Questions by L’Ennemi answered by David
Prado
[Courtesy of Foedus Aeternus Zine] [ http://www.foedus-aeternus.net ]
Hells! The latest news is that the Indomitus/Mortinatum split cassette is finally available, it's been almost two years since this material was recorded, it was time to release it. The previous edition was a Akerbeltz t-shirt, limited edition to 66 units, that's all for now. II) Can you tell me why you’ve founded your own label? Is it cause you didn’t find what you want to listen to from other labels? Lack of activities in your country? Well, when I started with Oniric, it was mainly to support some bands from my country that had quality but no label. There weren't so many labels back then, the situation's quite changed in little time, now there are dozens of labels in Spain alone, for instance. But I keep on with it because I'm addicted to Metal. III) you first have released cdr…as you know, many purists are puking on this format. Why didn’t you release only tapes? Do you really think that tapes are more “noble” than cdr? I definitely prefer tapes instead of cdr. I took up cdr because it was easier for me, as I was living away and I couldn't record tapes at the time. Even now I support cdr releases for bands that are starting, I still trade in that format if the material is good, but there won't be more cdrs released by Oniric. IV) At your beginning you’ve signed band with different metal styles. Looking in the past, what do you think about your old releases? Which one gives you the more pride? Why are you now focusing on UG black metal? Looking back, I focused on releasing those bands that as I previously mentioned, had quality but no means. I didn't really mind the style (within Metal, of course), and little by little I came to focus on the style I like most, Black Metal. It was a natural evolution, it simply happened as it had to. I couldn't pick up one release that makes me more proud than the others, each of them is special in their own way, I keep a close relationship with most bands and that makes it very hard to choose. V) What are the conditions for you to releases some band’s stuffs? Are you focused only on the musical side, or do you accord some interest about their ideologies? If it’s the case, what kind of ideas are you supporting? For me, the musical side goes together
with an attitude. Above all, it's fundamental to believe in what you're
doing. Black Metal must be elitist, that's my point of view – you look
around and you see nothing but shit, I don't mean that Black bands are
superior to the rest, but that you need to be superior to play Black Metal!
I think the meaning is clear... VI) You’ve unleashed lot of splits regarding your releases. Why did you chose this kind of release? Is it to have more potential to touch various listeners? Or is there a symbolical view of unification between various bands? How is happening the kind of gathering? Fuk! I don't really know what to say about this, the truth is all the splits I've released had already been arranged by the bands, and I just offered to release it, so they weren't my ideas. I personally support this kind of releases because with just an album you give a chance to several bands at the same time. VII) do you plan to make some vinyl releases? Do you like this format? Don’t you think it represents an elitist support that fits perfectly to black metal? Of course, let's say that would be the (un)holy grail for Oniric. It's my favourite format but the problem is purely economic. So far all of Oniric releases have come straight off from my money, but there will come a day where I won't be able to afford it anymore. I hope someday I can release something based on the sales by Oniric – then I'll be able to think about vinyl. VIII) since 4 or 5 years, you’ve kept the same website design. Really nice I must admit. Who did conceive it? What is the idea or the feelings you want to transmit through it? Is there a link with your label name ONIRIC? For me it makes me thinking about the old pagan believes, with faeries though a bit too much in fantasy vein. Yeah we might change the design shortly,
we'll see, it's been too many years without modifications. The drawings
were done by Kundrane, a great artist, and the design for the site by
Theron, the master – he's gained his ticket to hell standing by me all
these years. IX) Did your art service work? I think the drawings are fine but I’d rather see this kind of drawings for role playing games. What are the main inspirations while you’re making such art? Who is your favourite artist in the metal scene? Perhaps you can tell us more generally the artists you like… This question I'll pass straight down
to Kundrane: X) How are you positioned in the Spanish metal scene? Who are the others well known label/distros in your country ? I haven't got the slightest fucking clue
about my position within the Spanish scene, maybe that should be asked
to those who see it from outside. I simply get on fine with some people
