SOURCE – Eleven years is a long time between albums, especially for an active band who are not on hiatus. Is this gap indicative of a long, difficult writing and recording process?
Nera (Vocals) – None of us planned such a long break, no one thought about ending Darzamat. Simply put, it all happened naturally and it’s hard to point to any one reason here, because there is no such thing. Also, there is no sensation here some would like to hear about: there was no quarrel in the band (laugh). Life has written various scenarios for us: involvement in other projects, various life issues of each of us, as well as the distance related to Flauros ‘ emigration. All this did not provide good conditions for creating music. Year after year passed and finally in 2015 we came back from Darzamat for some summer festivals. We probably played 3 concerts and just being on stage, we felt that we really wanted to do it again. This is where the first talks about the new album started between us and slowly the first compositions started to be created. However, certain processes take some time, and we like when everything works the way we want it. Therefore, not having binding deadlines, we did everything at our own pace.
SOURCE – Every album has that distinctive Darzamat style, but what’s different about A Philosopher at the End of the Universe?
Nera (Vocals) – When it comes to the sound, we must certainly mention a significant change, which in our case is the abandonment of keyboards. When we started talking about the new album, they appeared for a moment, but after recording the first sounds, we came to the conclusion that we would try to record the album without the use of this instrument.What in exchange? There is definitely more simultaneous work of both vocals, but also some kind of vocal “dialogue”. Much more different guitar timbres, which in addition to typically heavy sounds, also play some kind of background, and there are acoustic guitar parts. Plus, a great-sounding rhythm section. This proved to us that we can express what we feel without any problem using only such means, abandoning the keyboard instruments, so characteristic of Darzamat in the 90s and a decade later. In other words, using completely different tools we created an atmosphere that is still characteristic of this band. In my opinion, this is an album that sounds strong, a bit modern, at the same time very atmospheric and sometimes even epic.
The concept of “The Philosopher at the Ends of the Universe” is a vision of the figure that breaks all his/her barriers, crosses uncharted so far and above all- follows his/her inner voice. This person does not imitate anyone, he/she is not fixated on any patterns, but creates himself/herself and, not following the suggestions of others, follows his/her own path, to the boundaries of the universe … if any boundaries exist at all… and if they do, these limits are created solely by our minds. Needless to say, our hero is not limited to the material world, on the contrary, it is more about discovering the spiritual world, following the path of higher dimensions. So, even though there is what is all around us, we still look at stars.This album is about fighting for yourself, searching, traveling, and not being afraid to stand firmly for what you believe in.
SOURCE – As you make more and more albums, does it get more difficult to break new musical ground and do new things?
Nera (Vocals) – True, it is easy to loop and eat your tail. On the other hand, I think that being original at all costs can lead you astray.
We do not strive for originality at any cost. The best and most authentic is the message you carry within you. Each album is an image of the worlds we carry within ourselves in a given period of time. That’s it, you don’t have to invent gunpowder, but only vent what is ready to see the light of day.
We really wanted to refine all the details of the album after such a long absence, which is why the long announced return was extended in time. But it is comforting that we did everything with our own hands and on our terms, achieving the effect we wanted from the very beginning.
SOURCE – Have you experienced any differences in how the foreign press treats you and the band compared to how native press and media treats and writes about you?
Nera (Vocals) – I would have lied if I said that we haven’t experienced that the reception of the band was better abroad, anyway it was like that a few years ago. It is probably the result of the fact that Polish metal scene prefers much more brutal sound to what Darzamat presents. It doesn’t matter, though, you have to do your job and not worry about people’s thoughts too much. There is no accounting for tastes… therefore everyone chooses what has value for them and what resonates with their aesthetics. Times change, people evolve, trends appear and disappear … and what matters to me is that we always do what we feel at the moment, never forcing ourselves to satisfy others and staying true to our own truths. Music is like any other industry – tastes are created and people are told what’s awesome and what’s not. And I personally appreciate those who seek with their hearts and find scraps of themselves in music. Even if there is a handful of them, it is with them that I want to exchange thoughts and energy flows.
SOURCE – The album will probably ‘leak’ online fairly soon. Do you care if your fans, or potential fans, download your album before it’s released?
Nera (Vocals) – We are aware of what it looks like. Perhaps we will publish the songs ourselves to control it. I believe that if someone supports the band, they will buy the album anyway. There is no need to fight a losing battle.
SOURCE – Do you see the sort of negative impact that culture of immediacy has specifically had on the music industry? Has the artform itself been affected from your point of view?
Nera (Vocals) – As always, there are advantages and disadvantages to the internet and immediacy. Information and art itself go around the world in just a moment. One might consider whether the value of anything is therefore permanent or more fleeting than it used to be. It does not change the fact that what I like about it is that we can be present in almost every corner of the world and we can freely share with people what we create. The only sad thing is that people think that everything they find on the Internet belongs to them, we do not have an educated approach, that there is such a thing as intellectual property, that someone has put work and heart into something and it should be respected, appreciated, and paid for in this or other way.
SOURCE – How do you balance the busy schedule of a musician (playing live shows, recording albums) with your personal lives and the time devoted to your families?
Nera (Vocals) – In fact, it is not easy for any of us to connect these two worlds. We all work full time jobs and have our own private lives. However, I cannot complain because we made these choices.
When music temporarily disappeared from our lives, we all felt it was a void that nothing else could fill. Music is like a jealous lover … it can be difficult with it, but without it it is even harder … (laugh)
SOURCE – Is there anything else you have going on you would like to mention?
Nera (Vocals) – I would just like to add that we are sorry that the world situation is as it is and the album cannot be promoted as it deserves. I believe that sooner or later normality will return and we will be able to share our music by traveling, meeting our fans and playing live concerts.
Thank you for you constant support. Stay safe and strong!
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