Band: SONGE D’ENFER
Country: Brazil
Style: black metal
Questions by: Kai Mathias Stalhammar
Answers supplied by: Fog (vocals, guitars)

Let’s start from a couple of ‘FAQ’s... What is "Songe D'Enfer" and what roused you to choosing such a bandname?

- First I would like to Hail all the True Evil Souls that without any stupid objective and with an invisible force, rise up and make Immortal our True believes in the Art of the Dark side. Hail the Goat of Mendes!
I have to apologize myself with you Kai, for my big delay but I have my reasons... Now begins the interview...
«Songe d'Enfer» means «Dream of Hell» and I've chosen it because its meaning sounds very grandiose to me. I think it sounds killer and means a mix of Hell, Sabbath, Evil, and all the essence of Darkness. A Dream it's just a dream, but that dream can move you to your reality, if you can... Then a dream of Hell is the study and the practice. I don't know if you can understand me....

In my view, your music appears as original interpretation of traditional South-American BM, while vocals remind me of BURZUM... Do you agree? Can you name Varg’s band as one of your influences? What is your opinion concerning this guy and his activities?

- During sometime here in Brazil, a lot of bands , specially coming from Belo Horizonte (SARCOFAGO and SEPULTURA’s city), played in the exactly vein of Sarcofago. Bands like: SEX TRASH, LOUCYFER, EXPULSER, BRUTAL DISTORTION, CYRROSIS..... This style became so popular here and the bands didn't have nothing to do with the true essence of black metal, satanism. Than I thought about introduce a more ritualistic and deepest sound (keyboards, and others instruments) mixed with the grotesce and bestial side of the old Sarcofago times. Than I put influences from MASTER’S HAMMER, some classic musics, DEAD CAN DANCE and a lot of other bands including BURZUM. By the time I created this formule, BURZUM just had its «Burzum» CD and it was one of the most obscure, hateful and underground CD we all have listened with SAMAEL, BLASPHEMY and others. I feel agony and pain listening to the voices of Count, Storm (MASTER’S HAMMER) and some others... That's the reason. I can agree with you that my voice can remember Varg's voices. But not only, it remembers to me MASTER’S HAMMER, BATHORY, GBK, MAYHEM (with Maniac), and a ton of others... I don't like BURZUM anymore. He became a big trendy. Taking pictures with a Superman T-shirt and saying that he never had nothing to do with the metal scene... That's disgusting... I only like his first two albums: «Burzum» and «Aske».

Have you ever though of using «clean» vocals? MYSTIFIER managed to do it quite successfully, aren’t you going to embark the same path?

- Some of our new songs have different voices, but more guttural ones. The best clean vocals are from King Diamond.

Unfortunately, the lyrics weren’t printed on demo booklet, therefore can you enlighten me a bit, regarding their meaning and essence?

- «Et Vidit Quod Esset Bonum»: it talks about the Soulary attack to the christian church during the inquisition. He was burned because of some true words. I put some of this words into the lyric, that question the true essence of the good and evil. First the man talk, than the earth, the sky, the abyss and finally, the verb. The world is not so beautiful as some stupids think. «My Lady Princess of Hell» is a conjuration to Gorgon, evoking and talking about her power in the night and dark. «My Visions In The Forest» is a saudation to some of the invisible forest forces. Hail the Blood!

There were two lineup changes in your band, if I’m not mistaken... Would you like to comment Lechis’ and Haschcloud’s departure / Hofgodhar’s and Lia’s joining SONGE D’ENFER?

- Yes, Lechis left us after the recording of our demo. I don't like to comment his departure. I just have to say that he's no more a part of our black sword. Hashcloud is now our roadie. He felt the necessity to leave us because he's a very busy man, he works in a butchery shop and doesn't have more time to rise up SONGE D’ENFER. He's a great brother of us and totally into the metal scene. Hofgodhar came from a band called NOCTURNAL WORSHIPPER and Isa came from a band called QUINTESSENCE.

Besides singing you also play guitars, hence do you agree with the statement, saying that guitar often appears as a sort of "musician’s continuation"?

- I don't have a music competition in my mind. I've just a music worship. I don't care if some one plays more or less than another, I just care with the atmosphere he can create.

As far as I know, SONGE D’ENFER was formed as your personal project, so that means that you’ve played in some other bands before...? Can you tell me anything of your musical past and why did you decide to invite supplementary musicians in your band?

