Tenebrositas from Croatia is a black metal band, and when I say black metal, I mean the way it should be, raw, primitive, desolate but also melodic and emotional. The new album is in works, so it was about time to talk for my zine with the mastermind Kktz.

THERE WAS QUITE SOME TIME FROM YOUR LAST ALBUM. HOW WAS THE REACTION AND FEEDBACK TO THE ALBUM? WAS THERE A PHYSICAL COPY OR JUST DIGITAL ONE?

First, sorry for my bad English but I will try to answer all your questions.  „Forever Nothing“ was second full length album by Tenebrositas, digitally released on Bandcamp in 2015. Since then it was released on tape by Wulfrune Worxx in France, and as proCDr by my own label Olden Sonorities. Soon to be re-released on tape by Dark Ritual in Germany. I am really satisfied with reaction as this is completely underground Black Metal in the style that isn’t trendy or hyped.

WHY BLACK METAL? WHAT IS THE BEAUTY IN THIS MUSIC? IS BLACK METAL ELITIST MUSIC? IS IT CONSERVATIVE AND PURIST TOWARDS OTHER METAL AND OTHER UNDERGROUND GENRE?

Melancholy and aggression, as it was defined by second wave, the purity of BM. I also like first wave sound and other old school variations of the genre, but with Tenebrositas I concentrate on just BM. So yes, you can say it is conservative as I am not into modern styles. Elitist to some generic to others, I guess. I got nothing to prove, it is how it works for me.

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR SONGS? DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THE BLEAKNESS OF SLAVONIA WASTELANDS OR FROM YOUR INNER BEING? DO YOU FIGHT YOUR INNER DEMONS IN THE LYRICS?

With all its natural resources Slavonia should be the rich and beautiful region, but now it is indeed very bleak, dying part of the Europe. Such reality for sure inspired malistic (malism – the doctrine that the world is evil) aesthetics of Tenebrositas. Visions of the forgotten world without any hope, which at the same time are bringing some sort of escapism, because after all it is the music I enjoy.

SINCE TENEBROSITAS IS A ONE MAN BAND DO YOU PREFER IT THAT WAY, SINCE YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT AND DO NOT NEED TO COMPROMISE WITH OTHER BAND MEMBERS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY LIVE SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE WITH REAL SESSION MUSICIANS?

Let it be as it is, once recorded the songs are done, left as some sort of artifacts.

HOW IS THE PROGRESS GOING ON REGARDING THE NEW ALBUM? IS IT GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THAN THE OLDER MATERIAL? WILL YOU USE KEYBOARDS OR MAYBE SAMPLES OR LOOPS?

Every new release is slightly different yet keeping the style of grim, second wave Black Metal. I don’t have a lot of free time, and there’s no need to hurry, but it is not far away from being finished. Just a little touch of electronic ambience, dead cold guitars with a pounding  beat and some slower parts is where I am now, vocals yet to be recorded. The album will be called “Autumnal Servitude”. If someone is actually looking for something more dark ambient / dungeon synth please check my other project Talog.

WHAT KIND OF BLACK METAL DO YOU PREFER TO LISTEN TO? SYMPHONIC BLACK VS RAW BLACK METAL, NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL VS REST OF THE WORLD BLACK METAL?

As I mentioned it before, first wave and second wave are my fave. I like early symphonic black as much as raw black metal, both had very similar emotional and epic sound of 90’s BM, it’s just that later symphonic black went into direction that I don’t like, losing the black roots for me. Old Norwegian Black Metal defines the genre for the reason, times when pure BM was ground breaking gave the best albums. But later most of them changed their sound and that’s where other countries gave their approach and continued with it, even when it was not in trend anymore, so I respect it too.

ARE YOU A SATANIST? DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF SOME SO CALLED HIGHER BEING OR IS IT ONLY US AND HOW WE LIVE THIS LIFE THAT WE HAVE? ARE YOU MAYBE LAVEYAN SATANIST?

Being just myself is enough for me. When I was editor of Fecal Forces Zeen I traded with The Black Flame. LaVeyan perspective on rejecting cheap moralism was interesting but I am afraid hypocrisy is also in the human nature.

