SOLEKAHN – Interview with Amim

Always I thought, that most of French bands possesses the soul and in this instance I was not disappointed. But musical style which one Frenchmen propose us on this to record is not rich in sounds, whether in so-called musical ornaments, then in spite of this by their music speaks something deeper, something primitive, something what long ago fell asleep and now slowly regenerates – this Spirit of old death metal – of music, which almost of twenty years ago moved minds of most of population of metalmaniax on world, which ones wished of something more, greater douses of excitement – of aggression, madness, blasphemes and first of all Evils. So SOLEKAHN is following incarnation of that Spirit of old death metal, so let us not lose time, only to works!!!

When I heard first tacts of SOLEKAHN “Suffering Winds” reminded me times when reigned bands in style PUNGENT STENCH, BOLT THROWER, INCUBUS, DISSMEMBER, GRAVE, MORGOTH, BULDOZER and many of other stars old (even greater), of good death metal!!! Say me, whether well I hit own mark with one's own unions?

These bands had all their personality (10 years ago their were less bands and a bigger percentage of good bands!) thanks for the comparison! (I don't know BULDOZER though)

But from second side in second half this of material appear patents of old black metal…

Maybe it's a good alchemy.

Do you heard Polish BEHEMOTH??? I ask, because some sounds drew me unions also with this band…

I don't listen to this band, but I already have heard them, found it quite good but I can't put a judgement, I must listen to them longer. You know it's quite usual that similar ideas are found in the same period on different places around the world. I would say that it's a kind of collective unconscious, but perhaps Behemoth use merely the same recording stuff!

In present times seldom I listen death metal and I suspect, that if not fact that your music smells old, aggressive metal then surely I would not interest with sounds SOLEKAHN. I think, that nowadays death metal stood up in place and is not developed. Maybe because I think, that I am not on up to date in today's death metal. But some present bands developed this sort of metal, for example SCYTHE “He We Way Home”. But to what I aim? Don't you think, that how on today's times you play a little too straight? Just you know, many bands pursue in this, which from them plays more quickly, brutal and first of all who are more technical.

For me, brutality doesn't come with something straight. It is crystal clear that the recording doesn't bring the inspiration.

Properly what is your sentence on theme of present death metal? Do you think that do death metal bands went significant metamorphosis in space almost of twenty years? Yes, I do not negate, that death metal was developed but I think that from several of years his development stood up in place.

When I listen to music, I don't have the eye of the analyst, or rather I don't separate music where the singer have a low or a high pitch vocal style, in other terms death or black metal, even if it's in the way of playing, I mean if it's rather rhythmic or harmonic. I talk about brutal music and I don't put my attention on a music with style criteria!!! It really means nothing to me. What's important? The vision (appearances), or what is experienced? Appearances are easy to talk about, and moreover dangerous : any authority could claim one as The One -that's classification, bureaucratic mentality, the living nightmare- music is free, fuck trends, any great band is already present before it generates a style! I deeply think that most of time if a band has ideas, their music evolves, dare to label the bands Dodheimsgard or Mayhem, their roots are in black metal but now…you can consider them as exceptions but anyway their music is deep and brutal. So I will answer differently to your question, I don't want to talk about styles for renowned bands because it's often only a part of their career, we'll say styles are ok for speaking quickly about a way of playing. Those who stagnate are rather bands which copy or follow leaders – this is like children – they learn by mimetism. It's a normal evolution, but if they stay in the same perspective during all their life, whether they find creativity in their obscurantism or whether they are just here for the money and sink into oblivion following their beloved trend. It depends if one's searching ephemeral things in music, and in life…

Really! Fanatical mimetism deprives us creative individualities. Man in a way surrenders of psychical involution in side animalism or of infantile regress. But all good luck this are behaviourally consideration… and faster whether later follows break-up of some band. Do in relationship with this your evolution in your music will be of something natural?

We try to go away from existing schemes, but it's hard because we are influenced by the music we live with! So we try as much as possible to walk in unknown territories – that goes for our next album – our first release was much more classic in a way, straight, short, and a kind of first stone, we knocked at the door; now people are free to open and hear the bell strike 25 times.

I do not know it is maybe bad feeling but in your statements steal philosophical-psychological motives. I do not want to ask immediately, haha, but do some with these of spheres attracts you?

I think that putting the attention on the more things you can is a key to evolve. Physical behaviors aren't a mystery, so I put my interest elsewhere, but hey, look out! I didn't say I'm not interested in horny creatures!

Every know official, French scene of metal, and whether you would be able to introduce us to underground scene in France? Which ones bands are worthy attentions? Do not have to be only death metal bands.

I have a friend playing in a band named ARCHEUS, it's harmony based, fast and rough; another band from Strasbourg who are playing in a really heavy and slow way, it's dark, creeping music with some airy parts, they haven't recorded anything yet; I like the HELLSUCKERS too, it's simply a good rock'n'roll band, they come from around our region.

I will mention above-mentioned BULDOZER. Really some parties of guitars remind me record “IX”. I know, that this can be only my feeling but in relationship from this I would want to know what inspired you to playing such music (including in this your favorite teams)?

I think none of us know this band. Inspiration comes with experiences in life I think. I really like the founders of death metal, I name Swedes bands, especially Entombed who wrote monuments until the departure of Nicke Andersson. I like rock too, the way of playing rock.

As, that in my feeling you play old death metal then you should have also suitable texts to this of sort (was once, e.g. CANNIBAL CORPSE – hahaha, DEICIDE, etc.). Judging titles your lyrics are more intriguing and that so I will say – more present. Surely, that I make a mistake? So about what proclaims SOLEKAHN in so mysterious titles like ” Visages”, “Senses Labyrinth”, “Beyond the Pasts”, “Profaned Nights”, “In Dementia”, “Arena”, “Entangled” and “A narrow passage”???

We try to write little stories rather than just feelings, we structure.

“Suffering Winds” you recorded in autumn 2001, a little of time already passed, so I can courageously ask you for response on this material. How do you become accepted at home in France and outside borders of country?

We must tour now I think few people know us for the moment, we aren't distributed yet.

In Poland do you have already one's own fans?

I don't think so. But we've got a Polish fan here!

Already do you played somewhere concert?

Yes but straight not enough. Maybe this year we can play about 10 shows I hope.

Arnim, do I can know why Alexandra is not already in Imperial Maze? Who now is manager of your band?

She left, she makes other things, Khaos does the papers for now, and now we are searching for a label

Do you co-operation with Imperial Maze is good?

IM is the label that we created in order to start to promote SOLEKAHN, that's fine. Maybe we'll sign other bands in the future, I don't know yet.

Who is creator your covers? Sincerely speaking it runs away from death metal – stylistics. But this does not means, that I deny your push.

Her name is Mrs Luck and it was her first painting for a band, nobody knows much about her, hehe.

Ok. Finishing interview I will give you stupid question. Hahahaha…. How long will be exist SOLEKAHN???

I see… I see a mistake in your sentence… .Fuck it troubled my visions I can't see anymore. By the way we are SOLEKHAN! You're trapped. See you on the moon- best regards.

Imperial Maze; 7, rue Leclerc; 67300 Schiltigheim; France
Imperial.maze@caramail.com
www.solekahn.maxximum.org