Judging by the way you've entitled the latest work of yours, you're true to your roots, i.e. THRONEUM will always stay a part of the underground...

- I would like to stay in the Underground, I really don't know however, what future will bring. Yes, the title expresses our musical attitude and inspirations, though the underground from 80's / 90's is closer to me than the present one. But the title doesn't mean only musical aspect. I care about mythological, even metaphysical strength of nature also.

What's your opinion on the underground community as we behold it nowadays? Anything worth mentioning?

- All kinds of musical "homosexuality" are very popular nowadays (exactly - ED). A lot of kids, who started listening to DIMMU BORGIR or NIGHTWISH (what have THEY done?! - ED) three years ago, discover that there is something like underground. Effects are really hopelessly. I think, that Underground was more common earlier. A lot of bands exited from Underground without back also. You know, 5 years ago you could read about VADER in every Polish zine, now they are not interested in such kind of activity. Why?

What kind of lyrical canvas is "The Underground Storms Eternally…" based upon?

- I think, that lyrics ought to be harmonised with music, should even complete it. THRONEUM plays death metal, that means aggression and darkness. My lyrics are dark, misty and ambiguously. But I don't care about any transmission. We aren't an ideological band. My lyrics concern death, mystery, hatred etc.

Lo and behold, the most exciting question comes your way! The historical background on THRONEUM obviously is what I mean ;) …

- THRONEUM was established in summer 1996. From the very beginning we had a lot of personal problems. The last change took place in autumn 2001, when Karol - our vocalist & bass-player left the band. However we found new member very quickly, but now I am the guitarist and vocalist. After this change I'm the only person that creates this band from the beginning of its existence. Our drummer Aleksander joined THRONEUM in 1997, but he didn't play with us in 1999, so this period was a dead time for THRONEUM. We tried a few combinations of line-ups in this time, but  three-member band seems to be the most proper for us.

Seems like "ancient death metal" is the most preferable for you to define THRONEUM stylistically, huh? Is there any other band you'd reckon to the same genre?

- I listen to many metal genres, but old death metal from the end of 80's and beginning of 90's appeals to me the most! In this time, music wasn't infected with any commercial shit. There was no place for queer melodies or female howling. There are still bands which play in this old vein, for example SHUB NIGGURATH, IMPIETY, SATHANAS, PENTACLE, STARGAZER, APOCALYPTIC RAIDS, ABOMINATOR, AUTUMNAL REAPER etc. THRONEUM is not the only one in this warfare of Death!

"The Underground…" features somewhat emphasized bass lines, doesn't it? How come? Were you aiming to stay a distinguishable band this way?

- I really like, when the bass is in the front. Listen to MAYHEM's "Studio Rehearsal" (with Dead and Grishnack), MORTEM's "Demon Tales", SATHANAS' "Armies Of Charon", CANNIBAL CORPSE's "Tomb Of Mutilated", KRABATHOR's "Orthodox" or MARDUK's "Opus Nocturne". With strong bass the sound has next dimension and I think, that effect is quite amazing. THRONEUM will stay by this way of production. A lot of bands degrade the bass to second-rate role, but we won't follow this way!

Do you consider THRONEUM an original band, when it comes to both musical and lyrical canvas? If not, which acts would you compare THRONEUM to?

- No! We aren't an original band. However we differ from many band which play like MOONSPELL, CHILDREN OF BODOM or CRADLE OF FILTH. We play unique old death metal, but we aren't the only ones. I think that bands like SHUB NIGGURATH or STARGAZER play in quite similar style. Hail them!!! I think that there would be a good comparison to first and second LP of DARKTHRONE, MIASMA, OLD FUNERAL, MORTEM, ASPHYX, MERCILESS, MAYHEM, MORBID ANGEL especially their "Altar Of Madness" and VADER's "Ultimate Incantation".

