Streams of blood where death whispers its incessant funeral dirges…bleak sky, draped in the mist of putrefaction spreads the ashes of immolated human remains. Serpents of tormented souls like ghosts from the past, full of fear and dread, where the jet-black darkness looms…submerged in desolate crypts, where lonely winds blow, whispering ancient incantations. Bare skills and bones witness what is now gone and shall never return from beyond the grave.
Bottomless catacombs echo hopelessness, someone weeps in darkness, unbothered by starless darkness…from which ANCIENT GUARD`s bone chilling scream emerges:
Hi. I must say that what I hear on “Desiderans Dissolvi” is very impressive, to say the least. Congrats on such a devilish album, man!
Greetings. Thanks, we appreciate the positive response and the interview that follows.
Before the album was out, you guys also had released an ep titled “Nightfall Enthroned” (through Iron Bonehead Productions). This ep was recorded when ANCIENT GUARD was a one-man band. Now ANCIENT GUARD features three members. Does it imply you guys plan to play live in the future?
Correct. I handled all the instruments and recording myself on ‘Nightfall Enthroned’. As I wasn’t entirely sure which direction I wanted to take this band at the time, it seemingly felt relative to my work in Runespell but as I started writing the material for the debut full-length ‘Desiderans Dissolvi’, it started heading into some newer territory from the aforementioned work/recordings, and this was a needed step. At the beginning of this opus, it was still myself handling all the songwriting but as it developed, I felt it necessary to reach out for some new (old) blood to spill across this opus. After contacting Call from the Grave to ask for his input with his old school, barbaric drum assault and later, Nekron for his serpentine voice and talking back and forth with these individuals as it progressed, I felt the persistence was worth it as the outcome was a far more unique experience than if I had of continued on my own. As for live, well, I wouldn’t rule it out into the future but for now, there are no plans.
All your stuff was released in the same year (2024) however both the ep and album are stylistically fairly different from each other. Of course, these differences aren’t huge but one can tell that your music has evolved. Can you please elaborate on this a bit?
Both recordings we’re written a full year apart from each other, there’s some stuff on ‘Nightfall Enthroned’ that was actually intended for ’Shores of Náströnd’ by Runespell. But various delays seemingly had both recordings released within the same year. But to answer the differences you mentioned, I guess most of which would be answered in the previous answer. With the addition of new members and their unique contributions to the songs as well as a slightly clearer direction and interest in exploring a new direction. The result would of course reveal some differences.
If you ask me, I would say that “Nightfall Enthroned” is much darker and gloomier than your full-length album, which, in turn, seems much more expressive. It is far more aggressive, in my opinion. Indeed, your music has changed a lot when compared to what we hear on your debut ep. Don’t you think this has happened due to the fact the lineup has been expanded?
I actually feel the contrary between the 2 recordings. I feel that ‘Desiderans Dissolvi’ has a darker and more sinister/gloomy feel than the EP. The EP to me has more epic and melodic moments but it’s actually quite interesting to hear an alternate opinion. However, from a technical viewpoint, I used a lot more minor chord shapes and chromatic playing, which is something I never do. I purposely did this, to mentioned again, I was searching for a new sound/direction. The great thing is that it went a step even further from this with the addition of 2 new members. Again, from a technical standpoint, I tried many different things during the recording process here. A new guitar(s), new tones, new mastering techniques as my personal studio is ever-expanding. It was a really refreshing experience. Even though at times, a large workload that required me to revisit it many times before we finally reached the finished master. But for me, I want to try new things as well as learn each time I do this. I never want to stagnate and the goal is to create music I want to hear. I’m quite pleased with outcome here.
How often do you rehearse? Can you please tell us how you write your songs? How does this process look like?
Somewhat impossible to answer this directly as every time and every thing is different. As I mentioned above, I never want to repeat myself so I try new things every time and with every session.
Nightwolf, I have a question for you. You are not responsible for the vocals anymore. Why not? I am sure that you are busy with other things such as lyrics, bass, keyboards, guitars and so on. Man, I am really impressed you are able to handle so many instruments. How are you able to do all this?
Perseverance. I am a highly independent individual and self-taught myself how to play guitars, drums, bass, vocals, audio engineering etc. I’ve been playing guitar for over 25 years so I would say this is my main instrument and generally where all my ideas stem from but I also enjoy using anything and everything I can get my hands on just to see where it goes. Within reason. I mean, you’re never going to hear brass instruments or operatic vocals in my music. This is Black Metal after all. But I’ve written music on keyboards to later turn it into songs on guitar and once upon a time, I used to record drums first without even having a riff in mind. Actually, the first 2 Runespell releases, ‘Aeons of Ancient Blood’ demo and the ‘Unhallowed Blood Oath’ debut LP were written this way.
What are your lyrics all about? They seem very dark and full of dark visions of death. What are your inspirations when it comes to writing such grim lyrics?
