Being the sole artist in a band, obviously gives you the full control with the creative process of making a new album, but it could also be a lonely affair. Do you ever need feedback and response from fellow musicians or anyone outside the music world?

Hail Andreas. Well, I actually don’t need any feedback from fellow musicians. I simply play the music that stems from my mind. This is a real advantage: you’re not compelled to consider the opinion of other musicians. Even if I’ve already played in a real band (DEVILISH ERA was composed of several members a few years ago), I think a one-man-band sounds more personal than a “real” band. Musical feelings are deeper. No need to change any riff because the rest of the band told you it wasn’t good, no need to rewrite the lyrics, and so on… For sure it’s a “lonely affair” as you say, but this is the way I create my music. However, being a sole artist in a band has also many drawbacks: it means no gig. DEVILISH ERA and KRAZUMPATH, my two main solo projects, may never kick any ass on stage.

Where do you get the ideas for the music and lyrics?

As far as the music is concerned, it depends on the project. If you consider DEVILISH ERA, inspiration comes from personal feelings. I try to create grim riffs, including some weird indus touches. Just listen to it to have an idea. For the lyrics, my texts deal with harsh criticism against religion. Anyway, it’s not sheer blasphemy. My lyrics are full of metaphors and philosophic allusions (just consider the title of the DEVILISH ERA second demo – Prolegomena To The Theory Of Wrath). I really take trouble over writing. But the KRAZUMPATH reasoning is radically different from the “devilish” one. Musically speaking, it’s raw, brutal, and definitely fucking black-metal with many cunt-crushing blast-beats!!! Lyrics also deal with a diatribe against religion, but it’s written in another way. Definitely more “direct” I would say. Sheer blasphemy here ah ah !! In fact, DEVILISH ERA may be wiser than KRAZUMPATH. But generally speaking, ideas stem from personal experiences (foolish people I hear in the street and on the TV talking about religious bullshits). And obviously, the numerous bands I listen to have influenced me for the music, even if I try to be as personal as possible…

When an idea about a new song comes to mind, how do you proceed in the creative process? What happens from the point where you get an idea, to the song is done and ready for recording?

The creative process can be described that way – first I write all the lyrics before composing the music. Then, melodies easily come to my mind (all riffs are created in my head… weird, isn’t it?) and finally, I reproduce and record the whole stuff. I also have to create all the drums machine parts, which is rather tedious. It demands painstaking attention to detail. But for ZAGHURIM (my third indus/ambient/black project with Azazael, the guitarist of NECROFURYA), we work another way. Azazel takes care of all music and then I listen to it while writing lyrics (ZAGHURIM lyrics are based on a SM concept). Then I record the vocals parts. All in all, I’m satisfied with these two different methods.

Do you handle the recording sessions yourself?

Yes, I do. But the sound mixing is Azazel’s job! Basically, I record my songs with a modest 4-tracks home-studio (the Tascam Porta 414 model) and Azazel mixes the whole stuff with his computer, except for KRAZUMPATH. As it is underground black-metal, it doesn’t need to be mixed (even if the sound isn’t horrible). But for the future, I think I’ll have to go to the studio as the forthcoming DEVILISH ERA works may be released on D.U.K.E., a French underground label. A demo-tape and a split CD/LP are planned.

Where and how have you learned to play guitar, what sort of gear do you have, and who is your favourite guitarist?

I began to play the guitar when I was 11 or 12. It corresponds to my discovering of metal as I was listening to bands such as METALLICA (first albums of course), SEPULTURA, SLAYER, NAPALM DEATH etc. My gear? Well, it’s not that interesting ah ah ! I just have a Gibson Flying V guitar and a 8080 Valvestate Marshall amp. And also a Takamine acoustic guitar. I can’t really say I have one favourite guitarist. There are so many guys. Well, Jon Nödtveidt (DISSECTION) influenced me a lot. I can spend hours and hours playing the Somberlain acoustic guitar parts. Alf Svensonn (AT THE GATES / OXIPLEGATZ) is also a great guitarist. His riffs on The Red In The Sky Is Ours are definitely amazing!! I also admire guys playing the guitar in death-metal bands (I think of SUFFOCATION, DYING FETUS, CRYPTOPSY, MISERY-INDEX, etc.). And of course, Chuck Shuldiner will remain as one of the most important guitarists in the metal world.

You are the only member of your band – does that mean that you prefer being on your own in your music, or could you see yourself as a member of a band?

As I told you in your first question, DEVILISH ERA used to be a real band (although it was called FJALAR at that time). Moreover, we also had gigs in our region, so I can easily remember the time when I was a member of a band. But things have changed when Krantar (the guy with whom I formed DEVILISH ERA – still my best friend anyway) left the band as he was no longer into extreme metal. With hindsight, I sometimes regret that time, but now, I think it’s easier to write songs. I can’t really say I prefer being on my own in my music, but as I’m now used to playing alone, it doesn’t bother me anyway.

Do you play anything else than black metal riffs – like i.e. classical or blues?

Of course I do. I had guitar lessons when I was younger, and believe me, I had to work fucking hard on these blues or jazz songs!! Even if I’m not into this kind of music, it enabled me to improve as a guitarist. But the only thing I regret is that I didn’t work enough to play great lead guitar solos!  