- Yes, I played in some other bands before SONGE D’ENFER. The last band I played in was GENETIC DEFORMATION (1990-93 - death / black metal). We released a 7'EP called «Gates Of Eternal Suffering». When GENETIC DEFORMATION was over, I had four songs ready for a project that I was going to call NAHASH. It would be a fast black metal with no keyboards, like BATHORY’s debut LP. So, I thought that would be great to use keyboards to put more mystery to the sound and I asked Hashcloud to help me. This notice spreaded out here in my city and Lechis called saying that he wanted to play bass. I invited the old drummer of G.D., but he didn't stay with us too much and was replaced by Reston. Then, we was all envolved by the songs and became a true band, started to rehearsal and recorded the demo tape....

 

- If some one says 'I play black metal but I'm not a Satanist' he's no being honest with himself. In another words, he's a stupid! If you play in a black metal band you have to be a satanist (BULLSHIT!! If you play (or listen) to BM, you must be anti-christian - however it doesn't necessary mean that composing and performing this kind of music you follow the horde of Satan... - ED).  Black netal is Darkness and Evil! Satanism will never be a marketing because it lives in your innerself and life. Black metal became popular just this days. One day we all made black metal without this actual explanation. Satanism can be a lot of things, but if you play black metal you have to be a satanist. Some people think that to be a satanist you have to kill babies and give your soul to Satan. Satanism is much more of it! We don't think Satan is a Red Demon with long horns..... Satanism is a realisation of your desires without any stupid  laws. Satanism is worship the Occult, the Death, the night, the Baphomet, the moon.... Satanism cross the ridiculous. What is ridiculous? I believe something can be ridiculous to me and not for you and vice-versa. If some person pays for LaVey credit card, this person is ridiculous, not Lavey. But for this person this is not ridiculous, this is the best thing to do. Maybe he has money and US$100, 200, 500 is not too much for him and he wants to know the secrets of LaVey, or he is a Baphomet fanatic... That's my point of view. If you read the LaVey’s Satanic Bible it has a lot of great and a lot of stupid things... We are humans... All are searching for the Secrets of the secrets... I'm not into Church of Satan,  but I have some books from Lavey and I think his writings have some essence. Of course LaVey is very popular these days, specially after his death... My position is the following: I don't care about the popularization of Satanism, I just worship Satan and the Occult.

Your (excellent) demo «My Visions In The Forest» is going to be released as split-CD with a band, called MIASTHENIA... What can you us tell about them?

 - They play a great sound very mystical and sing in Portuguese. The CD will include their great demo «Faun-Tragica Musica Noturna». You can find Vlad ( guitar / vocal) at the following address: P.O Box 3240, Guará I , Brasília-DF 71001-970, Brazil.

«My Lady Princess Of Hell (Conjuration To Gorgon)» was featured on «Under The Pagan Moon», hence what do you think of other bands, who participated with their compositions on this compilation?

- The bests are SONGE D’ENFER, BISHOP OF HEXEN, MOONBLOOD, MALKUTH and OBSCURATION. I just know the guys from BISHOP OF HEXEN and MALKUTH.

Also, the new album seems to be out very soon... What music are you planning to feature on this upcoming piece of darkened art? Is it the same as your demo («occult mystical black metal» - that’s how I call it), or there’re any changes occured?

- The same of the demo. True black metal for True Worshippers of the Dark. Some changes are very normal, because of the line-up and the sound of the record is never the same... But we will never leave the Dark and the Violence. Some of our new songs are faster («The Silence Is On The Throne»)  and some are deepest atmospheric... It will be a complete Dark and Evil CD.

Brazilian BM scene strikes as surprisingly strong, so there’re definitely more than few bands, worth mentioning and praising... Can you name any?

- The Brazilian scene was a "scene" in the old time of SARCOFAGO, SEPULTURA, HOLOCAUSTO, MUTILATOR, VULCANO, DORSAL... Now all of this bands left the black metal and the scene was never the same. Some great bands appeared during this times but someones are no more into this kind of music or the band is over. Some of the best Brazilian bands to me are nowadays: SONGE D’ENFER, MURDER RAPE, MIASTHENIA, AKERBELTZ, ORACULO DE ASARADEL and few others...

How can you explain the following assertion - «their music is extremely atmospheric»?

- In my conception a music which is «extremely atmospheric» is a music that you can really put your dreams in. It’s something so surreal that you make this surrealism your reality.

Bio says that your lyrical creations are inspired by Aleister Crowley’s writings in some ways... What is your opinion of this man, his way of life and goals, which he tried to fulfill through his earthly existence?

