http://youtu.be/5v9Fca-ygpk
“That’s the effect our music makes on a sick Polish brain.”
Interview by Jason Guest
Jason: Hi Kvasir. Thank you very much for taking time out for this interview and congratulations on Oracolo Suicida (Ed: reviewed here). To begin, can you tell us what you set out to achieve with the album?
Kvasir: Hi Jason, first of all thanks for your attention. Oracolo Suicida started almost as an experiment. After we put down the basic ideas for the songs, we wanted a new sound, and I come out with the idea to try some less common instrument in metal music, namely the violin. I think we crossed the borderline with this full-length and started exploring some interesting territories…
Jason: Did you have a clear idea of what you wanted for this record or did that evolve with the writing?
Kvasir: We didn’t want the standard boring hyper-fast-blast-beat black metal album, but we spent years composing instead and tried different approaches to the music. So this is the result. The listeners will judge.
Jason: The album features violin, the instrument playing a significant role in terms of both melody and atmospherics. What prompted the use of the violin? Was it something you had considered before this album?
Kvasir: The idea started to take place right after the release of The Truth Of Ages, our previous album. But you know it’s not easy to find a violinist suitable for playing in a black metal band. I’ve met many people in music and when I suddenly saw the opportunity to have an excellent fellow-musician, I took the chance straight away.
Jason: Did the violin influence the writing of the album?
Kvasir: The other way around.
Jason: Does the album mark a progression for Profezia?
Kvasir: Yeah, I mean so. We’re going forward, exploring new horizons… future is ours!
Jason: The artwork is very impressive. Who’s the artist? What was it about their work that drew you to him/her? And how much direction did you give the artist in its creation?
Kvasir: Glad you liked it. That’s the effect our music makes on a sick Polish brain… need any further comment?!
Jason: How does the artwork represent or relate to the music?
Kvasir: The music is a voyage into the unknown or more precisely into my deepest ego that conceived and composed this album. It portrays an encephalogram of my state of unconsciousness.
Jason: You’ve been making music with Abhor since 1995 and Profezia since 2000. Why the two bands? Do they offer different outlets for your creativity?
Kvasir: Profezia was born in 2000. I was simply tired of playing in bands and to compromise with other people. Different views; so instead of arguing I started my solo project. I have to admit that it developed in a curious way. Despite being born as one-man-band I have collaborated with quite a few musicians through the years. I’m Italian, but I’ve been living in Norway for years because of my job and travelled around in Europe regularly. So I’ve got in contact with interesting people that helped me in my project. Profezia was born in Southern Europe and developed in Scandinavia, a kind of Norse-Mediterranean congregation! That’s life… a coincidence of events.
Abhor is deeply rooted in the Italian folklore instead; there’s a strong tradition of esoterism and mysticism in Italy and Abhor reflects and expresses those aspects.
Jason: How does your approach differ between writing for Abhor and Profezia? And when writing, how do you know which band the music will be suited for?
Kvasir: Many riffs I write can be used for both bands, it depends from the moment. What it really differs is the arrangement and the lyrical concept behind the bands as explained before.
Jason: Are you working on more material for either Profezia or Abhor?
Kvasir: We’re recording a new full-length with Abhor titled Ritualia Stramonium which I can give you an anticipation: Wildness Perversion from the cult act Mortuary Drape will record the drums. Expect it by the end of 2014, via Moribund Cult.
Concerning Profezia I have begun composing new material, but the whole process of assembling songs, having rehearsals and recording takes years for me, especially when we all live in different countries. Good things take time.
Jason: Any plans for live shows? If so, will we be seeing you in the UK?
Kvasir: Concerts have always been a kind of dream for Profezia. I wouldn’t say it is impossible but really challenging for sure, due to the distance. Anyway, you never known so keep your eyes open.
Jason: Again, thank you very much for taking time out for this interview. Do you have any closing words for our readers?
Kvasir: Check the “Suicide Oracle” it’ll be an eerie journey into the depths of mysticism!
