Hey, Pete, what the hell is going on, when will you finally unleash EMBER’s new stuff in the shape of «official» release??? And what about that 7’EP, awaited for too long by your fans?
 
- Well, basically the 7" is once again put on hold for the time being.  More or less, for the product we would want to release, it would just cost more than we could afford at the moment.  So, for now, we have decided to release a CD.  Basically, it will consist of 5 or 6 new trx., 2 covers, plus both of our demos, but since it will be self-financed, we plan to sell it for the price of a MCD. Basically, the inclusion of the demos is for ourselves (we had always meant to put them on disc) but I guess everyone gets them as  a bonus.  If all goes well (and suddenly there seem to be a few stumbling blocks in our way) it should be out in June.
 
SETH, DUNKELGRAFEN, DORNENREICH, THIRD MOON, NOTRE DAME, CROWN OF AUTUMN, OTYG, IMPERIAL, SEPTIC CEMETARY, RHYMES OF DESTRUCTION, CATAMENIA, PROGENIC, ANOREXIA NERVOSA, CHILDREN OF BODOM, FATAL EMBRACE, THUBAN - these are only few black metal acts which released their debut stuff quite recently; some of them are good, some are stinking bad... With such an enormous number of unholy bands uprising everywhere nowadays, do you really think that you have any chances to make EMBER’s name weighty in contemporary underground scene?
 
- I'm not overly familiar with the bands you have listed, so it be impossible to compare us on a basis of music alone.  All I can say is that we are loyal to what we do and we are confident with each of our releases. By no means is this a guarentee for success, but as long as we are satisfied with the material we put out, I cannot criticize others for not checking it out. Perhaps the biggest thing we have going against us now is that we are a U.S. band (not playing the most typical of styles....at least for a U.S. band) so that leads many to be biased against us in the first place... I guess to answer the question (once and for all,) hopefully through persistance, EMBER will gain the recognition we feel we deserve.
 
Very impressive photo serves as a cover for «The Gate...» - it’s professionally shot and even kinda atmospheric. Where did you take it?
 
- Actually it was taken out of a vampire book. While the picture is good for the tape, the gathering of the artwork was quite rushed.  Many other bands, from CRADLE OF FILTH to USURPER have used artwork out of the same book, which, upon realizing this, we had second thoughts, but as you see we stuck with it. The book is "Vampire: The Complete Guide to the World of the Undead" by Manuela Dunn Mascetti.
 
Can you explain me the meaning of three dots featured in the titles of your second demo and two songs represented on «The Gate...»?
 
- The "dots" are there to show a continuation of a theme that runs through the tape.  However the theme is disrupted by the second song, "These Darkened Wings."  The tape could be titled "The Gate Into Death And Divinity."
 
In my view, your music is more inspired by old black / thrash bands  (VENOM, SODOM, DESTRUCTION, etc.) than by modern «idols» like BURZUM, MAYHEM, DARKTHRONE, EMPEROR and DIMMU BORGIR which serve as a source of inspiration for young black metallers...
 
- Hmmmmmhhhh.... Well, I have a hard time judging our music, so far as what we sound like.  It may sound  wierd, but I think we derive our influences from both sets listed above, plus many others... The old school influence is definitly there, but so far as old school fav's VENOM, CELTIC FROST, POSSESSED, KREATOR, EXODUS and BATHORY would front our list before either SODOM or DESTRUCTION.
 
Only blind ones can ignore modern thrash revival, the same happens with power metal... What do you think of these tendencies?
 
- I'm not going to argue for or against it.  There are some great bands that have come from this resurrgence (AURA NOIR and NOCTURNAL BREED come to mind.)  Not to mention, I'm not old enough to say I was there for the "classic years" (85, 86) so I'm kind of enjoying parts of it.  I was in Europe last year and had the opportunity to see GEHENNAH which I thoroughly enjoyed.  At the same time, it is kind of hard to take some of the bands seriously... I'm not questioning their sincerity, but some of the over the top stuff is just too nostalgic (I'm talking imagery - tough ass biker outfits and such..) But, so far as the music, yeah, I enjoy a lot of it.
 
How did you manage to appear on «Nightshade» and «Under The Pagan Moon» compilations? What are your relations with the labels which released aforementioned CD’s?
 
- Well, "Nightshade" was put out by Scott Defusco (DECEMBER WOLVES / Curse of the Chains 'zine) and Cyclonic Productions put out the CD "Under..."  Both had been contacts of ours who enjoyed our first demo, so they just offered the opportunity for us and we gladly accepted.
 
What was the reason for choosing Allen as a new bassist for EMBER? I know that his former band PAZUZU is well-known and respected in American underground, however I know nothing of them...
 
- PAZUZU was / is (?) a local band with whom Allen (and his brother Chris, who is also in EMBER now - drums) had played with.  He had left them prior to joining EMBER and we were desperately in need of a bassist, so when we heard about it, we jumped on it.  His skills are very good and we have become good friends since his joining 1 and a half years ago. PAZUZU released the great "Infernal Iron Legions" demo about 2 years ago. Since then, I believe they had a reh. tape available, but as of yet, I have not heard it.
 