In what type of scene/music environment do you function the best – the underground/alternative one or the like more established bands are in – such as Borknagar, Dimmu Borgir and Grimoire just to mention 3 of the more established black metal bands.

The underground black-metal scene may be more interesting than the “established” one. Bands such as DIMMU BORGIR have become so boring I think. Too commercial. BORKNAGAR is great anyway, even if I prefer the Olden Domain or Archaic Course. Black-metal has become a trend and this bothers me. That’s why I’m more into underground bands since they still have the real spirit.  

Do you ever dream about increasing the sales figures of your music, making appearance at some of the festivals, being on cover of the metal mags?

Definitely not. I currently study economics and trading methods in a French High Business School, but hell, I totally dissociate music and “sales figures”. My goal is not to sell, but it simply deals with spreading my music so that people can enjoy it or hate it. I’m happier to read a review of my demo than to get money for it. I can’t imagine making appearance at famous festivals. But why not contemplate underground festivals… Finally, I don’t really care to be on a cover of magazines. First I think I don’t deserve it and then it would make the sales of the magazine decrease by 50% arf arf arf!!! Have you already seen a devilish cunt-slasher with corpse-paint on a mag cover?  Who wants to buy such a magazine?? Ah ah ah !!!

What is the main purpose of making the music you do?

I just intend to spread my music. I like when people e-mail me to say “your demo is fucking great”, “I really enjoyed the sixth track”, “your album really sucks”!! Reviews can be favourable or not, I’ll always be satisfied because it shows that some people are interested in DEVILISH ERA and/or in KRAZUMPATH. On the other hand, making extreme metal enables me to unleash the wrath I store in everyday life. I’m a very anxious person so when my anger is too strong, I take my guitar, create some killer riffs, puke awesome vocals and then another track is caught!

The lyrics of your songs – do they reflect personal beliefs? Do you flirt with Satanism and black magic?

Well, as I told you before, my lyrics aim at heaping reproaches on monotheist religions. Believers are truly beneath us. However, I don’t flirt with Satanism since it is also a form of belief. The only thing I can tell you is that I just believe in myself.  

In the part of France where you reside, how’s the metal scene going? Are there any radio stations playing metal, hordes of fans and venues to go to, if you want live music?

I live in the North-East of France (between Metz and Luxembourg), but I make my studies in Dijon (another part of France where there aren’t many interesting bands). The scene here is awesome! Many interesting bands deserve to get your attention – ORGAN HARVEST, SUFFEREIGN, ZARACH BAAL THARAGH, NECROFURYA, FUNERAL HOLOCAUST, EXKREMENT, DUNGORTHEB, DVORHEAD and many others!!! There must be radio stations, but I don’t really know them. As far as gigs are concerned, Amnéville (the place where I was born) used to welcome great bands such as CANNIBAL CORPSE, IMMORTAL, HYPOCRISY, ANCIENT, NILE, DARK FUNERAL, SETH, MORTICIAN and so on, but the association which organized all these gigs no longer exists. Anyway, my association called FOEDUS AETERNUS ASSOCIATION (maybe you know the FOEDUS AETERNUS ZINE – this is the fanzine I created in 2001) is to organize some gigs, but only underground bands. For sure we don’t have money for great bands, but anyway, we try to do our best.

When did you start listening to music – what genre was it? What bands are you into today – does your mood have any influence on the music you play?

I started listening to metal when I was 11 or so. I was into METALLICA, SEPULTURA, PANTERA, IRON MAIDEN, KREATOR, TANKARD, SLAYER and so on. Then I discovered death-metal with bands such as NAPALM DEATH, BRUTAL TRUTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, ENTOMBED, AT THE GATES. In fact, NAPALM DEATH was the first real brutal band I listened to. That’s why I now own all their albums and so many bootlegs. Then I listened to a lot of black-metal stuffs (I was into MARDUK, SACRAMENTUM, EMPEROR, DARKTHRONE, DISSECTION…). Today, many bands really kicked my ass when I bought their album. I think of ABSU, ANCIENT RITES, ARKHON INFAUSTUS, REVENGE, IMPIETY, AXIS OF ADVANCE, BLUT AUS NORD, KULT OV AZAZEL, EXMORTEM, MELECHESH, RAVAGER, THE CROWN, DYING FETUS, and so on. There are so many bands to mention. However, I don’t think they have any influence on my music as I try to remain personal.  

Do you have any idols or favourite artists outside the metal scene?

I hate idols for it’s a form of submission. So I don’t have any idol, ah ah !! Seriously speaking, there are some French artists that I particularly enjoy (Les Deschiens, Jules Edouard Moustic, Michel Müller, Jean-Yves Lafesse). But I’m sure you guy have never heard about them in Denmark eh eh !!

Where do you think you’ll be in 5 and 10 years, when it comes to music?

Well, I simply think that I’ll still be in extreme metal! I can’t imagine my life without metal. But in 5 or even 10 years, I do think a DEVILISH ERA official album will  already be released. I actually hope so… 

Any statement for the readers before the interview is done?

First, I’d like to thank you Andreas for the support!!! I hope you guy enjoyed DEVILISH ERA and KRAZUMPATH. Thanks to the readers who spent a few minutes reading this interview. If you want to download the DEVILISH ERA demo, go to my website http://devilishera.free.fr and click on the discography section. Support the underground and stay fucking brutal!!!

EYMERIC.