ENTHRONED (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for answering to our questions. What’s currently going on into the ENTHRONED’s camp?
Greetings, well we are ready to unleash our ninth studio album “Obsidium” through Agonia Records and are currently dealing tours and shows to support this next offering.
– You will soon unleash your new «Obsidium»; how are you feeling about it?
We are pretty excited about it, this album was done in a very spontaneous way and filled up the visions we had during the composition process.
– You have a marked musical style you have never loose but, what could you say are the main differences between this new «Obsidium» and your previous «Pentagrammaton»?
“Obsidium” is definitely more intense; for “Pentagrammaton” we worked three years on the composition using a different technique which was to translate lyrics, which were written before the music, into sounds, each riffs was chosen as a direct translation of the words it was supporting, which were spoken at that moment. That was a complex way of working but it paid off and fitted for its concept. “Obsidium” was composed in a very spontaneous way; we took six month more or less to compose and record the album. We wanted to puke our emotions directly, see what comes out when we thought about the concept, a technique often used by psychologist to determinate to real nature of one’s thoughts or attitudes. As the concept turns around the achievement we made through our occult life this was an interesting approach in this matter.
– After releasing many albums with Napalm Records, «Pentagrammaton» came out via Regain Records and you recently signed with Polish label Agonia Records. Do you think this will be a more steady cooperation? And how’s everything going with them so far?
Everything is going great so far with Agonia, we do not wanna kill them yet so I guess it’s a good sign haha! Seriously, we had many, many offers and Agonia came up with a very good deal and they’ve been supporter and fans of the band since the demo days, which is a plus, compared to other big labels who wanted to sign the band and actually never heard what we did during the last years. Most of them were talking money and how big the sales could be, which is the kinf of speech I cannot stand when it comes to Enthroned!! Regain Records was a killer label as well but due to personal problems happening in their private life they had to stop which is sad but at least they were honest enough to warn their bands and quit instead of ripping bands off and doing fuck all for them! We will see, you never know what the future is made of, especially within this scene, time will tell.
– This is your second album with the current line-up (with the exception of Neraath); do you think this has affected the final output in a positive way?
Neraath was also on “Pentagrammaton”. Maybe, but I also think that we have a perfect osmosis within the band now and that definitely plays a role in the end result of “Obsidium”. The machine is oiled and we know what to expect from one and another.
– And how did the return of Neraath arise?
Neraath left for one album “Tetra Karcist” due to his studies back then, and returned when he was done with it, two years before “Pentagrammaton” was done. He always expressed his will to come back but didn’t want to hold us back neither, so we took Nguaroth in as a full time member and when Nguaroth couldn’t continue to tour etc… due to his professional life, Neraath came back.
– You now have your own studio, Blackout Multimedia, and you recorded and mixed «Obsidium» there. Is this working for better for ENTHRONED?
The fact that we can record in our own studio is a blessing; we are all involved with multimedia related jobs (Phorgath is a sound engineer, me and Neraath are graphic Designers) so we simply used our professional skills on the same level as the composition process. For us, it’s now as important as our own instruments, it is a complete part of the final result of one of our releases. Phorgath takes care of the production and Neraath and I are taking care of the visual aspects (cover, layout and merchandising). We are also organising our release parties ourselves for the last three years, choosing the bands, venue etc… our crew takes care of every band sound wise, light wise etc…
– The artwork was also down by your studio, specifically by Olivier L.W. What does it represent?
The connection the cover and the concept is pretty accurate; the figure in the centre represents the being that is Enthroned, in osmosis with its universe, transparent, clear to its own purpose surrounded by the knowledge of what we stand for, no suppositions or “maybes” involved. The answers to what we are and accomplished came from the experiences we went through our everyday’s work, path and philosophies and made us what we are today. As one knows, energies received or given are conducted through the solar plexus which is represented as well upon the figure and all is wrapped within the scales of the black serpent symbol of knowledge and wisdom.
– I could say since Sabathan left the band, your are getting even deeper into the occult. How important is this for the band?
On a personal note, the members now involved with Enthroned were always involved into the occult, well I mean for several years. When Sabathan was in the band my lyrics had to be written as a reflection of the whole bands opinions and views but since he has been out, the members have the same view and opinion about this matter, we are all on the same level of understanding which gave the band a unity and this is just why the lyrics have been more deep and centred on what is the true nature of the occult and Satanic views of certain topics. We couldn’t decently write lyrics that the main vocalist wouldn’t understand or agree with himself, that would have been pretty stupid.
– In fact all your albums have certain concept related to occultism; would you mind to shed some light on the concept behind «Obsidium»? What do the lyrics in this record deal with?
The concept of “Obsidium”can be traced back from “Tetra Karcist”. “Tetra Karcist” is dealing with the reality of occultism how it is, no gimmick and no supposition, how things are within the occult. “Pentagrammaton” retrace experiences, real lived experiences through those doctrines and practices we talked about on “Tetra Karcist”, now with “Obsidium” the concept deals with what we learnt, the achievement we reached in one form or another through those experiences, all written in a way that only people who are actually within the occult circle can understand fully. Some Lyrics were also written by, and co-written by, one relative being Frater Kerval, high priest of a certain Order (by respect of his own will, I will keep it confidential) who gave his external vision of our evolution and achievement through some experiences he is aware of.
– And what does the album’s title refer to?
Obsidium comes from Veneficvm Latinvm regarding the occult use/ concept of the Obsidian Stone, one which reminds us that birth and death are simultaneously and constantly present, one with the other, always as one. This is a stone that has always been associated with a certain type of entities that watch over designed persons, and is connected amongst other things to protection and achievements on all levels. As a scrying tool, obsidian can offer an accurate reflection of the changes that need to be dealth with. It targets and embodies a clear course of action, and let you know what challenges are the most necessary to face – but not always the easiest or most pleasant lessons…a symbol of achievement.
– After all these years with the band; what has ENTHRONED taught you (as musician and individual) and how has make you grow? What has provided to your life?
Enthroned has been, is and will be a catalyst for my energies and thoughts and that helped me to grow as a person and to the man I am today. Thus helping me to improve as a musician to be able to express myself the best way I could through this channel. Also, touring and playing live for such a long time instructs to be professional by respect towards ourselves, fellow touring musicians and of course your band mates.
– I’ve seen you have booked some UK dates; any plans for an European tour?
Yes, we are dealing this matter in this very precise moment actually. But it’s not easy to find the right spot that fits for everyone regarding our personal obligations and in the mean time the right touring spot. All in all we should get a European tour in the upcoming month and hopefully coming back to Spain!
– And finally, what does the future have in store for ENTHRONED?
More live desecrations, touring and we are planning an official re-release of older albums.
– That’s been everything from my side, thank you once more. If you now want to add some final words; feel free to do it.
Thanx for the interview and hopefully see you soon somewhere in Spain!
XEPER!
