NATHIAS ZINE: September 2015

28 September 2015

MORTUARY ANCESTOR – Malaysia

Sabah, land below the winds, which is located at Borneo Island, has some cool & worth checking bands. I personally, to be frank, really dig into one of them which I undoubtedly consider as the best act from there, the East Malaysia. The band I’m talking about is called MORTUARY ANCESTOR, playing pure fuckin’ blistering death metal with unique and well-written lyrics based on Malay occultism. You should better check out “Dogma Orthodox” by yourself. This is their second demo & I must say this is godly rulesss!!!!! That’s why I think that an interview is always necessary for an excellent band from my country. Let’s hear what Dirs Johannazael (vocals) going to speak…

Interviewed by Sufian Mohamed Salleh (April 2001)

Hellfucking Hails MORTUARY ANCESTOR… what’s goin’ on in the camp lately? I heard that you guys preparing some new material for the next coming release, so how’s the progress look like?

Hello there Sufian! Yes, we are preparing for our 3rd demo & we’re practise hard to make it the best ever… If everythin’ okay, we’ll entered studio this March 2001 to record 2 or 3 new tracks! One cover version of Sil Khannaz already well recorded at The Maestro studio on last October 2000.

Due to your musical style & performance, MORTUARY ANCESTOR was oftenly compared to Malaysia’s pioneer bands, SIL KHANNAZ and LANGSUYR… what do you think about this public consideration? Maybe there are something slightly different in your musical approaches, so what they are all about?

I don’t have any idea about it. Maybe it’s true or maybe it’s not!!! I think the public knows that Langsuyr & Sil Khannaz was our big influences, so they always compare us to those 2 bands. Actually, beside those Malaysian fucking great bands… we also influenced by Morbid Angel, Death, Brutality, Deicide, Slayer, etc. We try to create out own originality & musical style.

The band has gone through some line-up changes since the beginning days of formation, and I guess this sometimes effect the smoothness in your activities (i.e. recording, gigging, etc). How do you personally see all these problems? How much it contributes to the maturity in the band, generally? What do you think about current members of the band?

That’s right! This line-up problems make me sick… I couldn’t do anything if some members want to stand down. They have their own right & choices! But honestly, this situation make us more strong `cause we believe the war never ending yet! I must kept Mortuary Ancestor alive & stronger than before. That’s why we choose a new members that only serious in our band activities such gigging, jamming, recording, etc. Man was the old members beside me, Rommie is our new guitarist & he had a lot of experience during with his former band Desperate Contracieve. And our new bassist Riff @ Reeve is talented & positive thinking!!! I believe this current line-up is the best formation ever of Mortuary Ancestor.

Talking about musical writing, how do you proceed with the development/construction of each song? If it can be describe in words, how do you express your feelings & emotion in music? Please further explain about your musical direction ‘Orthodox Occult Death Metal’?

Well, firstly I created a simple basic melody that I think catchy, suitable & simple. Then I’ll compare it with my lyric that I already wrote. After that, our guitarist will make some touch up to make the melodies more specific & detail. For drums pattern, it’s totally 100% done by our drummer. Finally, together we’ll analyse the result of the song before we practise & record it! But for your information, the musical writings of our upcoming tracks will be composed by Rommie, Reeve & Man. I only responsible for lyrical writing & vocal pattern. And about our musical direction of ‘Orthodox Occult Death Metal’, actually the ‘Orthodox Occult’ is related to our main subject on Mortuary Ancestor’s & ‘Death Metal’ is our musical style…

In no particular order, please elaborate your personal opinions on the band’s releases:

(i) “The Dark Ages” rehearsal tape 1996

It’s totally sucks! The music, lyrics & sound recording are nothing more than garbage shit. Our songs doesn’t have a quality or originality. For me, the songs arrangement too poor… we all knew it. So, we decide not to spread this reh-tape widely!!! Sorry…

(ii) “Story Of Holy Incense” 1st demo 1997

Our first experience entered a studio for professional recording! The recording was doing on 4 multi-track recorder combining with 24 channel mixer. We got great experience for this recording session especially about sound systems, mixing process, recording technic of track-by-track, tempo’s, tuning, etc. Our 3 songs ‘Tales From Nowhere’, Laugh Of Deathness’ & ‘Emotional Mind By Khadam Sial’ is more into death thrash early days of Death, Kreator, Slayer, Morgoth, etc. Other 2 songs ‘Anasir Betara Konsul Raja Putih’ & ‘Berahi Revenge Of Si Puteri Bunian’ was eastern style with combining of open single string riffs from Morbid Angel “Altar Of Madness”. Honestly to tell, “Story Of Holy Incense” is not pure death metal!!! Grind Empire Production will re-issue this demo in professional & more quality stuff.

