Royy (Graven Image)

 Interview with Royy (Graven Image)

Hail Royy, it’s great to talk to you again in my small blog. First of all, let me congratulate you on your band's 23rd anniversary. How would you summarize the Graven Image’s career so far? What were the most memorable moments of the band's 23-year history? 

- Hail Georgius, thanks again for your interest! Well in hindsight I recognize the different stages we were in. Wow, 23 years just flew by like it was nothing. Breaking it down it comes to this; First years shaping our identity while being a four piece, then a new era with many live shows as a five and even six piece, and now an age of mainly recording and releasing studio material as a seven piece. Each era to itself has a unique charm, and one that will never go fully back to the state it was in before. I like our past and the way we got here, and I love how the journey has been with all these great people; current and ex-members: I love each and every one of them, and they know that. Just last few weeks I’ve visited ex-members Harro and Dave in their homes. We’ll always be good. We have always considered ourselves as a group instead of a band, because we’re not just colleagues, but chosen family. To be together for 23 years and still have more current than ex members is unique, but even though; our ex-members are still family.

On the 12th of July this year through Vidar Records Graven Image released an excellent EP namely “Cultus MCMXLV”. Tell the readers more about the tracks and cover art, please.

- The first two songs lyrically both take place from April 15th to April 16th 1945, but both on different locations. “Verzetsstormer” tells the story of how my grandfather Gerrit Vermeulen went through enemy lines and came back to Doesburg early in the morning with the Allied Canadians to liberate the city. The title of the song means as much as ‘Resistance-Stormer’, to emphasize he was a level-up compared to regular resistance-fighters, since he was fully prepared to die knowing what the resistance set him out to do for his city and the people in it. The frontcover art is the destroyed tower of Doesburg on April 15th 1945, a real picture of it with my artwork included around it. The second song “Beast” lyrically is about the Soviet ‘Battle for Berlin’. The Soviet army marched April 15th, the first tanks reached the battlefield early the next day. These soldiers were the ones whom have earlier found the concentration camps in Poland on their way there. They took what they have seen with them on the journey towards Berlin. Barracks filled with children’s clothes and toys. The word “Beast” doesn’t even cover the grotesque they’ve seen while marching towards Berlin.  Jon Rubin from Malevolent Creation and Monstrosity, my longtime friend, is playing the extended guitar solo at the end. The songs “Fertile Anguish redux 2026” and “Return Fire redux 2025” came from our previous releases Deus Bastardus CD 2013 and Return Fire CD 2012, but both completely rebuild, remixed, remastered and reproduced from the original mastertapes, provided with our current guitar and drum sound. The reason for these reduxed songs is because in the process of recording new material our sound engineer and producer Kenny got into a serious car crash, and needed time to recover from extensive reconstructive surgery. This took quite some time so when Kenny felt ready to resume working on the recordings, he suggested some ‘practice material’ to get back into what we were doing before. He had kept all original master recordings of everything he had ever done with Graven Image, so we got back into it reworking these two classic songs from the ground up, with the current sound. It turned out much better than we could have anticipated, so we’ve granted these two songs a second return, and treated them like the full new versions that deserve renewed attention, and complemented the other two entirely new songs on this EP. This is not ‘just a teaser’ for the next album. In fact; none of these songs will be on the next album, so this release holds its own standard and theme.   

Are your working with new songs nowadays? What will be the format of your new release? 

- Yes, as a matter of fact we are going to release a new full-length album. It has around 45 minutes of all new and never before heard entirely new material. I know Vidar Records will release it as CD format guaranteed, but of course I would be lying if I told you I’m not bugging them to convince them to release it as an LP as well, haha. Our contact is smooth and so far we have enjoyed working together from both sides. I need to thank my former Pleurisy bandmate Edwin Nederkoorn, current Bloodphemy drummer, for recommending and introducing us to Vidar Records.

Since early 90’s I’m a big fan of Dutch Death/Thrash/Black scene. I’d be interested to know how you would describe the Dutch underground of the 90s. What is your opinion on current Dutch hordes and underground movement? 

- I think the Dutch scene in the 90’s was very exciting and refreshing, and I’m thankful to have been able to contribute to it while walking among the midst of some true giants while doing my own bands Raging Death & Autumnal Reaper. I don’t feel like mentioning specific bands, but that’s mostly because I don’t want to leave anyone out. The ‘90’s were specifically important to the Dutch scene in further establishment in death metal while exploring the black metal realm. My favorite Dutch album has turned 30 this year; God Dethroned “The Grand Grimoire”. That album is criminally underrated. I’m honestly not connected enough anymore to the current scene, and we as Graven Image have always felt as outsiders by choice, because we don’t get tangled in this whole competing with each other thing. We have always just focused on ourselves, minding our own business, not looking at others or recent trends.

Departure of Mike Browning (R.I.P.) is a big loss for the entire underground. If I’m not mistaken, Mike was a guest musician on your past band Autumnal Reaper’s releases, called “Requiem” EP and "Rise of the Raging Death” LP. Would you be so kind to share some thoughts about that amazing cooperation? 

