Line UP:
Pahl ‘Doomsayer’ Hodgson - Guitars / Vocals
Jamie ‘Bloodspawn’ Whyte - Guitars
Ross ‘Ghuul’ Duncan - Bass
Simon ‘Maleficus’ O’Grady - Drums
Last Álbuns And EPS/ Compilations:
From Hell-2008
Dream Death-2012
As Death,We Shall Walk-2016
Well,friends of Aristocracy!
We speak again of our newsroom, where in a little while, we will begin in all its emotions, the eightieth interview of the Aristocracy.Our interviewees today are Australians, they make a super old school Death Metal sound. However, we should quickly return to 1992. This year, the band was called Suffering, demo works were done and shows with the historic bands Cannibal Corpse and Deicide were made. The band under the name of Suffering in 1995 literally dies and its definitive name is born which is Beyond Mortal Dreams. This initial phase lasts until 1999. Where, the band provisionally separates to reorganize.This reorganization was concluded in 2003. Six years after the compilation already mentioned, the band released their second work entitled Abomination of the Flames through the Czech label Lavadome Producions.Stay now with a song from the new album and our chat with Vocal and Guitar Pahl Hodgson.Fun and punch in the ear!
A1:Talking about the composition work in Abomination Of The Flames?
Pahl:There's no real strctly followed formula as to how the songs are crafted, other than, more or less, how they feel/flow from start to finish. I think it's important overall to have a variety in the atmosphere of each individual song, and to be careful that they all don't start sounding the same as each other, such as when sticking to a set formula. When thinking in context to an album as a whole, the intention is that variety should help keep the listener's journey constantly engaged and less prone to drifting away, or becoming uninterested after a spell. It all comes down to personal taste, of course, of the listener and of the artist.
A2:It's practically listening to a hymn to the evil one. Listening to the band, but how is the progression done because I notice very progressive lines on this album?
Pahl:Well, it turned out quite dark in atmosphere, for sure, haha. Really, it all comes down to artistic expression. How one interprets the atmospheres they wish to convey. Eye of the beholder stuff. As a painter might pause and analise their work in progress to decide what is needed to reach the finished product, that's how I work when writing/constructing new material. I might have a lot of, say, technical riffing and progressions, so to help strengthen and compliment those parts I'll bring in some more scaled back or drawn out atmospheres. It helps bring a variety to the journey and eliminates monotony, and is important when crafting longer songs in particular, as well as albums as a whole.
A3:Undoubtedly I see in the band that I am thrilled to hear like Nile. But giving his touch is the goal. Can we say that the band starts to gain its maturity with this second album?
Pahl:I guess,you could say that. When you put From Hell, the Dreaming Death EP, and now Abomination of the Flames together, you can hear a definite progression from then to now. The base style in which I express the music in BMD is still the same, but with more added with each release. That is the ultimate goal as an artist, as I see it. To grow and improve with each new creation.
A4:Are man's greatest demons the band's lyrical influences?
Pahl:In part, but influences also come from mythology, as in Hell of Eternal Death, which was inspired by Zeus' torment of Promethius. Horror, such as Deifict in Flesh, and more specifically in the Lovecraftian realm with They Are Seven and Decimation Hymn. Fantasy and Sci-fi realms are also inspirations. The new batch of songs currently under construction are delving more into fantasized realms the bizzarre and obscure, not so much the traditional topics of hellfire and apocalyptic atmospheres, which will still make an appearance but in a less prevalent setting.
A5:A thorny question, but with due respect. Why the thirteen year difference between the albums?
Pahl:Well, there's a lot of reasons, really. Mainly the difficulty in having a solid, complete line up for some time. We all have other bands/projects we're a part of, myself especially. Over that time, I've been involved with quite a few different bands/projects which has caused BMD to be put on the backburner many times. Plus, all the members have their lives outside of music. The pursiut of careers, families, whatever they feel is important to them. It hasn't all been inactive for BMD in that time. There was the Dreaming Death EP in 2012, the Lamia 7" in 2014 and the As Death, We Shall Walk compilation CD in 2016. There was a short period of time where we were focusing on live shows, which lasted up to 2017. As it stands now, we're a studio recording band only.
A6:How did misanthropy come to you as a theme and how to put your face to it?
Pahl:Misanthrope Messiah is part the beast of revelations, and part our increasing dependency in modern technolgy, more specifically smart devices, in fulfilling just about every aspect of our lives. The beast being born out of our relinquishment of liberty to a technocratic age we all seem to be slowly becoming enslaved to. Enthralled by the glow of the screen. Every aspect of our lives nowadays being channelled through the internet and on a smart phone. Some may argue that with technology seemingly outpacing natural human growth, we're heading further and further into a world that works against what it means to be human. Whilst the technology at our fingertips can be highly useful tools, tools is just what they are. A great many of us seem to have found ourselves living our lives through it, slowly detaching from reality. A part of me does feel like it's going too far, and we could do with taking a few steps back. What happens if one day it all shuts down. How will we all react?
A7:Do certain films help to influence that cinematic proportion that I've heard in the band?