(iii) “Confusion Reality” live tape 1998

Mortuary Ancestor believe in spirits of Underground, so we decided to release our 1st live. The quality of sound recording for this live-tape is still has weakness `cause the recording was doing by 2-channel tape recorder. It’s featuring only 4 songs including a cover song ‘South Of Heaven’ from Slayer. This “Confusion Reality” live-tape is only for limited 50 copies & now it’s already sold-out!

(iv) “Dogma Orthodox” 2nd demo 1999

“Dogma Orthodox” is a proof that death metal is still alive in Malaysia. I believe that we play death metal with a bit touch of thrash sound & heavy metal in this demo. We also have improved our songs arrangement & originality compare to “Story Of Holy Incense”. For “Dogma Orthodox” demo, we recorded all songs at a small studio namely Mices Studio with budget about RM 500 – RM 600. It’s recorded on 4 multi-track recorder combining with 8 channel mixer & 75% of the recording process was done by ourselves. Thanx to Mr. Ang as sound engineering `cause give us a chance to be independent in his studio. This demo consist 4 songs of growls vox, mayhemic riffs & blaster drumming! My fave songs is ‘The Arts Of Divination’ & ‘Taksub In Friday Nights’. Death metal fans should check this stuff!

(v) “Mortuary Ancestor/Kilatus” split live tape 1999

Kilatus play dark black metal from same area with us! They’re really talented & we supported each other. This live tape recorded at Pandu Puteri Hall, Sandakan during Back To Attack gig. It’s consisting of 8 songs & we presented only 4 live track such ‘Mortal Abyss Holy-Zuqq’, ‘Empty Words’ (Death), ‘Day Of Suffering’ (Morbid Angel) & ‘When Satan Rules…’ (Deicide). To get this live tape just send your blank tape or RM 4 cash!!! We also have new split live with Mantak, a dark thrash metal from Labuan. The price is same… RM 4 or send blank tape.

Regarding your brand new songs, please interpret what room of improvement do you guys explore in order to maintain, even to enhance the band’s qualities – creativity, ability, tightness, etc? Tell us a clue about your next release – title, tracks, productionwise, etc?

Well, for our new tracks… the music is more to brutal & technical but the lyrics still about Malay occultism. We’ll include a classical intro/outro & recorded at good studio to get better sound qualities! If everythin’ okay, the title of our next release will be “Ancestry Awoke Me”, consist only 2 songs ‘Creator Of Darkness’ & ‘Incarnation – His Creations Of Foresight’ with a cover ‘Conception Of Madness’ from Sil Khannaz. Expect this May-June 2001.

Your lyrical writings are obviously unique & sounds personal… how did you come up with those interesting texts? Do you refer to any literature or special environment to write a lyric that fits right to the whole concept bring forth by the band?

Thanx coz appreciate! Yer know there is too many Malaysia bands used a ‘Malay Occult’ as their main subject on lyrical writings such Langsuyr, Tasyim, Larrong, Nagileum, Dark Breed, etc. So they’re some people say that we’re just another copy/clone band, but we don’t give a damn about those shit-head perceptions! We came up with our own idea & we believe it’s suitable with Mortuary Ancestor’s. We don’t need any ideology such anti-God, anti-religion or satanic that unsuitable with our mind & life style! We are what we are… Yes sometimes I do refer to a great literature, books, and environment to write an interesting lyric & sometimes the idea just came across to my mind. I believe the lyric is same important with the music!!! Don’ cha?

DARK ZONE UNITY PRODUCTIONS… what was the background of the label – objectives, products, targets, etc? How do you see the contribution of this independent label to your band and the whole extreme metal scene in your area, Sabah, generally?

Actually Dark Zone Unity Production already R.I.P! So, there is nothing to tell about…

As we might know, MORTUARY ANCESTOR took part in so many live shows, especially in Sabah… so, what does live performance mean to an extreme band like you? Could you please elaborate the way your shows look like? What were songs usually presented in your set-list, and your favourite cover-songs?