IS THE NATURE AND ITS BEAUTY ONE OF THE INSPIRATIONS FOR YOU? DO YOU GET PISSED OFF QUICKLY?

More harsh and depressive sides on nature are influencing Tenebrositas.  About second question, you should ask people around me.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN EYE FOR AN EYE OR STREET JUSTICE?

From what I have seen, I don’t believe in justice. Street justice may be the only justice in some cases, but it may be the way to even bigger corruption, too.

I ONCE HEARD THAT YOU GOT VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HARDCORE PUNK SCENE SO YOU LIKE MORE OR LESS SAID GOODBYE TO IT? IS IT TRUE? IS KKTZ 2017 A VERY DIFFERENT PERSON FROM LETS SAY KKTZ 1997?

I get into hardcore punk in mid 80’s and I am still playing it. If you are interested in old school hc/punk with some metal influences check my current one man band GutterSkull and our 3 piece band Nuclear Altar. I get tired of the preaching that sometimes comes with punk, on the other hand DIY aspect of it is what still defines me as person. Is hardcore punk 2017 a very different scene from say hardcore punk 1997? I think so. Everything changes in 20 years. Then again, someone may say that I am not changing at all, still doing interviews, etc.

THAT IS IT FOR THIS TIME. THANK YOU AND SAY SOMETHING FOR THE END THAT YOU WOULD MAYBE LOVE TO SAY.

Thanx for support once again!

https://www.facebook.com/tenebrositas

http://tenebrositas.bandcamp.com/

Olden Sonorities Distro – https://www.discogs.com/seller/kktz/profile

 

We met Zach, the singer for the American band PEARS at Punk Rock Holiday and did an interview with him for this zine. We really talked about everyting, so check it out!

Me:Okay we are here with Zach…

Zach:Is this audio recording? Okay, how are you doing, this is Zach from Pears.

Me:How is the tour being going so far?

Zach:Its been awesome. This is our most fun European tour yet. I think mostly because we managed not to kill each other. So weve been getting along really well, the shows have been really good, the people are super friendly, so its beed a blast.

Me:How would you compare the European punk hardcore scene and the scene in the United States?

Zach:In the US the dont like to let you sleep in the bed and feed you and they love doing that shit over here which we really appreciate. I guess there is a lot of like, I feel there is an element of gratitude here, that just isnt in the US. In the States, the kids are kinda spoiled you know, especially like the major cities that like every tour goes through, so theyve seen every band ever and when you go there, they are like:great(sarcasm). Theyre excited but when we come here everybody is like really excited.

Me:The same shit happened in our country, 20+years there was a war in ex Yugoslavia, I dont know if you are familiar with…

Zach:No, I am not into history.

Me:Well, there was one state Yugoslavia, made of six smaller states, governed by communist socialist regime, the guy called Tito, if you heard. After Tito died, the nationalistic tensions emerged and at the beginning of the 90-ies there was a pretty big civil war between Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia….So, 20+years ago when I was brought up on a punk hardcore scene we had very few shows and were looking forward to every show. Foreign bands didnt come often or not at all, we only had our diy bands so I wanted to say, kids in my country also became spoiled since like 2000 onward because nowadays multitude of bands come and play, we are an EU member so the borders are easier to cross…

Zach:So you get basically lot more tours and kids are less and less grateful.

Me:So what do you think about PRH? In my opinion it is the most awesome festival in Europe.

Zach:It is so beautiful out here. Like, I mean, getting to hang out and listen to these bands is great. I am also one of those spoiled kids because I play shows with them all the time you know. So I think like can I watch this band again you know? Its like cool, but I have seen it. Watching all these bands in this setting is so beautiful and amazing. And the weather is like New Orleans too. So, it might get muggy, but it feels like home(laughter).

Me:The part of Croatia where we are from in the north is also muggy, we have two rivers and it used to be swampy area there.

Zach:Swamp? Cool, I am comfy with swamp.

Me:You are from New Orleans right?

