Interview with Arctic Swarm

This post was originally meant to feature a review of Nidrosian Blak Mass III, but due to some complications in regards to pictures, this wil have to be postponed. But fear not, acolytes, because I have something greater in store for you today. Namely an interview with Xabraxas of the ultra kvlt band ARCTIC SWARM!

Arctic Swarm is one of those rare obscure and unpredictable bands that refuse to let go of its Kvltist Principles, and chooses to remain hidden in the abyss. Xabraxas himself is an icy and mysterious fellow. Hardly anything is known about his person save for some obscure rumors of a burning church, a ritual gone awry and a priest locked up in a mental asylum. But we are not here to discuss rumors. We are here to discuss the frozen entity that is ARCTIC SWARM!

N.S:

Hail, Xabrazas! Tell me the gruesome background of Arctic Swarm. What motivated you to start it, and what are the thoughts and ideas you wish to project?

Xabraxas:

Hails, beings of frost!The tale of Arctic Swarm is only this: a blanketing of the universe in eternal permafrost as the Hessians assert dominion over the weak and the reversal of all natural and manmade processes bring the Antarctic Age to its glorious beginnings...the foundations of mankind will crumble beneath humanity's gluttonous obesity, and only the slender warriors of the ice shall prevail unscathed by these blizzards of beseechment. ARCTIC SWARM preaches a message of anti-weakness and, subsequently, anti-capitalistic social habitation, in an audial battery that conveys this message in an artistic and immortal manner.

N.S.

.You have gone to great lengths to keep your music concealed from the mindless masses, and as far as I know, there are only a handful releases circulating in the obscure underground. Tell me about these releases. What motivated you shroud them in secrecy?

Xabraxas:

These releases have never been released beyond a chosen pool of true cult berzerkers, those who have naught to gain but added ideals to their insane psyches. The only ones that I have deemed worthy of the experience of the first three unreleased ARCTIC SWARM albums are those that have lost their minds and their souls to the ever expanding nothingness. These three albums are not by any means of a transcendent quality, but, like the legendary Mengele's experiments, these three albums were used as a way to test my inventions on a disassociated and hated control group, so that I can assess the effects of the music on the human mind that has lost itself to oblivion. The Antarctic Age is soon upon us, and I must strive to make consistently sufficient offerings to the spirits of the glacial winds, so that I may humbly rise to their hall of stalagmitic glory on the day of my death, an artisan of the cold.

N.S:

You have never been afraid to experiment, thus making it impossible to predict what your next outputs will sound like. What are your main influences and inspiration?

Xabraxas:

My inspirations reach deep into the abyss, plucking from the grimy horrors only the most ingenuous parliaments assembled to create blackened art. If I were to recite the names of my indirect mentors of the frost, I would cite REVEREND BIZARRE of Finland for their ludicrously evil approach to audial ceremony; I would cite BISHOP OF HEXEN of Israel for their bombastic assault of the winds of terror; I would, shocking as it may be to the black hordes, cite DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN of New Jersey for their unrelenting demolition of the human mind and audio receptors I would cite OBTENEBRATUM of France for their truly abysmal grimness;I would cite VULVAPEST of Chile for their pure hatred; and I would cite DEMENTOR of Colorado for their unwavering devotion to chaos.

N.S:

There are rumors circulating in the shadows that you are working on an upcoming release. Is there any information you can divulge?

Xabraxas:

ARCTIC SWARM is preparing the candles for the unholy rite "Blasphemic Reveries", a split release with Norwegian legion INNAVL. Each side will be 5 tracks of untold abhorrence, to total ten anthems and hymns that will be presented as an offering to the revulse and ignominous hordes. It will be distributed for free to any who wish to experience it; even the mindless moshpit nulls.

N.S:

Tell me about your home town. What is it like to be a kvltist in Albuquerque, New Mexico?

Xabraxas:

It is a true challenge for ARCTIC SWARM to thrive in the heat of the desert that is Albuquerque, New Mexico. The parched draughted wastelands are a perfect backdrop in which to test my audial frostvirus on the unsuspecting tanned loons!

N.S:

While the Black Circle, Les Legions Noires and the Temple of Fullmoon has long since met its end, there are still underground black metal circles around the world, eager to carry the torch, so to speak. What is your view on modern black metal conclaves such as Blazebirth Hall?