Besides doing demos, live shows are very important for us. The only satisfaction we could get is on our live shows! Live performance gave a lot contribution to our band maturity especially about our showmanship, sound adjustment, arrangement, quality, ability, fitness, etc. Our shows are same just like other death metal bands – played extreme music, heavy sound, bang our head together with music & make all crowds cheer up! We like presented our own songs such ‘Tales From Nowhere’, ‘The Arts Of Divination’, ‘Mortal Abyss Holy-Zuqq’ & ‘Creator Of Darkness’ with some covers from Death, Morbid Angel, slayer, Sarcofago, Brutality, Deicide, Obituary, Megadeth, also Sil Khannaz & Langsuyr. My favourite cover songs are ‘Cryptorium’ from Brutality and ‘Abomination’ from Morbid Angel.

Well, I think that’s all for now. Anything else you want to add here?

Once again, thanx brother Sufian for this great opportunity. Also we thanx to all bands, labels, zines & individuals who have supporting us from the beginning. “The fourth eternal element, Therefore… My lord is great, His heaven is great, Our earth is great, And we’ll be the greatest one.”

* For outside Malaysia who interested to get our “Dogma Orthodox” demo `99, please contact those address & send USD 3…

Owl Records, c/o Jason Vizmanos, 2555 W Catalpa Ave Apt. 212, Chicago Il 60625-2247, USA.

Eternal Fire Zine/Distro, c/o Hugues Vallot, 16, rue de la sente fleurie, 28600 Luisant, France.

Brutality Distro, c/o Manuel Atencio B., Prolog Faustino Sanchez Carrion, 101-103 El Retablo, Lima 7 - Peru.

* For Asian, just send RM 7 / USD 3 to our official address.

Airmail:

Mahatir Mutalip,

P.O.Box 976,

90710 Sandakan,

Sabah - Malaysia.

Email:

mortuaryancestor@hotmail.com

Latest news: MORTUARY ANCESTOR seems to postpone the releasing of their 3rd demo “Ancestry Awoke Me”, just as they mentioned in the interview as above. I’ve been told that the band members have had inconvenience to get together practise & record the stuff because one of them staying miles away far furthering his study meanwhile the other commit to their jobs. However, within those limited times, they’ve made full use the opportunity once they met. This resulted the unleashing of Promo Tape 2001 back in the late of November 2001. Strangely, besides the Sil Khannaz cover ‘Conception Of Madness’ they mentioned previously, the band came up with a new song with another title ‘Stormcrusher’. Whatever it is, I still and as always believe that Mortuary Ancestor will mercilessly blow your fucking heads off!!! This 2-song promo is available now (from band’s airmail address as above) only for RM 5 / USD 3 or trade.

KULT OV AZAZEL – USA

Who says that Americans can’t play Black Metal? KULT OV AZAZEL blazes a true path of Black Metal that will shut up all of the elitists who believe that only Scandinavians can create Black Metal art. And after hearing this you will believe too. Hearing KULT OV AZAZEL is really a tremendous torture… in a good sense. “Oculus Infernum” is really a wicked Black Metal album not for everyone, especially for the Gothic Black Metal fans who are into those who mix keyboards and symphonic stuffs. The second full-length from this Florida-based band has definitely left me with my mouth open with astonishment!! In regards with this masterpiece of pure darkness I decided to have an exclusive interview with KULT OV AZAZEL, so here we got Xaphan (vocals/guitar) answering on behalf of the band...

Interviewed by Sufian Mohamed Salleh (August 2003)

First of all, congratulations on your new album “Oculus Infernum”! In my opinion it displays KULT OV AZAZEL’s progress pretty well – maybe you found a new source of inspiration or something?

Your comments on the new album are appreciated. We did not find any new inspiration; our inspiration hasn’t changed since day one and that is to create black metal without compromises.

What have you thought about while working upon the new tracks? I mean, were they based upon personal emotions or experiences?

It’s not really easy to explain what I was thinking or the others for that matter. When I sit down and write riffs it can be inspired by many factors. I can say however everything contained within the album is a true representation of what this band is.

How has the general response for “Oculus Infernum” been? The title of the album may seem a bit odd for people, so could you explain what does it stand for?

