MAGDALENA SOLIS Hesperia (2011)

"Magdalena Solis *, also known as the High Priestess of Blood, was a serial killer, a member of a cult in Mexico that was responsible for orchestrating several murders, and participated in drinking the blood of the victims."

Qu'ai-je fais l'autre jour déjà ? Ah, oui ; exception d'une autre-époque, je m'en suis allé, marcher, au cœur, bien bétonné dites-moi, de ce qui me sert de ville, d'adresse. Allons défier ces êtres autres, ravageurs et moins étonnement ravagés, par l'onde qui tourbillonne dans votre atmosphère bientôt sanctuaire ; le turban sur les yeux, l'absence de néant, d'esprit. Fait tant établi avec parcimonie, j'en ferais une chronique, pour marquer le coup... ; ou point. Fait est qu'à fin de glisser follement vers d'horizons déviants et vers le mépris, d'absence totale à l'égard de la vision rapprochée, ces choses ; et bien, je me suis laissé enfourcher par mon casque de divulgations sonores ; le reste optimum, la musique criait sa bénédiction, et pour cette fois là, plus particulièrement Magdalena Solis, duo belge, d'abord faiseurs de rêves, enfin... de douces vidéos comme dans les plus beaux songes **. Ainsi au fur et à mesure s'éloignent les murs des horreurs implantées, l'infâme essence de ces choses ; et le champ visuel atteint paisiblement le ciel et les vastes monuments naturels terrestres et sublimes, ainsi qu'aussi même le néant ; de toute façon, il n'y avait même rien point que quelques petites salopes à fixer, à toiser, (un archange ? jamais !), alors... ; Alors qu'ici, on touchait aux étoiles, dans le profond du néant. Il en va néanmoins de soi, que l'écoute à l'environnement apaisant est la plus profonde ! Et afin de plonger comme il se doit dans les démences sonores, j'ai de manière inévitable et intrinsèque basculé mes pas vers le lac, l'eau bleue scintillante si c'est plus clair, et mis fin au mouvement corporel.

Que pourrais-je dire sur l'élément d'agitation sexuel ? Il n'y a pas vraiment débat sur l'ébat amoureux proposé ainsi au cours d'une petite plage du CD. Tout simplement, pour quoi pas... Tous les charmes de l'audition sont bons à prendre, âme, plane ou larmes à portée de pensées. A faire de sa putain le sacre et des régisseurs des cendres.

Magdalena Solis, c'est un peu le livre de la jungle.

L'écriture n'est rien et son inutilité transperce, autant que chaque lignes, mais alors l'inter-connexion trop faible, tel du wifi en Sibérie, ne résoudra pas l'énigme pour les arpenteurs du béton. Je me contenterais bien d'une claque résonnante pour vous ; d'une lame pénétrante pour le reste ; mais à défaut, le lyrisme s'impose et la mélancolie de l'enchainement de lettres s'avère aussi vide qu'inutile, tragique à souhait, émotions navigantes.

Nous nous trouvons ici dans le flou, un flou clair comme une nuit de pleine lune, où les ombres sombres apparaissent, et nous dévisageons au fur de la rotation, l'ampleur d'un pathétique inimaginable, clairvoyance absolue.

Somnambules en plein jour, nous nous mettons les chaines que nous n'arrivons point à rompre la nuit, qui déchirent le peu d'âme qui reste, au profit de l'inexorable marche en avant de l'armée robotisée.

Au fond quoi, l'amer crépuscule suivant l'amer nuit noir voir pleine lune, rien que des sales débris de verres, épris, qui sert la mer de sel irritant, comme seule lame brisant les veines ; chaines de la vie, quand vous nous tenez ; crèmes de l'au-delà, quand vous n'êtes semées ; larmes d'ici-bas, quand vous verdoyez ; chien(ne)s d'ici et là, quand vous aboyez ; haine d'impureté, quand tu terrifies, la terre et puis les cieux, condamnés eux-aussi, à lire au tragique, à sonner au cœur oublié, la-bas et encore ici, jouir de la chute du vide. Celui-ci pris comme promenade romantique, par les ondes épiques, à piques, ou bien tumultueuses de la bande sonore, récolte tous les honneurs de la fin, faim de tigre, lion sans crête, brebis tondues à l'horizon, sang giclant déjà, à l'avance, dans nos pensées clairvoyantes, animales sans doutes.