And just by the way, what's your personal interpretation of the notion of "originality"? Should we consider it a necessary factor in order to be distinguished from this flock of black and death metal acts, aimlessly cloning each other…?

- Yes, I'm really tired with all clones of MARDUK / DARK FUNERAL and DISSECTION / IN FLAMES and other shits in vein of HAMMERFALL or NIGHTWISH. But I haven't got any definition of originality. To be blunt, I don't care about it especially. The most important for me is sincerity! Nowadays it seems to be that MORBID ANGEL, EMPEROR or VADER are original bands, but when they were starting they weren't original at all! (I disagree - ED) I think, that the time makes the band original.

What kind of either feelings of sensations should THRONEUM invoke inside the ones who have once given "The Underground…" a listen?

- I don't know which kind of feelings my music expresses. I'm not making it with any goal: it should this or it should that. I don't care about such attitude! I make true fucking death metal and that's my goal!

You also appear as the mastermind behind Extreme Dense Art newsletter. What's your principal goal with this edition?

- I correspond with many bands and maniacs. I wanted to support a few of very good bands and demos, therefore I have started with Extreme Dense Art newsletter. It's printed in 1000 copies and it is free. However I'm not able to spread them personally so EDA is spread by all bands, labels and friends interested in it. If there are any people interested in getting it, please send me 1 IRC. The only goal of Extreme Dense Art is supporting the Underground. #1 is completely spread out, but #2 will be out soon. There are interviews with NEGURA BUNGET, NOMAD, ILDFROST, MISERYS OMEN, MUST MISSA, GALLERY OF DARKNESS and 70 or more reviews in it.

Do you listen to any of the contemporary black / death metal acts?
Actually, it seems like you prefer the old stuff… would such a supposition be correct?

- I don't listen only to old stuff! I have really a large spectrum of my musical fascinations. I can't stand all this modern, melodic pseudo-death metal shits. I mean bands like IN FLAMES, CHILDREN OF BODOM or CALLENISH CIRCLE. Death metal should be dark, unholy and crushing, but I can find only shit-like melodies and musicians' smiling faces in things like above-mentioned! However I like progressive and melodic bands in vein of OPETH, AURORA BOREALIS and ALGOL, these bands play really ambitious and complicated music. I can appreciate it, I even like it. I like many contemporary black / death metal materials, for example BEHEMOTH's "Thelma.6" rules! AURORA BOREALIS' "The Northern Lights", GEHENNA's "Murder", FOREST OF IMPALED's "Demonvoid" or MONSTROSITY "In Dark Purity" are very good too. I listen to a few ambient projects like PUISSANCE, ILDFROST, SEPHIROTH (Swe), RAISON D'ETRE. But the most I like is drinking beer while listening to MOTORHEAD!

What are your long-term and short-term goals and plans?

- My the longest-term goal is my own death, I think it will be amazing! But nowadays I focus on music. Within a few weeks we'll enter the studio again so as to record a full-length material. The most of tracks are completed so far and I need to say, that it will be the continuation of "The Underground Storms Eternally" but in a bit more technical way. We'll play a few gigs also.

What would you say is your biggest gripe about the music industry?

- I think that the "homosexuality" of some bands and labels, which give the fuck everyone for money. I can't stand such shit!

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

- I know many good bands from Russia. Completely crazy made me TEMNOZOR. So you see, I listen even to folk / black metal, not only HELLHAMMER and SODOM. I can mention TALES OF DARKNORD, THRON, DER GERWELT, ROSSOMAHAAR, ALKONOST too, these are quite good bands.

In closing, is there anything you wish to add?

- Thanks for your time and interesting questions! Our demo is available for 4 USD, zines send only 1 USD and proof of existence for our promo. All dead maniacs get in touch, trade for unholy and mighty stuff is more than welcome, but no gothic / weeping doom or other funny melodies! The Underground Storms Eternally!

THRONEUM contact -
Email: tomaszh@poland.com