1) To begin with, could you introduce the band (Encrimson’d) and
tell us its history (demos, concerts, musicians, …) ?
CHRIS: We are good friends from high school. We started playing black metal for fun one summer and quickly developed our own sound and identity as Encrimson’d. We recorded 4 demos and played several great shows around our hometown area. Currently its difficult to play live since we all live in different places. Regarding musicianship, we all played jazz together in high school, Shaun is a trained classical guitarist and Jarred studied percussion for 2 years. I play bass and yell.
2) When you see the picture of the case (which is wonderful) you can’t
imagine Encrimson’d is a Black Metal band because of the bright colours.
Why Black Metal in spite of the fact USA are, with Sweden, the homeland of Death
Metal ?
CHRIS: Encrimson’d is not a traditional black metal band. Quite the opposite, the music is vibrant and bright. It’s a combination of a wide spectrum of emotion, sorrow, victory, defeat, rage, melancholy, grief and joy.
You’re right, we are pretty atypical for a US band. Black and Viking metal was always more interesting to us because it so much more emotional and mysterious. Maybe it has to do something with the extreme winters in Minnesota, or the fact that the state has the largest Swedish and Norwegian population in the US, haha. I’m still into a lot of good death/grind bands, and I have one of my own here in Boston, Pillory (www.pillogrind.com).
3) You’re of Czech extraction, we can notice it in the lyrics and in the music in which I felt the nostalgia in Slav’s songs. Although you live in the USA, is your heart and your spirit in Czech Republic?
CHRIS: I can’t say that my heart is in the Czech Republic, that’s a bit extreme. My home is here now, but growing up there has left significant imprints on me. My memories of old Prague and the Czech country side are very special. There is something about black metal that brings out nationalistic nostalgia I guess, haha. Some of the first lyrics were based on Czech myths and folklore.
CHRIS: Its something that has always intrigued us. It may have something to do with our surroundings. Minnesota is a part of the Mid-West, “America’s Bread Basket,” which is mostly rural farm land. We love nature, and northern Minnesota has amazing lakes, forests and wildlife. The idea of a simpler lifestyle, cantered around honest labor, community, and defending your land is something important to us. We express this yearning in the album.
Shaun: We have a lot of respect and admiration for a simplistic lifestyle where
one can really be in touch with nature and basically live off the land. We feel
there is a deep reward for honest hard work and sacrifice. Some of my inspiration
comes from my job building Timber Frame homes, being able to work with wood
and antique tools to build houses in an old fashioned style.
5) The melodic side is very important on Agrarian Menace and very pleasant to the ear. Where do you seek your musical inspiration ?
CHRIS: Personally I still draw influence from the peak era Satyricon (Nemesis), Enslaved (Eld), Ulver (Madrigal), Opeth (Morningsrise) , Dimmu (Stormblast) and other giants. There is long list of influences, in the links section on our website (www.encrimsond.com). None of these now-famous bands write quality music anymore. One of my all time influential bands was the German band Nagelfar, especially the album “Hunnengrab Im Herbst,” amazing record. Same can be said about “Nord…” by Setherial A crucial influence for all of us were the US black metal bands Epoch of Unlight and Deteriorate, album “The Sennectuous Entrance.” Shaun, our guitar player is also influenced largely by classical music.
Shaun: Ofcourse I am still influenced by bands like Satyricon, Arcturus, Old
Man\'s Child, Opeth, Borknagar, although I honestly do not listen to them anymore.
Nowdays, I am primarily inspired by "classical music". Composers such
as J.S. Bach, John Dowland, Fransisco Tarrega, Johannes Brahms, Samuel Barber,
Igor Stravinsky, Bela Bartok, Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Krystof Penderecki,
and Henryk Gorecki, ( to na
6) You auto produced Agrarian Menace. By this time have you got a label which
will produce your albums in the future ?
CHRIS: No label yet, I want to generate more media response before we begin shopping for labels.
7) How did the people react with the album Agrarian Menace ?
CHRIS: So far its mixed, people either don’t understand it, or they absolutely love it because its so unique. Unfortunately, some of the media criticize the production too much instead of listening to the music. The production is raw and primitive, just like black metal should be, yet everything can be heard clearly. Sorry we don’t have Dimmu Borgir triggers and a million dollar mastering job, haha, whiners.
8) Nowadays which groups do you appreciates ?
CHRIS: Not many, most of our gods have sold out or just became stale. I love the new 1349 and I’m rediscovering some old Dodheimsgard.
9) Do you have something to say to those who will read this interview ?
CHRIS: Thank you, Loic, for this opportunity. Its an honor to be featured on your quality website. For readers, visit our website to listen to 2 songs from “Agrarian Menace,” and to order the album! Get in touch with the peasant within YOU. Scythes up! \\m/
10) Thank you very much. My last question is : what is, for you, the spirit of Metal ?
CHRIS: It’s the international brotherhood of aggression, mystery and beer consumption!
Shaun: Metal is a wonderful genre in the respect that you can get away with
a lot of experimental ideas. It is a relatively new style in the history of
music, therefore, there is a lot of ground still left to break. We didn\'t choose
this genre specifically though, we just raised our voices and this is what came
out.
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