- His loss is part of a daily routine here, I think about Mike every day. I can say we were close, since he indeed contributed to two Autumnal Reaper CD releases, and when I asked him to record an intro for a new Graven Image song he just said “You know I can’t say no to you”. So I actually have his recorded contribution, which will be part of the forthcoming Graven Image album. Along the road I was fortunate enough to become close friends with Mike and work with him, I consider him my main influence, since I’ve started in 1991 as drummer/vocalist and back then never could have imagined to meet my hero, or even later on become friends, or perform as guest-vocalist on shows for Nocturnus live in 2008, and have him perform on two CD releases by one of my bands, with one future release to come. Like I have said before, I have always looked up to Mike, and he has always treated me as an equal. Of course I’m not, but that’s how Mike has always been to me. He was one of the most unique musicians ever, surpassing style and genre. A dedicated father, an amazing legend to shaping and defining Death-Metal as founding member of Morbid Angel and Nocturnus, a super loyal friend to those he chose. He will always be in my thoughts… Big Brother!

If you had the chance to form a Death metal supergroup, who would the members be? 

- I’m very content with the people around me, I wouldn’t change anything and choose the current line-up of Graven Image over anybody. That having said, the line-up on Death’s “Human” album; if that’s not the perfect ‘supergroup’ than I don’t know what is.

I’ve noticed in Graven Image video “Verzetsstormer” Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir on your jacket. Are you interested in Scandinavian mythology? What are your favourite Gods, persons and books or sagas? 

-Very perceptive. There is also the Othala rune on the sleeve of my jacket as well.  I’m not hiding it; it’s there in plain sight for those who see. First of all I am not a ‘Viking’ and don’t pretend to be one because of some TV series. I hate all these fake people who dress up, or pretend… when was the last time you've killed anyone? If the answer is Never; you are NOT a Viking. You call it Scandinavian mythology, I call it Germanic culture and heritage. Both believed in the same around the same time when north western Europe was still pure and free from monotheistic lies. For instance we called Odin ‘Wotan’ and Thor ‘Donar’, but they’re the same, just different names. Well just as in music and life in general I don’t idolize, so my cultural choice to return to the traditions of the original Germanic people is simply to connect with my roots and deny any forms of monotheistic middle eastern sand religions that have no place here to begin with. I really like the poetic Edda since it has no beginning or end; you can read it all over again at any page and almost every time it has new meaning, mirroring your own current state like a horse staring into your soul. The Roman empire could never get a hold over the Dutch lands above the river Rhine, and for the longest time we have averted becoming fully christianized, and held on to our traditional ‘Odinistic’ Asatru belief system. My cultural belief is a reminder to that age, when we refused to yield to Abrahamic monotheistic middle eastern sand religions that have no ground or origin here whatsoever.  

(I'm so thankful to Royy for these amazing gifts! G//)

During our private conversations you mentioned French master Gustave Doré. Which of his works are your favourite ones?

- I own special extended editions of “The Divine Comedy” and “Paradise Lost” with his artwork, as well as a separated book featuring all his artwork. His work on the “Dante’s Inferno” book and “Paradise Lost” are my favorite. He is the absolute master in heralding dark artwork, his work resonates strongly.

Do you have a preferred album from 2026? Which releases are you looking forward to?

- Well Cronos just passed away, Mike isn’t there anymore; I don’t have a lot to look forward to. The release I’m looking forward to the most is our forthcoming full-length album, which I hope to be able to finish in the near future.

Thank you very much for the interview again, Royy, all the best to you with Graven Image and in your personal life. In the end send some thoughts for the readers, please. 

- Thanks again Georgius for the interview and the interest in our band.

Never underestimate yourself and keep expecting the unexpected. While releasing the “Cultus MCMXLV” I felt we were slowly moving towards an ending after 23 years, but all of the sudden in a plot twist this release turned into a pulse so strong, that all of us are back; and band-rehearsals have resumed! Hope resonating with passion, loyalty, positivity, true friendship and original love; try and stop that! Oh and it has been 14 years since we have released our “Return Fire” CD, remember that in case someone close would steal that name for their 14th album. Cheers to all readers and supporters of Georgius’s blog!

Important links:

facebook.com/gravenimageband

legacy.reverbnation.com/gravenimageband

youtube.com/@GravenImageBand

Pontus Norman and Brice Leclercq (CON)

 Interview with Pontus Norman 

and  Brice Leclercq (CON)

Hail Pontus and Brice! First of all, let me congratulate you on the release of your amazing one called “The Shrine Within”. What has the feedback from the underground scene been like so far?

Brice: So far so good! I think the feedback is very positive & we are very proud of what we achieved with this release! Some of the fans told me that it sounded awesome & very unique! It’s a very good compliment in my opinion!

Pontus: I have the same view as Brice on that. We’ve received very positive feedback, and I’m really happy that we actually went through the whole process of having Brice handle the bass and add quite a few lead guitar parts. We also remastered all of the songs.

For many years, people have been asking where they could find the old songs, so it was really fun to finally be able to release them the way they were originally meant to sound.

I know, it is always a hard question but would you be so kind to share some thoughts about the songs (track by track) in your own words? What was the band’s line-up on that release?

Pontus: I can’t really give my thoughts on each individual song, but rather on the album as a whole — and it’s incredible. This is a tribute to the old CON and a closing chapter. Now we’re entering the next phase, which will be much more musically developed, with an unparalleled sense of purpose and determination. It will be clear that a lot has changed over all these years, on every level.

