Chronicles Of Chaos
	Interviews -  Reviews -  Live Reviews
	Grindzone From: Cernunnos INTERVIEW WITH DARKENED NOCTURN SLAUGHTERCULT 1. Hi DNS, can you introduce to our readers your band with a short biography? DNS: Reaching back 7 infernal years through dust and time we'll grasp the birth of Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult. Thus, during the wintry months of 1997 the horde was summoned by utmost conviction as well as a conspiracy for raw black metal. The original line-up Onielar (Vox, Git.), Ariovist (Drums) as well as Velnias (Git.) was reduced to merely the true blackened "heart" after Ariovist died the musical death subsequently to releasing the first blasphemous chapter "The Pest Called Humanity". As a "two piece" Onielar as well as Velnias prepared the next assault entitled "Follow the Calls for Battle" - which was unleashed in 2001. Prior to the recordings Horrn was recruited as a session member on drums. However, he successfully conquered the vacant drum throne as a fulltime fellow combatant shortly after the release. Since day one Slaughtercult had relied upon the faithful services of Grigorr as session bass. This did not change until the first live performance in 2002. Emporonorr being the last missing permanent "musician" completed the line-up. 2003 brought forth the first stable line up release in form of a split mLP entitled "Underneath Stars of the East", which was followed by the all devastating third chapter "Nocturnal March" in 2004. 2. The third release often is an important target for a band. Would you tell us more about "Nocturnal March"? A true black metal album... DNS: Ofcorpse a true black metal album !!! What else would you expect of a horde enthroned triumphantly underneath the banner of pure fucking black metal ? The 3rd output is most often something very important. On one side you do not have many so called bands anymore who reach this level of existence. Nowadays, everybody simply has to run a "band" or several "side projects" which never go beyond a single release. This behaviour unfortunately turns the once proud scene into a foul swamp. Flooded by unnecessary releases which make it really difficult for serious hordes to get the attention they deserve! On the other side the third release often allows a better way of expressing the original intention, the mandatory spirit of the musical manifestations. Experience plays an important role! Anyways, Nocturnal March … being the latest release continues where the second chapter "Follow the Calls for Battle" had left off. Nocturnal March combines the raw brutal all guns blazing aspect of Slaughtercult's sophomore release with a certain dose of atmosphere. Along with a professional, heavy sound production - not to clean and not to dirty - this mix blends in into one violently raging blood thirsty beast. Nocturnal March symbolizes what Slaughtercult represents - namely old school black metal based on occult themes ! 3. This release isn't so different from your previous one. What is changed in your opinion? Maybe this album is more mature and with best riffing... DNS: Maybe not too different from the previous one, but one should see the entire development of this black metal horde. There was our demo mCD "The Pest Called Humanity" prior to "Follow…". Taking a look at the early days 'til now, you will see an astonishing and remarkable progress. Music-wise Slaughtercult has never left the occult path of traditional underground black metal. Our ranks have never been infested by human weakness such as political themes, or the pathetic attempt to sooth the extreme black metal spirit, the misantrophic, nihilistic, satanic way of life with lovely melodies and "we like to party" attitudes. Fuck all that ! Slaughtercult is the living proof that underground black metal is by far more than rehearsal room recordings with below average "music". Being a self financed as well as self produced horde we decide when and what to release. Slaughtercult merely needs to be loyal to ourselves, thus these creations, these black metal celebrations reflect our utmost deep thoughts. As this fact has not changed a bit over the years, you will if at all solemnly notice a difference within the sound production. It has turned out to be more solid from every album to the next one. Concerning the riffing… partially it is more chaotic, partially it is more complex and partially it is even more primitive. Slaughtercult expands its territories in all directions! 4. Which are the main themes present in your lyrics? DNS: Slaughtercult's scrolls of lyrical enlightenment are strictly based upon occult themes. Absolutely no abuse for trendy political propaganda. As the lyrics take as an important role as the music itself - obviously musical grimness and superficial lyrics would not be suitable - their meaning lies safely embedded within our utmost deep thoughts. Some go way beyond human understanding using neologisms to describe what can not be explained by any human tongue. Journeys to the depths of abysmal chasms, which are unveiled by the self crowned I - literally strengthened by pencilled vigour. Grim, blasphemous visions and arcane prophecies - "they all come as one". Unforgiving cleansing flames nourished by sheer hatred and violence. Yet the other side reflects our misantrophic side. The drawn back moments within shadows of times long gone by… 5. You have a female singer and it is very original