- First of all, thanks for taking time for an interview with us. …. How are you? You haveve released your third album “III” a few months ago. Are you pleased with the fans & press-reactions?
Hails, thanks to you for having Aosoth featured on your site….. The band is pleased with the work Agonia did put in the promotion & how the album did turn out, both cd & lp version. Press reactions: they have been very good for the most, which has been a surprise, we did not expect that; “fans”: too strong of a word for a band of our size, but apart from some comments we got to read online, there is not many individuals that I know who own the album, nor do I have any idea if any even did give it a listen….. This album being quite different from the previous one, i guess that it will need time to be “accepted” or so.
- Is there a lyrical theme to “III”? Talk us about the track titles choice?
III is one piece, one chapter divided in six scenes. Thus the six different musical tracks & an epilogue finishing the sixth track. Lyrics written by me are depicting personal vision, somehow of a performance, having to let it all out on a subject which is my very own, yet formulated in ways that can lead some readers to some different interpretations. Vocals for me have mostly always been like a minor instrument in a recording.
Thus I tend to avoid discussing such matters, the Essence is there, you can feel it while experiencing this recording, then you do not always have to analyze what is within. All is genuine and it somehow gets me pissed off to have to listen to it. I wish I could have had my own version and then just have a “without any vocals” version out. Which is why I’m having a limited lp (to 100 copies) of the instrumental version of the third album on my own label I did ressurect Spikekult rekords (we did release vinyls from GBK, watain, averse sefira, secrets of the moon, demoncy).
- “III” is your second album with Agonia Records; are you satisfied with their work?
If you do refer to the rumors about Agonia (which has been more or less mentionned in each interview we’ve been doing for the last two years ): I can say that Aosoth wise, we do not have to complain. We are on a label that releases our albums on both cd & LP format. Did improve a lot promotion wise with the newest release; there is really only improvement coming from their side. Distribution wise, the fact they are in ….Poland…. might be an issue with all the postal problems and also the fact that many individuals are not too keen on ordering in east Europa. Yet so far: all we did agree on has been done and we are nearly on daily contact, which is quite rare with label / bands.
- if i remember March & April 2011, you have been on tour with WATAIN & shining. How was this experience?
17 days on the road with those two Swedish acts, interesting to witness them perform each night, yet was not providing us anything in the end. Already had to discuss this a lot, but that answer was rather fitting: To make it short, both of the Swedish band had their sound engineer and a soundcheck, a proper soundcheck. We never had that luxury, nor even getting the local guy to show much interest in helping us set up things. Aosoth did their best with what they had and that was very irritating for us. We were lucky in Liverpool, reading & ….Montpellier……. For instance in belgium & germany, simply no sound guy at first, they had to find someone in last minute (and for belgium, it was REALLY in last minute, the guy did show up while we were to go on stage, since it was the end of the tour and was bored of having to perform with shitty sound, was ready to cancel).
Apart from that, was great to witness Watain each night and see again those guys since we’ve been in touch for many years. Also was my first time performing in ….Spain…. for instance, surprisingly good turn out considering it was on a week time. …. Was a weird feeling though, in the end, being on tour makes you feel even more lonely than being reclusive at home… I havent been a guy “going out” for some times now, and on this tour, each time we would end up at the bar, witnessing the other bands and awaiting to reload the equipment… and it was really having to experience a distant world… really so different from the tour Antaeus did in 2002 for instance. Would recall that gigs were also a good opportunity to meet up with individuals with whom I was in touch for decades or so… this time, well… But Aosoth being unknown and us having to perform in difficult condition guess that did explain the no interest or so….. Another very good souvenir from the tour, was the very last day in ….Holland…. where Set Teitan came with us to perform Inner war as second guitar player. Perfect way for us to close the tour.
- What are the plans for Aosoth in the coming months? Concerts & tour, new album or release?
there are no plans for the year to come for Aosoth, since there is no stable line up nor any way we could afford touring, nor any offers : nothing will happen. That Watain tour was as far as we could get, it’s a “one time” only in a band’s carreer, considering us being french and very underground.
Gigs, there was a talk to at least do one in our area, but now highly doubt it would happen. Who knows though, we’ll see in the 12 coming months. Bst is to resign with Agonia to release an album before 2013. So this could happen, yet not sure either.
The only release that will be done for sure is the instrumental version of III, since I will release it myself. Apart from that, nothing.
- Where do you see actual situation of extreme metal music in France.?
Am not aware of anything related to the french scene. Nor do I care… that would be more precise, it’s been the same since I started the zine in 93, better ask other individuals or even others within Aosoth to talk about French scene. I Would only mention Norma Evangelium Diaboli for their support in the past and Necroblood I will release on Spikekult.
All other individuals in Aosoth do have at least one band in which they are active, if not more: would have been better to ask them, but they will answer most of the interviews in the future, so then such question will get a different perspective.
- what are your all time favourite albums?
*** Weird question. I have none that I can think of :
Early Diamanda Galas, Brighter death Now, Genocide Organ, Karjalan Sissit, all early Incantation eps (thus the Onward to Golgotha album)… those are among the artist I keep on playing once in a while. But keep in mind that I would be the only one in the band who is not listening to music much at all. Anyway, If I listen to one album per week, that would be the maximum.
My collection is now mostly composed of my old demo tapes, split eps & some vinyl.
- Thank you for answering my questions and good luck for the future With Aosoth in your other Projects. If you want to tell the readers anything else, please feel free :
*** Thks for the support to Aosoth & the side projects of the other members.
AMSG, MkM
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