AKATHARTA started in 1999, under a different name
(URIZEN) and with the strong influence of funeral doom bands like Thergothon
and Skepticism, when did you get into those bands and why exactly decided to
start a project to play this kind of music?
KAM: I started listening a lot of Funeral Doom bands from Finland and really getting into the dark foreboding atmosphere these bands where conveying in their style of music. I really adhered to this type of dark moody slow atmospheric tones and heavy low tuned droning music rather then the way the black metal stuff and the way death metal was going.
KAM: I started listening a lot of Funeral Doom bands from Finland and really getting into the dark foreboding atmosphere these bands where conveying in their style of music. I really adhered to this type of dark moody slow atmospheric tones and heavy low tuned droning music rather then the way the black metal stuff and the way death metal was going.
The name AKATHARTA appeared then in 2007, how did
the meaning and concept of AKATHARTA appealed to you and how did this new
concept developed into a transition from URIZEN to AKATHARTA?
URIZEN was taking from William Blake, but it's meaning is the embodiment of conventional reason and law. I didn't feel it really fit with what I wanted convey. I study a lot of mythology and while studying about Greek myth I came across the term Akathartos, which means to be unclean. Further study I came to learn the term pneuma akatharton. Which translate to English as unclean spirit. The plural form of that term is pneumata akatharta. That is from which I took the name AKATHARTA. It means to be unclean or "evil"... in other forms it could mean to be "one without god". I felt this fit much better then Urizen as a name, as it conveyed the entire sense of the band in both lyrical content and personal content as well.
URIZEN was taking from William Blake, but it's meaning is the embodiment of conventional reason and law. I didn't feel it really fit with what I wanted convey. I study a lot of mythology and while studying about Greek myth I came across the term Akathartos, which means to be unclean. Further study I came to learn the term pneuma akatharton. Which translate to English as unclean spirit. The plural form of that term is pneumata akatharta. That is from which I took the name AKATHARTA. It means to be unclean or "evil"... in other forms it could mean to be "one without god". I felt this fit much better then Urizen as a name, as it conveyed the entire sense of the band in both lyrical content and personal content as well.
What does the
lyrics deal with? is there an
overall theme to the songs on “Spiritus Immundus”, or do they each discuss
different topics?
The over all theme is about the paranormal. Phantasms and specters. Ghostly apparitions. Curses and grudges held by the dead, demonic entities. The supernatural.
The over all theme is about the paranormal. Phantasms and specters. Ghostly apparitions. Curses and grudges held by the dead, demonic entities. The supernatural.
Was it
difficult to find suitable musicians like Aaron and Travis and to explain and
share with them your idea and concept?
Yes... very difficult actually, it took me nearly a decade to find the right members. I went thru many member changes thru out the years.
Mainly because most of the musicians weren't familuar with the style of music called 'Funeral Doom'. It is a style and form of music that can't be faked. It can not just be something someone just plays. One has to feel this type of music. It is a form that must convey mood and atmosphere and be very thought out. Not just something randonly thrown together to creat a song. It's not like death metal or thrash were people just loop and layer parts together. This is something that must be felt and thought out. Like experiencing the dreadfulness and eerieness of being alone in a cemetary at night with only the moonlight to light your path.
Yes... very difficult actually, it took me nearly a decade to find the right members. I went thru many member changes thru out the years.
Mainly because most of the musicians weren't familuar with the style of music called 'Funeral Doom'. It is a style and form of music that can't be faked. It can not just be something someone just plays. One has to feel this type of music. It is a form that must convey mood and atmosphere and be very thought out. Not just something randonly thrown together to creat a song. It's not like death metal or thrash were people just loop and layer parts together. This is something that must be felt and thought out. Like experiencing the dreadfulness and eerieness of being alone in a cemetary at night with only the moonlight to light your path.
You
stated that you didn’t want to just copy the style of the bands that influenced
Akatharta, but to keep the death metal roots present in the music, was it easy
to get the sound and style from the first rehersals?
Once I started working close with Aaron on the
tone and vibe of the music... it clicked rather quickly. Aaron was bringing the
perfect tone and atmosphere and guitar playing I had been seeking for years.
Also like myself Aaron is a huge horror movie fan, so I could easily articulate
to him my expression of horror and atmosphere by telling him about certain
horror films that influenced me and my lyrical writing... and he would know
exactly which films I was expressing. Also Travis too is a huge horror movie
fan as well... and when you have members that know the type of horror films you
like, and also like those same films... it was easy to start working out the
tones and feelings of the music. What I tried to bring from my death metal
influence is the old school vibe of death metal with more chorus intergrated
parts and a somewhat catchy vibe. I'm an old school death metaller as well as a
fan of the old school late 80's early 90's bands and style - so that will
always be with-in me.