Zach:Yeah, we are New Orleans based band. I am comfy when I am sweating behind the knees(laughs).

Me:You have cajun food down there.

Zach:Oh yes, cajun kitchen, very fine. I am not cajun but cajun food is amazing.

Me:There is Crowbar in New Orleans and Phil Anselmo is also from New Orleans.

Zach:There is lot of metal from New Orleans and right outside New Orleans there is a town nicknamed Metallry because of how many bands come from there.

Me:I really love New Orleans metal sound, sludgy sound because it is like greasy. When I listen to for example EyeHateGod I can almost feel that sweat and grease and mud.

Zach:Its got that Southern vibe.

Me:How do you guys manage not to kill each other on tour? Is it hard to be in the same van, in the same ride for months?

Zach:Yeah, its really hard, I dont know how we manage but were getting better at it all the time. Its all about really kinda learning to make sacrifices and, you know, put each other first over yourself. I think thats when it comes down to were getting better and better at being more considerate towards one another and it just makes a happier environment to be in.

Me:One big happy family, so to say.

Zach:Yeah, I mean two years ago we were like cats and dogs, you know like fuck you all the time but you get used to it, youre better at it.

Me:You still work with Fat Wreck Chords?

Zach;Oh yeah!

Me:How did the cooperation happen? Did they contact you or?

Zach:That actually happened because of Ryan Young, Everything good that ever happened to us is because of Ryan Young. He released our vinyl originally but it was never his intention to have us forever, he wanted to find someone to pick it up so yeah, he put us in touch with Fat. He got Mike to listen to it, he got Erin to listen to it.

Me:I talked to one of my friends from one of, how should i put it, bigger Croatian melodic punk hardcore bands and he believes that like, when you sign for Fat, its like you made it. It is one of the best still independent punk labels and as a band you do not compromise your music and ideals by signing for them.

Zach:Right, its nice, I mean like they are just so artist friendly, theyre into you being creative and being you and theyre not like mega contract binding, they just wanna make you happy and comfortable. I man its the greatest label in the world.

Me:How did you get in contact with the whole underground thing? Do you still remember your first show when you were just a little punk?

Zach:Oh wow! I am not sure I remember who was playing but I remember there was a slamm venue in Matheny called Cypress Hall and they would have diy shows. This was basically like an empty room, the band would just set there like in this warehouse and I remember going there when I was like 12-13 and all the kids were wearing funny clothes, this was kinda cool.

Me:Like, this was where you wanted to be.

Zach:Yeah, absolutely.

Me:Did you see any violence at the shows while touring? Ignite played here two days ago and Zoli said that he was so thankful that this is violence free festival, everybody is so kind, taking care of each other and that they have seen a lot of violence. I sometimes get the feeling that in America from like the other half of 90-ies up to now, there is still much violence going on at the shows, like cliques city against city and stuff, is it real?

Zach:Its definitely something that was around when I first started going to the shows but I dont really see it much anymore. I think a lot of it has to do with the Internet. I think the Internet has a lot of good and bad things, and one of the good things about it is kinda everybody has been introduced to everybody. You know what I mean? So like I dont see anymore cliques to the point when it becomes violent, like I remember when I was a kid, you see like the punks fighting the skinheads or the hardcore guys would fight the punks.

Me:In our country we had many troubles with the skinheads in the 90-ies.

Zach:Skinheads always find the way to be the pain in the ass. Now I feel its less divided, everybody kinda knows everybody and thank God for that. I cant even imagine, you read stories like LA and New York in like 1981 at the shows, those kids like literally killing each other.

Me:I think the guys from Agnostic Front and Cro Mags really lived what they sing about. Roger, Vinnie Stigma and Harley Flanagan.

Zach:Yeah, I mean they lived through the era of punkrock gangs, I am so happy I missed that.

Me:How was the feedback for your latest album?

Zach:Great! The reception was awesome. It was hard following the first record because we have never written a record that we knew people were going to listen to. The first Pears record we wrote still thinking like it was going to do nothing. Now that so many people are paying attention and it was time to write another record it was like fuck, everybody is looking at me! Stop looking at me!(laughs)

Me:Its like you felt some kind of pressure to top the previous record is it?

