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interview

> Exkkklusive Interview

MELEK-THA has been part of the dark music soundscapes for a while already, and despite their first CD they remain quite an unknown underground act, playing in the fields of Dark Oppressive Ambient Music. But their recent deal with COLD SPRING Records (Archon Satani, Merzbow, etc.) might mark the dawn of a new age for MELEK-THA... Time to speak to MELEK-THA's genius: Lord Evil.

 

For a start, could you remind us MELEK-THA's history? When did hell break loose?

Well, I've created MELEK-THA 3 years ago now. Before that, I was more into creating intros/outros for my compilation tape: Infernal Diatribes, and my first CD on EVIL OMEN Records: Vociferous & Machiavelian Hate, as well as for other albums like Luciferion, Fallen Christ, Demoniac, Conqueror, etc... Back to the birth of MELEK-THA, I found out there was a scene for that kind of music and being myself an adept of True Occult and Unhealthy Music, MELEK-THA was born! On the 1st album Astrum Argentinum, I was helped by my bloodbrother Nicolas, he helped me for photos and promotion. But now I'm alone for the worse, others keep the best!

How did you get signed on ADIPOCERE Records?

After having recorded my 1st album in my home studio, I've sent several promo-tapes and Christian of ADIPOCERE came up with a deal.

Are you happy with their work?

When it comes to the production of this Black Opus and its distribution, I'm rather satisfied, but for the rest, a silence is better than bad words about a partial rip-off!! No money, no info about how many CDs were made, no real contract... But I notice Astrum Argentinum is still available on this new "Club Dial" of metal mail-order!!

Astrum Argentinum... is an occult sect's name, right?

The Astrum Argentinum was created by Aleister Crowley in 1907. Whatever people say about this dark character, he has influenced a large number of bands, writers and others. Sex, Magic and Money are not incompatible!! Haha! As far as I'm concerned, I believe in forces of raw Evil, without afterthoughts!! Evil is part of our life, so why would you want to avoid it, let's live with it! It's much more honnest.

Where do you find inspiration?

I take inspiration of all that is absolutely Black and puzzling. Life in general is pretty stressful and when it's time to rest, the most unhealthy nightmares come up! It's your job to try and keep track! Sometimes I write several songs in 1 or 2 days, and then nothing during several weeks! But I don't live after the Moon's rythm, hehe! So I can still work on songs at days! I think what's most important, is to know how to listen to your environment, noises, silences and music can give you great ideas!

How do you compose your songs?

I don't see myself as a true musician. I'm more like an alchemist of sounds and with a large range of different sounds I can create the unbearable, the apocalypse! I first create the song's base and then integrate modifications, progressions and at last all the effects, voices and noises that will make up the final version. For some songs, I sometimes manage to have several different versions, and I'm always adding stuff!! But that's what it's meant to be, no? I play the songs with KORG-Roland synthetisers + box effects Boss Pro + drums machine and I also make all samples. I also integrate parts of horror or action movies, documentaries, etc. That's it, this is MELEK-THA: a maelstrom of sounds to create the most Unhealthy and Apocalyptic Music ever! My dream is to compose a movie soundtrack! The War of Worlds, maybe?

Is there any precise concept in MELEK-THA?

MELEK-THA is just the music I'd like to hear from a band but since it did not exist, I have created it! I am the Faust of Ritual Music! Haha!

You have signed with COLD SPRING. How did you get in touch with them and what's the deal?

I have sent them tapes with my albums and after thinking about it, they signed me! I'm really glad they're working with me. I didn't want to make the same mistake and sign on a 'Metal' label. I believe Justin will do his best for MELEK-THA like he does for COLD SPRING's other bands. The deal is pretty good and I hope they can sell 100000 CDs, haha! It's been a while since I wanted to beat the sales figures of Cradle of Filth and co... The album will be called De Magia Naturali Daemoniaca and should be out in November 98. Time will tell what Hell is preparing...

De Magia... and Post Nuclear Race bring very different images to the mind. Could you explain the musical or conceptual differences between those albums?

Sure there is a conceptual difference between De Magia... and Post Nuclear Race! I don't know if listeners will grasp it, but De Magia... is an Opus dedicated to the Dark, the Occult, the Magic!! There's also a song dedicated to these warriors who died for a cause supposed to be religious, but that sent these warriors to Hell. I'm thinking of the Crusades. Post Nuclear Race is an album about human barbaria in general, which will lead to the destruction of the race. After the nuclear holocaust a new Race will rise, that will redefine all rules from the most basic ones... Musically this album is more repetitive with lots of industrial sounds, drums samples, it's very stressful, normal before the end of the world!

What happened between Astrum... and today? (other than the two new albums)

Well, I've actually recorded 3 new albums for MELEK-THA, and these two will soon be out. When it comes to EVIL OMEN, I have put out several albums (Enthroned, Demoniac) and I have two new albums ready to go out in September. Conqueror (CAN), a most extreme band, and Decayed who play Black Metal in the purest tradition of Venom and Celtic Frost! Two superb albums for the connoisseurs!

You've also prepared songs for a compilation?

In fact it's only one (previously) unreleased song for a US compilation out on AVA/ES1 Recordings, a CD that's just been out! Other than that Adipocere has included part of a song from Astrum... on a compilation CD out with (the French version of) the magazine Metallian. Post Nuclear Race should be out on a US label called SELF ABUSE Records and will be limited to 300 or 500 copies! So it will be a collector item! And of course De Magia... on COLD SPRING! Remains Ancestral Resurrections! Anyone interested?

You've dedicated yourself to a part of the metal scene for many years, yet MELEK-THA is not a Metal project... What kind of music do you like? What are your fave bands?

I like a lot of things really, Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dreams, Klaus Shultze, ZZ Top, In Slaughter Natives, Laibach, Sielwolf, Dead Can Dance, Sadistik Execution, Lord Chaos, Magma, etc... My fave bands: Acheron, Nile, Sadistik Execution, Blasphemy, Nomenculture Diablerie, Sarcofago, Celtic Frost, Demoniac, Venom, Bathory (first 4 albums), Merciful Fate, Vader, Impaled Nazarene... Also Sielwolf, Genital Organ, Minox Laya, Lisa Gerard, Daniel Menche, Richard Ramirez, Brighter Death Now, Megaptera, Arcana... and Hellsau, Swamp Terrorist, N-O-N, Steve Vai, Mahavishnu!

How do you manage with your job, EVIL OMEN and MELEK-THA?!

It's beginning to be really hard! I think I'll go on with EVIL OMEN but in a purely underground fashion, today's scene is completely rotten from inside. Too many labels, the big ones kill the others with money, there's no real feeling any more. They just do the kind of stuff that's likely to bring the more money, forgetting quality and bands! A lot of them are dreaming impossible things! It's a pity! As for MELEK-THA, everything's OK for the end of this year! And on that point at least I'm satisfied!

Thanks for your time, Ludo. I'll let you finish this interview...

Well I hope I have conquered the readers souls with my few words!! Hell is here, Apocalypse is for tomorrow, and in the meantime I invite you to listen to De Magia Naturali Demoniaca... and to enter a world unbearable!! Astrum Argentinum is still available from me for 85FF or US$16, as well as the compilation Lunar Blood Rituals featuring MELEK-THA, BaaL, Inade, Chöd, etc. for the same price.

Sur l'oreiller du Mal,
c'est Satan Trimegiste
qui berce longuement notre esprit enchanté !
C'est le Diable
qui tient les fils qui nous remuent !