I
think that many people may believe that funeral doom can be monotonous or too
boring, looong songs and not many rhythm changes, when you compose the songs do
you think that they have to have a specific length or do you just play the
riffs, melodies and just let the dark vibe flow…
I allow Aaron the freedom to write however long and
length he feel to express himself. No limitations. We did not specifically set
a certain pattern around other Funeral Doom bands, but rather just took the
influence of the style as a spring board to launch our own band. I am a genre
creator myself in death metal, I didn't feel i would be creating yet another
genre of music. Sadly music needs a tag or a label to be put into a catagory
with. Funeral Doom just happens to be the style and form which we best adhere
towards rather then being a death metal or death doom band.
A lot
of bands use the term dark music to describe it, but I think this record is a
dark entity itself and the term dark music has the ultimate meaning. How would
you describe the whole musical concept/experience of Spiritus Immundus once the
album is finished?
I guess the best way I would describe it is
"HAUNTING DOOM"... it's something that unnerves and sticks with you
like a haunting. Some people it effects more so then others... it's uncanny and
dark and surreal but also creepy and dreamlike.
What inspired the album cover art concept?
Another term for Pnuemata besides meaning
"sprirt" or "ghost"- it can also mean "breath".
In Greek pneumata means "to breath" or at least I think it does in
someway. Breath is what some ancient cultures believe is a spirit. In some
occult beliefs the spirit leaves the body thru the breath. That is why in some
cultures they place salt in the mouths of the dead people they thought to be
evil. This way it would not allow "the evil spirit" to escape the
body.
In China - evil spirits feed upon a persons "qi" or life force... usually taken from the breath. The Jiangshi (a form of Chinese Vampire) sucks out a persons qi from their mouth. Also the Jiangshi can find you if you breath.
The concept of this art is the spirits of an evil ghost are forming out of it's mouth/breath and forming other evil unclean spirits. The Spiritus Immundus... or the pnemata akatharta.
In China - evil spirits feed upon a persons "qi" or life force... usually taken from the breath. The Jiangshi (a form of Chinese Vampire) sucks out a persons qi from their mouth. Also the Jiangshi can find you if you breath.
The concept of this art is the spirits of an evil ghost are forming out of it's mouth/breath and forming other evil unclean spirits. The Spiritus Immundus... or the pnemata akatharta.
Please
tell me also about the other artwork related to the band, the wonderful design
of your logo; and I´m specifically intrigued about that long haired
ghost-spectre-demon under a full moon holding “something” with both hands…
Well Lord Of Logos Christophe
Szpajdel (Emperor, Old Man's Child, Enthroned, etc) did the logo back when i
still didn't even have a solid line up. He was more then excited to do it for
me, and I am very very pleased indeed with his majestic work.
The Ghost figure was done by the cover artist Irwan Awang of Ironworx Gravfix. He is an artist from Malaysia that I've been wrorking with for many years now. He was the one who designed and drew the logo for one of my other death metal bands BONE GNAWER. he has done several of my bands cover art, from BONE GNAWER to THE SKETEAL and he himself is in a band called DEATHEVOKER. Really great artist.
The Ghost is a Hantu... a Malaysian Demon or Evil Spirit. This particullr Hantu is a pocong, also known as wrapped ghost. It is an Indonesian/Malaysian ghost that is said to be the soul of a dead person trapped in its shroud. It is holding a small infants burial coffin in it's hands.
The Ghost figure was done by the cover artist Irwan Awang of Ironworx Gravfix. He is an artist from Malaysia that I've been wrorking with for many years now. He was the one who designed and drew the logo for one of my other death metal bands BONE GNAWER. he has done several of my bands cover art, from BONE GNAWER to THE SKETEAL and he himself is in a band called DEATHEVOKER. Really great artist.
The Ghost is a Hantu... a Malaysian Demon or Evil Spirit. This particullr Hantu is a pocong, also known as wrapped ghost. It is an Indonesian/Malaysian ghost that is said to be the soul of a dead person trapped in its shroud. It is holding a small infants burial coffin in it's hands.
I was watching a lot of these "Ghost
Shows" on t.v. and some of them had these supposedly EVPs spirit voices
recordings in some episodes. I tend to think it's all fake, but I honestly
thought some of the voices where a bit freaky and even hair raising spooky. I
got to thinking how cool it would be to use these samples in songs and try and
work those in as sort of background sounds and eerie parts. So I started to
compile the best and creepiest ones I could find. It seems a lot of these
sounds can't be heard by the human ear, but certain animals can pick up on the
more higher frequency ones. I used a lot of those in the tracks, most are heard
on a subconscious level rather then on a conscious level.
