死、恍惚、パニック! フェルナンド・アラバール!第01回『死よ、万歳』(’70)

[:ja]

『フェルナンド・アラバール初期作品集3枚組 無修正完全版』

 

全ての70年代カルト映画ファンに捧げる究極のカルト映像作家! 『エルトポ』『ホーリーマウンテン』のルーツがここにある!

アレハンドロ・ホドロフスキーや寺山修司に大きな影響を与えた伝説の映像作家、フェルナンド・アラバールの3部作! 驚愕の映像芸術の世界が日本に上陸!

2016年3月4日に『フェルナンド・アラバール初期作品集3枚組 無修正完全版』が発売となります。
なお、本コラムは、ペキンパー第四号に掲載されたものを再編集したものです。

第01回『死よ、万歳』(’71)
第02回『クレイジーホース』(’73)
第03回「『ゲルニカの木』(’75)

 

第01回「バアルの子あるいは「虐殺の讃歌」――『死よ、万歳』(’71)」

導師(グル)の帰還

2013年5月18日、カンヌ国際映画祭にてアレハンドロ・ホドロフスキーの新作『リアリティのダンス』(原題:La Danza de la Realdad、14年公開予定)が上映された。

『The Rainbow Thief』(90年)から実に20年以上。この間、『エル・トポ』(69年)の続編が報じられたこともあった。しかし、これには期待よりも安易な続編への不安があった(エル・トポの双子の息子の片割れがマリリン・マンソンだって?)。

日本で近年、リバイバル上映、DVDの再発、blu-ray化、新作の原作である自伝『リアリティのダンス』(文遊社)、フランスのコミック作家メビウスことジャン・アンリ・ガストン・ジロー(R.I.P)との合作であるバンドデシネ(『アンカル』、『メタ・バロンの一族』、『天使の爪』/小学館集英社プロダクション)の邦訳リリース等、新たな盛り上がりを見せている。

フィルムの世界では長らく姿を見せていなかった、この黄金の眼を持つ幻視者の帰還を、サイケデリックな神話の新たな一編を、私たちは全身全霊を以って迎えようではないか!

 

サイケデリック・ジャーニー

ホドロフスキーの話題が長くなってしまった。では、ホドロフスキーだけが、この神話の唯一人の語り部、紡ぎ手なのか? もちろん、断じてそんなことは無い。近年だと、『ヴァルハラ・ライジング』(09年)などは、この神話大系に連なる一本と言えるだろう。バイキングがエルサレムを目指す、とってもホーリーマウンテンな傑作だ。

おぞましくも美しい『アンチクライスト』(09年)はどうだ? 遡れば、肉体と鉄塊の性交実験記録『クラッシュ』(96年)があり、究極のトリップ・ムービー『地獄の黙示録』(79年)がある。ルイス・ブニュエルが、ケネス・アンガーが、寺山修司がいる。お! コフィン・ジョーなんて変り種も。

……他には? もっとだ。もっと欲しい。もっと要る。私たちは貪欲だ。中毒患者なのかもしれない。親たちにお話をせがむ子供に過ぎないのかもしれない。

―阿片窟から、ベッドから這い出そう。探求するのだ。この系統樹の枝は広く、根は深い。闇の奥へ。

バアルの子

 

深淵を彷徨いながら、ふと顔を上げると、少年の眼を持つ巨人が私を見下ろしていた。フェルナンド・アラバールだった。

「アラバールは触れるものすべてをアラバールに、黄金に変える。彼は世界をアラバール化(arrabalize)するんだ」――A・ホドロフスキー ”Arrabal, Panik Cineast” (07)

フェルナンド・アラバール(本名Fernando Arrabal Teran)は1932年、旧スペイン領モロッコのメニラで画家の父フェルナンド・アラバル・ルイスとカトリック教徒の母カルメン・テラン・ゴンサレスの間に生まれた。3歳の時にスペイン内戦が勃発。そのさなか、母親の密告により、父親が共和主義者として反逆罪で政府に逮捕されてしまう。この体験を元に書かれたのが小説『バビロンの邪神』(59年)であり、これを基に処女監督作『死よ、万歳!』(71年)が生まれる。

『バビロンの邪神』の原題は”Baal Babylone”。バアル(Baal)とはウガリット神話の主神、豊饒の神。バアル・ゼブル(崇高なるバアル)と呼ばれ、民から崇められていたが、キリスト教徒たちによって、バアル・ゼブブ(蝿のバアル)と嘲笑され、邪神とされた。この古の神に、アラバールは父親の姿を重ねたに違いない。

映画は無垢な子供が歌う童謡と、ブリューゲルやボッシュを思わせる、『ファンタスティック・プラネット』(73年)の共同脚本、原画で知られるフランスの作家/画家ローラン・トポールの絵画で幕を開ける。

共産主義の打倒と死を讃えるファシストたちを目にする主人公の少年ファンド。

『死よ、万歳(Viva la Muerte)!』というタイトルは、スペイン外人部隊創設者ホセ・ミラン・アストレイの“知性を打ち倒せ、死よ、万歳!”という発言から閃きを得たものとアラバールは語っている。

ファンドは父の死を幻視する。「父さん! お願い 死なないで!」――

パンドラの匣が開かれた。死の存在に気づいたとき、自分の運命が、屠られる家畜や悪戯に殺される昆虫と変わらず苦痛と惨めさに満ちたものになると知ったときから、ファンドの世界は一変する。そして、母親への疑念に、ファンドは苛まれる。

首から下を地中に埋められ、馬で蹴り殺される父親、穴の底にいる父親に脱糞する母親、子供たちに去勢され睾丸を食わせられる神父、ファンドに泥を塗りたくられ、恍惚とする母親、冒頭のトポールの絵画を思わせる異形のシーンの数々が赤、青、黄、緑などの極彩色に彩られ、バッドトリップのように現れる。同時に、ファンドの実生活―大人たちへの反発、学友たちからの嘲笑、性の目覚めが描かれる。

『死よ~』の本質は、「少年が大人への第一歩を踏み出す」映画だ。筆者が本作を観て思い出したのは、ヴィタリ・カネフスキー監督『動くな、死ね、甦れ!』(89年)だった。どちらも独裁政権下(フランコ政権とスターリン政権)が舞台で、ファンドと幼馴染の少女テレザ(いつも七面鳥を連れているのが印象的)は、『動くな~』の主人公ワレルカと彼の守護天使のようなガリーヤとの関係に似ている(カネフスキーが『死よ~』を観ていたかどうかは知らないが)。

 

死に至る病

ファンドの行動は日増しに無軌道になっていく。教室で煙草を吸い、ファシストの建物に火を放つ。

彼の精神を蝕んできた死と疑念は、現実の病として彼の肉体に顕在する(アラバールは幼少期に結核を患っている)。そして、母親の口から真実を告げられたとき、彼の幻視はクライマックスに達する。

このシーンについてここで多くは書かないが、オプチカル処理ではない“本物の極彩色”と母親を演じたヌリア・エスペルの凄絶な演技によって観るものにトラウマ級の衝撃を与える(ちなみにこのシーンの撮影中、カメラマンの一人が気絶した)。

手術によりファンドは病から快復する。病室で目覚めると、そこにはテレザがいた。

「お父さんが逃げたそうよ。探しに行きましょう!」

テレザに導かれ、病院を抜け出すファンド。死の手から逃れ、希望を追って。

アラバールの父は死刑を宣告されたが、懲役30年に減刑された。刑務所を転々とした後、自殺未遂を図ったために入院させられた精神病院から脱走した。その後の消息は不明である。

