Interview: Savaoth
Tell us about your latest release: the main concept; what fans should expect; what were/are your goals with it:
Well, Neophyte is Savaoth’s reappearance after 10 years of absence from the black metal scene. So it is basically an initiation into the band’s new sound, thus the title Neophyte, which roughly means ‘new apprentice’. The fans should expect a new, fresh approach to black metal, with classic Savaoth cutting edge riffing and industrial sounds, combined with a more ritualistic atmosphere.
Did you have a specific sound in mind when you formed the band, or did that grow and evolve as you played together?
The band started as a raw black metal project, later on we started adding keyboards and symphonic elements, until we came up with a more industrial-cyber sounding outcome. This is when Whispers Often Bleat was released in 2009. Ten years later and after the band had split up, it was time for me to re-activate Savaoth, this time as an one-man project. During all these years of musical development, the new stuff sounded more mature, more melodic and robust. It was a natural evolution of things.
How does your writing process normally work out?
Nothing special I guess ! I just come up with riffs, then doing a pre-production where all the other instruments are arranged, until I am happy with the final result. All the lyrics are written at the end of the whole process.
What are your ambitions and how far do you want to push your band?
The band is going to operate exclusively as an one-man solo project, so I guess the goal here is to release albums regularly and establish the band in the modern black metal scene.
What are your influences/musical references and the impact those same influences had in your sound?
Definitely bands like Emperor, Mayhem and generally Norwegian black metal. Also the modern progressive scene has played a role in the new Savaoth sound.
What’s next for you?
A bit of promotion for the new release in order to get more people know it, or even let older fans know that Savaoth has returned. After that, next year a new record will start being prepared, this time a full length album.