- Frater Perdurabo was one of the most inteligent man. All of us are a part of the Law of Thelema. We have just to broke our blocks. Hail the Law of Thelema! Hail Nuit! Crowley Rules!

«Fog» is rather strange alias for a black metaller... Can you explain it’s meaning and what made you to name yourself as that?
 
- Strange?? A Dark drape that covers the sky and the moon. Is it strange to you? Then what is not strange? Super Master Dangerous Satanic Kid? I'm sorry, but who are you to question my occult pseudo? It has just to do with my inner self and my objectives. Strange.....

Your view upon Scandinavia, i.e. their music, activities, statements and events, which took place there not so long ago...?

- I like some bands from Scandinavia, specially MAYHEM (the True)!!!!
From Norway: DARKTHRONE, ANCIENT, GEHENNA, IMMORTAL, ENSLAVED, THORNS, ARCTURUS (Oh My Angel...), EMPEROR, GORGOROTH, MYSTICUM, I listen the CDs from LIMBONIC ART and its great. From Sweden: ABRUPTUM, MARDUK, MORTIIS, the old ENTOMBED, OPHTHALAMIA, KATATONIA, THE BLACK, DISSECTION. From Finland: BEHERIT, the old IMPALED NAZARENE...

How could South-American BM bands achieve such a different style and sound from American and European groups of the same kind; your opinion?

- Someones says that the Hell is in the South... I don't have this political separation in music. I'm my conseption, the band have to be complete or no. From where it comes, doesn't matter for me. I've  problems just with the bastard sons of the Holy Church. We have all influences from the old Brazilian black metal scene. We all can do anything new all the time, that's the source of originality: mind.

Philosophy, music and art - what attracts you more and why? Are there any philosophers, musicians or artists you adore with?

- I enjoy all , but I belive music is my necessity. Music is art and philosophy. I have a lot of favorite artists. This is a very giant field...

Some say that racism is a «nation’s natural survival instinct», others (f.ex. Max Cavalera) curse suchlike things... How Fog feels about this?

- I don't care about it. If you don't talk with a guy because he’s not of your color, you are a stupid (remember to take all the wisdom...) But if you don't like to fuck with a girl because she's white, black, brown or something, it's just your pleasure and sexual desires. I don't like to fight with the brothers of Darkness. We have to kill the sons of christ!

What do you know about Russia and Russian black metal bands?

- I known that your country is very cold and have wonderful women... Blondies and tall. About the scene, I don't have listened any Russian black metal bands, I'm sorry. Of course I have a total interest to listen to bands from your country, and if some one can send me a comp. or something for free or to trade, I'll have interest.

Can you give us some of your impressions, regarding the following people’s music and personalities:

Diamanda Galas - I don't know very deepest her work, I have «The Litanies Of Satan» and «Panoptikon» CDs and it's a must.
Glenn Danzig - I like Danzig.
Peter Steele - I enjoy some songs from TYPE O NEGATIVE, especially the keyboarder.

How do you understand «evil» and what does it mean to you? Why so many young kids claim to be «evil»; what incites them to it?

- I believe the good can be the Evil, and the Evil can be the good. I believe the good is the Evil, and the Evil is the good. I believe god is Evil, and  Evil is the God.
Evil is hate and vengeance.

Is a feeling of joy acquainted with your innerself?

- My innerself? No... (then you must be dead, since every human possesses this feeling sometimes... - ED)

You know, few friends of mine for some reasons think that black metaller’s life must differ from usual narrow-minded people’s lives; are they right? I’m into black metal for many years, I’ve met and talked to huge number of people playing in BM bands, and somehow I didn’t find anything, differing them from ordinary people... (honestly speaking, I consider myself as 100% usual person as well).

- Here we go to cemetery, we read books, listen to music, colect Satanic artefacts, worship and live to the night most of time we can. I don't know if it’s normal or no, it's just what I like. That's nothing tottally to do with black metal. That's the life we live. Out of it, I do all the usual things (work, study, eat, womens...). I don't like this kind of person who feel fear to be as his dream and smile when see someone doing what he thinks.

Is there any non-black metal influences, which could be seen / heard in SONGE D’ENFER?

- Some classical music, operas, satanic progressive sounds...

What are your thoughts upon such definitions as «war» and «battle»? Do you familiar with Australian war metal’s theory, and if yes, do you find anything close to your essence in it?

- I support the War against the pigs of Jehovah! No, I'm not familiar with the Australian War metal theory.

