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Band: ARGENTUM
Country of origin:
Mexico
Style: dark metal
Questions by:
Kai Mathias Stalhammar
Answers supplied
by: Khabee Asura (vox)
What I’d name a peculiar difference when it comes to ARGENTUM, is unbelievably enormous temporal break between everything you released so far. You know, sometimes it seems like the band enters a certain kind of lethargic sleep subsequently replaced with a short period of creativity, which later goes down to zero, whilst yet one more five-year long break makes it’s way into it shortly after…
- Well, personally I respect your opinion
about the “short period of creativity” but it has nothing to do with the
five-year long break…
After the release of “Ad Interitum Funebrarum”
we had a lot of problems with the old line-up because they weren't worth
anything!!! We fired the old guys because of many reasons. They were so
unprofessional that it´s hard to understand that we had those idiots
in the band and also the fact that over this country it´s very difficult
to find real people into the underground music, to have an underground
band in the same time trying to cope with the economic problems!!! It's
all really pathetic here!! I consider ourselves very lucky for having been
around for so long. I think our music clearly shows that we have stuck
to what we believe in... we always have enormous periods of creativity
but not always had enough support from labels or musicians to work with!!
Do
you rely more on few chosen ones, those who you make the music for? At
least, how else one can explain why “Stigma Mortuorum” was issued only
in the shape of LP, limited to 500 copies?
- We found highly reliable our own somber
feelings!! We know ARGENTUM is a very dark anti-commercial band; with these
conditions we are really satisfied with the results. We didn´t expect
to have such a success, a lot of positive reviews around the world and
really good critics “Stigma Mortuorum” got. And now, the only thing we
need is a big deal... then we will see what happens with the new record.
Danza Ipnotica Records is a serious record label which have released really
great vinyl stuff with underground bands we really like!! And this is very
important for us. Sergio got in touch with ARGENTUM and we started producing
in cooperation with Danza Ipnotica the “Stigma Mortuorum” as a special
edition (hand numbered copies). On the other hand we were looking for something
special to the real
ARGENTUM´s fans and Danza Ipnotica
made it possible with the vinyl “Stigma Mortuorum” limited edition.
Sadly enough, there’re no real differences between “Ad Interitum Funebrarum” and “Stigma…”, at least in terms of music. All the songs have been structured basically the same way as before. What does such a creative stagnation signify?
- No way!!! What the hell is wrong with you? Obviously, you're the only one who has this opinion... I thought our new recording is more intense and powerful than all the stuff we have ever done before!! A whole Necro Atmosphere wall of sound is created as two guitars travel through the Vortex of death riffs!! And psychotic lead guitars this time sound more clear and in the same time extremely raw. Also blowing intense keyboards here and there... it has nothing to do with the debut album!! We haven´t changed at all, it´s all just got better I think, we tried not to repeat the fucking mistakes from the first album. I mean, we knew it will be a well planned record with better production - and you can also hear that we have become better as musicians, reached much more original sound and personality as a band. When I listen to “Ad Interitum Funebrarum” today there are too many things which really bother me, but I found nothing to complain about on “Stigma Mortuorum” so far. At this time we exactly knew what we wanted to play and we love the fucking Darkness and Death with many sinister atmospheres!! How would you describe the change from “Ad Interitum Funebrarum”? Who fucking cares!!! We pray for Darkness and play for Death!!!
Latin is, beyond any doubts, a special kind of language, especially nowadays when it’s considered out of use. However; why these are bands coming out of South America that are no less than fond of incorporating it? Yours is a good example, I suppose…
- Latin is something complex and difficult to learn (not at all - ED) and it is the root of Spanish and many other languages. Maybe you think Latin is out of use, but don't forget that most of the Ancient Scripts (about magic, alchemy, philosophy, spiritism) were translated to Latin, and that is why we decided to include on our lyrics that enigmatic way of saying our feelings, ´cause we don´t like to write our spells in typical and methodic way. We don´t know if all the bands that come from South America write in latin ´cause we don´t know any of them. Maybe those bands just copy fragments from certain books that they don´t even know what they are talking about, but on the other hand we write our own lyrics, we create it on Latin, we don´t copy that from books and that´s the dark feeling from ancient rites and that´s also our own feeling.
Danza
Ipnotica, an elite label for elite artists. Right or wrong?