into the black metal scene. Her voice is better than many male singers. How is the responce of the public when do you play alive? DNS: This question has been pretty much answered by yourselve. With a healthy amount of self confidence it may be stated that Onielar does have a remarkable "voice". However, Slaughtercult goes beyond human made gender definitions. It does not matter which hand swiftly strikes down the judging blade. Upon the "battlefield" it dost not differ if the gift of death is of male or female nature. Bloodstained live battles have always been successful. Those having doubts were silenced by Onielar's literally blood spilling vocal lacerations. Those reducing individuals to a gender have not reached the higher levels of existence. They are not capable of understanding the essence of Slaughtercult. 6. Do you play true black metal but I find very difficult to compare DNS to another band. So, which are the band that admire and that have influenced you at the beginning of your career? DNS: Comparisons are always blurring the truth ! No doubt about it! We have heard and read everything from Burzum and Abigor all the way to Dark Funeral and Carpathian Forest. Although Slaughtercult is not trying to be "new" or "original" we have managed to find our own way. Certainly there are numerous acts which have highly influenced our musical taste. Note, however, that these bands are so numerous making it impossible to predefine our "music". So "influences" are ranging from the Scandinavian forefathers of black metal all the way to classic composers. 7. What is the deepest meaning of your monicker so long? DNS: Once more there are two sides to it. What is more pathetic than a horde's name which is either a result of being drunk or ripped out of some popular bands lyrics ? Both are just names without any meaning, they are shallow and uninspired. What's the point of having 3 or 4 other "bands" worldwide with the same name? Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult is truly a long monicker, but knowing the meaning explains everything. A short vivid description might answer your thirst for knowledge. Imagine a sort of unnatural, overwhelming power, an unpleasant feeling, unexplainable yet all devastating. Such a power has several shapes and faces - individual to each one us. Such a power, might be called a legion - as it is never just "one" which emerges. During a darkened midnight mass these powers are united to form one, single existence beyond the ordinary human rank and file. A union of life and death, darkness and light, violence and mercilessness … blood curdling, inhuman, and absolutely pure in its essence. 8. Germany has a good black metal scene, but maybe not well known in Italy. Would you to suggest some good german black metal acts? DNS: No, every noteworthy horde has to find its own path through the foul swamp of shitty wanna be bands. 9. "Scaffold Salvation" is maybe my favourite song. Can you tell me more about it? DNS: Scratching the surface of this track one will find a vivid narration of our saldorian stronghold. Massive, ineffable stone made walls, impressive towers in front of a majestic mountain's silhouette. As a new day dawns, huge, black oaken portals slowly open. One after one slowly dragging, stumbling out are the "prisoners of war". Filthy humans - insignificant to us they are - previously living in blind obedience now finally destined to meet their oh so precious saviour. Down the road to Calvary, the precious gift of life which was bestowed upon them shall be now violently taken from them as "Christ's scaffold" awaits each and every one. Reading between the lines, offers a much deeper intention of this track: without life even death may die !!! 10. Why did you use some old paintings for your artwork instead some photos of nature for example or something different? Why did you choose in particular these pictures? DNS: Except for the split mLP with Luxemburg's Donkelheet we have always used old medieval woodcuts, paintings or engravings as our cover artwork. Pictures of ourselves were always taken within the shadows of ancient castles. There is a simple reason to it: where else can you still breathe the spirit of times long gone by. Where else can you so easily feel "the magic, the superstition, heresy and death" ? What is more suitable to create a grim atmosphere ? These are not just places we seek out to take pictures, these are the usual places we like to visit a far the well tread out path. Away from overcrowded human infested streets. The aforementioned mini split LP "Underneath Stars of the East" as well as the inside booklet artwork of "Follow…" shows a different theme. Both are closely entwined with our driving force: anti human believes. 11. Will you come to play some gig here in Italy in the future? DNS: Slaughtercult has performed several bloodstained live battles, each being an onstage black metal celebration. The choice is not up to us! So far we have not gone further to the south than Switzerland. Those hoping to see Slaughtercult invading their country should harass concert organizers until they agree to "book" an underground act!!! Torment them ! 12. Ok, that's all. Thank you very much for your availability. Your last words... DNS: Official merchandiser in Italy: Black Blood Prod. Slaugtercult c/o Onielar/Velnias Lerchenweg 5 41540 Dormagen Germany http://www.slaughtercult.de Velnias@slaughtercult.de