The lineup on the album is:

Carl Nordblom – Vocals

Rhythm & Lead Guitars: Pontus Norman

Bass & Lead Guitars: Brice Leclercq

Drums: Jimmie Olausson (R.I.T.A.D.) — I programmed the drums on the remaining tracks.

In my humble opinion the magnificent cover art absolutely fits to the mood of the tracks. Who created that one for you?

Pontus: Nes Alvarez, who runs the label, handled all of the design. I’m extremely happy with the result and think it looks fucking great and fits perfectly.

He did an incredible job.

“The Shrine Within” was released through Deäth Postüre Records on the 12th of August this year. How did you make them that awesome alliance? Will you plan to work with them later again?

Brice: I don’t think we can tell with whom we are gonna work in the future since it’s too early to tell but we are very pleased with Deäth Postüre Records so far!

Pontus: Nes from the label contacted me several years ago about doing a release. I didn’t want to do it back then. To be completely honest, I had stepped away from music for personal reasons. But a little over six months ago, I thought, “Fuck it, Pontus, let’s do this.” So we went for it.

Thanks to that, we’re also up and running again, and I’ve never had this much fun or found it this rewarding to write music as I do now.

We’re really fucking happy with the collaboration so far, but as Brice says, it’s way too early to say what happens next.

Pontus you told me in our private conversation, that you are working with brand new songs. It will be a new full-length album? What can we know about the new release and line-up?

Pontus: Well, you’re not getting much out of me, haha!

The only thing I can say is that I’ve finished writing 11 songs. We’re currently expanding the lineup of CON, but I can’t reveal who’s involved just yet.

But I’m very happy with how things are shaping up, and the musical talent within the band has never been stronger than it is now.

I like so much your previous stuff “In Signo Draconis”. How was that EP received by underground press and fans? How can the Black metal fanatics get “In Signo Draconis?”

Pontus: I think it was very misunderstood, and it didn’t sound like the earlier CON material. It was never meant to sound like the old CON either — you write what you feel at the time, and that was what I was feeling and writing back then.

It’s not available anywhere, but one of the songs from it is featured on The Shrine Within.

Are you planning any live performances with the horde in the future?

Brice: Even if we are more of a studio band, you never know what the future could bring! If the circumstances & timing are right, why not!

Pontus: I agree with Brice here. We’re definitely a studio band, but I don’t see live shows as being impossible either. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Pontus, that is not a secret that I’m a big supporter of your brother, Johan’s guitar-playing since early 90’s. What are your favourite bands and songs from his works? Is it possible that he would be a guest one on your new material?

Pontus: Johan is a very talented guitarist and songwriter, and he has created a lot of great music. I’ve probably always leaned more towards black metal, while he’s more into death metal, so out of the bands he’s played in, Dissection is the one closest to my heart.

Brice, would you be so kind to tell the readers some information about your past activity in the bands as Ages and Nightrage?

Brice: Sure! Back in 2003, I played bass on Nightrage’s first album called “Sweet Vengeance” with a very interesting line up; Gus G (Ex Ozzy Osbourne, Firewind, King Diamond), Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates), Per Mölle Jensen (The Haunted) & of course Marios Iliopoulos, the main composer of the band! We recorded it in Studio Fredman & I remember Tompa had a cold the day he was supposed to record & he told us “I’ll try but I can’t guarantee anything…” But he did it in one day and that’s what you hear on the album! He was a great guy & had a tremendous amount of talent! You are very missed Tompa!… RIP

People may not know but after leaving Dissection, I studied sound engineering & got a license. One of my teachers was actually Daniel, one of the composers behind Ages! I met Andreas when doing the sound for a Death Metal band called Volturyon where he played guitars. That’s how it all came together.

Brice, I’ve listened to “Synchronicity” I and “Relentless” of your latest week and I must say, they are excellent melodic Black metal hymns. What should we know about From Kaos?

Brice: Well, I’ve been very busy since I played bass on the upcoming Kvaen album that should be released at the beginning of 2027!

I also joined the mighty Black metal band Dawn with my old friend, Tomas Asklund on drums! Unfortunately, I can’t give any release date yet since vocals are left to be recorded but I can easily tell you that this is for the best Dawn album to date! And I’ve been listening to Dawn since the 90’s!

Back to From Kaos, I’m finishing the new album “Synchronicity II” as we speak! It should be ready by the end of the year but I can’t give any release date yet since it will also depend on the label choice and so forth!…

On the other hand, I can proudly announce that Tobias Kjellgren is playing the drums on the album & I couldn’t be happier with the result honestly! He nailed it & we are definitely gonna do this again in the future!

I can’t wait to see how people are gonna react to it because I took my time this time & I spent a lot of energy on it.

One of my favourite live albums ever is Live in Stockholm 2004 from Dissection. Which songs by the band did you enjoy playing live? Are there any preferred tracks from “Reinkaos” LP?

Brice: Thank you very much! Well, I loved playing in Dissection honestly so it’s a tough question; I’d say Thorns of Crimson Death, Soulreaper & The Somberlain when it comes to Rebirth in Stockholm!

On Reinkaos, I have a special feeling for Black Dragon, Dark Mother Divine & the title track, Reinkaos!

Pontus and Brice, thank you very much for the interview, my best wishes to you both. Send some thoughts in the end to complete this conversation, please.

