The Metal Crypt - Nightbringer Interview

Interviews

Interview with Naas Alcameth (Vocals and Guitars)
Interview conducted by Sargon the Terrible

Date online: May 19, 2010

Sargon: Nightbringer existed for almost ten years before the release of Death and the Black Work. Tell us how the band formed and what caused the long wait to record an album.

Naas: Nox and I had played together previously in a black-death bands prior to the formation of Nightbringer. Both of us had been writing black metal around this same time and we had more interest in pursuing this course. The first few years were largely unproductive as we composed and scrapped material with only two very rough tracks recorded on a four track to show for it, which were eventually released on the Horde of Darkenwood comp in 2001. Around 2000 Ophis started working with us and together the three of us composed the tracks "Mors Philosophorum" and "The Void", which we eventually recorded at Hellion Studios in 2003. These two tracks were initially supposed to be released via Synvorlath's (ex-Demoncy) label Vae Victus, but then he vanished. We were then approached by FMP the following year. Between 2004 and '05 we finished two more tracks and then released our first proper album via FMP. Death and the Black Work was not our first album. As far as the slow progress is concerned, we simply were disorganized for the first few years of our existence and in regards to Death and the Black Work, there were many delays and a good portion of the album was re-recorded.

Sargon: What is the philosophy and intent behind your music? What do you think sets you apart from other Black Metal bands?

Naas: Nightbringer is based upon traditional esoteric concepts. These concepts have been developed over the years as the personal studies of Ophis and myself have progressed. The "profound death" is a central "theme". Concepts we have touched upon include Alchemy, Theurgy, and Eastern esotericism, all from a Left-hand path perspective. We feel that our sound, though it has its influences, is distinctive, as is our lyrical approach.

Sargon: Obviously some of the songs on Death and the Black Work appeared on previous demos and whatnot, are any of the songs on Apocalypse Sun similar in having been worked and reworked for years, or are they all new?

Naas: I started composing for Apocalypse Sun before Death and the Black Work was released, though none of the tracks were recorded previous to the release.

Sargon: The band seems to have had a quite stable lineup since it began, is there a reason for that solidity?

Naas: The core three members have remained the same for the most part, but other than that it has been anything but stable. Grimnar from Serpentinam was actually an original member back in '99 but after a few months he moved out of state. We have had several members pass through the ranks, including some ex-Demoncy members as well as a few others. We have always had the need for live session members in order to perform and have used several session members throughout our existence. Grimnar is now writing for us again, and we have recently gained a full time bass player. We use a live session member for drums.

Sargon: Do you consider yourselves at all part of the "Cascadian" Black Metal movement?

Naas: No, we do not.

Sargon: I know several of the band members are involved in side projects like Serpentinam and Temple of Not. Are there plans to continue those, or is Nightbringer the focus now?

Naas: Nightbringer is the main focus. I have continued with ToN on the side. Serpentinam is dead, or rather absorbed.

Sargon: What bands inspired Nightbringer's music at the beginning, and what bands inspire you now? Are they the same or different?

Naas: In our teens we were very much into European black metal as well as some black-death and thrash bands. It was bands such as early Emperor, old Thorns, Burzum, Mysticum, Manes, so on who influenced us the most in so far as sound. I still revisit some of those early gems as they are timeless. As far as black metal these days, I prefer bands that have a solid sound and message such as Ofermod, Mortuus, and the like. Outside of that I listen to a lot of ambient such as Sephiroth, Lustmord, Herbst 9 as well as some classical.

Sargon: Where do you want Nightbringer to go in the future? What would be the ultimate expression of your music?

Naas: Our sole focus is to create music that potently reflects the spirit of what Nightbringer was founded upon. Our ideal is lofty, and we hope that each release brings us closer to fully achieving our goal.

Sargon: Are you able to create the kinds of moods and feelings you want live? When you are writing music are you thinking of recording or live performance?

Naas: I feel we are able to successfully relay the desired atmosphere in a live setting, though it can be challenging at times due to the variables. As far as writing is concerned, I keep recording foremost in mind, though I try not to exceed what can be reproduced in a live setting if possible.

Sargon: Is there anything you have never been asked but would like to answer?

Naas: No, there is not.

Other information about Nightbringer on this site

Review: Death And The Black Work

Review: Apocalypse Sun

Review: Hierophany of the Open Grave

Review: Ego Dominus Tuus

Review: Terra Damnata