Infernal War pour l'album "Axiom"

Après des années d'attente, Infernal War live, en cette année 2015, un digne successeur à l'ogive qu'était "Redesekration", sortie en 2007. L'occasion était toute trouvée pour interroger Herr Warcrimer, le hurleur de la formation, concernant la nouvelle réalisation de la horde polonaise.

1°) Hails ! First, can you introduce the band to the Thrashocore readers ?

Well... We're Infernal War from Poland and we've delievered darkness and hatred since 1997. We're dissiliusioned, violent and mean.

2°) I must say that « Axiom » is really, really impressive. As a huge fan of Infernal War since the devastating « Terrorfront », I was not disappointed by the violence of your new compositions, and the efforts you made to provide more « variety » through them. Did you really take five years to compose and record it ? Or was the band in a « hiatus » ?

I'm glad to hear it as I feel the same way. The album is very violent and mean, but it's also more complex and mature and varied when it comes to compositions. I guess, it's just the natural evolution of the band. I know every musician gives you the same crap, but I do believe 'Axiom' is our best work to date, on all levels. I didn't take 5 years to compose and record itd, we didn't went on hiatus, either. We had some ideas, some new songs, even played some gigs, but we rehearsed sporadically. I think it all started again for good in 2012 when I got 5 new rehearsal songs. We're busy guys, we live in different places, let's say we just took our time - no pressure, no deadlines...

3°) You worked with M on the record, and we all know him for his talent as a musician and a sound engineer through Kriegsmaschine and Mgla. Plus, he mixed the « Transfigurations » split album and did, one more time, a great job. « Axiom » sounds more « organic » than your previous releases, and, to me, this is a real « plus » to your music, where « Conflagrator » sounds massive but a little bit « compact », in my opinion. Can you tell us how was the collaboration with him ? How did you begin it ?

We've known each other for years and he did a great job recording/engineering two albums of Voidhanger - black/thrash/death metal band formed by me (Warcrimer) and Zyklon. Besides, we knew other albums he was responisble for. We knew he would do a great job and that's why we decided to work with him. It resulted in the best sound we've had so far. M. also did some guest vocals on the last song.

4°) Since the beginning, Infernal War’s records are loaded with a lot of musical influences : Marduk for the non-stop blast-beats, Slayer and Thrash Metal for the guitar parts, Angelcorpse for this « auditive aggression » feeling, to be short, old extreme metal bands in general. Does this express a reject of the modern Black Metal scene ? Or just a tribute to what has built your musical background ?

Of course, you can find many influences in our music, but I think we sound like no other band. But you're right, we grew up listening to old thrash/black/death metal and I think own a lot to classic stuff from the 80s and early 90s. I think you can hear in the guitar parts, even my vocal lines are plagued by old Sodom/Bathory catchiness to some extent. We don't mean to express any rejection of modern Black Metal scene, it's just our brand of black metal. I really enjoy bands like Mare or Dark Sonority. I really respect and support the scene that emerged in Sweden in the late 90s with bands like Ofermod, Malign or Funeral Mist, but diversity is the key word here. We just do our own thing. Of course, it depends on what you consider modern black metal scene. If you mean all those young bands who base their music on countless dissonant chords with no good ideas and so fucking over the top occult imagery - it's not my thing and I get an impression most of them is as empty as all those worthless Darkthrone/Burzum wannabies in the mid 90s.

5°) Lyrically, I see that Infernal War deals with the same thematics as usual – the promotional copy of « Axiom » wasn’t provided with the lyrics, though. What I could understand during my listening-sessions was quite « classic »… How do you write the lyrics of your releases ?

The lyrics won't be printed in the booklet of 'Axiom' , just some excerpts, but my lyrics have been becoming darker and more introvert with every release. Of course, it's Infernal War, the form must fit the music and its feeling, but when it comes to the content, the lyrical side of 'Axiom' is much more bitter, darker and more personal. It deals with themes of disillusion, scorn, bitterness, perdition and my rather nihilistic stance towards the world around, but most of all - the Great Darkness in man.