「父さんがどこかで生きている」――それはアラバールにとって、パンドラの匣の底に残された希望だったのかもしれない。

 

アラバールはマドリッドの大学へ進学。20歳の時に、今なお世界各国で上演され続ける処女戯曲『戦場のピクニック』を書き上げる(日本では今年、15団体が連続してこの作品を上演する「戦場のピクニック」フェスティバルが開催された)。

54年、演劇を学ぶため、3ヶ月の奨学金を得てパリに移住。60年、ホドロフスキー、トポールらと邂逅。同年、シュルレアリスト・アンドレ・ブルトンのグループと出会い、ホドロフスキーらと共にグループの会合に出席している(後に決別)。

62年、パフォーマンス・アート・グループ「パニック運動(Panic Movement)」を結成する。『鮮血の女修道院/愛と情念の呪われた祭壇』等のカルト・ホラー監督であり、『ファンドとリス』(ホドロフスキーの処女監督作。原作はアラバール)、『エル・トポ』のプロデューサーを務めるフアン・ロペス・モクテズマもこれに合流。

シュルレアリズムとパニック運動。この二つが結実したのが監督第二作『クレイジー・ホース』(73年)である。

 

第02回「シュルレアリズムと「パニック運動」――『クレイジーホース』(’73)」に続く。

 [:en]全ての70年代カルト映画ファンに捧げる究極のカルト映像作家! 『エルトポ』『ホーリーマウンテン』のルーツがここにある!

アレハンドロ・ホドロフスキーや寺山修司に大きな影響を与えた伝説の映像作家、フェルナンド・アラバールの3部作! 驚愕の映像芸術の世界が日本に上陸!

2016年3月4日に『フェルナンド・アラバール初期作品集3枚組 無修正完全版』が発売となります。
なお、本コラムは、ペキンパー第四号に掲載されたものを再編集したものです。

第01回「バアルの子あるいは「虐殺の讃歌」――『死よ、万歳』(’71)」
第02回「シュルレアリズムと「パニック運動」――『クレイジーホース』(’73)」
第03回「『ゲルニカの木』(’75)」

 

第01回「バアルの子あるいは「虐殺の讃歌」――『死よ、万歳』(’71)」

導師(グル)の帰還

2013年5月18日、カンヌ国際映画祭にてアレハンドロ・ホドロフスキーの新作『リアリティのダンス』(原題:La Danza de la Realdad、14年公開予定)が上映された。

『The Rainbow Thief』(90年)から実に20年以上。この間、『エル・トポ』(69年)の続編が報じられたこともあった。しかし、これには期待よりも安易な続編への不安があった(エル・トポの双子の息子の片割れがマリリン・マンソンだって?)。

日本で近年、リバイバル上映、DVDの再発、blu-ray化、新作の原作である自伝『リアリティのダンス』(文遊社)、フランスのコミック作家メビウスことジャン・アンリ・ガストン・ジロー(R.I.P)との合作であるバンドデシネ(『アンカル』、『メタ・バロンの一族』、『天使の爪』/小学館集英社プロダクション)の邦訳リリース等、新たな盛り上がりを見せている。

フィルムの世界では長らく姿を見せていなかった、この黄金の眼を持つ幻視者の帰還を、サイケデリックな神話の新たな一編を、私たちは全身全霊を以って迎えようではないか!

 

サイケデリック・ジャーニー

ホドロフスキーの話題が長くなってしまった。では、ホドロフスキーだけが、この神話の唯一人の語り部、紡ぎ手なのか? もちろん、断じてそんなことは無い。近年だと、『ヴァルハラ・ライジング』(09年)などは、この神話大系に連なる一本と言えるだろう。バイキングがエルサレムを目指す、とってもホーリーマウンテンな傑作だ。

おぞましくも美しい『アンチクライスト』(09年)はどうだ? 遡れば、肉体と鉄塊の性交実験記録『クラッシュ』(96年)があり、究極のトリップ・ムービー『地獄の黙示録』(79年)がある。ルイス・ブニュエルが、ケネス・アンガーが、寺山修司がいる。お! コフィン・ジョーなんて変り種も。

……他には? もっとだ。もっと欲しい。もっと要る。私たちは貪欲だ。中毒患者なのかもしれない。親たちにお話をせがむ子供に過ぎないのかもしれない。

―阿片窟から、ベッドから這い出そう。探求するのだ。この系統樹の枝は広く、根は深い。闇の奥へ。

バアルの子

深淵を彷徨いながら、ふと顔を上げると、少年の眼を持つ巨人が私を見下ろしていた。フェルナンド・アラバールだった。

「アラバールは触れるものすべてをアラバールに、黄金に変える。彼は世界をアラバール化(arrabalize)するんだ」――A・ホドロフスキー ”Arrabal, Panik Cineast” (07)

フェルナンド・アラバール(本名Fernando Arrabal Teran)は1932年、旧スペイン領モロッコのメニラで画家の父フェルナンド・アラバル・ルイスとカトリック教徒の母カルメン・テラン・ゴンサレスの間に生まれた。3歳の時にスペイン内戦が勃発。そのさなか、母親の密告により、父親が共和主義者として反逆罪で政府に逮捕されてしまう。この体験を元に書かれたのが小説『バビロンの邪神』(59年)であり、これを基に処女監督作『死よ、万歳!』(71年)が生まれる。

『バビロンの邪神』の原題は”Baal Babylone”。バアル(Baal)とはウガリット神話の主神、豊饒の神。バアル・ゼブル(崇高なるバアル)と呼ばれ、民から崇められていたが、キリスト教徒たちによって、バアル・ゼブブ(蝿のバアル)と嘲笑され、邪神とされた。この古の神に、アラバールは父親の姿を重ねたに違いない。

映画は無垢な子供が歌う童謡と、ブリューゲルやボッシュを思わせる、『ファンタスティック・プラネット』(73年)の共同脚本、原画で知られるフランスの作家/画家ローラン・トポールの絵画で幕を開ける。

共産主義の打倒と死を讃えるファシストたちを目にする主人公の少年ファンド。

『死よ、万歳(Viva la Muerte)!』というタイトルは、スペイン外人部隊創設者ホセ・ミラン・アストレイの“知性を打ち倒せ、死よ、万歳!”という発言から閃きを得たものとアラバールは語っている。

ファンドは父の死を幻視する。「父さん! お願い 死なないで!」――

パンドラの匣が開かれた。死の存在に気づいたとき、自分の運命が、屠られる家畜や悪戯に殺される昆虫と変わらず苦痛と惨めさに満ちたものになると知ったときから、ファンドの世界は一変する。そして、母親への疑念に、ファンドは苛まれる。

首から下を地中に埋められ、馬で蹴り殺される父親、穴の底にいる父親に脱糞する母親、子供たちに去勢され睾丸を食わせられる神父、ファンドに泥を塗りたくられ、恍惚とする母親、冒頭のトポールの絵画を思わせる異形のシーンの数々が赤、青、黄、緑などの極彩色に彩られ、バッドトリップのように現れる。同時に、ファンドの実生活―大人たちへの反発、学友たちからの嘲笑、性の目覚めが描かれる。

『死よ~』の本質は、「少年が大人への第一歩を踏み出す」映画だ。筆者が本作を観て思い出したのは、ヴィタリ・カネフスキー監督『動くな、死ね、甦れ!』(89年)だった。どちらも独裁政権下(フランコ政権とスターリン政権)が舞台で、ファンドと幼馴染の少女テレザ(いつも七面鳥を連れているのが印象的)は、『動くな~』の主人公ワレルカと彼の守護天使のようなガリーヤとの関係に似ている(カネフスキーが『死よ~』を観ていたかどうかは知らないが)。