A lot of demo efforts by today’s black metal bands possess very poor sound quality, but fortunately that doesn’t concern «The Gate...». Are you pleased with the outcome of your work at Hair Bear Studios? Have any other metal bands recorded their material at that place before you?
 
- The mighty SCEPTER (if you haven't checked out this band, DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!) had suggested Hair Bear, as they had recored both of their releases there.  I like the sound, although some have criticized it.  We had a great time with the producer, Jeff, and although I think he may have quickly grown tired of our sound, he was helpful, especially considering that we are relatively inexperienced in the studio.
 
Lyrics are not included with «The Gate...» demo, hence would you mind telling us something in regards to their content and meaning?
 
- To be honest, lyrics are one portion of the band I am not proud of. Perhaps it is just me being too critical of my own work?  That was the main reason for them not being printed.  The lyrics for both of the demos are a bit weak in my opinion and they cover some of the standard topics... power, darkness, pretty cliche, huh.  The newer lyrics are better in my opinion.  The same stance, but told in a different way.  A bit more personal.  It has yet to be decided whether they will be printed though.
 
Some of you use «ritual» handles (like Mourngrym), others (like you) - don’t. May I wonder why?
 
- To me, it was not a big deal to not use my name.  On the other hand, for Mourngrym (at the time of the first demo) felt it necessary for reasons unknown to me.  After EMBER decided to no longer concentrate on the image of the band (prior to the recording of the second demo), the name Mourngrym remained so there was still a link (however small) to our past. No big deal though...
 
Have you ever thought of incorporating keyboards into EMBER’s sound? Generally speaking, what do you think of synthesizers and the role they’re playing in contemporary black metal?
 
- So far as EMBER, we had initially planned on using them, but as time grew on and there was no one available to play, we went on to write material that did not rely on their use.  Allen does play keyboards and if we ever find them to be an integral part of our writings they will be included, but we will not force them into the music just to have them. I enjoy the synths when used properly.  Once again, it may be due to our ages, but we all find the creativity  of bands such as EMPEROR and ENSLAVED (along with dozens of others) to be quite splendid, although many of the older people here in the scene despise it.  Old ways ie hard, I guess.
 
Let’s talk about your first demo, «Within The Realm Of The Snowqueen»...
 
- Musically, I like it a lot.  The vox I find a little embarrassing at times.  They only hinted at what was to come.  We still play two of the songs live regularily, and it will be resurrected for the CD I spoke of earlier.  While I don't love it as I once did, it shows things to come and I am still proud of what we achieved with that release.
 
What caused Abbas’ departure and why did he decide to return later?
 
- Ohhh, just various bullshit.  He had some legal troubles that lasted a year or two and he is currently on hold once again after a bad automobile accident.  However his place is held for he is one with EMBER.
 
What appeared as that «difficulties in the studio» which prevented you from releasing debut MCD through Cyclonic Productions?
 
- Basically, nothing we worked on for those sessions turned out well (although there was a humorous rendition of SAMHAIN's "Halloween II" recorded).  We just weren't well prepared and it showed.  I don't believe we even have the tapes from those sessions.
 
It is rumoured that you are the kind of person dedicated to 100% «metal lifestyle»...?
 
- I would say that I live (or we) live more of an underground lifestyle than a metal lifestyle necessarily.  We all have dedicated our lives to music. While we are all metalheads though, we don't confine ourselves within a certain lifestyle.  But, we all tend to stray from normal ways quite often, and do favor the darker sides of life.
 
Do you like playing live? Can you explain me why many BM bands almost hate doing it? What was your most impressive and most weak show so far?
 
- For the most part playing live is a good time.  We have had both good and bad expericences.  You have to remember that this form of metal hasn't really caught on here, so a lot of people don't know what to expect. Responses have been positive all of the way through, but there have only been a few shows where people went fucking insane.  The best ws probably our first gig with CENOTAPH (Mexico).  About 300 insane fuckers just thrashing like all hell broke loose. Not to mention getting the chance to see CENOTAPH.  I'm not a huge fan of their music, but they have got to be one of the most inspiring and passionate bands I've ever witnessed live. Worst show.... we did one about a year ago.  We were off, not too many people there.... it just fucking sucked. So far as the reason for other bands not playing live, I think alot of it would be the fact that they would not be able to duplicate there studio work well in the live arena.  Whereas, I think EMBER is better (or at least more viscious) live than on record.
 
By the way, what happened to your homepage? When will we see it’s new version on the Net?
 
- Our old guitarist had control of it and when he exited the band, he took the page with him.  We are preparing a new one and it should be up within a month or two.  Check http://www.xnet.com/~shashhog/ember  in about a month or so.  We just need to organize the material we want posted.
 
In the end I’d like to hear about your religious views...
 
- I think the bands views are roughly the same.  We bow to no god, but recognize both the powers of good in evil.  Once that has been discerned, we begin to draw our own ways of being and for each we become our own gods in making our own decisions, unwilling to be chained various religious dogma.
 

EMBER contact -
Email (Pete): pmlot@orion.it.luc.edu