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interview Tentakl Blog from Czech Republic www.tentakl.cz. 1) I see LUX as more epic and even more occult than the previous albums. Was it your intention to make it seem more monumental or more intense in any way? Shantidas : Of course, each album is conceived like a monument, it have to work within its own articulation and rules. Matthieu : From my perspective, Lux is not more intense or epic than Occult Rock or Voix. But it has a very strong inner structure. There is no concession made to any genre or outer influence. It is pure witchcraft, absolute Occult Rock. And I guess this is what give you that intense feeling when you dive into it. 2) How did the recording of Voix and LUX differ? You have mentioned that you have used an analog recording for Voix, was it the same with LUX? S : The conception was very different, Voix is a long track divided in 6 parts. When lux is made of different tracks related to one grand master rhythmic pattern. Both were recorded analog on tapes with a Struder tape machine. But for Voix, the tapes were transferred digitally before mixing. For lux, there was no computer or digitalisation for the LP and the coming tape to be released by Utech records. 3) There are eight years between Voix and LUX. Did you experience any major life changes that shaped the album? S : Well, 5 kids borned in the meantime, and also some water under the bridges. M : A lot of shows after Voix was released also ! We have been touring a lot. 4) Listening to your music is like a ritual for me. Maybe you have intended to destroy your audience but I feel reborn. Possibly destroyed and then reborn, but full of energy and definitely back with myself… M : Lux is made for ritual purposes, for sure. The numerology that defines the rhythmic patterns, the inner structures are made to lead you to a spiritual awakening. Lux can be a companion for a religious quest. I hope so. S : Destroying is not really our goal. Redefining deconstructing is more appropriate. 6) Speaking of rituals, do you personally have any important ones? Can be anything… M : As our drummer Antoine often says : Aluk Todolo’s music is the invocation and the manifestation. Our sound, our patterns are the ritual, we do not refer to outer divinities or spirits. Personally playing with Aluk Todolo is a very deep and intense transcendental experience. 7) There have been a lot of attempts to put you into some genres / boxes. For music journalists it is something that helps, but in some cases it just spoils the magic…sometimes it is better not to disassemble everything… M : Less and less we refer to musical genres to define what we do. If at the beginning of our band it was pretty clear we intended to create a synthesis of black metal and krautrock, now we plough our own furrows. Occult Rock is the best way to describe what we do : we strictly use rock instruments to reveal in sound esoteric formulas and religious concepts. It takes your soul in the eerie mazes of occult knowledge and kicks your ass as a good old rock n’ roll should always do ! 8) Are there any genres of music that are the main source of inspiration for you at the moment? What kind of music do you listen to the most? S : The Exorzist III (with Drew St Ivany from Laddio Bollochio and the psychic paramount), latest Trelldom album, the french black metal band Sordide who just released an album of resistance, Spirit Possession, Catherine Graindorge… M: Yes good new music has been released recently : the last Trelldom is very good ! And the new Oranssi Pazuzu too, always good to hear new music they made. Menace Ruine is back on stage, it is very exciting ! And I have been exploring a lot of electronic and minimal music at that time, old and contemporary stuff like Caterina barbieri, Seeselberg, Harmonia, Archaïa, Julia Bondar, Ancient Methods, Intersystems, etc. |