ICONIC – LINUS KLAUSENITZER, JAVI PERERA
Art: Adrien Bousson
HMA: Any creative routines or rituals?
Linus: We are obsessive regarding songwriting, and it can take a long time until everyone is happy with the result. We all have ways of starting with musical ideas, but all are based on our musical education. Music theory is our tool to make a difference in the scene. We don’t need rituals to make the music sound brutal. Our obscure mindset produces enough hate already, hehe.
HMA: Any philosophical fixation?
Linus: Every musician enjoys escapism. The moments of composing, playing your instrument or performing live are magical and transport you to another world. We didn’t start this band because of political beliefs or lifestyle. We love metal music and celebrate its extreme shapes. Being mediocre is not an option.
HMA: Is metal a form of modern cult worship?
Javi: My relationship with rock and metal goes back to the age of eight when my father showed me a Scorpions vinyl called Blackout. That was my first contact with that style, which I’m hooked on to this day, and for which I can’t thank my father enough. Regarding the first question: If by cult we mean the fervour and loyalty that a fan of heavy music has to a particular band or genre, then yes, it does have a certain cult component. As a more recent example, I could mention Sleep Token and how their fans constantly use the word “worship” to show their appreciation for this band.
Linus: The dedication of metal fans is truly unique. The word ‘cult has a lot of bad connotations, though. Nevertheless, the metal scene is an incredible community that can be life-changing. When I had experiences like going to my first Iron Maiden concert and Wacken Open Air as a teenager, it opened my eyes in many ways. It made me a metalhead, and I probably always will be.
HMA: Artists you admire?
Javi: On a creative level and in terms of musical vision, one of the people I admire most is Devin Townsend. The ability to jump between such extremely polar genres and still retain his essence, making him recognisable regardless of the style he composes, is priceless.
HMA: Why is music important?
Javi: In my opinion, music has an inherent peculiarity or a deeper meaning, which is: no matter your background, your culture, your beliefs, etc. It is a universal language that everyone understands, and you don’t need words for it to reach deep inside you. It is something of incalculable value, which has many virtues: it can entertain you, unburden you, excite you, inspire you, move you, relax you, help you, and even save you. All benefits, no disadvantages. As Nietzsche said: “Without music, life would be a mistake”.
My tastes are very diverse, as I am curious. As far as music is concerned, each style depends on or applies to your mood on any given day. The range of music styles I consume, besides metal and rock, is the most prominent, is quite varied: flamenco, jazz, funk, classical, musicals, and disco. Of the styles I have mentioned, I could say Paco de Lucía as a reference in flamenco, John Coltrane in jazz, the great James Brown in funk, Boney M in disco with Munich Sound and composers of orchestral music such as Stravinsky, Grieg (Peer Gynt, recommended) and Gustav Holst (special mention to his suite of “The Planets”).
www.obsidious-band.com