You
had plans for a video clip, and you had the idea of a horror film movie clip
type video, I think it will be great and would fit with your songs, did you
work with more ideas in your mind? Any
chance to see it soon?
We had a video planned, but the guy that was to
make it flaked out on us. Seems to happen a lot - you get people in this scene
with a bunch of bullshit and fake promises that never follw thru. I was very
disappointed in this NOT coming to pass... makes us look flakey and I HATE
that. It's why I hate to rely on others... as soon as you do... some cunt
always disappoints.
Will
the album be released on vinyl in a near future?
We were hoping it would be, but that depends on
the sales, and if the label wants to do it. The way it's going though, seems
the physical sales aren't doing so good. So I don't know if the label will
release it on vinyl or not.
You
recorded Celtic frost´s “Dethroned Emperor” and Twisted Sister´s “Destroyer”
cover versions. Both original songs are great but you added a veil of darkness
to the songs perfectly wrapped by your own style and sound. What were the
reasons for with you chose the songs and what´s your own description of the
final result? Will you record more cover songs in the future?
We basically started out making those covers first
actually. And we had one original in between... that original is PNEUMATA. They
covers at first were just done for fun - to get the band working together and
making music with a certain tone and feeling, and to test out our producer
Dennis Isreal to hear what kind of mix he could bring us. That was basically
the original intent to do the covers. We never had intention at first to
release them at all. Until we heard the final results and realized just how
good they sounded. At first we just released them for FREE online through our
bandcap page... generally to gain exposure and get the band notced. It worked,
but just in a small circle. I guess we aren't "trendy" enough for
most "trending now" fans and their type. We have an underground
following, but it's even more obscure then most undeground bands.
Tell
us about the collaboration of David Ingram doing vocals on the “Destroyer”
cover
We all have a pretty tight group of individuals we all know and do music
together with. I myself along with Aaron and Travis, Rogga Johansson, Jonny
Petterson, David Ingram, Brynjar Helgenton, and many others all do bands
together and other projects together. It's sort of our own unique clique and
group of fellow musicians that work together and make "recording projects"
together. I have appeared as guest vocals on many of David's projects and vise
versa. It's in our own unique way in how we stay relevant to each other,
support one another, and maintain a respectful and dedicated working
environment with each other and our fans.
We
aren't those types of selfish "rock star" types of musicians, instead
we all adhere to the old school TRUE underground way of a respectful
brotherhood and true fellowship. I knew at one point David with Benediction had
done this cover, and I wanted him to be on our version as well. It was a great
honor to have him join us on this great cover track. I hope together we made it
sound cool.
I miss the respect and brotherhood of the
underground scene. What we have now is rather a "clique" and
"elitist group" type of mentality that get's sadly mistaken for be a
brotherhood/sisterhood in the scene, but really is rather just another
pretentious group of people with attitudes and something to try and prove to
one another. You have too much separation and lack of camaraderie, instead you
have these closed groups who believe they are superior because they happen to
know each other" and sheepishly follow each other in these tight little
cliques that circle around certain bands. labels, or individuals.
Jock mentality dominates the scene with
these bands today with this entire competitive attitude rather then a shared
respect for each other. Too much division has been created. Too many
sub-categories and sub-genres. And too many bands that display themselves as a
"brand name" and a "commodity" rather then a music group.
They think themselves as product and as material and as items rather then just
musicians. to them it's a paycheck and a job rather then a true way of life.
Please allow me to ask you about two of your other bands/projects, first about
your solo material released as “Kam Lee”, of which
until now you have released several demos and singles, I imagine that an evil
grin was on your face every time someone said...hey, this is not pure death
metal... Do you think a lot of people did not expect that style
coming from you? I suppose you received a lot of diversity of comments and
reviews but most pleasantly surprised, didn't you?
If people hated it they kept it to themselves really... I think I may have one shit comment. But I don't fucking care what people think. I'm past the point of caring trying to appease closed minded cunts and elitist twats in this scene, most of those types are lonely shut ins with blow up doll girlfriends and dick pumps under the beds.
The solo band for me generally is just for FUN. I have been doing death metal releases for over 30 years. When I decided to do my own solo band, I didn't want to do just another death metal project, but instead incorperate the styles that had influenced me back in the 80's. Esp. bands like Misfits, Samhain, early Danzig, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, The Ramones, The Sisters of Mercy, Carnivore, Feilds of the Nephilim, 45 Grave, Discharge, The Exploited, The Cramps... just a bunch of stuff from my teenage days in the 80's really.