Pahl:There's a couple of big influences for me when crafting the more cinematic atmospheres into the music. John Williams' Duel of the Fates, in my own opinion probably the best Star Wars piece besides the Vader theme. The Lord of the Rings soundtrack being another. I'm not much the connoisseur of classical symphonies, but the odd couple of pieces has slipped through at times, like some works of Wagner, and Holst. A little secret, the way that Nile interpreted Holst's Mars, Bringer of War on their first album was influential in how the intro piece for Misanthrope Messiah turned out. That dramatic, powerful, symphonic atmosphere is such a perfect match for metal!
A8:Evidently the band needs to be wild even in order of their own style. But is the sound intensity what makes all the difference?
Pahl:Well, there's a lot of music out there in the extreme metal world that's quite intense. I like to think that what makes the difference for us, is whilst we keep that intensity, there's also a level of melody that comes out and hooks you in. Also, with the more symphonic and doomier elements in the music, it gives the overall songs a bit of variety, working to compliment and enhance the savagery in the music.
A9:Some literature inspire the band?
Pahl:Some. Lovecraft mainly, A bit of Clive Barker. One of the short stories in The Books of Blood inspired the basic idea for the track Deficit in Flesh. Some fantasy/sci-fi also. The concept of the warp in Warhammer 40k was the foundational inspiration for the track Abomination of the Flames.
A10:What´s the idea behind artwork´s album?
Pahl:The art had to reflect the album's title and song. The idea of a great demonic entity assuming corporeal form from out of a void, or ether, and devouring all in it's path in material space. Something I think Seeming Watcher captured perfectly.
A11:How is BMD different from your previous bands?
Pahl:Well, it's roots are firmly based in traditional Death Metal. Always has, always will, even with any additional experimentation I may feel appropriate to incorporate. It's the band where I have total creative freedom to roam. It's had its inactive periods, but it's the flag I've flown the longest, and the day that stops is the day I stop breathing. I'm still involved with other bands also, and I'm as much passionate about them as I am with BMD. I consider BMD to be my baby over all though. It's the one where I pour in the most of my creativity.
A12:Of course, hell is excellent for what the band proposes. But is fire as an element one of the band's best friends?
Pahl:It's been a constant subject matter for us in one form or another, yes. Always makes for a great brutal vocal onslaught. As far as the element of fire, it keeps you warm on a cold night and cooks your steaks well, but I wouldn't go bathing in it, haha.
A13:This album is conceptual?yes or no and why?
Pahl:No, not a concept album. All the tracks are pretty dark in their own way, but that's about the extent of their relation to each other. I would love to do a concept recording at some stage. Once I feel the right story comes around I could perhaps make that a reality.
A14:This bestility that the band has and need help when you have a world society that is also bestial?
Pahl:If you mean that it's a good way to vent out the frustrations of the world, then yeah, making and playing this music is a pretty good way to let off some steam, haha. Extreme music in general, and not just death metal, can be a reflection of the more 'bestial' nature of ourselves and the world. Understanding, embracing and expressing that side of us through music, for one, is like turning a negative into a positive. A destructive force harnessed into creation.
A15:Why the band have this name?
Pahl:When I came up with this name back in '95, I wanted something that could encapsulate a wider variety of subjects lyrically, and have room for musical expansion. Back then we were still quite a brutal death metal band but were at the beginning of experimentation, incorporating other, more psychadelic sounds into the music. That era of the band didn't last, obviously, but the name remained, and when the original drummer and myself picked it up again around '03, we started right where we left off, in the brutal death metal style that has carried on up to now. I've not completely abandoned the idea of expanding into other musical realms, however, and some of the tracks on Abomination of the Flames is a reflection of that. However, BMD's foundation will always remain a death metal one, and any experimentations going forward will only serve to build upon what's already been created.
A16:What kind of subject don´t deserve a BMD song?
Pahl:Real world social and political issues is something I would rather largely avoid tackling in BMD, but in saying that, the odd exception here and there I'm not against either. A thing or two has snuck in there in the past. I do have my opinions, as does everyone, but would rather BMD remain neutral and just create to entertain all who would share in our works. Keeping in the realms of fantasy, horror, history, film and literature inspirations, this is where I prefer BMD to be. Don't get me wrong, I've absolutely nothing against bands and artists that go all out with their hearts on their sleeves. A lot of great material out there that does just that. Napalm Death being one of the immediate examples that comes to mind, {Harmony Corruption is still my absolute fave of their career to date).
A17:Evidently, the difference of thirteen years is a factor to be taken into account. But, are there other factors for the differences between the albums to occur?
Pahl:I think what that time did allow for the tracks on the second album, is for them to grow and mature. There were a lot of things that were modified and added as the final versions were taking shape. We had actually started recording Abomination back in 2017. Had that process been done quickly and, say, it was released in 2018, it would've most likely been a very different sounding album.
A18:Is it better to think of the human being as agony than an animal for health?
Pahl:Hmm, if I'm understanding this right, it's best to maintain a healthy balance of both! There is a side to us that is animalistic, that is a part of the animal kingdom on this planet. But there is also something else which separates us apart from that. What that is, is up to the individual to identify, according to their thoughts and beliefs. To ignore one or the other or both only invites complications, so looking after yourself in both body and mind is of equal importance, especially in the world we find ourselves in, though beautiful overall, still not without it's abundance of darkness.
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