Le tout n'est-il point, d'écouter, et de laisser, tomber, ce tout, en lettres, du haut, là-bas, en bas, nulle part ?

Certes, de part les reflets de ses remparts, et le breuvage de ses illusions, Magdalena Solis ébloui.

Nous rentrons vastement dans l'objet clairement ou non non-identifié, rugissant du drone, criant du psychédélisme, abreuvant, la sérénité, certes bien passagère, en ces temps d'agitations constantes. J'approuve, le voluptueux tourment de la mort et de l'éternel espoir qu'encercle le tragique.

Bien. Espoirs et rêves sans gloires, je n'suis destiné qu'à un passé de serial killer. Et je commencerais par L, haine profonde. Ou bien lui... Le rien, a à voir.

 /t.

**

* "Santos and Cayetano Hernandez recruited Magdalena Solis and her brother Eleazor to pose as mystical gods so their gang could exhort money and sex from thier followers. Early in 1963, the Hernandez brothers convinced the remote village of Yerba Buena that the Inca gods of the mountain were willing to give them fabulous wealth in exchange for their undivided loyalty and sexual favors. The uneducated peasants never realized that the Inca dynasty was of Peruvian origin and if they had gods dwelling in the mountains, they would have been Aztec. But dispite that, the villagers cleared out mountainside caves to use as temples for the brothers' elaborate rituals. The men and women of the village became sexual toys for the brothers in the hopes of bringing good fortune to the village. But after three months of sexual sacrifices, no gods made an appearance or sent messages, and there was no disernable change in the quality of life or work. With their royal lifestyle in danger, the brothers decided to expand their scam, making it into a commercial enterprise. They decided to bring the gods to the people. In Monterrey it didn't take long to hire hooker Magdalena Solis and her pimp brother. They were introduced to the villagers in one of the mountain caves, magically appearing through a flash powder-induced cloud of smoke. Pesants desperate to improve their situation handed the con men their money and personal belongings. They were promised mystical treasure hidden in the mountain's mythical caverns, but when the wealth failed to appear, disgruntled villagers began to raise suspicions. The dissenters were dubbed "unbelievers" and fingered as human sacrifices. Over a six-week period, eight villagers were beaten to death during ritual cerimonies, the first two by their own frightened neighbors. To please their blood-thirsty gods, the people of Yerba Buena drank the blood of their friends and neighbors from cerimonial goblets. The next six victims were sacrificed at more organized rituals devised by the brothers for maximum effect. The high point of the assembly was drinking of their vicitms' blood mixed with chicken blood in sacrificial goblets. One ritual, consisting of a beating, burning, and machete hacking, was witnessed by an outsider who happened upon the scene. Schoolboy, Sebastian Guerrero, 14, saw the carnage and ran seventeen miles to the town of Villa Gran and the local police station. The police laughed when he told his story, but because he was so upset, they sent him with an officer, Luis Mrtinez, to check out the story. Neither one returned. Several days later, police and soldiers from the state capital, Ciudad Victoria, were sent to investigate the site. On 31 May, 1963 they found the hacked corpses of Officer Martinez and Guerrero, as well as grisly evidence of other killings. Martinez was found with his heart ripped out of his body. Magdalena and Eleazor were found in a nearby home tripped out on marijuana. Santos Hernandez was killed in a hail of bullets during a shootout with the police. Villagers scattered into the mountains searching for the protection of their gods. The most fanatical set themselves up in the caves that dotted the mountainside. They exchanged rifle fire with the officers and soldiers, but superior fire power and numbers eventually overwhelmed them. As it turned out later, Cayetano Hernandez was killed earlier by Jesus Rubio, a villager who had caught onto the scam and wanted a piece of it for himself." crimezz.net

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ALTAR OF PLAGUES Interview (2010)

1. To you, what’s the key to great black metal? What do you think about the french black-metal bands (Spektr, Blut Aus Nord, Deathspell Omega, Arkhon Infaustus, Glorior Belli, etc.)?

I am a very big fan of French black metal. Some of the most immensely dark and honest black metal has, in my opinion, come from France. I have the utmost respect for some of these acts and I think their approach is unrivaled. Deathspell Omega and Blut Aus Nord both, for example, create something that is massively unconventional yet retains the essence of what black metal is. Black metal can be many things - sorrowful, anguished, aggressive but The essence of black metal to me is total darkness. Deathspell Omega are so dark that to me it is the audial equivalent of a void or even death. I know that satanism is an integral part of what black metal is, especially with many French acts, but to me that is just a part of it's final work.

