Hellish
greetings! Let's begin with the short story of your band as well as full
discography...
- Salutations.
The story of YAMATU is an immortal one far too in depth for explanation
in this prospective interview, hence I admonish the reader to observe my
biographical texts located at my electronic domain (http://www.darkwoods.net/bands/yamatu).
As for a given discography, I recall the following: "Fourfold Solstice
Of Thy Black Utchat" promotional tape (1993), "Awakening Of The Knights"
promotional tape (1994), "Ishkur Egishnugal" Cassette Ep '94 (Drakkar Productions
1998).
Drakkar
recently released «Ishkur Egishnugal» in the shape of a cassette
album, however it's just a re-issue of your old stuff... This fact makes
me wonder of what is going on now in YAMATU's camp and when will we hear
new creations by this band?
- Indeed,
Drakkar Productions shall soon release my "Ishkur Egishnugal" composition
on cassette format for the year of 1998. Originally, "Ishkur Egishnugal"
was to be released in 1994 by Erzsebet Productions, but that never ocurred,
and thus this material has awaited its release for many years now. There
has been much activity between the years that distinguish YAMATU's legacy
in the past as well as it's present endeavour. Numerous psalms have
been penned and recorded, though many have never found any form of official
release. They shall remain forever in the annals of obscurity. A
future composition shall be made known as "Anna Shi, Asatta."
In my
personal view, Drakkar Productions appears as a label, releasing extremely
low-quality bands, pretending to be «true underground» - just
to mention MUTIILATION... So why did you allow them to release YAMATU's
tape?
-
The reason for my interest in Drakkar Productions was by word of mouth.
My comrade, Scorpios of CRIMSON MOON informed me that Drakkar was a decent
label, and thus I forwarded them my YAMATU materials. Hence, the
present arrangement with this French label. I am not aware of the status
of Drakkar in the scene, and I honestly do not care if they are considered
a 'false' label by few (probably you got
me wrong. I just meant, most of their (early) releases are quite of no
interest due to musical incompetence. MUTIILATION might be a good example
- ED). My work is directly with Cyril (the owner) and if he is willing
to support my endeavour then I shall be honored to be a part of his label.
Furthermore, I am in contact with MERRIMACK who is another Drakkar band,
and I find their music quite appealing in a raw conotation.
Lyrics
strike as rather important aspect of YAMATU's conception, and needless
to say that I'd like to know more in regards to them...
- Excerpted
from: "Maklu Ina Shi Abnu, Asaru (Eribu, Ningishzidda)"
Ina kuan
illikam ilu kashurra zumru ma ebebu. Etu mar sarrim kitnusu emuq ma labiru
baltu. Ina mar sarrim mannu ebebu qatu peta, mannu salmu malu maharu seru.
Ina bel ebebu ma tiit, su mannu ina sinnis wardatusarrum-Sargon iqbu.
Translation:
"Offering Of The Blood Stone, The All-Seeing Eye (Enter, Lord Of The Artifact
Of Life)"
From the
opening to the heavens came to me a god of awesome body and purity. A dark
prince of royal power and old splendor. The prince whose pure hand is open
for me, whose long black hair recieves his back. The lord of purity and
'that which is life,' he whom the young woman of King Sargon spoke of.
«Ishkur
Egishnugal» features the splendid voice performed by some female
person named Lady Ereshkigal... Who is she and where did you find her?
Will she participate in your future recordings?
- Lady Ereshkigal
is mother (by the masculine principle of Enki) to Lord Ningishzidda.
Ningishzidda is referred to in the above lyrical proscription. It
is because Lady Ereshkigal is mother to Ningishzidda that her essence appears
in the music of YAMATU. One may expect to find her essence reappearing
in "Anna Shi, Asatta."
Both,
music and lyrics of yours, breathe with the spirit of Occultism which looks
quite strange in my eyes, since as far as I know you're pure atheist...
- Truly,
YAMATU is most dearly an occult manifestation! My rational mind is
that of the atheist. It is inquisitive and mysterious emobiment that
embraces a path of night unknown to simple humans. I do not wish
to elaborate on this.
