A Telling From the Man of 300 Voices - Interview with MACABRE OMEN - Nachthymnen 2024

A Telling From the Man of 300 Voices - Interview with Macabre Omen - Nachthymnen 2024

    The following is an interview conducted in late 2024 with Alexandros of Macabre Omen for issue #2 of Nachthymnen Mag. As Nacht has laid the project to rest, both he and Alexandros have given me permission to post the interview on Crypt's Burden. Hails and many thanks to Macabre Omen!! - Rusty  

        1. [Nacht] Anamneses includes many MACABRE OMEN songs not released on an LP, but does not include material from Secrets of the Moonlight, Before Darkness… or split with GODBLOOD. How did you choose which tracks to include? Why did songs from these releases not make the cut?

    Anamneses which translates to Recollections/Memories in the Hellenic language is a mini album featuring a brand new 13.49 min stand-alone track and a plethora of old tracks from the mid-90s era, Godblood split included. The first two demos however from 1994/1995 are not featured in this release and will never be featured anywhere for that matter. The music was amateur at best but fundamental to shaping the band to what it is today. The aim of releasing Anamneses was simply to showcase that new song and also find a home for the older material which was all over the place and hard to get hold of. I believe that the result was very good judging from the feedback and the sales.


        2. [Nacht] Why cover only songs from Twilight of the Gods on your Years Standing Proud in Valhalla BATHORY tribute splits? Does that album have special meaning to you in the context of BATHORY and Quorthon’s legacy? Why were ORDER OF THE EBON HAND, THESYRE and NACHTFALKE chosen over other bands? What inspired you to release a third entry in the series eleven years later?

    “Twilight of the Gods” has a special meaning to me. It taps into something unique in my brain a time that feels like a previous life of some sort. The album was not for everyone when it was first released, something which I acknowledge and appreciate a lot. It feels like the ultimate swansong to my ears, Viking black metal at its best and I really wanted to get into Quorthon`s brain to appreciate his vision and also eventually apply it into my art. I believe that this experiment has helped crafting MACABRE OMEN into what it is today. With regards to the bands contributing to the split, these are people I have been in contact with from the very beginning, met in person and discussed the idea in depth. It is basically the same fundamental principle behind the other split 7”releases we did with MACABRE OMEN. Close comrades sharing the same passion and underground spirit, nothing more, nothing less.


        3. [Nacht] Though most call MACABRE OMEN black metal, many riffs on Gods of War - At War remind me of epic heavy metal like 2000s era MANILLA ROAD, and the lyrics are about Greek mythos rather than Satan. Do you think the black metal label still applies to MACABRE OMEN? How far can the boundaries of black metal be pushed before it's really not black metal at all?

    In hindsight I always wanted the debut album “The Ancient Returns” to sound as big as “Gods of War – At War” production wise and in its delivery. This was obviously not the case due to being too young and inexperienced. A decade down the line that dream came true but what was supposed to sound black metal, ended up having a more heavy metal sound on certain aspects. Others even claim doom, or depressing, suicidal or whatever. A very interesting observation but I believe this is a sound that came forth naturally reflecting the person I was in 2015 rather than what I had in mind ten years prior. Due to the vast gap between releases, I am positive that the same scenario will occur in the forthcoming and final album if it ever see the light of day. Boundaries will be pushed for sure but the core and spirit will always be black metal the way I grew up knowing it and appreciating it.


        4. [Nacht] In a 2020 interview with Ride Into Glory, you stated that you “release albums every 10 years”. With 2025 just around the corner, is a new MACABRE OMEN LP on the horizon?

    No, I will need an extension for this. Life is too busy right now and it is good and fortunate which requires embracing. I need to focus on things that matter most to me and also want to ensure that when this third and final album sees the light it will be a process which I will enjoy from start to finish. This requires me to leave my current job and focus on the abundance of riffs and ideas that I have amassed over the years. I want to use everything and leave with a bang if this is at all possible. On a good note, there is a track I want to record called “Phoenix in my Vein” which should hopefully be unleashed sometime in the new year.


