Greetings once again, Ron! Let’s begin with the latest news concerning AURORA BOREALIS...

- Well we really just have been very busy promoting our new CD. It has been doing really well since I released it. Other than that we are just writing material for the third CD which I’m not really sure will be done, but it will be done sooner or later. We are also recording a song at the beginning of October for a Dwell Records «Tribute to Slayer», which should be out soon as well. We just recently had brand new Full color shirts made with the CD cover on the front and Slogan on back, and lastly we will have track featured on a new Comp CD from Metal Inquisition zine which should also be out late October or early September.

Just like your debut, «Praise The Archaic Light’s Embrace» is a self-financed CD, why so? Your music is more than impressive, and it’s really hard to believe that there’re no labels interested in signing AURORA BOREALIS...

- Actually there were many labels interested in releasing the new CD but none of the deals that were offered were any thing of significance. Instead of signing with a label that will just be half assed in their support and promotion of our CD, I just do it myself. I can make back all the cash I put in for recording and pressing and I also know exactly how many sell etc. If the right deal were to come along we would gladly accept it but for now there are none I think are worthy of signing. We are currently talking to a couple labels now for the third CD so we will see what happens.

If I’m not mistaken, Derek formerly played in MALEVOLENT CREATION... I’m wondering why did he leave that band and how did you manage to get him into AURORA BOREALIS?

- Derik just got sick of one of the guys attitude in that band, and if I'm not mistaken the other guys did too so they went and started their own band called DIVINE EMPIRE. Derik still plays with DE but he also plays for us as well. Its hard to keep a drummer that good all to yourself. The way I got him to play for us was I just called him out of the blue and asked him to do  it. He had heard the first CD and thought it was good so he agreed to do it right away. Plus we used to play in another band together a long time ago called GOTHIC OUTCASTS. So we were both eager to do something together again.

By the way, what do you think about MALEVOLENT CREATION and their latest CD, in particular?

- I think that the new MALEVOLENT’s CD is OK, I like the drums but other then that it just sounds average. Dont get me wrong there are a lot worse things out there but at the same time there is a lot better.
 
Most of contemporary black metal bands (especially European ones) use drummachine instead of ‘live’ drums in studio - even if their lineup features drummer! What is the reason for that?? And why do majority of US bands act quite the contrary?

- I don’t know why bands do that I really hate that. If they are trying to get their drums to sound perfect whatever but it just makes it sound stale to me. I will never use a machine on my albums. I think when you start using machines you might as well be doing techno or something. The drums are an important part of metal music so when you take that away it just ruins the whole sound.

And one more question regarding drums... Tony is a great drummer, so why did you let him go so easily?

- I just didn't let him go but I moved to Maryland and he lives in Florida, that’s a long drive from each other so it just wouldnt have worked out. But yes, he is a great drummer. Maybe we will work together again in the future, who knows. But for now he is very happy in ANGEL CORPSE and I just went to see them them other day and he was phenomenal.

You ignored Morrisound Studio this time, why? May I assume that you couldn’t manage to pay the whole price for Morrisound’s services?

- I could have payed the total price there, but Derik turned me on to another studio so I checked out some of the stuff that was done there and I was really impressed. The cost there was half as expensive so that meant twice as much time we could spend on making the CD and we could get things perfect instead of rushing through it all just trying to get done. NILE used the same studio right before us for there new CD «Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren KA» I heard that as well and thought that was killer. I still like Morrisound a lot and would probably record there again if a label wanted to shell out the cash to do it.

Lyrics on «Mansions Of Eternity» were inspired by Egyptian mythology, and what about the newest ones? Where do you take those visions and ideas which later transform into words?

- Yes that is what the first CD mainly dealt with but on the new CD there is only one song that has anything to do with Egypt at all. I dont really want to write about the same topic forever, so on this CD there is more along the lines of Historical happenings but from all defferent time periods of History. Also there are some Fictional stories I made up and even one on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien called «War Of The Rings».

As far as I know, guys from Sweden’s ABRUPTUM tortured each other during a recording session and what about you? Is there anything ‘special’ that occurs while you’re recording new material or rehearsing?

- We certainly dont torture each other. That is ridiculous but if thats what your into so be it. I have one ABRUPTUM CD and I absolutely hate it. I dont know if all their CDs are like that but this one sucks. Maybe they shouldn’t be torturing each other and concentrating on the music. Like I said the other ones could be great I just havent heard them. We just go in and make music.

In the interview we did before, I displayed interest in your attitude to Varg Vikernes as well as his activities and was extremely embarassed when you told me that you never heard of such a guy... I always thought that all of those who’re involved in black metal scene have BURZUM’s recordings or, at least, gave them a listen...

- Actually I was just being sarcastic because If I remember correctly the question dealt with his dislike for the US and its bands so instead of giving him any time or attention in the interview I just replied ‘Never heard of him’. If he hates the US and its bands I dont really have a problem with it but his music is another that just Blows, I have heard all the BURZUM CDs and it is just a step above that ABRUPTUM stuff I heard.

What «brutal» band’s music must represent in your understanding? And what is «brutal»? Is it lyrics, sound, attitude or probably something else?

- To me being brutal is just an all around feel to someones music. The term is widely over used. I see so many fliers that describe their music as brutal then I will hear it and its just a bunch of garbage.

Do you play live? If yes, tell me few words about your shows...

- We have not played live with AURORA BOREALIS because we are always having drummer difficulties. Our drummers are always busy with a bunch of shit and living in different states doesnt help much either. If a tour was offered we would do it but as just for playing gigs here and there we just dont do it.

What do you prefer: playing live or writing new songs, sitting at home? Where does your soul belong to - studio or stage?

- Well I really like recording new stuff and writing it. I have a small studio at my house so I am really into that, but at the same time I would very much like to be playing live, but I will not resort to a machine to do so or I will not get just an average drummer that you hear every day.

What reaction (I mean feelings like f.ex. depression, anxiety or whatever else) would you like to cause among your listeners?

- I dont really care what they feel as long as they like the music. And if they dont like it Oh well. We havent had anyone ver buy the CD and complain. I am really confident that anyone who gets it will enjoy it.

Modern society... Can we say that it’s ill and there’s no hope for recovery? Can you tell me what sort of people irritate you most of all?

- I really hate Followers, people that just lump on every bandwagon gimic that gets popular. There are a lot of those kind in the metal scene as well as the rest of the free world. Who knows if theres hope for the world.

Ok, I feel that’s enough for now... Do you have anything left to say?

- Let me just thank you once again for the interview, I really appreciate the chance to speak to your audience. Anyone intereted in either of our Cds or any merchandise or just general info are encouraged to contact us at:
PO BOX 1327 Clinton MD 20735-5327 or via the internet at AURORA4DTH@aol.com
Also visit out web site at www.concentric.net/~Neophil/AuroraBorealis