If people hated it they kept it to themselves really... I think I may have one shit comment. But I don't fucking care what people think. I'm past the point of caring trying to appease closed minded cunts and elitist twats in this scene, most of those types are lonely shut ins with blow up doll girlfriends and dick pumps under the beds.
The solo band for me generally is just for FUN. I have been doing death metal releases for over 30 years. When I decided to do my own solo band, I didn't want to do just another death metal project, but instead incorperate the styles that had influenced me back in the 80's. Esp. bands like Misfits, Samhain, early Danzig, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, The Ramones, The Sisters of Mercy, Carnivore, Feilds of the Nephilim, 45 Grave, Discharge, The Exploited, The Cramps... just a bunch of stuff from my teenage days in the 80's really.
You must be out of touch with news as this is NOT
happening (Damn, fuck, shit! - Chris). The band that was to be
Massacre X is no more. We had gone thru 6 months of legal battles and disputes,
until finally we had to change the name entirely to Gods of Death... but even
that incarnation has split up. Rick and I with the other members did write and
record two songs: "Dead Man's Scream" & "Return to the Caves
of Abomination", both those tracks were meant to be released as a single.
However, no label was ever confirmed for the release, and the bassist and
drummer quit for personal reasons, although now drummer Mike Mazz has been
working occasionally with Rick to write new material.
I refuse to linger and wait, and so I continue forwards with my own adventures. If something more SOLID can be attained by Rick and company I may consider to return, but it would have to be something worth while to return to. Let us just say for me... it's on hiatus at this time.
I refuse to linger and wait, and so I continue forwards with my own adventures. If something more SOLID can be attained by Rick and company I may consider to return, but it would have to be something worth while to return to. Let us just say for me... it's on hiatus at this time.
Taking into account your answer, what do you think about Possessed recording a
new album and what do you expect from that record?
I think it's pretty cool. I respect Jeff and hope him the best for his endeavors. I suspect it to be pretty damn good. I anticipate it.
I think it's pretty cool. I respect Jeff and hope him the best for his endeavors. I suspect it to be pretty damn good. I anticipate it.
When
you were debating with your colleagues about “Illud Divinum Insanus”, you were
among those who argued that it is a good record or, you were on the other side…among
those who were right? ;)
I honestly do not have an opinion about it. As I
don't own it nor bothered with buying it. I may have heard a few parts of
tracks from it... but what I heard really wasn't my taste. I think what Trey
has going NOW with Morbid Angel is pretty solid and I only hope the best for
the future of the band.
Which
of the classic good old bands still sound in your music player more frequently?
The only band I still listen to is frequently is
Celtic Frost. Just something about that band. Hell I even really like Tryptikon
a lot (Tryptikon fucking rules!! - Chris).
If you had the opportunity to
represent a character in the remake of an old movie (or get into the skin of
the original character), which character would you like to play?
That's actually a hard one. I love so many great
horror films and action films... I don't ever see myself in any specific role.
I would like to be in a certain genre film such as a good horror films or a
Hong Kong Action type of flick. I wouldn't mind portraying a hidious cannibal
fiend or some sort of creature character in a film.
What is the strangest and the most shocking place
you have been?
In my head.
In my head.
Tell us about the future of Akatharta and also about what your next activities
and projects will be
AKATHARTA is curently working on new materail -
I'm considering releasing soon a special E.P. (Mini-CD disc) that will come
included in a comic book I plan on writing and perhapes doing a pin art for. I
want to have some other pro/semi pro comic arist do the art. It is an idea I
have had for awhile now... I just need to find the best way to approuch it, and
the expense it would be. As I want to be able to release this myself with my
new label DEATHVOKILL RECORDS. Which is my own record label. I hope to be doing
more DOOM with AKATHARTA and will keep pushing this band.
Ok that´s it, it´s been an honor, thanks for your time. Is there anything you would like to add to end this interview?
Ok that´s it, it´s been an honor, thanks for your time. Is there anything you would like to add to end this interview?
Thanks for the interview. I will be releasing my
solo KAM LEE compliation CD "Of Dread & DEATH" on a co-release
with my label DEATHVOKILL RECORDS and SLEEPLESS BEAST RECORDS... this will be a
very limited release to ONLY 100 copies. It should be coming out around
HALLOWEEN time 2017. I hoping to have this be the flagship launch to my new
label. So I hope fans really help support it. Also I am working on another new
album (our 4th one) for THE GROTESQUERY, as well as a new project/band called
NATTRAVNEN, and a band called TROIKADON with death metal legends vocalist David
Ingram and Karl Willits... and hopefully a new one for BONE GNAWER come the
begining of next year! So i plan on being busy for some time to come, and I
hope my fans and friends will be there with me to enjoy the Death - Doom and
Metal to come!!
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