Only a few black metal-records really impressed me over the past few years. Seems as if the former innovative scene stagnated and put out only a lot of boring copies. So it’s always nice to discover an album like "Elite” which is fresh-sounding as well as catches the atmosphere of the early nineties, when black metal was at it’s best. I contacted F., the sole member behind GORATH, and he answered my questions very friendly and with a lot of time. Interview So "Elite" is finally out. What are your feelings about it? Did you ever thought it would happen?

I’m quite satisfied though the next time a totally different approach will take place. Then I’m talking about the recording process. I’m doing home recordings since 1996 and each time again I learn new stuff. "Elite” sounds very clear and also typically Gorath. It has a rather unique sound that suits the cold and mechanical music very well. Though improvements are always possible and each records must grow in its quality. Not only production wise, but in all its aspects. Perfection is just a unreachable word I try to equalize as close as possible.
The songs on "Elite” are mostly older songs re-recorded. They surely do sound representative for Gorath and I’m sure the level is good enough to be digitalised. I wasn’t really busy scoring a record deal, I actually haven’t send the last demo (the split with Theudho) to any labels. I don’t care about it and I will release everything myself when no labels are interested. I don’t worry about the future that much.

How did you come in contact with Black Owl Records? Had their been offers of other labels too?

A friend of me was in contact with Joe from Regimental Records. Somehow we both started to mail each other and Joe introduced me to Black Owl Records. I guess you know how it went from then on. Some other labels showed interest, but only some did offer a contract of which Black Owl Records’ one suited the most in the end.

Black Owl are an US-label. Isn´t the great distance sometimes a disadvantage? Would you prefer a closer label?

I’m satisfied with Black Owl Records. It may be a small label, but they chose quality above quantity. I think it’s important to work with people you can trust and of which you know the do their work decently. On the other hand I must admit the factor distance is not that easy from time to time. Overseas’ shipments take a lot of time. But that’s the only way we can do for now.

You recorded some splits before "Elite". Will you continue with it? Are there already plans for the next one?

Actually, there kind of is. There is some interest in releasing a split with my other band Mahlstrøm, but I somehow feel more for a second full length. I’ve written for more than 30 minutes of new material already and a new full CD would be a more logical progression in Gorath’s evolution. You can expect the new songs a bit different yet typically Gorath. Some are more progressive and others are more traditional black metal orientated. I think there’ll be more diverse.

How do you chose the bands you´re sharing a split with?

Francesco from Eyes Of The Dead Productions from Italy asked me if I would like to split with another band from his country. I had never heard of TOD before, but I’m really satisfied we did the deal. We both promote each other and it seemed like the split with TOD has spread itself for more than 500 copies. I think that’s not bad for an underground CD-r release.
"The blueprints for revolution” is Gorath’s second demo and released as a split with the Flemish band Theudho. Back then I contacted to guy from Theudho to do a split. A split is always more interesting than a demo solely. Now, the guy from Theudho is a good friend and we’ve just planned working out something together in the near future. You know, one man bands don’t have that much support than a real live band. We don’t reach that much people and through splits and things like that we can support each other. Theudho themselves has just released their debut album and it sounds a lot better than our split. I guess non of the three bands of us regret we did a split together.

Will "Elite" be released as a vinyl?

No. Would be awesome though. Vinyl has got much more warmth than a cold silver disc. At the time of "Haunting the December chords” demo there was a German label interested in releasing it as vinyl. I don’t know the label anymore, we lost contact.

Talking about "Elite": why did you chose so a provocative title? I mean it really fits, as it is a cool album...

I think the music is meant to be provocative, though Gorath’s attitude is far from provocative compared with a lot of black metal bands. "Elite” can be interpreted. many different ways. You can see it as a big fuck off to those thinking black metal music is based on three chords riffs. But both title and cover breathe something arrogant and negative. Only a few people have the privilege being elite and even less truly are worth being it. It comes from inside.

Is there a lyrical concept, relating the songs to each other? What are the songs about?

No, at least not for now. This time I did everything myself, including the vocals. The older songs were sung by S. Vrancks and he took care of the lyrics back then. I don’t have a fucking clue of what his lyrics are about. I did like write four lyrics on this album. Most of them handle about darker aspects and the inferiority of the human race. The song "We are the elite” is about the few worth being on this planet. Almost none have a clue why they’re here and they just keep on walking with blinders. The few who are worth being here don’t attract attention through extreme ideologies and ditto actions. The world will take you down in case you’re different than the common way of life. You better walk with the flock and spread your elitist words without sticking out. It’s hard to express what I feel.

