All Interviews
Monomania
Monomania
Posted on Nov 13, 2005
by Anders
The Danish black metal scene is blooming and many good bands are offering their music to the hungered masses. Monomania is one of the newer bands, and they have proved to have quality to offer, their second demo "Dødelandets Åbenbaring" is a good, dark, eerie and atmospheric black metal release, without compromising the legacy of Nordic black metal. I got in touch with bassist/vocalist Vrede and drummer Gidim and got answeres to my many questions.
Hails, will you please start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you play around with hellish black metal?
Vrede: My name is Vrede, I play the bass and do the vocals. I am playing black metal, because it is my soul, strength and will.
Gidim: Gidim here. Drummer in Monomania. Well black metal to me can be full of the energy and intensity of death metal and still maintain the more rocked/melody style from heavy metal, without being cheesy. At least if it's done properly and dirty. Furthermore, black metal can reach levels of atmosphere that other metal genres can only dream about.
A small introduction of the rest of the Monomania horde will be great as well, together with a bit of what they bring to the band!
Vrede: The horde consists of: Vrede-bass/vocals, Nattesjæl-guitar, Pest-guitar and Gidim-drums. We all add some things to the band, in one way or the other.
How and when did Monomania begin?
Vrede: It all started out with Nattesjæl and me. She had a lot of cool riffs, and was missing a band where the riffs got to its rights, so I learned the riffs and we started to gather a band. It took some time...but we are here today. The curse, Monomania took form in early 2003 with Nattesjæl, Gidim and me. The original intent was to keep it a three-piece act, but we decided that with our view on how Monomania should sound, an extra guitar was needed. So Pest joined in 2004…
What is the purpose of the band, what would you like to accomplish with it?
Vrede: To spread the act of Monomania and black metal, play some concerts and make some releases we are satisfied with.
Gidim: Doing releases and concerts is of course our main concern. But on the other hand, when you really get down to it, it's pure selfishness. We want to make music that we all agree on being cool and then play it as best as possible. As long as we think we are making progress we'll be content.
What are the philosophy and the ethics of the band?
Vrede: Death, violence, murder, suicide, annihilation of the fucking christian scum….
How did you end up with the name Monomania and what does it symbolize for you?
Vrede: The name was something Nattesjæl, had in mind, and we all think it sounded cool, so we agreed. It means a lot to us!!! It describes the band, what we do now and in the future.
What is black metal for you?
Vrede: Black metal is my life, vision and passion.
How would you define black metal?
Vrede: It is hard to define black metal, many people thinks Dimmu Borgir has something to do with black metal, in that case I think they are wrong. Black metal is ugly, necro, hellish and will never have anything to do with the modern scene, where bands get awards for their recordings, and do world-tours… That is from my point of view, only something you do to make money, and that is not the thing you should do with black metal.
Last year you released the demo "Dødelandets Åbenbaring", how has that release been received?
Vrede: We got some different reviews back, some good, some bad… but overall we are satisfied with the response.
How do you feel about it today?
Vrede: I listen to it sometimes, and I still think it is a good recording, but you can always make something better…
Gidim: It's definitely better than our first demo but it does not reflect the abilities of the band at the moment.
Does the material on "Dødelandets Åbenbaring" reflect the band today?
Vrede: Yeah, the style is the same, but we are making better songs now, and focus on better structured riffs, when we make the new material. We also play a bit faster now, but still have the parts where we slow down.
Gidim: As before, it's not a good representation of our abilities today, but the style is more or less the same I would say.
You have just been recording new material, or are just about to, what can we expect from that?
Vrede: Yes, we are about to enter the studio, but delayed as it always gets. This time we will be more dirty, than on the last one, we got Ynleborgaz from Holmgang and Angantyr to help us with it, so we expect the sound to be very much like the things he previous has made, but of course with our own idea of it. But a recording with the sound, like in the old days of black metal, is what people should expect from us.
What can you tell about the material?
Vrede: The material will consist of six tracks the riffs are still in the same vein just more intense and faster. The lyrics are more hateful than the old stuff.
How has the band developed between the first release and the coming?
Vrede: The band has developed a lot, and still is, we are getting better and better all the time, when we recorded the first release we hadn't been playing together for very long. The second got better and so when we make the next recording, we are better prepared then we where back then.
Who writes the music in the band?
Vrede: Mainly it is Nattesjæl and me that writes the riffs, and we all put them together in the rehearsal-room… in the beginning is was only Nattesjæl, but I have done some songs and Pest have also made some riffs on the new material.
Gidim: Usually Nattesjæl, Pest or Vrede comes up with one or more riffs. We piece them together at rehearsals and from there it’s just a lot of rehearsal and fine tuning. It's not unheard of that we change tiny bits a month or two after the songs are "done".
Where is the inspiration for the music found?
Vrede: We all listen to black metal, so we get a lot of inspiration from there, but also from different music styles, as death metal.
