ZEMIAL – Interview with Vorskaath

The beginnings of ZEMIAL reach 17 years ago. Are the times of magnificence of the band already behind or are they yet to come?

Our peak is certainly not behind us. If I thought that for a moment, then I would not be continuing this band. As I have explained numerous times in the past, Zemial is not my main band. I play in Zemial for pure enjoyment. If I thought that my best music is behind me, then I would not be doing anything else with Zemial. I have no dead-lines to meet, so what I do I do when I fell like it and purely for pleasure. Besides, I still have a plethora of material that was written in the early 1990s and has not been recorded or released. Those who liked our older work will certainly like that stuff as well. On the other hand, recording Face of the Conqueror was a situation in which I had to come up with new material and I think that was one of our best releases so far, which made me realize that there are sides of Zemial I still have not explored in depth.

Your music is inspired by BATHORY, CELTIC FROST and HELLHAMMER and your texts?

My lyrics are primarily drawn from my own views on philosophy and religion, and are inspired by Sumerian, Hellenic, Babylonian mythos and writings and more generally by the mythology of antiquity. I am also inspired by history, the occult and certainly to a very large degree by the observation of nature.

Tom Warrior is an incredible lyricist and his style did in fact inspire me during the early days of Zemial.

And what do you think about the present world scene of black metal and of the bands of type e.g. DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH or ARCTURUS?

I do not follow it at all. Arcturus had an amazing debut release with their 7EP including My Angel and Morax, but from there on it they were virtually another band. There are still bands that offer the scene vitality, however I simply do not follow the developments in the scene at all. I have not been following the developments since the late 1990s.

Reading the biography of ZEMIAL I met for the first time with the qualification “Hellenic Black/Death Metal bands”

That is hard to believe unless of course one is new to the scene. If you are not aware of the Hellenic scene, then you are missing one of the most influential players in the resurgence of black metal. Period. (I dont know that you think about Greeks bands? Gnom)

In some website I read the present line-up of the band are: Vorskaath: Vocals, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Drums/Percussion, The Dark: Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals as well as Draconis: Bass Guitar. Do The Dark And Draconis are session musicians?

Yes, you read that in our Myspace website, which clearly states that those members are session members.

That is ZEMIAL is in similar situation as is BATHORY? There only Quorthon was the solid member, and in ZEMIAL is Vorskaath?

Well in a sense yes. I am the founder of the band and I write all the music and lyrics as well as handle the representation of the band. In the new album, my brother (The Dark) has also written one complete piece and has contributed some ideas in other pieces. The Dark has been a member of Zemial for many years now, mainly to assist me with rehearsing and touring. Similarly, Draconis has been with us for touring since 2003. In essence however, Zemial remain a one-man band.

You released lots materials, until 17!!! Would you are able to say which of them is the most exceptional, except the last one obviously?

Sleeping Under Tartarus and Face of the Conqueror are my favorites. Sleeping Under Tartarus because it represents out beginnings and because it set a path for us and Face of the Conqueror, because it was spontaneously conceived whilst recording yet manifesting some of our darkest music and imagery ever (particularly in the title track).

The seventeenth material is the newest: “In Monumentum”, it came into being in homage of Quorthon and BATHORY

Correct. Bathory have been my primary influence since the beginnings of Zemial and Quorthons passing was a great loss, for me personally and for all old-school metallers no doubt. At the news of his death I decided (obviously too late) to do an album dedicated to him and the tremendous inspiration his music gave me. So I began writing the music back then. Finally I started rehearsing the ideas with the Dark at the end of 2005 and we entered the studio, during which time, I kept writing during studio sessions. The music is still Zemial of course and by no means an attempt to recreate the music of Bathory. It is however entirely inspired by Bathory. There are pieces that evoke the earlier days of Bathory and pieces that were influenced by their later work. Ultimately, it is my tribute to the genius of Quorthon and to the band that inspired me to create Zemial.

Is “In Monumentum” self-released?

Yes. It will made be available in March 2006 from my label NYX and distributed world-wide. We have already secured distribution in Europe, the United States and Australia and we need distributors to get in touch from Asia and South America. Just prior to the release of In Monumentum, after much demand, we are finally releasing Face of the Conqueror & Necrolatry on compact disc, for those who were not able to buy the original versions on vinyl. That will also be available through NYX within February. For orders people can write to: zemial@iprimus.com.au or: Zemial, P.O. BOX 3366, RUNDLE MALL, ADELAIDE-5000, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Is NYX the label only for ZEMIAL? Can you tell me something more about NYX?

