Questions by Mrik answered by Asag,
Mentor & Venefizius.
[Courtesy Of Foedus Aeternus Zine] [ http://www.foedus-aeternus.net ] I) Hi Mentor! Thank you for accepting this interview. I’m sure French maniacs may not know ASAG, that’s why it can be a good thing to talk about the band… Crazy blasphemous band by the way… What is your musical career path? Have you performed in another band before? When and how did you discover Black Metal ? Asag
: All of us played in several bands before but that’s not worth
mentioning. In 2003 Asag was founded by Mentor and Nekros. After a few
line-up changes, in winter 2005, they decided to record some material
as a two-man band. Nekros played the guitars and the bass, Mentor did
the drumming and the vocals. The demo was spreaded amicable in February
2006. The current line-up consists of Nekros (guitars), Venefizius (guitars),
Mentor (drums, vocals) and Ragnar (bass). For live gigs we could win
over Elbst (drums). II) I got your first full length through your current label, Fullmoon Funeral Productions. Actually, it’s a re-release of your demo but all tracks were re-mastered if I’m not wrong… I was struck by the rage emanating from your music… What are the deep reasons why you play Black Metal? What is your goal in ASAG ? Asag
: That’s right, all songs of the demo were re-mastered. The
additional track (Feuersturm) was recorded new, that’s why its sound’s
better. III) When can we expect a first real album? I guess you’ve already started to work on new songs. Do you think it will still sound like on the demo, that’s to say like some very raw Black Metal full of hate and spontaneity, or do you think you’ll spend more time on a better production ? Asag : We’re planning to release a full length album in about a year, a few songs are finished already. The production will be better than one on the demo for sure. The songs will be more complex, enhanced and stronger. Though, the Essence, the rawness and the aggressiveness will still be the main part of our music… IV) Regarding your latest release, you said that reactions from people in the scene were controversial… Why exactly? What kind of reproaches? Does it deal with your Ave Maria song ? Asag : The music was understood disparate. There were some detailed and well elaborated reviews (mainly from musicians) but as well some facile reviews. As to the song “Ave Maria”… Metal was always provocative and we were astonished at the disgusted reactions from people who should be familiar with this kind of music. V) The official line-up is composed of 3 maniacs, but you have 2 more musicians when you play live… Why not incorporating them as full members? It would help a lot, wouldn’t it ? Asag : Ragnar is a full member meanwhile, he’s involved into the creative process and he does the recordings for the bass. Elbst isn’t involved into the creative process and the recordings but we see him as a full member. VI) Your band mate Venefizius used to be part of another band from Switzerland called MOUNTAIN KING… From what I’ve heard, the leader from this band is well known for his involvement into a Satanic Sect called Schwarzer Orden Von Luzifer… Is ASAG related with this sect ? And is it true that the guy from that band (Satorius, right ?) is considered the High Priest of the sect ? Asag : Asag has (and never had) nothing to do with SOL, that’s why we won’t dwell on this sect. Venefizius : Me and Satorius - we had a good time together. I wrote some songs for MK and played the Guitars on the Debut. It’s some good stuff on the album. Yes I was a “member” of the SOL, but for me it wasn’t serious enough. The SOL is not a sect in the sense you think. This guy talks and talks, and he’s not able to realize of what he talks! It’s nothing special. I reached a higher level of spirituality... VII) What is your opinion about sects in general ? Asag : We scorn religions and sects! Mentor : I can’t stand groups in general…they limit your spirit…maybe groups can push you at the beginning but I think you can get further if you rely on your own. VIII) Are you true Satanists? Do you think Black Metal cannot be dissociated from Satanism, or more generally, from Evil? What do you think of Black Metal bands talking about forests, winter, trolls and snow ? Asag : To have a close affinity to nature is ok but we don’t like Pagan Metal. Venefizius
: Satanism can be a way to reveal the dark secrets and energies