Gidim: In that aspect playing drums is pretty cool, because I can get inspiration from, let's say, Mike Portnoy and the end product can still have a dirty evil feel to it. But then again, most of my inspiration comes from the songs I'm making drums for…
Can you mention 3 bands or persons that have meant a lot to you and for the sound of Monomania and why they mean as much as they do?
Vrede: I can't answer that question, there are a lot of bands who have inspired us to where we are today, but the old black metal bands from Norway are something we still are listening to, so that is mainly what we are inspired by.
What can you tell us about the lyrics and who writes them?
Vrede: It is about the dark sides of life, misanthropy, suicide and death to the people, who certainly make mistakes in this world, we can not tolerate. Nattesjæl writes most of the lyrics but I have also made a few.
It would be killer if you would pick out 2 tracks from "Dødelandets Åbenbaring", and guide us through both music and lyrics, the ideas behind the tracks, what they are about etc!
Vrede: The last two on the demo, these are the best tracks from the recording, I like the way 'Pestentorn', starts out slowly and then all hell breaks lose and that keeps on going until the song ends… it is a fast track when it first gets started. The lyrics are about the plague that was here in 1349, and took a lot of people to their grave, spreading the curse even more.
The second track I will point out, is the title track of the release, this track is the best we have ever released, it is a mid-tempo song all the way but the feeling in this track is awesome, totally dark and full of atmosphere, mystery and spirit. The lyrics are about what happens to you when you die and you move on to another place, beyond this world.
What do you expect from the upcoming release, a deal with a label for a full length release… or…?
Vrede: It is always hard to get a good label, but yes of course we would like to sign with a label, it makes things a lot easier. But in any case we will record a full length after this recording.
Will we soon see Monomania on stages around Denmark?
Vrede: Yes, we have just played a show with Blodfest, it was a blast. And we played together with Aura Noir earlier this year. We are working on some more shows in Denmark, hopefully within the next 4 months. Next year we are going to Germany to play 2-3 shows together with Totenweihe, but more on that will follow. The next show is in Herning 9/12-05.
Have you played a lot live and how is it to witness Monomania on the stage?
Vrede: We have played live a few times. When we go on stage, we are covered in blood, corpse paint, dirt, and meat…
How do you look upon the future of Monomania?
Vrede: The curse of Monomania will always be here, releasing new material and playing live at different places. We will continue to the end.
Gidim: Getting signed would be nice and certainly is a priority, but as stated earlier we play mostly to please our own egos and therefore will continue till the bitter end.
Will you share your 3 all time favourite albums with our maniacal readers?
Vrede:
Mayhem – De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
Zyklon B – Blood Must Be Shed
Darkthrone - Goatlord
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Vrede: Thank you, for this interview. It is nice to see the flame of Denmark has raised once again, lets keep it burning!!!
Gidim: Thanks for reading this shit and showing some form of interest. See you next time we're fucking up a venue near you!
Vrede: My name is Vrede, I play the bass and do the vocals. I am playing black metal, because it is my soul, strength and will.
Gidim: Gidim here. Drummer in Monomania. Well black metal to me can be full of the energy and intensity of death metal and still maintain the more rocked/melody style from heavy metal, without being cheesy. At least if it's done properly and dirty. Furthermore, black metal can reach levels of atmosphere that other metal genres can only dream about.
A small introduction of the rest of the Monomania horde will be great as well, together with a bit of what they bring to the band!
Vrede: The horde consists of: Vrede-bass/vocals, Nattesjæl-guitar, Pest-guitar and Gidim-drums. We all add some things to the band, in one way or the other.
How and when did Monomania begin?
Vrede: It all started out with Nattesjæl and me. She had a lot of cool riffs, and was missing a band where the riffs got to its rights, so I learned the riffs and we started to gather a band. It took some time...but we are here today. The curse, Monomania took form in early 2003 with Nattesjæl, Gidim and me. The original intent was to keep it a three-piece act, but we decided that with our view on how Monomania should sound, an extra guitar was needed. So Pest joined in 2004…
What is the purpose of the band, what would you like to accomplish with it?
Vrede: To spread the act of Monomania and black metal, play some concerts and make some releases we are satisfied with.
Gidim: Doing releases and concerts is of course our main concern. But on the other hand, when you really get down to it, it's pure selfishness. We want to make music that we all agree on being cool and then play it as best as possible. As long as we think we are making progress we'll be content.
What are the philosophy and the ethics of the band?
Vrede: Death, violence, murder, suicide, annihilation of the fucking christian scum….
How did you end up with the name Monomania and what does it symbolize for you?
Vrede: The name was something Nattesjæl, had in mind, and we all think it sounded cool, so we agreed. It means a lot to us!!! It describes the band, what we do now and in the future.
What is black metal for you?
Vrede: Black metal is my life, vision and passion.
How would you define black metal?
Vrede: It is hard to define black metal, many people thinks Dimmu Borgir has something to do with black metal, in that case I think they are wrong. Black metal is ugly, necro, hellish and will never have anything to do with the modern scene, where bands get awards for their recordings, and do world-tours… That is from my point of view, only something you do to make money, and that is not the thing you should do with black metal.
