1. Can you introduce the band? You evolve in a "post-metal" scene in full swing! In Europe, this scene is strongly criticized, many people thinking there are too many clowns of ISIS / NEUROSIS / CULT OF LUNA / PELICAN: what's your opinion about that? According to you, the most important is limiting your influences or playing precisely the music that you like (and you don't care for the criticizes or the current "fashion")?
First off, thank you for asking us to interview in your webzine. We are a five piece instrumental band from Eugene, Oregon; two (sometimes three) guitars, synthesizers, bass and drums. Living in the Pacific Northwest lends a lot to our sound as a band. It's rainy and dark here most of the year, and we can certainly trace some of our influence to these surroundings. It's hard for us to classify our music, so as far as "post-metal" is concerned, we're not sure where we fit. Our influences as a band range widely, and we can be certain that our sound reflects a broad taste in music. Everyone who hears Ninth Moon Black is going to take away something different, and that is something we appreciate. The post-metal genre is young, and to be part of such a diverse branch of expression is a huge part of what inspires us. However, when the day is done, we are our own band. We love playing music, and we all mesh really well together. There will always be critics of anything. Our goal is to be able to do what we love, be good at it, and perhaps there'll be a few people out there to appreciate this.
2. Can you describe me the Pacific Northwest? If I want to plan a roadtrip in Oregon, what are the highlights to see? Do you think that if you lived somewhere else, the sound of Ninth Moon Black would be completely different?
The Pacific Northwest is a highly sought after place to live in the United States, particularly for those who like to stay close to nature. There are mountains to ski and climb, lava tubes and caves for exploring, the Oregon High Desert and the rocky shores of the coast range. The dreary, wet weather certainly impacts the music created here, and Ninth Moon Black inevitably births much of it’s melodies and tones from the mud and sludge that surrounds us, as well finding praise for the rich environment this climate creates. The Pacific Northwest may best be known for the abundance of old growth forest with some areas holding trees that are over a thousand years old. However, over the last seventy years or so, logging has become a big industry and much of the forest is being destroyed. In addition to this industry the Pacific Northwest has also become a hub of anarchist activity, as people fight to preserve the old growth woods. Eugene and Portland are the two main cities and with such an abundance of activism, the state is home of many liberals. As for the sound of NMB, aside from Eric, the other members of the band are not from this area. Erin and Caleb moved here from California, Atom from Illinois which is central United States and Kasey arrived here from New York. If we think in terms of what has shaped us as individuals then a lot of what each of us brings to the table spans from our past experiences of living in different parts of the country. When you take this hybrid of individual experience/emotional resonance and place it in Eugene present time, you get the sound of Ninth Moon Black.
3. In the past, you worked with the label Forgotten Empire Records (I knew only for the collaboration with Across Tundras) and you recorded KALUYG with Billy Barnett (YOB): Why your EP is only available in digital version? The production is incredible, the tracks are very impressive and your artwork is beautiful: evrything looks very professional! Your cooperation with Forgotten Empire went well? Do you have any propositions?
While on Forgotten Empire we met our artist Helder Pedro and our good friends Blckwvs, who are a great German instrumental band we had the opportunity to tour with. With Kalyug, it was never our intention that we distribute the album ourselves. We recorded with the intention of having something to shop to labels and to release to fans for free. The record, however, has exceeded our every expectation and charted on college radio stations across the country. We've had a lot of people ask us to put this record out on vinyl, which is something we've wanted to do but have not been able to afford yet; hopefully soon.
While on Forgotten Empire we met our artist Helder Pedro and our good friends Blckwvs, who are a great German instrumental band we had the opportunity to tour with. With Kalyug, it was never our intention that we distribute the album ourselves. We recorded with the intention of having something to shop to labels and to release to fans for free. The record, however, has exceeded our every expectation and charted on college radio stations across the country. We've had a lot of people ask us to put this record out on vinyl, which is something we've wanted to do but have not been able to afford yet; hopefully soon.
4. Can you give us more information about Michael Cremo? His ideology would be... "creationist"? Can we summarize his thoughts when he proclaims "that modern man has existed for millions of years"? In detail, why you decided to put the words of this man on your EP?