You recorded "Elite" with a bunch of session-musicians. Why didn´t you find members for a full fleshed out band?

Gorath started as a one man band and will stay that way. It’s a hard dictatorship and I’m simply too egocentric to bear other opinions in mind. At this time I just don’t feel like starting a real band.

Do you actively search for such musicians or are you satisfied with the status of Gorath as a kind of one-man-army?

I played for more than ten years in a real band and played at a lot of places. I had a lot of good times, but I also had a lot of times I was fucked up constantly. It’s hard to find other people sharing the same ideology as yourself.

Belgium is a relatively small country. Are you in contact with other bands? How important is it for you to be part of the Belgian metal-scene?

Through playing live with previous band and arranging gigs I know the Belgian scene very good. I’m more into the death metal scene. Actually I don’t feel like being part of the black metal scene. I like its music and that’s all. Though Belgium has got some really good black metal bands like Panchrysia or Garmenhord. It’s always a good feeling catching up the hard core each event again. Trend come and go, but some will always be there. And that’s the charm of the Belgian and probably all scenes.

Back to "Elite": what´s the intention of the cover art? Who created it? Does the artist worked out his own ideas?

I wanted to created some negative atmosphere suiting the elite thought. Therefore I tied my girlfriend and took some pictures. I also took pictures of here for the first official demo. The somewhat violent cover would be in perfect contrast with the always calm forests and nature landscapes printed on the rest of the booklet. Did you ever saw a David Lynch movie? Think of Lost Highway or the famous Twin Peaks. Those films have a really apart feeling. Everything seems very peaceful until the deep unknown woods expose inexplicable horror. I wanted to bring out that feeling more or less. It somehow suits the arrogance and negativity of the title.

What do you think of the current BM-scene?

I always had the feeling the early nineties could never been replaced by new bands. How many bands have already re-invented "A blaze in the northern sky”? Who needs another clone? Therefore I find it hard discovering new bands playing the style risen like a decade ago. Most of the old school Norwegian bands threw away their black metal grandeur. Think of Ulver, Fleurety and Arcturus. Though I can’t say all nowadays black metal bands are less than nothing. I like newer bands like Taake, Shining or Lunaris. Some of them ad something new to the style and some of them explore the traditional style perfectly.

What do you think of the commercial success of Dimmu & Cradle Of Filth? Good or bad for BM? Do these bands actually still play BM after all?

"For all tid” and "Stormblast” are true masterpieces. I still listen those albums from time to time. After Dimmu’s third album I lost interest. Just like Cradle of Filth their sound evolved more epic and keyboard orientated. I can’t remember anything from their latest albums actually, all I know I couldn’t stand the clinical drum sound of those albums. I don’t care about their commercial success. I still think Satyricon is one of the best bands around this moment, even if some say they sold out. Most fans of the bands you mentioned are not really into black metal, I think. Perhaps Dimmu or Cradle is a perfect door to enter the more obscure scene. Though I don’t think about those things that much. It’s their way of live and not mine.

Will you play live? What can we expect when you enter the stage?

Gorath has found session members. Right now most of them are about to tour Europe and America. Bands like Prejudice, Leng Tch’E and Panchrysia are constantly on the road and we still haven’t worked out a possible schedule yet. I don’t know if it will ever happen. Time is a critical aspect. We’ll see how it’ll turn out. Nothing is set for now.

Which albums are you listening to at the moment?

2005 has surprised me a lot! Enslaved, Taake, Immolation and Requiem Aeternam are my personal highlights this year already!

Which album impressed you most 2004?

That would be Orphaned Land’s "Mabool” for sure. Many will despite this band for it’s eastern roots and Christian influences. I totally like them for their progressive and innovative approach. They can like no other take advantage of their roots. It’s hard to compare Orphaned Land with another band. A lot of pagan bands put historical and heathen influences in their music. Well, Orphaned Lands does the same yet other based history. I prefer musical extreme metal. The newest Enslaved is another masterpiece I fully embrace. But that’s a 2005 release.

Are you kind of boneheaded black metal-fan, only listening to it or are you into different genres?

No. I am into all forms of extreme music. Most the time I enjoy listening "musical” metal. I like music to be melodic, atmospheric, technical and surely intelligent. I like bands with a refreshing approach. Besides black metal I can also listen to bands such as Aborted, Borknagar, Samael, Forefather, Disarmonia Mundia,…

And some final words?

Thanks for this interview and great review. Everyone is free to browse http://gorath.blackmetal.be and take a decent listening to the samples online. Horns up for your magazine. Till next time.