 

死に至る病

ファンドの行動は日増しに無軌道になっていく。教室で煙草を吸い、ファシストの建物に火を放つ。

彼の精神を蝕んできた死と疑念は、現実の病として彼の肉体に顕在する(アラバールは幼少期に結核を患っている)。そして、母親の口から真実を告げられたとき、彼の幻視はクライマックスに達する。

このシーンについてここで多くは書かないが、オプチカル処理ではない“本物の極彩色”と母親を演じたヌリア・エスペルの凄絶な演技によって観るものにトラウマ級の衝撃を与える(ちなみにこのシーンの撮影中、カメラマンの一人が気絶した)。

手術によりファンドは病から快復する。病室で目覚めると、そこにはテレザがいた。

「お父さんが逃げたそうよ。探しに行きましょう!」

テレザに導かれ、病院を抜け出すファンド。死の手から逃れ、希望を追って。

アラバールの父は死刑を宣告されたが、懲役30年に減刑された。刑務所を転々とした後、自殺未遂を図ったために入院させられた精神病院から脱走した。その後の消息は不明である。

「父さんがどこかで生きている」――それはアラバールにとって、パンドラの匣の底に残された希望だったのかもしれない。

アラバールはマドリッドの大学へ進学。20歳の時に、今なお世界各国で上演され続ける処女戯曲『戦場のピクニック』を書き上げる(日本では今年、15団体が連続してこの作品を上演する「戦場のピクニック」フェスティバルが開催された)。

54年、演劇を学ぶため、3ヶ月の奨学金を得てパリに移住。60年、ホドロフスキー、トポールらと邂逅。同年、シュルレアリスト・アンドレ・ブルトンのグループと出会い、ホドロフスキーらと共にグループの会合に出席している(後に決別)。

62年、パフォーマンス・アート・グループ「パニック運動(Panic Movement)」を結成する。『鮮血の女修道院/愛と情念の呪われた祭壇』等のカルト・ホラー監督であり、『ファンドとリス』(ホドロフスキーの処女監督作。原作はアラバール)、『エル・トポ』のプロデューサーを務めるフアン・ロペス・モクテズマもこれに合流。

シュルレアリズムとパニック運動。この二つが結実したのが監督第二作『クレイジー・ホース』(73年)である。

 

第02回「シュルレアリズムと「パニック運動」――『クレイジーホース』(’73)」に続く。

[:]

Column: Rest In Pain…「10 Great acoustic songs by Doom, Sludge bands/musicians」

2014年07月 著者:梵天レコード

Doom Rock(Metal),Sludge Coreといえば、重い! 遅い!が信条の音楽。

デス・メタルやグラインド・コアと同じくエクストリーム・ミュージックに分類されるジャンルだが、70 年代、もしくはそれ以前のロック、ブルース等に根差している為、ヘヴィさがすべてではない―ルーツ・ロックが根底にあるからこそ、Doom,Sludgeにはアコースティックという、もう一つの魅力的な一面があるのだ。

The Obsessed他のWinoBuzzov.enKirkなど、ドゥーム、スラッジ・バンド / ミュージシャンがアコースティックの活動を行っているケースも多い(この辺は後述)。日本ではEternal Elysiumの岡崎幸人氏が弾き語りライブを行っていることが記憶に新しい。

エクストリーム・ミュージックの歴史は、機材の発達と演者たちによる極限のヘヴィネスの追及の歴史であると言える。
Sunn O))) のライブに行けば”眼玉が震える”程の轟音が体感できるだろう。
だが、然るべき人間の手にかかれば、囁くだけで、アコギを爪弾くだけで、心に迫る “真のヘヴィネス” が生まれるのだ。

去る6月29日に西横浜 Bar El Puenteで行われたアコースティック・イベントに国内のDoom系ミュージシャンが複数参加していたので、そのレポートと併せて今回のコラムでは、アコースティックというDoom,Sludgeのあまり取り上げられることのない一面を紹介していこう。

 

Sad Smile vol.2@ 西横浜 Bar El Puente

一番手は今回のイベントの企画者でもあるInside Charmerの もっさヒロ 氏。

Inside Charmerは、重い! 遅い! 尺長い!というまさに王道ドゥーム。この日はそのInside Charmerでも光るメロディ・センスを存分に生かしたライブとなった。

オリジナル2曲とInside Charmerの曲を1曲披露。 個人的には Wino の弾き語りに近い印象を受けた。

三番手に登場したのが梵天レコードよりリリースしたドゥーム・コンピレーション“All The Witches’ Day”にも参加してくれたスラッジコア・バンドZothiqueのヴォーカル & ギターのシモナカ氏とドラムのウエノ氏(本ライブではギター)。

David Alan Coe – “River”、Hank Williams III – “Gone But Not Forgotten”、中島らも – “いいんだぜ”という、“アウトロー”・アーティストのカバー三曲を披露。

四番手の錐針(すいばり)はオルタナ~シューゲイザーの影響も感じさせるドゥーム・バンドBlack Creek Driveのギタリスト、Kusumi氏と東京のスクリーモ・バンドBackstitchのヴォーカル、蓮理氏のユニットで、この日唯一の女性ヴォーカル。ポップな楽曲を挟みつつも、女の情念渦巻くダークな楽曲を中心とした構成。歌謡曲的なドロドロした感じではなく、オルタナ~グランジ風の乾いた“黒さ”を強く感じた。
この日のライブ動画はこちら。

 

 

10 Great acoustic songs by Doom, Sludge bands/musicians.

Trip Thru Recordsの選ぶDoom, Sludge系バンド/ミュージシャンによるアコースティック・ソングBEST10(順不同)

 

Acid Bath – “Bones of Baby Dolls” from “The Kite String Pops”(1994)

Acid Bathといえば、メロディとヘヴィネスが融合したサウンド(なんてチープな表現!)が魅力ですが、解散後にギタリストのSammy Duetが結成したGoathwhoreとヴォーカルのDax Riggsが結成したバンドやソロを聴き比べると、各人のAcid Bathでの役割が見えて面白いですね。
2ndアルバム収録のアコースティック・ナンバー“Dead Girl”も名曲。こちらはDaxのバンド、Agents of Oblivionのアルバムにロック・ヴァージョンで再録されています。
Daxの書く歌詞も素晴らしいので、是非聴きながら読んで頂きたい。

 

Cathedral – “Solitude”(Black Sabbath cover)from “Masters of Misery”(1997)

フルートを加えた、ComusMellow Candleが大好きなLee DorianらしいアレンジのBlack Sabbathカバー。
何よりLeeのディープな歌声が素晴らしい。

 

Wino – “Adrift” from “Adrift”(2010)

ドゥーム神ワイノ。もはや説明は不要ですね。聴いて咽び泣け!
Conny Ochsとのコラボ盤も必聴。

 

K. Lloyd – “Never Try” from “Solow”(2010)

スラッジコア・バンドBuzzov.enのヴォーカルKirk Lloyd FisherのBuzzo.ven解散後のソロ(Buzzov.enは2010年に再結成)。Buzzov.enとはまた一味違った、やさぐれ感たっぷりの彼の歌声を堪能できるアウトロー・ブルース。Kirkは、Eyehategod, Down, The Mystic Krewe Of ClearlightのJimmy Bower、Soilent GreenのBrian Pattonらと共にサザン・ブルース・プロジェクトK. Lloyd & The Disciplesとしても活動。

 

Waldsonne – “Pain of Senses” from “Wanderer”(2008)