Brice: Thanks to all the past, present & future fans for supporting CON & you won’t be disappointed, I promise!

And we can’t wait to release the new album!

Pontus: Thank you, and thanks to everyone who supports CON. I can tell you that we’re working incredibly hard on a new album that we’re absolutely fucking thrilled to release. It’s going to be a complete transformation for CON.

Important links: 

instagram.com/consweden

youtube.com/@consweden

facebook.com/consweden

music.apple.com/se/artist/con/1484390330

open.spotify.com/artist/4T36dWsP5NlETod9JbsTvt

Royy (Graven Image)

 Interview with Royy (Graven Image)

Hail Royy, you are very welcome to my small blog Archangel’s Lantern. How and when did you enjoy the underground movement back in the day? What were your very first releases you bought? Which band did you see live for the first time? 

~ Hi Georgius, nice to talk with you here. Well from family and environment I got infected with hardrock and metal in my childhood. I was so young that I didn’t even knew about genres yet, all I knew was that I liked it.  My first releases were early vinyl releases from Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Motörhead, which still are my favourite bands. The first bands of choice I’ve seen live were Iron Maiden, Obituary, Metallica, Sepultura. The first two have made a lasting impression. 

You are a very talented one, as in addition to growling and playing guitar, you also played bass and drums. Which musicians inspired you initially and what are your favourite ones nowadays? 

~ That’s nice of you to say, thank you. I’ve started as a drummer in 1991 and never wanted to be anything else than that. I still feel and think like a drummer, even though I’m mostly a vocalist, guitarist and bassist the last three decades. I have always liked multi-instrumentalists such as Chuck from Death and Quorthon from Bathory. The idea of not being pinned down to just one singular instrument always meant a great deal to me. My favourites nowadays are talented musicians who are down to earth and do not hide behind looks or use sexuality to gain more likes or attention. It should be about the music again.

I think, it was happened in Summer when Serge, the big boss of the facebook page called Dutch Brutal/Death/ Metal/Thrash recommended to me listen to Graven Image and I must say I liked a lot of your awesome music. Tell the readers the story of the Graven Image from the beginnings, please. 

~ Big thanks and shout out to Serge, again. I was one of the founding members of the band Raging Death from Doesburg, formed in 1991. We were a death-metal band at first but evolved into Autumnal Reaper, moving into black-metal in 1993, with me still being the drummer but adding vocals as we went. In that band I’ve transformed into the vocalist/bassist. Somewhere around the millennium, while still in Autumnal Reaper all these years, I just wanted to play drums again, so I re-forged Raging Death with Autumnal Reaper’s roadie Waltr. Both of us had played together in a project band in the early 2000’s, and kept in touch.  The idea was that the drums would have the leading position. To avoid being connected to Autumnal Reaper in a straight line, we decided to leave the name Raging Death behind and choose something new. Harro and Arno, friends of ours, joined us while we decided on the name Graven Image and completed the 2003 classic line-up. With myself as drummer we’ve released one demo with Waltr as the vocalist and guitarist, Arno on bass, and our only release with guitarist Harro, the “Death Metal Bastards” demo. We started doing a lot of shows, and things went really fast. Around 2006 I got in contact with Kampfar’s drummer Ask. He was moving to The Netherlands and needed a band to play in to stay in shape while still being in his Norwegian band Kampfar. It came at the same moment Graven Image was looking for a more death-metal stylish vocalist. We’ve searched for a suitable replacement for Waltr as vocalist, so he could focus on guitar, but we couldn’t find a suitable death-metal vocalist for our band. Eventually the obvious answer was Ask taking over my drum position because he was a better drummer than me, and myself taking over the vocal position because I sounded more death-metal than Waltr, and Waltr focussing on rhythm guitars because that was what he really enjoyed doing. We’ve gained a member and did a chair dance in active roles. Knowing at some point Ask had to return to Norway and leave us, we’ve found Tom, or Tom found us, as he was a Graven Image fan and followed us already. Adding Tom to our line-up as drummer was one the best decisions we’ve could have ever made. Our friend and guitarist Dave has played an impressive 9 years with us, he was previously with me in Autumnal Reaper as well. Nowadays Mike and Bauke are the lead guitarists in Graven Image, leaving me as the third guitarist, a position to be quite normal within GI for many years. My friend Kenny is the one responsible for doing all the Graven Image studio productions. Him and me work together a lot, so his role within Graven Image should not be underestimated, and he is therefore considered a full member of the band as well.

Who is the main song and lyric-writer in the horde? What should we know about your lyrics? 

~ The older songs it’s mostly Waltr and me writing the music and then everybody helps with the arrangements, with me doing the lyrics. On the newer songs I wrote everything. What you should know? We have two types of lyrical themes; World War II and the occult. The “Return Fire” CD was WWII themed; “Deus Bastardus” was occult themed. The first following release will be WWII again, yet the future material after that will be more cultural grounded themed. 

Graven Image last time released 2 excellent singles, namely Verzetsstormer in July 2024 and Return Fire Redux '25 this year. Share all the important information about these ones.

