KOZELJNIK Interview is up 7/22/2010

KOZELJNIK

Interview answered by L.G. (drums)

1. For those new to KOZELJNIK tell us about the band?

Kozeljnik as a band started out in 2006, but the thought of its formation found itself in the back of our heads years before that. In first running months, we already had our first EP recorded and got it released on tape. This led to a contract with the small US label Humanity’s Plague Prod. which had later released our debut album “Sigil Rust”. Even though not highly promoted it sure got into ears of some people who greeted our art with real passion. One of them was chief of Paragon Records from NY, whom we later signed a new contract with and one month ago released second full-length material “Deeper the Fall”. Be sure to check this one out.

2. The sound of the band is very Avant/Prog/Extreme Metal; I hear a lot of Voivod, Code and Ved Buens Ende in you. Are these bands influences at all?

Those are one of the favorites, along with thousands of other creations, that’s for sure, but I wouldn’t put much of it as an influence to our sound, nor Kozeljnik as a band of certain category in music. We could speak about the influences for hours, though I think it’s pointless and rather unnecessary. I believe this is our thing from the very start and we’re always in the ever-lasting search for our ‘definite’ sound. Others will tell if we have succeeded with that.

3. The vocals are very tormented in a Bethlehem or Deinonychus fashion. How did you get the vocals so tortured in sound?

Original plan didn’t hold Kozeljnik for a vocalist, but only a string operator, as he does this duty so fiercely in his other bands. We actually didn’t plan to continue as a two-piece band neither, but we found this way to be perfect for us. It took us some rehearsals before we realized K.’s vocal potential and enormous progress he had from the very beginning. Now I think he’s one of the very unique voices in the scene. Can’t really explain how it worked out for him and how exactly did he find that Devil inside his throat, but it’s one of those things that simply has to crawl out to the surface and embrace all. As we expand our sound he goes further with his vocal performance. One can easily realize that by comparing these two albums.

4. You're working with Paragon now. How did this alliance come to be?

Well, they were one of few labels out there we found to be really interesting. And we thought the release of our next material could be a nice deal for them, so we gave it a try. We sent out rehearsal with some new songs we had at the moment and it didn’t take much to make some deal with Mike, since he really liked our music from the very beginning. We’re signed for the release of “Deeper the Fall”, but are willing to stay if all the promotion goes well and really suits our needs.

5. You're in Serbia - what is the metal scene like in the former Eastern bloc nations in 2010? Is Black metal or extreme metal very popular there?

Yeah I think it’s very popular and there are lots of people who’d like to be involved with all this. Unfortunately, not many quality bands or true promoters of the crime emerge from dust these days, but that’s scenario in most parts of this world nowadays. On the other hand, this thing is strictly individual so therefore we still find souls who caress the spirit of this Black fashion in very dedicated manner.

6. “Sigil Rust” your last release was much more cold and black. Do you see the band moving into more avant sounds??

“Sigil Rust” dwells in one dimension and the structure of the album is far simpler than the one we have on “Deeper…”. All of it that came with time is natural to us, being avant-garde or however you’d like to put it, but we’re not avoiding it. We are Ourselves in this more than anywhere else and we got lot more to deliver.

7. Does KOZELJNIK perform live or is it just a studio action?

Sure, we perform live with Kozeljnik and so far we had few remarkable gigs, while sharing stage with some cults of the genre. We plan much more on that field as this needs to be xperienced on stage equally as listening of the album.

8. How does KOZELJNIK create its very ritualistic sounds in studio? Is it all written out or are there a lot of studio-created ideas?

It’s all studio-created sound, most of it came on studio sessions that we have very often during the week. It’s the way we work with this band, just let it go with the flow and tend to involve ourselves in it as soon as it appears to be a serious step in the making.

9. Will there be any video or DVD outputs for KOZELJNIK? Or is that just not possible with size, funds and labels you work with?

Of course we’d like this kind of opportunity and we do have some plans concerning that, but it stays untouched for now.

10. Do the members of the band have other projects they record or play in???

Yeah, both of us are involved with bands The Stone and May Result. These have been K.’s bands for over a decade and I joined them some years ago. Both groups have more than 4 albums in their career and many shows behind. The Stone has just returned from a great tour where we promoted our latest album “Umro”, released on Folter Records. On the side, I’m also working with this band called Dead Shell of Universe, having 1 EP behind, released on a label from UK. Next year, we’ll enter the studio to record our first full-length material.

11. What are your thoughts of Corpse paint? Is it needed to be a Black metal band or is it an ideal past its time?

Nothing’s needed or labeled as a ‘must have’ in order to achieve itself as the black metal entity, except for the true spirit Underneath, the Will stronger than all and enormous sense of creativity and exploring of yourself.

We use that in a way that suits us, but not relying on any currents where this might be a trademark or whatever. We may or we may not put that dirt on our faces in the future as well, it depends on the inner feeling in the very moment.

12. Where do you see underground music heading? More independent of labels or a new breed of Internet/Digital labels??

There’s always goin’ to be labels fairly independent and secure with their position in the underground of this music and I think it’s the right way to be after all. On the other hand, there’s a battle on the higher ground with richer labels, there’s only a question for how long will they truly be dedicated to the bands that dedicate their works to them and are they strong enough to withstand the “era of Downloading”.

13. Your website site seems to be out of date. Is myspace all bands really need today for internet presence?

True, our website is out of date and for unknown reasons not updated with all the news important for Kozeljnik, but we sure as hell are gonna make something worthy out of it in a very short time. I don’t think myspace is everything or even enough for bands to promote themselves, but it’s free, everybody’s using it and is constantly present.

14. Thanks for the time. Please place any closing thoughts here...

Thanks a lot for this great interview, our best regards to you. Keep up the good work!!