Last year you released the demo "Dødelandets Åbenbaring", how has that release been received?
Vrede: We got some different reviews back, some good, some bad… but overall we are satisfied with the response.
How do you feel about it today?
Vrede: I listen to it sometimes, and I still think it is a good recording, but you can always make something better…
Gidim: It's definitely better than our first demo but it does not reflect the abilities of the band at the moment.
Does the material on "Dødelandets Åbenbaring" reflect the band today?
Vrede: Yeah, the style is the same, but we are making better songs now, and focus on better structured riffs, when we make the new material. We also play a bit faster now, but still have the parts where we slow down.
Gidim: As before, it's not a good representation of our abilities today, but the style is more or less the same I would say.
You have just been recording new material, or are just about to, what can we expect from that?
Vrede: Yes, we are about to enter the studio, but delayed as it always gets. This time we will be more dirty, than on the last one, we got Ynleborgaz from Holmgang and Angantyr to help us with it, so we expect the sound to be very much like the things he previous has made, but of course with our own idea of it. But a recording with the sound, like in the old days of black metal, is what people should expect from us.
What can you tell about the material?
Vrede: The material will consist of six tracks the riffs are still in the same vein just more intense and faster. The lyrics are more hateful than the old stuff.
How has the band developed between the first release and the coming?
Vrede: The band has developed a lot, and still is, we are getting better and better all the time, when we recorded the first release we hadn't been playing together for very long. The second got better and so when we make the next recording, we are better prepared then we where back then.
Who writes the music in the band?
Vrede: Mainly it is Nattesjæl and me that writes the riffs, and we all put them together in the rehearsal-room… in the beginning is was only Nattesjæl, but I have done some songs and Pest have also made some riffs on the new material.
Gidim: Usually Nattesjæl, Pest or Vrede comes up with one or more riffs. We piece them together at rehearsals and from there it’s just a lot of rehearsal and fine tuning. It's not unheard of that we change tiny bits a month or two after the songs are "done".
Where is the inspiration for the music found?
Vrede: We all listen to black metal, so we get a lot of inspiration from there, but also from different music styles, as death metal.
Gidim: In that aspect playing drums is pretty cool, because I can get inspiration from, let's say, Mike Portnoy and the end product can still have a dirty evil feel to it. But then again, most of my inspiration comes from the songs I'm making drums for…
Can you mention 3 bands or persons that have meant a lot to you and for the sound of Monomania and why they mean as much as they do?
Vrede: I can't answer that question, there are a lot of bands who have inspired us to where we are today, but the old black metal bands from Norway are something we still are listening to, so that is mainly what we are inspired by.
What can you tell us about the lyrics and who writes them?
Vrede: It is about the dark sides of life, misanthropy, suicide and death to the people, who certainly make mistakes in this world, we can not tolerate. Nattesjæl writes most of the lyrics but I have also made a few.
It would be killer if you would pick out 2 tracks from "Dødelandets Åbenbaring", and guide us through both music and lyrics, the ideas behind the tracks, what they are about etc!
Vrede: The last two on the demo, these are the best tracks from the recording, I like the way 'Pestentorn', starts out slowly and then all hell breaks lose and that keeps on going until the song ends… it is a fast track when it first gets started. The lyrics are about the plague that was here in 1349, and took a lot of people to their grave, spreading the curse even more.
The second track I will point out, is the title track of the release, this track is the best we have ever released, it is a mid-tempo song all the way but the feeling in this track is awesome, totally dark and full of atmosphere, mystery and spirit. The lyrics are about what happens to you when you die and you move on to another place, beyond this world.
What do you expect from the upcoming release, a deal with a label for a full length release… or…?
Vrede: It is always hard to get a good label, but yes of course we would like to sign with a label, it makes things a lot easier. But in any case we will record a full length after this recording.
Will we soon see Monomania on stages around Denmark?
Vrede: Yes, we have just played a show with Blodfest, it was a blast. And we played together with Aura Noir earlier this year. We are working on some more shows in Denmark, hopefully within the next 4 months. Next year we are going to Germany to play 2-3 shows together with Totenweihe, but more on that will follow. The next show is in Herning 9/12-05.
Have you played a lot live and how is it to witness Monomania on the stage?
Vrede: We have played live a few times. When we go on stage, we are covered in blood, corpse paint, dirt, and meat…
How do you look upon the future of Monomania?
Vrede: The curse of Monomania will always be here, releasing new material and playing live at different places. We will continue to the end.
Gidim: Getting signed would be nice and certainly is a priority, but as stated earlier we play mostly to please our own egos and therefore will continue till the bitter end.
Will you share your 3 all time favourite albums with our maniacal readers?
Vrede:
Mayhem – De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
Zyklon B – Blood Must Be Shed
Darkthrone - Goatlord
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Vrede: Thank you, for this interview. It is nice to see the flame of Denmark has raised once again, lets keep it burning!!!
Gidim: Thanks for reading this shit and showing some form of interest. See you next time we're fucking up a venue near you!
Monomania website
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