Zørormr is one of the most interesting bands I have listened to in recent times; it is a solo project of a dark mind, but also an excellent and skilled musician known as Moloch, based in Opole, Poland. I have already reviewed the third and latest album by Zørormr, Coprus Hermeticum (here you can find the review with a full listen); earlier this year the band has also released the EP The Aftermath. I have been in contact with Moloch, and I have had the honour and the pleasure of interviewing him; he told me something about his personal view on music and a piece of news.
Hi Moloch, how are things?
Hi, thanks, I’m all good and excited for this interview.
First of all, what does the word Zørormr mean and what is the concept that lies behind this moniker?
The Serpent of the South. It’s a play on two Old Norse words sør (meaning South) and ormr (meaning serpent). I combined the words together and shifted the S to Z for making it even more terrifying. I was inspired by Henrik “Nordvargr” Björkk’s nickname meaning The Northern Wolf. And that’s it. The whole mystery solved, again (laugh).
I have reviewed your latest album Corpus Hermeticum, and I think it was one of the most interesting listens in recent times. How has it been received by the public and critics?
The initial release (500 copies) was sold out in like 8 months so I guess people really liked that album. It had quite a lot of attention by both the media and the fans. And I don’t mind that at all (laugh). This year More Hate Productions released the album in Russia and CIS countries so I can only say that I’m really proud of what was achieved with “Corpus Hermeticum”. I think it’s a great album and I can’t think of a better way to introduce Zorormr to a wider audience.
As I wrote in the review, I think the use of different styles is the peculiarity of your sound. How was the process that led you to shape this particular sound?
“Corpus Hermeticum” was the natural next step after “IHS”. I wanted this record to be more sophisticated, with better arrangements and better production. And I think that I achieved that. The songs are more complex, they have that peculiar drive in them and the flow of the 80’s without loosing the aggression of my previous efforts. Thanks to Arkadiusz “Malta” Malczewski (Behemoth, Hate) efforts the sound quality is top notch and this whole album sounds simply awesome. I used the same guitars as on the previous record but then the sound was re-amped through 5150 cab and some other cool stomp boxes so in the end it would lead to this massive and intimidating album.
Another thing that struck me is the collaboration with well-known musicians, including Mike Wead of Mercyfyul Fate and King Diamond. I would like to ask you how the collaboration started and if you're still collborating with them.
I’ve been a fan of KD / MF records for almost my entire “musically sentient” life. I’ve always adored how Mike executed his guitars in both bands. Since I used to invite guests to participate in my albums before I thought: why not contact Mike and see what he thinks about it? I was surprised that I got a positive answer and he was really into doing a great lead for “Corpus Hermeticum”. You can hear it in the title track. It’s so intense and precise that it stands out and creates a quality for itself. I would love to collaborate with Mike again some time but at the moment I don’t have any solid plans for that.
Your EP The Aftermath was released recently. In my opinion it has a few similarities with the previous album, such as the excellent production and the high level of musicianship, but it also has some innovations, such as a darker approach and more eeriness. Is that true and was that the consequence of a darker time in your life?
“The Aftermath” consists of four tracks recorded during the same recording session as “Corpus Hermeticum”. I’ve recorder 12 tracks back then but I had to choose the one which would fit the whole album. And in the way I divided them I got a coherent 45 minute record and 3 tracks that would perfectly fit each other on an EP. So that was what happened. As for the eeriness and so on… I think that I always try to channel all those bad emotions into my music to clear myself. It’s a catalyst of some sort, really. I never play the guitar just for fun, I don’t jam, I don’t fool around. When the time comes I take the axe, sit down, write and record demo of my next effort. And it works this way every time. The “Corpus Hermeticum” session and production was a long process so it had it ups and downs. Some tracks might feel darker because during that time I had some worse times… But then again I think that there is much more depressing levels for me to explore…
A curiosity: the song “Nyarlathotep” from the album has been included in the EP with the title “The Crawling Chaos”. Why?
In the Cthulhu Mythos Nyarlathotep is The Crawling Chaos. I thought I had too little stuff to throw on the EP so I put this track. It turned out to be a fitting puzzle for the concept of “The Aftermath” and I’m glad I did it.
Are you playing live or do you have plans to play live?
If I had a dime every time I’m asked this question (laugh). I’m open to do live shows but so far I was unable to find the right musicians in my area to perform my stuff live. I don’t know if it’s going ever to happen, since I’m getting old and Zorormr is over 7 years around on the scene. But I don’t know. We will see what the future brings. Perhaps live performances are still yet to come. Or not…
Unholy Black Metal has reviewed a lot of excellent Polish bands, apart from Mgła, so it seems that the Polish scene is at the forefront, and Zørormr are an example. How do you see the Polish scene from inside of it?
Thank you for your kind words. I think the Polish scene is interesting and if you are a fan of the black metal genre you will find a variety of good bands here. Just take your time and explore. Follow the road that leads from one band to another and you might find something that will truly amaze you. Explore it for yourself. I’ve discovered many bands like that and I think it’s the best way to do it.
Now I would like to ask a freer question: what do you think is most important or essential or special about Zørormr? Feel free to mention different aspects if you want.
Hard to name one aspect that truly defines Zorormr. I think the most important thing is the atmosphere that it creates. The feeling of unrest and terror. The music is intense, black metal but yet it’s not so hard to approach and I believe it’s even quite immersive. I combine many aspects, styles and emotions in to what Zorormr is and with that eclectic approach I deliver. I hope…
Who is Moloch in daily life: interests, music tastes, hobbies, or other?
I’m not that celebrity type, yet, so I don’t tend to talk about my personal life (laugh). But it’s not hard to realize that I run an independent record label Via Nocturna and release some cool stuff from around the world. It takes so much of mi time that there is hardly any left but I do like to enjoy a good book or a movie.
