INTERVIEW AZARATH

Azarath from Poland have been playing great blackened death metal since 1998. Their latest, now seventh work "Saint Desecration", released by Agonia Records, combines the brutality of the earlier works with a subtle sinister atmosphere and technical finesse. A good reason for an interview, in which naturally the Polish conglomerate of church and government does not get off well. The questions were answered by Marcin "Skullripper", the question about Damnation, an awesome, unfortunately long since disbanded Polish death metal band, was answered by Bart.   

Hello, how are you? What is the situation regarding Corona in Poland ?

Hello. We have a completely incompetent government in Poland, no specific plans, just spontaneous actions. So besides Coronavirus we have a lot of bankruptcies, people are losing their jobs and are not provided with adequate assistance from the government. Restrictions are directed to everyone, but not to the church and priests. I am bored and pissed of by that, I don't even want to talk about that more. 

What are the reactions to the new, again very good album? In addition: I think Azarath have refined their sound over the years without making fundamental changes. In this sense, "Saint Desecration" is the most complex work to date, despite all its brutality. How do you see the development of the band over the years?

We receive lot’s of positive reactions concerning the new album. Some reviews indicate that "Saint Desecration" is a kind of return to the old albums however, with the modern sound. Other listeners indicate technical aspects of the songs. Generally we are satisfied with all these opinions. I think that Azarath walks through the path of constant changes. Each new album brings new experience and development. Through the years we have an opportunity to develop our compositions, find courage for experiments and new patents, but still in a frame of blackened death metal. This is what we really like to do during creation. 

I have the impression that Azarath has benefited from the overlap with Behemoth in terms of promotion. Nevertheless, Azarath has much greater potential in terms of audience and should me much more known ! I can imagine that a significant number of people who like Behemoth, but also Vader, would also like Azarath. What do you think?

To be honest we have no pressure for a spectacular career. Pursuit to be more known is not our goal. I think that our consequent work will bring new audiences who will love or hate us depending on individual taste. Music and satisfaction with our work is the best price for our effort. On the other hand each new album makes us more recognizable. Many maniacs appreciate our uncompromising approach to death metal. The mentioned bands in your question went through the similar way as we now. There is no shortcut. 

What is the situation on the live front, when do you hope to play again? Did you have to cancel or postpone many concerts ? The planned release concert for "Saint Desecration" was probably cancelled, right ?

Yes, we still live in pandemic reality. We had to cancel the release concert in December 2020. The current status still does not allow for much optimism. We hope that summer festivals will take place. Nowadays it is really hard to predict what will happen. We really wish to return to normal life. I hope that this pandemic will finish soon.

What can you tell us about the current political and cultural situation in Poland? Here in Germany there was a lot of media coverage about the planned almost de facto ban on abortion. Otherwise I saw a report a few years ago, in which it was reported that in Poland a religious regression is going on, in the sense that even exorcisms are increasing again, and worried parents are afraid for their children, who refuse to go to church or wear black clothes, they could be possessed by the devil. Sounds absurd, but on the other hand it certainly offers a lot of inspiration for song lyrics...

I hate politics and politicians, however it’s hard to passing without emotions when you see what happened in Poland. Our government is like a puppet in the hands of the church. Everything must fit to the black mafia, otherwise you’ll become their enemy. And we are the enemy of fucking church! Furthermore currently we are in really bad situation regarding pandemia, however instead of focusing on how to save the economy and help entrepreneurs, the government signs shitty abortion laws, can you believe it?!? They change the law under pandemic restrictions to avoid massive protests… I don’t remember such crazy situations since communism. On a positive note, a lot of young people quit from the church and start apostasy. However , this situation makes me sick and you can find all this angry in our lyrics. We spit on the face of the decrepit god! The day of the dying church will come soon!  

Let's talk about Damnation, who in my opinion have released high class albums and unfortunately never got the attention the band deserved. Especially "Rebel Souls" was a top album. What was the reason for that in your opinion ? Were you maybe just a few years too late with the release of your debut album in 1995, when Black Metal was growing and the interest of the listeners in Death Metal was temporarily waning? Did you have a short reunion in 2013 (according to Metal Archives), if so why didn't you continue it?

Maybe it was too late, I don't know. The debut album should be recorded and released much earlier, but due to long negotiations with a French label we had to wait for a recording session. And finally we signed with Pagan Records for the debut. Then, as we had many new songs done already, we quickly recorded our second album "Rebel Souls" (1996). We had a small German label for this album. They tried to put us on some tours and shows, but even they said at that time, that it´s Black Metal era. So that's all. No need to think more in the way "what if". About 2013, no, it wasn't really a reunion, we just had some rehearsals with a new drummer, trying if it works, but nothing serious happened besides a few rehearsed songs, and we were not very satisfied.   

What can you tell us about the current scene in Poland ? Especially because of the two books about Behemoth and Nergal, the international public has become more aware of the scene. When it comes to metal in Poland, I think of bands like Behemoth, Vader, Azarath, but also Christ Agony, Dies Irae, Yattering, Decapitated, and Damnation. Other bands that spontaneously come to my mind are Themgoroth, Besatt, Hermh and Lux Occulta. Could you name some new, undiscovered and promising bands from Poland ? 

We have lots of good bands in polish underground, however I have no time to search and listen all of them. Last time I often quit to death black metal bands of early 90's and these fulfill my needs. 

The last words are yours !

Thank you for the interview! Hope that in the nearest future we will be able to perform "Saint Desecration" live in your country!