ロシアのヘヴィ・サイケ・ストーナー・バンドThe Re-stonedのギタリスト、Ilya Lipkinが在籍するアシッド・フォーク・バンド。歌っているのはIlyaの奥様Veronika Martynova。The Re-stonedはEarthless辺りを思わせるインスト・バンドだが、Jefferson Airplane – “Today”、Pink Floyd – “Julia Dream”をアシッド・フォーク風にカバーしている(“Plasma”(2013)収録。こちらも歌っているのはVeronika Martynova)。

 Weedeater – “Woe’s me” from “16 Tons”(2002)

Sourvein,Bongzilla,Buzzov.enの“Dixie” Dave Collins(Vocal, Bass)がBuzzov.en解散後に結成したバンド。
バンド名通りの怪しい煙がモックモクのスラッジコアから唐突に現れるブルース・ナンバー。
右手にウィスキー、左手にジョイントを構えて聴きたくなるような一曲。

 

Magnus Pelander – “Stardust” from “Magnus Pelander”(2010)

「これ、60年代の作品じゃないの?」と思わせてしまうほどヴィンテージな作風で衝撃のデビューを飾った、スウェーデンのドゥーム・ロック・バンドWitchcraftのヴォーカル、MagnusがWitchcraft停滞中に発表したソロ。
Witchcraft史上最もサイケ色の強い3rdアルバム”Alchemist”の日本盤ボーナストラックに収録されたRoky Erikson(アメリカのサイケデリック・バンド、13th Floor Elevatorsの元フロントマン) – ”Sweet Honey Pie”のカバー路線をさらに推し進めたような牧歌的アシッド・フォーク。2012年発表のWitchcraftの4thアルバム“Legend”は、一転してメタル色を強めた作品となっている。

 

 

Corrupted – “月光の大地” from “Se Hace Por Los Suenos Assesinos”(2004)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

仙人が俗世を憂いているかのようなHevi氏の歌声と物悲しいアコギのみで構成された、17分に及ぶCorrupted史上最も異色なナンバー。正座して聴きましょう。
2011年リリースの4thアルバム“Garten Der Unbewusstheit”ではこの曲をアレンジした“Gekkou no Daichi”が収録されている。こちらはアコースティックなのは最初と最後の数分間のみ。

 

Southern Isolation – “Southern Man I Am” from “Southern Isolation” (2001)

Downの“Where I’m Going”にしようかと思ったが、意表をついてこちらで。
Pantera, Down, Superjoint Ritual等のPhil Anselmoと、Philのブラック・メタル・プロジェクトViking CrownNecrophagiaでキーボードを担当していたStephanie Weinsteinによるユニット。Philはプロデュース、作曲はすべてStephanieが担当。 「南部の男(ひと)、その手で私を連れ去って」 「俺は南部の男さ」と惚気るデュエット・ナンバー。いやあ、いいカップルだねえ。離婚したけど。
Philにアコースティックでアルバムを作って欲しいと思うのは筆者だけだろうか。

 

Trouble – “Rain” from “Unplugged”(2009)

初期はドゥームメタルの最重要バンドであり、90年代以降はハード・ロック色を強め、”Manic Frustration”などのマスターピースを創り上げたTroubleのアコースティック・アルバム。この曲は“Manic~”収録曲の再録ヴァージョン。
Eric Wagnerは脱退し、現在のヴォーカルは元Exhorder他のKyle Thomas。Eric WagnerはBlackfingerを結成して活動中。

 

番外編 EXTRA

Doom, Sludgeではないが、その界隈とも繋がりがあるバンド/ミュージシャン。

Hexvessel – “I am The Ritual” from “Dawnbearer”(2011)

ブラック・メタル・バンドDodheimsgard等で知られるイギリス人ミュージシャン、Kvohstを中心に結成されたサイケデリック・フォーク・バンド。Kvohst以外はフィンランド人のメンバーで構成されている。Roadburn Festival 2013内でElectric Wizardがキュレートした“Electric Acid Orgy”に出演、Lee Dorianが絶賛するなどドゥーム系ミュージシャンからの支持が厚い。現時点の最新作”Iron Marsh”(2013)にはPursonのRosalie(オノ・ヨーコのカバー!)、Blood CeremonyのAliaがゲスト参加している。

 

Chelsea Wolfe – “Spinning Centers” from “Unknown Roms: A Collection Of Acoustic Songs”

カリフォルニア出身の女性ゴシック・フォークSSW。
カリフォルニア出身とは思えない、呪術的かつ鬱屈としたサウンドは、“ドゥーム・フォーク”、“メンヘラ・フォーク”とも形容される。
彼女もRoadburn Festival 2012に出演、わが国ではDaymare Recordsが2012年に1st,2ndの国内盤をリリースし、GodfleshSunn O)))Deafheaven等が出演したLeave Them All Behind 2012で来日。

 

番外編その2 EXTRA Part.2

完全なるおフザケ。

Acoustic Wizard – “Vinium Sabbathi” from “Please Don’t Sue Me vol.2”

Electric Wizardの曲をアコースティックでカバーするという、キマってる時に思いついたことをそのままやっているとしか思えないプロジェクト。「お願いだから訴えないで」というタイトルからも明らかなお遊びプロジェクトだが、やってることは至ってマトモ(?)、というか、かなりイイ。

 

Trippy Wicked – “Killfornia” (Church of Misery cover)

英国のストーナー/ドゥーム・バンドTrippy Wickedのメンバー二人がyoutubeにアップしている、アコギとウクレレによるドゥーム/スラッジ・バンドのカバー。チャーチのこの曲以外ではEyehategod, Weedeaterなどをカバーしている。ウクレレが意外とハマっている。

“Breaking our reality tunnels and delving into the abyss to see what we might find…” Interview with Hexvessel

 

Q1. Thank you for doing this. Firstly, how did Hexvessel become a band?

Mat McNerney(Vocals, Guitar)
I think it was like falling in love. I was making private songs at home. Love songs and personal spiritual songs that were not really meant to be released.
At some point some good-willing friends persuaded me to put them on to a record, and I recorded the debut album Dawnbearer with the help of some musician friends. But it was more like a solo record of my songs, with a bit of help from session members.
I played some of those songs at my wedding to my wife on acoustic guitar and it was the first time I had played them live. I was very nervous and I don’t play guitar so well on my own. So I was aware that if I was to play the Hexvessel songs live it should be with a band. A proper band. But I wanted a group of people who had some magic in them. Magic the way I had read that Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band were magic.
At our wedding we had a band called Dark Buddha Rising playing for us. I was caught under their spell. They had a magic aura around them. They were just radiating and they were hippies but man were they dark gems.  I realised then and there that if anyone was gonna play my songs with me it would have to be them.
After the wedding I asked them if they would like to be my backing band. They were shocked because they were going to ask me to sing on one of their records.
So that’s how it came to be. I sang on their 3rd record and they joined me on my 2nd record. Hexvessel came about with members from Dark Buddha Rising joining as my backing band.
Along the way we met Niini who plays bass and Kimmo who plays the keys and the violin and trumpet and we became a real band. It felt that we have grown into something totally different. Like a real family. Born out of love.

Q2. What does the name Hexvessel mean or refer to?

Mat
To me it means “spiritual journey.” A Hexvessel is a carrier of spells. It is a vehicle for spiritual travel. It’s the embodiment of your life’s magic work that will carry you and bear you into enlightenment. For me it means hope, dreams and a search for meaning in the universe.

Q3. Could you describe Hexvessel’s sound to our readers who haven’t heard you yet?