Various things but to narrow it down as far as Ancient Guard is concerned, at least on ‘Desiderans Dissolvi’, it’s lyrically based on the inevitable coming of death. Whilst my personality is generally dark and somewhat closed-off, the darker themes are prevalent within all of my music along with daily existence but with that being said, I am a realist. I’m never going to preach to others or force doctrine down someones throat about supernatural or fantasy as I’m just not that type of man. The best part about music is being able to write and create for my own selfish reasons.
Tom Gabriel Warrior said: “Only Death is Real.” What does it mean? Perhaps that death results in total annihilation, complete putrefaction and nothingness? Or maybe death is part and parcel of some omnipotent cycle, the process that involves souls that continue to wander (the earth)?
To carry on further from my previous answer, I can only contemplate what that quote means to him and to be honest, I’m not really interested. I’m walking my own path and I’d encourage others to hopefully do the same. Unique things come from unique minds. I mean, that quote is powerful in it’s simplicity which is a great thing. It is open ended to the point of being contemplative. But to reiterate, I am my own man.
ANCIENT GUARD and RUNESPELL. Is RUNESPELL RIP or do you plan to create some more music under this name? How difficult is it to create different albums within the same genre? I am asking because these two bands are both similar and different at the same time.
Runespell is still active, I’m currently spreading my wings with Ancient Guard so to speak. I do have a new Runespell album demoed and ready to be recorded. There was some loose plans at the end of last year to begin recording it after the debut live show but it didn’t feel right at the time. In hindsight, it was probably the right decision. It’s quite different to all previous material I’ve released and after the inception of Ancient Guard, perhaps it’s right to go back to a more 90’s Black Metal feel like the band has always been at it’s core. Lastly, no, it’s not difficult to create two different bands at the same time, it’s just difficult to follow the various inspirations within yourself and differentiate which idea goes in which direction. I mean, all the riffs could go within either output, they’d just have a different feel at the end of the road and it’s tough to know which one would serve as the most influential and interesting outcome.
Australia`s underground scene has always been very powerful. I am not talking about numbers …what I am talking about is quality and originality. What are the reasons for that? Why are Australian bands so original when compared to other bands from other parts of the world?
I would say to our geographical location and being so isolated from the reason of the world. Our influences are generally our own as we hear about things quite late than the rest of the world and bands are influenced by each other in the rehearsal room. It’s not so bad these days with the internet and everything being readily available but we rarely get decent bands touring over here, it’s always bigger/older bands and our younger and unknown bands don’t get the opportunities to support them. Therefore, exposure is minimal so we’re in our own world for the most part. Record labels rarely take chances on new and interesting bands and people just don’t hold enough interest to give them a chance. I see a lot of labels these days coasting by on popular reissues which is disappointing.
How difficult is it to create original and unique music the days? There are so many bands, albums and demos around. What do you think?
It’s difficult, for sure. I don’t want to say that I’m tired and worn out chasing demos and finding new bands but the reality is, I am. I still have an interest in record hunting because I am still a fan but I don’t find the same excitement anymore. Maybe it’s because I am old or maybe it’s because I don’t feel the same magic as what I hear on Hammerheart or Thousand Swords. All of that being said, I am still doing my bands for me because that has never been influenced by others. I’m still doing it for my own selfish reasons and wanting to create for my own needs. I throughly enjoy the process from writing a beginning riff right through to the engineering/mastering sessions.
To me, when I listen to “Desiderans Dissolvi,” I can sense some similarities to early GRAVELAND. EMPEROR, SATYRICON. Have you guys been inspired by these bands to any degree?
I can see what you mean about Emperor & Satyricon but I don’t entirely agree. I wasn’t influenced directly by the following bands but once I was reaching the end of the mixing process, I felt there was more of the older Swedish sound there on ‘Desiderans Dissolvi’. For example: Setherial ‘Nord’, Vinterland, Welcome my Last Chapter’, Lord Belial ‘Enter the Moonlight Gate’ or “Dawn ‘Slaughtersun’. And whilst I would agree it doesn’t sound the same, it’s just the feeling I got when I was spending my nights with headphones on and endlessly editing and mixing this record.
The cd version of “Desiderans Dissolvi” features a bonus song “Severed From Spirit and Flesh,” which is not included in the vinyl version. Can you please elaborate on this a bit?
It was just down to playing time for the vinyl version so it had to be omitted. We decided to include it on the CD version because it was still part of the session (It was actually the first song written for the album) but if it was to be included on the vinyl, audio quality would’ve suffered and most pressing plants would refuse a master this long.
I was surprised to learn that you guys cooperate with Under the Sign of Garazel. How did your cooperation start? I am sure that after your ep “Nightfall Enthroned” was out there must have been other labels interested in your music as well?
I have had a long co-operation with Under the Sign of Garazel Productions. From trading tapes and cd’s with them back in the early 2000’s and I also found a lot of new and interesting bands there. They do what they want to do unapologetically and I support this attitude. I am pleased with everything thus far and hopeful it will continue.
Ok, time to wrap up. Thanks a lot for your answers. Anything to add for your die-hard fans in Poland? The floor is all yours. Regards.
Thanks for the support and the interview and all the best with your zine! Dziękuję Wojownicy!
Necronosfertus