Xabraxas:

I fully support the forming and convening of artistic circles of any kind, black metal being no exception. These often, but not always, regional gatherings are innovative ways to allow others to influence one's soul and therefore their art. They sometimes circumvent the ridiculous development of "music scenes", instead melding with others anywhere from 5 to 5000 miles away, and reinforce the icy core of a frost warrior's heart. Blazebirth Hall, Les Legions Noires, and The Order Of The Silver Night all are/were great collections of musical genius.

N.S:

There are some who claim that black metal should only be about the music, while others maintain that the music and the ideology is too intertwined to be separated. What is your opinion on this matter?

Xabraxas:

The spectres of the sullen and the lords the ice care not of the appearance of an artisan of the hall! Alas, one could appear to be the most grievous wanderer of the forests, but if they have feces as their creations, they are no better than the placebic idiots that populate the mainstream radio stations. ARCTIC SWARM does not stand by a demented view of human equality, but one of equal artistic opportunity. An African, a Norwegian, and a Malaysian could all make great art if they convalesce from normal humanity into a creature of the darkness as other black metal artists have.

N.S:

Is black metal for anyone, or only for a small, exclusive elite?

Xabraxas:

Black metal is for everyone! The more that are exposed to it, the better, as we can purge our walls of the scum that cannot comprehend the intricacies of its perfection and leave the perfect tribe to initiate the Antarctic Age and invocate black metal as it should be concieved!

N.S:

Who (If anyone) do you consider to be ‘true’ in modern black metal, and who do you consider to be the ultimate sell-outs?

Xabraxas:

The only true black metallers are those that fully understand the doctrines and don't follow anyone, including even figureheads such as VARG VIKERNES. Sadly, the majority of black metal has turned to mirror the majority of the masses; following the latest trend. Alas, it is altogether necessary to have false black metal acts such as Dimmu Borgir in order to build one's love of black metal. As long as one moves on and learns of the superiority of black metal, they should be free to explore what they want. After all, after hearing HATE FOREST, one would not look at Cradle of Filth the same way again.

N.S:

Any final statements?

Xabraxas:

No. I have grim business to attend to.

Thank you for this interview, mighty Xabraxas!

That is it for now, maggots. I urge you all to study the words of Xabraxas very carefully and keep your eyes open for future ARCTIC SWARM releases!

Keep it kvlt!

Yours cruelly, N.S.

Interview with Avregrevartre Melioverkre

Greetings, inferior insects!
I always try to keep tabs on what goes on in the dark pits of the underground black metal scenes. Because it is there that you will find true, hateful and undilluted black metal. This is where the loyal acolytes of darkness make their nests. Forget what you've read in Metal Hammer, Terrorizer or any other moneywhoring gospels of faggotry! If you want know what black metal truly is, then you have to delve into the abyss yourself and stare directly into the Eye of the Beast that resides there!

Today's post features an interview with none other than Vzldrb of the one-man band Avregrevartre Melioverkre from the U.S.! Now, the United States of America is very often ovelooked when it comes to black metal, and a lot of people seem to be under the impression that the Americans haven't got what it takes to make evil and goat-sodomizing black metal. Well... they are wrong, and bands like Avregrevartre Melioverkre proves it!

N.S:

Hail, Vzldrb! Telll me about Avregrevartre Melioverkre.
how did it come into being, and what are its themes and message?

Vzldrb

Hail!
Avregrevartre Melioverkre, simply put, is my main outlet for all my feelings deep inside - it came into being when these feelings of hatred cannot be kept inside any longer - the filth called "Humanity" must hear what a "demon" (one they have made by their own hands, unknowingly) sounds like. Hatred cannot be kept inside, so instead I channe; these emotions to create Art, and Ritual to Satan. Satan will hear you if you are sincere... He may even call you!

Again, the main themes are reverence for Satan, and also the other-world or after-life. The message is nothing more, then for humanity to realize what they really are - mindless sheep, which are to be offered on the Altar to cleanse the earth of their stain/existence.

N.S:

What would you say are your main inspiriations? What fuels Avregrevartre Melioverkre?

Vzldrb:

Inspirations are early 80s Black Metal bands: Venom, Bathory, etc. As well as the 90s.. The main thing you should hear in my music is the heavy Burzum and Countess influence. The message and themes are what fuel Avregrevartre Melioverkre, nothing more... If Humanity realizes what filth they are, I will still make black metal, however... I do not want to get ahead of myself, because I think Humanity will never wake up!!

