Friday, September 13, 2024

Primordial Black Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?


First of all, thank you for this interview and the interest you have in our band. We are currently in the midst of preparing our first album. I'm working on a number of demos, which I finalize with the other members. The goal is for everyone to contribute their part to the project.

This is the first time we are working as a group of four, so it's a challenge that brings a lot of good things.




2.A few months back you had released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you sent for on the recording?


The first EP is, so to speak, a snapshot of the person I was and the time in which it was created. I composed it solo, long before having any members with me, so I would say there's a lot of my DNA in it (and many of my writing quirks).

I started by wanting to emulate the dark/proto-black metal style of a band like Celtic Frost, along with some intense bursts of thrash.

But I am convinced that the inclusion of Mohamed (our drummer) and Walid (our guitarist) added a Black Metal touch that transcended the original intent.

More broadly, to describe the music of the EP, I would say it’s as if the Celtic Frost from the MONOTHEIST era were being coldly tortured by Mgła, and its traumatized body would occasionally convulse like Sepultura in a counter-reaction.




3.A lot of your lyrics are inspired by the writings of H.P Lovecraft, Clive Barker and John Milton, which aspects of their work have you brought out into your songwriting and also do you have any interest in other authors?


My response might be a bit long-winded.

All the authors I'm inspired by explore scale in a truly fascinating way. They focus on the theme of human insignificance, often through individual perspectives. Their characters catch a brief, incomprehensible glimpse of something beyond their understanding, which drives them towards madness or suicidal tendencies.

I use this as a literary device, operating on the idea that the Great Old Ones and other horrors in their works can metaphorically represent more relatable states of mind and suffering.

Yes, I really like many other authors, including classics of French literature such as 'The Horla' by Guy de Maupassant and the entire works of Albert Camus.




4.You have also mentioned some interest in the works of Dr. John Dee, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his occult philosophy and also do you have any interest in other occultists?


John Dee's enigmatic pursuits have deeply influenced my creation of dark music. His fascination with the occult, his quest to contact spirits, and his alchemical experiments resonate with the themes I explore in my compositions. Dee's blend of intellectual rigor and mystical curiosity mirrors the depth and complexity I seek to capture in my work. His attempt to bridge the known and the unknown inspires me to delve into the shadows of human experience, creating a soundscape that reflects both his esoteric interests and the dark corners of the psyche.

Through my music, I channel Dee's quest for the arcane and the profound.



5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?




For the cover and visuals of the EP, my goal was to find a balance between representing our music and creating something that could stand alone as a work of art. I aimed for something visually pleasing that doesn't necessarily need to be directly associated with our music to be attractive.

I worked on it solo, trying to avoid falling into Black Metal clichés. I have nothing against violent or demonic themes; I just find it more intriguing when things are suggested rather than explicitly shown.


Our logo seems to be quite successful, judging by the number of t-shirt I’ve seen when we performed live.



6.The band is from Tunisia, how is extreme metal treated in home country compared to other parts of the world?


To be honest, there isn't a real Metal scene in Tunisia. Things evolve in cycles. There are periods when there is a surge of new bands forming and working, but generally, it fades away as quickly as it appeared.

We're currently in a good period; things are starting to move in the right direction, and I hope it continues this way.

Our band has always chosen to forge our own path and do things in our own way and with our own means, so I don’t think we’re treated any better or worse than other bands.

It's just that we don’t really care.




7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?


We played live only once to support the EP release. I like to think it was a very good experience; we had a lot to prove that night, and I’m proud of my bandmates who all delivered a great show. The lessons learned from that live performance allow us to compose our songs with much more determination.

We now know which aspects of our music are most communicative in a live setting.




8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?


We've signed with Darkside Records for the release of our upcoming album, and they have some things in store for us. That's all I can say for now.




9.On a  worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of extreme metal?


One of the things that surprised us the most is the amount of positive feedback we've received from countries where I never thought we could compete. We've heard from fans in Colombia, Norway, South Africa, Australia, Egypt, and even Japan.




A special mention to Jay Parker, CEO of the label MASTERS OF KAOS and a member of the band IMMORTAL SUN, for his support and the exposure he has provided us in South America.




10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?


The album will be released next year, and it will be a bit different from our EP since, as I mentioned earlier, we’re composing it as a group of four. Each of us adds our own touch to the drafts I create.

We will also explore themes that align with our principles, choices, and beliefs.

There will be quite a few surprises as well.




11.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?


As for me, I've been infatuated with 'Intet • Altet' by the Danish band Orm for the past few weeks. I'm also eagerly awaiting the new Gaerea album and 'Aftermath' by The Black Dahlia Murder.




12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?




I want to express my gratitude for the chance to discuss our project here. A sincere thank you to everyone who supported our debut EP. I assure you that our first album will be even more dynamic and explosive.




In closing, we encourage everyone who enjoyed our music to check out the bands in our local scene.

You might discover a new favorite, and every find within this passionate community offers something unique and special.




https://youtube.com/@primordialblack876?si=IsrF_y64p00uJ3wW

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