Nekron: “...I was sure I was going to die, and thus became curious what would come next.”

I realized that mental shortcuts and generalizations are, essentially, evil. Frankly, I was so certain that the person who plays suchminimalistic instrumental music must surely not be too talkativehimslef. I was really surprised when I got the answers from Nekron, and I need to say it has been a long time since I have seen such a long and interesting interview, yeah. Nekron has just recently released his second album, and we have talked about it too. But, to be honest with you all, I just couldn’t help it and asked him about the 90s. I think this is how this interview became much more interesting. Ok, no need to beat about the bush, enjoy what Nekron, the only person behind the whole band, had to say.

Oracle: Hail Nekron! How is your life after you`ve released “Border of the Light and Darkness”? It has been a couple of months since the album left the production facility and got to listeners, so I am pretty sure you`ve relaxed a little bit, eh?

Nekron: Hello. I am doing alright, thank you. I think it was really stressing to produce the album itself, or rather, to get it done. My first album “Diadre” was recorded literally offhand. It took me almost a year to get “Border of Light and Darkness” finished, and I recorded separate tracks every single week, or even single month. It was due to the fact that I was getting through some difficult times in my life and felt totally mentally destroyed. But now, I can only say that negative emotions have had a very positive impact on the music. Especially when it comes to the way the music sounds and reverberates,as well as the very dark atmosphere this music is suffused and emanates with. The emotions are of utmost importance, especially depressive ones, as these are responsible for the most creativeart.

O.: If you don’t mind, let’s start with the very beginning, which happens to beImmanis. Or, was there any other band before Immanis, huh? Yes, let’s talk about this band as this is the one you started you music career with. Was this band a valuable experience for yah, right? Tell us about these times, and the 90s in general when the band was active.

N.: I still enjoy the old times I spent with Immanis. Yes, it was my first band and the only one I played with. First and foremost, it was my first time that I dealt with playing music and working in the studio. How do I feel about the 90s? Well, I am not too sentimental about that time period. It was the time when the new musical genre – Norwegian black metal started to spread out. This imperfectly sounding, conventionally different music impressed me immensely. After all this death/doom/thrash effluvia I had been listening to, “A Blaze in the Northern Sky” seemed to be the revelation. Truly amazing. No one expected black metal to be so successful. I think it was also the antichristian ideology that contributed to the success of this music. It was in the 90s when the churches burnt in Norway! These were rebellious times, a pagan revolution like never before. For me, for Immanis, it was important to play music, to be part of the black metal movement. We breathed this music, this obscureatmosphere this time period was suffused with – and all its features.

O.: Is there any connection between Immanis and Nekron? Musically different, as these two bands certainly are, they still are located within the black metal genre.

N.: I see no connection whatsoever. Stylistically and sound-like wise, these are two totally different bands. Nekron`s music is raw to the bone, cold and depressing, and where the use of keyboards is overwhelmingly important. Andit has got this hypnotic atmosphere. Immaniswas totally different. The tempos at which the tracks were played weremuch more diverse and the sound was really extreme. Immanis` first demo was guitar oriented;keyboards were introduced no sooner than on the 1996 ep. Also, the lyrical spherewas different from what I am dealing with right now. When, after many years, I listened to Immanis again, I did like only the first demo tape “PerditorisTenebricus”. The second demo of ours,“AegriSomnia” is too polished for black metal. Itdidn’t sound dirty enough.

O.: Whywasn’tImmanis able to hop over to another level after releasing their two demos? Bad luck, some misunderstandings among the members? Many valuable bands, back then, ceased to exist, you think it was a pity that Immanis disappeared too?

N.: No offer to release a full length was, certainly, the most important reason for the band to split up. It was expensive to record music in a studio, we couldn’t afford to record demo material professionally at the time. One might say we became stagnant – and that was frustrating. Also, Forgotten, the originator of Immanis and the music`s main composer wanted to focus on his own music project. We were on rather friendly terms with each other and cooperated in a rather good way. Immanis was certainly different from a number of other bands that labels were after back then. We were not a standard band at the time, that’s for sure. Maybe, it was just not good enough? No idea. Of course, it was a sad decision to give up but we eventually did so. We all focused on other things and lost contact with each other.

