- Bahn (Abalam/Slitvein)
- In the festering summer of 2008, I met a champion of British black metal, one Bahn. Just starting out with his own fascinating, challenging project Abalam, he was also involved in a slightly different, but equally subversive project by the name of Slitvein. Since then he has become involved in an internet radio show entitled ‘This Way to the Dark Side’, with our own Satanic Muttley, upon which it was immediately obvious that his passion for, and knowledge of, underground metal, knew very little boundaries. Just the kind of chap we like at Hierophant Nox, then… we caught up with our ‘interview hats’ on (as opposed to our ‘standard beery chat hats’) so that I could get the low-down on all of his recent developments.
Hierophant Nox: Hey Bahn, how are you doing?
Bahn: I'm ok thanks... How about you?
Hierophant Nox: Wonderful, thank you very much. Right now
you’re active with two separate projects- Abalam and Slitvein. What’s the news
from those camps?
Bahn: Well, I've just finished the Abalam album, which we hope to
have out in March/April, and we're putting the finishing touches to the Slitvein
album/MCD.
Hierophant Nox: We’ve spoken at length before about Abalam, so
let’s start with Slitvein- what is the history of this project? Who is Fotze and how
did you two come to work together?
Bahn: It's a strange one really. I used to be in another band a
while ago who shared a bass player with Fotze’s other band. We got to know each other
through that, although it was a fair while after that before we decided to put Slitvein
together. We've got loads of things in common...We love horror films and strange imagery
plus the stranger things in life (and death).We're also both interested in the inner
psyche of the human being ...the psychosis and the ability to both self-destruct and
obliterate the planet at the same time, which are all themes which we use within the
songs.
Fotze's got
an excellent background in music..He's shared stages with the likes of Carcass and Napalm
Death (bands we both love) amongst others whilst in previous bands. His other band at the
moment are really worth checking out if you like "mentally unstable punk!!"
(think Melvins here) they're called The Rampton Release Date and they've just released
their debut album on Casket called "Relax
You're Nearly Dead".
Hierophant Nox: You recently filmed a ‘notorious’ first
video for the Slitvein track “Bloodlust”;
it looks like you enjoyed making it, was it a fun process? What made you decide to record
a video?
Bahn: "Notorious" !!!!
Yeah we've taken a bit of stick over it actually !!!! We've been called "sickos"
and been accused of "fucking with kids' minds" amongst
other things. It makes me laugh because, as ever, it's the people who totally miss the
point who make such remarks. The video shows me being hanged amongst a load of "weird
shit imagery" so I don't understand where they're coming from really! If it has a
"shock" value then so be it. Music is art, art is sometimes uncomfortable and if
done correctly can provoke a reaction… so we succeeded there I suppose!
Anyway the
only place you can see it now is on the Bloodstock website...You can check it out and vote
for us at the same time in the "unsigned" section....hint hint!
It was good making it... Fotze’s a really talented (make it on a shoestring
budget...It cost about £3.50 to make!! You can probably tell!!) video maker and it really
just flowed! We decided to make it because we wanted to add it eventually as an
"extra" on the album...
Hierophant Nox: For those who have only heard you via Abalam, what
can they expect from Slitvein? What is the musical approach of that project?
Bahn: Slitvein is VERY different from Abalam. For one thing I supply
only the vocals. We have a different feel and outlook with the songs. Fotze writes all of
the music, does all of the arrangements and I write the lyrics (?). The reviews we've had
so far have got it pretty much correct by describing us as Industrial Death/Black Metal,
although one review said they heard a dose of Heavy Goth. As I said previously we both
love Carcass and Napalm Death, and Fotze’s a huge Ministry fan... They would
certainly be influences.
The “Bloodlust” single was extremely well
received. We put it out ourselves as a “Freebie” via the Myspace site and a
number of independent record stores. Obviously when things are free you move a lot of
copies, but we were very pleased with the feedback. (You can still get the single via the
Slivein Myspace site, although the supplies are now very limited). We hope to find a home
for the album (Hello Record Companies!!) and for the band per se, we feel that we've got
material to come, so it would be great to get settled with the right people. We're not
looking for finances. We're looking for a label that will push Slitvein for all of the
right reasons, however if it doesn't happen, we'll put it out ourselves.