and not so well with others. XI) I’ve seen you’ve done a fanzine. When do you plan the next issue? I’m curious to know how many issue you can sell. Don’t you think that nowadays metalheads are fucking lazy and stingy? They want all the infos quickly and freely. Do you think fanzines still have a nice future? Yeah, in fact I started the fanzine before Oniric, I just take it very easy hahah. It's been more than 2 years since the last issue came out, I already have some new interviews and I've found someone who'll give me a hand with the reviews, so it seems it won't take too many months for the next strike. I released 150 copies of the previous issue, and yes, there's a lot of lazy people. I don't think fanzines will disappear as long as there's metal, there are exceptions everywhere, truly devoted people. XII) You’ve got a small distro, with a “pro” presentation. Buyers are present or it’s hard to sell the kind of stuffs you have? Your prices are quite low…how can you make some benefits (I mean, it’s something important to keep label alive, not to buy a Porsche)? It's really difficult to sell material,
there's high and quality competition. There was a time when I was quite
tired of the subject, you see you're working on this 3 or 4 hours on a
daily basis, aside from your fulltime job, and then you spend weeks without
getting any order, so it's normal to come down. As of today, I don't give
a flying shit, as long as I sell I'll be able to keep the label, and if
I don't I'll have to close it down, I have already given enough off my
part, it's time for people to respond. Oniric's career will depend upon
people's response, I've no hurry nor commitment with anybody. XIII) Don’t you think that metal is becoming more and more for wealthy people – see the crazy prices on ebay or the items that are more bought as collection item than music ? I'm totally against this type of sales, it's not even worth talking about it. I believe in underground Black Metal, not in the business. I support special editions, since I'm a collector myself too, but not paying like 30€ (minimum, often) for a fucking normal vinyl, just because it was limited in its day and it's a supposed cult band. XIV) Do you have some links with our French scene? Which labels are you trading with? What’s your opinion about our scene? Yeah, being near, I get quite some support from your country. I have some clients and friends around there. If we're talking about labels I think Battlesk'rs is who I've keep contact with the longest, it's a great label and they have all my support. Other labels I respect are Malktross Prod., and Flamme Noire. XV) I think your scene is too much confidential although there are great bands (CRYFEMAL, XERION, DAEMONLORD, etc.). How do you explain this? Present us the more appealing bands. The Black Metal scene began to grow here quite recently so there's a long way to go. There's not many bands that are more than ten years old, for instance. I keep a very strong friendship with the 3 bands you mention, but if I have to pick a selection I'll say: Cryfemal, Akerbeltz, Harridan, Empty, Amnion, Nakkiga and Mortinatum. XVI) Lot of Spanish bands are dealing with pagan beliefs. Are you accorded with this kind of thoughts? What are the events in your history you’re proud of? How is considered patriotism in Spain? It depends on what kind of paganism we're
talking about. Many people that talk about these subjects don't really
know much about it methinks, but that's not only in Spain. XVII) Christianity is always present in your country (more than ours). On which side does the religion affects the more the everyday life? And what do you think of the more increasing bands dealing with anti-islam? I'm lucky that I was raised among very little christian influence, I didn't even attend religion lessons at school, my parents don't believe much. Actually on my daily life I don't come in touch with religion in any way so I can't really answer the question. I don't pay much attention to the means of communication either, I don't keep up with the news. I can only say I deeply hate the church, I couldn't fucking care less about all those priests getting the slightest chance to set their fucking ideals and all those stupid traditions. XVIII) Do you think about promoting live dates in your country? Don’t you think black metal doesn’t fit to live? I think live performance breaks the atmosphere & part of the coldness of the music… I personally prefer a Trash Metal gig,
but I don't have that radical idea about Black Metal gigs. For instance,
last year I went to an Inquisition gig in Portugal and it was amazing,
I was impressed by how much they were able to transmit with just two people
on stage. It's very hard to get the same atmosphere in a live show as
in an album, but it's not impossible. XIX) I think that will be fine for this time…I let you conclude! Thanks for your support and the concern you've shown in this interesting interview. You all can keep informed here:
David Prado |