~ Don’t forget “Beast” from December 2023, that’s the one reigniting everything, with Jon Rubin from Malevolent Creation and Monstrosity as guest lead-guitarist. We never wanted to release singles actually, we just want to release actual physical hardcopies. On the other hand, we’re aware of being a band in current times, so sometimes you have to do something you’re not entirely comfortable with. We intent to compile the singles and make it a physical release anyway, as an EP/CD. Verzetsstormer was the first time we did a video without using black and white World War two footage, it turned out our best viewed video. Return Fire was fully remixed and remastered by Kenny and me from the original 2011 mastertapes. There was old studio footage never used, filmed by me back in 2011, finally put together in 2025 by a close friend who wants to be named online only as “AM”, who has also directed the videos for “Beast” and “Verzetsstormer”. My friend AM is enthusiastic about working along with us in the near future as well.

Is Graven Image working with a new material nowadays? What is your current line-up? Do you have some plans to play live in the near future? 

~Yes, we have new material recorded into a far stadium; it only needs recording my vocals, and maybe a guitar solo here or there. Right now, Graven Image are: Tom(drums), Arno(bass), Mike(lead-guitars), Bauke(lead-guitars), Kenny(sound) and myself (vocals and rhythm-guitars). To be completely honest, we have no plans at all for any future shows, but we are not saying no to the idea. If something special comes along, we will seriously consider it. First priority however are our forthcoming CD releases. The first upcoming release will be a physical CD release set for spring 2026, and following will be a full-length album. There’s some things about to happen for sure!

You have done live-vocals for USA Death-Metal band Malevolent Creation during the Dutch shows of the "Domination Tour 2007" singing a duet with Bret Hoffmann (R.I.P.). How did happen that alliance?

~ These types of things usually aren’t planned far ahead and mostly exist spontaneously shortly before. We were talking some days before their first Dutch show that tour and the idea came up. After the first show we just went along extending it to more shows. It was only for that tour. We had fun doing those shows, and we made nice memories. I miss Bret every day. 

You were involved in a couple Dutch hordes as Autumnal Reaper, Drowned in Torment, Impalement and Pleurisy through the years. Would you be so kind to talk about it? 

~ I’ve started as the Raging Death drummer in ‘91. That band became Autumnal Reaper, in which I’ve played drums, guitars, bass, and vocals over the years from 1993 until we’ve disbanded some three decades after. In Pleurisy I was the singer from 2001 until 2002, and I remember we did a lot of shows in several countries in a really short time. A live videotape from a festival in Czech Republic was released from that era. In Drowned I was the session drummer for their live shows in 2006 and ‘07. I was never a member of Impalement; I was merely helping the original members forge what would later become that band. Lock&Load is a band I was in as drummer and co-founding member from 2007 until 2012, and I really enjoyed playing in that band.  My only focus nowadays musically is Graven Image.

Maybe you know that my small work is eternally dedicated to Jon of Dissection and Lars-Göran Petrov. Did you share with them the stages /met them live? Are you have any favourite songs/releases of their heritage? 

~ Sure, I know about that, and I like that you keep the memory of them alive. I’ve met them both and have seen them perform live as well. The Entombed debut and the first two Dissection records are absolute classics, these are albums that are untouchable from beginning to end and back again.

Apart from playing music do you have any special hobbies? 

~Collecting physical CD’s, LP’s, DVD’s and books. I own wall to wall full of physical releases. Obviously especially both Waltr and myself have a great interest in everything related to WWII. I love spending time away from people surrounded by nature and animals.

Are there any books and movies what you prefer most? 

~ If it comes to Graven Image, we seem to have a special bond with the Hellraiser franchise; which is funny because our lyrics are never about blood or classic horror themes. We have used quotes and samples from Doug Bradley, the original and only legitimate Pinhead, on almost all physical CD releases. On our album “Deus Bastardus” Dante’s Divine Comedy was a huge inspiration, especially the Inferno book. This influence will continue to remain. With the “Return Fire” CD it was all about World War II. Of course, the “Beast” and “Verzetsstormer” singles are WWII themed as well.

Dank je wel/Thanks a lot for the interview, Royy, my best wishes to you and Graven Image. To complete this conversation, send your message to the readers, please. 

~ Thank you Georgius. Stay safe, and keep in touch with us. For the readers, feel free to contact us and ask us anything at our channels.

Important links: 

facebook.com/gravenimageband

reverbnation.com/gravenimageband

youtube.com/@GravenImageBand

Charly Steinhauer (Paradox)

 Interview with Charly Steinhauer (Paradox)

Hello Charly, I’m so honoured to talk to you on my small blog again. First, my congratulations for your new amazing album called “Mysterium”, I really enjoyed every moment. How are the responses from fans and underground media so far? 

- Thank you and hello, I greet you and all the readers. The reaction to the new PARADOX album "MYSTERIUM" has been very good worldwide, and in some cases outstanding. Of course, you can always find fault if you want to, but I am extremely satisfied with the result. It has turned out to be a great album and shouldn't disappoint any PARADOX fan.

Enlighten us about song-writing and recording process, please. How long did it take you to compose the “Mysterium”?

- I started songwriting in January 2023. The process took about nine months to complete. The recordings for each instrument then lasted until March 2024, and the album was finished in July 2024. However, due to a change of record label, the release was delayed by almost a year.

