Die neue Scheibe der griechischen Black-Metaller NAER MATARON heißt "River At Dash Scalding” und gehört musikalisch sicher zu den besseren des Genres. Doch nun hielten sich hartnäckig Gerüchte um etwas braune Weste der Herren. Gerüchte, die sowohl Promo-Firma als auch Label schnell als Märchen abtaten. Auf jeden Fall wurde Links von rechten Labels aus Polen schnellstens von der Homepage der Griechen verbannt. Metal Inside befragte Sänger und Gitarristen Morpheas natürlich auch nach dieser Problematik. Um nichts zu entstellen, veröffentlichen wir das Interview auf Englisch.<p>InterviewFirst the boring history. Something extra-ordinary happened?
Well I will try to be a bit short. Naer Mataron started as a band at the ends of 1994.
The current line-up is Morpheas (guitars and vocals), Kaiadas (bass) and Warhead (drums).
We have released so far three albums, the "Up From The Ashes” ’98, the "Skotos Aenaon” ’00 and now the "River At Dash Scalding” 03. Also a 7”ep entitled "A Holocaust In Front Of God’s Eyes” was released during the autumn of 2002, a release limited to 500 copies.
I don’t think that something extraordinary happened during all these years. We are a low profile band anyway…
Tell me please, what does the name of the band means.
Naer Mataron is the Sumerian meaning of Hades. For sure it expresses our music’s "psychic colour” and of course a philosophical approach for the deepest meanings of life.
What about the style of music on the new CD?
The style of our music has always been developing…”backwards”. What I mean is that from release to release we become more primitive in a way. We almost don’t use keyboards at all, we become more aggressive and dark, our songs now have faster tempos and the production has become more chaotic.
We all in the band love the 1991-1995 period of black metal and we don’t care of becoming more mild, melodic or soft in order to sell more albums.
Lyrics? Examples?
Our lyrics deal with the ancient Pantheon of Europe, the moral values and traditions of this land.
All these things are becoming to fade due to the Christian plague that has infested our land. So, along with the glorification of the ancient past, our lyrics have also an anti-christian attitude.
For an example I will give you some lines from the song’s lyrics "Ancestor-Worship”:
"Revitalization, my lungs are filled with Europa
Beyond the fog of History, I handle Mythology
Beyond the east religion, I handle the European heathenism.
The folklore, the ancient customs.
The forgotten Gods of this locus
In Walhalla and in the Elysian Fields.”
Image? Are you something like "true-brutal-black-metal-fighters” or what?
We just play black metal with the old attitude and feeling. "True-Black-Metal-Fighters”???
This sounds like a Hollywood movie title!!! Fuck no! Of course we are all fighting for a goal, but I cannot accept such a title! Very "poser phrase” I could say.
What your meaning about politics? Where is your opinion? Left, right, middle? And what do you think about Nazis in black metal? Because you had a link of a polish label, that is known for his right-wing-thing. And I want a clear statement….
Hmm…interesting question. First of all I must clear that Naer Mataron is not a political band.
Our lyrics deal with the religion, the moral values, the culture and tradition of the ancient Europe and of course of our homeland, Hellas.
Things that happen or exist in the present time don’t interest the band, or me at all. In our private life of course we have our opinions and our thoughts about how life goes on and develops…every individual on this fucking planet has these thoughts. Maybe if we were living close to each other
we would go for beers and discuss about such private matters but right now the thing that matters is that Naer Mataron have nothing to do with politics. Nevertheless we are not the only band that has this lyrical theme. The same lyrical views have bands such as Enslaved, Ancient Rites…
Now about Nazi-Black Metal as you name it, my opinion is that it is just another clone of black metal. Black Metal always had extreme ideas in it. As far as it concerns the link you mention, yes, I know that this label has right-wing ideas but I don’t criticize or judge people from their political views. This guy had created our old website for free, which is something that very few "true” Black Metal people would do and I am thankful to him. I have never said that Naer Mataron is a political band therefore I can’t see why all this noise..!?
What about during the producing of the CD?
Believe it or not, we recorded the "River At Dash Scalding” within a week. The recordings took place at the infamous Praxis studio and the production was done by the Magus (Necromantia, Thou Art Lord).
The interesting thing that happened is that our drummer Warhead recorded all the drum parts of the CD in a day! When he finished that night he was like a zombie in decomposition, hehe…
How do you estimate the reactions concerning the old album (fans, journalists, sales etc.)? And which chances you see for the future and the new cd? Because there are so many black-metal-bands. And: Do you see something like a sell-out? And what do you think about the problems between true-black-metal-bands and the more commercial ones?
Our previous two releases have been received from the media and the fans very good. Just imagine that both the previous CD releases are sold out from Black Lotus Recs. Right now Black Lotus is thinking of releasing a Double-CD with our two previous albums, with a new lay-out. I believe that our new CD "River At Dash Scalding” will go very well. Till now we have received only good reviews and that is very normal because the new CD has far better production and artwork from the two previous albums and also the label is doing a better promotion. I acknowledge that there are so many black metal bands out there. However we are in the scene almost for a decade now and we will continue to exist because black metal is something like a way of life for us and not just music. Now, for the sell-out thing you mention…if you see how our music is developing from release to release, there is no base for someone to say that.
As far as it concerns the last part of your question…I don’t know!? Are there any problems between
true-black-metal-bands and the more commercial ones? I don’t have much to say about this. I can only say that all these groups with the keyboards, the female vocalists, e.t.c personally don’t interest me at all….and I am also very tired to see naked women on the album covers!!! I really adore women but I don’t act like that!!!…Hell!!! When Black Metal became "romantic” and "erotic” and shit like that??? Black Metal was always about pure hatred, pride and knowledge. A beautiful anti-art!!!
12. Where do you come exactly from Greece? What about your local music-scene?
We all live in Athens, the capital city of Hellas. Though, Kaiadas’ ancestors are from an island of the Ionion sea and my ancestors are from the northern part of Hellas, up on the mountains of Epirus.
About the local music scene, I really don’t know that much. I have no interest for the local scene. However
We have the old cult bands that I am also friend with, bands such as Necromantia, Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh and a few others.
Greece is famous for something like old culture, architecture, syrtaki, ouzo, a good land for holiday, Olympic things and so on. Tell me something about these things and what expresses Greece for you, something about the "native country”?
I prefer to name my land with the name Hellas, because this is the real name. So, Hellas, yes, gave birth to civilization, the Olympic games, arts and technology. At the present time Hellas’ citizens are pathetic and miserable due to the Christian Orthodox church. As far as it concerns the beauty of Hellas, many say that we are leaving in the place of the Gods. And I believe it. We have a very beautiful land full with beautiful mountains and islands. About the architecture, well the ancient architecture was something amazing. However, modern Athens’ architecture really sucks. Tall buildings everywhere with no beauty on them at all. In the country side of Hellas the old traditions and in some occasions religion are still alive.
Tell me something about your private life? What about the members‘ jobs, hobbies, feel free ...
-All the members of Naer Mataron work in jobs that have nothing to do with music. We all earn our living from our jobs and not from Black Metal. My job has to do with computers, Kaiadas is a fight boxer! As for our drummer Warhead, right now he is doing his military service. It was a good interview. Thanx for your support. Keep the black flame burning! Also check our new Website at www.naermataron.cjb.net
Dark regards!