2. What is your relationship with Tom Gabriel Fischer? What are the memories that you keep at this festival Roadburn? Your show were just incredible...

We were contacted by Tom via the Roadburn guys. It came at us very much out of the blue but of course we were all very flattered when we heard from him. The Roadburn festival was an incredible experience, if not somewhat tumultuous due to the volcanic eruption causing a number of acts, and ticket holders, to miss the festival. That aside, we met many great people and watched many great bands. It truly is one of a kind event. I have never before wittness anything of that scale so easily retaining a very calm and positive atmoshpere.

3. How was your tour with Year of No Light? Pierre told me that you were unbeatable for drinking alcohol!

It was excellent and was one of my favourite tours. Year of No Light are all great people and I thought that we complimented eachother in a live setting. As Irishmen perhaps we may have a naturaly affinity towards alcohol consumption.

4. Do you have a preference for their album "Nord" or for "Ausserwelt"? You realize together a split: you think Year of No Light and Altar of Plagues have the same approach to music?

I enjoy both very much, but I must admit to not yet having given "Ausserwelt" the attention it deserves. I have been away from my turntable for much of this year there is a lot of music I have yet indulge in. Having seen the new material live for the duration of the tour, I find it is almost more celestial than 'Nord', yet even more crushing. The removal of vocals is seamless. Yes, we will eventually have a split together although our contribution is taking us some time to get around to as we have had our plate full for much of this year with touring and recording.

4". And how was your U.S. tour? Major differences with Europe? You are wondering about the ecological consequences of your actions (fly across the Atlantic, make thousands of miles by bus, etc.)?

Our U.S tour was excellent and we look forward to returning there. It is quite different to Europe. One of my favourite things about Europe is how culturally vibrant it is. While each state in the U.S certainly posses its own character, the changes in people and culture and far less appartent when compared to Europe.

I would be lying if I said I was thinking about the ecological consequences of 'carbon footprint'. Unfortunately at this point in time there is no alternative to flying to the U.S and this was a pursuit we wished to undertake.

5. Are you receptive to writers who criticize industrial society and (new) technology? What is your opinion on the French writer Jacques Ellul?

It's funny that you should mention Jacques Ellul as I have only just recently began to delve into his writings. As a christian anarchist, he was certainly coming from a different place to many of his peers. I see industry as more of a threat than technology, and while both are intrinsically linked, they are also different entities. Something that I do not relate to in his writings is his viewing of technology as tyranny. I understand his viewpoint, but I do not view technology as such an immediate threat, but a threat to be later controlled. I think mankind's problem has always been control over the spread of industry, which is linked to our control over population growth. This then becomes a discussion on anthropology and we could spend some time debating.In the coming years (or even months as I return to University) I will immerse myself in as much relevant writings as I can manage, I have much to learn and at this point in time and I feel as though my learning is in it's infancy. Industry and technology exist and they will not go anywhere. The human race would perish were it to be taken from us. We need contemporary thinkers to embrace what exists today and use it to eventually return this place to a more natural way. That said, I use the word 'eventually' yet perhaps there is no time for that, perhaps 'now' would be more appropriate.

6. What is your opinion about Ted Kaczynski? Are you receptive to the ideas of anarcho-primitivism (with an author like John Zerzan, for example)?

