HELLSAW – Interview with Aries

Hello Aries. A few weeks ago I received Your latest album “Phantasm” and I have to tell You that this is a very good stuff. Cold, grim Black Metal with melodic parts. Succesfully You joined many of the best influences from early 90's. I think that those days on Black Metal scene are very important for You. Am I right?

Yes, you are. I tend to prefer the older Black Metal style, because I think its sound is more interesting than the sound of 'modern' Black Metal bands.

HELLSAW was founded in 2003 by You and Svart and at the same time You made demo “Sins Of Might”. Unfortunately I didn't have an oportunity to hear this stuff, so I'd like to ask You to tell me something about that. What I know is that this demo has been added to Your first album “Spiritual Twilight”. What for?

Well, 'Sins of Might' is a lot rawer than our second album 'Phantasm'. But, as there were too few songs for a CD, our record label suggested to add the 'Sins of Might' material to our first real album 'Spiritual Twilight' as a bonus. And so we did – we mastered the tracks and added them to the album, instead of creating a split CD (which was the original plan).

Your debut album has been released under the German label Black Attakk. What do You think about their promotion now. Are You happy with their work on that album? What do You think about underground labels?

In retrospect I can say that the promotion of Black Attakk was good – BUT on the other hand this label is ripping off the bands and we could not rely on them. Often, we did not hear anything from them for days or even weeks, even if we had to speak to them about urgent things. I can say that I never again want to collaborate with this label and I do not recommend them to other bands. Concerning underground labels in general: The success always depends on the communication and collaboration between the label and the band and of course on the promotion which is done by the label. I think it's not important how big or small a label is – it depends on their dedication, engagement and promotion!

In 2006 Westwall Production released a 7″ Split EP with another Austrian band VARULV. Svart is also one of the members of this group. I'd like to ask You about that stuff becouse there is nothing about that on Your website and VARULV website as well.

This split EP, which you mentioned, has never been released. Svart has only recorded the drums for VARULV.

We had to wait untill august last year for Your second album. Folter Records released “Phantasm” How did You found this label and haw was Your cooperation?

The label is okay and the cooperation between us is very good. Nevertheless, our upcoming album 'Cold' will be released by Napalm Records – although we enjoyed working with Folter Records. But, you know, we couldn't ignore or decline the proposal of Napalm and I appreciate that Napalm put their trust in us and that they want to invest in a Black Metal band.

More or less at the same time three new members joined to HELLSAW: Malthus, Desderoth and Isiul. Tell me Aries, why did You decide to let them join? Are they now real members of Your band or just a session musicians? Did they bring something to the “Phantasm” album?

Well, those three – Malthus, Desderoth and Isiul – are steady members of HELLSAW, not just session musicians. I decided to let them join HELLSAW, because we get along very well in every aspect – to cut a long story short: they are the right people for HELLSAW. It was a long process to find the right musicians, but finally I found them in those three guys. And no, they weren't involved in the song writing process for 'Phantasm', because I recorded the album before they joined HELLSAW. But I can say that they all are involved in the song writing for the new album!

Tell me what is the HELLSAW's philosophy? About what are You singing in HELLSAW? What I know is you're not singing about satanism like many other bands?

As you may have heard, most HELLSAW lyrics are about nature, hate,every-day situations and suicide. I don't like to sing about Satanism, because Satanism is not a religion for me; it's more a general term or a metaphor for all the evil in the world.

You were playing with Svart in another Black Metal group called SANGUIS. The SANGUIS still exist but now without You both. Why did You decide to leave them? Does HELLSAW take so much time now that You couldn't manage?

I decided to leave them for lack of interest.

HELLSAW is a oldschool Black Metal band but I want to ask You about modern Black Metal groups such as DEATHSPELL OMEGA or ABORYM. What do You think about them? In Your opinion how far will this progress go in Black Metal music?

Well, I think that the development of Black Metal hasn't ended yet. In my opinion 'old' and 'new' Black Metal will become more and more mixed up by-and-by. But one should always have the roots of Black Metal in mind, because otherwise nothing productive will be the result. Another possibility would be that a completely new genre of music – which has nothing in common with Black Metal – will be born. This should not mean that this new kind of music is bad, but only that it will be far away from original Black Metal.

In december last year You were with SKITLIV and SHINING on the european tour. You didn't come to Poland that time. Is it possible that You'llcome to Poland some other time?

Of course this is possible! The only condition is that someone has to book and invite us to come to Poland. So, if we had the opportunity, we would like to come to Poland!

As we are talking about Poland, what do You think about Polish scene? Do You know any Polish bands?

Yes, I do know some Polish bands. We believe that Polish bands and musicians are very dedicated and enthusiastic – they put their hearts and souls into the music.

Aries, I heard that You are working on the new album now. Can You tell me how far are You now with Your third album? And what can we expect?

Well, the song writing is finished by now – all in all you can expect ten songs which will form the best HELLSAW album ever! In October we will start recording 'Cold' which will be released in February or March 2009. Be sure of one thing: it will be a very intense album!

OK, that's all what I wanted to ask You about. Thank You very much for Your time Aries. I waiting for Your new album.

Thank you for the interview and maybe you will see us in Poland next year!

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