Yes, NYX is my own label and is a vehicle for releasing Zemial music independently. I do not currently have plans for expanding the labels activities to include distribution of other titles or releases from other bands.

What will be the promotion of “In Monumentum” apart from concerts?

We are primarily focusing on the promotion via touring and at this point we are booking shows in countries like Hellas (Is it the name of Ancient Greece or the area living by Greeks? Gnom) HELLAS is the FORMAL and proper name for the country as used by all Greeks and in technical terms internationally. And Germany, England, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium. This time around we will focus our touring more around our fatherland Hellas, as we have a large fans-base there and we definitely want to strengthen our bond with the Hellenic Phalanxes. (Hellenic Phalanxes? Gnom) Hellenic of Hellas and Phalanx is an Ancient Hellenic Military formation like the Roman legion.

Is Hellenic Phalanxes some rightist political formation?

??? Not at all! It is a historical military unit used to great success during early Hellenic history and during the Persian Wars.

The band will promote the album on the European tourne in June-July-August'2006. When and where will you meet with fans?

We will meet with fans every time we play: before, during and after the shows!

Are the concrete dates of concerts agreed already?

Yes, we have confirmed bookings for London (with Zarathustra, Adorior, Razzor of Occam and a special guest) Germany (A tour with Anael, an appearance at Thunders Festival and more), Hellas (with Naer Mataron and on Fast And Loud Festival with many great bands like Rotting Christ, Varathron, Sodom, and more) the Netherlands (with Massacre) and we are expecting confirmation for shows in Italy (2 shows with Mortuary Drape), Austria and Belgium. Please visit our MySpace page (www.myspace.com/zemial) for all details.

ZEMIAL already played in many concerts. Which of them do you remember as the best? And obviously why.

That is very difficult to say, since every concert has its unique atmosphere and every night is different. However, emotionally, one of my personal highlights and from what the other guys also said, our show in Hellas during the last tour was unbelievable! It had been 1991 when we last played there and the club was completely sold out! The audience was going crazy and the feeling was just the best. Our shows in Koblenz are always great, our first show in Belgium in the tiny but legendary hole which was Frontline, our debut show in Duisburg with Atomic Steif from Living Death/Sodom watching us was unforgettable, the list goes on and on. Every city and every audience help to shape the feeling of each concert and every experience has been great in its own way so far.

Do you feel on the shows difference between audiences from different countries?

Certainly yes. As I said above, playing in Hellas where our fan base is considerable has an entirely different feeling from the time we played in some strange city in Spain where we had practically no fan base. In turn, the audience response and participation influences the performance accordingly as it is always more pleasurable to perform to an interactive and responsive audience. German audiences are always great to play to as well, but every country and place has its own vibe which makes it unique and something to look forward to every time.

I know you prepare the first DVD of ZEMIAL. Can you say something more about the DVD?

The DVD will feature our live set from our Shadow Over Europe tour 2003, which is over 60 minutes. It will feature our live performance in Athens, Hellas and may feature segments of other shows around Europe. It will give fans that have not seen us, a taste of what playing live is all about. It will be released through NYX and will be available through the same address as I listed above. It is not intended to be a fully professional DVD, hence its low pricing.

The part of your website is dedicated for The Temple of the Vampire! Do you create this organization? What is its aim? I know that there members do not propagate the physical drinking of blood So, what has the temple got combination with a vampirism? In the world are many people which ones connect a blood with a vampirism, because they associate a vampirism with a blood thanks to some movies or books

If anybody wants those questions and more answered, they can easily visit www.vampiretemple.com and get answers from The Source. It is just as easy.

Is “The Vampire Bible” accessible in English only?

Refer to my answer above.

Finishing this short interview I ask you for make the end

Thank you very much for your support Gnom! Thanks to our fans for supporting our darkness for so many years and see you all on tour in 2006!!!

Zemial will finally relocate back to Europe (Germany) as of June 2006. Our web pages will publish our new contact addresses, keep an eye out.

ZEMIAL – www.zemial.com
Temple of the Vampire – www.vampiretemple.com
zemial@iprimus.com.au
Zemial,
P.O. BOX 3366, RUNDLE MALL, ADELAIDE-5000
SOUTH AUSTRALIA