O.: You were active in the 90s. You played black metal. It was when Temple Of The Fullmoon was most active. What was your view on this movement? I am not sure if it is correct but Immaniswasn’t the TTF`s favorite band, right? How do you perceive these times now?

N.: I think I perceive this phenomenon as any other reasonable guy does. It was all fucked up. I mean the divisions that TTF caused on the Polish scene. When we started Immanis, we were not aware of any conflicts among Polish bands. It was none of our business. We just wanted to play black metal, not participate in some North vs. South conflict. We were never interested in any satanic, pagan or nationalistic organizations. Neither did we try to join any. We simply released a demo, and it suddenly turned out we are on “the list of foes”. We supposedly became a “commercial band.” (Sic!).

We got in touch with some bands at the time, including Behemoth, and it was Baal himself who told us what it all was about. The conflict among different people divided the scene, and how it ended, well, anyone who`s interested in the Polish black metal scene knows very well. It was just retarded – to blackmail and threaten other people etc. Some weird lists saying who should play black metal and who shouldn’t. We all are adults now, and I think we all look at these times from the right perspective. Paradoxically, “Border of Light and Darkness” has been dedicated to Aleksander „Mściwoj” Kosacki, a man behind TTF. A year before he died, we got in touch again. We always talked to each other in a good way. He suddenly died in 2013 – shortly before “Diadre” was out, but was able to listen to the rough version of this album.

O.: AsImmanis,you partook in Tribute to Kat compilation album. Two questions here. Why are the keyboards so damn shitty on this “MaszMnieWampirze” track? What do you think about the situation these days when we have two KAT`s, one worse than the other?

N.: Well, the keyboards must sound shitty if they do sound shitty. To me, they are ok. At first, the stuff sounded really cold and raw, but Pagan re-mastered the track that’s why it sounds so cheap in result. I remember when welistened to this stuff when it was finally out, we felt embarrassed. Itwasn’tthe same song we`d sent to Pagan Records. What can I say about KAT? Not too much, I am afraid….not interested at all.

O.: Ok, so Immanis split up in 1997; Nekronwas formed in 2012. It’s like 15 years in between. As I understand, you didn’t play in any band in the meantime? Did you go see bands play live, or pay any attention to what was going on as a fan back then?

No. I never went to see bands play live, Iwasn’t interested in other bands. I didn’t know how many bands there were. I cut myself off from black metal for many years. But the moment came when I started to refresh my old albums. I felt the urge to record something on my own. So I got some equipment and stated to work on my music. This was how “Oblivion” was made. I sent the stuff to a few friends of mine, and the response was quite positive. This was how I started to feel like playing some more music. After “Oblivion,” I recorded “Kill yourself” and some other tracks and finally called them “Diadre.”

O.: As said in 2012 you formed Nekron. Was it your idea, right from the beginning, to play alone, or you just couldn’t find any people of the right sort?

N.: I have never looked for other people. I have always wanted to work on my own. As I have myown equipment, I can record anything, and at any time I feel like. I do appreciate being independent. Also, I don’t think I could work harmoniously with others when it comes to writing music. Right from the beginning,Nekronwas supposed to be a one man band. This is my passion, my energy and my work. Myatmosphere. You see, I am kind of alienated guy. I have chosen so. I don’t get attached to other people, I don’t stay in touch with others – I am not looking for new friends. I got a couple of amigos, all over the world, and that’s fine with me. What comes into my head I later transform into music, and write lyrics. I create my own version of dark black metal. Right from the beginning, I have had a full control over what I do, and thus it all sounds the way I want it to. Thestyle, the way I use keyboards, guitar sound, lyrics and vocal, - it is the Nekronall over and nobody else.

O.: There are (at least) two other Nekron`s beside yours. Yours is youngest, so have you ever thought to rename the band?

N.: I took on the Nekron nickname in 1993, or early 1994 when we formed Immanis. Well, you know, I was pretty much into spiritualism and necromancy back then. Hence the nickname of mine. Everyone knew me as Nekronso it was why I named my project like that. Well, there are other Nekron`s in the world? No worries, nothing can be done about it, I guess. I sign my music with my nickname and that’s it.