We wrote the music for Kalyug first, so by the time we began searching for samples, we already had the theme in mind. Many of Michael's ideas touched on this. His viewpoints, though pertinent and important, seem largely ignored within mainstream archeological society. Michael is a very interesting and well spoken philosopher, and it has been a pleasure corresponding with him. His voice and ideas were a perfect fit for the mood of Kalyug which made it easy to make a cohesive, appropriate mix of music and concept. It's tough to summarize the thoughts of a man who has spent a lifetime researching the existence of mankind and spiritual devolution. He has however, written several books, and has an excellent website where people can find more information: http://www.mcremo.com
5. About your new record "Chronophage", you decided to working with the legend Billy Anderson: why this choice? He juste made the mastering or all the recording/mixing process? There are some of his releases that you love particularly?
The record was recorded and mixed by engineer Billy Barnett at the local Eugene area Gung Ho Studio. We worked with Barnett on Kalyug, and were excited to work in his studio again for a full length project. Billy Anderson provided mastering for Chronophage, and without question we are more than happy with the full, rich, encompassing tones he was able to help us achieve. He has a wonderful ear for the type of music we create, with an uncanny ability to hone a thick, heavy atmosphere while leaving in tact a diverse dynamic range and a beautiful texture for melodic expression. While Billy’s entire catalogue of work is impressive, Asunder’s A Clarion Call, Cathedral’s Endtyme, Neurosis’ Enemy of the Sun, and Sleep’s Holy Mountain, certainly stick out as pillars of influence and appreciation.
6. I don't know much about your music making progress for these new songs: how was it different than the Kalyug EP? Can you describe this full-length? The promo on Youtube is really great: can't wait to listen it!
Kalyug was written quickly. At the time we were fortunate enough to be in a very creative period when we decided to write a short release. Chronophage is almost the opposite in this respect. Certainly the creative ideas still came fairly easily. Ninth Moon Black is fortunate in that all of us understand the basic needs of the sound and attitudes of our music; melodies, rhythms and concepts can come from anyone, and are generally plentiful. We worked on Chronophage for over two years, paying huge amounts of attention to the detailed relationships of each instrument, their interactions within the overall mood of each piece, and in the end their meaning for the record as a whole. While Kalyug is a concept record, it needed help from the vocal samples of Micheal Cremo to find solidity and cohesion. Chronophage, however, is completely instrumental, and conjures the themes and moods we were looking to instill musically, which took a lot of conscious crafting. It is also a much heavier record, and while we will always leave room for plenty of melodic atmosphere and texture, Chronophage is much more “metal” than Kalyug was. This new record utilizes distorted guitar and keyboard tones and thick sludge ridden dirges to signify the darkness and emptiness that encompasses the progression of time and keeps us all marching wide eyed towards our inevitable death.
7. I assume that you want absolutely to have this record on CD/LP, isn't it? Do you meet some difficulties to find a serious label, interested in releasing music from you?
We will self release Chronophage on CD and digitally and would love to press it to vinyl at some point. Working with a label would be very helpful and we have had some discussions here and there but at this point in time the right opportunity has not presented itself.
8. You start to have some experience with the shows. You told me you live in the same town as Mike, you've done lives with YOB or MIDDIAN? In Europe, there are a lot of people who would like to have the chance to see Mike on stage!! The tour with WITTR and MINSK was an important moment of your career I guess?
We have had the honor of sharing the stage with Middian. Seeing Mike Scheidt is certainly a treat, he is an amazing performer. YOB has brought some greatly deserved credit to the Pacific Northwest.
Although it was only a few shows, touring with Wolves and Minsk was an awesome experience. We played for some larger crowds which always feels good and any chance we get to work with either band again would be welcomed. Touring with great bands is what we love to do and is what we will be continue to do for many years to come. At the end of the day, we're going to do what we do, play what we play, and hopefully people will be receptive.
9. Do you intend to develop your name in Europe now with this new release? Come play here is one of your priority or you think it's a little bit too ambitious for the moment?
Touring Europe is a goal of ours. We have had some fans write to us, asking if we will ever make it across the pond and some have even offered to help us book shows. We don't know if it will happen for the release of Chronophage but it is certainly high on our priority list! If there’s any bands out there who want to take us to Europe with them, we’re ready and willing!
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