1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a
little bit about the band?
We are The Loom of Time from Aberdeen, New South Wales, Australia –
a tiny rural town out in the middle of nowhere, and we got together about two
years ago to discreetly rehearse and record our debut record before announcing
our existence and diving into playing shows last year.
2.In 2016 you had released your first album, how would you describe
the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
The record, “NihilReich” is a progressive foray into melodic death
metal, black metal and old school doom riffs, all pulled together in ever
changing song structures that do not look backwards, but continually evolve.
It's also very up-front and rock'n'roll, not like the modern atmospheric or
“post-” movement – not that there's anything wrong with being post-something,
but I wanted something exciting and interesting to play!
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores
with the music?
We deal with the questions about our existence that the majority of
people seem content to ignore, to face people with the futility of achievement
in the face of mortality, or that anything desirable in mankind are either
ultimately self serving or simply pre-programmed biological mechanisms. It's a
ride through nihilism and it's surrounding suburbs.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'The Loom Of
Time'?
I came across that phrase in Herman Melville's “Moby Dick”, in a
passage where he describes weaving the threads of your life's path by making
decisions that tie yourself to certain fates. It's an interesting attempt at
balancing free will and predestination, a question we'll perhaps never truly
have the answer to.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far
and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Like the music, our performance is grounded in seriousness and a
dark metal aesthetic, but at the same time, we do this because we enjoy it and
that energy and excitement comes out of us unbidden on stage – the music was
written with the live scene in mind, so what you hear on the record translates
well to the stage. Australia is a pretty laid back place, so the crowds are
always full of happy drunkards more that ready to come down and bang their
heads, so it's hard not to have a good show here!
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We're not currently touring because of various commitments, but that
doesn't stop us playing regular shows up and down the east coast of Australia –
keep an eye on our social media pages and you'll see if we end up coming your
way.
7/The album was released on 'Aeternitas Tenebrarum Musicae
Fandamentum'?
ATMF are an Italian label that mainly deal with forward thinking
black metal, and although we're probably one of the least black metal bands on
the label, I think it's a good fit. If you want to check out some of their other
bands, check our Haar from Scotland and Ur Draugr from here in Australia.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by
fans of black and doom metal?
It's been great – lots of support from all over the place! I wasn't
sure if we'd easily get our music off the island we live on, but hey, the
internet has made it easier than I ever anticipated to connect with the
community of metalheads that appreciate the sub-genres we work in. I'll be
honest though, it hasn't been universally acclaimed – there are some reviews out
there that have complained about aspects of our music that most reviews have
praised! I don't mind being divisive. We didn't come here to please anyone, but
to challenge them.
9.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other
bands or musical projects these days?
Yep, our bassist Brad (and one of our touring guitarists, Vaughn)
play in a progressive thrash outfit called Evocatus set to release their second
LP this year, our drummer Steven plays in about twenty bands, one of which is a
punk band called No Offense and our other live guitarist James also plays in a
tech-death band called Blade of Horus who debuted their first LP last year
too.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the
future?
Writing for our follow up album is seeing the music become more
“musical” for lack of a better word – where NihilReich was a real riff monster,
the new material is getting broader in influence, more dynamic, more varied,
more interesting. I doubt it'll be done this year, but look to 2018 and you'll
be able to judge for yourself.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an
influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I'd definitely say bands like Behemoth, Immortal and Emperor have
made their blackened mark, but also Candlemass like doom, the Gothenburg sound
and progressive stuff like Opeth, Wintersun and so on. What am I spinning at the
moment? I can recommend Mizmor's “Yodh”, Dead Quiet's self titled, Lesbian's
“Hallucinogenesis”, and Rebel Wizard's “Triumph of Gloom”. That should give you
a pretty good black/death/doom/prog balance.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
I can only speak for myself really, but there are all sorts of
escapism I enjoy – Ridley Scott, Laphroaig, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,
Franziskaner Weissbier, Dungeons & Dragons, dachshunds, burritos, sex. You
know... normal stuff.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or
thoughts?
Thanks for featuring us! The metal community is just one big
family, so support your brothers and sisters in metal!
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