We are not hearing that much from the Italian metal scene, though here and there, a bright spot appears, and one of those belongs to Ars Macabra. The black metal horde released their second full length 'Hate Induced Trance' in 2007 and is as we speak working on new material. I hooked up with guitarist and songwriter Sathor to get up to speed with the band and to hear what lays below what the human eye can see within Ars Macabra and the Italian metal scene!
Hails Sathor, please start this interview by introducing yourself so we can get an idea of who you are and a little about how you ended up getting into the world of black metal!
I am the co-founder of Ars Macabra, together with Nero Baratro back in 1989. I have been listening to a lot of heavy music since I was a kid and when metal was developing a sort of new extreme expression, like the wave of Swedish death metal in the early 90ties etc. Then I started to listen to the new bands that were combining the grimness and darkness with blast beats and aggression of grindcore. So for me getting into black metal was the natural consequence. Also because I have been into magik since I was 14 and discovered a lot of interesting and illuminating literature way before black metal, was ever connected with "Satanism" or had become its main topic.
So to start a band that could combine heaviness with occult thematics was for me a good input.
Back then there were normal bands that probably were into occult and magik, but nothing that exposed and noone used it as a that explicit mark of their music.
So, on one side the brutal, blasting and sinister feeling of the music fitted my intents to start a band. On the other side too much attention was given to bands that were showing off the glamour side of black metal, for example Dark Funeral, Darkthrone, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor and so on; many bands that later showed that, that the topic was for them, a good joke to base their success on (commercially). Don't get me wrong I admire many of them as musicians and businessmen, but I consider them to be a specific phenomenon trapped in time. As it is with the bay area thrash or the Florida death metal scene etc.
All stereotypes always link to a specific trend and business, but without a distinctive soul and unique artistic form, which usually detach itself from time and remains good. We are not there yet, but at least we try not to fall into the bandwagon of clowns out there. Hopefully we will evolve more, to leave some sort of message, but we are not there yet, absolutely, but we are working on it. Thats all I can say.
It's been 2 years since you released your most recent album 'Hate Induced Trance', how many copies of it has been sold?
It has been two years mainly because our drummer had an accident with his legs, so we couldn't practice and the search for a new drummer is a huge pain in the ass. Considering we always have been afflicted to run into millions of idiots and timewasters, since we formed as band.
By contract there were pressed 2500 copies, but also by contract I wasn't entitled to know any details of the sales, this as other odd clauses like not to talk to third parties about any details of the label and the sales… I think it was weird… and I think the label guy was a total jerk.
How do you think about the album today?
It is a good solid album, no matter what, direct and heavy yet still melodic with a sense of sadness. Production-wise it is tiring for the ears, it's too clean and present, no dynamics, it's suffocating in some parts and it has a too modern sound.
Although I was pretty finicky in the studio, some influences from the producer's ears is noticeable, especially on the drums and in the mixing.
The album was released on the Canadian label Sinister Sounds Inc., how did they do their job and are you still signed to that label?
The label did a good job, although he wasn't too much present in the business part and didn't have that good distribution. We are not signed to that label anymore, and I think the label is dead now, or doesn't have any money at all, to do anything.
That was another experience that confirms me in that most of the time, labels are there to get something from you, and not because they believe in you musically speaking.
Labels that works as our latest label did, don't have any future because they don't have any goals or firmly believe in their bands as potentials. They are opportunists who want to exploit the moment, and the musicians that cross onto their path. There's nothing more ruthless and useless for the music business than that…..
You are right now in the middle of working on new songs, how is the work progressing?
We are thinking more on the songs now and listens to them with a different approach than before. We are giving them a nice blueprint that will differ a lot from 'Hate Induced Trance'.
What we wanted to tell with 'Daemonolatria Hypnotica' has been told, what we wanted to express with 'Hate Induced Trance' has been expressed. Now we move on… we have nothing to lose and we are not a band that think their sound is their success, while it becomes their prison and can't get away from it. Which I think is so ridiculous and immature, some bands are like the image of themselves… Who would buy an acoustic Marduk album or Gorgoroth playing a piano song with clean vocals? Maybe me... and very few others. They will never dare to step outside their path if you think about it, unless they can cope with going back to a possible total anonymity.
What can you tell us about the new tracks, how are they compared to the old Ars Macabra material, do you have a song title or 2 for us and so far?
It is diverse from the old material, I am not the best person to talk about what I do. I feel weird talking about it, I appreciate when people tell that they like the songs and why, and then I think ..oh great I reached somebody emotionally… and that is what counts, discussions about musical style or technicality are something I leave to the dorks. Two titles are 'Cursed Paradigm' and 'Breed Of Cain'.
Where will you be recording the album and who will be producing it?
We will use one studio for the drums, where hopefully the acoustic choice will be the best, and another private studio for guitars and vocals. I will first produce a demo with the entire material. Then we will see what to do, in case some label would get interested.
