First of all, could you please give us few typical characteristic
qualities fitting your personality?

- Greetings all! Typical characteristics qualities of me? Simply ‘You don’t move me, I don’t give a fuck!’. Heh, BATHORY for all!

… and now the same question, however this time regarding the band you take part in.

- KIBOSH SIBYL KISMET is a band that embraces progression and evolution. In each of our different material, we try to progress from good to better. We started off as a doom metal band and now, we’re sort of dark metal. And in the future, we may be become more darkened than ever. We do this not because of the trend but because the need to do so.

Looks like mass-media didn’t really get high on “The Sulphurous Domain”, huh? Does the negative reviews emotionally let you down… or not?

- I guess that you're quite observant with KSK progression! Well yes, the reviews on "Sulphurous Domain" aren't that favourable, especially with the European or the Western underground mass media. Maybe, to the Westerners, we're just the same new black metal band that had just taste the glory of the yesterday's event. You know, you guys have tons and tons of black metal bands popping everywhere in Europe and America so it is not a big deal to hear our kind of music. But in Asia, or rather South East Asia, it is very rare to get bands like us, who really experiment and having such songs with long duration. So it is not a surprise when we get better reviews in S.E.A.
underground mass media.

We treat all serious reviews seriously. If the reviews have some useful points especially those pointing out our weaknesses, we respect them (the editor of the reviews and the reviews itself). I have never treat any well-thought out critism on KSK as jokes. I took them positively and only from there, KSK will be able to progress to a newer level than before, which is what KSK about: Progression and Evolution.

But for those close-minded editors who give us shit just because we aren't in their same mentality (they expect us to be brutal), we ignore them. KIBOSH SIBYL KISMET is a band that is exploring its world of OUR-SELVES, and not to follow and entertain requests from others. We're just a story-teller to the listeners, to tell them on what is our VISION about. The ACTUAL musical (spiritual) journey is about us, the demons behind KSK.

How’s compositional process go in case with KIBOSH SYBIL KISMET (KSK)? Aren’t you one of those who can suddenly wake up at night in order to write down few verses, chords or whatever alike?

- Nah!!!! I am not as crazy as that! I set my own time to search for
ideas (riffs, chords etc)... usually by sitting alone in a dimly lighted room with loud guitar sound. I guess that there are some metaller who do this way especially that 'dimly lighted room' thing. Ideas flow more better in that situation.

As to complete a song or riff, I am very particular about the flow of KSK's music. Sometimes, I would sit down for few hours and having to play some 'cool' riffs but found out that it doesn't suit with that song. The flow isn't there and it is very important to me. Until now, I'm stuck with the new songs because my brain is not that functioning well for guitar riffs currently. Hehheh... But I hope to get much more better ideas from now on as I have two 'new' equipments to experiment with.

The night is for me to sleep and certainly, I’m not a vampire or a warrior of the night or whatever!

Does the notion of inspiration mean anything to you?

- Yes, it does matter to me a lot. It gives me more options on how things can result in finally.  And inspirations varies for everyone. Like some others may like to go to the woods and be inspired by its chillness and natural, architectural shape for their music. I used to like that kind inspiration-hunting. But now, since I wanna go more personal in music and lyrics, I like to open-up my mind to different music (especially weird stuff or groovy, for me) for totally out-of-metal influences. There are maybe some who does this way too. I know that sound shit and so-unmetal but that’s how things have to go for me and KSK. Like in "Sulphurous Domain", we’re more classically and melodically driven concept but in the next stuff, who knows if we will shift things to slightly different path. Imagine, from inspirations like OLD MAN’S CHILD to stuffs like LYCIA and FRONTLINE ASSEMBLY. That’s really, really un-metal, huh?

Do you consider KSK to be a 100% black metal act?

- When people says black metal, I will always perceive it to satan,
antichrist and fast music with insane drum speed like DARK FUNERAL,
BLASPHEMY, DARKTHRONE, MAYHEM (old), SETHERIAL. You know what I mean… that’s how total black metal should sound. So in the case for KSK as being a black metal band, well, we don’t care about others on labeling us on whatever kind of metal genre. In fact, I think it’s useless to label us (KSK) into one big word ‘black metal’ coz in KSK, especially in "Sulphurous Domain", we have various influences from speed, doom, death, thrashy (heavily into) to black metal. I think the best and recommended labeling from the band (from me!) is that we’re a dark metal band. We indulge in dark music and also dark lyrics. We’re never a satanic band or demonic band coz we don’t really write subjects on Satanism and that’s make us really not a pure black metal band. But actually, I don’t mind for that labeling thing. As long we’ve never been called as a gay boy bands like the Backshit Boys…

If I’m not mistaken, “The Sulphurous Domain” should have been put out by Muzik Box Productions, this time in the shape of CD. Is it already available?

- MBP is famous for delaying releases as the owner himself is tied up with outside job. So I guess that the CD version is yet to be release or worse still, to be confirm because it all depends on the sale of the MC version. And don’t get things wrong! We’re not trying to earn money from our music! It is just that both of us (KSK and MBP) are independent so financial doesn’t come so easily.

