Infernus of Gorgoroth’s choice pick of American black metal: IMMOLITH

(by Mark Riddick)
(photography by KK – Diabolist Services)

Signed with Infernus’ (Gorgoroth) Force of Satan Records, IMMOLITH offer up a slab of black metal reminiscent of early 90’s influence and dark atmosphere. It was our pleasure to question these veterans of the underground on their current undertakings…

Immolith is a fairly new band. What inspired you to form this band and what are your intentions?

Isiamon: Immolith represents for me the first time in my musical career where the band is based primarily on my creative vision. Formerly, I’ve been in situations and bands where my input on songs, whether it has been lyrics, riffs, song structure etc., has been very limited. So after meeting Warhead I knew I had found the drummer who could help my make that vision a reality.

Warhead: Our intentions with Immolith are clear; to spread our darkness and illuminate the black flames within us all through blasphemy and incantations of anti-religious, Christ-raping black metal!

It’s my understanding that Immolith and its members have roots in the underground death/black metal scene since the 90s. Please tell me what other bands you have been a part of and how you came together to form Immolith.

Isiamon: It is true, we are born and bred from the old school, having been involved in underground metal since the beginning…basically two decades ago. None of my former projects even warrant a mention, other than to say we used to be a part of the early New Jersey/Philly scene opening for bands that do; bands like Ripping Corpse, Revenant, Human Remains, Incantation, Goreaphobia and the like. Then about a year ago, I met Warhead when he and I were involved in an “old school” thrash band together. During breaks in rehearsal he and I would work on some material that I had written that didn’t quite fit the style of that band. We quickly decided it was time to move on from that band and form our own project, and that is what evolved and has become Immolith.

Warhead: I am a founding member of the USBM entity Abazagorath that has existed since 1995, and my own band Warhead as well. I’ve toured Europe and the US and have shared the stage with many bands such as Kult ov Azazel, Black Witchery, Fog, Marduk, Enslaved, Impaled Nazarene, and Destroyer 666 just to name a few…

You are preparing to possibly sign with Forces of Satan Records; tell me what this means for Immolith. What other bands have Forces of Satan Records worked with, what kind of distribution do they have, and what format(s) will they press your music on?

Warhead: It is one possibility that exists on our horizon. For Immolith to have earned the interest of a label established and headed by one of the true legends of black metal, Infernus of Gorgoroth, we are obviously honored.

Isiamon: Currently our demo EP Hymns to the Countess is available exclusively through the Forces of Satan Records MP3 webshop. In our conversations with the label they have expressed interest in working with us on the follow up full length we are currently writing and hope to complete next year. I suppose time will tell, but right now for us to even be included on the FoS webshop is an honor.

Currently the Forces of Satan roster includes Triumfall from Serbia, Ophiolatry from Brazil, and Black Flame from Italy. All three bands are amazing, but I’d have to say Triumfall is my personal favorite.

Warhead: It is our understanding FoS releases are available in CD format with distribution also provided through the label Gorgoroth is signed to, Regain Records, and then also digitally through the Forces of Satan Mp3 webshop.

What is the metal scene looking like in New Jersey right now? Are there any interesting bands you have played live with or would recommend listening to?

Warhead: An old friend and true diehard Roy from Necroharmonic productions does a great job as a promoter keeping the underground scene alive in Northern New Jersey. He is constantly promoting the scene through his Necroharmonic releases, and promoting extreme metal shows throughout the years.

Isiamon: For New Jersey Black metal, Abazagorath of course! Besides that some bands readers may want to check out from Jersey there are Dead Mountain and Angelcide, and then from Philly there is of course Blood Storm, and a band I’ve currently been listening to, Woe.

Do you find it difficult to be a black metal band in America? This genre has reached all ends of the globe but some still believe it’s strictly a Scandinavian phenomenon. What do you think separates American black metal from other bands in the world? Is there a distinction?

Warhead: When Abazagorath started out many Europeans thought US Black Metal was a joke, but I think that has changed over the years and now is not looked down on as much as it once may have been.

Isiamon: It has changed I think. The world seems so much smaller now than it did in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I’m sure there are some who still believe the only good black metal is from Scandinavia, but I think they are in the minority now. And while many of the greatest black metal bands who really set the tone for us all are Scandinavian, there is great black metal coming from every part of the World now. The fact that Infernus’ personal record label releases bands from the US, Serbia, Italy, and South America shows he recognizes good Black Metal isn’t determined by your geography.

From whom do you draw inspiration from for Immolith’s music?

Isiamon: Some of my favorite black metal bands include Gorgoroth, Dissection, and of course Bathory and Venom. But really, I imagine what I write has been influenced by so many bands over my lifetime. All the great German thrash bands, the early Florida and Swedish death metal, early 80’s thrash, and even the classic metal bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. I think people are likely to hear some of those influences in our music as well.

Warhead: And I’d add early Darkthrone, Emperor and Mayhem to our list of influences as well.

Are there any non-musical influences such as philosophies or world views?

Isiamon: For years, I’ve read and studied history, religion, the occult and so on. I’ve drawn many influences from many of my readings. Without a doubt, it is most simple to say all of us in this band walk along the left hand path.

The members of Immolith use monikers instead of true names. This is a commonplace activity in black metal music; what does it mean to you as a creative individual to have a moniker?

Isiamon: When I began to become involved actively in making music again, which was a member of a thrash metal project I choose to use a moniker more as homage to the elder days of metal when members of bands like Venom and Sodom used them as well. But now with Immolith, there is a need to focus one’s intensity and darkness to charge the music with the grim, magical atmosphere found in quality black metal. I find having a moniker and referring to oneself in this manner puts you in the right ritualistic mindset to evoke the emotion and atmosphere that goes into playing this type of music.

Warhead: I chose my name after the song WARHEAD from Venom. Venom was my favorite band growing up and my biggest influence that made me want to play Black Metal. Being able to sing Countess Bathory was a true honor for me

Please take this opportunity to let the readers of Metal Maniacs know how to reach you and how to purchase your music. Thank you for your time and support, Isiamon.

Please know that we are first and foremost thankful for the chance to be featured in Metal Maniacs! Our debut EP “Hymns to the Countess” is available through our website of course, www.immolith.net The music also can be legally downloaded exclusively through Infernus’ Forces of Satan Records mp3 webshop: http://forcesofsatan.ithinkmusic.com Hails!

www.myspace.com/immolith
www.forcesofsatan.com