Mat
The sound is an unearthly amalgamation of folk and cosmic, psychedelic 60s/70s rock music. There is a deep vein of blues and progressive rock spirit within, spurred on by our influences from Beefheart, Bo Hanson, The Doors, Camel, Ultimate Spinach and Mahavishnu Orchestra, Bob Dylan and early Steeleye Span. I would say that if you like delving into real, obscure and rare vintage, deep music, you will understand and appreciate something about us. It’s about alchemy and magic and we believe in the power of music to transform and transport you. We’re all about connections and connecting this world to the other.

Q4. You’re known as black, death metal musician before Hexvessel. What made you to play folk music? 

Mat
For me it was about musical purity. Making the dead sing again. Folk music is about pure song. It’s a story. The story and song within us. It’s about getting to the source of what it is to be human and part of a much bigger story, of the nature of our planet. I was on a journey when I started getting into making black metal music. I wanted to continue that journey and what I was searching for. Black metal is good access music when you are young to break on through to the other side. It helps you to understand the concept of music, that music is within us. People talk about the “ black metal feeling” and that feeling is musical enlightenment. It’s reaching the gods. It’s actually inside the core of all good music. But black metal is one way to learn how to get there quickly. Easy access.  But I wanted to keep on going. It felt that my internal song was more rooted in folk music where I could get right down to the source of the music in a much purer way, and closer to what I wanted to say and to the spirits of inspiration. Folk instruments are made from the nature itself. Old bones, ancient trees, animal guts etc. They make the dead sing again and tell the stories of our natural history. It’s like the sound of DNA. I think that’s what attracts me to folk music. If it’s death you want, it’s got it all and more. For me it’s both darker but also lighter and more enlightening.

Q5. How were you first exposed to music? Which bands and artists influenced you as musicians?

Mat
I was first exposed to music as a boy, laying on the floor of our family library and my father was playing Paul Simon’s Graceland album. For me Simon and Garfunkel were one of the first things that I truly fell in love with in music, along with Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke and Roy Orbison. My father was a big Elvis fan and so I grew up on a heavy diet of Elvis and also John Lennon. He wasn’t really a Beatles fan, but more of a Lennon fan and that’s something I think I carried on from him in. I really love John Lennon but it’s only in later life that I discovered the Beatles. I didn’t grow up with them. The Beach Boys was a band that as a kid I listened to a lot. I think I had a hidden stash of porno mags and I used to flick through and look at these retro girls while the Beach Boys played on my stereo ha ha. I think the first 7” I bought was The Beastie Boys and the first LP was Michael Jackson’s BAD.
Later, as a teenager I think it was The Cure and The Doors that were the two most important bands for me and that’s when I kind of changed from being a listener to a music lover. It was like falling down Alice’s rabbit hole. I was lost forever in a new and insane world! 🙂

Q6.You moved to Finland from UK. Does living in Finland have influence on your creativity?

Mat
Yes absolutely. Finland has a very beautiful landscape. I love the nature and people’s connection to nature. It’s one of the biggest land-masses in Europe but a very small population. It’s an isolated place surrounded by vast forests. I have always been very into nature and the forests and the countryside. From being a boy-scout, camping in the English countryside, to spending long summers on my uncle’s farm in Ireland. I found the natural world to be closer to my imaginary world. It was and still is a place where my dreams and reality meet. I read a book by Terry Brooks when I was a kid  called Magic Kingdom For Sale Sold. I found the story of this book to somehow mirror my life. My life in the UK was reality and the real world and Finland was/is the magic kingdom of Brooks story.

Q7. How would you describe the music scene of Finland?

Mat
Psychedelic! He he. I think that the psych rock scene right now is very strong. It’s ruled by a band called Circle and then there’s bands like Pharaoh Overlord, Death Hawks, Oranssi Pazuzu, Dark Buddha Rising, Domovoyd. The Finnish music scene is very open. People of all kinds of music genres go to each other’s shows. It’s not segregated like in other countries. I like that at a Hexvessel show you can find goths, hippies, blackmetallers, folk people and weirdos. All kinds of freaks co-existing.

Q8. I can find the paganism, occult, shamanism from the lyrics and music video. What is these culture for you?

Mat
It’s spiritual questing. I think it’s about exploring the culture of spiritual adventure. I like how the old occultists, shamans and pagans were finding mysticism within nature and the fabric of the universe rather than some made-up stories in the bible. I enjoy the idea that magic is out there and I really love connecting that with my music. I read a lot about the occult and people like Crowley. I am also very into my pagan ancestry, being of celtic heritage and my roots in the UK and Ireland. I think what it all means to me is the idea that there is something more to life. I like the idea of breaking our reality tunnels and delving into the abyss to see what we might find.

“Iron Marsh” (2013)

Q9.Rosie from Purson and Alia from Blood Ceremony was participated to “Iron Marsh”. How did that go? Both of the band are known as modern-retro, psych doom band. What are your thoughts on these bands?

Mat
I love and support both bands. That’s why I asked them to participate on our record too. I think we have some things in common with both bands. I also love the idea of strong talented women taking control of their music and writing and leading bands. I think it’s a nice shift in our scene and since we also have 2 girls in our band I feel we’re all helping to

Q10.You recorded Yoko Ono cover “Women of Salem” for “Iron Marsh”. I think it surprised everyone. What made you to play this song?

Mat
I’ve always admired Yoko Ono. I think she’s a really under-rated artist as a musician. I think she helped produce a lot of John Lennon’s greatest songs and albums and was a far greater influence on his music and music in general than anyone gives her credit for. I loved the song when I started to delve into her back-catalogue and it’s from an album called Feeling The Space which I think is excellent. I just felt that the song could be finished up and done in a different way. That’s always the sign of a good cover, if you can take it in a different direction and let the song take a new life-form. I felt that we did that.
It’s interesting because after that the South Bank had a big event celebrating her influence in music and it kind of solidified my opinion and also helped to reinforce the idea that she has been a massive part in the avatgarde music movement. She has also be a provocateur and an agent for good, changing people’s views about women in art and music and about Japanese people too. I think she opened a lot of doors and inspired a lot of people around the world to create and to work for peace.

Q11. Do you know any other Japanese band/artist?

Mat
I love Flower Travelling Band. Joe Yamanaka was one of my favourite singers. I also really love Acid Mothers Temple and then composers like Ryuichi Sakamoto have been a massive influence on my music. I loved the music by electronic artist Susumu Yokota. I loved the minimalism. I am a big fan of the directors Kurosawa and Miyazaki. I like the band Mono. I think I like a lot of Japanese music actually! When I visited Japan I went up Takaosan (Mount Takao) and it was my favourite place that I visited. It was beautiful. I have very fond memories of Japan.

Q12. You have a new EP and full length album coming out soon. The latest biography mentioned that “Moving into the next phase”. Care to share any details? Previewed track “Earth Over Us” reminds me of 60s psychedelic surf rock stuff.

Mat
Yes the new album is called When We Are Death. It’s another step for us. There’s a bit of 60s pop, some psychedelic rock, some folk and then also some doom rock and progressive rock in there. It’s heavy and deep, slow and hard, beautiful and sad, but ultimately uplifting. The message of the album is one of happiness and enlightenment. I think it’s our deepest, greatest and most honest record. We worked harder on this record than any other before. It’s an ambitious work and I think it shows that we love it as a band. I could die now, happy that this record would be my testament.

 

“When We Are Death”(2016)

Q13.Which bands and musicians albums are you currently enjoying?
Any recommendations you can give to our readers for bands to check out.

