First of all, why did you decide to name a band of yours using a word from a foreign language ("ewigkeit" / "eternity")?

- I think it was just a word that I liked.  Also, the fact that Germany is the biggest market for heavy music helps.   For many years, English was the language to use because the English speaking world was the biggest consumer of commercial music, but that's not the case anymore.  It makes very little sense for metal bands to use 'English' names nowadays...

Secondly, a demo you have made your debut with, "Faery Lands Forlorn", didn't satisfy your personal tastes, right? Why? Did it turn out as completely amateurish work?

- Yes.  What do you expect from a 16 year old solo artist ? That was a long time ago, and completely irelevant to anything now.

What was the principal reason for doing music entirely yourself?

- Lack of people interested in the same music as myself.  Simple as that. I find that you can be far more focused by yourself, and get better results - quicker.

You have three albums behind you. Speak about each of them.

- Well, I only have 2 out at the moment as EWIGKEIT. "BATTLE FURIES" was the first album, which used a metaphorical sturggle of the 'warrior' through an individual life or 'battle' to the death.  I use the term 'warrior' in the same context as 'Carlos Castenada' would use in his books about his journey through Shamanism. The music is simplistic, melodic ambient death metal. "STARSCAPE" was the logical progression from that.  Far more based on melody and speed.  The keyboards were the main focus on STARSCAPE.  So, if you like keys, then that is the album for you !

EWIGKEIT finally turned into a band "of full value", since you've found supplementary musicians. Why so? In order to take part in live performances?

- Well, I felt that now it was off the ground and moving somewhere, it was time to get others in on it.  I need people who share my views on life and things.  We recently had a real wanker as our live guitarist.  He's gone, with the drummer also.  They just weren't right for EWIGKEIT. As it stands, the line-up is being re-organised.  Hopefully we will be able to promote the new album with the actual recording line-up.  The feeling has basically got to be relaxed. Ideally, we'll just get stoned, have a few beers and play music that we enjoy. That's how we write stuff, and I know that you're gonna love the new material !!

Seems like your third work differs a lot from the previous recordings, right? What was the main intention to make it different and can we still expect any kind of grimness?

- It's still dark.  It still has keys.  It still has passion and melody. It is still EWIGKEIT, but things have to progress otherwise it gets stale. There are some comparisons to be drawn with some good bands such as OPETH, SABBATH, MAIDEN.  But maybe, we are starting to sound psycadelic almost ? The new album's theme is of a journey through madness, and I think it meets that goal.  I'm telling you now, it might not be an instant commercial succes, but it is a land-mark metal album.  It's not a boast - just a mere fact.

Why did you take that alias, "Mr. Fog"?

- Friends have always called me 'Fog' since I was young.  It's due to my surname 'Fogarty'. It's sounds like a suitable name for our music!  Lost in the Fog and the smoke of the pipe or something.  It's a lot easier to remember than EWIGKEIT anyway...

Speak about the time you spent with THUS DEFILED...

- Why would I waste my interview talking about them ?  You might as well take this question out.

From what have you drawn upon most to develop your music?

- Progression. Mind expansion. Souls searching. Humour. Marijuana...

What is "taboo" in song writing, in your opinion?

- Writing about things which don't matter, like 'Satan' & 'Demons' which are manifestations of the subconcious.  Vampires, now there's a shit topic. Songs about world peace, genetically modified food, rain forests, sex, etc,etc... They generally make me want to throw up.  Oh yeah, and songs about brushing your hair and stuff (did you ever hear a band called SALTY DOG ?).

Describe us some of the creative techniques and instrumentation used to develop the recordings of yours...

- Well, I normally get in the mood and sit down and write some good riffs. Then I'll take it to where my recording stuff and computer is, and work out the keyboards.  Then the drums will be worked out at the earliest convinience, and we record the song. I don't like to wait around you know... Lyrics are done differently.  I never have music in mind when writing the lyrics.  This way they have more meaning.  Also, I normally finish the lyrics the same day that I start them.  Perhaps within 30 minutes ?

Would you agree with the following idea of mine: the more complicated is any either organism or gearing, the more probable it's wreckage?

- Yes, good point.  But, are you trying to say something else ?  In
relation to EWIGKEIT, things would never have gotten anywhere had I been reliant upon the efforts or 'cogs' of others.  It would have broken immediately.  It's normally girlfreinds who fuck things up.

How do internet resources impact how you are able to expose and market your music?

- I don't really know yet.  Most people still don't know about my web-site.  But when the new album is out, then I'll know.  I do however, correspond with most people via the internet. It's a very usefull tool.  You just have to make sure you don't become it's tool. To quote Nietszche; When you stare long into the abyss - the abyss also stares into you.

By the way, your web-domain doesn't look like a regular black metal band's homepage: Strangely, it has rather jolly atmosphere. Kinda cheerful, you know. Was it done on purpose?

- Well I've never really liked to be that closely associated with black metal. It has quite a sad 'childish' image.  I think it's because of the keyboards or something.  People aren't very good at discribing EWIGKEIT's music, having to resort to using the term 'black metal'.  If you see humour in my web-site, then that's good.  People who can't laugh at themselves are missing the biggest joke ever. EWIGKEIT is not a joke band in any way, but it is not without humour.  VENOM had humour, but looking at those sad bastards in Norway who took it seriously, you can see that it is dangerous not to have humour.  It is an intergral part of the human conciousness.

Proceeding with this subject. What particular style do you reckon EWIGKEIT to? Even if it was black metal previously, what is it now? "Space metal"? "MrFog metal"...?

- I don't know, maybe if it had to have a colour the Green metal ! hahahaha... No, seriously, I don't know.  Progressive ambient metal?  Stoner ambient death? Melodic orchestral metal?  I just think 'good music' is enough for us...

What innovative concepts would you like to focus upon in your future
performances, as well as the recordings?

- I have so many ideas.  I have so little resources.  I'd like to play some gigs at a festival in the country, just like Hawkwind used to.  I'd like to make a video.  I'd love to come and play in Moscow.  I'd like a record deal with EMI - but I have to be realistic.  Nothing is impossible, it just takes shit-loads of hard work.

Before I'll ask you a regular question regarding Russia (see below) and we finish this interview, let me wonder about the subject I always wished to wonder: the lyrics of EWIGKEIT.

- The wonder of the universe, spiritual ascension, insanity and the dark recesses of the mind, Alternate realities, obscure films, strange memories, flights of fantasy etc, etc...  I could go on forever, as I would write a song about anything.

Do you know anything regarding Russia? What is your attitude to the country of mine as well as it's people? Any Russian bands you've heard lately?

- I feel that your country is one of immense cultural heritage, vast
wasteland, busy industrial areas, delapidated & corrupt governmentá dangerous stockpiles of not-so-nice chemical / biological and atomic weapons, great scientific achievement, constant revolution, bitterly cold and excellent vodka.

As promised, this is finish line... Few more steps (or, more likely) typed-in lines and you're free at last...

- Okay, thanks for reading my interview to this point. Hope that you find EWIGKEIT interesting enough to try and hear one day.  If you're on the internet, Then my web-site is at ; www.mrfog.com   If your bored hearing the same old shit like MAYHEM, EMPEROR, DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH, MARDUK, etc, etc... and are looking for something completely different - and yet still heavy - then maybe, just maybe EWIGKEIT is for you. CD's + merchandise is available @ my website.
My address is:
MR FOG,
8 NEWPORT STREET,
BRIGHTON, E. SUSSEX,
BN2 3HL,
ENGLAND.

DRINK THE MEAD & SMOKE THE WEED.
This is FOG signing off.   ooo---ooo................................