        5. [Nacht] In the same interview, you speak highly of Lindy Fay Hella’s contribution to the greatness of the song Anamneses, not just musically but also in a more abstract sense. Can you elaborate on what that means? How did you come across her music? What sparked the conversation to collaborate?

    The performance was indeed impeccable and captured more or less what I had in mind, the Sirens themselves calling me. I do not believe such a sound has ever been documented and for that I am eternally grateful. I have crossed paths with Lindy Fay whilst doing merchandise for WARDRUNA and by crossing further paths we managed to collaborate on this standalone opus.


        6. [Nacht] The difference in sound between THE ONE and MACABRE OMEN is obvious, but can you explain the philosophical aspects that differentiate the two projects? Despite being released 25 years into black metal’s existence, I, Master sounds unlike any black metal that precedes it. How did you avoid retreading old ground while staying strictly within the confines of pure black metal? Are there future plans to release music under this name?

    They are different like night and day but still part of the same cycle. There is no cross over with the bands as it requires a different headspace altogether. THE ONE captures a more philosophical yet dark mindset and in all honesty it is not somewhere I want to necessarily be as you can hear from the “I, Master” performance. For good or for worse, I always put body and soul into the music and if this is not captured with honesty I would not release it. So is the case with THE ONE, we have two albums (final releases) due but it requires time. One of them is a ritual dwelling in ambient paths, a very special release using a variety of instruments from my personal collection alongside with human and animal bones. I believe that you would be able to experience this in the new year.


        7. [Nacht] In a 2020 interview with Metal Music Clan, you stated that modern day civilization is “most definitely not for me but Nature will destroy that at some point, Nature always prevails”. What are some specific issues you see with modern day civilization, and what are ways that we as humans could more healthily co-exist with nature and each other? Is it possible to practically change humanity’s behaviours on a large scale, or are we damned to the path we walk on? Do you have any thoughts on the specific nature and circumstances of civilization's end?

    Without a doubt, the first and most important issue is the number of people on the planet. Born in 1979, fast forward four decades and the number has doubled to an incredible 8 billion (but most definitely closer to 9). The privileges and requirements of each human`s lifespan have reached their peak without any respect or remorse, same as the overall attitude and entitlement. I live and work in London you know, I can see this on a daily basis. In the nicest way possible this needs to stop. Luckily we will initiate this at some point in the near future.


        8. [Nacht] What can you tell me about NECROMANIAC, which released a new promo tape this year? What goals do you have for this project? Unlike many black/death bands that want to sound exactly like their forefathers, NECROMANIAC consistently pushes the boundaries of the style, implementing many different ideas on each song without ever losing intensity or cohesion. Do you think there is any value in bands that do not push the genre’s boundaries, even if their sound is faithful? Do you care for the term “morbid metal” or is that more Sadistik Fornicator’s thing?

    By the time you read these lines, the debut album will be out through Ajna Offensive /Invictus Productions. A very special release close to my heart as there have been endless sessions and sacrifices to get this vision put into music. It is the darkest most cathartic achievement we have done as a collective and it resonates on many a level. This is Sadistik Fornicator`s spawn without a doubt but we all have a level of input to get to the current level. The album should be out in January `25, right in time before our main support slot with MORBID in London.


        9. [Nacht] You’ve also recently released music with TOME OF THE UNREPLENISHED and THYRATHEN. What creative input did you provide to these projects? Are you frequently asked to play for other bands, and how often do you decline such offers? What factors do you value most heavily when deciding which artists to work with? Personal connection? Ethos? Quality? I think both Earthbound and ThanatOpsis are rather strong.

    My input in these two projects is minimal artistically and I try to restrict it in the performance itself. There are of course times I influence and idea further but like I said I prefer that influence to resonate through the performance. Both bands have released exceptional albums and don`t miss out on the new THYRATHEN album “Lakonic”. I welcome collaborations of all sorts but like you said personal connections, ethos, quality all these things are important to me. If my performance does not compliment the music I have no fear in mentioning this either.