Mat
I haven’t been able to delve too deeply into releases as I would have liked this year, so I missed out on a ton of cool stuff I bet – but I traded it for recording two of the best albums of my life – one with Hexvessel and the other with my other band Grave Pleasures, touring like mad and together with Marja brought a beautiful little boy into this world.
But anyway here’s my year list so far of what I had time to check out:

DØDHEIMSGARD – A Umbra Omega (their best album and easily my #1 of the year)

UNCLE ACID – The Nightcreeper (fuzzy Beatles worship – can’t get enough – still really enjoy this band)

FUZZ – II (The best Sabbathian fuzz rock since Witch)

SATURNALIA TEMPLE – To The Other (Deep drone worship! Love the sound on this album)

DEATH HAWKS – Sun Future Moon (Finnish kraut-rock – a really laid-back and trippy record)

WAND – 1000 Days (Garage rock with some kraut – great songs and riffs)

JOHN KRAUTNER – Fun With Gum Vol1 (amazingly catchy songs – dangerously so – been my summer ear-worm)

DARK BUDDHA RISING – Inversum (Finland’s heaviest band –  an audio drug)

SEXWITCH – Sexwitch (like Goat making out with Portishead at an ethnic party)

ABYSSION – Luonnon Harmonia Ja Vihreä Liekki (the first release from my Secret Trees label. Top notch far-out Finnish psychedelic blackmetal)

SECRETS OF THE MOON – Hole (next level stuff!)

If I could tell your readers to check out Finnish bands then I would say listen to Circle and then also Domovoyd and Oranssi Pazuzu.

Q14. Finally, Would you like to send a message to Japanese fans?

Mat
As Miyazaki says in Castle In The Sky:
“The Earth speaks to all of us, and if we listen, we can understand.”
We hope that you like our new record and that you can hear the earth speaking through it. We hope that we can travel to Japan and play for you all some day soon.

https://www.facebook.com/hexvessel/
https://hexvessel.bandcamp.com
http://hexvessel.tumblr.com

 

※この記事を日本語で読む。Read this article in Japanese.

Interview with Salem’s Pot “Smoke it and watch Russ Meyer-movies before falling asleep again…”

[:ja]

Interview: Bonten Records

Q1. Thanks for doing this. Firstly could you tell us about the history of Salem’s Pot?

Salem’s Pot
It started out with two friends and hopelessness, in a town where no one wants to know you.
We decided to do something together and that was the birth of the concept.
The direction came pretty naturally with both of us being huge fans of sleazy old horror movies and Black Sabbath.
We asked a couple of friends to play bass and drums and recorded a demo called “Sweeden”.
We have been through different drummers since then and still haven’t found one.
The Eagle, who played drums on our album, is really a guitar player and has now switched to a second guitar.

Q2. “…Lurar ut dig pa prarien” was released in April. Was it a hard or easy album to record for?

Salem’s Pot
Both actually. We weren’t really that rehearsed and there was some tension in the air from time to time, but that’s only natural. All in all it went pretty well.

“Lurar ut dig pa prarien” (2014)

Q3. What gear did you use and where did you record it?

Salem’s Pot
We basically used what we had at the moment. Ribbon microphones for the drums and broken percussions. A girlfriend’s shruti-box and my grandmother’s old accordion.
It was recorded at the same place where we rehearse, an old asylum actually. Don’t think we are alone up there..

Q4. The artwork and music video has a lot of B-horror, grindhouse stuff.
Does literature or film influence your music? What is your favorite?
The promo pics which you wearing creepy mask were remind me “Last House on Dead End Street” by the way.

Salem’s Pot
Yes, a lot actually. When we started out only one of us did play an instrument (guitar) and the other took care of the visual parts,
so film is definitely half of the concept. There are too many to mention one, but a lot of giallo and spaghetti-western.
When it comes to literature we should mention Hunter S. Thompson and Bukowski.
“Last House on Dead End Street” is great, so is Alice sweet Alice.

“Alice, Sweet Alice” (1976)

Q5. The album was released via Riding Easy Records. How did that go?

Salem’s Pot
(WMKY) was released on cassette by Ljudkassett and Daniel Hall bought an ex.
He then e-mailed us and asked if we wanted to release it on vinyl, which we of course did.
So he went on to form Easy Rider Records and the rest is history!

Q6.Also “Ego Trip/Yer Doom” was released in September. That’s short period and both songs are different style from “…Lurar ut dig pa prarien”. Does this style reflect to the next album?

Salem’s Pot
Yes and no. We have never wanted to stick to a certain genre or style of music, we just wanted to release a 7″ and to do that we had to shorten the songs.
We’re also getting to know eachother better and can do more than just play the same riff for 20 minutes.
Also we have more riffs now and are trying to get better at putting them together.

“Ego Trip/Yer Doom” (2014)

Q7. Which bands and artists influenced you as musicians?

Salem’s Pot
Musically anything from Merle Haggard to Ngozi Family, Howlin’ Wolf to Dead Moon, Woody Guthrie to Hawkwind.
But also giallos, exploitation, spaghetti-westerns and weird horror movies or weird movies overall.
A lot of Goblin and Morricone of course.

Q8. I’d like to ask you about some your old stuff. I read that “Sweeden” was recorded at old mental hospital. Is that true? How did that go?

Salem’s Pot
Yes. The building where we rehearse used to be an asylum until 1969.

“Sweeden” (2012)

Q9. Wicked Lady cover ”Run the Night” was recorded to “Watch Me Kill You”. Do you digging obscure 70s music? If so what you find so special in the 70’s music?

Salem’s Pot
Very much so. There was so much frustration and honesty, both in the lyrics and the raw productions.
Like “Enough with the flowers, my friends are dying from overdoses and there’s a war going on.”

“Watch Me Kill You” (2013)

Q10. I’m sure about that you guys love to be stoned. What is your favorite bland and way to smoke?

Salem’s Pot
I love waking up in the middle of the night to find a half-finished joint in the ashtray, smoke it and watch Russ Meyer-movies before falling asleep again.

Q11. Do you know any Japanese band or film?

Salem’s Pot
Far Out, Blues Creation, Gedo and Flower Travellin’ Band of course.
Some of us grew up watching Ginga nagareboshi gin, Starzinger and Space Adventure Cobra as kids and are still watching it.
Shion Sono is an awesome director nowadays and some old movies we like are Tetsuo, The Man who stole the sun, Jigoku and Hausu just to name a handful.
We love japanese movies!

Q12. You are going to play on Roadburn 2015. How would you describe the live experience of Salem’s Pot?

Salem’s Pot
Probably like the old movies we love. Blurry, shaky, missing parts and with an ending that no one really get.

Q13. Finally, would you like to send a message to Japanese fans?

Salem’s Pot
We have fans now? In Japan? Domo arigato!! Hope to see you soon, just let us know when you want us in Japan and the circus might arrive. Thanks again!

https://www.facebook.com/Salems.Pot
http://www.salemspot.bandcamp.com/
http://www.salemspot.bigcartel.com/

※この記事を日本語で読む。Read this article in Japanese.[:en]

Interview: Bonten Records

Q1. Thanks for doing this. Firstly could you tell us about the history of Salem’s Pot?

Salem’s Pot
It started out with two friends and hopelessness, in a town where no one wants to know you.
We decided to do something together and that was the birth of the concept.
The direction came pretty naturally with both of us being huge fans of sleazy old horror movies and Black Sabbath.
We asked a couple of friends to play bass and drums and recorded a demo called “Sweeden”.
We have been through different drummers since then and still haven’t found one.
The Eagle, who played drums on our album, is really a guitar player and has now switched to a second guitar.

Q2. “…Lurar ut dig pa prarien” was released in April. Was it a hard or easy album to record for?

Salem’s Pot
Both actually. We weren’t really that rehearsed and there was some tension in the air from time to time, but that’s only natural. All in all it went pretty well.

“Lurar ut dig pa prarien” (2014)

Q3. What gear did you use and where did you record it?