O.: Musically, Nekron is pure glorification of Burzum`s“HvisLyset Tar Oss” or “Filosofem” times. This is the sound, music and vocals which are all totally Burzum`ish. Why is it Burzumthat comes right from your soul? Aren’t any other black metal ideas interesting enough?

N.: This “glorification of Burzum” is going to become my strongest point or my curse. I have no idea whatsoever if it is good, or bad that my music is being compared to what Varg did in the 90s. My music is compared very often and the resemblance is mentioned by everyone who reviews my stuff. Starting from Metal Hammer and ending with Chaos Vault for instance. I do not will to be labeled as a person who copies other bands, that’s not how it is. Everyone who has listened to my stuff, will say it is not true. It is ambient black metal and it has got similar atmosphere, and that’s it. I have created my own vision and that’s the direction I am following. I have elaborated my own sound. Nekron is calm black metal with gurgling, snowed guitars, subtle keyboards work and screechy vocals.

I added some melodic solos and nature sounds. It was like this on the first album “Diadre,” and “Border of Light and Darkness” is itssuccessfulcontinuation. A well thought and mature album, really. When I started to write my first songs I was not too sure what atmosphere they should be immersed in. I was bored with “guitar massacre.”That’s the black metal I love most. I used to like fast and heavy music before, but it later changed. “Border of Light and Darkness” is not only pure black metal, but it is also ethnical ambient – not comparable with Varg`smusic.

O.: Nekron`s first album “Diadre” is out through Szron Productions. Any comments on the label? Did Dominik and Zuza deal with the stuff in a professional matter?

N.: Yes, I think they did. It was released as a truly underground material. Szronis a small label,and so it was released as a mere CDR, strictly limited. These days, people who`ve bought “Border of Light and Darkness” keep also asking about “Diadre”. And they ask so often that it makes me feel like re-releasing this stuff again, but, in a much friendlier format. When the album was out, it was rather silent about it. Now, when the second album is out, all want to listen to the first one too. They keep asking why they`ve not heard about the first album at all. I am puzzled because of this situation too.

O.: A yearlong break, and here we go, the second album “Border of the Light and Darkess” is ready. Similar music, but a different label. What did Leszek offer that you in result you released this stuff through his KrewDiabła Records?

N.:.I have known Leszeksince mid-90s, when he was behind Holy Death. He is a professional guy, alright, the guy that is totallydevoted to underground. I remember when I sent him “Shadows” and “Borders.” His reaction wasvery positive, as he liked my first album very much. It was really important for me to know who`d release my stuff – to mere release my album wasn’t that important though. When I spread out my promos, the response was fairly good, and thus I received some interesting offers. I chose the label that belongs to someone I know, trust and who`s been into underground for many years. Andhe lives for this music. I am sure I chose right.

O.: When it comes to your second album, well, even the cover art resembles the Burzum`s“Hvislyset tar oss” layout. Whose idea it was, and who made it?

N.: It was the label`s idea and performance. While recording the album I had no idea about what to put on the front cover. Actually, I didn’t even think about it. I was too busy recording music. As I mentioned before, I had sent Leszek the first two tracks and he asked me if I already had any front cover. I said I didn’t. SoLeszek sent me a picture and asked if it was ok with me. I did like it immediately, as it matches the musicperfectly. It is dark, and b/w, just as my music is. While working on the layout, we replaced the white color with grey. The title means the place where two worlds collide with each other. In pre-Christian world, there existed so called borderlands where, during rituals, shamans got in touch with the world of ghosts – inhabited by ghosts of the dead and the deity. Such a place is depicted on the front cover.

O.: Your bio says you practiced necromancy as a young person. Does it mean you doesn’t do so no more? How did you get fascinated with necromancy and what was your aim doing so? I know people who don’t like to talk about it; frankly, I don’t know exactly why not. Well, when they say they practice necromancy, black magic or some other rituals, it seems logical to talk about it…but when asked about details, they suddenly become silent.

N.: Well, I think they become silent because they have nothing interesting to talk about at all. I have experienced this phenomenon before, I mean, people use big words to attract attention. I practiced necromancy (the practice of supposedly communicating with the spirits of the dead) for a couple of years, but I don’t do it anymore. I think I was interested in this subject as a kid. I was paranoid at the time; I was sure I was going to die very soon so I wanted to know what would happen to me when I had died. I was around ten when it started. It was when I read “Life after death” by renowned Polish parapsychologist LeszekSzuman for the first time.

