Black Lion Artist - Mist of Misery Interview is up
Answered by Mortuz & Tenebris:
1. Depressive Sorrow and Darkness are running themes of Mist of Misery, how do all the albums and EPs tie together?
- I would say that every new release is in essence a continuation from the previous one. The themes we explore have been very similar throughout and deal with depression, isolation and the darkness that consumes us.
2. All albums before now have had very limited pressing, is there a reason behind this?
- We’re on a small label, so the first pressing is always limited. If the release sells well there’s usually another pressing.
3. Double album is quite the undertaking. Does the story need it for proper completion?
- As the album took form we soon realized we weren’t going to be able to fit all this music on just one album. We were always aiming to make this a really comprehensive album but at some point we had to choose to either chop it up into two releases or go with a double album. I feel our instincts were right as it turned out really well as a double album.
4. I love the Orchestral mix with the dark metal, was this a theme all along?
- Of course. We are constantly evolving as a band and through the years Mist of Misery has gotten more and more orchestral. More arrangements, more detailed and just a bigger, fuller sound and we’re far from done evolving.
5. I hear bands like Deinonychus, Bethlehem, Silencer, Happy Days and Dorenriech. What bands have inspired you?
- Bands like ColdWorld, Dimmu Borgir and composers such as Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Hans Zimmer and Glen Stafford. Also various gaming music.
6. Corpse paint seems to empower many that wear it. What does it do for the mystique of the members of Mist of Misery?
- We have used it for as long as the band has existed and for us it lets us be less personified on stage, giving the music the focus instead of us.
7. Dark metal vs Black metal. Are genres and labels pointless? I see differences, what about you?
- No, labels are not pointless but they might have become a bit excessive. There is certainly a difference between say Dark Metal and Black Metal. Dark Metal I think is a broader term than Black Metal. A band that labels itself as Dark Metal may incorporate some elements from Black Metal but lends a good deal from other genres as well. As regards to Black Metal in particular, I think it’s fairly easy to define what bands either belong or do not belong within the genre.
8. You've been with Black Lion for while now. What makes you want to keep the partnership?
- It’s simply a matter of us not having explored other options so far.
9. Live vs recording; which does the band prefer and how do they differ?
- Recording and playing live are two vastly different experiences. Obviously, playing live is more instantly rewarding than spending long hours in the studio recording, as you get to feed off the crowd and get an immediate reaction. You also get to experience that rush of adrenaline that playing live provides. Recording with Mist of Misery is a long and meticulous process, in order to get everything as perfect as possible. It is also very time consuming for us.
10. Sweden has a long history of extreme music. How does Mist of Misery want to fit in that story?
- Sweden certainly has that. We are not really concerned with fitting in anywhere. We are simply one swedish band among a multitude of other bands. Naturally, every band wants to leave some sort of legacy when all is said and done and we are no different in that regard. If anything, we want to be remembered as one of the atmopsheric Black Metal bands that always put out good releases.
11. Recording, do the words or arrangements come 1st? Do you record in layers or like to keep it live with few overdubs?
- The arrangements are always written first and lay the ground for the lyrics. Naturally the lyrics need to fit that particular song, but the arrangements come first. We have always recorded in layers, to get everything as close to perfect as possible. It’s what has worked best for Mist of Misery. It is very time consuming but in the end, very worthwhile.
12. Do the members of Mist of Misery have other projects you would like my readers to check out as well?
- Mortuz also plays drums in Vanhelga and he and our drummer, Livsnekaren, have a band called Eufori together. Tenebris also plays in Goathead, which is more Death/Black Metal.
13. How has things like Youtube, Bandcamp and Podcasts changed the underground landscape?
- It’s made music more accessible to people around the world obviously, especially when it comes to more obscure music. New releases are very easy to access and more people get to hear your music. This is even more true when it comes to more underground bands, who otherwise never would have had so many people listen to their demos and albums.
14. If it ended musically all today. What would Mist of Misery say to the world?
- Probably not much to be honest. Our work speaks for itself. We are not much for hyperbole.
15. Thank you for your time. Any closing thoughts here?
- Thanks for the interview and support. Pick up our latest album 'Unalterable' or any of our previous releases from Black Lion Records. If you’re new to Mist of Misery, feel free to tune in if you’re into atmospheric, depressive or symphonic black metal and I don’t think you shall be disappointed.
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