INTERVIEW WITH NYARLATHOTEP OF ABAZAGORATH

 

When and under what circumstances did Abazagorath form?

I started to get things together in the spring of 1995.  I first asked my old friend Warhead if he was interested in playing drums in a Black Metal act. As a true VENOM fanatic, he quickly agreed to do so. At this point, I put an ad in a local music newspaper looking for suitable guitarists. After receiving calls from 5 or 6 losers and poseurs I was contacted by 2 individuals that appeared worthy. At the end of May 1995, we all got together, jammed out a few times and by the beginning of June, Cythrall and Morgul were initiated, and the Black Cult of ABAZAGORATH was created… Since we started, a few lineup shifts have caused some chaos in the ranks… Morgul has been away from us quite a bit; for a while a friend of mine named Ravena performed guitar synths for us, and in May 1996 we added a new member, Cram, who will take over lead vocals and provide synths for recording purposes.

 

How dedicated is the band to the rising black metal scene?

Personally, I am quite dedicated to the Black Metal scene. There are those who look down on the U.S. metal scene, and we are going to help change this attitude. We strive for respect and we are starling to receive it. Regardless of any direction the scene heads in, we will continue to rise…

 

Tell us of any new material you’re coming out with shortly.

We just finished recording our debut full-length CD a few days ago. It is entitled Tenebrarum Cadent Exsurgemos. I hope it will be out by the end of this year, or very early in 1997. It is being released by Elegy. This album has everything a good Black Metal album should have: violent intensity, as well as melody and atmosphere! We are confident that this release will really establish ABAZAGORATH as a force to be reckoned with…

 

How did Abazagorath come to choose their stage names?

We all have our personal reasons for choosing our specific “stage names,” so I can’t speak for the others. As for myself, the day I decided to from a Black Metal band, I already knew I would be Nyarlathotep, the Crawling Chaos… Anyone who has read anything by H.P. Lovecraft should recognize this name. Nyarlathotep is the messenger, heart, and soul of the Outer Gods. He enacts their will. He brings madness to humanity, and cause death and destruction in order to prepare the way for the return of the Ancient Ones… I guess I could also easily explain Warhead’s name… First of all, he’s a total VENOM freak and he is also a fuckin’ brutal drummer! By the way, ABAZAGORATH is the spirit of hate for mankind…

 

What is your inspiration in musical and lyrical terms, and in terms of imagery? How important is black metal imagery and atmosphere to you? What dark bands do you listen to?

Our primary source of inspiration is the Darkness within us… Yes, Black Metal “imagery” and “atmosphere” is very important to ABAZAGORATH. Perhaps “lifestyle” is a better word to use rather than “image…” I enjoy many different bands. Currently, I’ve been listening to a lot of: MARDUK, DIMMU BORGIR, ROTTING CHRIST, ELEND, AMON AMARTH, NAGLFAR, OLD MAN’S CHILD, SETHERIAL, SATYRICON, VONDUR, ABIGOR, and ANGEL CORPSE. My all time faves must be old MORBID ANGEL and DARK THRONE.

 

Are you satisfied with how your demo Channelling The Ethereal Moons is doing?

Hmmm… you’re not too familiar with ABAZAGORATH, are you? Channelling the Ethereal Moons is not just a demo, but a 3 song mini-CD we put out ourselves. It came out at the very end of January 1996 in a limited pressing of 500 copies. it’s definitely “done” pretty damn well. No more copies are available from us directly (Various distributors still have some copies. Look around!). I have also yet to see a truly bad review. We have gotten a few “indifferent” ones, but no one’s trashed it yet. Furthermore, we have received some label interest from this release. For a while we were considering doing a repress through either Wild Rags records or Cryonics/Cyber Music, but we finally decided not to. Anyway, 2 of these have been re-done for the upcoming CD, the first of a 2 album deal with Elegy.

 

How many shows have you played and with who? Who would you like to play with?

To date, we’ve performed five gigs. So far we’ve played with mostly local bands like FALLEN CHRIST, EVOKEN, DEATHRUNE, and GONKULATOR from Massachusetts. Right now, we just want to play out, period. I actually don’t expect too many of my favorite bands to be playing live in the U.S. any time soon, but gigs with DISSECTION, MARDUK, IMMORTAL, or ANGEL CORPSE would be killer. The ultimate for me personally would be to open up for MORBID ANGEL. I prefer their old stuff over their newer material, but it would still be an unbelievable experience to play with them.

 

What do you think of those who cannot accept black metal as genuine creativity?

Those fools can drop dead for all I care…

 

Do you believe that in spite of prejudice against black metal, that black metal will endure?

Prejudice against Black Metal!?! HA! We look down on everyone with nothing but contempt! We are the elite! As long as the word of Satan is spread through a musical medium, Black Metal will live on…

 

Any final remarks?

Thanks for the interview, Dave. Good luck with the zine. Look for Tenebrarum Cadent Exsurgemos to be unleashed upon you at the of 1996 or early 1997. It will destroy you all! Trust me! Write to: ABAZAGORATH, c/o Nyarlathotep, 32 Hillside Terrace, Wayne, N.J. 07470 USA. Please enclose stamp/SASE or IRC for reply. Serious inquiries only. please! There was a time when I responded promptly to all mail, but those days are over. I don’t have the time or desire to do it too much anymore. Zines, labels, distros, and radio shows- send a blank tape and $1.00 or 3 IRC’s for a promo! (Note: This sort of mail will receive priority attention…) Pure Black Hate, Witchery and Damnation] Hail Satan!

 

 

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