I believe that we are entering an era of extremes. We have reached an apex (or as Zerzan puts it, a Rubicon from which there is no turning back) in our existence and things must change. Our world is now so flooded with people (and consequently all the things we deem necessary for us to live) that there is simply no way that civilisation could make the sort of union that is needed in order to change anything. It is just not a realistic outlook. All we really need is for everyone to be more in tune - to think, to understand, to be selfless - and then the world around you to create it's own chaos.The unabomber was a very radical individual with a radical but well considered philosophy. I do not believe in violence of any form, and while I do respect individuals who are willing to commit to what they truly believe in, I do not see violence as justifiable. I do understand how violence is the end result of desperation. How long should it take before a person is not longer willing to lie down? The world is crying out for strong people. Instead we all sit on our couch and tune in to the latest oil spill, flood, war. But don't worry someone else will fix it, what difference will I make? Perhaps lisolation and utter desparation drove him to do what he did. Maybe he was just a very well educated mad man. Zerzan summed it up quite well in saying that Kaczynski's collateral harm was not justifiable. I have learnt a deal of information in reading a small number of Zerzan's books although at this point in time I think that his outlook is too negative. But again, I have much to read.As far as my views on anarcho-primitivism, firstly I will say that I have never, nor ever will, wish to affiliate myself with any set belief system. I enjoy my freedom and I have yet to ever meet a cohesive collective. Even though all of these groups claim to be walking the same path, when it gets down to the individual persons then they are not. Just look at the number of different schools of though exist for Anarchism alone. It seems to me that people adopt these titles as fashion accessories. Many of these places serve as breeding ground for foolish and dangerous ideas and I want nothing to do with such things. All I have ever wanted is to learn from all that I see, hear, and read, and I do what I can to make a good live my myself and those I care about. On of my favourite texts is "Walden - or life in the woods"by Henry David Thoreau . That to me, is a sort of primitivism we can work towards, something we can achieve today. It is a very realistic goal. I don't believe in any of the radical nonsense that gets thrown around, and in many way primitivism an anarchy are unrelated.

7. Do you think the violence used by Ted has discredited his philosophy/ideas? Radical but well considered philosophy as you rightly pointed out... many people considered him a fool, without even knowing he had formulated concepts relevant.

There is no question about - his violence was a total discredit to his philosophy and ultimately it worked against him instead of in his favour. He had some excellent insights to share but again, there is no denying that he may have also been a madman.

8. I also think that "Walden - or life in the woods" by Thoreau is a major work. What is your opinion on his essay "Civil Disobedience"? Do you think this text is still relevant in 2010?

"Civil Disobedience" is an extremely important and brave work which proved to be very influential. Much of what is talked about is still relevant today.

.sialla

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KICKBACK Et le Diable rit avec nous (2011)

Ayant ainsi à tenir compte de lecteurs très et peu attentifs, et diversement influents, je ne peux évidemment parler en toute liberté. Je dois surtout prendre garde à ne pas trop instruire n'importe qui. Le malheur des temps m'obligera donc à écrire, encore une fois, d'une façon nouvelle. Certains éléments seront volontairement omis; et le plan devra rester assez peu clair. On pourra y rencontrer, comme la signature même de l'époque, quelques leurres.

L'obscénité est la béquille des esprits faibles.

Voici ce que j'ai pu remarquer: ça nous en a traumatisé plus d'un ce « This is for us, this is not for you ». Ça a même dérapé, à coup de clavier interconnecté, chacun criant son appartenance à coup de smileys, à coup de recours juvénile à la phonétisation où ne reluisait pas toujours le bon goût. Les gars voulaient s'entre-étrangler avec les fils de leur souris. Un véritable débat sociétal sur l'appartenance à la nation Kickback. Et, comme pour se légitimer d'en être un, le recours à l'insulte à leur égard, à l'égard du groupe, pour évoquer semble-t-il une certaine familiarité, s'est rapidement imposé : « nous sommes amis, c'est mes petites putes à moi. Enfin, pas directement : mais je connais un mec qui les connait. Mais bien sûr mon gars, qu'est-ce que tu crois ? Ce poster au-dessus de mon lit, c'est pour quoi ? C'est les trois dingos détraqués fous à lier les plus fous que j'ai jamais vu. Je like leurs news depuis près de trois ans vieux, j'ai même aperçu ces connards dans une salle de concert parisienne. Mais ouais putain, pour de vrai, crois moi. Enfin.. je crois que c'était eux : j'ai vu une équipe de trois Monsieur Propre sappée en North Face, dont le plus grand à ce regard toxique du mec qui se projette constamment une scène de viol. Ouais, constamment... ce pauvre vieux a le cerveau complétement ruiné par le crack. La haine. Ou pire, peut-être : un agresseur de poulets. Ce sont les pires, à ce qu'on dit. Ils t'attrapent un poulet vivant, lui coincent le cou sous la lunette des chiottes, et allons-y c'est la fête, y a rien de mieux qu'y disent. Putain. Une fois on l'a amené en colonie verte, histoire qu'il puisse voir autre chose que du béton dans sa vie. Pendant que ses petits camarades goûtaient sous l'ombre clairsemée de cette foret, bouffaient des tartines, lui, et son vas-y que je pisse dans le lavabo lorsque j'suis invité chez des amis, il marche jusqu'à une fourmilière, y donne quelques petits coups de pied avec ses Air Max pour en faire sortir une poignée d'insectes ensommeillées. Puis baisse sa braguette et leur pisse à la gueule. « Allez, les filles, c'est ma tournée ! ». Un véritable frappadingue certifié, sorti tout droit du fond du nid de coucou. »