Hierophant Nox: I believe you have been assembling
a live line-up for Slitvein; have these plans come to bear? Is the line-up just for
performances or is Slitvein to become a full band?
Bahn: Yes it’s come to fruition. At this point
in time it's just for “live” stuff. We're busy putting dates together at the
moment. In the long run, well, nothing will change; Fotze’s the “boss” and
I'm the bad influence! It really depends on the new people’s input...
Hierophant Nox: You’ve been successful in promoting
your material in a number of ways, and so have garnered a fair amount of attention; have
you been pleased with the responses to Abalam and Slitvein’s promos so far? Has there
been any particular criticism you want to answer?
Bahn: I think constructive criticism is great it's the feedback all
artists are after. One understands that you can't please everyone. As I say the Slitvein
promo has had many, many good things said about it. We've really only been criticised for
the imagery. We've also had some really good feedback from our peers which is great.We
both have a good feeling about the band.
With Abalam it's
TOTALLY different. Abalam has a small (hugely intelligent) following who totally get what
I'm doing. However Abalam is highly unlikely to sell tens of thousands of CD'S. The EP did
do very well, and we're hopeful that the album will do the same. We believe it will as we
have a considerable list of people who’ve pre-ordered copies. Abalam gets criticised generally by people who
“don't get it”, and I understand that it’s not for everyone.
Hierophant Nox:
You’re creating new Abalam tracks at the moment; how is work going there? I hear
you’ve been recording in the dark…
Bahn: They’re just done actually. I’ve moved it on to I suppose
an even darker place, and yes I've done some of the recording in the dark… it just
helps with the atmosphere, particularly when I'm putting the vocals down.
Hierophant Nox:
You’ve stated that the Abalam is now moving in a new direction; in what way has your
sound developed?
Bahn: As I say I've moved it to a darker place in my mind really. The
sound I hope has more of an uncomfortable “ambience” to it. The sound I think is
bigger than before but still very abstract. Some will probably consider it not to be Black
Metal, however after speaking to Maniac recently about Skitliv and the way BM has
developed I think that we’re all open to perceive things from our own point of view.
Like Punk, BM really (I believe) has no boundaries and that’s what makes it so
exciting; new ideas, new artists, new vision. There may be a few “genres” of
music that suffer a “staleness”... I don’t believe that to be the case with
BM… Although I'm biased!!!
Hierophant Nox:
Is there a timescale for when we can expect to hear Abalam’s new opus, or is it done
when it’s done?
Bahn: As I say it’s done... There’s a couple of tasters on the
Myspace site. “I hate you” went up on
there very recently and has caused a lot of confusion. But I’ve had quite a few good
things said about it also. The other track has already been well downloaded and is the
theme tune to the “Dark Ride” radio show. The other tracks are a secret
though!!!
It should be out in March/April through Hellspell, who are a great home for Abalam. The guys who run it ooze enthusiasm, a real label of blackened love. We also have a split 7” single with Pestilent Grave out later in the year.
Hierophant Nox: Of course, we’ve mentioned it now,
the other arena in which our readers may know you is as DJ on ‘This Way to the Dark
Ride’, on Rock 24/7. What’s the news with the show? When can we expect to hear
you again?
Bahn: It’s all good news. The station went through a sticky patch
over the Yuletide break where it was touch and go, however the level of support the
station received was unprecedented and subsequently the Simon the station owner, and my
co-host, (and my staff- Ellen) was able to secure its future. The whole
station’s buzzing right now and we should be back on air at the end of January.
Bigger and better, although it was pretty good before (that’s the rest of the guys,
not me; I'm strictly a disciple of John Peel, with a hell of a lot to learn).
The “Dark Ride” format is set to change, as with the rest of the station, and it looks as though you might have to put up with me TWICE weekly. No, seriously, the level of interest in the show has FAR exceeded our expectations and for an online station Extreme music show we air to absolutely amazing five figure audiences. This is mirrored really by the pedigree of guests we get; Maniac... Bal Sagoth... November’s Doom... Nick Barker... Martin Walkyier and so on and so on...
