interviews

2015-01 Rockway (with Dimitris Marselos)

Aluk Todolo means “the way of the ancestors” in the language of the Indonesian tribe Toraja and it is the name of their local animistic religion.
Why did you pick this name for the band?

Antoine Hadjioannou :This name was brought back from Indonesia by Matthieu, our bass player. At the time the band was not formed yet, so it’s more like the name gave birth to the band. But Aluk Todolo is not a musical illustration of the religion, we use this name in a romantic sense, and for its meaning “ the way of the ancestors” which is the way we follow.

Black metal has integrated with other musical styles in the last few years and France is one of the countries that lead that dance.
How did the thought of combining black metal with krautrock come to mind?

AH: This krautrock meets black metal thing comes from an old promo sheet. It is not a concept, just a way to describe the music. Combining genres has never been our goal. Any similarity with other music is purely coincidental.

When I had to review your 2012 album “Occult rock” I didn't really like the idea of that combination in the beginning, but in the course of the review it triumphed over me. Is the division of the listeners' mind one of your goals?

AH: I don’t think so, our goal would rather be the multiplication of the listeners mind.

As a matter of fact you're going to play the whole album live for us. Is there a story behind “Occult rock”? What is the symbolism behind the mountain on the cover?

AH: As a matter of fact we’re actually going to play a new piece for you. It is called “voix”, which mean voices in French, and it will be our next album. It’s not recorded yet and this will be the first time we play it live in its entirety. As for Occult Rock, the cover is a photograph of the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902. We used the image of the volcano to symbolize the alchemical transformation of the primordial vibration into matter, through its elemental phases.

The description you gave to your music is occult rock. Could you care to elaborate on the term?

AH: By occult we mean that our music, through all its aspects deals with the hidden powers of cosmos and mind. By rock we mean that we use rock instruments : guitar & bass and drums.

What are the plans of Aluk Todolo for this year? Are we getting a new album?

AH: Yes! As I said, it is called “voix”. It will be recorded in may in the Drudenhaus studio where we did Occult Rock.

If someone called you guys instruments of the devil, what would you reply?

AH: That it is wrong : we are instruments of God, but our music is a mirror in wich everyone can find its own reflection.

The year 2014 is already past us. Could you pick your favorite albums for that year?

AH: Magma, Rïah Sahïltaahk.

You are visiting Greece to play along with Stephen O' Malley. How have envisioned that night?

AH : Well, it will be our first time in Greece so we’re pretty excited. And sharing the bill with Stephen is always a pleasure.

Thank you very much for your time! Please send your message to the Greek music lovers...

AH: Εμείς θα πολλαπλασιάσει το μυαλό σας!