“We wanted something brutal, weird, and dark… like a terrible nightmare”
Thank you very much for taking time out for this interview and congratulations on Bicephaale (reviewed here). When writing for Bicephaale, did you have an idea of how you wanted the tracks and/or the album to sound, or did they take shape as they were being developed?
XT (Vocals): The tracks did take shape as they were being developed. We had absolutely no red thread or direction to follow. The only thing we knew is that we would be able to be more violent and technical because of JG’s arrival behind the drumkit.
Did you have a clear idea of what you wanted to achieve with Bicephaale?
JG (Drums): We wanted something brutal, weird, and dark. We know what we do but it cannot be controlled entirely. The purpose is to make it sound like a terrible nightmare.
What does the album title mean?
XT: It’s a twisted writing for French word “Bicéphale”, that means two-headed. And kind of tribute to the way Portal is twisting words.
What are the lyrical themes on Bicephaale? And where does inspiration come from?
XT: It’s about opposite feelings we can have. About contradictions and duplicity too. And that very violence more or less hidden inside of us.
Can you tell us about the artwork and what it represents?
XT: This very duplicity, duality, however you call it.
JG: For me, it represents something like the decay of a soul but the interpretation is open.
It’s been three years since your first album. How have the band developed since then?
SA (Guitars): The main evolution since the first album is the departure of HLC our first drummer. JG then arrived and brought some new feeling to the compositions. We were able to develop our music in a different direction and add more “improvised” parts. As an improviser I play and listen to a lot of free jazz and free improvised music.
Who are the band’s main influences?
SA: My influences regarding my work with Neige Morte would be Portal, Orthrelm or Krallice for the “metal” side and Derek Bailey, Meshuggah’s soli and stuff like that for the “improvised/ jazz” side.
JG: Portal, Aluk Todolo influenced me a lot for the work in Neige Morte.
XT: Depends who’ll answer you. For me, Arioch, Attila, Michael Gira, Wrest and The Curator are really important in my way to work with Neige Morte.
Is there a theme, concept, or a philosophy that underpins the music of Neige Morte?
XT: Not really. Fans of extreme music doing extreme and experimental music. Black Metal is today the perfect field to experiment while being extremely aggressive musically speaking. As was hardcore not so long ago.
JG: We compose without feeling that we have to sound like any other band, call it nihilism if you want. The most important is never getting bored with what we do, always getting that good fever during live shows.
Any plans for live shows? And will we be seeing you in the UK?
XT: Some local shows. If some UK’s promoter invites us, we could visit your country.
JG: We’ll be very happy to play in the UK but nothing is planned yet.
On the subject of live shows, what would be the ideal setting or venue for a Neige Morte show?
JG: On the top of a big mountain in fire or in l’Olympia Paris opening for Portal! Otherwise everywhere you want.
XT: Small club, good PA, not too high stage and an appropriate light show.
SA: It could fit anywhere as long as people are curious enough and pay attention… and the sound guy has to be good.
How and why did you choose to work with Consouling Sounds for the release of Bicephaale?
XT: They kindly invite us to collaborate with them. They seemed really motivated and we thought that their roster fit with us. It was enough to accept this invitation.
What does the future hold for Neige Morte? Early days I know as Bicephaale is to be released in early April, but is there more material in the works?
JG: We have a new song that you can watch on our appearance on Mr Munchkin stream.
XT: We’re thinking about some projects but nothing is really planned right now.
Thanks again for taking time out for this interview. Do you have any closing words for our readers?
We don’t.