Haven’t you ever attempted to join the roster of a certain European label? You know, I doubt if Muzik Box is capable of promoting KSK the appropriate way…

- Yes pal!!!!! It is a certainty that we want to be part of any good
European label’s roster. But we have to look for some other factors like originality in our music, human mind factors (racism as such) and also the expectation from them. Originality means, we have to be very outstanding in our music to be paid attention by the European crowds. And not many Asian bands have achieves that except for IMPIETY (lately), SIGH, SABBAT & ABIGAIL. I think SIGH has been very original among all and that’s why they are under CENTURY MEDIA. They play some weird stuff and it is very rare to get such metal band from here. While IMPIETY is now famous for their ever-so desecrating black metal, SABBAT and ABIGAIL is known for old school touch. So I believe that to attempt for a slot in European label, as Asian, we should have more foundation and direction in our music, which leads to
originality. Currently, I agree that KSK has yet to reach that junction where ORIGINALITY counts. There are more improvements that need to be done especially in songwriting and handling of equipments… but at least we admit it!!! Then come the human mind factors / influence. We don’t know what does it like over there but from the view we have, you guys have an extreme underground scene which include racial hatred (especially in Poland, France and Germany… (and Russia - ED) there are few fractions of NS or Nazi movements here and there). So labels… you know, they have to think of the ‘market’… they have to see whether the crowd can and will accept the band they sign or if not, they lose their ‘money’. So signing of Asian bands is a really risky decision for them. I know this shouldn’t the excuse of not trying hard to get sign to European labels but it’s a fact I guess… however I know that it is also a fact that there are indeed lots of metallers from there who appreciate bands from Asia.

As for MBP, it’s actually part of our plan. "Sulphurous Domain" is our first major material so for this one, we are focusing on the regional crowd. That’s why we trust MBP can do that. But then, it’s not about money or fame we’re thinking of!!! Furthermore, we know Fadzil so "Sulphurous Domain" is more of alliance deal. For the second major release, we will try to look for other label that can meet to our expectation.

Have you ever been fronted by so-called “supernatural” powers?

- No… I have not dabble in such thing; gaining of spiritual power thru rites and so forth. Though I am fascinate by those stuffs, I don’t feel the need for it.

Materialism vs. metaphysics. What would you adhere to?

- Tough question pal!!! Well, I need both to live in this life, I think. But for currently, materialism is more realize to me coz I’m trying to live my life to the fullest. Unlike in the early history of mankind, now, we’re living in the world of machine and science. Man are already becoming the slaves and victims of their own creation.

Could music serve as a certain channel uniting our micro- and macrocosm?

- I’m not that very sure about this but I know in certain level of
concentration, our mind can achieve a sense of fascination towards music. For example, dark ambient music, if you listen to it properly in deep concentration, you’ll find yourselves involve in that music. Something like you’re one with the music… and that’s absolutely good in my thinking.

Has any of the planetary elements affected your conscious thus
transforming the world-outlook of yours?

- Again, I can’t answer that in details. Planetary influences are way beyond explainable to man.

By the way, why does cosmos (or any of it’s fractions and / or
particles) fascinate lots of those who’re involved in a black metal scene?

- Maybe that’s because it is one of those dark subjects to write about. Black metal is mostly about evil, death, satan and desaster. Those black metallers who write about cosmos must be those who are interested in more darker feeling rather than the straightforward ‘satan, satan, satan!’. Like writing about Chaos and it’s clandestine patterns… it makes us realize on how fragile man and earth are. Anyway, I think I didn’t answer this question correctly… it’s the most toughest!

What does the past life of yours mean to you? Did you ever regret acting this or that way? Had any kind of recollections served as a source of inspiration for you?

- I feel nothing for life. It is so meaningless!  Human life and
behaviour are so plastic. The needs for love, hate, social mixing,
government, law enforcement, capitalism, communism, nazism, racism,
religions, satanism are the proofs of human weaknesses. Meaning, we are dependant on those stuffs in order to survive on earth and maybe afterlife for some. Some human chose to deny the law of nature and animal like in the case for the character of man. They say man should be civilised because we have brain to think unlike animals, for example apes. But they have forgot that we cannot deny the other character of man, which is the beastful side of us. Every man and women have LUST, so it is quite natural that men rape women and vice versa (ever heard of women rape man?). This mean man or rather human race cannot be civilised because we are born with some natural
beastful character.

Anyway, the good thing about my life is that I had discover music and unsurprisingly, lust. It’s good to know them. Hah! Life is a waste of time. Destroy earth, destroy human kind! If I got the choice before birth, I would certainly wanna be part of the galaxy out that… stars, asteroid, suns, moons or any other galaxial forms. They are the answers to our existence. We have to ask ourselves again and again: Are we the product of star dust or more religiously, of Adam and Eve?

As for your question on my past life, I certainly can’t remember any of it. I don’t believe in those past life belief anyway. I’m more concern about the future… NUCLEAR and LASER WAR FOR ALL!!!!

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

- Sorry pal, I am not very aware about any new releases from Russia. In fact, I haven't yet listened to any bands from there except from NOKTURNAL MORTUM!!! But I know some names, which I can’t remember any right now apart from NOKTURNAL MORTUM (aren’t they from Ukraine?). The only thing I know about Russian black metal scene is that it is very paganistic extreme… very involved in those Slavic heritage thing. I remember of that Russian Black Metal Brotherhood (BMB) and I’ve read some cases about it like sygnogue and church bombing (that’s more extreme than burning!), murder cases of priests and kids wearing black metal shirts carrying knife or dynamics around. And I even read that even your ex-prime minister knows about DIMMU BORGIR or something!

Thanks for your time, man! Anything else left to be said?

- Many thanks for this very good interview. Greetings to all Russian
metallers!!! … AND METAL FOR ALL!!!!!

Blissful In Isolation,
Zirkelloch
http://all.at/ksk (updated on 26th Nov 2000)
http://scroll.to/prologueadnocturne
Alternative emails: zirkelloch@c4.com / agammemnon0tyr@hotmail.com