During their recent visit to English shores, drummer Thelemnar and bassist LSK were quizzed by Oliver Cass about all manner of things, musical, photographical, and most of all ‘cool’.

LSK: With the travelling?

OC: Yes, and practising.

LSK: Well I live in Paris, and they’re now living in Berlin. It’s pretty easy to travel and we don’t rehearse every week, just focus when we have to for gigs or albums. I work at night, and we gather and pick up on ideas at night. It’s very doable actually.

Thelemnar: When sG and me were doing the song writing, we were always sharing new ideas and mp3s.

OC: Ah, via e-mail?

Thelemnar: Yes, because it was not possible to meet up and when we had ideas, we’d send them over.

OC: So, just practise when you need to?

Thelemnar: Yes, and when we have the right mood. We don’t want to waste any time in a rehearsal room, because when you’re not in the right mood and you’re just playing for three hours, it’s getting boring and it has to be the right.

OC: The sound has once again evolved. The ‘Carved...’ era is not really detectible other than the fact that the music is dark, memorable and has Black Metal elements. Could you explain what your intentions were for ‘Priviligivm’s’ sound and your plans following ‘Antithesis’?

Thelemnar: The main idea was to have a traditional sound, but a powerful one. First we had the idea to record in the 80’s style or even more ancient. The studio where we recorded with Marcus Stock from The Vision Bleak; he is always doing the perfect mix of high quality sound, you can hear everything, it’s so clean, and it’s raw on the other hand. I said the sound has to be good, but also a bit shitty...of course, not sound shitty haha! But maybe you get the point!

OC: Hah, yes I do.

Thelemnar: Because that’s the perfect production, if it sounds a bit raw...alright (talking to LSK), what do you think?

LSK: Hehe, the same! You said it right.

OC: ‘Shepherd’ is obviously quite different musically from the rest of the album, but it has a kind of vintage Metal sound to it at the same time, reminding of old Metallica. Where did the music for this stem from?

Thelemnar: It was just pure emotion...there have been two riffs, and we were playing the song...you have to channel the feelings, the emotion. Then this moment comes and you’re playing the riff and another part comes just with drums...it was just flowing. It was good, and the sound, I don’t know, we also listen to lots of 70’s music, maybe there was an influence. And when we were in the studio, the ideas were shared. She had more ideas, we had more ideas, and also with the percussion bit at the beginning and the end. It’s just emotion and feeling.

OC: What or who influences you? I can sometimes hear the discordance of Deathspell Omega, some vintage Metal sounds like Metallica and eccentric bits of Opeth.

Thelemnar: I think you were right with the bands you named. We like Deathspell Omega, we like Metallica...we like progressive bands like Opeth and Doom bands...

LSK: I think we have very wide musical tastes. Just like bits of everything.

Thelemnar: So we have no concrete influences, but the music we listen to everyday influences us.

OC: How much did AD’s departure affect the song writing process?

Thelemnar: For the band, it was a good thing that he left...this is not meant to be bad, he’s still a very good friend. We are a live band who also want to tour and play concerts, but he was definitely not a live musician. You know, he never liked to be on stage, so for the band it was a good thing that he left. It was always a problem, because when someone is always in a bad mood and has no interest in going on stage, he’s not comfortable...and now our new guitarist; he brings the full power doing vocals, so we have three vocalists on stage, perfect! AD’s ideas for the new album were more...focus on the 80’s Metal. He had some very raw Thrash and Speed Metal riffs...it was interesting...but...

OC: It didn’t quite fit?

Thelemnar: No, not really, but the track ‘Harvest’ on ‘Privilegivm’, he was writing that song together with us...and also Daevas who left us the year before. So this is like a release from the older times. It’s also good, because we three (LSK and vocalist sG)...know what we want. We have the same influences for everything...it’s just thinking, but it was song writing without any stress. With ‘Antithesis’ it was staying for two years in the rehearsal room, playing the same tracks over and over again...we got bored...and then you play them live and...

OC: ...it’s not inspiring.

Thelemnar : No, but these tracks are very fresh. Kind of a new chapter of the band, with song writing and the line-up...I think it’s the best line-up we’ve ever had.

LSK: There are no clashes...

Thelemnar: That’s it.

LSK: Everyone is in the same mood and going in the same way...and if everyone is of the same point of view, wait until you hear the music...everyone is having fun.

Thelemnar: I think also the distance is no problem...I would say Black Metal doesn’t have any borders. Everything is about the spirit and this is fitting.

OC: Talking of ‘Harvest’, the lyrics are very fascinating; could you give an idea of what the song is about?

Thelemnar: Uh...what can we say...

LSK: sG would be a better person to ask.

Thelemnar: Of course we know what it is about. In other interviews I don’t talk about lyrics...not because I’m avoiding them. It’s like a book...you cannot ask the author what it’s about...you have to read it and think about it...

OC: I thought I might get an answer like that.

Thelemnar: Well it’s not like ‘burn down the churches’...it’s more intelligent than that. Everyone can have their own opinion, it makes it more exciting.

