All Interviews
Full Moon Lycanthropy
Henrik Engkjær
Posted on Jun 25, 2005
by Anders
Most of you might have heard about Exekrator, the rather special but great Danish band. One of the members in that band is Henrik Engkjær, the mainman behind Full Moon Lycanthropy. Before he send me a copy of the band's latest release, the split 7" with Finnish Conjuration, I wasn't aware of Full Moon Lycanthropy. And the horror, what a shame, a great and very interesting band revealed itself, as I listened to the 7" and even more, when I got hold of the band's demos. Curious as I am I got hold of Henrik and asked him a lot of questions and it all turned in to a pretty interesting interview.
Hails, please start off by telling is what there is to know about you, how you got caught in the metal scene and why you play lycanthropic metal?
Hails Anders, well I'm 25, live in Copenhagen, study religion and philosophy, I live for metal and play the strings for three Danish UG bands: Exekrator, Victimizer and of course Full Moon lycanthropy (FML), that's really all to say. I got into hard rock and metal when I was 11. Through my childhood I had listened to normal boring music, but I lost my interest years earlier, until I saw music videos of bands like Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Megadeth, Skid Row and Danzig. To a kid that was extremely dark and dangerous and I guess it's those things I still search for in music. Well, the lycanthropic concept of FML evolved gradually, we formed in '96 and first came the name, then the wolven lyrics, but it wasn't until 1999, we really hit the horror music style that fit the concept. We were too young in the beginning.
Please introduce the rest of the band too!
Yes, Lars Jessen, the vocalist, I have known him since childhood, he got into metal early too. He joined the band in 1999 I think and it's the only band he's doing, from what I know. At the moment he is positioned in Odense and also studies religion. Jens Hansen (Keyboards) I didn't meet until 1996 and he joined the band soon after. He got into metal a bit later I think. He co-writes the music for FML with me. He lives in Copenhagen where he works with computers, so I guess he's the only one in the band who has a bit of money.
How did Full Moon Lycanthropy start?
Well, actually the band evolved out of a thrash band, I was drumming for. They wanted to play more black metal oriented stuff and I came up with the name and brought in Jens, whom I had just met. All these other members have been out of the band for years. We have never used any of the material the did.
What did the band want to accomplish in the start?
Hmm, the band was pretty unfocused in the start I guess, when we had a full line-up in the beginning (up until 1999 we had a bunch of different line-ups, until we dropped the idea of a complete line-up) we played some gigs. But my goal has never been concerts, but rather recordings. I guess my first goal was to make a demo. When I achieved that, it was to do a 7" EP. I decided if no label was ever interested in doing one with me, I would print one myself, when I got some cash. Now that I've got a couple of those out, my goal is to do an album, but to tell you the truth, my goal is basically reached with the 7" EPs. Of course being able to do more and better music and albums would be great though, so I'll work on that.
Will you ever accomplish that?
Well, like I said I reached two demos with FML and one with Exekrator (and a split rehearsal with Nunslaughter/Victimizer, but this was on Pentagram Warfare Records/Ancient Darkness Productions, so not really a demo). More importantly the Exekrator "Superstitionis Maleficiae" 7" EP (View Beyond Records) and FML/Conjuration split 7" EP. Although I'm not entirely satisfied with any of my recordings I'm still proud of these. To get a vinyl with myself, was like a dream come true.
What is on the agenda now?
Well, I'll be playing two gigs in Holland and one in Svendborg with Victimizer soon (check Victimizer website for dates). Exekrator needs a new drummer, contact us! As for FML, Bestial Burst, who released the Conjuration/FML split, will release a CD containing our demos and maybe a bit more. We're working on a full length album. I have done my part of the music and Jens is doing his now. I have a concept (which I shan't reveal) for it, but no actual lyrics yet. Don't know who will release this yet.
You have released 2 demos and 1 split 7", how have they all been received?
