Hierophant Nox | Interview

	Elimi
	Able to mould the traditional black metal sound into new and exciting shapes, Sweden’s Elimi are entering a new phase of their career as 2009 dawns. Having received critical acclaim for 2008’s "Summoned From Ashes", the band are already moving on to their next project, which will see them experiment with a more unique style, and explore areas that they have as yet left untouched. Elimi’s resilience is impressive; in an overcrowded market they have garnered attention, and in the tragic shadow of the suicide of their bassist towards the end of 2008 they have stood up tall and continued to tread their own path. I caught up with Maturz and R. Garm to discuss where the band goes from here.
	Hierophant Nox: Hail Elimi, how are you doing? Elimi: Hail, we are doing well. Hierophant Nox: I’ve recently been listening to your debut album, "Summoned From Ashes", which I really enjoyed. What have the responses to the album been like from your fans and the press? Maturz: The response has been very good, which I think none of us expected. The first thing that the man behind Death Dealers Association wrote when we sent the material was that he though it was one of the best black metal albums ever made from Sweden. Something like that feels great to hear, even though we may not agree ourselves. Hierophant Nox: "Summoned From Ashes" has quite a traditional black metal style, but also includes a lot of atmosphere and melody; what kind of sound did you aim to create on the album? What were your main influences? Maturz: We didn’t know much about the studio, but our aim with the sound on the album was to get a good production. I think we all are pretty satisfied with it. I don’t have any consciousness influences, I just know how I want it to sound. Hierophant Nox: In a past interview you have said that the title "Summoned From Ashes" reflects the mistake of mankind’s creation; what are the main ideas that the album explores? Do you feel music is a powerful medium for exploring philosophical ideas? R.Garm: The album reflects the weakness of humanity and how superior the dark forces of chaos can be, and are. And yes, I find that music is an excellent way of expressing one’s philosophy. Hierophant Nox: Are lyrics an important aspect of Elimi? Who is responsible for writing them? R.Garm: The lyrics, which I mostly write, are important in many ways. I think that the lyrics may seem a bit juvenile in some ways, but still not. The thing about the lyrics that I write is that I just love to use metaphors in my creation. Still, some people tend to take the lyrics and read them word for word, without critical thinking beyond the words themselves. Hierophant Nox: You have made this debut available for download on the Misantropia site; how did you come to be involved with Martin? What made you decide to offer the album for free? Maturz: Martin contacted us and asked us if we wanted him to upload our album on Misantropia.se since he’d noticed that we’d have our album available for free download. The reason why we decided to offer the album for free is that it’s an easy way to spread the music.

	Hierophant Nox: What is your general view of the internet as a tool for bands? Is it worthwhile for the promotional side, or is it full of unworthy material and piracy? Maturz: I think the internet is a good tool, especially for underground bands to reach out with their music. Hierophant Nox: When you formed the band back in 2004, what were your goals? Why did you decide that it was the moment to start a band? Maturz: To write extreme music and spread our word through it. Hierophant Nox: Those of us in other countries tend to see Sweden as a thriving place for extreme metal; is there a strong local scene in your area? Do you think your geographical location has an impact on your music? R.Garm: As far as I know, the scene of extreme metal in our area is non-existent, except from ourselves. I might be wrong, but there is at least nothing that has caught my interest. Hierophant Nox: You have previously said that "Summoned From Ashes" marks the end of an era for you; what are you leaving behind, and in what ways will you develop? Maturz: Yes, that’s correct. "Summoned From Ashes" is the end of the first Elimi era. This is how it feels for us, we are in some way leaving the traditional black metal style but still not erasing it from the music. We have with the new material developed something more unique, something more than just black metal music, maybe not fully on the coming album but material has been written for a future MCD and I am already working on full-length number three. Future will tell. To say something about the lyrical part it will be different in some ways. Hierophant Nox: Work is underway on a second album; how far along are you with this work? Have you found the writing process difficult or have you been full of inspiration? Maturz: All the music is finished and more than half the lyrics are done. I can’t really explain the writing process on this album but it was like I had all the material finished in my mind when I started to write it.

	Hierophant Nox: What can your fans expect from your new album? Is there a certain concept that it will explore? R.Garm: Well, the people who liked "Summoned from Ashes" and know some of Martuz's other work, may be a little shocked. Even I was in some way astonished. It is, for me the best material Maturz has created so far, ever. As for the lyrics, they will also take a vast turn from the previous material. Hierophant Nox: You have experienced some tragedy in 2008, with your bassist Verrot choosing to end his life. Were you always determined to carry on the band in his honour? Are you creating the bass lines for the new album amongst yourselves? Maturz: Yes we were and are. Even though Verrot was an important part of Elimi, the thought of split-up the band has never reached my mind. I will handle the bass lines on the new album. Hierophant Nox: You have also had some positive news recently, in that you have signed to DTP, a sub-label of ATMF, who are very famous worldwide. How did this partnership come about? Are you happy with the label’s work so far? Maturz: I have been in contact with them before, because of another project of mine, so I contacted them and introduced them to Elimi and they thought the music was really good. We have no real experience of the labels work so far but, fast mail contact and fast work with the contract is a good thing. Hierophant Nox: What are your plans for the near future? Are there any particular goals that you have set for yourselves? Maturz: Rehearse, record, release, write and hopefully we will be able to perform live in a not-so-distant future. Hierophant Nox: Thanks very much for your time; we wish you a very prosperous new year ahead. Elimi: Thanks!