        10. [Nacht] How much time do you devote to TRIUMPH OF EVIL, and how is that time spent? How profitable are merchandise stalls, if at all?

    TRIUMPH OF EVIL (Shop) aka Malleficentissimus Triumphatus is more or less a continuation of DEMONION Productions from the mid-90s but mainly merch focused. I don`t believe I ever stopped selling or dealing with merch, it is an aspect of the scene which I still enjoy as it enables me to trade and collect material for my ever expansive collection. If you would come to a London show chances of seeing me behind a stall would be quite high. Any profits go back into the music, the releases, the collection or further items for the distro.


        11. [Nacht] In the 90s you made cover art for various black metal demos under the name Evil Dark. Do you still engage in visual arts? I think you had a good eye for design, as shown on UTUMNO - Syn av ei ukjend tid and DRUTENTUS - In Frigidis Silvis.

    Just a teenager doing a lot of things but not very good. Jack of all trades but master of none. Giving input and expressing my vision is definitely the way forward at least for my art. I would not touch any of today`s software as it is beyond my comprehension and level of patience.


        12. [Nacht] The only releases rated as 9/10 in ANCIENT TRAGEDY fanzine are as follows:

ARCHERON - Those Who Have Risen


ABYSSOS - Together We Summon The Dark


DECAYED - The Book of Darkness


DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE - Nightwork


DRASTIC - Thieves of Kisses


FURVUS - Deflorescens Iam Robur


LUX OCCULTA - Dionysos


MALDOROR - In Saturn Mystique


NOKTURNAL MORTUM - Goat Horns


ORDO DRACONIS - In Speculis Noctis


    Do you still listen to any of these releases on a regular basis? Have your opinions on any of these changed since 96/97? Why did you stop releasing new issues of ANCIENT TRAGEDY and do you think fanzines have any place in the modern era?

    That`s a lot of digging to get this information out well done to you. Let me think, in 1996 I was 17 years old and I am now almost 46. The main music I listen to since 2015 is Pontian music and dark ambient. Ok some classic metal albums I grew up with for sure. So to answer your question I haven`t listened to any of those releases. I stopped the fanzine activities sometime at the end of the 90s to focus on music and art. There are some good zines out there, I still read and collect them where possible.


        13. [Nacht] For a short time you played in SCYTHIAN, whom I am also a big fan of. Why did you leave SCYTHIAN? What are your thoughts on their following LP Hubris in Excelsis? How is your current relationship with Vrath and Von M?

    The relationship is good there is nothing but mutual understanding and respect among us and we all progress and become better individuals as time goes on. I am by no means the same person I was during my time with the band. I heard the album and it is a very good follow up to the debut album and hopefully they will be back one day for one more to complete a trilogy so to speak. My main band is NECROMANIAC so keep an eye out on our debut album which has been crafted over years of darkness and obscurity.


        14. [Nacht] Also in this issue, I interview Archon from ZEMIAL and AGATUS, two other seminal Greek bands whose sound progressed beyond their black metal roots. Are you familiar with work by either ZEMIAL or AGATUS? Can you share any thoughts?

    Yes of course they are good friends from the past and know them both on a personal level. I also had the honour to play bass on one of the AGATUS live sets in Hell`s Pleasure Metalfest in Germany in 2009. Both bands are great for sure with a natural evolution to their sound and a heritage of music in their hands a lot of it yet to be released.

    As of right now I don't have access to the Archon interview stated above, I'm not even sure if he returned answers, but if it ever comes to light I will try my best to get it out there!   - Rusty


        [Nacht] Any final words?

    It would be a pleasure to give you an award for your patience with this interview. Too many things have come along these past 12 months, mainly good but I had to take priorities. This will be one of the last interviews I will be doing for a while. Support the true underground!

    And I would give you an even bigger reward for waiting so long for this interview's release!   - Rusty