Well, we have gotten both good and bad reviews. But just like I think every release has been better than the last, the reviews have gotten better and better. I don't think I have seen a bad review of the split 7" EP yet. Maybe that's not really a good thing, because I don't want to make music that everybody likes, for the simple reason that most of that kind of bands suck! But what the hell, I'm sure most will still hate this. The first review of a FML release I read, was the worst we ever got. Still we got orders due to that review from people who thought that reviewer was an idiot. Ha ha, that's the kind of thing I like. But of course we appreciate all good reviews.
How do you feel about all 3 releases at the present time?
To tell you the truth, I don't like the first demo anymore, I hardly did when it was released. It was written in 96-97 when we were naive teens and it's too nice for me. We recorded it three failed times with different line-ups. So we reduced the band to the three of us and finally recorded it, just to prove to ourselves that we could do it, and like I said I really wanted to do a demo. By then we had already begun doing horror stuff. The second demo "Eleven Horrors" I still like. It shows our style and has some good stuff and a lupine concept. The split track is our best yet. I'm still 99% satisfied with that, and it was recorded almost a year ago. I hope and think our coming album will be even better though, production, playing and song writing.
When will we see a full length from you, or some other new material?
Well, we're writing new material for a full length now. And I really hope we can record it before the summer ends, but we'll have to see how it goes. Other than that we'll have to see when a label will print the shit. But unless plans change or something goes really wrong there will be a full length coming. I'd love to see one out.
How far are you with writing you songs etc?
Well, I've done the riffs and structures for 6 songs, and Jens will put keys on those. Other than that he is writing 2 songs by himself and I'll do the lyrics. So we're about halfway I would say. The new stuff is sounding really promising to me.
How do you get inspired and influenced to write music?
Any band can inspire me I guess. Both good and bad music can inspire me. When I listen to shitty, boring or standard music I think "Ahh, they should have done this" or "Oh, I have to remember never to do anything like that". I guess I also have different influences for the different bands I'm in. For FML my most apparent influences are probably King Diamond, Death SS, Emperor, Necrophagia, Morbid Angel and Denial Of God.
Have your sources of inspiration changed through out the years?
Yes, the music of FML has changed and my musical taste has as well. I am still listening to some of the same bands as I did 14 years ago, others I've exchanged. And I guess the things I look for and appreciate in music have changed as well. It's still only metal and heavy rock I listen to of course. In the beginning we were all very inspired by the contemporary melodic black metal, but most of that has become so boring to me.
Can you point out a certain person and a certain album, which have meant a lot to your song writing- and playing style?
Hmm, no not one, but probably many: "Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" by Mayhem, "Abigail" by King Diamond, "Show No Mercy" by Slayer, "Holocausto De La Morte" by Necrophagia, "Painkiller" by Judas Priest, "Don't Break The Oath" by Mercyful Fate, "In The Nightside Eclipse" by Emperor and probably many more. But Actually I think I have kind of my own style of writing music. Others will have to judge that though.
How would you describe Full Moon Lycanthropy's progression from the start until now?
Yes, we've gone from basically faceless melodic black metal, to a brand of twisted horror stuff, that I haven't really heard other bands playing.
How far do you think you can take the band progression wise?
Well, we got our style mixing horror atmospheres, black metal, speed and twisted melodies. I think that we can improve our playing, the sound on our releases and most of all write better, darker and more effective songs. This is basically how I would like to see our progression. I can't really see a change of style coming up, but of course we'll do as we please.
Will you initiate us in your lyrical universe?
Yes, since the beginning the lyrics of the band have had a lupine/lycanthropic concept. Our second demo was a concept of men performing a ritual to become werewolves and spread terror. We will probably keep on doing concept releases in the future. I think it's an interesting way of working and none of my other bands do it. We utilise folklore, horror works as well as our own imagination about werewolves as fuel. The other great inspiration on this front must be all the brilliant King Diamond concept albums.
It would be great if you could pull out 3 tracks and give us a deep insight in both the history behind the music and the lyrics!
Normally I don't like to explain our concept as you get a MUCH better impression by reading the lyrics and listening to the music, but since you ask so directly I shall explain the concept of the "Eleven Horrors" demo (picking out three songs wouldn't make sense as you will see).
