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In the beginning, the band was me - vocals, John - guitars, Mutilator -
bass and Captain Death - drums. We released our first demo «Procreation
Of The Unaltered Evil» in 1989! Then Captain Death left the band
and went to Belgium for work. In 1990 we released our second demo «Genesis
Of Apocryphal Desire» with a new lineup: me - vocals, John - guitars,
Stavros - guitars, Mutilator - bass and Themis - drums. On VARATHRON’s
first full-length album «His Majesty At The Swamp», the lineup
was: me - vocals, Mutilator - bass, Wolfen - drums and Necroslaughter -
drums. John and Stavros left the band and went to obligatory army service!
Themis was a session drummer and he left VARATHRON also. Then Necroslaughter
(for personal problems) has gone to Australia... On our second full-length
CD «Walpurgisnacht», the lineup was: me - vocals, Pyrphoros
- guitars, Wolfen - drums and Bill - synths. Mutilator left VARATHRON and
ROTTING CHRIST because of business and his family. That lineup will be
the same until our «pneumatic» death!!! So I’m the only one
who has survived!
What was the reason for re-issuing your old material in the shape of «Genesis Of Apocryphal Desire» CD?
- Our new release «Genesis Of Apocryphal Desire» CD from Cursed Prods was a great ‘deal’ between me and Ray! I think our ‘new’ fans haven’t heard VARATHRON’s old material, i.e. our two occult demos and I think that aforementioned album is a some kind of gift for these people! So, the CD contains our two demo tapes + 3 unreleased songs from 1989, 1991 and 1993!!! I think that Ray has done a good work for the design and promotion of CD!
Your third full-length album should be out in September 1998. How would you explain such a long delay between the release of «Walpurgisnacht» and forthcoming «Crow’s Reign»?
- The ONLY reason for such delay is a point of label!!! We’re looking for a good label until now! I had a good response from Nazgul’s Eyrie Productions, but Opyros have some problems which made him to delay the release of our new stuff. Now we have full-length LP ready as well as one MCD, BUT no serious label which could issue them! Fuck!!!
Please, comment the titles of your releases. «Black Arts Lead To Everlasting Sins», «His Majesty At The Swamp», «Walpurgisnacht», «Genesis Of Apocryphal Desire», «Sarmutius Pegorus», «The Lament Of Gods» and «Crow’s Reign» - what meaning did you put into aforementioned words?
- As you know, we’re an occult band and our messages are dark and apocryphal thoughts! I worship the Black Arts and I’d like to fight any system, any status like all kinds of «Churches» and governments! Each of us should have right to make a choice!
I’ve heard that you’re now signed to German Nazgul’s Eyrie Productions... Is that truth? Don’t you fear to be rip-offed once again?
- As I told you before, now we’re looking for a serious label which is able to promote us really good! Opyros (Nazgul’s Eyrie) wants to release our new stuff and a label Megatherion Records from Greece wants the same! Also, I’m waiting for some other offers soon! VARATHRON’s new materials are so good and very «hard-working» (?? - ED), so I don’t want to be signed on some shithead label like in our past!
What musical path VARATHRON will embark on in the future? Is there any possibility of changing drastically your current style?
- Our own style is so original from our beginnings! In general, VARATHRON’s style still remains the same. Our new material has some more atmospheric parts because our synth-man has plenty of great ideas and the final result will kill everyone!!! Watch out for our new MCD «The Lament Of Gods»!!!
Have you ever thought of writing a whole song in Greek? I think, it could be an interesting experience...
- No, because our language is not «cult» like English or Latin! Maybe in future we’ll write a song with English lyrics and some words in Greek! We’ll see...
How do you understand the terms «satanism» and «occultism»? What do they represent in your view and is there any difference between them? (Personally I consider them to be completely different things...)
- Of course, I agree with you! Satanism and occultism are two really different things! The «satanism» way of today is a kind of philosophical way with some good beliefs and a lot of rules!! Occultism is a way to «live and believe» with a mix of any apocryphal part of some religions, like ancient Greek religion, ancient Egyptian, Japanese, Jukas, Maya’s, Scandinavian beliefs and more!!!!!!! So the choice is yours!
What happened to Storm Studio? Did Morbid quit with sound-engineering...?
- Storm Studio is R.I.P. now! Morbid currently appears as the editor of Metal Invader!
Many black metal bands of today return to their cultural heritage, bringing folk elements into their music, therefore can we suppose that VARATHRON will follow the same way (especially considering your origin)?
- I think, our style has some influences from our ancient folk music! Using some ancient folk elements from any band’s culture... gives a special «face» to their music! You can bring your imaginations and feelings to your music!
Polish Still Dead Productions released a tribute to MERCYFUL FATE compilation with VARATHRON’s cover among others - does it mean that you appear as fans of this legendary band?
- Of course, I’m a fan of Great MERCYFUL FATE!! Still Dead Prods released a great tribute CD with very good bands and VARATHRON is one of them, covering «Nuns Have No Fun» song! MERCYFUL FATE is truly a legendary band, from fantastic MCD on Rave On in 1982 till the great new LP «Into The Unknown» in 1997!
I heard that you planned to contribute in making some kind of a mag...
- I released some good mags in glorious past, like «Genital Necrosis» or «Blasphemous Mag»... Now, I work with «Mortal Noise», a great Polish magazine with a great layout and 100 pages with death / black / doom bands!
What kind of living would you consider as «perfect» for your inner self?
- I’d like to live in a world where strength and steel are the biggest honour! Near to forests and mountains... I love Nature, not iron buildings! (you’re not the only one... - ED)
You once mentioned that kickboxing and waterpolo enter in your sphere of interests... Would you like to tell us few more words, regarding it?
- Well, I’m playing waterpolo for almost twenty years now, I like sea and swimming... About martial arts - I like it very much! Full-contact and kick-boxing are my fave fighting styles. I had a lot of fights in the past and I’m a teacher in that style! I like it because sometimes my animal-instincts come out and I feel the power in my hands and brain... Absolute power!
And finally, the last question - you’re involved in black / death metal scene for many years, so it’s quite natural if I’ll ask you to comment BM music and scene’s development during those years... The way it was and the way it is now...
- Well, I like your question! Black metal scene was so pure, authentic, great some years ago! Plenty of great bands who believed in what they sang about, they loved this kind of music and created fucking brilliant masterpieces! Well, in our fucking days, in 1998, most of bands who played death or thrash metal now turn to black! Everything and everyone are just fashion-followers! No originality, no pure feelings, no love to BM music, BUT all of them want to play black metal and paint their faces for fashion, glory and stupidity! Of course, some bands stayed alive but only few! (hey, don’t be so pessimistic! There’s enormous number of worthy and honest BM bands nowadays! Just look around, Stephan! - ED) I don’t know if black metal will survive, but I hope to continue playing this music until my death!!! Thanx for everything! / ... Stephan ... /