6°) Something caught my eyes : the track « Camp 22 » seems to bring something « new » to your « concepts ». Why talking about a prisonner-camp in North Korea ? Should we see an anti-communist message behind it (Even if we know that you do not put a lot of political views in your music) ? Or just an anti-human one ?

Well, I've always been inspired by man's inhumanities and North Korea it's a fucking land of evil. There is no message behind it, I just find it interesting. Of course, I'm not fond of commies, but this is a different context. And it's not that new to Infernal War as, for example, we had a song about Holodomor on 'Conflagrator' ('The Purifier', but no lyrics were published so most people don't know it) or 'Blok 11' on our debut mCD.

7°) Your previous records contain an introduction and an outroduction. « Axiom » does not. It’s okay, but we really enjoyed these ambient pieces. Was it intentional, in order to focus on the « straight-to-your-face » feeling of the whole record ?

We just felt no intro/outro was need. You get a punch in your face with the first track and the last song ends with very hypnotic melody.

8°) It seems that you want to « change » the image of Infernal War, in my opinion. It is shown by the recent pictures of the band : you dropped the warpaints and the « classic jewelry » of spikes, leather, to be more « classic ». Does it show a weariness of the classic Black Metal codes ?

No. I'm not gonna give you that crap about the next level, growing up etc. The only reason we gave up using corpsepaint is that we feel that it doesn't suits us anymore, but I may still use some lighter warpaint and blood on stage.

9°) I personally enjoy all the recent Infernal War’s releases, from « Terrofront » to « Conflagrator ». Even if the roots stay the same (focusing on speed, violence and blasphemy), I find that all your releases bring something « new » to Infernal War’s music. « Redesekration » was more « thick » than « Terrorfront » (by the sound), « Conflagrator » added a new level of violence with the compact sound of the drums… Besides « Axiom », what’s your favourite Infernal War records ? And why ?

I would list 'Conflagrator' and 'Redesekration' ex aequo. They're simply closer to 'Axiom' and more mature than our early releases.

10°) Poland is one of the biggest source of Black Metal acts in Europe, and you’re amongst the best. Here, in France, we do have a lot of Black Metal bands too : do you listen to any French bands ? What are your opinion about the European and Worldwide Black Metal scene nowadays ?

Of course, I do. France has many good bands. I really like that older scene in France - Osculum Infame, early Seth, Bekhira demo, some releases of Vlad Tepes, Blut Aus Nord, Hirilorn, Antaeus, Svest etc. I've been impressed by Deathspell Omega since I heard their first demo. Arkhon Infaustus was a great band. From more recent stuff, I really like the debut album of the band called Stav, Blacklodge and, now defunct, Christicide. I have no particular opinion of so called scene, I pick what I find interesting and don't really care about the rest.

11°) Zyklon and you do play in Iperyt as well, and the band seems to have been « reactivated » last week. Will we hear about the band in the near (or far) future ? That would be great, I really enjoy their music.

Yep, we've been more or less dormant for several months, but now we're back and working on the new album. We'll deliver another dose of some sick, ear-tormenting shit in the fiture. Both Zyklon and me play also in Voidhanger - a vicious thrash/black/death act. Check our last album.

12°) Infernal War is quite « rare » on stage, besides your latest performance at the Hot Shower Fest. With the imminent release of « Axiom », do we have any chances to see you live more often – and, which would be great, in France ?

Yes, we will do some european shows for sure, but it's too early to say more. We'd like to play in France and we already got some offers, but still have to discuss the conditions etc. I hope with 'Axiom' being released soon, we will play some more gigs, but extensive touring is not our goal. I don't have time for it.

13°) I know « Axiom » isn’t even officially out, but may I ask you about the potential future of Infernal War ? Any split album, EP planned ?

Nothing is planned at the moment, but I think you won't have to wait several years for our next release. However, now we're focused on 'Axiom'.

14°) Well, thank you for your time and your answers ! I give you the final word…

Thanks for your interest and support! Long live Perdition!

"Axiom" sortira le 17 Avril prochain chez Agonia Records.