NOTHING IS TRUE, EVERYTHING IS PERMITTED

Je me permets donc de contribuer, modestement, à cette entreprise. Et par exemple en rappelant que le plus tout jeune Stephen, gonfalonier de la provocation moderne, n'a pas baisé que de la petite Thaïlandaise anorexique de 15 ans dans sa vie. Il y a eu un avant. Un avant le succès « No Surrender », et le cash qu'a suivit. Ce poète de la langue française, cet extrémiste du bescherelle, quoi!, s'est tapé du lourd aussi. Il m'avait parlé de cette ménagère analphabète avec cet excès pondéral, comme on dit de nos jours, rendant difficile la stabilisation d'une interface de connexion charnelle opératoire. Sa surcharge en graisse était si importante que le frêle Bessac (dis moi, d'ailleurs, Patrice est de ta famille ? Un porte-parole du PCF.. faudrait pas que ça s'ébruite cette affaire), à tâtons dans le noir, peinait à trouver un orifice. Un orifice quelconque. Il lui arrivait de trouver trop de pseudo-vagins, d'en élire un, pour finir par se rendre compte en redescendant du climax de son éreintant labeur qu'il avait fait l'amour à quelque repli cutané accidentel et temporaire du bas abdomen. Cette salope ne le guidait pas.

Je me rappelle également de cette conversation autour de ce fabuleux velouté de soupe au soja et à la citronnelle, parfait pour avoir un ton radieux. Nous refaisions une fois de plus le monde: animé par son discours malthusien saupoudré d'un zeste de darwinisme social, son « Oui, moi je suis une bite. C'est ça. Je suis une misérable bite.", il me faisait part, à sa manière, de sa réticence envers l'État Providence :

- Tu sais comment ça marche, de nos jours. Si t'es pas une femme ou un bronzé...

- On ne dit pas « bronzés » Stephen, le corrige-je. On dit « gens de couleur ».

- Ah ? Quelle différence ça fait ? 

- « Bronzés », c'est raciste. 

- Pardon. Gens de couleur, c'est ce que je voulais dire. Bien sûr. Nos frères et sœurs à l'épiderme plus mat, plus sombre, si tu veux. Ça va comme ça ? 

- Mon pote, tu cherches les emmerdes. 

- Pardon.   

-  Continue. 

- Ouais, donc si t'es pas un homo ou un juif ou mieux encore, une lesbienne haïtienne clandestine en chaise roulante intellectuellement défavorisée, t'as plus aucune chance de faire une belle carrière professionnelle... Putain d'assistanat. Où est le justice en ce bas monde ? 

- Nulle part. Et c'est pire encore dans le prochain. Mais pour commencer, il faut que tu arrêtes de boire autant. Tu vas te choper des calculs rénaux, des problèmes de foie, une pancréatite, voir même des avarices. Joue pas au con. Tu t'en rends bien compte, les années passent. Ça craque un peu, à présent. La position accroupie te réussit moins bien que par le passé. Rotules un brin grippées ? Fémurs noués ? Vertèbres plus aussi souples qu'elles le devraient ? Faut que t'apprennes à prendre soin de toi vieux...

 

Etc. Etc. Il est comme ça Stef, on va pas le refaire à son âge. Et Pascal ? Ah... Pascal, c'est un autre monde. C'est autre chose. Un humaniste, abattu, sur les cimes du désespoir. Dégoûté par tout ce bordel ambiant. Un chic type. Il se lamente sur les masses comprimées qui endurent leur vie embourbée dans un marais de smog, de violences, de drogues, de patrouilles de police, d'embouteillages, de maladies, de greffes de cœur, de greffes de sphincters, de bébés à deux têtes, de prématurés hydrocéphales, de conflits incessants, de haine bouillonnante, de taux d'irascibilité en inflation, pour jouir des plaisirs de la Croissance, de la Prospérité et du Progrès.