The title translates Latin to “Eye of Hell”. The response so far has been very good. The reviews we have received have been impressed with the new material.

This album really impressed me because of the out-standing pureness & rawness in it. Can we say that “Oculus Infernum” is your blackest and most blasphemous album so far? Thus, will you agree with me that “Triumph of Fire” was much more straightforward musically?

Yeah I agree that “Triumph of Fire” was more of a straightforward album. The new album is definitely our darkest and that’s the overall feeling we were going for. I think with the addition of the two new members it has added some new elements into the music. Our drummer on “Triumph of Fire” was not a black metal drummer, where as our new drummer Hammer is. So the musical styles from one album to the other are in some instances similar but the newer material is much more varied musically and is definitely our most blasphemous from a lyrical stand point.

Xaphan, could you please describe in short the new 8 tracks – the moods, the meaning of the words and the musical merits of each of them?

The whole album pretty much had the same feelings invoked. These being complete disdain for religious ideals and very strong ties to occult/satanic themes, misanthropic thoughts and the never ending war on christianity. Musically it has a lot more variety in the song structures than the previous effort. The songs were written more around feeling on “Oculus Infernum” and not speed which has been the core of what past stuff had been written around.

What is KULT OV AZAZEL in search of both musically and lyrically?

We are not really in search of anything. We just want to create music that we ourselves feel connected to and if someone else down the line gets something out of it then killer. It’s not a search for anything, just an outward expression of our thoughts/feelings and we express this hatred and profanation through music.

Your release has been recorded back on November 2002 at Rhythm Track Studios, engineered by J.P.Soars & Greg Threlkel, mixed and mastered by Jeremy Staska at Studio 13 during January-February 2003. Great job they have done definitely – mind you explain something more on the studios you entered in and these guys you worked with?

All the guys were good to work with. We had worked with Staska back on the “Triumph of Fire” album but this was the first time working with JP and Greg. Rhythm Track started out excellent but once we had finished tracking all instruments and vocals the studio folded. So this left us in a very difficult position and that’s when we approached Staska about mixing and mastering it. He helped us out and agreed to work us into the studio in between the bands he had already booked to record. So it took a bit longer for us to mix and master it but in the end it worked out well and gave us more time to critique our work and with this the payoff is what you get on “Oculus Infernum”.

How was the cooperation with Arctic Music Group going on? You’ve dealt with this company since the debut full-length “Triumph of Fire”… so, under their roster, what do you think the band accomplished and disaccomplished?

The working relationship has always been good. They have done a lot for us and have made us a main priority within their roster. I mean with this label we have inked a good distribution deal and recording deal, so there’s not much more we could really ask for. They do a killer job promoting our releases so all in all everything is going good with Arctic.

Well, what should we expect from now on – calmness or stage storms? Or you’re starting to work upon another album maybe?

There’s never calmness when it comes to this band. Right now we are rehearsing for our one and only gig for 2003. We are playing with Blood Storm, Decieverion and band called Eviscerator in Philadelphia PA the 2nd week in August. After that we will focus on writing new material for a few splits and for another full length to be released through Arctic Music. Now that we have a band of permanent members we should not have to wait 2 years before releasing something else.

What unleashes the artist in you? Do you believe that everything is possible to be done when it comes to music creating or do you think there are any limits though?

Music itself is limitless and with it anything is possible when it comes to creating. I have been playing for a very long time and even with 2 decades of guitar playing I still learn new stuff every time I pick up my guitar. What can unleash the artist in me can be many things. It’s not a certain thing that triggers it for me. I find I create most of my stuff just from having a need or feel to play and out pops a riff, riffs or a whole song. Also when under intoxication from substances/alcohol I find I write killer riffs. Also it can come from hearing a note in my head and evolve from that. It could be listening to the violent storms of South Florida, the disgust I feel when going into public places, a book I have read or a movie seen. Many things provoke me to write. Not just on single thing that can be pointed out.

Do you all accept compromises concerning music creating? What I mean is if you’re capable of doing something that you may like not but would help your albums sell better. Do you meet difficulties in composing yourselves sometimes?

There is no compromising for this band. We’re not out to make album sells or any shit like that. We follow our own ways. No one else makes those decisions for us. But this would never happen. We all think the same and none of us would compromise this band for something we did not agree with or feel the same way about.

