AD: For the benefit of those who don’t know about Abused Majesty, can you tell us what to expect when listening to your music?

Icanraz: Everything! Expect the unexpected! Hehe. By the way, hello everyone!

AD: Some time ago we had a discussion about the style of your music. Comparison was made with Dimmu Borgir. I thought of Luna ad Noctum. First, how would you describe the Abused Majesty “trademark” sound and second, what special musical characteristics do you bring to the world of metal?

Icanraz: Well, it’s really hard to describe our own music. I think that our trademark would be what people have called ‘extreme metal’ because you can find a lot of black and death metal influences in our music, but not only that ... we are really open-minded musicians and there are no limits for us. We are inspired by a lot of different music styles and this has an effect on our music. Blast beats, brutal guitar riffs, furious vocals but on the other hand a lot of melodies and pathos in the keyboard parts as well. Many people compare us to Emperor, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir. You have found something similar to Luna Ad Noctum and that’s ok, but we really don’t care. For us it is extreme metal and you can call it black metal, death metal, or whatever...

AD: Poland has a reputation for producing high quality Black and Death metal in particular. Would you say that Abused Majesty is typical of the Polish scene?

Icanraz: Thanks for the kind words about the Polish scene! It’s great to know that our bands are well respected in the UK, and the rest of the world. I don’t know what to say about the second part of your question. ‘Typical’ - I hate this word, so if it really means here ‘good high quality music’ then I hope we are very typical of the Polish scene, hehe.

AD: Some bands seek to broaden their appeal by introducing operatic singers or lesser known instruments such as the bassoon or the oboe. Have you ever thought of doing anything like this?

Icanraz: Of course! It is really good to have diversity when a band has an idea of how to use it. It can be really great to combine extreme metal with something totally different and untypical of metal music. When we were recording our second demo ‘Gods Are With Us’, we were inspired by such bands like Cradle of Filth or Dimmu Borgir, etc... at the time I was the drummer of a Polish gothic metal band called Via Mistica and we decided to invite Kate of Via Mistica to sing some female vocal parts and play some melodies on cello. We are still really happy with what we achieved but now we are looking for something else in metal music. There is still so much to do with traditional metal instrumentation ...

AD: The album “Serpenthrone” was released in early 2004. What changes have there been, for the better or worse, as a result of this album being released?

Icanraz: Well, this album gave us an opportunity to share our music with metalheads from all over the world. Of course without the guys from Empire Records and Adipocere Records it wouldn’t have been possible. We’ve played on tour with great bands like Hate and Decapitated in Poland, some festivals like Metalmania with Cradle of Filth, Napalm Death, Arcturus ... many things changed for the better after the release of ‘Serpenthrone’. Now we are ready to go forward again and take other lands by storm!

AD: On the sleeve notes of “Sepenthrone”, it is stated that the “lyrics … were inspired by the oldest chronicles of the tribe of Regins – Lechits (Scythians of Regia) enclosed in the Tome of Ashes”. Can you explain what this is referring to, and why your lyrics were inspired by these works in particular?

Icanraz: This is the story about the King of Serpents, the mythical ruler of Slavonic lands. Hal is the writer of the lyrics and I think that he could say more about it. He is still very inspired by this book and all the legends relating to this theme.

AD: Have you got a particular philosophy as a band?

Icanraz: Well, we are strongly against religion and all kinds of stupidity, but we are here to playing music, not to lead or show the way for errant people. We want to realize our potential and music has given us this opportunity.

AD: I understand that you are recording a new album “ …. so Man created god in his own image”. How’s it going?

Icanraz: The recording session finished a few months ago and now we are looking for a label. We recorded it at the Hertz Studio in Poland and we are really pleased with what we achieved.

AD: How will “…. so Man created god in his own image” differ in sound and concept from “Serpenthrone”?