Ça lui fait de la peine tout ça, pauvre vieux. Il est bien porté sur la chose aussi, ça lui plaît ça, il s'évade comme ça. Jamais bien loin des putes, comme il se plait à dire. Mais il a bon fond. Il se questionne, c'est tout. Une fois, il me l'a avoué : « Faut croire que j'suis qu'un foutu vieux pervers, je l'ai toujours été, je le serai toujours et qu'est-ce que j'y peux bon sang ! À part me nouer un gros élastique dur autour des couilles jusqu'à ce que ces bons vieux bijoux de famille noircissent et se dessèchent et tombent comme un kumquat pourri? Et si ça suffit pas, m'enfiler le dard dans un moulin à saucisson et m'en raboter quelques centimètres ? ». Arrête, te fais pas autant de mouron : ça passera bien un jour.

FUCK FRIENDS, WE NEED ENEMIES

Et le Diable rit avec nous. Étant donné la profondeur artistique exacerbée de l'emballage, nous ne nous étonnerons sans doute pas d'apprendre que c'est encore le groupe qui est à l'origine de cette pochette. Un coup de génie cette idée de tête de mort. Le logo du groupe dessiné avec Paint, et je lançai la production massive de sérigraphie à mes propres frais.

Je n'entreprendrai pas de raconter par le menu les autres nombreuses aventures de nos amis communs: les plus gros formats n'y suffiraient pas. Et puis, il me revient à l'esprit qu'à l'époque de la parution de mon article sur No Surrender, je m'étais attiré les foudres de quelques illettrés arborant la carte de membre du fan-club KKK, ceux que je surclasse d'au moins 40 points sur l'échelle de QI de Stanford et Binet (Hin ? C ki ceu la?!??), bien décidés à protéger les éventuels affronts adressés à l'encontre de leurs idoles, comme si ces derniers n'étaient pas en mesure de riposter. Une véritable garde rapprochée, bordel, presque 5000 amis. D'abord ahuris, ils répliquèrent par une allocution d'une extrême vivacité, où le terme de connard revenait avec une fréquence regrettable. Tout un monde de terreurs et de doutes tournoya sous mon crâne (un enfant, inspiré par la lecture de sa mère avant que cette dernière lui dise de mettre la table ?, était même allé jusqu'à me qualifier de « lecteur de Télérama »... pauvre chou, si tu savais), à cette époque, la muse de la Prose n'avait que légèrement effleuré, du bout de son aile, mon front d'Ange. La musique donc, rien que la musique mon petit gars.

Les héros, c'est du pipeau. Du gros pipeau de big-band de mes couilles. Okay. Mais l'estime que je porte à ce No Surrender n'a pas faiblit : toute période et tout style confondu, je le place dans le peloton de tête. Dans le Top 5, ouais. Tellement incroyable que les remerciements ne seront pas de trop. Quelques uns également pour ne pas avoir laissé filer dix piges pour nous sortir un nouveau skeud. J'ai décidé d'arrêter d'écrire pour l'Internet il y a plus d'un an et demi (quelque chose s'est perdu, tu m'étonnes !, et on y a vraiment tous perdu au change : geekisation des musiques extrêmes. Messieurs, cassez-vous de ces conneries : vous êtes l'un des rares groupes qui suscitent assez d'intérêt sans poster des trailers de trailer de clip-vidéo ou la photo du catering) et pourtant, je fais l'exception pour celui-ci : trop de tentation. Tellement attendu. Sur ce créneau, ils continuent toujours d'écraser la concurrence, mais par rapport au dernier, ce « Et le Diable rit avec nous » m'apparait néanmoins en deçà niveau intensité. Des pics de violence, des sommets de malignité, mais également quelques creux, trop portés sur le côté grandiloquent-décadent allah Diapsiquir. Et puis, les deux reprises mise de côté, terriblement trop court. Mais je prends, plutôt deux fois qu'une. Le recul sur cet album pourrait bien modifier un peu la donne. Il est déjà bien parti pour tourner une chiée de fois dans les écouteurs. Respect.




