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Friday, June 12, 2020

DAELKYR INTERVIEW





June 2020

Daelkyr is hailing from the Turkish underground scene, this time from the city of sun called Antalya aka pre-Inferno. Carrying the flames in their screams, the band is focusing on the blackest black metal not forgetting the melodies under a splendid atmosphere. Feel free to meet with this death ritual accompanying by the Lovecraftian dreams...


"free the cursed ones
hear the thousand lies
kill for the master
hide and deny
we will fight"

As Fog Rises / Eternal Decay





Daelkyr is said as two-man band with the guest drummer Krzysztof Klingbein from Poland. Could you please tell how the band come together? How did your way cross with Krzysztof? What was the main desire of Daelkyr?

We have been playing with Kaulfel in various black metal projects since 2007, but we could not be able to put anything concrete due to band mate problems. In 2018, we decided to continue as two- man band Daelkyr and we quickly started the recording and composing. In July 2019, we have released our first song Grey inferno. At the end of last March, we released our First Ep album Eternal Decay. We did all the recording and mixing by ourselves.

During recording session, we were going to use the drum machine on the drums since finding a drummer in Antalya was a bit difficult for this style, then we gave up this idea and contacted Krzysztof online and he made the drum records in his own studio.

"The soul of this race is filthy and dark like our songs."


Eternal Decay
DAELKYR


Eternal Decay sounds like feeding from 90s black metal but shines among others with its more alive powerful drums and dark ambience knitting melodies with sharp screams hence drives the listener to catch the infernal rhythm till the end. One can really delve into Eternal Decay if once figures out this connectedness. How do you define your music and its diversity in your words?

Our current sound can be described as dark, raw, melodic black metal, but in doing so we have been influenced by both Norwegian and Finnish bands. But in general, we aimed to reflect the old pure raw form of black metal to our music, we took the old pure dirty filthy sound of 90s black metal in the recording and mixing process and we think that we achieved our goal. We have recorded the album during night times, usually at late hours as we feel more comfortable recording at night, and this is also affected our sound and mood.


The song titles of Eternal Decay refer to death, but the last song is different by mentioning existence. The concept seems like to be related with Eternal Return. What do you tell in your lyrics?

In lyrics we tell the stories of death, hatred, darkness, and blasphemy. There is a dark deadly cult in the lyrics, and they are destroying the whole existence for the good. Album starts with their anthem and ends with their ritual of death.

Chorus for the 1st song As the Fog Rises:

‘free the cursed ones
hear the thousand lies
kill for the master
hide and deny
we will fight’

Chorus for the last song Ritual of Existence:

‘there is no light
there are only shadows
and tortured voices’



Daelkyr has made a deal with Dark East Productions from Russia. When will the physical CDs come out? Do you have any plans for the album? Will you release the album from Dark East Productions?

Due to pandemic, physical CD release date will be at  end of June. Yes, we are planning to release full length album, but we are not sure who will be releasing the album.


Daelkyr is a fictional race that is outsider and neutral evil from the Dungens&Dragons. Could you please tell the reason to choose this name to the band? Speaking of fantasy world, what do you want to say about fantasy, horror literature? Are you into any books, authors from this genre as well? Do you have any influences from literary area while composing your music?

We thought this name is very suitable for our music as it is dark and evil. The soul of this race is filthy and dark like our songs. Beside that we all like horror movies -especially gory ones- horror novels, stories etc. I especially love the HP Lovecraft novels and Forgotten Realms series. You can see a little bit of Lovecraft influences in the songs.


Together with Daelkyr (bass&vocal and recording), you seem to be the creative dark mind who is contributed in various projects like Gorebringer, Axxen Conners and Booze Serpent as well. Are they all active? Could you please tell about the motivation and the main desires of these projects one by one?

I like making music in different genres and also extreme metal is my passion, so it is a pleasure to contribute in different bands.