What about the cover artwork, has you chosen an artist to do it or is it already in place?
I have almost finished a drawing myself as I did for our t-shirt. So far I think we will use my work, else I don't know for sure.
Who are your favorite artwork artists and who would you like to work with?
Some artwork and graphics layout done for the NOEVDIA label is pretty good, it is sober and with a good style. The artwork I think, should be as distinctive as the music, and not just a good painting or representation. I prefer good simple graphics with character, instead of a great subject that doesn't fit at all on a 12x12 cm CD cover. I think the CD is still an object and the graphics and design does more effect on it, than to put an excellent painting on it… it just doesn't work like that…
I guess you are looking for a new label as we speak, how is that progressing and what would be your favorite label to release the next album on?
Yes we are. I think we'll use some time, concentration and good evaluation to consider who, we will give our music to this time, that will be really important… Also our attitudes have to connect for a possible deal. A label that we would like to work with, would be a label that has character and is distinct. Being just one band considered as a number, is very frustrating, almost to the point of ending it all, and choosing to produce and release it yourself. Instead of laying your music in the hands of idiots.
What is the philosophy behind Ars Macabra and what does black metal mean to you personally?
There doesn't have to be a specific philosophy behind Ars Macabra. I embrace a lot of concepts and topics in my lyrics, most of them are never direct or explicit. The nature of our texts are inspired by both twisted yet deviated thoughts to mystic subjects. The distinction between whatever satanic, mystic or philosophical term, start to get feeble and become nonsense and the power of khaos and the presence of an unidentified demi-urge begin to play a relevant part, that we all probably not are really aware of. That I think is the energy that inspire me and Ars Macabra.
I suppose you are writing most of the music in the band, where do you find inspiration for your music and how do you work when you compose?
I just play it, then it comes naturally, if it reaches my ear and mind... not really a big deal. I play it if I like it, I record it on my computer and play more with the arrangements. Though it is not the method that I focus on, but the quality of the idea. I found it very useful to try ideas out with an acoustic guitar also. If it works like that, that's already a plus.
What is the best black metal tune ever made in your eyes?
Hmm… there are many that come to my mind 'At War With Satan' by Venom is a progressively well played song with a great idea. A much underrated band in my opinion. Also Emperor's 'The Loss and Curse of Reverence' got an excellent atmosphere. Deathspell Omega do also got some nice tunes.
How do you look upon the future of Ars Macabra?
Perseverance and a lot of sacrifices as always.
I haven't really been following the Italian black metal scene the last few years, so please indulge me in how the shape is and what bands are worth to check out!
Ok… imagine that culturally Italy has really went down to very pitiful levels, in the last 10 years and it's going way worse now.
Add to that, that the majority of listeners of music, and also of black metal music has developed a fake commercial attitude, masked and dulled by joke magazines, that here are able to give a full cover + interview to unknown bands (but recommended by the label guy, who also work on the same magazine). Or promoters who make their bands pay a fee (just mafia methods applied to music) to belong to their roster. Or hundreds of Euros to play at a festival... you name it… here the mafia is so poor of intelligence, that they not even are smart enough to pick, at least decent bands to make a good show or records. They are so greedy to ask you to bring people to the pathetic show, they can organize in a small club or things like that...
It's a suffocating situation in a stalemate.
At least the Swedish or Norwegian extreme protection and patriotism have a sense to make a strong national scene, as well as in France or Germany, but here it's just a plain low level circus, that still gravitates around who would be the next recommended mafia shitty band, to support a big foreign band….
We are champions in licking other acclaimed band asses…
Some Italian bands (recommended or not) could easily play more interesting material than many foreign acts... as I have seen with my eyes at too many shows… Anyways some good bands to mention could be Grimness from Rome because they are pretty tight. I like Nefarium as guys/musicians, but their style is not for my taste. Some others like Viddhar from Rome and Kaiserreich from the North are good. There is also Urna, but this is not a real band with a stable line up.
What 5 albums have been spinning a lot in your home lately?
Hummm, gosh too many, but maybe lately…
- Katharsis - Fourth Reich
- Deathspell Omega - Mass Grave Aesthetics
- Led Zeppelin - Presence
- Anvil - Metal On Metal
- Judas Priest - Unleashed In The East
...and tons more..
That was all from me, thanks a lot for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Well thanks a lot for your interview and time we really appreciate it and keep up your good work!
Taken from, and with the kind permission of Nocturnal Horde
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AUTHOR: Nocturnal DK
A Danish metalhead on the way to become old, enjoys most types of metal, though brutality and darkness are mostly preferred, and too modern takes on metal are not always positively looked upon. Have been writing about metal for 10 years in own and at other publications as Fishcomcollective, Ancient Ceremonies, Northern Shadows and now Corazine and the upcoming Terror Propaganda (might have forgotten a few, come and kick my arse!).