In 'Werewolf Ritual' eleven outcasts join to perform a ritual that will shape change them into giant wolfs. They go through tremendous pain but the ritual works. In 'Eleven Horrors' they attack the small, nearby city, where they hunt and kill all children and infants while the adults of the city are at a ball. In 'The Hermit' the villagers discover the night's massacre and decide that the local hermit, who has unnaturally much body-hair, must be the responsible for this misdeed, so they march to his place and burn him on a stake. However the Hermit was not responsible and the wolven attacks continue. In 'Wrath Of God' they wonder what brought this ill fate upon them and decide that the best move is to leave the city in a caravan. However, out in the open without walls to shelter them, they are no match for the eleven wolfs of unnatural strength and bloodlust, and they are butchered down to the last one.
Why did you choose to call the band for Full Moon Lycanthropy?
I wanted to call the band Lycanthropy because this was a concept I wanted to deal with. But that name was already taken and I added the redundant Full Moon to it.
Why center the music and imagery on lycanthropy?
Because I find it interesting I find both horror, folklore and mythology interesting. Werewolves have a place in them all. Also I knew of no band completely dedicated to this subject, and I still don't think I do. The werewolf can also be seen in different perspectives, like basic horror icons or as descriptive of something in man itself. Both are equally good. Werewolves also represent the ferocious and merciless cynicism of nature, that works even within human society. Life comes only from death. Humans, plants and animals live, but life only lives by devouring other lives, by death.
Doesn't it set some limitations/boundaries for you, to be a band centered on lycanthropy?
Yes, of course it does, but I already have the next concept ready and more in my mind. The wolven aspect of lycanthropy has also in certain places been expanded to werebeasts in general rather than just werewolves. So we might do a bit about bestial horror in general. But if it becomes too constrictive, we'll see what has to be done.
Do you believe in lycanthropy yourself?
I do not believe that ontological lycanthropy exists unfortunately. But like I said earlier, lycanthropy can be seen in different ways.
You are using a drum-machine in the band, and for the most of time it does sound good, but why don't you get a human drummer?
Well, in the first 3-4 years we actually had a complete line-up but people were undedicated or unskilled and the line-up changed constantly. It was a nightmare. I don't think live drums are as essential to FML as they are to Exekrator, where we really need one. But of course if a really skilled, dedicated and fast drummer approached me, we would have to see what could be done. But we have a lot of problems finding the right drummer for Exekrator, so I don't know how many drummers in this country have the right skills and mentality.
Aren't you interested in getting on the road and play some live shows?
It would of course be ok to play live, but then I think we should have a drummer. Anyway, as stated earlier, recordings have always been much more important to me.
How does the future seem for Full Moon Lycanthropy and what can we expect from you?
We are working on a full-length [album] and Bestial Burst will release a CD containing our demos and maybe a bit extra material. You shouldn't expect any live shows, but whatever happens we'll keep you updated on the Full Moon Lycanthropy website.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite album and your 5 Scandinavian favourite albums with the readers?
My five favorite albums? Arh man, you must know that's impossible, I'll tell you a shitload: Black Sabbath: early albums, Judas Priest's "Ram It Down" and "Painkiller", 80's Mercyful Fate albums, all King Diamond albums, the three first albums from Slayer, Bathory, Danzig and Venom. Emperor "In The Nightside Eclipse", Mayhem "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", Dissection "Storm Of The Lights Bane", the two first and the latest Marduk, Funeral Mist "Salvation", the debuts of Death, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Metallica, Sabbat (Jap.) and Guns N' Roses, all Death SS albums except "Humanomalies", almost all the W.A.S.P. albums, Destroyer 666 "Cold Steel for An Iron Age" and Absu "Tara".
Maybe if I limit myself to one album per artist I can answer the question of my five favorite Scandinavian albums, though: Mercyful Fate "Don't Break The Oath", King Diamond "Abigail", Mayhem "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", Dissection "Storm of the Lights Bane" and Funeral Mist "Salvation". Fantastic stuff.
