KATABASILISK – Dungeon Symphonies, Primitive Melodies

Since we last spoke, Katabasilisk released a Split with Kneipegeist ("What Flowers Bloom In Velvet Night") and " December Demonstration", a 2 song release, 2 tunes of melancholic and eerie frightening atmosphere.

Catch up with the artist, and dwell into these darken, yet enchanting melodies.

 Katabasilisk Official Bandcamp

Thank you for the opportunity. How did you adapt to this new reality? Has it been easy, or otherwise, problematic?

Well, it hasn’t been easy but I did not suffer as badly as many others did. The biggest problems I faced were adjusting to online education (I went to a trade school so this was especially odd) and separation from friends and family. I lost my grandmother during the pandemic and this was the worst thing that happened to me during this time.

Let us focus on what brought us here: music. How did this trip start, and how is it going?

Music has been a huge part of my life since childhood. My parents introduced me to progressive rock and heavy metal (Yes, Rush, Tool, Queensryche are perhaps the most notable ones) and I was given a guitar around age 7 or so. I did not begin to practice seriously until I was 13 and getting into heavier bands like Metallica & Slayer. From there I quickly developed a taste for heavier thrash and death metal. I started my first bands in high school and ventured into solo stuff afterwards. I’ve always preferred to write music on my own.    

Both of your works were released this year (March and April). Did the pandemic, and consequent confinements, act as catalysts for artistic creation?

Yes and no. The idea of the project was not born out of the pandemic, but it definitely allowed me the time to sit down and flesh out my concepts more and write new music. Most of the music I have written so far is from 2020-2021, but some songs go as far back as 2018. The restrictions due to the pandemic are nearly gone now, so life for me is pretty much back to normal.

Very little I found out about Katabasilisk on the Internet – or I am very bad at this kind of research – so I would like you to tell us a little bit about the concept in which the project is based, from where do you draw inspiration... a little bit of everything, in a way.

My answer here may be a little disappointing, there is no one “concept” for the project. I create music because that is just what I do. I’m inspired by morbid fantasies, loss, anxiety, and the indescribable.

I thought it was curious that you were not accepted into the huge list of Metal-archives bands. You are too Dungeon Synth for administrators, according to what I read. What is your opinion on that?

I think it’s rather funny, to be honest. Since my current output is split evenly between dungeon synth and Black Metal, I don’t count as a “predominantly” metal band. I consider Katabasilisk a Black Metal band but I also compose DS under the same name.

This most recent song – "Waters of Sanguine Revenge" – will be more in line with the acceptable, according to the Metal-Archives statutes. I suppose you are very little interested in their vision Black Metal, right?

Absolutely right. What I’m concerned with is my vision and what others categorize it as is out of my hands. There will come a point where the number of Black Metal songs I have outweighs the DS songs, but that may also flip around at some point. Maybe I’ll be un-blacklisted then re-blacklisted, but either way I’m just going to keep doing what I want to do.

How far has the genre come, which makes A, Black Metal, but B, not? And I am just considering bands that are part of this sphere, based on their musical output. Do you think the style has reached a point where the elitism of those who compose it (musicians, listeners, publishers) goes beyond what is acceptable?

Hm, I’m certainly no elitist but I’m not particularly offended by it. There are a lot of projects popping up that just seem to be for the sake of having a project. It’s pretty easy to tell when there is and is not real passion behind the music. I’m not one to tell others how to create, but I think people should spend more time on their art instead of just doing it to become part of a scene or whatever. Above all, do what you want and support what you like.

For years, the use of keyboards has been poorly seen in the spectrum of Black Metal, but can we consider that with this revivalist vague of Dungeon Synth, this idea falls a little “down the drain”?

I’m not sure, but I don’t really care either way. Whether the keyboards are “trendy” or not in the eyes of Black Metal keyboard warriors means nothing to me. When it comes to composing my music, keys are a tool for atmosphere, texture, and melody and I try to use them in a way that compliments the sound. I hope people aren’t afraid to use keyboards or other instruments in their music due to pressure of what is cool or not cool.

I have always associated Dungeon Synth with the imagery of RPGs and the like (love jamming it while playing). This makes the Dungeon Synth audience, an audience with little association with Black Metal. Do you think this way you will be able to pull people into Black Metal?

I think this is possible, but I’m not sure if I agree that the dungeon synth and Black Metal communities are that separated. The atmospheres and themes are similar but the execution is different.

How has your Music been received by the public? It is funny that your sound lives in the middle of DS and BM, without belonging exclusively to one or the other. Do you think you have managed to create an interesting hybrid?

So far, the reception has been quite good. I haven’t received any outright hate… yet! I do think the hybrid I have created is pretty interesting and I’m certainly content with it. Songs I’ve written since have even more elements to them, with some strong influences of old-school heavy metal, thrash, doom, and hardcore.

The BM facet of your sound is quite reminiscent of the '90s, will you agree? What is your opinion of the evolution of the genre, from its genesis to present day?

While I’m certainly a fan of the first and second waves of Black Metal, I do favor the bands of the past decade or so. I am all for innovation of the genre and new styles of Black Metal. I think a balance of old-school and new-school is best though.

What will be your next creative move? I read that you were working on an album and a series of splits, but this was in May. Since then, what news can you tell us?

Yes, a few splits in the works. First up is a split with fellow American one-man project Kneipegeist which is out now, with tapes coming in October from American Decline Records, as well as vinyl from Oaken Fog Records. I just released a purely-DS demo tape with help from Ritual Abuse Distro. I’m also doing a promo tape for the album. I have splits planned but not yet in the works with Morbaersanger and Celestial Sword, as well as a 4-way in the early planning stages that I will not reveal yet. I’m currently demoing songs for the full length, which will be about 40 minutes long or so. It’s very hard to say when it will be ready to release due to how much time I can spend on a song. It will be released early/mid 2022 at my best estimate.

I am waiting for news from you. Very curious to see what you will introduce us this time, and which direction you plan on going. Once again, thank you. May we talk very soon.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you. It is very much appreciated. Hails! Keep up with Katabasilisk at katabasilisk.bandcamp.com