I have recently written a report about one of the bands with such an influential and tragic story Norwegian black metal band Endezzma (here) and I can say that I am eager to write a review of their new album Arcane Abyss. So I have maintained contact with Morten Shax, singer and frontman of the band. I was inspired by the story, or I should say the story of Endezzma, so I decided to interview him about the new album, festivals and plans for the future of this black metal giant, so I can share it with you. The guys from Endezzma have a lot of work to do these days, since their new album saw the light of day recently, on 31 March this year. It was a pleasure to talk to Morten and I hope that you will enjoy this interview as much as I did. Without any further ado, here is an interview.
D: Hello Morten
M: Ave and hello, in this late and utter darkened night.
D: This year is very active for Endezzma, you are finishing your new album and participating to several festivals. Can you give me a description and comment on the new album and what do you think about the response so far ?
M: Yes, it's a busy year in the Endezzma domain, but it must and shall be busy when you release a new album, that's the name of the game, solely. The new album was recorded and in Gravlund studio at Brandbu, and mixed in Oslo by Lars.F , mastered in Stockholm by Tore Stjerna at Necromurbus. The new album is kind of crawled it's way into another dusty corner of our eerie minds. It's kind of different from the Erotic Nekrosis album, but in what way must be up to the journalistic jury and the listeners to decide or conclude. We make the music that we want to listen to our self, what comes natural for us in a creative process. When everything is melted into the Endezzma pot and dried up and let out again, then we see what kind of material we end up with. But we was very determined into moving into the direction that we did, so much I can tell. The response so far have been nothing but tremendous and epic ! It's really been a enjoyable period reading review's and getting feedback from listeners, fan's and journalist. It's kind of burning under our feet's these days and one cant' complain then....
D: You had an amazing show at Blastfest last year.
M: Thanks, I noticed we were mentioned at several magazines and news blogs as the best band of the day. And that's the way it should be, we work hard with our live expression and take it 110% serious. And when you look around at many other bands it sure isn't look like they take their stage performances serious. We walk into a mental desert when we enter the stage, we expand into yet another dimension together with the audience or those who are willing to take the ride into the flames.
D: You did also participate on Trondr Nefas Memorial together with Urgehal and Beastcraft on May 13th 2016. Can you tell me a few words about it?
M: Yes, it was a night where all the Black Metal bands he had connection to stood on same stage for the very last time, to honor the great prophet himself. It was a intense and truly memorable evening, and it looked like there where many people that had a intense and emotional night. It was immense to do this gig with Endezzma that night and make something like this happen. I also had the honor to do the vocal on a couple of tracks on the Urgehal set and it was a damned strong moment, a long kiss goodnight ! In the aftermath one of those special highlight's to look back at in your life. Even though the surrounding and reason for the concert is surreal.
D: Malphas is also occupied with some other bands like Svarttjern and Carpathian Forest, how is that going along with being such an important brick in Endezzma ?
M: Malphas is musical genius and pick up new material and learn new songs in a split of second, so for him it's really effortless to play live with those act's. Now he is actually a full time member of Svarttjern and Carpathian Forest as well. But so far that have not caused any trouble. Having in mind that he played a full show with Endezzma,Beastcraft and Urgehal at the Death Is Complete fest, I think that underline his resources. We will play few festivals together with Carpathian Forest this year so all in all it's just practical.
D: It came to my knowledge that you participated on the new Urgehal album and wrote lyrics for their song.
M: I wrote the lyric for the Blood of the Legion track at the last Urgehal album and also did the lyrics on it. The special thing was that I was intended to write this lyric for the new album anyway, before Trondrs death, and I actually did record a pre-production where I did the vocals just to show Trondr how I had in mind the text phrases should be. And Trondr listened to it before he died, so in my case it ended up that Trondr heard my contribution so to speak. It's a bit strange to think back on when we all know how it ended. But I'm fucking honoured to contribute to the last Urgehal album. I always had huge respect and strong feelings for Urgehal as a band. Urgehal have always been something special to me.