Gorebringer is my melo-death metal project (with the guys from UK), last year we have released our first LP and currently we are working on our next LP. Six songs are done and they sound like Blackened Melo-Death like the bands; Dissection, Necrphobic, Skeletonwitch etc. We are planning to release the album end of 2021.

Axxen Conners is my Groove- Prog Death Metal project. We have released 2 music videos and an EP album in 2016. Our first music video hits 1 million views on Youtube, we have built large fan base in Indonesia but unfortunately, we went into a hiatus in 2017.

Booze Serpent is my solo project all production, composing, writing lyrics, recording, mixing, done by me. I have released my first video and EP album last April. Currently I am working on a pure death metal album with quest musicians.


"Forever Gone is a lament for my loss that is why it is the darkest song of the album"


Drünkard / Booze Serpent


Booze Serpent released the Drünkard EP this year. Unlike Daelkyr that focuses on raw black metal sound, the music in Booze Serpent has many variations from blackened death, groove metal to grindcore and the fabulous ending with “Forever Gone” having melancholic atmosphere and the blazing keys. Is there any story behind this song? What do you want to say about Drünkard EP overall?

Booze Serpent is my solo project, as an extreme metal musician i am really into all sub genres in metal. In Drünkard EP, I used different genres to express my feelings. For example, speaking of the song ‘gündüz birası”, it is a song about drinking beer, and I use grindcore style and I used different guitar tones, tuning, and mixing. In 2018 I lost one of man best friend, i dedicated whole album to him. Because i use music as a tool to express my feelings.  I can say Forever Gone is a lament for my loss that is why it is the darkest song of the album.


The cover art of Eternal Decay is made by Reza Putra. How do you interpret his art and what does the cover art tell us?

Eternal Decay / Daelkyr
Well, the album generally tells the story of death, darkness, and blasphemy, so we thought using a reaper inside the gate was a better idea for the cover. It symbolizes a kind of gate of ice-cold death. We used crow as a symbol of death and serpent represents death ritual.


Do you have any influences from other music genres?

Actually, each member has a different taste in music, mostly black-metal and death-metal but everyone's favorite sub-genre is different. For instance, I like grindcore, old school death metal, I also love all-time rock legends such as Black Sabbath and Zeppelin. Kaulfel likes Death-Metal, and Old School Black metal the most, But we all like Raw Old School Black metal so it was a common thing for us. As the musicians, we sure have influenced from other genres but speaking of Daelkyr our goal is to create Raw Pure Black Metal so we didn’t add so much stuff rather than Black Metal.


More specific question now; as the owner of infernal screams of Daelkyr, I am wondering your model vocalists in your life so far?

Well, this is a tough question, because there a lot of names for sure. But when I was a kid Chris Barnes was my hero (I like Chris Barnes Cannibal Corpse), Abbath was my villain, Mike Patton was my anti-hero etc. But i remember, when I first listened Hypocrisy Album “Abducted”, I was very impressed by the vocal diversity (screams, low growls, high pitch screams, clean singing) and there was only one vocalist on the album. Those times this was a big thing. So, I can easily say that Peter Tägtgren is main influencer for me. And I also really adore his passion as a musician and producer as well.


Before the pandemic, there has been many concerts, festivals, mainstream media and of course very alive underground scene with its fans, fanzines, and bands in Turkey. What do you want to say about Turkish black metal scene nowadays?

There are lots of great black metal bands out there! And they have very large number of listeners and fans around the world. And we are in contact with some of them, and we are very pleased by their art.


As a musician, how do you affect from the pandemic? What kind of plans do you have for your bands in the near future?

First, we cannot play live due to Pandemic. Before pandemic we were planning to start live performance rehearsals but now our plans are changed. Currently we are working on our new album. And, our physical release might be late due to pandemic.


You have been in extreme arts for a long time in Turkey where one can find many contradictory dynamics from conservatism, religious sight, and modern touristic seaside country face. For the people who are in this music has similarities just like Daelkyr race has by confronting the society, revolt and adopt the isolated intellectual lifestyle. What do you want to say about being extreme metal musician who is living in Turkey?

