“It is a condemnation of the idea that we are all equal”
– Svar
Interview by Jason Guest
Jason: Hi Svar. Thanks for taking time out for this interview. Congratulations on your debut (Ed: reviewed here). To begin, can you tell us what you set out to achieve with Všehorovnost Je Porážkou Převyšujících? Did you have a clear idea of what you wanted for this record?
Svar: I wanted to create a BM album which I can be proud of. I knew that the album will be rapid, sophisticated and freezing. Now I can say that it succeeded.
Jason: How did you come to work with Iron Bonehead Productions and why did you choose to work with them for the release of Všehorovnost Je Porážkou Převyšujících?
Svar: We knew that the Iron Bonehead Production is high quality and a well-known publisher. We sent them one song as a sample for the show and they agreed to release the records. It was not necessary to decide otherwise.
Jason: Your first release was a split with Sator Marte and Vindorn in November 2012. Why did you choose a split for your first release?
Svar: At the beginning of Triumph, Genus we recorded two songs that should serve only for our purposes. Because Vinden of Vindorn liked the songs, we have decided to release a split album.
Jason: That split was released through Germany’s Schwaerze Productions. Why did you choose to work with them for that release?
Svar: Schwaerze Productions recommended Vinden to us, knows them well. Their offer was quite satisfactory.
Jason: How would you say the band have developed or progressed since its inception?
Svar: Triumph, Genus is a two-man project which, from the beginning, plays fast, traditional and elite black metal. There is no plan to make any changes.
Jason: When did writing begin for the album?
Svar: At the beginning of 2013 I began to compose this album and in June everything was done.
Jason: How did the tracks on the album evolve since you began writing for it? Were there any that were re-written or saw a significant overhaul since they first appeared?
Svar: I must say that when the songs were finished we did not interfere with them. I spent more time on each song to avoid major changes in the structure.
Jason: Can you tell us about the album title, what it means, and how it relates to the music and the lyrics on the album?
Svar: Low man attacks everything that transcends. His effort is to reduce the excess on the same level. It is a condemnation of the idea that we are all equal. The album lyrics are about a man, his fall and growth. Black metal is more than a good tool for this statement.
Jason: Can you tell us about the artwork for the album? What does it symbolise? Does it relate to the music or the band’s philosophy in any way?
Svar: The artwork reflects the lyrical page of the album: a successful man, exceeding, evaluating and creating.
Jason: With Svar playing all of the instruments and Jaroslav providing vocals, how do you approach composition? Is it Svar that writes the music and Jaroslav that writes the lyrics? Or do you work together on both aspects?
Svar: I am in charge of all the music page and Jaroslav, lyrics. We are completely satisfied. The lyrics were inserted into the completed music.
Jason: Who are your main inspirations? And what is it that you draw from them?
Svar: At the time when I wrote material for Triumph, Genus I was musically inspired by older albums Satyricon, Keep of Kalessin or Swedish Craft. It was the ferocity and atmosphere of these recordings.
Jason: What was it that drew you together to produce music?
Svar: It was the desire to create a project in which I will be able to present most of my musical ideas. Jaroslav and I have known each other for a long time and I liked his philosophy and way of recitation so I spoke to him for this purpose.
Jason: What is it about black metal that you find so appealing as a form of expression?
Svar: It is the seriousness, ferocity, rawness, show of force, frosty atmosphere…
Jason: Is black metal the last remaining musical art form for true expression?
Svar: I do not think so. I believe that classical music can equally well express the author’s thoughts and feelings.
Jason: Some argue that black metal has become commercial in the sense that, because now anyone can access the music, the true spirit of black metal has become diluted and dulled. Do you agree? And do you think black metal can ever retain the potency it once had?
Svar: It is true that thanks to the internet, black metal has become accessible for everyone but not everyone is interested in it. Of course the big bands that shaped this style became professional musicians. It is a natural evolution. I think that the true magic of BM would disappear at the moment when I would walk down the street and I would meet at each corner a “black metalist”, he he..
Jason: Black metal, a primarily antagonistic art, leans more toward the darker and evil side of being and existence for its inspiration yet it’s an area that remains without and perpetually resists definition. What do you think is so appealing about it? Does this void, so to speak, allow for greater creativity?
Svar: I still take Black Metal only as a musical genre in which authors express their attitude to life based on observation of the world.
Jason: What’s your opinion of the internet and its impact on the music scene?
Svar: The internet is great for listeners but entirely inappropriate for labels as they stopped paying publishing media. Because I am taking advantage of the invaluable benefits of the internet, my attitude is positive.
Svar: Of course. As there is now more new music, so is there more new waste. It is important in this barrage of music how to choose the quality that deserves attention.
Jason: What does the future hold for Triumph, Genus? Are you working on more material? A new album?
Svar: The album was released and we do not have any other plans. But I do not rule out that once again I will be working on new album.
Jason: Will you be performing live in support of Všehorovnost Je Porážkou Převyšujících? If so will we be seeing you in the UK?
Svar: Triumph, Genus is not a concert band so it will probably not perform live.
Jason: Thanks again for taking time out for this interview. Do you have any closing words for our readers?
Svar: Thank you for your interest and support.
