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Posted on Sep 3, 2005

by Anders

England hasn't spawned many black metal bands which has made an impression on me, though a couple of years ago I received the demo "Ship Of Fools" by the band Eternity Of Darkness and that impressed me quite much. Time went and I didn't hear much of the band, until a year ago or so, when I bought the 4 way split tape "Order Of The Wolf" where Eternity Of Darkness had 2 tracks on. In that connection I hooked up with mainman and sole member Typhon and got answers to my curious questions. The band is today working on a full lenght album which hopefully soon will see the light of day... Please note that this interview was conducted in January 2004.

 

Hails Typhon, how are things in England this winter?

Hail! England right now is depressingly warm and dull, as ever. And overcrowded.

Will you introduce yourself, tell us why you play black metal and how your metal adventure started?

I am known as Typhon and I play in a band called Eternity Of Darkness. I play black metal because it is a musical and ideological form that I find best suits the emotions and ideas I want to express to the world. I first became enamoured with black metal listening to Emperor's "In The Nightside Eclipse" I think (as far as I can remember); although I later became generally opposed to the use of synths in metal, and I hate the kind of melodic black metal that descended from Emperor and their style, the atmosphere and musical ingenuity of that album really froze something in my soul, and I still regard it as one of the highest points the genre has attained. It's a shame they went on to suck so bad.

A small history lesson regarding the horde Eternity Of Darkness will also be appreciated!

There isn't a lot of history to be honest. I originally tried forming an actual band, but found it impossible in the subhuman provincial backwater in which I used to live, and so began experimenting with recording my own songs. So far there have been two demos, followed by a re-release of the second demo and a four way split record.

What is black metal to you?

Black metal as I see it is an extreme musical form that by its very nature is deeply entrenched in ideology, and as a result of which has become more than just a subgenre of extreme metal but a philosophy in its own right. It is the musical embodiment of hatred and darkness, and all the things that are evil and perverse and outside of society: it is hatred, mistrust, darkness, violence, scorn, sin, plague, shadow, and above all the signification of armageddon. One of the elements that I think makes black metal special for me and others is it’s ability to transcend things like politics and "every day" concerns; unlike punk, for example, the themes black metal deals with exist on a more spiritual, abstract level, and thus have a universal relevance.

How is the black metal scene in England these days, it is growing right?

It is, but slowly. The black metal underground in England is the strongest it has ever been; although unfortunately there more poser bands than ever arising as well. Metal in general is still a very unpopular thing in this country.

How will you define Eternity Of Darkness' status on the British scene?

Well the response to "Ship Of Fools" has been very positive, as has the response to the split. I'd like to think that, if not now, then sometime in the future I will be regarded as an important part of the "scene" here... merely because there are so few bands. I seem to remember a review you did yourself saying something like "Eternity Of Darkness is on its way to conquer the world"... So who knows!

You have so far released 2 demos and 2 tracks on a split album. The first demo "An Omen Yet To Come" hasn't been released due to its poor quality. But the second demo "Ship Of Fools" did assault ears world wide. How has the response on the demo been?

As I mentioned above, it's been very positive. Everyone who has talked to me about it has praised it, which came as quite a surprise. A lot of people didn't understand the cover, which I was disappointed with... it shows even in black metal there are ignorant people, but musically I think it went down well.

Both the music and the sound on the "Ship Of Fools" recording is very raw, and I really like it, but was it intended to be so dark and noisy?

Definitely. It's exactly what I was going for, I don't think any other sound works with the music. Obviously it was partly the shitty equipment I use, but nevertheless I always try my best to get a sound that reflects the darkness of the music. The reason for the drums being so far down in the mix is because it's a drum machine; it’s nothing special anyway, so I thought best to let the guitars be the vanguard of my assault.

The 2 tracks 'The Bringer Of Storms' and 'Darkness And Terror' which are on the "Order Of The Wolf" split tape, are still dark, but the sound quality is improved and the drums sounds a lot better too. New recording equipment or what happened?