We’ve got a few surprises planned for the return, tune in to find out who… and I believe a certain lady who is the boss of the UK’s newest and best webzine is going to be a regular contributor!
Hierophant
Nox: I believe I was ambushed into that one on air, yes. I’ll have to
practice speaking properly. Although I wouldn’t want to show you up…Your launch
year was very successful- what was your favourite moment?
Bahn: Oh that’s a big question... There were loads; Simon’s
production “fuck ups” are always really good... the look of panic on his face is
amazing! But that’s why we've been mentioned in the same way as the aforementioned
god John Peel (WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT WORTHY). I LOVED talking to Maniac. To get to talk to
people who have influenced you is an amazing experience. Meeting Martin and Nick was
great. Talking to Paul from November’s Doom... trying to get a word in edgeways when
interviewing Scruff (who talks more than me! I didn’t think it possible !!) from
Hellbastard...
And of course the bands and the music... getting to hear the huge volume of material on
offer to us is just mind-blowingly wonderful....
But if you had to pin me down? Maniac, because he's a top bloke, we had a great laugh and
he’s into the Macc Lads!
Hierophant Nox: Do you have your
guests lined up for 2009 yet? Anything we should mark down for our diaries?
Bahn: It’s all a big secret, but for you, as long as you don't tell
anybody, we've got Lustmord (amazing man) from the States, Sarah Jezebel Deva, Funeral,
Napalm Death, Gorgoroth, Maniac ( hopefully regularly), and Nattefrost all lined up for
the early year shows. Keep in touch with the station via your link for dates and stuff.
Hierophant Nox:
I will re-post that link for our readers at the end of this article. Part of your remit with the show is to promote the
Bahn: Yeah, we really feel its important to push the UK Extreme artists.
Unlike certain individuals (I can’t believe a writer for a “big”
Saying that, we of course adore and champion great music from all over the world and we’re proud to work in close association with a number of great Euro and US based labels...(big hello's to Misantropia. se and Dark Essence).
Hierophant Nox:
A few poor souls have felt the wrath of your tongue recently- Christians, liberals, the
fake Slitvein… is it time to be sticking up for yourself? What has particularly been
annoying you?
Bahn: The Christian escapade was really funny, and I've been told by a
number of my friends in other BM bands that they've had the same treatment. Christian
bullies, using bad language and making violent threats from afar; a total joke.They really
do need to sit and read their bibles a little bit more carefully. I don't really have much
time for “fence sitters”, I've always found them to have hidden agendas. I find
they’re everyone’s friend until they can talk about you behind your back. It
doesn’t bother me though, I have the "FUCK YOU IF YOU DON'T LIKE ME"
policy. I find most people (particularly I have to say in Scandinavia, and all power to
them) in the “Metal” scene are pretty much up front and I think it’s great
that we’re all pulling together for the cause…
The "fake" Slitvein thing was bizarre to say the least. A friend
"googled" Slitvein and clicked onto a Slitvein site that wasn't us. It was some
brand new band from the States who obviously liked our name. After some correspondence
with them, they finally decided it would be a good idea if they changed their name…
Hierophant Nox:
What ambitions do you hope to realise in the coming year with the bands and the radio
show?
Bahn: Abalam kind of looks after itself and I'm happy with where we're
going with it. The radio show is great; ambitions... to get better at it, and to do a good
job promoting the worldwide talent that would normally perhaps struggle to be heard, and
continue striving to make it a good listen. Slitvein, I really have a good feeling about.
It’s funny, but I can kind of talk about it as an observer as musically it really is
the brainchild of Fotze. I believe that I'm lucky to be working with a huge talent who
deserves all of the credit. He deserves whatever success he gets.
Hierophant Nox:
Thanks for taking the time to speak with us Bahn; if you’ve any further messages for
the world, please go ahead:
Bahn: Just to wish everyone a happy and successful future and that any
bands and labels looking for airplay on “Dark Ride” can contact me via either
the Abalam or Official Rock 24/7 my space sites....
Thanks for having me....
Shemhamforash....