It’s quite obvious, that TOO MANY black metal acts use Latin titles for their songs and your band wasn’t an exception, entitling the first demo song as «Et Vidit Quod Esset Bonum»... What is the reason for such a tendency among today’s black metal formations, and why did you follow the same way? Do you really know Latin, or it’s just the song-title, which was translated into it with a dictionary?

- Some of the Satanic Wisdom came from the ancient Latin language. That's not a tendency. No, I don't know Latin and I don't have this necessity because I'm not a history man. In some Satanic books, some frases and words are in Latin. And the transleted I find into the books.

 

- It's just the number of the register of the songs...

What about asking ME three questions (any you like)?

I - What is black metal to you?

What is black metal to me... Well, first of all it’s the kind of music I really like and maybe even adore - in my view BM is most perspective style in extreme music nowadays. There’re no limits for various experiments and self-development, therefore I hope (and know) that this genre will be alive for a long, long time since now... For example such music as death metal or grindcore has strict bounds, and if you dare to ignore them, your music turns into something else; just look at AMORPHIS. In the beginning of 90’s everyone considered them to be a death metal band, but since they changed their style a bit this band became something different and today’s AMORPHIS cannot be categorized as 'death'. So, first reason why I’m into BM is that, being furious and extremely raw (BESTIAL WARLUST, early BEHERIT) it can also be dark and atmospheric (MALKUTH, ARGENTUM) or rather poetic and maybe even beautiful (ARCTURUS, ARMAGEDDON), consequently such definition as «progressive» fits BM perfectly. Just take few contemporary bands of this kind and compare them to each other. The difference is amazing! In contrast to other extreme music styles, black metal can be mixed with ANY metal or non-metal styles (jazz, classical music, dark wave, ambient, folk, etc.) - isn’t it a perfect proof to my words? But black metal is not only music, it’s far, far more... It’s anti-christian ideology, it’s special mental condition and even a lifestyle for some. I can’t understand those people who play in BM bands and claim to be indifferent to all religions - like «I don’t give a damn about christianity... let xians do what they want». It’s just stupid. Black metal was meant to be one of the weapons against christianity and other «world» religions, sword into the heart of pathetic Church, meaning of life and Faith for the chosen ones... And now BM scene is flooded with worthless scumbags who don’t care about the True meaning of BM... In their minds it’s only music which is quite popular nowadays... Losers...

II - What do you known about the black / death metal scene here in Brazil?

I know quite a lot about your country’s metal scene. One of the first metal records I ever bought was SEPULTURA’s «Morbid Visions», and that’s where my path began... Path leading to the understanding of true essence and meaning of our lives... I really appreciate what SEPULTURA did on their first recordings (especially «Bestial Devastation»), but now... Aaarrghhh! I almost hate this «band», at least I hate what their today's music represent. Besides them, I’d also like to mention SARCOFAGO (who stayed true to themselves during all these years) and some other old bands like SEX TRASH and VULCANO. As to new generation of Brazilian BM bands - well, there’re many, many acts who play wonderful, dark and tremendous music, like MYSTIFIER (their «The World Is So Good...» together with "Wicca" must be one of my favorite recordings ever!), SONGE D’ENFER, MALKUTH, MURDER RAPE, AMEN CORNER, IN MEMORIAN, MORDETH, PENTACROSTIC, PROFANE CREATION, etc. I consider Brazilian scene as very potential... At least, most of unholy bands coming from your nativeland have something of their own...

III - Could you tell me more about this Australian War Metal Theory?

It’s quite simple. They consider mankind as the most disgusting and worthless lifeform ever spawned by Nature and look forward to the nuclear (chemical or biological - it doesn’t really matter afterall) holocaust which will wipe all human kind of the face of the planet. And there will come a day when Nature will glorify it’s victory... I mostly agree with them, however if WW III or something like that occurs, humanity will be exterminated as well as every other living thing. And animals don’t deserve it. If only we, homo sapiens, will cease to exist - that’s ok. But it’s only us who should be destroyed.

The dawn rises, eating away all-devouring darkness, touching my soul with pain and emptiness... The great Beast and Dragon’s dear images ceased into the outer spheres which they were spawned by, consequently it’s time to end this interview... Final dark thoughts of yours?

- Hail Satanic Victory! A special thanx to you Kai, for this interview. Stay heavy and never stop to work with the true underground. Good luck and long live to your Vae Solis mag. We have some stuff available, check our web page and see the prices of it. If someone have interest to write to us, please don't forget the IRC, it's a necessity...
«Occult are our dreams, be rich with the victory. Find answers in the world of Darkness».
 

SONGE D'ENFER
Email: denfer@openlink.com.br