In my
opinion vocals are one of the strongest sides of YAMATU. They're extremely
dark and depressive, bestial and shrieky, sometimes almost inhuman... However,
comparisons with BURZUM are inevitable, I guess... Does this band really
influence (or inspire) your inner self?
- It is pleasing
to realize you appreciate the vocal aesthetic of the YAMATU conception.
The essence of being inspires one to create such vocal accompaniments.
As for the group BURZUM, I cannot say that his work influences me at all.
I only recently heard BURZUM for the first time a few months ago, and do
not enjoy his music very much.
What is
your opinion of Varg Vikernes and his activities? He spoke of USA rather
negatively, considering your country as 'nothing but a gathering of subhumans
and mixed-blooded' - what do you think of such statements?
- The activities
of Vikernes propose an interesting read, though I understand his actions
and thoughts to be on a rather primal and undeveloped level. Lacking reason
and discipline is a very pathetic trait and does nothing for the quality
of life. As for his comment on America, I would have to ask him to
consider his own subhumanity before bestowing judgments upon others.
Will
YAMATU stay as your personal project or is there a possibility for enlarging
band's lineup? Will we ever see you playing live with YAMATU?
- There is
no intention for YAMATU to evolve with other personalities, as it is a
strict exploration of my essence alone, as that is the sanctified nature
of it. Furthermore, there is no intention of performing live, as
the creation is not meant for a wide audience.
You're
also involved in huge number of various projects besides YAMATU - such
as DALKHU ZILITTU, MOONROOT or DOMINION CIMMERIAN. I believe that majority
of our readers aren't familiar with these names, so please, in short, tell
us everything we need to know about your bands...
- DALKHU
ZILITTU is an avant-garde danse project which purveys a myriad of vocal
sonances, tribal rhythms, and electronic experimentations. DALKHU ZILITTU
has released a cassette EP on Dark Age Productions entitled "The Impious
Kiss." You may expect the debut full length CD of DALKHU ZILITTU
on Cold Disney Circus Productions (France) in the coming months. MOONROOT
is a
progressive
phantasia rock band performed with assistance of my brother and Emperor
Proscriptor from ABSU. We shall have a debut CD / LP on Black Widow
Records (Italy) sometime in the winter.
Are you
in contact with any other US-based 'occult' acts? I heard that you're familiar
with Baron Von Abaddon (a.k.a. Michael Ford) - can you share with us your
impressions of meeting and associating with him? Is he really a «vampire»
as he claims to be or it's just another childish vain glory?
- Yes, I
am in contact with other occult related projects from the United States.
In form, there are two sister projects of YAMATU that exist on the same
thought pattern and intention. These are AKRABU
(California)
and AKHKHARU (Texas). I am also in contact with Michael Ford from
the band BLACK FUNERAL. He is a very serious individual and does
not joke with matters that most might assume to be pure image. His
intentions are serious, as are mine. Rise in the dream and you shall
witness...
What do
you think of a feeling of solitude? «In true solitude one has the
strength of weak-minded legions...» - such are the words of Gaahl
(TRELLDOM). Do you agree with him?
- The experience
of solitude may oft times be an inspiring event. It promotes introspection
which in turn can give rise to a plethora of other complexities thus arranging
and evolving the character of an individual. In some ways, this may
lead to realizations that exist on a higher degree of understanding than
the norm, which in turn may give one knowledge that is above 'the weak
minded legions' as is stated by Gaahl. So yes, I do agree with Gaahl
on this point.
What are
your current plans with YAMATU?
- To transmutate
726 in the vessel of luna (under influence of calx, mercury, and salt)
and thereby conjure the bloodstone for immortal purposes.
Are there
any spells your dark essence would like to cast upon us in the end?
- Yes...vista
interiora terrae rectificando invienes occultum lapidem!
YAMATU contact
-
Michael Riddick
604 Third
Street
Herndon,
VA 20170
USA
Email: riddick@erols.com