OC: ‘A Million Suns’ is only featured as a bonus track. I only had the promotional downloaded version until yesterday, when the special edition of the album arrived, but why is the song only featured as a bonus song, when it clearly fits the album so well?

Thelemnar: This is also the reason why the track is not a bonus track on the end of the album.

OC: Yes, that would be really strange after ‘Shepherd’. What was the reason?

Thelemnar: Because of time, running time. I think...

LSK: No...I don’t know...

OC: That’s a bit strange... ‘Carved...’ is 75 minutes long isn’t it?

Thelemnar: Yeah....

Thelemnar and LSK: Hahaha!

Thelemnar: I can’t really remember...uh...oh yeah...we wanted to have an extra track for the special edition. That was the reason. We wanted something special for the people who bought the special edition.

OC: I’ve got to say the special edition box is just amazing, one of the best presentations I’ve ever seen.

Thelemnar: Thank you!

OC: ...and I wasn’t expecting those little signed pass things either.

LSK: Uhha, haha...

Thelemnar: Oh you got it!

OC: Yeah, I got two of them actually...

Thelemnar: That was hard work...

OC: I can imagine!

Thelemnar: This is something we love to do for the...listeners...’fans’ is such a trendy word...to the followers of our band and I like the small gifts and special things, like, you’ve heard about this special thing we had on My Space...of course....

OC: Oh I got one of those!

Thelemnar: Yes I know, because I sent it! Yes, things like this – I don’t know any other band that is offering free entry to a show. The people who like our music, are able to get into see our show, that is quite important to us.

OC: Going back to ‘Privilegivm’, it’s difficult to separate, as it fits together so well as a whole, but which tracks are you most satisfied with?

Thelemnar: Most satisfied with...I’m satisfied with the whole work. The song writing, recording...yeah...okay, our favourite songs...

LSK: I have one...

Thelemnar: Yes?

LSK: Yup, ‘Queen among Rats’ is my favourite...because for me, the track is so full of emotion and it really affects me when we play it or even when I listen to it or think about it. It really affects me deeply. It’s something...a very special track to me.

Thelemnar: I think I would also name, ‘Sulphur’. This song combines all of the traits of our song writing; fast and slow parts, some new elements, the technical bits...so yes, ‘Sulphur’ and ‘Queen among Rats’...the whole album...is cool.

ALL: Hahaha!!

OC: Understatement of the year!

Thelemnar: Hahaha!

LSK: Our new album is ‘cool’!

OC: I’ll quote that!

Thelemnar and LSK: Haha!

OC: I noticed ‘Sulphur’ seemed to appear on the track listing after the recordings. Was it written in the studio?

Thelemnar: Uh, no, when you listen to the tracks in the studio, you think ‘hey, this would be the perfect opener’, but then you’ve got to think about the introduction and the introduction was created in the studio, as well as ‘Descent’ the track before ‘Shepherd’. It was very spontaneous, we had some ideas and we just did it in the studio. The track listing was quite easy this time. With ‘Antithesis’ we were sitting for nearly a day in the studio together, listening to the songs over and over again. Four people discussing, having arguments, everyone was writing their own lists and that really sucked. But we were just talking about it this time, in the right mood, and I think it’s good, it’s fitting. ‘Shepherd’ is for me the perfect song for ending the album, because you don’t know what will follow, what will be next for the future of the band...

LSK: It’s like a question mark.

Thelemnar: Yes, a big question mark...I think the whole album is like a movie...you know, starting, the first part, the introduction, the chants...

OC: You could call it a soundtrack then...

Thelemnar: Yeah, yeah! Then, when ‘Sulphur’ starts, the movie starts.

OC: Regarding the excellent new band photos, they’re obviously very dark and evoke the enigmatic nature of the band well. The lake images are just completely different from anything else you see these days in terms of band photography, especially in Black Metal...

Thelemnar: Uh, I can think of one water picture, but I won’t tell you...

OC: Go on...

Thelemnar: It’s Ulver.

OC: Ah, yeah, of course, but these are a lot darker than those ones...

LSK: I think we definitely didn’t want to do something generic, it would have been poor...we wanted to have something that reflected the album more, something surprising and unexpected.

OC: There are the black and white photos too, which remind me of some really old pictures of Mayhem, whilst being very contemporary. Why did you choose to represent the band in these two detached ways?

Thelemnar : (after a pause) Light and darkness...because in the dark picture of the lake, we have this white dress, and we have combined it with the white background on the other pictures and the band is standing there, and it looks very raw Black Metal. All the other bands would have used black backgrounds...

LSK: It shows our different sides.

OC: ...and how long were you standing in the lake for?

Thelemnar and LSK: Hehehe...

LSK: That was fun...

Thelemnar: ...and it wasn’t...so warm, haha! I think it was an hour, but we didn’t care, it was for the pictures.

OC: I remember talking to Lord Worm from Cryptopsy a few years ago, about a video they shot in a swamp, and they had to stand in there for about six hours...not very fun.

Thelemnar: Incredible...six hours?