“MYSTERIUM” was a huge challenge for me because I recorded all the instruments myself on this album. That wasn't the original plan. Axel was no longer able to record the drums due to depression. Christian was too busy with other projects, and Olly wanted to use the bass recordings I had already made while composing the songs. So, I ended up recording everything you hear on the album myself and also handled the mixing and production. Patrick W. Engels did the mastering, as I wanted an outside professional to confirm whether the quality of my mix was good enough. And it was.

I know, it is always a hard thing but would you be so kind to talk about each track of your new album?

- The album's opening track is called "KHOLAT". It begins calmly and sadly before practically exploding with a furious tempo. It's a very fast song. 

"Kholat Syakhl" translates as "Dead Mountain" in the northern Urals of Russia. In 1959, a still-unexplained tragedy occurred at the foot of the Kholat Pass, the Dyatlov Pass. Nine hikers met a gruesome death there, some of their bodies severely mutilated. It still unsolved who was responsible for their dead.

“ABYSS OF PAIN AND FEAR” is a song that contains all the trademarks that have distinguished Paradox over the years. Many tempo changes, fast and with a lot of power.

It`s about BILLY HAYES, who was arrested in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1970 and later sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempting to smuggle hashish from Turkey to the United States. After a long period of suffering, he finally managed to escape from the hell of prison. His experiences were made into a film called “Midnight Express.”

After two fast-paced songs, a short breather is needed in the form of "GRIEF," an acoustic instrumental piece dedicated to AXEL BLAHA (co-founder of PARADOX), who passed away in 2023.

“THOSE WHO RESIST” is a relentless rhythmic powerhouse that once again pushes the pedal to the metal. It is dedicated to the victims who tried to resist the Nazi regime during World War II and lost their lives in the process.

“ONE WAY TICKET TO DIE” is probably the fastest song on the album. Similar in speed to Kholat, it's a top-notch thrash metal inferno, while “PILE OF SHAME” continues with a stomping rhythm. A track that, with its distinctive beat, encourages headbanging.

After the ultra-heavy and dark instrumental track "TUNGUSKA," comes "FRAGRANCE OF VIOLENCE," perhaps the most typical PARADOX song on "MYSTERIUM." It contains everything that characterizes the PARADOX style.

The fragrance of violence is the smell that hangs over the battlefield. Until World War I, battle and war itself were highly romanticized. Only when weapons became increasingly deadly and soldiers died by the millions did it gain the status it enjoys today among the population. Heads of state order wars with the blood of soldiers who are only acting on orders to avoid being killed themselves. Many of them cannot understand the actual reason for the war or perhaps don't even know exactly what it is about.

Now comes the title track "MYSTERIUM," which is about the meaning of dreams. Why do we dream? What is the background and what is the purpose of dreams? It's a very mystical track, and the sleepwalking woman on the front cover perfectly illustrates the mystique behind this topic. A great Song. A monument.

The closing track, "THE DEMON GOD," is incredibly fast-paced. It unleashes one riff after another and culminates fatally in an apocalyptic scenario. The ending is very melancholic, and at the very end, you hear a sad melody, similar to the piano intro of the opening track, KHOLAT. It's pure goosebumps! The album ends. The journey ends, and you immediately want to listen to the album again.

There's also a bonus track on the CD version of "WITHIN THE REALMS OF GRAY". This was originally planned for a project with EVILE guitarist Matt Drake. When that didn't work out, I decided to use the song as a bonus track because it also has a very mystical vibe, but is somewhat different from the typical PARADOX style.

The lyrics were written by Achim “Daxx” Hoemerlein (ex-Vendetta), with whom you have worked before. What should we know about the lyrics of the new LP? By the way, what is the current situation with Exorchrist? 

- Generally, mystical stories run like a common thread throughout the entire album, and they particularly moved me. They also encourage listeners to do their own research on these stories. Therefore, this album offers double the entertainment value. You can listen to the music and delve into the interesting and exciting topics, about which there is plenty to read and watch online.

Regarding EXORCHRIST, I would like to collaborate with DAXX on a few more songs, but he's recently become a father and is also busy with songwriting for VENDETTA. I can't promise whether DAXX is planning another EXORCHRIST release. I'll ask him. Right now, it`s on ice.

The marvellous cover art created for you Travis Smith again. Share some thoughts about his work, please.

- TRAVIS SMITH was already responsible for the artwork for “HERESY II – END OF A LEGEND (2021)” and has delivered outstanding work again. For the title track “MYSTERIUM,” I wanted to see a sleepwalking woman walking into the light of her dreams, unaware of what awaits her. Travis implemented it perfectly. He brings many ideas to the project. A fantastic artist. Incidentally, I admire his artwork for OPETH and NEVERMORE. His style is simply magnificent.

As your new album is a brilliant one, what do you think about the live Paradox-shows in the near future? 

- There are no live performances planned for this album because that would require a functioning band with whom we could regularly rehearse the setlist. That's not currently the case, but it's not meant to be a permanent situation. However, there will definitely be no concerts before 2027, even though I really miss being on stage.

”Mysterium” has been released via German High Roller Records. How did happen that alliance between you and them? 

- I requested a termination of my contract with AFM-RECORDS after they failed to release the album on time. After receiving the termination agreement, I received several offers from various labels. Among them was HIGH ROLLER RECORDS, who simply made me the best and most reasonable offer for "MYSTERIUM." I am very happy with their work because they are passionate about working with bands and because they are "old school." That suits PARADOX perfectly. I was also incredibly warmly welcomed into their family. PARADOX has finally found a new home.

