D.M.P. artist Manes interview is up




Interview by
TP: Torstein Parelius
THS: Tor Helge Skei




1.  Manes has made a come back to the more experimental and avant side of extreme music . What made the album Slow Motion Death Sequence go more from that Vilosophe and How the world came to an end  style?

TP: I wouldn’t say we’ve made a comeback to anything, actually. And extreme music … I don’t know. Maybe so. In regards to the experimental or avant garde nature of “Slow Motion Death Sequence”, I wouldn’t say it differs much in that respect to our last album “Be All End All”. Maybe it does. I really can’t say. What I can say, however, is that it is in no way intentional. This is the music we make when we get together and do stuff. So far, no album has had a premeditated plan of being one way or the other in contrast to what we have done in the past. Well, that’s a lie. We had a conseptual plan this time around: darker.


2.  Members were working on Manii which was more like old raw black style of Manes is that still going on as well?

TP: Yes indeed. Manii is active (as active as it gets, at least) and is ready with the new album “Sinnets Irrganger”.

3. D.M.P has been the home for the last few release starting with a compilation. Before the you worked with Candlelight and Code666. How is the partnership with D.M.P different and have you found a true home for Manes now?

TP: I’m sorry to say, that in terms of most band / label relationships, it is often just business. Not always, but mostly. Working with Candlelight, that was maybe most apparent. When it comes to Debemur Morti Productions, they have treated us very well, and is driven by releasing quality stuff. They are flexible, and not really fazed by how we work and what we value. So that is really great for us. I have nothing bad to say about them.

4. Your music is very left of center. How does the old fans see this more Trip rock meets electro industrial rock band with elements of metal and noise in 2018?

TP: Thank you. Are you thinking of the “old fans” as those that followed the band solely in the 90ies? I really don’t know. I honestly don’t think there is anyone out there that has those shutters between years and releases like that. “Vilosophe” was released 15 years ago, so I guess we could call the fans of that album “old fans” as well now. I honestly think those that liked “Vilosophe” could find something they like on “Slow Motion Death Sequence” as well, but who knows – they could hate it. Some of them.

5. What is the running theme of Slow Motion Death Sequence?

TP: Death and dying.

6. I hear a lot of Ulver, Fleurety, Bogus Blimp, When, Beyond Dawn, Virus and In the woods in what you do today would you say you have a kindship with bands like this?

TP: I honestly can’t hear much from many of the bands you mention here in our music, but I haven’t searched for it either. There is a geographical kinship, in the fact that all these bands are Norwegian, but not much more. A couple of the bands you mention has released some great albums in my opinion, and there’s a couple of bands there I don’t really like nor have heard much from, but yeah …  not really a kinship, no. We know a few guys from here and there, but there is no big non-metal-bands-with-relations-to-metal family or anything like that.

7. What is a Manes live show like? how does it differ from albums?

TP: We rarely play live. There has been a few years since we played live at all now, but we have started what you could call pre-production for a handful of gigs. We don’t know when yet. Probably early next year. So far, we don’t feel we’ve been able to really induce the atmosphere of the albums in a live setting, but we’ve done a couple of gigs that has felt better than others. We really want the location and the everything to be “right”, so to speak.

8. If you were only given 6 words to describe Manes how would you do so to the world?

TP: Listen with your own ears motherfucker. That was 6 words, right?

9. how does the artwork for Slow Motion Death Sequence play into the theme of the album?

TP: The artwork was created by Ashkan Honarvar. He is more of a fine artist, and not really a “cover designer” as such. Galleries and stuff. We know him well, and we had many long talks around the songs, the topics as well as listening to the music. The cover is the sum of all that. His interpretation. I personally feel the cover works really well, and as he talked us through his concepts and visuals, it kinda blew my mind. He’s a dark fucker, but in the best way possible.

10. What bands and music is impressing Manes currently?

TP: I’m sorry to say, I’m a bit hard to impress. Last year I saw two great gigs here in Trondheim (that I can remember from the top of my head). The first one was Shobaleader One and the other one was Colter Wall.

11. When all is said and done with Manes what do you hope the world remember of the band?

TP: I hope the world remember our silly hats.

THS: and the gorilla hand..

12, Are the members of Manes working on other music you like to tell us about as well?

TP: The members of Manes are involved with loads of bands and projects; Atrox, Calmcorder, Lethe, Manii, The Soundbyte, EOP, Drontheim and probably more. I’m currently writing lyrics for the upcoming Khonsu album.

13. Is Social media a blessing or curse for bands like Manes?

TP: It’s a curse for everyone, but on top of that it’s a tool for spreading info. For bands like us, you say? I don’t know how it differs from band to band. Let’s just say curse, and leave it at that.

14. How does image and visuals play into the style and soundscapes of Manes?

TP: I do think the cover of a release is important to an extent. At least traditionally, as a way to make the listener prepossessed or somewhat inclined in one way or the other before pressing play. Not equally much now, maybe, as playlists and Youtube is the shit. As for image and visuals beyond that, I think we’re a bit indifferent and random in how we face each challenge. Maybe we could call it Cryptic Casual?

15. Any closing thoughts please end with here.

“Slow Motion Death Sequence” is out 24. August via Debemur Morti Productions. Check out the music video for “Endetidstegn” on YouTube as a little taste of what’s to come. Cheerio!

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