N.S:

One of Avregrevartre Melioverkre's trademarks is its raw, almost abysmal sound. Do you view raw production as an essential necessity in black metal? Is it possible convey the same imagery and emotions with a cleaner, or "nicer" sound?

Vzldrb:

Yes, raw production IS needed... My reasoning is that Black metal should be music you have to actually LISTEN to, not just hear easily. It weeds out the sincere from the insincere! You have to want to hear it to actually HEAR the music. Another thing is the imagery... it creates an atmosphere. Of course any of these things is not possible, and anything with a "cleaner" sound, I would beware of the band's real intent!! Say, like modern Immortal, modern-day Mayhem, Emperor, and so on... All have "clean" values - these once iconic bands have sold out, just so they can market "NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL!" ... I may not like Darkthrone's later music, but at least he isn't trying to cash in on concert after concert like Mayhem or Emperor, just to make money!!

Although I do like these early Norwegian albums, before most of the scene got corrupted - Burzum's "Belus" felt like a re-hash of material, but at least Burzum remained true and sincere.

N.S:

What is your view on today's black metal? Is it keeping true to its roots, or has it lost its way?

Vzldrb:

See the above... With how easy it is to make music today, there are VERY many "shit" bands! But also, we hear bands we would probably never hear... Sadly, I think, Black Metal is full of shit, with a few gems worth keeping! Those bands that sound good, clearly get the message, and are called by SATAN, or old Pagan Gods... but many are not so chosen.

N.S:

So-called NSBM seems to be on the rise in today's black metal, especially in Eastern Europe. What are your views on this "sub-genre"? Do politics belong in black metal, or should it be kept apolitical?

Vzldrb:

There is nothing wrong with this sub-genre, as they are sincere.. For example, Bilskirnir as some NS references, and plays well... As does Waffen SS from Italy. However, we should really see more Communist Black Metal! Communism is good, it unites the VERY FEW honest hard-working people to overthrow filthy humans in power, with only selfish interests in mind. Stalin, in my mind, is a great hero.

N.S:

You originally hail from Pennsylvania, I believe. Tell me about it's black metal scene. Is there an established underground circle there?

Vzldrb:

There is a very small scene hear in PA... A very good band, Vrolok is in the city of Franklin, not too far from me - they are signed with Drakkar Productions, and make great music. Besides that, nothing notable in my mind. I do not mingle with any "scene", black metal is way too trendy thanks to betraying-bands that ruin the black metal essence.

N.S:

Should black metal be kept strictly as an underground movement? Or should it be allowed to surface onto to the plane of mainstream corporation and jew-vultures?

Vzldrb:

Yes, it MUST and WILL be underground, because humans will never change or understand, for many, many hundreds of years to come. Few are chosen to hear the Call of the Dark Lord. As an aside, I must state how I loathe people who like metal just to have fun, party, and get drunk... they can go fuck off! They can talk about hating humans but then they do everything those filthy animals do, just with metal music instead of pop hits!

N.S:

If you could pick one black metal band to send screaming into the fires of Hades eternal, which band would it be?

Vzldrb:

I would have to say Dimmu Borgir, absolutely. A second follow up would be Cradle of Filth. Of course, I like them in a sense because they keep the stupid people away from real Black Metal.

N.S.

So, what's next for Avregrevartre Melioverkre?

Vzldrb:

As far as Avregrevartre Melioverkre is concerned, the full-length will not be recorded, and the EP (which IS complete...) will never see the light of day. I am working on more music, with much more skill and effort involved - now that I have done one demo, I can focus on defining HOW I want to say rather than WHAT to say, in my music. The reason is simple: I know the sound I am going for, I have made it reality, now I can fine-tune it... and with this, will come a name change.



N.S:
Any final statements?

Vzldrb:

Stay true, and continue to follow the will of the DARK LORD, Satan!


Thank you for granting me this in interview, Vzldrb! Keep the Flames of Hades burning!

That is all for now, maggots. More interviews will follow in the future, and a review of Nidrosian BLack Mass III is also in the works.

Until next time, Kill. Maim. Destroy

Yours cruelly, N.S.