Salem’s Pot
We basically used what we had at the moment. Ribbon microphones for the drums and broken percussions. A girlfriend’s shruti-box and my grandmother’s old accordion.
It was recorded at the same place where we rehearse, an old asylum actually. Don’t think we are alone up there..

Q4. The artwork and music video has a lot of B-horror, grindhouse stuff.
Does literature or film influence your music? What is your favorite?
The promo pics which you wearing creepy mask were remind me “Last House on Dead End Street” by the way.

Salem’s Pot
Yes, a lot actually. When we started out only one of us did play an instrument (guitar) and the other took care of the visual parts,
so film is definitely half of the concept. There are too many to mention one, but a lot of giallo and spaghetti-western.
When it comes to literature we should mention Hunter S. Thompson and Bukowski.
“Last House on Dead End Street” is great, so is Alice sweet Alice.

“Alice, Sweet Alice” (1976)

Q5. The album was released via Riding Easy Records. How did that go?

Salem’s Pot
(WMKY) was released on cassette by Ljudkassett and Daniel Hall bought an ex.
He then e-mailed us and asked if we wanted to release it on vinyl, which we of course did.
So he went on to form Easy Rider Records and the rest is history!

Q6.Also “Ego Trip/Yer Doom” was released in September. That’s short period and both songs are different style from “…Lurar ut dig pa prarien”. Does this style reflect to the next album?

Salem’s Pot
Yes and no. We have never wanted to stick to a certain genre or style of music, we just wanted to release a 7″ and to do that we had to shorten the songs.
We’re also getting to know eachother better and can do more than just play the same riff for 20 minutes.
Also we have more riffs now and are trying to get better at putting them together.

“Ego Trip/Yer Doom” (2014)

Q7. Which bands and artists influenced you as musicians?

Salem’s Pot
Musically anything from Merle Haggard to Ngozi Family, Howlin’ Wolf to Dead Moon, Woody Guthrie to Hawkwind.
But also giallos, exploitation, spaghetti-westerns and weird horror movies or weird movies overall.
A lot of Goblin and Morricone of course.

Q8. I’d like to ask you about some your old stuff. I read that “Sweeden” was recorded at old mental hospital. Is that true? How did that go?

Salem’s Pot
Yes. The building where we rehearse used to be an asylum until 1969.

“Sweeden” (2012)

Q9. Wicked Lady cover ”Run the Night” was recorded to “Watch Me Kill You”. Do you digging obscure 70s music? If so what you find so special in the 70’s music?

Salem’s Pot
Very much so. There was so much frustration and honesty, both in the lyrics and the raw productions.
Like “Enough with the flowers, my friends are dying from overdoses and there’s a war going on.”

“Watch Me Kill You” (2013)

Q10. I’m sure about that you guys love to be stoned. What is your favorite bland and way to smoke?

Salem’s Pot
I love waking up in the middle of the night to find a half-finished joint in the ashtray, smoke it and watch Russ Meyer-movies before falling asleep again.

Q11. Do you know any Japanese band or film?

Salem’s Pot
Far Out, Blues Creation, Gedo and Flower Travellin’ Band of course.
Some of us grew up watching Ginga nagareboshi gin, Starzinger and Space Adventure Cobra as kids and are still watching it.
Shion Sono is an awesome director nowadays and some old movies we like are Tetsuo, The Man who stole the sun, Jigoku and Hausu just to name a handful.
We love japanese movies!

Q12. You are going to play on Roadburn 2015. How would you describe the live experience of Salem’s Pot?

Salem’s Pot
Probably like the old movies we love. Blurry, shaky, missing parts and with an ending that no one really get.

Q13. Finally, would you like to send a message to Japanese fans?

Salem’s Pot
We have fans now? In Japan? Domo arigato!! Hope to see you soon, just let us know when you want us in Japan and the circus might arrive. Thanks again!

https://www.facebook.com/Salems.Pot
http://www.salemspot.bandcamp.com/
http://www.salemspot.bigcartel.com/

※この記事を日本語で読む。Read this article in Japanese.[:]

Interview with Sigiriya “Somewhere in wales there’s a one-eyed buzzard that sits on a mountain top and shrieks at the skies…”

[:ja]

Interview:Bonten Records

Q1.
Thank you for taking time. I’d like to ask you about Acrimony before Sigiriya.
Acrimony split up in 2001. What happened at that time?

Stu
Hey, thanks for showing some interest bro. Yeah as I’ve said many times I think the band had reached the end of the road for what we wanted to do at the time. We were young stubborn bastards as well to deal with, so this never helped with the music industry types. Plus I think some us just wanted to move on and experience other things in life.

Mead
Yeah, it was an entity that was destined to implode. It was born, lived and then died! We’re not really Career minded types. I can’t imagine anything worse than churning out album after album, with one original Member left.

Q2.
“Tumuli Shroomaroom” and “Bong On – Live Long!” was released from Leaf Hound Records in 2007. How did that go?

Stu
Well as I can remember it was Torino at the time who got it touch with Dorian (vocals-Acrimony) about doing a vinyl release of “Tumuli”, which we were stoked about. It was something like ten years since we r

 

ecorded it, so it was a nice gesture from him. Naturally we accepted. It then went on that he wanted to do a cd re-press of the said album also, plus a rare odds’n sods cd that became “Bong On”, which was cool too.
All these re-releases, had reworked art, photos and lyrics etc. The packaging art was handled by the Legend that is now Jimbob Isaac ( Drunken Marksman illustration, Taint/Hark front man ).

Dor dealt a lot with him via email and he never mentioned much of what was going down. I know he was a real big fan, he sent like boxes of shit to Dorian also.
I met him once at Roadburn briefly and he seemed like a real nice guy. After this I dunno, Copies of the record went out to like Plastic Head uk distro and some to Church Within (Ger). Last I heard years back that he became real sick. Hope the dude pulled through.

Mead
it was cool to see tumuli on vinyl at last.

 

Q3.
So Sigiriya formed in 2009. Almost 10years since Acrimony’s split up.
Did you keep in touch with each member?

Stu
I really didn’t see Dar or Mead for a few years after we broke. After doing a small stint in Iron Monkey, then on to doing the Dukes. My self, Dorian, Leeroy did Blackeyeriot for a few years with a coupla other mates.

Mead
I was off playing dub and psytrance, following a shamanic path. I saw blackeyeriot in a local shithole And was physically upside-down half way through the first track!

 

Q4.
The first lineup of Sigiriya was 4/5 members of Acrimony.
Why did you start the new band not reunion?

Mead
Acrimony was a certain part and time of our lives, I wouldn’t change it for the world but at the same time I couldn’t reconstruct it either. It’s much more interesting to do something new.

Q5.
What does the name Sigiriya mean or refer to?

Stu
Sigiriya roughly translates to the meaning ? “the throat of the lion”. I visited this monolithic rock whilst in Sri Lanka on my wedding and was well taken a back my it’s majesty and the stories that surrounded it.
On my return home, we still had not settled on a suitable name for the band? I mentioned it to the guys

 

and I just seemed like a decent a name as any, with a cool meaning behind it.

Q6.
Dorian Walters left the band in last year. What happened?

Stu
Dor left in 2012, due to family stuff.

Q7.
Would you introduce us brilliant new singer?

Mead
Yeah, man. Matt is the new singer, a true gentleman, shaman and lunatic. He fits like a glove musically and on a personal level. He definitely made us up our game!

Stu
The legend that is Matt “PIPES” Williams, yep I thank that is fitting..

 

 

 

Q8
Congrats on your album, Are you satisfied with the responses so far?