D: Can you tell me for the end what are the plans for Endezzma? Concerts? Festivals?
M: We will do few festivals in Europe in the summer and then after summer, in the autumn we will do a full European tour. We are working out the details for the tour these days. And at the end of the year we are again booked at some festivals in Europe.
Interview by Dragana
[email protected]
D: Hello Morten
M: Ave and hello, in this late and utter darkened night.
D: This year is very active for Endezzma, you are finishing your new album and participating to several festivals. Can you give me a description and comment on the new album and what do you think about the response so far ?
M: Yes, it's a busy year in the Endezzma domain, but it must and shall be busy when you release a new album, that's the name of the game, solely. The new album was recorded and in Gravlund studio at Brandbu, and mixed in Oslo by Lars.F , mastered in Stockholm by Tore Stjerna at Necromurbus. The new album is kind of crawled it's way into another dusty corner of our eerie minds. It's kind of different from the Erotic Nekrosis album, but in what way must be up to the journalistic jury and the listeners to decide or conclude. We make the music that we want to listen to our self, what comes natural for us in a creative process. When everything is melted into the Endezzma pot and dried up and let out again, then we see what kind of material we end up with. But we was very determined into moving into the direction that we did, so much I can tell. The response so far have been nothing but tremendous and epic ! It's really been a enjoyable period reading review's and getting feedback from listeners, fan's and journalist. It's kind of burning under our feet's these days and one cant' complain then....
D: You had an amazing show at Blastfest last year.
M: Thanks, I noticed we were mentioned at several magazines and news blogs as the best band of the day. And that's the way it should be, we work hard with our live expression and take it 110% serious. And when you look around at many other bands it sure isn't look like they take their stage performances serious. We walk into a mental desert when we enter the stage, we expand into yet another dimension together with the audience or those who are willing to take the ride into the flames.
D: You did also participate on Trondr Nefas Memorial together with Urgehal and Beastcraft on May 13th 2016. Can you tell me a few words about it?
M: Yes, it was a night where all the Black Metal bands he had connection to stood on same stage for the very last time, to honor the great prophet himself. It was a intense and truly memorable evening, and it looked like there where many people that had a intense and emotional night. It was immense to do this gig with Endezzma that night and make something like this happen. I also had the honor to do the vocal on a couple of tracks on the Urgehal set and it was a damned strong moment, a long kiss goodnight ! In the aftermath one of those special highlight's to look back at in your life. Even though the surrounding and reason for the concert is surreal.
D: Malphas is also occupied with some other bands like Svarttjern and Carpathian Forest, how is that going along with being such an important brick in Endezzma ?
M: Malphas is musical genius and pick up new material and learn new songs in a split of second, so for him it's really effortless to play live with those act's. Now he is actually a full time member of Svarttjern and Carpathian Forest as well. But so far that have not caused any trouble. Having in mind that he played a full show with Endezzma,Beastcraft and Urgehal at the Death Is Complete fest, I think that underline his resources. We will play few festivals together with Carpathian Forest this year so all in all it's just practical.
D: It came to my knowledge that you participated on the new Urgehal album and wrote lyrics for their song.
M: I wrote the lyric for the Blood of the Legion track at the last Urgehal album and also did the lyrics on it. The special thing was that I was intended to write this lyric for the new album anyway, before Trondrs death, and I actually did record a pre-production where I did the vocals just to show Trondr how I had in mind the text phrases should be. And Trondr listened to it before he died, so in my case it ended up that Trondr heard my contribution so to speak. It's a bit strange to think back on when we all know how it ended. But I'm fucking honoured to contribute to the last Urgehal album. I always had huge respect and strong feelings for Urgehal as a band. Urgehal have always been something special to me.
D: Can you tell me for the end what are the plans for Endezzma? Concerts? Festivals?
M: We will do few festivals in Europe in the summer and then after summer, in the autumn we will do a full European tour. We are working out the details for the tour these days. And at the end of the year we are again booked at some festivals in Europe.
Interview by Dragana
[email protected]