Back to the “Oculus Infernum”, the booklet is interestingly designed and laid-out (Fonts, drawings, etc) that fits KULT OV AZAZEL perfectly. Who came up with the whole ideas? The front-cover itself may seem a bit abstract (and also without band logo & album title as usual) for people, what does it symbolize?

Nocturath did all the art and layout. Ideas were a joint effort between the two of us. The cover is a grim interpretation of a torture chamber and its devices. It was inspired by Nocturath’s vision of the reversal of parts in such times as The Crusades. The lyrics to "Oculus Infernum" aid to this vision, as Christianity is the forever sufferer. The woodcuts and photography within the booklet interact the theme of the lyrics and songs. It’s homage to the eternal death of purity and sanctity.

Before we put this interview to the end, I must tell the readers that “Oculus Infernum” is absolutely a masterpiece of pure darkness – an album that shows us the true way to play Black Metal. So Xaphan, we stopped here… any closing thoughts?

Thanks for the interview. All information and propaganda can be found at our website www.kultovazazel.com. Contact info can be found there or we can be contacted at Kult ov Azazel, PO Box 23308, Ft. Lauderdale FL, 33307, USA. Hail the horrors of Hell!

KOLDBRANN – Norway

KOLDBRANN was formed in early 2001, with the intention of making a cold and ugly Black Metal assault, without any trendy and faggoth elements! In July 2002 KOLDBRANN recorded their first demo 'Pre-Prod 2002' in their own studio NekroTrygd. The demo was spread very well in the Norwegian underground as well as abroad, and it recieved almost nothing but great response and reviews! This led to KOLDBRANN signing a deal with Scottish underground label Desolate Landscapes (for a full-length CD release), and later on with Norwegian Apocalyptic Empire Records (for a 7 inch EP). In December 2002 the rehearsal tape "'Mislyder fra Det Nekrotiske Kammer' was released, as a preview for the upcoming CD. The debut CD is out now entitled 'Nekrotisk Inkvisition' and was recorded in February and mixed & mastered in March 2003. Consisting of Mannevond (vokal & guitar), Kvass (guitar) and Fordervelse (drums), KOLDBRANN is also active in playing live. Here we got guitarist Kvass interviewed. Await the Nekrotic Inquisition!!

Interviewed by Sufian Mohamed Salleh (August 2003)

Infernal Hails Koldbrann! First of all, please elaborate the personal characters of each member of the band? Everyone of you have their special pseudonym respectively, so please describe what are they all about, and its relation to the band Koldbrann musically and ideologically?

Necrotic hails! Nowadays, Koldbrann consists of 3 permanent members: myself, Kvass on guitar, Mannevond on vocals and Fordervelse on drums. Kvass is an old norwegian word which can mean 'sharp', 'wise' or 'fierce in battle'. Mannevond means about the same as 'misanthrope' and Fordervelse means 'depravity', those too norwegian words. The pseudonyms reflect aspects of our personalities. In the band, Mannevond and I make the guitar riffs. While Mannevond is into the old-schoolish atmospheric and slow riffs, I make the more fast and technical ones. This combination forms the basis of out music. Fordervelse's skin-beating adds the necessary aggression, altogether unleashing a hellish assault!

Tell us when and how did you guys get together to form Koldbrann? What were reasons you start up this band and the choice on musical direction? What is the name Koldbrann meaning for and the hidden spirit behind it?

Mannevond started up Koldbrann in early '01 with the intention of creating ugly, harsh old school black metal. He recruited a guitarist called Dragev who was a friend of his. As Dragev moved to another part of the country, he left the band. Mannevond needed musicians and got in touch with me and Fordervelse a bit later. This was around spring '02. We started rehearsing for real and made new songs. We've also had some session members along the road. We haven't really made any choices about the musical direction - the musical direction seems to have pointed itself out. We only try to make songs that we would like to listen to ourselves. All in the vein of black metal of course. The name Koldbrann was Mannevond's idea. It is norwegian for 'gangrene'. Directly translated it can also mean 'cold fire'. It's all about extremes, and we think our name suites the music very well.

Koldbrann has recently released self-financed debut full-length "Nekrotisk Inkvisition", so please talk everything about this album – musically, lyrically, and production-wise? What are your goals with this CD?