OC: I know and they rented some boots that came up to here (gestures knee height)...

Thelemnar: Ah, fishing boots!

OC: Heh, yeah, and the swamp came up to here (thigh level), making them completely redundant.

Thelemnar and LSK: Hehehe!

OC: Right, you’re about to go on an American tour for the first time, supporting Moonspell. Was the intention to get yourselves on such a diverse line-up for your first trip overseas as opposed to a strictly Black Metal tour?

LSK: I guess it just happened like that. It was with Samael, which is quite fitting...

Thelemnar: Also, Moonspell...

LSK: I don’t really know their music...

Thelemnar: Yes, but in the early 90s I was listening to Moonspell quite a lot...and I’ve heard they are quite nice people. Also Samael and so we have this offer and we have never been there, we are taking this chance. We have a booking agency now in the States so maybe we can return next year.

LSK: We don’t really choose when we tour...when you have the chance to tour the States...we wouldn’t tour with any band, but it seemed like a good opportunity.

OC: Are you on first or after Book of Black Earth?

Thelemnar: I think...we’re on after Book of Black earth...but I’m not sure.

OC: How far into your back catalogue will you be going for these two tours? Will ‘Carved...’ even be acknowledged?

Thelemnar: Erm....is it one, or two?

LSK: Hehe...

Thelemnar: I think we’re playing one song...

OC: Oh, which?

Thelemnar: ‘Evolution, Valour, Admission’.

OC: Ahhh, I was hoping you’d say that! I haven’t heard that one live yet.

LSK: We have some tracks that we mix around every night, when we decide what we want to play.

Thelemnar: We practice some of the old tracks, and maybe even one from the ‘Stronghold...’ album, not tonight but next week.

OC: How do you look upon your back catalogue now? Seeing how far you’ve evolved as a band?

Thelemnar: Well I’ve been in the band since 2001, eight years. The first album was released...and I was buying it directly from my friends, the band. I wasn’t on stage, but at the front of the stage. This album was completely different...we were already starting the song writing for the ‘Carved...’ album, everything was moving very fast and we had to prepare for our first tour. That was a huge step for the band, because it was deeply, deeply underground. It was good at the time, friendship with lots of bands, but it was really underground and with ‘Carved...’ we increased the band a little bit. Of course, signing to Prophecy, we got some promotion. Then ‘Antithesis’ was the next step and brought us higher, but it wasn’t our intention, we’re just doing the music for ourselves and the people who show interest. ‘Privilegivm’ is a completely different chapter and I would see the first three albums as one part of our history and now we are on a new part.

LSK: For me, I’ve just joined...

OC: You were seeing it from the other side...

LSK: Yes, seeing it from the other side and the gradual evolution of the band...luckily we don’t stay the same for ten years. We’re able to open our boundaries, and are not restricted to anything.

Thelemnar: When I joined the band, I was doing the main song writing with sG and maybe if we’d never joined the band, the band would not still exist...because in the past, maybe ten years ago, they were playing two shows a year and writing one new song. It was all very lame.

OC: Are Daevas and A.D. involved in any other musical projects?

Thelemnar: A.D. is concentrating on studying and I haven’t seen Daevas since he left in 2007.

OC: Following the American tour, do you have any plans for next year?

LSK: Not really yet...

Thelemnar: Some festivals are set, and hopefully we can play in some countries we’ve never played in before. That would be nice.

LSK: Mmm, hopefully the new album will be promoted in some countries we haven’t been to.

Thelemnar: Portugal...

LSK: South America...

Thelemnar: Or Romania and countries like this. Also I’m very interested to go to South Europe and see the people in the deepest East...

OC: Isn’t Michael from Bulgaria?

Thelemnar: Our guitarist? He’s from Munich, he’s German...he was playing in Negura but he was the only German member.

OC: I read somewhere that he was Bulgarian.

Thelemnar: Just yesterday someone asked me, how is it possible for him to always travel from Romania.

OC and LSK: Haha!

Thelemnar: So yes, I’m really looking forward to playing in those places, it’s very important for me. Scotland, Ireland, England...

OC: (to LSK) Of course when they were last here, you were in Antaeus weren’t you?

LSK: Yes, but lately the band is kind of on ice...

OC: Is anything happening with Antaeus at the moment?

LSK: No not really, we’re on hold...mostly because our guitar player was putting it on hold for the moment.

OC: Is SET doing any other projects?

LSK: No he’s just got other stuff to do and prefers to focus on other things...

OC: We could do an Antaeus interview now...

(Thelemnar gets up and pretends to leave the room)

LSK: Hahaha!

OC: Is there anything else you’d like to say?

(they look from one to the other)

Thelemnar: Worship Satan!

OC: That’ll do!

Secrets of the Moon have just released their fourth album, ‘Privilegivm’ and are presently on tour around Europe with Code and Solstafir.

For more on the band check out http://www.secretsofthemoon.org
http://www.myspace.com/secretsofthemoon
http://www.lupuslounge.com

Interviewed by Oliver Cass

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