Taipei Metal

Interview: Hrizg

Spanish misanthropic one-man black metal act Hrizg recently released its second full-length record, Anthems to Decrepitude, via Moribund Cult Records. Taipei Metal corresponded with the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist for whom the band is named.

Taipei Metal: Hrizg's new album, Anthems to Decrepitude, possesses a very raw sound with nods to the early Burzum and Mayhem releases. What drew you to this raw approach?

Hrizg: Ave! It is because this is the Black Metal I like and I usually hear. I mix this influences with some other southern Black Metal bands, and as I see it, Hrizg is a sum of those sounds.

Taipei Metal: How have you progressed musically on this album and how does Anthems differ lyrically and musically from your previous full length, Oaken Path of Grief?

Hrizg: “Oaken Path of Grief” was lyrically done in a more heathen way, talking of some topics of my Celtic past and land. “Anthems to Decrepitude” is darker and more into the esoteric and luciferian themes. Musically, “Anthems” is faster, more technical and with better production.

Taipei Metal: When writing such bleak music, what sort of personal rituals must you undertake, be they mental, physical, or both?

Hrizg: It depends of the day. It sometimes flows naturally and some others I search for a mental mood. I don't hurt my body with knifes, for example. That's stupid. I do Black Metal for the strong!

Taipei Metal: Black metal musicians often have very strong opinions on what their chosen genre should entail. What is your vision of what black metal in general should sound like?

Hrizg: I think Black Metal must sound raw, extreme and dark. It must show extreme and true values, not fake and empty music for fools. Black Metal should give you an extreme feeling and message. I don't think it's a style to show how cool you are, you know.

Taipei Metal: What are your thoughts on the modern black metal scene as a whole?

Hrizg: I don't use to hear new Black Metal bands, except for some exceptions. I think most of the bands record and write music with not real feeling, and as I say in the previous question, they are fake.

Taipei Metal: What is your opinion of more mainstream acts that have adopted part of the black metal sound and aesthetic, such as Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir,and made them more commercial?

Hrizg: I hate it. I don't like vinyl clothes, nor gothic shit, nor vampiric retarded attitude. I think Black Metal shouldn't be commercial at all. I see this style in permanent communion with the underground.

Taipei Metal: What is the reason behind keeping Hrizg a one-man act?

Hrizg: Because I think Black Metal is the best expression of individualism. All you can hear/see in my albums  are made by myself. This is the total meaning of my dark art. Another reason too is that I don't discuss anything with other egocentric musicians.

Taipei Metal: What are the challenges and benefits of working alone?

Hrizg: It is quite easy for me to write my stuff alone. I always did everything in other bands so this is not a problem for me. I love to record everything in studio, do the artwork and take care of all aspects of my albums.

Taipei Metal: Lyrically, where do you draw inspiration?

Hrizg: I take influences from religion/anti religion, from my personal view of the world, from paganism and reading a lot of books. I take some inspiration from some films too and other art expressions.

Taipei Metal: Hrizg is apparently orcish for “pain”, and you have explored elements of Tolkien's works in some of your past songs. What draws you toward the realm of fantasy?

Hrizg: I did it in my previous album “Oaken Path of Grief”. I searched a more pagan/fantasy oriented Black Metal album as a tribute to the bands I like to hear. Tolkien is one of my favorite authors so this was very natural for me to take this inspiration.

Taipei Metal: Previously, you made use of a session drummer, but now handle all the instruments yourself. What led you to stop using a session drummer?

Hrizg: This session drummer helped me in only two tracks of my first album. All the demos I have recorded and this new one are made by myself. I have a personal style in playing drums, guitars, etc., and I don't see this kind of playing and compromise in any other musician of my area.

Taipei Metal: What are your plans for the future of Hrizg?

Hrizg: I plan to release some demo stuff before to start to record a third album and, maybe, do some gigs. Not sure. Things are in a constant change.

http://www.myspace.com/hrizg