Where do you get inspiration from when you create music? How many times do you play guitar per day/week?

- I actually play the guitar every day. Even if it's sometimes only 10 minutes, the guitar is always next to me in my studio so I can quickly record ideas. My inspiration comes from my favorite bands. I want to make music that I, as a fan, would expect from my favorite bands and that I like best. It has to sound like PARADOX, because I want to make the fans happy, who are responsible for the success of PARADOX.

Which live performances did you visit recently? Are there any metal albums from this year you prefer most? 

- I was recently at the KEEP IT TRUE RISING festival. There I met my friend SCHMIER from DESTRUCTION and brought him the new PARADOX album. I'm going to see METALLICA at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin after a long time. I also had the pleasure of seeing RAMMSTEIN live for the first time. What an amazing show! I'm planning to see CORONER or FORBIDDEN when they play here, and I'm also looking forward to an OPETH concert. The new CORONER album is probably my personal album of the year. I also really liked THE HAUNTED album. I had expected a bit more from TESTAMENT, and I'm curious about the latest MEGADETH album. The new FORBIDDEN and the next EXODUS album are also on my radar, but especially the new NEVERMORE album. I also dream for another VEKTOR album.

Do you have any new ideas for the next Paradox-album yet?

- In my archive, I have a folder with about 3 hours of riffs, but as a composer, you always want to create something completely new. I want to use some of these riffs from that folder because they fit the PARADOX style well. I would like to release one more final and 10th PARADOX studio album. I might also work on an additional live album, as I've found some interesting recordings. This is all just brainstorming, but another album should still be possible. I have a good label behind me that supports PARADOX in the best possible way. There are many fans out there who would be happy to hear more PARADOX music. I'm happy to oblige them.

Danke schön/Thanks a lot Charly, my best wishes to you always. Send your message to the readers in the end, please.

- I appreciate all the support! I greet all the readers and hope they will take an hour to enjoy the new PARADOX album “MYSTERIUM”. It's worth it. It's definitely one of the best PARADOX albums in their 44-year career. Thank you all! Cheers!

facebook.com/paradoxthrash

In Memoriam Kate Szíjártó (07.V.1987-21.I.2010 R.I.P.)

Rock-Ness Dossier 
In Memory of Kate 'Outsider' Szíjártó
 (07.V.1987 - 21.I.2010 R.I.P.)

(I, Georgius asked Her in February, 2009)

When and where did you born? 

- I was on born on the 7-th of May, 1987 in Beregszász (Berehove) Transcarpathia (Ukraine).

As a kid who would you prefer to be?  

- It’s a rather difficult question for me as my wants and needs have been changing almost every single day. At first, as every kid I wanted to follow in my parents’ footsteps, thus I wanted to work in the police department. Luckily, I’ve changed my mind very quickly. I also wanted to become a singer, a scientist, a writer, a doctor, etc.

What has been realized from this?

- Nothing so far as I’m still studying. But I can say I’m a little bit of a singer and a bit of a writer.

my Dearest Sunshine Kate, 22.IX.2009

Your childhood's determinative album-experience?

- It’s hard to say now because my parents were rockers, they fed me with Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin stuff. I don’t remember lullabies, my mom and dad when putting me to bed turned on some of the above things. 

What was the first concert you have seen?

- I guess I’ll avoid mentioning some minor shows but for one, back in 2006 I was at a gig headlined by Castrum. But the first greatest show I saw was Satyricon. 

(Kate (R.I.P.), Cornelius of Castrum and Kat, around 2008)

If you could compile a band without any limitation, who would play there?

- A very exciting question, in fact. If not to pay attention to the style and some other nuances, the perfect band would look like this:

Frost (Satyricon) – drums

Trey Azagthoth (Morbid Angel) – guitar

Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved) – guitar

Reyash (Vader) – bass

Dead (Mayhem) - vox

What inspiration led you to this path? 

- In my case the fact that I’m a small piece of the Underground movement is taken for granted. The only thing that can explain it is, to my mind, almost 22 years of constant development.

April, 2009, photo was taken by me - GF

Do you have any hobby? 

- Of corpse! First of all, it’s music. For me music embraces not only all branches of metal, I’m also fond of classical music, folk and sometimes some industrial tunes as well. I can’t imagine my life without books, travelling, photography and writing concert reports.

Ultimate albums of all time?

- Well, in my opinion, these are ”Blessed are the Sick” by Morbid Angel, “Necroticism - Descanting The Insalubrious” by Carcass, “Panzerfaust” by Darkthrone, “Storm Of The Light's Bane” by Dissection, “Frost” by Enslaved, “Epic (The Poetry Of War)” by Kataklysm, “Om” by Negură Bunget, “The Shadowthrone” by Satyricon, “Impressions in Blood” by Vader and “Forever Underground” by Vital Remains.

(Kate and Kat with Napalm Death-guys after their awesome show in Uzhhorod/Ungvár, I.23.2009)

Ultimate books of all time?

- First of all I would name the Poetic Edda, then go ”The Chronicles of Amber” written by Roger Zelazny, Goethe’s ”Faust”, all the fairy tales by the Grimm brothers, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”  by Ken Kesey and of course every masterpiece written by Edgar Poe. 

