Interview with MkM of Aosoth
Antaeus mastermind exposing another side of the Cult, while his previous act was focusing on introspection and Violence. Aosoth brings a more sick approach, based on years of excess and the obvious increasing hatred within. This combined with the musician skills of BST and Inr, Aosoth is now reaching a step above when it comes to their expression of sinister black metal. Having now secured a live line up in the past three years, the band now exposes its Art on stage with numerous acts & intend on getting stronger and stronger on this field. The band got to perform some selected gigs in the past and recently took the world by storm sharing stage with Watain and Shining on extensive European tour, plus rituals in Russia and at Deathkult festival (Germany) and the Hellfest festival (France). Expect nothing but satanic audio violence.
HMA: I believe Aosoth is the dark female force in the Order of the Nine Angels, can you tell us about this?
Aosoth: Indeed you are right on our choice when it comes to the band’s identity. Those into the ONA or not too mundane when it comes to its content should look for themselves. She does symbolize an aspect of our work on the audio territory and what we deliver.
HMA: The Order of the Nine Angels was founded in UK in the 60’, how did it make its way to Paris, France?
Aosoth: ONA is not limited by any borders, many are active within Europe or in the USA. I got in touch with some lodge & initiates when I was a teenager, around 15 up to 17. Considering on how impossible it was to find anything related to Satanism written in French, apart from the most mainstream… I got in touch with numerous type of organizations. Was in need of knowledge and needed to confront my perceptions and enlighten myself to different spheres. Never did meet anyone from the ONA in France, but then again, I’ve been on my own path for long now (37 soon).
HMA: Your cover art is monochromatic and has a considerable amount of Christian iconography and symbolism, for example “Temple of Baal”… where does the visual come from and what does it represent?
Aosoth: Temple of Baal is a French band also signed on Agonia recs in which I used to do vocals in their demo time and kept in touch (helped with their artwork a bit, depending on their demands). If you meant our different artworks with Aosoth, they all differ. We keep on asking different graphists or painters to collaborate with us. First two albums were indeed monochromatic, while the third was in cmyk for instance. Offering an alternative in its vinyl version, having a dominance of white in its layout in comparison; the logo even being printed on uvlaquer, so white varnish on white paper somehow: we are more than pleased with how it turned out. The visual was a close up picture from scars from my body. “Any flesh damaged is flesh to the Lord…”
HMA: You latest release is “Our Crown of Sins”, powerful and sumptuous, what when on the recording and production process… Demons summoning?
Aosoth: Was a special recording indeed. We used to do shorter recording sessions in the past, mostly focusing on split ep for instance, since I really am an addict of this format. Having to record just 8 to 10 mn for a 7’’, we used to do it in a very straight in your face way. Somehow like a “live” recording in the studio, one take, and it better be intense. While after the third full length and its different approach music wise (more oppressive, dissonant, built on longer structures), it just felt weird for me to record this ep, a lot of frustration and anger in the air, not serene. I have yet to hear it again. Not sure if we will perform it live, unlike the previous split ep we did. “Angels falling down” had its place on our set list in the past years.
HMA: Erik Danielsson of Watain created the Aosoth logo, how this relationship started?
Aosoth: Erik & I (MkM) have been in touch for years, I also did release a split ep of Watain many years ago on Spikekult (my label). Also wrote lyrics on their second album for one track… guess that it just made sense to ask him then if he would be interested, he did it in 2002 or so… when we were to have the first mlp out. Since we got to tour with them, which was an interesting experience on all levels. Hails to Watain.
HMA: What is the “The Truth Through Salt” or “Salt in Mouth”?
Aosoth: A sacrifice sealed with Salt, where nothing can live again. A process one shall deserve in view to achieve his path.
HMA: “Angels Falling Down” has a magnificent cover art, where are the influence drawn down?
Aosoth: On this ep, the main cover has been mostly worked through the VI leader. On our side, we did work with Cyn from Thornythoughts artwork who did provide us an amazing piece of Art. Which did lead us to also have her to do our tour shirt design (part I & II – part one was the tour with Hell militia & Blacklodge in mostly eastern Europa, while part two was with Watain & Shining, mostly focusing on the south and the Uk)
HMA: Your take on Black Metal feels inspired by great literature, can you recommend must reads and some more obscure stuff?
Aosoth: Won’t recommend anything since no specific book would come in my mind right now… I have been mostly reading essays on religion and apart from that, books from Hubert Selby Junior or classics from Bukowsky… & of course George Bataille.
HMA: Thanks for this interview.
Aosoth: AMSG.
www.aosoth.fr
www.facebook.com/aosoth
www.agoniarecords.com
Copyright © 2012 Interview with Alex Milazzo from Heavy Music Artwork all rights reserved.