CHRONIQUES: 

KICKBACK - NO SURRENDER (2009)
ARKHON INFAUSTUS  - PERDITION INSANABILIS (2004)

INTERVIEW:

KICKBACK - INTERVIEW (2012)

.caedes

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USX/STEVE VON TILL/MINSK Interview (2010)

US.CHRISTMAS:

1. What represents for you Hawkwind? How did you discover this band? What is your opinion on the Hawkwind 2010, including the full-length "Blood of the Earth"?

Nate: Hawkwind is a great band, one that definitely made their mark. I first heard Hawkwind several years ago, but of course I had been into Motorhead for many years at that time - so I had heard the name mentioned before. I haven't heard the new album, so I can't comment. I am most familiar with the Lemmy-era stuff.

2. How the idea of this split had come? Is it was difficult for you to make these covers? To keep your identity without altering the identity of Hawkwind?

I first heard the idea from Sanford Parker, but I'm not sure how long the idea had been kicked around before that. That was almost four years ago. It was difficult to learn and record the songs, we went through three recording sessions before we got it right. The hardest part was learning the counts, the timing and changes. I think we did a good job of being true to the songs and still putting out stamp on them.

3. Are you in contact with them? They have listened to this split? What are their opinion?

We have never had any contact with any Hawkwind members, so I don't know if they have heard it. I would like to know what have to say about it.

4. Do you think that it would be possible to see a tour USX/HAWKWIND?

Anything is possible, and I'm sure we would take an offer seriously. But again, I have no idea if they even know who we are, or if they care.

5. But when you love a great band, you don't want to contact them? Meet them? Tell them that you did a split in their honor?

Not really. For example, if I saw Bob Dylan somewhere I probably would just leave it alone, because if I said something to him and it didn't go well it would shatter my world. It's not that I wouldn't want to meet the guys in Hawkwind, but that wasn't the point. The recording speaks for itself. Sometimes it is better to just let things happen however they happen.

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6. Nate, when you compose music, writing lyrics, etc.., you wonder what opinion about "USX" your kids will have later? This is important to you this "picture"?

I hope they are proud of me, and they hear a lot of the recordings and rough mixes riding in the car with me. I don't play it for anyone else really. They know I play music and they see me with guitars all the time. I give them guitars, teach them to play when they ask. I would love for them to enjoy music as much as I do.

7. Can you explain why the line-up of USX has changed so much for this new album? And especially for Ben Teeter: this guy was really amazing and crazy! I loved it when we had seen at the Roadburn festival and in Lausanne!

I can't explain, and I prefer not to discuss that. No offense, fair question.

8. About "Run Thick In The Night", what are the ideal conditions for listening to this album?

Outside at night.

9. In what state of mind were you? "The Great Cessation"? I had the impression that there were a lot of pain and discomfort in your songs, I found this album much more dark than it seems the first time...

I think there is more hope and beauty in RTITN than in ETLD. I love both albums, but I think ETLD is one of the bleakest albums ever. RTITN is more about the things I love in the night, the moon, the natural world.

10. Can you explain the genesis of the song "Moon In The Flesh And Bone", the last track of your album? There is a particular reason for the echo on your voice? I confess that this is the song I like least... "Fire Is Sleeping"is better for me: have you played that song live in 2009, right? Is one of your older songs?

Those are the same song just played in different ways. I just like delay, the more the better. I have no way to express those ideas other than to play the songs. And yes, we played The Moon In Flesh and Bone on that tour.

11. What memories do you keep your collaboration with RAIG / Igor? I really have a deep respect for his work...

Igor is a good guy and he runs a great label. I will always be grateful to him for releaseing Salt The Wound.

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HARVESTMAN:

1. What represents for you Hawkwind? How did you discover this band? What is your opinion on the Hawkwind 2010, including the full-length "Blood of the Earth"?

Steve Von Till: Hawkwind was a revelation. I discovered them through my love and obsession of Motorhead. When I dove into their Lemmy era recordings I was blown away. Such intensity in psychedelic music from that era was rare. They were the ultimate space rock. Their use of noise and rhythm seemed to inform so much that came later, everything from Throbbing Gristle to punk to Monster Magnet. They also seemed to embody a DIY ethic and real sense of community with their participation in the free festivals, the Stonehenge scene. In my personal musical mythology they became representative of all I loved about English rock, almost like a standard bearer for Celtic Rock. They embodied the spirit of the stones and of sonic exploration, two things I am extremely interested in. They sit alongside the Amebix, Loop, Skullflower, and many others as embodying the true nature of the relationship to the land, epic legends, and psychedelic guitar. I haven't heard their newer work so I can't comment. I did see them at their annual Yule Ritual a few years back while in England.