Thanks a lot for doing this interview, if you have something to add, please do it now!
Well, thank you for the interview, it was really interesting and cool. I think it got a bit long, but what the hell. Good luck with Nocturnal Horde. Any drummers should contact me. You can hear some FML songs at: the Full Moon Lycanthropy website.
Anyone interested can contact me at: henrikdiablo@hotmail.com
Hail death!
Hails Anders, well I'm 25, live in Copenhagen, study religion and philosophy, I live for metal and play the strings for three Danish UG bands: Exekrator, Victimizer and of course Full Moon lycanthropy (FML), that's really all to say. I got into hard rock and metal when I was 11. Through my childhood I had listened to normal boring music, but I lost my interest years earlier, until I saw music videos of bands like Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Megadeth, Skid Row and Danzig. To a kid that was extremely dark and dangerous and I guess it's those things I still search for in music. Well, the lycanthropic concept of FML evolved gradually, we formed in '96 and first came the name, then the wolven lyrics, but it wasn't until 1999, we really hit the horror music style that fit the concept. We were too young in the beginning.
Please introduce the rest of the band too!
Yes, Lars Jessen, the vocalist, I have known him since childhood, he got into metal early too. He joined the band in 1999 I think and it's the only band he's doing, from what I know. At the moment he is positioned in Odense and also studies religion. Jens Hansen (Keyboards) I didn't meet until 1996 and he joined the band soon after. He got into metal a bit later I think. He co-writes the music for FML with me. He lives in Copenhagen where he works with computers, so I guess he's the only one in the band who has a bit of money.
How did Full Moon Lycanthropy start?
Well, actually the band evolved out of a thrash band, I was drumming for. They wanted to play more black metal oriented stuff and I came up with the name and brought in Jens, whom I had just met. All these other members have been out of the band for years. We have never used any of the material the did.
What did the band want to accomplish in the start?
Hmm, the band was pretty unfocused in the start I guess, when we had a full line-up in the beginning (up until 1999 we had a bunch of different line-ups, until we dropped the idea of a complete line-up) we played some gigs. But my goal has never been concerts, but rather recordings. I guess my first goal was to make a demo. When I achieved that, it was to do a 7" EP. I decided if no label was ever interested in doing one with me, I would print one myself, when I got some cash. Now that I've got a couple of those out, my goal is to do an album, but to tell you the truth, my goal is basically reached with the 7" EPs. Of course being able to do more and better music and albums would be great though, so I'll work on that.
Will you ever accomplish that?
Well, like I said I reached two demos with FML and one with Exekrator (and a split rehearsal with Nunslaughter/Victimizer, but this was on Pentagram Warfare Records/Ancient Darkness Productions, so not really a demo). More importantly the Exekrator "Superstitionis Maleficiae" 7" EP (View Beyond Records) and FML/Conjuration split 7" EP. Although I'm not entirely satisfied with any of my recordings I'm still proud of these. To get a vinyl with myself, was like a dream come true.
What is on the agenda now?
Well, I'll be playing two gigs in Holland and one in Svendborg with Victimizer soon (check Victimizer website for dates). Exekrator needs a new drummer, contact us! As for FML, Bestial Burst, who released the Conjuration/FML split, will release a CD containing our demos and maybe a bit more. We're working on a full length album. I have done my part of the music and Jens is doing his now. I have a concept (which I shan't reveal) for it, but no actual lyrics yet. Don't know who will release this yet.
You have released 2 demos and 1 split 7", how have they all been received?
Well, we have gotten both good and bad reviews. But just like I think every release has been better than the last, the reviews have gotten better and better. I don't think I have seen a bad review of the split 7" EP yet. Maybe that's not really a good thing, because I don't want to make music that everybody likes, for the simple reason that most of that kind of bands suck! But what the hell, I'm sure most will still hate this. The first review of a FML release I read, was the worst we ever got. Still we got orders due to that review from people who thought that reviewer was an idiot. Ha ha, that's the kind of thing I like. But of course we appreciate all good reviews.
