather interesting part of human nature. I am
curious about it all, from mediaeval times to the Third Reich.
8) You contributed a song to BURZUM tribute. How has your collaboration with Cymophane recs been? Are they going to sign you in the future?
I did an interpretation of "Frijos Einsames Trauern" from the Hlidskjalf album for the Tribute to Burzum album which I am satisfied with. It was one of a few chances I've had to show my affiliation for mediaeval/folk music. It seemed appropriate - heathen music for the heathen Varg. I think Cymophane might be kind of in limbo right now, but I hope they get things back in order soon. They are a good label. There has been no talk of signing
or deals or anything like that. However, I would be more than willing to get something on the go with them as they are among my favorite companies. They have some very interesting bands too, like Westwind.
9) What are your non-musical occupations and interests?
I am currently a student and that takes up a fair amount of time. Let's see,
music, spending time with friends, drinks.....I want to travel more.
10) What are your plans for the future?
More releases, collaborations, terror, move to Europe hopefully.
11) Have you got any last comments?
Thank you for the interview, interest, and support. It is very honoured. I
wish you well. To anyone creating music, take influences from others you
feel are worthy, but avoid "scenes" and bullshit like that. Scenes often
breed people who feel they cannot create beyond the boundaries of what their
so-called scene allows. This leads to frustration and consequently,
sterilization of ideas. I am not suggesting turning your back on Black Metal
or anything. MARCH UNDER THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN BANNER TO VICTORY!!!!
PAGAN HELLFIRE Official Homepage
PAGAN HELLFIRE "A Voice from Centuries Away" CD.
7 tracks paint the audio portrait of the Nova Scotian Black Metal Front's
musical creation. Delving deep into the distant paths of untouched darkness,
stirring Black Metal collides with victorious, totalitarian marches and
acoustic subtleness for the awakening of all dormant sprits.
"A Voice from Centuries Away" CD is available for $13 (Canadian) or $10
(American). All inquiries contact Incarnatus at [email protected] or
send your order directly to:
Incarnatus
5270 Tobin St., Apt. 2
Halifax, N.S.
B3H 1S2
Canada
Any interested labels or distributers are welcome to get in contact the same
way.
Interview taken by KRASNIY
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