I found the book in my parents` friends’ private library. I was both fascinated and scared by this book. Later this interest died out – until I went to high school. It was when I first partook in a spiritual séance. I didn’t prepare in any special way for that, I was just invited to participate. I had some knowledge which I willed to confront with something real, something palpable. Pure curiosity. Pureskepticism at first. But when it started…when the cryptoscopestarted off. Well, I was just speechless. Thecontact was possible. Not only through the cryptoscope,but also through different noises – such as knocking on a closet or door, for instance. I immediately refreshed my memory. It was not only us, the young people who participated, but some high school teachers as well.

Many people experienced the contact with the other side. I began to organize the séances myself because to be a medium is not a special gift at all. Itsimply works or it doesn’t. I turned out to be sensitive. In total, I took part in around 50 séances. Sometimes these were longer conversations, some other were just short, incomplete sentences. At times, what we decoded using the cryptoscope didn’t make any sense at all. What was the aim? Well, I guess it was as it happens when people talk to the dead – to quench their thirst for knowledge. I just wanted to know if there is any life after death, and how the other side looks like. The cult of the dead has always been present in any culture we know. At times, the death cult wasdominant in a number of different religions. I wanted to see more, to answer the questions that were of utmost importance to me.

I got the answers but it was hard to verify them as true or false. What the ghosts of the dead tell us may deconstruct the way we perceive the world. The answers are strange, make us rethink many things. The ghosts convey messages – but they cannot prove anything empirically. We, human beings can only listen to them or read them. The ghosts can tell lies in the same way we can. They are not omniscient. It all depends on what we deal with. The less powerful and less destructive these energies are, the more turmoil they can cause.

I am talkingabout these ones who are among us. I mean the ones who`ve died but haven’t gone further, these who`ve gotten trapped in our world. These ghosts are harmful. It is true that to contact with the other side is not a completely safe business. One can get in real trouble in result. I was to revive this issue when my friend died. But I didn’t. I cannot do it myself, as a séance requires the energy from a number of people – and I don’t know anyone who`d like to join me.

O.: What some people find trancelike in your music, some other consider to be, alas, boring. What is your reaction when you hear such opinions on your music, the music you composed, arranged and recorded?Is it difficult to compose a track that is truly satisfactory? I mean a track that, when recorded, pleases you in a sense, “that’s the way it should be”?

N.: I would say I react in a normal way, don’t care too much. I create music for other people. Every listener has his own taste, and is free to express his opinion. I have never expected everyone to like my music. Just the opposite, I have always deemed this music to be very underground. Well, if someone thinks it is boring, it is fine, he is free to listen to something else. Nekronhas got a very specific spectrum. It emanates with the colors of night and depressive elements. Everytrack consists of repetitive phrases. It all is completed with slow and rhythmic drum work. This is to take you away from this world while listening to this music. To close your eyes and move to another, non-material dimension. This was the main idea behind the music and I think this aim was fully fulfilled. That’s why I think I am happy with my work.

O.: Well, you are, obviously, an old timer when it comes to metal music here in Poland. How do you perceive Poland`s scene? There are many bands that are pretty much glued firmly to their music genres, as well as some others that cross their musical borders and look for something different, they like to experiment ….or you don’t pay any attention to any new stuff, and simply listen to old bands?

N.: Alas, my life style does not allow me to spend too much time with music. Or, not that much as I would like to. Let me think…when it comes to the Polish scene, I would say Sacza and Fulgurum are noticeable. They create exactly the atmosphere I like.

O.: Nekron`s plans for the nearest future? Working on the third album?

N.: Well, I am going to relax I think. Many changes in my personal life to come too. As for the next album…I am not saying “no.” It seems likely I’ll start on my new album no sooner than this winter. The world becomes bleaker at that time of the year. And so does my music.

O.: Ok, that`s it, I guess. If you have anything to add, go ahead and share it with us. Thank you for the interview.

N.: Thanx a lot.

Oracle / 16 April 2015 /Chaos Vault