- Danza Ipnotica Records has been the best label we have ever worked with before!!! I would not tell exactly if we are an elite band or not, maybe you should ask our followers about that… what do you people think??
Would you like to make any comments on this specific South-American sound, most of Brazilian, Colombian, Mexican black metal acts are well-known for (to give you a hint: slow and sludgy; low guttural voice; unique atmosphere of mysticism)?
- As I said before, I haven´t heard any South American bands sounding similar to your description. Even Mexican bands which we heard so far play only typical death metal... nothing to do with what you said.
What’s your view on contemporary Mexico’s metal scene? What is it alike now, and what will it most possibly be alike in time to come? Any doubtlessly outstanding acts to be noticed?
- There is no real metal scene in México, no real black metal, no real death metal, no real doom metal, no real trash metal, nothing!!!! The most that Mexico has, is false followers of a kind of music that they don´t know what the real feeling is, just trendy kids!!! I hope that situation would change someday!!
I suppose, there’re only few labels, distros and mailorders worth working with, in the country of yours. Whom would you like to mark out?
- You are right!!! We don´t have!!!
Most of Europe-based record companies, guided by the greatest variety of reasons which I can’t accept nor understand, do not reveal ANY willingness to work with ANY bands emerging from Russia as well as ex-Eastern Block States, most often utterly ignoring definitely splendid acts; the same seemingly goes for those, from South American realms. Do you have ANY reasonable explanation, justifying such an insulting injustice?
- We don´t really know why European labels decide to work like that, but they have the economical power to work as they want. If bands from South America and Eastern Block States want to be known worldwide, they need to follow the label´s rules!! That could be an explanation, and if it is not, I don´t know.
By the way, when it comes to difference in territorial location, culture and it’s inalienable facets often misunderstood by those who live in accordance to different code of laws, worshipping a different god… All those leads to World War III these days; Christianity vs. Islam. Don’t you think that the latter is way more dangerous? What’s your prognosis of the current conflict’s evolvement? I mean, USA declared war against terrorism WORLDWIDE, but we all know who will be (already is, actually - ED) attacked first, don’t we?
- That´s political bullshit!!! There are many interests in the middle of the situation, and to give an opinion is something really complex. We think that WWIII is imminent and we have bought our tickets and pop-corn to enjoy the show!!! One of the biggest calamities of the human being has been religions, and while humans keep increasing that kind of power the happiness of many will die, religion is not fun, many people have died ´cause of that since Inquisition.
Talking about religious issues; haven’t you made attempts to find god (or ungod) inside yourself, sort of spiritual deity hidden deep beneath?
- We're absolutely sure that some kind of higher forces do exist, something that we unfortunately would never understand... but Death itself always was and still is our strongest inspiration and fascination. I'm not the right person to judge whether there's god or there isn't, but our Mater Misericordiae I know is real!!!
What
would you say, is the ultimate pleasure to you?
- To live for Saint Death (Niña Blanca). We dedicate all our actions to her, our music, our lyrics, our lives. We feel really happy when people join us with our believes because our Saint Mother feels really flattered when people trust in her.
Do you know anything regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from the country of mine you’ve heard lately?
- Here, in this fake metal scene, you can't find any band that is true to what they say. But ok, thanks to Blackmetal.com we have discovered two Russian bands, MENTAL HOME and ROSSOMAHAAR. Well, I have to say that we were surprised a lot because it seems like the world has to learn a lot from the Russian scene!! As to ROSSOMAHAAR; if we had the authority to give our opinion, we'd say that "Imperium Tenebrarum" is the best fucking release for 2000!! It's amazing how an independent edition could look and sound like!! We have the first edition, by the way... Those who haven't listened to that CD missed a lot!! Particularly our fave songs are "The Forlorn Existence Of Soul Divine", "Mists Of Eternity" and "Imperium Tenebrarum".
Our conversation is over. Leave your final words here.
- I hope that you enjoyed the interview,
thanx for your support!! Wait for the new ARGENTUM era, where desolation
and death rule the world, and lonely souls will find a cradle to hide their
internal emptiness!!
Keep in touch and don´t forget to
visit our official site and to give us a sign at <http://www.argentum.8m.net>
EGO SUM LEX MUNDI…
EGO SUM LEX MORTIS…
… ET ADME VENIUM!!!
ARGENTUM contact -
Email: astrum_argentum@hotmail.com