Zach:Yeah, it was intimidating but I have never been more proud of anything than the second Pears record and I am happy we pulled it off and it was really good.

Me:Did you play with some Croatian bands while touring? Do you know any Croatian bands?

Zach:I dont know any Croatian bands like right now at the top of my head. I probably know Croatian or Slovenian bands but I dont know who is from where, it has been so many.

Me:Thank you Zach, that would be it. Do you have anything to add?

Zach:Well, new music comes in October, check it out! I am coming back to Europe solo in September with Joey Cape and Pears will be back in November. Follow our Facebook page for more information.

 

When I first heard the record “A Place To Call Home” by this Southamerican band it made me fall in love in their music immediately. I met Dalin and the guys personally at Punk Rock Holiday this Summer and I made this interview there with Dalin.

Tell me how did you get into whole underground thing, the underground scene, how did you start going to gigs, listen to the music?

First of all, thank you for this, I really appreciate the love and support. Basically, I was 13 years old Southamerican kid and kinda heard this music by NOFX, Lagwagon, bands like Strung Out, basically I got into this because of skating, I was a skater, you know. I followed this path because I really liked the message of bands like Propagandhi and Good Riddance. I never expected to be famous or recognized because for me it was more the fun thing and I discovered there were people in the scene that think like me, so I could take my band and play through the countries of South America.

You have a new album out. What is the difference between the new album and the last one you did?

We switched to singing in English about four years ago and released two albums in English. One is “Beyond Borders” in 2015. and the new one ” A Place To Call Home”. They are different because the new one is like more positive, lyrics are more comprehensive. The tunes are more rythmically happy and “Beyond Borders” is kinda an obscure album with political songs, the new album is also musically different because of the energy, it is hundred percent positive and people tell us that it is different compared to the old one.

Yes, I mean, the new album is nice, because, in my opinion, you kept that political edge about living in South America. How is living in South America different now that you have seen and experienced European living and culture?

When I was singing in Spanish for years, I was able to sing about the themes like politics in society and being in a band I realized I was somehow empowered so I turned to write smarter lyrics for people to open their eyes and realize there is so much shit going on in todays society. The difference between South America and Europe? Many of the Euro bands sing in English and the topics are quite similar and people are used to political lyrics. Being a band from South America in not like that, you have to sing about good things and you can not sing against the state or government. To us, it was a huge step to come here because it was not easy for us to cross all that borders. Our lyrics are now in English so people can understand that we have same problems with corruption and stuff, so in fact the whole world is one united nation.

You are on tour right now. How is the tour going? The specifics for this tour is that you have no rented van, no tour bus, no big music business, its total DIY, like traveling by train, by bus, by hitched cars, so how did the tour go so far?

Well, you can call this tour “The Third World Tour”. For us, everything is good, were making some new friends, were meeting old friends. I dont mind taking buses, taking trains it feels kinda weird but I am used to this. We see the scenes in other countries and were having fun, thats the point. I was very sad because I wanted to play in Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro but I wasnt able to do this, because as a Colombian  I need special visa. So, we tried to reach the most countries we could and this tour was possible because of the support and love of the many people involved. My beautiful friends, so this tour is made by love and so far it is okay, its really cool. After we play here, were going to Umag, Croatia and the last show in Graz, Austria. Its like eleven shows.

Do you have any newer South American bands that you would like to recommend to check out? When I was a kid we only knew Sepultura, Ratos De Porao, Acao Direta…Is there a new scene? As I understand you live in Porto Allegre. How is the scene in your town?

Well, there was a huge scene in my town and the whole continent but now the people that made the scene back then grew up and it is not the same as it was back then. I used to play to five to ten thousand people, sold a lot of merch but now only small venues and diy shows remain and fifty or hundred kids show up at the show. But it is still great because it is not about big venues or numbers. When you have a big, corrupt government the music is sometimes the only way out.

Thank you Dalin! It was an honour to do this interview!

Keep up the good work and thanks!