To start with, what is "Avrigus"?

- AVRIGUS is a recording duo comprising of myself and Simon Gruer, formerly front-man of Australian doom band, CRUCIFORM. When we met in 1993, Simon introduced me to such bands as ANATHEMA and MY DYING BRIDE . We discovered that we both had the same  sort of musical aspirations-- to blend heavy, multi-layered guitar sounds with classical-sounding orchestral arrangements and choirs. Simon handles all the engineering and most of the production; in other words, all things technical; guitars , drums some vocals and some of the keyboards, especially sound effects and samples. He is responsible for both of the ambient pieces on "The Secret Kingdom". I do most of the vocals and keyboards, all the piano sounds and acoustic guitar. Also I write all of the lyrics and do most of the composition. The name "Avrigus" has no special meaning; it is a made-up name.

Whilst "The Final Wish" appeared as more doom / goth-oriented piece, "The Secret Kingdom" sounds pretty much different, reaching dark ambient horizons, simultaneously still being connected with what we usually call "metal". Any explanation for such a stylistic metamorphosis?

- Do you really think it is so different? We don't. Of course, both "Desolate" and "Flesh" appear on both "The Final Wish" and "The Secret Kingdom" so that  leaves only two tracks and I guess they're both quite different. But  as every track on "The Secret Kingdom" is distinctly different from every other track on the album in the same way as they are on the MCD, we tend to think that IS our style --- melodically strong material, no two songs very much alike, epic production. Any stylistic metamorphosis is just the result of the natural progression from one song to the next and has gone virtually unnoticed by us.

AVRIGUS still is a duo. Do you consider it an advantage of disadvantage?

- We both see it as an advantage. If we had wanted other members we would have gone looking for them. We just wanted to keep to our own ideas and not have to deal with more people. Simon had had enough of 'band problems by the time he left CRUCIFORM. My attempts at bands in the past left me with no desire to try to pull a group  together. I feel that I would only want to work together with other musicians if they were going to have an equal part in the development of the sound of AVRIGUS and that just wouldn't happen with the way we do things right now.

Haven't you ever thought of inviting supplementary musicians, or you feel quite comfortable being only two in the band?

- There was one other member in the original line-up but he grew tired of the two-year wait for CRUCIFORM to die . He made occasional visits to our production sessions and put in some good suggestions. If someone else had turned up along the way and just clicked into place we would have welcomed them but no such thing has ever happened. When we talk about possibly doing something live in the future, of course we discuss the fact that we would have to bring other people in.

What is AVRIGUS to you; something to spend your spare time on, or rather one of the principal aims in your entire life?

- My musical and artistic expression, which happens to be manifesting through AVRIGUS, is indeed almost completely consuming of my life and thoughts. I will put other things aside at all times, to concentrate on AVRIGUS. My mind is forever absorbed in song-writing ideas. Music and Art are completely woven into my existence.

Ok, enough dealing with more or less abstract matters. Back to "The Secret Kingdom". It has a certain lyrical concept, hasn't it?

- Well, actually, no. It just appears to have a concept because of the way the tracks are sequenced.  Everyone thinks there is a concept but if there is , it's accidental. However, having said that, I would have to say that the co-incidental factor is a concept in itself and, if anything, that is the concept! But it has not been consciously contrived, if that's what you mean. I just wrote the songs, one at a time, at different times, inspired by different events and emotions. Someone said they all sound like......and open wound! The whole idea of "The Secret Kingdom" comes from an eighteenth-century book about the world of faerie entitled "The Secret Commonwealth" which I read a couple of years ago. It's the idea of a hidden world, a world we create within our own imaginations. I'm sure you're familiar with it.

I guess you know that Well Of Urd (as well as all the other Hammerheart's sub-divisions) is no more. Consequently, let me wonder what's going to be after, prolonging a deal (this time with Hammerheart) or losing the label?

- Well I wonder who you've been talking to because you've got your facts completely wrong! Allow me to put you straight! Unveiling The Wicked is the only sub-label of Hammerheart that has actually closed. The Plague has been absorbed into Hammerheart. Well of Urd and Vinyl Collectors remain (oops - ED).

Which one would you name as the perfect record company for AVRIGUS?

- We're happy with Hammerheart.

What is it alike, to be the kind of band AVRIGUS is, in Australia?

- We never really expected to become very huge in Australia, although we do have an intensely loyal following here. The Australian music scene is abysmal and anyone who  is in any way different  from the pub-rock mentalitiy that prevails here is forced to fly to foreign shores for any sort of support and recognition. I hold Australian citizenship and also British, as I was born there. I grew up in New Zealand and I have travelled three times to Europe, having visited Greece, Turkey, Austria, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Holland, England and Ireland and having passed through Switzerland and France as well. I don't feel Australian, I feel like a global citizen who happens to be living in Australia. Simon and I always saw AVRIGUS as probably appealing more to Europe and this is proving to be true. We've also had a lot of response to the mp3s on the web from around the world and especially the US.

Is there any particular way of living / lifestyle, we could name "Australian"?

- Yes, I suppose. Two kinds. The authentic aboriginal Australians who were originally nomadic and who now still live off the bush to some extent, in the far reaches of Northern and Western Australia mainly. They're the ones who actually have a use for the boomerang. Then there are the beer-drinking, surfing types who stagger from the pub to the barbecue to the beach to the pub to the.......

What would you prefer, to become deaf or to lose one of your beloved ones?

- No question. I'd prefer to become deaf. If Beethoven could handle it, so could I.

Have you ever found the beauty in destruction, or at least thought it might be possible?

- Quite the philosopher, aren't you? That depends on what's being destroyed. I'd gladly watch a few of the architectural monstrosities that ruin the skyline of Sydney explode into a heap of rubble but I don't enjoy watching even the ugliest buildings being demolished when I know that small children are being filled with terror and subjected to pain, suffering and horrific loss of their parents and homes.  However, I think that a reversal of the Poles, resulting in the possible complete destruction of the destruction  wreaked upon this planet by mankind might be quite beautiful.

Do you know anything regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from the country of mine you've heard lately?

- I'm sorry, I don't know any Russian bands, but then lately I'm not very well-informed about the scene because I'm too involved with my own stuff. Who would you recommend? As for Russia -- I have been fascinated by your country for a long time and I really hope I will get the chance to see it for myself one day. I think the old architecture of Russia is beautiful and the frozen landscapes are awe-inspiring. Perhaps you would think I have a romantic view of your country. I'm aware that life isn't easy for many Russians, that it never has been easy. But generally speaking, it seems to me there is a great passion in the Russian psyche.

Nothing else to be added, at least when it comes to me. What about you? Any final wishes, messages or whatever?

- Any last words? Just thanks, Kai, for your rather unusual questions and best of luck to you in all you do. And special heartfelt greetings to all Russian metal lovers out there --- to all of you --- may all your aspirations be realised!

In shadows deep I fold my wings,
                                        Judy

AVRIGUS contact -
Email: judy@avrigus.com