First thing that come up my mind is economy. It is very hard to update our gears or buy a new one. In additional to that metal music is not very popular in Turkey, yes, we have lots of great underground metal bands but in general the value given to this music is very low. We sure all know we cannot live our lives as extreme metal musician, but we do it with passion and this feeling keeps us alive.


Thank you for the interview. Please share your last words and wishes.

We want you to enjoy our music and support us in our efforts to make the band bigger. We hope they liked our music, so stay tuned for more. Keep your horns up guys, always. 



More Info:

https://www.facebook.com/daelkyrofficial/

https://daelkyr.bandcamp.com/releases

https://www.youtube.com/Daelkyr


Saturday, May 23, 2020

EXTREME METAL FROM TURKEY-VOL II


A Violent Forcing of the Frog/ Hieronymus Bosch 

Here in these Black Metal Chronicles pages, you'll find extreme metal bands having powerful vibe with their music, lyrics and stance from Turkey from past to nowadays regardless of the band's current situation as we all know metal music is eternal if it ever touches to our darkest hearts!

Page will be updated time to time by 3 bands at once!

No photos, no reviews, only main info, songs and a few lines to let the music infuse directly for the minds in short similia similibus curantur!

This is the utmost match made in hell for those who dare to dwell! Shall we... remind the evil?


I



TYRANNIC OPPRESSION




Blackest vein in the clutching screams, striking riffs, and fervently idiosyncratic... This is a darkness within darkness.





"I. Embrace the chaos"
Demonized 
(demo)
2017



"II. Demonized"
Demonized
(demo)
2017


"III. In the land of Armageddon"
Demonized
(demo)
2017



II


LEVIATHAN



Leviathan is the utmost dark realm infusing all the black bile under its liturgical atmosphere since 1996 from Smyrnian shores.




"Cold Caress" 
(album) 
2000




"Forest of the Fallen"
(demo)
1996




III


INFECTED




One shall feel the auroa that was born from this land, redefining suffering and enigmatic melancholia looming around within Infected songs...




 "Breathless Kiss on the Lips of Melancholia"
(album)
1999




"Pastoral Elegy & Immense Beauty of Chaosium"
Chaosium - The Ruins of Elysian Era
(EP)
2001

Monday, May 18, 2020

ZİFİR INTERVIEW





May 2020

There were doors of perception reflecting the outrageous side of philosophical thinking, now I present the band "ZİFİR" who is the sort of doors of chaos, carrying the enchriched cultural influences from east to west under the malicious, dazzling atmosphere that you have never been experienced before!


Musically black metal in utter darkness just like the name the band carries, surrounded by liturgical tunes, but one should also delve into the lyrical side of Zifir  as it includes the crushing mockery towards religion in full acridity.


Check out the Zifir's latest album "Demoniac Ethics" released by Duplicate Records on Jan 2020 and come closer for the profound interview done by the drummer Nursuz!





"...With the blood squirting from their crammed bodies
I built a road winding to hell out of their dead bodies.”

769 / Kingdom of Nothingness


"Demoniac Ethics is an altered expression of doomsday."




Zifir band members have had long history in black metal scene in Turkey by contributing various bands. How was Zifir born and have become duo after all and actively flares up the black flame?

Nursuz: Zifir was founded by O.Ö and O.S. in 2006. By December 2007, I joined the band on drums. After the release of second album “Protest Against Humanity”, O.S. quitted the band. Finally, by November 2018, Ilgar has joined the band on bass guitar and Zifir has become a trio once again. And yes, Black Metal background of members have quite long history. Especially Onur’s starting with MayheM’s legendary İzmir concert attendance which had huge influence on him for the rest of his life.


Forth full-length “Demoniac Ethics” came out 24th January 2020. This album has more atmospheric, apocalyptic vibe in composition and by using liturgical vocals and lowering the tempo while sharpening the knives. How do you describe the latest album in musical sense?