How do you feel about all 3 releases at the present time?
To tell you the truth, I don't like the first demo anymore, I hardly did when it was released. It was written in 96-97 when we were naive teens and it's too nice for me. We recorded it three failed times with different line-ups. So we reduced the band to the three of us and finally recorded it, just to prove to ourselves that we could do it, and like I said I really wanted to do a demo. By then we had already begun doing horror stuff. The second demo "Eleven Horrors" I still like. It shows our style and has some good stuff and a lupine concept. The split track is our best yet. I'm still 99% satisfied with that, and it was recorded almost a year ago. I hope and think our coming album will be even better though, production, playing and song writing.
When will we see a full length from you, or some other new material?
Well, we're writing new material for a full length now. And I really hope we can record it before the summer ends, but we'll have to see how it goes. Other than that we'll have to see when a label will print the shit. But unless plans change or something goes really wrong there will be a full length coming. I'd love to see one out.
How far are you with writing you songs etc?
Well, I've done the riffs and structures for 6 songs, and Jens will put keys on those. Other than that he is writing 2 songs by himself and I'll do the lyrics. So we're about halfway I would say. The new stuff is sounding really promising to me.
How do you get inspired and influenced to write music?
Any band can inspire me I guess. Both good and bad music can inspire me. When I listen to shitty, boring or standard music I think "Ahh, they should have done this" or "Oh, I have to remember never to do anything like that". I guess I also have different influences for the different bands I'm in. For FML my most apparent influences are probably King Diamond, Death SS, Emperor, Necrophagia, Morbid Angel and Denial Of God.
Have your sources of inspiration changed through out the years?
Yes, the music of FML has changed and my musical taste has as well. I am still listening to some of the same bands as I did 14 years ago, others I've exchanged. And I guess the things I look for and appreciate in music have changed as well. It's still only metal and heavy rock I listen to of course. In the beginning we were all very inspired by the contemporary melodic black metal, but most of that has become so boring to me.
Can you point out a certain person and a certain album, which have meant a lot to your song writing- and playing style?
Hmm, no not one, but probably many: "Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" by Mayhem, "Abigail" by King Diamond, "Show No Mercy" by Slayer, "Holocausto De La Morte" by Necrophagia, "Painkiller" by Judas Priest, "Don't Break The Oath" by Mercyful Fate, "In The Nightside Eclipse" by Emperor and probably many more. But Actually I think I have kind of my own style of writing music. Others will have to judge that though.
How would you describe Full Moon Lycanthropy's progression from the start until now?
Yes, we've gone from basically faceless melodic black metal, to a brand of twisted horror stuff, that I haven't really heard other bands playing.
How far do you think you can take the band progression wise?
Well, we got our style mixing horror atmospheres, black metal, speed and twisted melodies. I think that we can improve our playing, the sound on our releases and most of all write better, darker and more effective songs. This is basically how I would like to see our progression. I can't really see a change of style coming up, but of course we'll do as we please.
Will you initiate us in your lyrical universe?
Yes, since the beginning the lyrics of the band have had a lupine/lycanthropic concept. Our second demo was a concept of men performing a ritual to become werewolves and spread terror. We will probably keep on doing concept releases in the future. I think it's an interesting way of working and none of my other bands do it. We utilise folklore, horror works as well as our own imagination about werewolves as fuel. The other great inspiration on this front must be all the brilliant King Diamond concept albums.
It would be great if you could pull out 3 tracks and give us a deep insight in both the history behind the music and the lyrics!
Normally I don't like to explain our concept as you get a MUCH better impression by reading the lyrics and listening to the music, but since you ask so directly I shall explain the concept of the "Eleven Horrors" demo (picking out three songs wouldn't make sense as you will see).