within your soul. Mentor : Black Metal was born out of occult energies…so if you separate it from these mighty energies, it’s not the same. There’s a unique spirit behind this kind of philosophy, it’s an old spirit which want to be understood (and lived) in a way not many people are able to do. It’s not a question about a term like “Satanism” or “evil”…everyone has its own nature, which is written – and hidden – in the deepest corners of your abyss. You just have to reveal your true nature, then you’ll gather strength! If you don’t take the necessary time to explore yourself and cultivate your will, you’re lost. You have to wander through the endless chasms of indefinable spheres and dimensions to face your inner beast and tortures your existence has in store for you. A lot of people fail during their way through the poisoning fields of darkness and sorrow because they aren’t built of its essence…birth is a dawn of an endless journey…you can change a lot but not the cornerstone of your character…either you are born in the darkest alley of chaos or not. Reckoning the body as vessel of an elitist existence which want to ascertain the borders of infinity (which actually don’t exist in blackness) leads you to an ideology that bans any acceptance of a higher force, it leads you immediately to the point you’re laying alone in a huge sea of dead bodies, broken and scattered dreams and endless pain and suffering. You’re the only one who can raise yourself…for me, Black Metal is a mirror…it shows you the actual condition of your spirit, it’s a part of the deepest darkness which holds the summary of all the knowledge of aeons in it. But it’s getting revealed only to the ones who are made out of its essence and are strong enough to bear the burden of wisdom…the other ones will be crushed, without mercy ! IX) When I think of Switzerland, I think of neutrality… What about you personally? How do you feel about Europe? Besides, some friends of mine work in Switzerland and they told me there were more and more aggressions – not that much like in France of course – but insecurity seems to be developing out there… Bullshit or not? Who’s to blame ? Asag : Inside the band we have different views of politics but that has nothing to do with our music and philosophies. It’s true, a naive humanism’s dominating the people in Switzerland. Politicians primary care about their own. Mentor : I don’t care about politics, it’s a theatre for depauperated people…I’ve got an ex-Yugoslavian housemaid at home…so I don’t give a fuck ! Venefizius
: Yes we have certain groups of immigrants who are aggressive
and criminal. There must be stricter laws to suppress these tendencies
- or the best way: Kick these elements out of our country! There is
always too much wrong placed humanism in this political discussion.
X) In an interview you gave for a German zine, you said you didn’t give a fuck about the Switzer scene… However, do you have bands in mind that deserve support ? Asag : Of course there are some great bands in Switzerland which deserve support! If you take a look through the “scene” you’ll find miscellaneous interesting bands. XI) Hey, do you remember that old band from Switzerland called AZAG-THOTH? They released a very chaotic BM album in 1996, did you like it ? Asag : It’s a comparative unknown album which isn’t really special. At this time you had a lot more interesting bands in Switzerland ! Venefizius : It’s years ago since I listened to it. I know these guys who made it. It’s not very good I think. Just an experiment of bad taste - but funny in a way. XII) ASAG is the name of a Sumerian demon, am I right? Are you a specialist of Sumerian mythology ? And still talking of Sumerian stuff, what do you think of MELECHESH ? To me, it’s one of the best current Metal acts… Mentor
: Yes you’re right. However I’m not a specialist of Sumerian
mythology…I just know a part of it. XIII) Do you have further plans for live appearances ? ASAG has already played with DARKENED NOCTURNAL SLAUGHTERCULT a while ago, which must have been a good thing for the promotion of your name… Which band would you like to share a gig with ? Asag
: The next concert will be in March. We’ll celebrate some more
live-rituals this year. The gig with DNS was cool and we got a lot of
positive feedbacks. XIV) Ok if you have something to add as a conclusion, go ahead! And say it in French please ! Asag : Vous avez beaucoup de bons groupes de Black Metal en France! Peut-être nous jouons à votre paix en future! Hails to the French legions and to Eymeric !
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