Nursuz: Actually, our initial purpose was to push the boundaries, using some elements we have never tried before. I can’t say that composition period was our longest session however the whole process was quite intense. I see in a way that we find a sinister way to create the balance between mid-pace, bleak sound, and the faster eerie mood.


Demonic Ethics / ZIFIR

“Demoniac Ethics” shines out with its production quality as well. Especially the deep, rich drum sound conveys the avant-garde approach together blackest tones which we are familiar to hear from Watain for example. Hence, could you please tell about the mastering, mixing steps and production details of the album?

Nursuz: We really spent hell of a time for mix and mastering. Both were done at İstanbul but by different people. Especially the drum sound took the most of efforts in order to achieve “what was desired”. It is really not easy to judge the sound, when you are heavily working on the record and keep listening different versions over and over again. However, despite long sessions, the result came in a very solid way and we are satisfied with it. To decide sound of individual instruments and whole album is very much related to the identity of the band, even attitude & approach towards Black Metal. We always consider album concept and then define/set the sound expectations accordingly.


The song called ‘Spirit of Goats’ sounds like hailing to the old Darkthrone times while the rest of the album has different vein. As the previous albums are more into second wave but still carrying mystical influences of the east like hymns, what do you want to say about Zifir’s approach overall?

Nursuz: Influences and created atmosphere are for sure in the vein of Darkthrone, Burzum and MayheM. Darkthrone sound is very special indeed. One cannot admit that there is no radiation of unholy vibes and influence from Darkthrone sound coming into the body and penetrate fully inside... We were honored when Fenriz played our song “769” in his radio program where he mentioned that he found the whole album quite solid…

769 / Kingdom of Nothingness
ZIFIR

On the other hand, one key element in our music is that we always focus on what makes Zifir unique. This is like the DNA of the band. Within the years, composition structure, atmosphere and feeling may change however this essence – which I call it the DNA of the band – will always be there, to set the basis. This comes from the riffing and drumming structure and the vocals used in different forms.


Black metal has many branches lately and this genre has its own spiritual and philosophical sources depending on the chosen Ecole. What kind of path has Zifir taken? To know more about the creators’ of Zifir, could you name influences from literary area?

Nursuz: When it comes to lyrics and our statement, we are more influenced by the events and happenings. We are not a member of any formation and we do not follow a specific path.,


Zifir has a song Mina related with the religious mountain under the same name. As one of the weird coincidences, I have a horror story book called "Mina" including characters named 'Zifir' and 'Mina'. All I can say that this is another beautiful crossroads of arts carrying dark flame and mocking on religion. What do you want to on this as musicians?

Nursuz: That is a great coincidence indeed. “Mina” has a special place for us among other track titles as it is a direct attack to the enemy. We even plan to build on this concept for the next albums, by using the same mockery and direct attack at the same time.


“Demoniac Ethics” has an influential opening with the track called ‘Sûr’ which is a metaphor of doomsday. What kind of impact did you want to create by this?

Nursuz: “Demoniac Ethics” is an altered expression of doomsday. Opening with the ‘Sûr’ and then you hear the “Chants for Execution” which leads to the “Massacres in Heaven”. The concept is about the forsaken believers which are ending up in the most terrifying form of hell.

People who are already blind

Now go deaf with their own voices one by one

The promised lakes of paradise 

Filled up with the blood seeping from their ears

Massacres have begun in heaven
So that they can be admitted to hell”



The lyrical content of Zifir is sharp criticism and even mockery of the religion from the beginning. Coming from the society, day by day sting into religion more, please share your observations and background of your lyrics more?