Heh, no, I used exactly the same recording equipment and process... I don't really know how they came out to sound better, I can't remember exactly what it was I did. The drums sound improved simply because I became better acquainted with the program I was using. It's a shame the noisiness is gone, I didn’t intend for that to happen; like I say I always try and get the best sound, and for me that means the guitars having a harsher, rawer edge... but I wasn't displeased with how the two tracks from the split came out. Maybe I'll figure it out next time... I have no intentions to start paying for a studio or any shit like that.

How has the response to those 2 tracks been?

Not bad, perhaps not as enthusiastic as the response to "Ship Of Fools", which is odd because I think they're much better. The sound may not be as fitting, but the melodies are certainly more advanced. Who knows...

Your music is very dark, misanthropic and full of hate, where do you find inspiration to your music?

In the eternal ignorance, conceit and mental frailty of mankind. I find inspiration in everything I see around me. The human contribution to this planet fills me with nothing but disgust, and art is the only vehicle I can find for a reaction to it. People make me fucking sick, they really do... Every time a glimmer of optimism comes, or I see something I admire in someone, a million other ignorant people come along, all wrapped up in their own pretty painless fantasy worlds, and it just shatters any hope I have. And anyway, if you don't know misanthropic feelings, then you shouldn't be playing black metal! What other reason is there for doing so?

Why did you start Eternity Of Darkness?

Mainly because I love the music and just wanted to play it myself, but also because there are certain things I want to say and do with music. My music is both a reaction to today's black metal scene, and to society in general.

Do you have some goals you would like to accomplish with the band?

Not really, other than to be heard by all those who would understand. I am not of the sort who says "I only make music for myself" – if I felt like that I wouldn't bother releasing it. I want to spread my music across the world, like a plague – but without, of course, compromising it in order to do so. I don't want to be a black metal rock star (and never will be), but I would like to be as well known as I can in the underground.

What is the ultimate thing you can accomplish with Eternity Of Darkness?

The extinction of the human race, perhaps? I don't know... Every piece of music I release is a huge achievement for me, and I don't see anything that would be a greater accomplishment for me than simply making good music that people with the right mind can appreciate.

One of the things which spring to mind, while listening to your music, is the incredible amount of hate, loathing and misanthropy, which color the music, are you a true misanthrope or where does all the darkness come from?  

I'm very pleased that my music suggests such things, it's entirely what I intend. All the emotions in there are real, personally I don't think I could make such music if they weren't – or you'd definitely be able to tell at any rate. For me the music is an outlet for such feelings, a kind of catharsis. I’m not by nature an outwardly aggressive person, and for me music acts as a perfect vehicle for venting emotions I have no other outlet for (at least not without murdering someone etc). Reading that back it sounds like such a pretentious thing to say, but again, I think if I wasn't sincere you would be able to hear it in my music.

Will you tell a bit about your lyrics, main themes etc...?

My lyrics are all anti-human, and address this in various ways; either, for example, through an exploration of the reason for my contempt, or perhaps in apocalyptic visions of the human race being cleansed from the planet. I use a fair amount of christian imagery, because it is the religion I am most touched by and know most about, and for me acts as a representation of humanity as a whole, but I am not just an anti-christian band – more anti-religious, anti-social and anti-human in general. I just happen to feel that organized religion is one of the greatest wrongs our race has ever devised, so this turns up in my lyrics a lot. Although I loathe both the phrase "post 9/11 world" and its connotations, it is true that my lyrical themes have become more relevant since 2001, as suddenly people are realizing that the world is not a safe place, and even being a bourgeois westerner cannot protect you. Perhaps the end of the world, or at least the end of our part in it, isn't too far off after all. We can only hope.

Where do you find inspiration to the lyrics?

In the world around me. In every person I am unfortunate enough to meet. Things that have happened in my life, things that are happening in the world... everywhere. I do try and relate my lyrics to experience, but there is also an element of the spiritual, as in ideas that are abstract and more related to emotions or general ideology than material things.