We were already signed on Desolate Landscapes when we decided to release the self-financed version of Nekrotisk Inkvisition. We made this version because we were due to play on the Inferno Festival in Oslo '03, and wanted to get the CDs out in time before the festival. The process with Desolate Landscapes would just take too long. The album consists of songs we had been making and rehearsing the last year. We are pleased with the production, and we feel that we have managed to create a strong album in its entirety, with no weak tracks. Nekrotisk Inkvisition will upen doors for us as a band an make an impact in the black metal world of today!

Are you fully happy with "Nekrotisk Inkvisition", or are there things you would have done differently now? How would you evaluate the progression you have gone through, and in what direction are you currently progressing? Have you always played like you do now, or did you play another kind of music/metal when you started up?

We are happy with the result. There are some minor things we would have changed now if we could, but nothing that means very much in the big picture. The musical direction for the future is hard to predict. Generally we have become better technically and moreover tight as a band, so the aim must be to try to make better, darker songs and play a lot more live shows. All of us listen to different kinds of metal, and also some music from other genres. I can play different guitar styles, and Fordervelse har played drums in bands of different metal genres. In Koldbrann we play black metal exclusively!

The CD will also be released on Desolate Landscapes in June 2003 (you wrote this on the band’s official website)… so how’s the re-production process going on? Tell us something about Desolate Landscapes and how was the deal with Koldbrann begins?

We expect the re-release to be out very soon! Keep looking out for news about this on our website www.koldbrann.cjb.net. Desolate Landscapes is a Scottish label, fairly underground. They invited us to sign for them after hearing our first release, 'Pre-Prod 2002', a demo featuring the songs 'Koldbrann' and 'Den Endelige', and so we did. A fair deal, no regrets so far.

There is also plans of the band to release 7" split with Ljå on Aftermath Music and a 7" EP on Apocalyptic Empire Records. Please provide further information regarding those vinyl releases and the expection on musical progress as to compare with "Nekrotisk Inkvisition"?

I guess you people will just have to wait and see, won't you?

Can you describe the song writing process - how do you usually work out the compositions? Is the atmosphere or state of mind you're in while writing music important? Where does the inspiration come from?

The song writing process differs from time to time. Usually Mannevond and I make the riffs and arrange them in order to make an entire song. The words are sometimes written before, sometimes after the song is made. The drumming and vocals are worked out at the rehearsals. Sometimes this process goes fast, sometimes we have to work quite a bit with the material to get it done. The state of mind can be important, yes. But also a skilled ear and musical abilities play a role. For my part, I'm inspired by many different things, for example old norwegian movies, forensic medicine and astrophysics.

What's the black metal scene in Norway like at the moment? Nowadays, black metal music has developed into many sub-genres including Extreme Goth (f.ex Dimmu Borgir, Ancient, etc) and Norsecore (f.ex Marduk, Gorgoroth, etc)… do you think the widening progression & increasing popularity of these sub-genres as a positive development of the black metal music itself? Based on your own opinions, how should black metal sound like?

Well, new bands are popping up all the time. Most of the bands don't really interest me though, as I'm more interested in our own music. But up-and-coming bands such as 1349, Slavia and Disiplin shows that there are some exctiting things going on. I'm not very into classifying bands into sub-genres like 'Norsecore' and 'Extreme Goth'. I think it's only natural that bands develop diversity in their music after some time. No use in all bands sounding the same, is it?. Not only do I think diversity is good, I think it's necessary in the long run, for the finding new ways of expressing extremity. Black metal should sound cold, harsh, real and extreme!

Well, give us information about your previous and next-coming live performances? Can you please describe the best show ever made? Koldbrann is scheduled to perform in Hellhammer Festival 2003 held on 28th August 2003 in Serbia… tell us more about this festival?

We are gonna do some shows in East-Europe in August '03. Once again check out our website for details. I guess our best show was one we did in Trondheim May '03, good show, good sound, good audience. I don't know much about Hellhammer festival yet, and I have no idea what to expect.

The doomday is coming, so can you imagine what will happen at time the earth collpased & destructed… and what will going on with your life aftermath? It’s the sign of the end-point of the fuckin’ conservation, so throw out your final darkwords?

Good thing doomsday is near. I was getting tired from all these questions... hahah. Regie Shaitan!