Ethereal Forest

 

A demo recently landed in our office from a band called Ethereal Forest; although we were certainly not the first to hear it, we couldn’t help be caught up in its raw but folky approach, and were very pleased to find out that the band are in the process of writing their first album. I caught up with founding member and frontman Azrael to discuss how this project differs from his previous musical endeavours, and what we can expect from an Ethereal Forest full-length.

 

Hierophant Nox: Hail Azrael, how are you doing?

Azrael: Hails, I am doing just fine...

Hierophant Nox: We’ve come together following Hierophant’s review of Ethereal Forest’s demo. I believe this release, which came out in 2006, actually has origins at an earlier date still; what does it represent in terms of your creative output? Is it your earliest songs or a collection of compositions from different times?  Azrael: The Ethereal Forest demo consists of some metal tracks and a couple of acoustic tracks. The metal side of the Ethereal Forest demo was a spontaneous gut reaction that was created during our first ever rehearsal as a band in 2004. The acoustic tracks were written slightly earlier around 2003 I think when I was putting together ideas of what I wanted to do regarding music outside of the band I was involved in at the time. Naturally these acoustic creations were re-recorded for the actual demo...  

Hierophant Nox: The recording of the demo was done in what you describe as a ‘necro situation’, but other than that were you pleased with the outcome? Have you received positive feedback about it?  

Azrael: The metal tracks were recorded in such a simple way yes. I am pleased with the final outcome of this recording. I just wished I’d spent a little more time thinking about the vocals and the execution of the vocals. That put aside we have received very positive feedback and were able to secure a recording deal because of this demo. 

 

Hierophant Nox: You began the band with Theobald after deciding you wanted to try something new; is Ethereal Forest the place for trying out ideas that wouldn’t fit into Heathen Deity’s approach, or did you just want a project of your own? 

Azrael: I just felt it was time to stand on my own two feet and say hey, this is me. Every band I have been involved in I have joined or been asked to be a part of. I just felt the time had come for me to stand strong on my own two feet and create something that is of my own doing. I wrote the majority of Heathen deity’s material musically and was an important key to the development of that band. Heathen Deity is something I am very proud of and am still involved but I had to do something else, I had to do something for myself. EF has nothing to do with Heathen Deity... 

 

Hierophant Nox: You rejoined Heathen Deity last year after an absence; are you still active in that band? Is there any news from the HD camp? 

Azrael: To be honest in all reality I have never really been away from HD. I did leave the band sure and moved away to live in a different country but in the time from me leaving and the “reunion” nothing happened within the band. There have only been a few HD rehearsals since the departure and I was involved in some of these. One rehearsal was to teach the new guy the HD material and the other was when we were putting HD back together again.  Certain things are planned for HD but I’m not at liberty to say... 

Hierophant Nox: Ethereal Forest have moved on to a debut full-length; what can the listener expect? After the demo you announced that your sound would move in a more epic direction- has this been the case?  Azrael: The album will include all the metal tracks from the original demo and the new tracks are true to the spirit of the band. Some of the tracks are a lot more epic than heard on the demo sure, some of the tracks are also in the same vein to what was heard on the demo. When writing I prefer to be true to myself and think what do I like?? What do I want from this??  That’s why the previous announcement was made. I wanted some epic songs to be on this album, as did Theobald also. 

Hierophant Nox: How has work progressed on the album? Have you encountered difficulties in the writing and recording process?  

Azrael: The writing of the music and basic structure is complete. That being said things can and possibly will change. If Theobald wants to try different things with structure and stuff I am usually open for experimentation. One of the tracks for the album was written in this way. I had an idea and took it to the rehearsal room where Theobald and myself just jammed it out and crafted a structure. Everything that I have written for this album has been a natural progression from the demo. 

As far as recording goes we are scheduled to record in March...  

Hierophant Nox: “Ethereal Forest” seemed to explore ideas of a pagan past and value system; does the new album cover similar ground? From where do you draw your inspiration?  

Azrael: We have ideas for the future but this current album will be a generalisation of the topics we’re are interested in, be it war, paganism and mythology. Our ideas for songs are taken from various sources. We both read a lot also!!! hehe  

 

Hierophant Nox: The idea of heritage is of course widely explored in black metal, and has been arguably since the genre’s beginning. What is it about the style that makes it most suitable for expressing such sentiments?  

Azrael: I think the idea of heritage is very important and it lies deep within the heart and psyche of a lot of free thinking Europeans. In some places in the world you can’t talk about your country or heritage without upsetting a certain minority. In England it is frowned upon to fly the English flag, or say certain things. Political correctness gets in the way. This leads to frustration and eventual anger.

Black Metal and Folk Metal is perfect to explore these concepts as this kind of music is angry and extreme, even spiritual at times. You can say a lot within this style and it is felt because like I have just said, it comes from the heart. All this being said we do not view ourselves as a NSBM band. We just have an interest in our and other European heritages, cultures and history...  

Hierophant Nox: Are there other bands treading a similar path whom you admire? What bands most influenced you when you were first discovering metal as a youngster?  

Azrael: There are quite a few bands doing this style, I’m in no way claiming EF to be original. We just do it in our own way and a way we feel is right for us.  There are so many bands I admire and have admired over the years. To make a list would be an endless task.  That being said, the bands from the UK whom I personally appreciate right now are Iceni and Forefather... 

Hierophant Nox: Clearly you have been involved in the scene for a long time, in Heathen Deity; how do you think the scene has evolved over the past decade or so? Is it easier or harder to promote a band and stand out from the crowd these days?  

Azrael: There are so many bands out there right now. They are all trying to get noticed and all doing alot of work to get that recognition. The internet has made the world a smaller place and easier for a band to promote themselves, but on the other hand all the bands are doing this so maybe it’s easier maybe it’s not.  

 

Hierophant Nox: In 2008 you were approached by Darker than Black Records, a German label. How did you come into contact with them? Will they be releasing the debut?  

Azrael: Contact with Darker than Black was made via the internet, mainly Myspace and by e-mail. They heard the tracks from the demo through our Myspace profile and contacted us immediately stating their interest in the band. The debut album will be released by this label, yes.

 

Hierophant Nox: Do you have plans for Ethereal Forest in the live arena, or is this aspect less important than the recording side for you?  

Azrael: We have talked about EF becoming a live band for a long time now. Theobald has said he defiantly wants us to go out and play some shows and I agree. We are in the process of putting a live line-up together at the moment and is proving to be very interesting. I don’t want to announce anything about who will be involved until we are certain things are going to work and we are able to defiantly confirm the concrete facts... This is something that will happen very soon... 

Hierophant Nox: What are your ambitions for 2009? Are there any particular goals you would like to achieve with the album or beyond?  

Azrael: My main personal ambition for 2009 is for the band to record and release the debut album. I think this is very important. Building our reputation is paramount and I think this album in my opinion will do just that. After the release we will concentrate on the other aspects of EF, playing live and so forth......  

 

Hierophant Nox: Thank you very much for your time; if you’ve any further messages for the world, please go ahead: 

Azrael: You are most welcome! I would just like to say thank you to you Ellen and all at Hierophant Nox for giving us the time of day and a thank you to all our friends out there for the undying support and encouragement. This coming album is for you! Hail and kill!!!!!!!