Stu
Why thank you sir. I think it’ll be more of a grower personally. It’s more of a good Heavy rock record, rather than a Stoner, Doom or whatever thing..

Darkness Died Today(2014)

Q9.
When I heard “Return to Earth” , I felt like that this is Acrimony’s sequel.
But “Darkness Died Today” is different, more heavy and metallic … what are your thoughts?

Stu
It’s definitely a more Heavy bird and a more coherent effort.

Mead
it’s more grounded than psychedelic. The influences are still there but interpreted differently.

Return to Earth(2011)

Q10.
Which bands and artists influenced you as musicians?

Stu
It’s all the old staples of like Sabbath, Purple, ZZ top, Hawkwind, Quo and so on, mashed up with some totally off the cuff stuff like Entombed, Tragedy, Agolloch, Early Metallica, Discharge, Cro-mags. The Obsessed, Victor Griffin.

Mead
I suppose dub influences what I play and I listen to a lot of pagan BM stuff – wolves in the throne room, Dordeduh, negura bunget etc.

Q11.
What are your thoughts on the current doom/stoner scene?

Stu
It’s now a monster compared to like back in say the 90’s, There’s just a fuck load of bands out there doing their thing, which is all good. I don’t know who half of them are mind you, but least a lot of people seem chuffed with it.

Mead
there’s god and bad, true and false as with every other scene I suppose. Stoner rock isn’t really my thing, though, give me Goatess above every other band in that scene.

Stu
Yeah Goatess fuckin rule.

Q12.
What are the next plans for Sigiriya?

Mead
writing the new album and playing some shows.

Q13.
Finally, Would you like to send a message to Japanese fans?

Mead
Somewhere in wales there’s a one-eyed buzzard that sits on a mountain top and shrieks at the skies, those shrieks are the sounds sigiriya makes and sigiriya loves you!!!

Stu
I couldn’t have put that better myself Mead man. We’d love the chance to get out there someday and play some club dates for you all. If your keen get in touch. Cheers Trip Thru records again dude and thanks to all of you who dig the band and spread the word, it means the world to us

※この記事を日本語で読む。Read this article in Japanese.[:en]

Interview:Bonten Records

Q1.
Thank you for taking time. I’d like to ask you about Acrimony before Sigiriya.
Acrimony split up in 2001. What happened at that time?

Stu
Hey, thanks for showing some interest bro. Yeah as I’ve said many times I think the band had reached the end of the road for what we wanted to do at the time. We were young stubborn bastards as well to deal with, so this never helped with the music industry types. Plus I think some us just wanted to move on and experience other things in life.

Mead
Yeah, it was an entity that was destined to implode. It was born, lived and then died! We’re not really Career minded types. I can’t imagine anything worse than churning out album after album, with one original Member left.

Q2.
“Tumuli Shroomaroom” and “Bong On – Live Long!” was released from Leaf Hound Records in 2007. How did that go?

Stu
Well as I can remember it was Torino at the time who got it touch with Dorian (vocals-Acrimony) about doing a vinyl release of “Tumuli”, which we were stoked about. It was something like ten years since we r

 

ecorded it, so it was a nice gesture from him. Naturally we accepted. It then went on that he wanted to do a cd re-press of the said album also, plus a rare odds’n sods cd that became “Bong On”, which was cool too.
All these re-releases, had reworked art, photos and lyrics etc. The packaging art was handled by the Legend that is now Jimbob Isaac ( Drunken Marksman illustration, Taint/Hark front man ).

Dor dealt a lot with him via email and he never mentioned much of what was going down. I know he was a real big fan, he sent like boxes of shit to Dorian also.
I met him once at Roadburn briefly and he seemed like a real nice guy. After this I dunno, Copies of the record went out to like Plastic Head uk distro and some to Church Within (Ger). Last I heard years back that he became real sick. Hope the dude pulled through.

Mead
it was cool to see tumuli on vinyl at last.

 

Q3.
So Sigiriya formed in 2009. Almost 10years since Acrimony’s split up.
Did you keep in touch with each member?

Stu
I really didn’t see Dar or Mead for a few years after we broke. After doing a small stint in Iron Monkey, then on to doing the Dukes. My self, Dorian, Leeroy did Blackeyeriot for a few years with a coupla other mates.

Mead
I was off playing dub and psytrance, following a shamanic path. I saw blackeyeriot in a local shithole And was physically upside-down half way through the first track!

 

Q4.
The first lineup of Sigiriya was 4/5 members of Acrimony.
Why did you start the new band not reunion?

Mead
Acrimony was a certain part and time of our lives, I wouldn’t change it for the world but at the same time I couldn’t reconstruct it either. It’s much more interesting to do something new.

Q5.
What does the name Sigiriya mean or refer to?

Stu
Sigiriya roughly translates to the meaning ? “the throat of the lion”. I visited this monolithic rock whilst in Sri Lanka on my wedding and was well taken a back my it’s majesty and the stories that surrounded it.
On my return home, we still had not settled on a suitable name for the band? I mentioned it to the guys

 

and I just seemed like a decent a name as any, with a cool meaning behind it.

Q6.
Dorian Walters left the band in last year. What happened?

Stu
Dor left in 2012, due to family stuff.

Q7.
Would you introduce us brilliant new singer?

Mead
Yeah, man. Matt is the new singer, a true gentleman, shaman and lunatic. He fits like a glove musically and on a personal level. He definitely made us up our game!

Stu
The legend that is Matt “PIPES” Williams, yep I thank that is fitting..

 

 

 

Q8
Congrats on your album, Are you satisfied with the responses so far?

Stu
Why thank you sir. I think it’ll be more of a grower personally. It’s more of a good Heavy rock record, rather than a Stoner, Doom or whatever thing..

Darkness Died Today(2014)

Q9.
When I heard “Return to Earth” , I felt like that this is Acrimony’s sequel.
But “Darkness Died Today” is different, more heavy and metallic … what are your thoughts?

Stu
It’s definitely a more Heavy bird and a more coherent effort.

Mead
it’s more grounded than psychedelic. The influences are still there but interpreted differently.

Return to Earth(2011)

Q10.
Which bands and artists influenced you as musicians?

Stu
It’s all the old staples of like Sabbath, Purple, ZZ top, Hawkwind, Quo and so on, mashed up with some totally off the cuff stuff like Entombed, Tragedy, Agolloch, Early Metallica, Discharge, Cro-mags. The Obsessed, Victor Griffin.

Mead
I suppose dub influences what I play and I listen to a lot of pagan BM stuff – wolves in the throne room, Dordeduh, negura bunget etc.

Q11.
What are your thoughts on the current doom/stoner scene?

Stu
It’s now a monster compared to like back in say the 90’s, There’s just a fuck load of bands out there doing their thing, which is all good. I don’t know who half of them are mind you, but least a lot of people seem chuffed with it.

Mead
there’s god and bad, true and false as with every other scene I suppose. Stoner rock isn’t really my thing, though, give me Goatess above every other band in that scene.

Stu
Yeah Goatess fuckin rule.

Q12.
What are the next plans for Sigiriya?

Mead
writing the new album and playing some shows.

Q13.
Finally, Would you like to send a message to Japanese fans?

Mead
Somewhere in wales there’s a one-eyed buzzard that sits on a mountain top and shrieks at the skies, those shrieks are the sounds sigiriya makes and sigiriya loves you!!!

Stu
I couldn’t have put that better myself Mead man. We’d love the chance to get out there someday and play some club dates for you all. If your keen get in touch. Cheers Trip Thru records again dude and thanks to all of you who dig the band and spread the word, it means the world to us

※この記事を日本語で読む。Read this article in Japanese.[:]