2. How the idea of this split had come? Is it was difficult for you to make these covers? To keep your identity without altering the identity of Hawkwind?

The guys in U.S. Christmas and Minsk approached me to see if Neurot Recordings was interested was interested in putting out a split of them both doing Hawkwind songs. I of course said "yes, but I have to be part of it!" It was really natural and organic to make these versions. I ended up choosing songs that naturally fit into my own musical strengths and tastes, and recording versions that were very true to the spirit and sound of the original. I didn't ever feel that my identity or that of Hawkwind's was an issue. The songs are timeless and speak for themselves. I just hoped to do them justice and hopefully introduce some new folks to the genius of their output. Being a guitarist, learning Lemmy's basslines from that era was definitely a challenge, but a lot of fun.

3. Are you in contact with them? They have listened to this split? What are their opinion?

We sent them some copies. I have no idea what their opinion is. For me it was simply a way to honor them and their impact on my music.

4. Do you think that it would be possible to see a tour NEUROSIS/HAWKWIND?

Who knows?

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5. You share this split with USX, and now we know for some time that the family Neurosis has given its support to the band. What was your first impression when you heard "Run thick in the night"? There is a significant evolution, compared to "Eat the Low Dogs"... I think that this full length is more influenced by your solo project and the folk music of Scott, do you agree?

I don't agree or don't hear an influence of my music on them at all. They are very focused on their own strange and amazing Appalachian spin on dirge filled space rock. I love their dedication to what they do, and the heartfelt nature of their songcraft. They are a great band and just keep getting better. They are full of vital spirit and their evolution makes complete sense. I love everything they have done.

6. The change of line-up of USX was very important for this album: you can't find it strange to keep the same name after such a change? In the end, and although I am a big fan of their music, USX seems to boil down mainly to the personality of one man, Nate ... the opposite of Neurosis, for example.

That's not really a question, but more of a comment. Nate and Matt have stayed true to their vision and surrounded themselves with people inspired to realize that vision and push the envelope to the next place on their sonic journey.

7. I am a huge fan of Amenra! And I think you also have affinities with this band... What you like about Amenra? How was your European tour? You think Amenra could one day working with Neurot Recordings? (ndlr: not confirmed yet) I have rarely encountered people as sincere with their music...

Amenra is great! They are artistically very deep and multi talented, from their music, visuals, art, print media etc. I really admire what they do. We would love to work with Amenra. I agree, I have rarely met people so dedicated and true with their music. We share a deep kinship with them when it comes to that way of recognizing the true personal nature and spiritual value of our art. They are brothers.

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MINSK:

1. What represents for you Hawkwind? How did you discover this band? What is your opinion on the Hawkwind 2010, including the full-length "Blood of the Earth"?
CB- Hawkwind represents most if not all of the elements we find crucial in music that we love.  Their music is ethereal yet driving, it can be deafening but also understated and somber, and it seeks to unlock the secrets of the human psyche, all of which are elements Minsk hopes to incorporate into our songs.  I myself was introduced to Hawkwind by a friend who described them as Lemmy's old space rock band.  I had to discover them after hearing such a description.  I have not yet heard "Blood Of The Earth".  I will seek it out now. 


2. How the idea of this split had come? Is it was difficult for you to make these covers? To keep your identity without altering the identity of Hawkwind?
CB- The idea for the split came while staying with our wonderful friends in US Christmas and driving through night in the North Carolina woods while listening to "Warrior On The Edge Of Time".  Nate Hall(USX) asked Steve Von Till if he would consider releasing it, and he agreed to do so as long as he could be a part of the project.  Recording the covers did take quite a lot of work, but it really helped us to learn some new things as a band and as musicians.  I feel like each band really did a splendid job of maintaining their own identities while giving credence to the original versions of the songs.  For Minsk, the whole recording process was very rewarding and enjoyable. 


3. Are you in contact with them? They have listened to this split? What are their opinion?
CB- We personally have not been in contact with them.  I would be very curious to hear their opinions of the Triad.

HAWKWIND TRIAD CD AVAILABLE HERE

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