Ultimate movies of all time?

- I’m not really into films but here I’d like to distinguish all those masterly works of Alfred Hitchcock, these are “The Birds”, “Psycho” and others.

(our botanical garden, photo was taken by my Kate, 10.VI.2009)

Ultimate personalities of all time?

- Vlad Țepeș, Hammurapi, Alexander the Great, Egil Skallagrimmson.

Is there a life-philosophy or religion which stays close to you? 

- Actually there is no but on my way up I try to follow the words of Alexander the Great,

”There is nothing impossible for him who will try.”

Botanical Garden, 10.VI.2009, Castrum Ungh

What is your opinion on illegal music downloads?

- It causes no problems for bands like Metallica, but because of this a number of bands and phenomenal musicians are facing “extinction”. They have to give up playing music due to the lack of financing. Thus we’re losing talented people. This is simply a kick in the face of the Underground. 

Favorite food and drink? 

- Pizza and beer.

Favorite writer?

- Roger Zelazny, Oscar Wilde and John Fowles.

Favorite actor and actress?

- I have no as I’m not really interested in cinema and theatre. 

If you would be 16 years old with such experience, what would you start to do with your life?

- I think I’d try to be more organized and maybe started my own Metal Zine.

What future would you predict for humanity?

- The whole human race will be eradicated by itself. I don’t think the situation will improve in the future. The ancient Romans used to say, “Homo homini monstrum”, which means “People are beasts to each other”.

                                                     
If there would be a question to yourself (that in your opinion was missed from the questions), what would be that? (Please answer it!)

- In what century would you like to live?

Either in the 15-th or in the 16-th.

(Castrum Ungh (Uzhhorod/Ungvár), picture was taken by Her, 22.IX.2009)

Kate and me, 22.IX.2009, Castrum Ungh

Original Hungarian source: http://www.rockness.eu/Hirek/5751/

Rock-Ness Metal Shop in Debrecen/Hungary:
 facebook.com/rockness.hanglemezbolt/?ref=br_rs

Links from Castrum Ungh: 

Castrum:  facebook.com/castrum/?fref=ts

UzhGoreRot Festival: facebook.com/uzhgorerot/?fref=ts

Death Metal Assault: facebook.com/deathmetalassault/?fref=ts

Encomium: facebook.com/encomium.zine/?fref=ts

27.02.2010 .- Death Metal Assault XX @ Amphitheatre, Uzhhorod/Ungvár (Ukraine)

In Memory of Kate "Outsider" Szíjártó (07.V.1987 - 21.01.2010 R.I.P.) : 

Castrum:The Essence of the Past  

(Kate Odinsbarn June 15th, 2008)

CASTRUM’s “The Essence of the Past” DVD was compiled by Cornelius from old archive shows and released in December 2007. The DVD is divided into three parts, these are: Scenery, Visionary and Imagery.

Scenery contains 3 live shows: live @ Animation Fest '96 (Beregovo, Ukraine), two live gigs @ Kathedra, both took place in 1997 in Uzhgorod, Ukraine. There is also a bonus live show from Hust, Ukraine in 1998. These live gigs are a backward look at the Transcarpathian metal scene anno 1996-1998. A very good way to compare the band as well as their fans with today’s situation. Those who had no opportunity to check out Castrum live 10 years ago can at least get an idea about what the band sounded and looked like.

The Visionary part contains three official video clips: “Tears of Eternal Expiation”, “Gilles de Rais (Le bon Sire)”, “Calvary Grandier”. By the way, these tracks are taken from “Pleasure in the Deeds of Horror” demo tape which was released in 1996. Unfortunately, these tracks haven’t been played live lately so young fans haven’t got a slightest idea about these great creations of Castrum.

Imagery features a photo gallery slide show of archive photos dating 1995-1998. You can have a look at the former members of Castrum and see the way Cornelius has changed during the past decade. 

One can also find all the demos the band has released including “Burial of the Affection” (rehearsal 1996), “Flames by Impiety” (demo 1996), “Pleasure in the Deeds of Horror” (demo 1996) and two rehearsals of 1997 and 1999 respectively. 

Have you ever heard of Chamos? It’s Castrum’s side-project with the same line-up. The guys experimented with Black metal and this way the “Hellish Reveries” demo appeared in 1997. The demo consisting of two tracks can also be found here.

This self-released DVD with such a splendid design will attract everyone. And your PC will be grateful as well for the DVD contains wallpapers for your desktop. All in all, this is when the dream of every single Castrum fan comes true! It’s the history of Castrum, the band’s development step by step. Note, those who don’t know the past, won’t have the future. Get “The Essence of the Past” or die in ignorance! Long live Death metal!!!

Chamos:  Hellish Reveries (rehersal demo1997) 

Dependents of Lucifer : 

 World-Doppelgänger:    

Весна

И вот опять она пришла

Печаль и боль мне принесла...

И каждый новый день - тоска,

И это все ее рука...

Она приносит жизнь и цвет, 

Но для меня утехи нет.

Я помню друга, что любил весну,

Теперь и я в ее плену.

Она напоминает мне от том,

Что все уснем мы вечным сном,

А тот кто был любим, теперь

Закрыл уж за собою дверь.

(*Poem  has written by Her best friend Kat, 13.IV.2012)