Are you in special moods when you write music and lyrics, which things do usually set you off?

Not really, although it often helps writing both music and lyrics if I'm listening to music that fits in with what I'm trying to create. There's nothing that really sets me off wanting to write material, as I always want to, but I guess I do have to be in a certain kind of mood, because I’m not always able to write good music. I don't know what it is though – if I did I'd be writing a lot more music.

Eternity Of Darkness does only consist of you, why haven't you brought more people aboard?

Well the reason for this was at first because I simply couldn’'t find anyone else who had knowledge enough of the genre to be in the band, but nowadays I can’t imagine anyone else having creative input in Eternity Of Darkness. My music is very much my vision and I wouldn't want anyone else’s ideas polluting it. I'm trying to assemble some musicians for possible concerts, but I will continue to compose all the music myself.

Are you in the middle of making new material, when can we expect a new release from you?

I am writing another EP, and have a couple of songs completed, but it's a long way from the recording stage. It's really slow going, mainly because I'm lazy, but also because I have a lot of others things going on right now, which I'm forced to give priority to. It might turn into a full-length, I'll see.

Have you been approached by any labels interested in releasing a 7", full length album or something... Do you have any interest in doing so?

The EP will hopefully be released on War Productions on cassette, limited to 600 or so, and this I will whore around with the ultimate aim of getting it re-released on pro-cd or vinyl, hopefully with a few more copies made.

Why is the band called Eternity Of Darkness, which thoughts are behind the name?

I originally came up with the name a long time before I began writing music for a band to use it, and I think I liked it because it was quite wide ranging and could suit any musical or theoretical area I might want to explore. It means the eternity of darkness that comes after an apocalypse, the darkness we live under at the moment that shows no sign of alleviation, the darkness of the cosmic abyss, and the darkness of Hell. It encompasses both literal darkness, and mental darkness, both general and personal. Also musically; my metal will be eternally dark!

The same question as above can be asked to your name: Typhon, which thoughts are behind that name?

The name Typhon comes from a figure in Greek mythology, who has various incarnations. Part of the legend surrounding him is that he and his bride where so horrifying to look at that the gods themselves fled at the sight of them; Typhon had a hundred heads which reached to the stars, venom dripped from his eyes and molten lava from his mouths, and he would tear up whole mountains and throw them at the gods. He is the father of such luminaries as the Sphinx, the Hydra and Cerberus. He is also known as possessing a mighty voice that was as loud as thunder and shook the foundations of Earth's cities. The name for me is thus a representation of the ideas behind this figure; Typhon is the voice through which I speak to the world, and the figure through which I hurl my anger at man and his pathetic gods. He features in Dante's Inferno as one of the giants surrounding the final circle of Hell, if I remember rightly.

Are you participating in other legions than Eternity Of Darkness, if so feel free to tell us about 'em here!

As well as Eternity Of Darkness I compose music for a project known as Anaxagazaroth, which is also black metal, but a completely different style. Anaxagazaroth is more musically clever and organized than Eternity Of Darkness; the latter being more about simple primitive brutality and speed. The compositions of Anaxagazaroth are more discordant, more disturbing to listen to, I hope.
 
Will you share your 3 all time favourite albums with the black metal heads?

That's quite a tough one, I can't name just three! It has to be Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas I think, and Emperor - In The Nightside Eclipse. I could perhaps also say Immortal - Battles In The North for it's sheer chaotic brutality, but not wanting to name all Norwegians I'll go with Mutiilation’s - Vampires Of Black Imperial Blood which is one of those records I think possesses true darkness; it's so discordant and unsettling to listen to, which for me is just how black metal should be; it's different to all other forms of music. Some Slayer has gotta be in there somewhere too though… metal doesn't get any better than that...

Thanks a ton for answering my questions, feel free to end the interview as you please!

Thanks for the interview! Keep your eyes on the night sky for some more material by Eternity Of Darkness soon... and keep the metal flame burning! Hail Satan!

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