Icanraz: The sound is more powerful than on ‘Serpenthrone’. We used much better equipment this time and it brings a fantastic result for our music. The new album is a continuation of our debut CD but it’s both much more mature and straightforward. Our new guitarist has brought fresh ideas to the band and together we have found some great solutions for the arrangements and stuff like that. Lyrically we have taken another step forward as well. This time Hal wrote the lyrics in a different way than before, he uses a lot of metaphors and sometimes you have the feeling that it’s not making any sense, but just try to find a key phrase and then you’ll know what it’s all about. It really impressed us because it’s not just simple stories. Anyway, our new album signifies huge progress for us as musicians and we’re sure that our fans won’t be disappointed.

AD: What was the purpose of releasing the 2006 demo “Crusade for Immortality” between your full releases “Serpenthrone” and the forthcoming “ … so Man created god in his own image”

Icanraz: A year after the release of ‘Serpenthrone’ we had really serious problems with our line up. It brought some changes in the band – our former guitarists and keyboard player gave up and we had to find a replacement for them. When the new line up was completed we decided to check our new members in studio conditions before entering the studio for the new album’s recording session and that led to our demo CD ‘Crusade for Immortality’. We only recorded it for ourselves, which is why we didn’t promote it anywhere.

AD: On the marketing side, when will “…. So Man created god in his own image” be available to buy in the UK?

Icanraz: It’s hard to say because first of all we have to find a new record label. I am hopeful that ‘...so Man created god...’ will be available in the UK and the rest of the world as soon as possible, so keep your eyes open!

AD: I think it’s fair to say that “Serpenthrone”, whilst being available to buy through Plastichead, was not widely publicised in the UK. How do you envisage that the situation will improve this time with “...so Man created god in his own image”?

Icanraz: Yes, you’re right – only Plastic Head distributed our debut in the UK. What can I say? We are doing our best now and trying to find the best solution for us and for our fans in order to release the new album worldwide. But we don’t know what the future brings ... we just have to be patient.

AD: Do you plan to support the release with a tour or one-off concerts?

Icanraz: Oh yes!!! We are looking forward so fucking much to playing new stuff for metalheads everywhere, but we decided we need to find a label first and after that we will start to play gigs and tours. We just want to have the new CD released.

AD: In the long term, what are your aims as a band?

Icanraz: It’s a hard question. Playing music is our passion and way of life. We are a very conscientious band and we’re trying to think only about what is possible for us at this moment. Every success is the result of years of really hard work. We are very determined and we know that it’s only our hard work that can bring something more. We know that sitting around and doing nothing is not the key to success...

AD: On a personal note, what made you take up drumming?

Icanraz: My father gave me my first drum sticks for my 6th birthday. He was a drummer long time ago and he wanted to realize his unsatisfied ambitions I think. We were watching Iron Maiden and Metallica concerts and when I saw Lars Ulrich behind his drum kit then I knew what I really want to do in my life. My dad told me ‘If you want to be a good drummer like Lars or Nicko you have to practise a lot and do it regularly’. And I’m still doing it, hehe.

AD: … and who do you regard as the main influences in your musical career?

Icanraz: There is a lot of great drummers but the most important for me are Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich, Nicko McBrain, Doc (R.I.P.), Derek Roddy, Inferno, George Kollias, Gene Hoglan, Trym, Joey Jordison, Frost and many many others...

AD: … and in your life in general?

Icanraz: Hehe, I don’t know... Maybe my parents, maybe my girlfriend...

AD: What’s your favourite brand of vodka?

Icanraz: Wyborowa.

AD: And finally, is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Icanraz: Well, I really hope that our new CD will be available in the UK very soon. I’m so much looking forward to playing for all of you as soon as possible. Feel free to visit our website and our myspace profile for further information. Thanks for the interview and interesting questions Andrew! Stay Abused!

AD: Thanks very much to you and good luck with the new album and beyond. ..

www.abused-majesty.pl
www.myspace.com/abusedmajesty

Interviewed by Andrew Doherty

MTUK HOME