Nursuz: Exactly as you’ve mentioned, sharp criticism (direct attack) and mockery is the dual ways we use when writing lyrics. Each and every song, we discuss internally, the idea and the expression way of lyrics. Words are carefully chosen and used by sequence. There are also many “reverse voices” used and these are several hidden messages embedded in the album.
Inspiration comes from the events and happening as mentioned. “769” is a good example, it is the official number of deaths during the pilgrim squash that happened in 2015. The lyrics were written from the mouth of the devil. His victory upon those pilgrims who came to stone him but ended up being dead instead...

“Those that came to stone me
I had them trampling on each other
I showed them their very selves in my own image
I released fire into those who came to become closer to their God

And they flowed before my eyes trampling on each other
They paid the price of stoning me
With the blood squirting from their crammed bodies
I built a road winding to hell out of their dead bodies”


Most of the metal media from EU interests in the music coming from east (according to them) and gives more attention but on the same time they have very few information about Turkey, or let’s say only information coming from the news about the one man, his wingman, his lifestyle, religious intonation. In fact, there has been an alive metal scene, many great bands, magazines, concerts, and godless modern lifestyles as well. What do you want to say about Turkey and the aspects of outsiders?

Nursuz: There are different people. Some of them are not interested to find out what is really happening there so they are quite surprised when they find out about the metal scene in Turkey. In general, many people find it interesting, when we mention we are a Black Metal band from Turkey. So far, this has been our experience.

Kingdom of Nothingness / ZIFIR



Zifir has powerful album titles like “You Must Come With Us”, “Kingdom of Nothingness”, “Demoniac Ethics” that resonates like holding some sort of doctrines. How do you decide album titles? Do they address any ideologies?

Nursuz: Doctrine is the correct wording to describe the way we decide album titles. First of all, it should represent the overall concept and each theme that are covered in the album. We see the album title as a kind of “seal” for our album. It is the ultimate form of our commitment & statement; for ourselves and for the others. Usually album titles come at the very last stage of the whole process.


Black metal has various branches so far, post -black is the trend lately. Zifir having the sharp icy tone still and oldschool approach, how do you position yourself in the black metal scene? What do you think of black metal’s popularization with various sub-genres?

Nursuz: We always find ambient and avant-garde vibes in our sound.


We find a sinister way to create the balance between mid-pace, bleak sound, and the faster eerie mood.

You Must Come With Us / ZIFIR


‘İllet’ teaser just released, when will the video came? Is it the black bile in the video, how does Zifir describe “illet” in its own words?

Nursuz: Actually “illet” was a ghoul of quarantine process. It was recorded and filmed in a very short time. It is very short in terms of its form so not sure if it will continue…
“illet” is something Zifir states in every platform: “Spread the Malady” – illeti yayın. For us it is the unstoppable spread of a thing (virus, idea, any other) that cannot be controlled and destroys the humanity without any discrimination at all.

İllet

Cover art was done by Ukrainian artist Vergvoktre who is like a nightmare illustrator. What do you think about “Demoniac Ethics” cover art? Does it refer demons in the unconscious, surrounded by, tearing apart?

Nursuz: Vergvoktre is an amazing artist. Working with him, we always feel there is a lower place than hell. Regarding cover artwork of “Demoniac Ethics”, it represents a scene from the “Massacres in Heaven”. Good and evil are slaughtering each other, and this unique moment gives the chaotic impression with a very special demonstration. Thanks to Vergvoktre, we have a great way of understanding each other and it is a great pleasure to work with him in all aspects of Black Metal.


The pandemic captures all over the world, but still, festivals and concerts are making plans for 2021. What are you planning for Zifir? Is there any plan to play live in the future?

Nursuz: We already started working on live performance rehearsals. At the moment, there is no fixed date however we are working on it and as soon as some dates will be fixed, we will announce it. So far, Zifir haven’t played any live shows since the very beginning.


Please share your last words. Thank you for the interview.
Nursuz: Support the demoniac propaganda and spread the malady!





“illet” is something Zifir states in every platform: “Spread the Malady” – illeti yayın.




 More Info:

https://www.facebook.com/zifirofficial/

https://zifir.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/Zifir