What would you like to say to our readers to conclude the interview?
Stay heavy and follow Zorormr at facebook.com/zorormr. Thank you for the interview!
Interview by Herjann
[email protected]
Hi Moloch, how are things?
Hi, thanks, I’m all good and excited for this interview.
First of all, what does the word Zørormr mean and what is the concept that lies behind this moniker?
The Serpent of the South. It’s a play on two Old Norse words sør (meaning South) and ormr (meaning serpent). I combined the words together and shifted the S to Z for making it even more terrifying. I was inspired by Henrik “Nordvargr” Björkk’s nickname meaning The Northern Wolf. And that’s it. The whole mystery solved, again (laugh).
I have reviewed your latest album Corpus Hermeticum, and I think it was one of the most interesting listens in recent times. How has it been received by the public and critics?
The initial release (500 copies) was sold out in like 8 months so I guess people really liked that album. It had quite a lot of attention by both the media and the fans. And I don’t mind that at all (laugh). This year More Hate Productions released the album in Russia and CIS countries so I can only say that I’m really proud of what was achieved with “Corpus Hermeticum”. I think it’s a great album and I can’t think of a better way to introduce Zorormr to a wider audience.
As I wrote in the review, I think the use of different styles is the peculiarity of your sound. How was the process that led you to shape this particular sound?
“Corpus Hermeticum” was the natural next step after “IHS”. I wanted this record to be more sophisticated, with better arrangements and better production. And I think that I achieved that. The songs are more complex, they have that peculiar drive in them and the flow of the 80’s without loosing the aggression of my previous efforts. Thanks to Arkadiusz “Malta” Malczewski (Behemoth, Hate) efforts the sound quality is top notch and this whole album sounds simply awesome. I used the same guitars as on the previous record but then the sound was re-amped through 5150 cab and some other cool stomp boxes so in the end it would lead to this massive and intimidating album.
Another thing that struck me is the collaboration with well-known musicians, including Mike Wead of Mercyfyul Fate and King Diamond. I would like to ask you how the collaboration started and if you're still collborating with them.
I’ve been a fan of KD / MF records for almost my entire “musically sentient” life. I’ve always adored how Mike executed his guitars in both bands. Since I used to invite guests to participate in my albums before I thought: why not contact Mike and see what he thinks about it? I was surprised that I got a positive answer and he was really into doing a great lead for “Corpus Hermeticum”. You can hear it in the title track. It’s so intense and precise that it stands out and creates a quality for itself. I would love to collaborate with Mike again some time but at the moment I don’t have any solid plans for that.
Your EP The Aftermath was released recently. In my opinion it has a few similarities with the previous album, such as the excellent production and the high level of musicianship, but it also has some innovations, such as a darker approach and more eeriness. Is that true and was that the consequence of a darker time in your life?
“The Aftermath” consists of four tracks recorded during the same recording session as “Corpus Hermeticum”. I’ve recorder 12 tracks back then but I had to choose the one which would fit the whole album. And in the way I divided them I got a coherent 45 minute record and 3 tracks that would perfectly fit each other on an EP. So that was what happened. As for the eeriness and so on… I think that I always try to channel all those bad emotions into my music to clear myself. It’s a catalyst of some sort, really. I never play the guitar just for fun, I don’t jam, I don’t fool around. When the time comes I take the axe, sit down, write and record demo of my next effort. And it works this way every time. The “Corpus Hermeticum” session and production was a long process so it had it ups and downs. Some tracks might feel darker because during that time I had some worse times… But then again I think that there is much more depressing levels for me to explore…
A curiosity: the song “Nyarlathotep” from the album has been included in the EP with the title “The Crawling Chaos”. Why?
In the Cthulhu Mythos Nyarlathotep is The Crawling Chaos. I thought I had too little stuff to throw on the EP so I put this track. It turned out to be a fitting puzzle for the concept of “The Aftermath” and I’m glad I did it.
Are you playing live or do you have plans to play live?
If I had a dime every time I’m asked this question (laugh). I’m open to do live shows but so far I was unable to find the right musicians in my area to perform my stuff live. I don’t know if it’s going ever to happen, since I’m getting old and Zorormr is over 7 years around on the scene. But I don’t know. We will see what the future brings. Perhaps live performances are still yet to come. Or not…
Unholy Black Metal has reviewed a lot of excellent Polish bands, apart from Mgła, so it seems that the Polish scene is at the forefront, and Zørormr are an example. How do you see the Polish scene from inside of it?
Thank you for your kind words. I think the Polish scene is interesting and if you are a fan of the black metal genre you will find a variety of good bands here. Just take your time and explore. Follow the road that leads from one band to another and you might find something that will truly amaze you. Explore it for yourself. I’ve discovered many bands like that and I think it’s the best way to do it.
Now I would like to ask a freer question: what do you think is most important or essential or special about Zørormr? Feel free to mention different aspects if you want.
Hard to name one aspect that truly defines Zorormr. I think the most important thing is the atmosphere that it creates. The feeling of unrest and terror. The music is intense, black metal but yet it’s not so hard to approach and I believe it’s even quite immersive. I combine many aspects, styles and emotions in to what Zorormr is and with that eclectic approach I deliver. I hope…
Who is Moloch in daily life: interests, music tastes, hobbies, or other?
I’m not that celebrity type, yet, so I don’t tend to talk about my personal life (laugh). But it’s not hard to realize that I run an independent record label Via Nocturna and release some cool stuff from around the world. It takes so much of mi time that there is hardly any left but I do like to enjoy a good book or a movie.
What would you like to say to our readers to conclude the interview?
Stay heavy and follow Zorormr at facebook.com/zorormr. Thank you for the interview!
Interview by Herjann
[email protected]