In 'Werewolf Ritual' eleven outcasts join to perform a ritual that will shape change them into giant wolfs. They go through tremendous pain but the ritual works. In 'Eleven Horrors' they attack the small, nearby city, where they hunt and kill all children and infants while the adults of the city are at a ball. In 'The Hermit' the villagers discover the night's massacre and decide that the local hermit, who has unnaturally much body-hair, must be the responsible for this misdeed, so they march to his place and burn him on a stake. However the Hermit was not responsible and the wolven attacks continue. In 'Wrath Of God' they wonder what brought this ill fate upon them and decide that the best move is to leave the city in a caravan. However, out in the open without walls to shelter them, they are no match for the eleven wolfs of unnatural strength and bloodlust, and they are butchered down to the last one.
Why did you choose to call the band for Full Moon Lycanthropy?
I wanted to call the band Lycanthropy because this was a concept I wanted to deal with. But that name was already taken and I added the redundant Full Moon to it.
Why center the music and imagery on lycanthropy?
Because I find it interesting I find both horror, folklore and mythology interesting. Werewolves have a place in them all. Also I knew of no band completely dedicated to this subject, and I still don't think I do. The werewolf can also be seen in different perspectives, like basic horror icons or as descriptive of something in man itself. Both are equally good. Werewolves also represent the ferocious and merciless cynicism of nature, that works even within human society. Life comes only from death. Humans, plants and animals live, but life only lives by devouring other lives, by death.
Doesn't it set some limitations/boundaries for you, to be a band centered on lycanthropy?
Yes, of course it does, but I already have the next concept ready and more in my mind. The wolven aspect of lycanthropy has also in certain places been expanded to werebeasts in general rather than just werewolves. So we might do a bit about bestial horror in general. But if it becomes too constrictive, we'll see what has to be done.
Do you believe in lycanthropy yourself?
I do not believe that ontological lycanthropy exists unfortunately. But like I said earlier, lycanthropy can be seen in different ways.
You are using a drum-machine in the band, and for the most of time it does sound good, but why don't you get a human drummer?
Well, in the first 3-4 years we actually had a complete line-up but people were undedicated or unskilled and the line-up changed constantly. It was a nightmare. I don't think live drums are as essential to FML as they are to Exekrator, where we really need one. But of course if a really skilled, dedicated and fast drummer approached me, we would have to see what could be done. But we have a lot of problems finding the right drummer for Exekrator, so I don't know how many drummers in this country have the right skills and mentality.
Aren't you interested in getting on the road and play some live shows?
It would of course be ok to play live, but then I think we should have a drummer. Anyway, as stated earlier, recordings have always been much more important to me.
How does the future seem for Full Moon Lycanthropy and what can we expect from you?
We are working on a full-length [album] and Bestial Burst will release a CD containing our demos and maybe a bit extra material. You shouldn't expect any live shows, but whatever happens we'll keep you updated on the Full Moon Lycanthropy website.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite album and your 5 Scandinavian favourite albums with the readers?
My five favorite albums? Arh man, you must know that's impossible, I'll tell you a shitload: Black Sabbath: early albums, Judas Priest's "Ram It Down" and "Painkiller", 80's Mercyful Fate albums, all King Diamond albums, the three first albums from Slayer, Bathory, Danzig and Venom. Emperor "In The Nightside Eclipse", Mayhem "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", Dissection "Storm Of The Lights Bane", the two first and the latest Marduk, Funeral Mist "Salvation", the debuts of Death, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Metallica, Sabbat (Jap.) and Guns N' Roses, all Death SS albums except "Humanomalies", almost all the W.A.S.P. albums, Destroyer 666 "Cold Steel for An Iron Age" and Absu "Tara".
Maybe if I limit myself to one album per artist I can answer the question of my five favorite Scandinavian albums, though: Mercyful Fate "Don't Break The Oath", King Diamond "Abigail", Mayhem "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", Dissection "Storm of the Lights Bane" and Funeral Mist "Salvation". Fantastic stuff.
Thanks a lot for doing this interview, if you have something to add, please do it now!
Well, thank you for the interview, it was really interesting and cool. I think it got a bit long, but what the hell. Good luck with Nocturnal Horde. Any drummers should contact me. You can hear some FML songs at: the Full Moon Lycanthropy website.
Anyone interested can contact me at: henrikdiablo@hotmail.com
Hail death!
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