Razor of Occam isn't a band that has arrived in the metal scene a few days ago; is a very known name on the extreme metal market and they have just released under the banner of the mighty Metal Blade a brand new album called ¨Homage to Martyrs¨! So..., I get in touch with Alex, band bassist, and here you have an interesting, I hope, interview concerning the band history, the new album and some other things like that.
1.Blackest haills out there! Is everything going well now that the new album called ¨Homage To Martyrs¨ is going to be released via Metal Blade?
Hails! Yes so far everything has been as smooth as it could possibly be. Reviews and interviews aplenty which shows that Metal Blade has really been pushing the album.
2.First of all I would like you to tell us what are the most important moments from your career, starting with the very beginning, and don't forget to mention why did you moved from Australia, where the band was born, to London where you are based today!
The European tour with Gospel of the Horns in 2003 was one of the highlights and we look forward to the touring again sometime this year. The move from Australia to Europe was driven by both music and work considerations, and is one of the reasons for the slow progress of the band.
3.Until now you have recorded 2 albums ¨Diabologue¨ and ¨Pillars of Creation¨! Could you please tell us a few things about each one? Also, when you chose the title for the first opus did you think of the Christian Decalogue (the book of the 10th commandments) or what?
The two releases you mention are in fact eps. “Diabologue” is probably the rawest of our releases whereas the Pillars of Creation mlp has a thrashier feel to it. The lyrics on the first represent a conversation between diametrically opposed points of view. Diabolic + Dialogue = Diabologue
4.The feedback that you've received on both early releases was an interesting one? What was the point of view of your labels from that moment, I mean Damnation Records and Circle of Tyrants? Also, could you tell us if you are content with the outcome they have done on your both materials?
The response was pretty positive to the first two releases. Close friends ran both labels so every aspect of the respective releases was amicable and relaxed. We are content and grateful to them for making the effort to release the eps.
5.Now lets talk a little bit about your last creation¨Homage To Martyrs¨! Could you please introduce us in its atmosphere by telling us the necessary technical details about it and the story of each track?
The tracks were ordered with a mind to a future vinyl, with the first four tracks making up the first side discussing the threat posed by the persistence of bronze age religions into modern times. Altar of Corruption is a description of the early conflict between the church and the nascent discipline of natural philosophy, when many fledgling scientists faced martyrdom by immolation at the hands of the inquisition. The viral theory of religion as championed by Richard Dawkins was the inspiration for Bite of Dogmata, while Day of Wrath describes the perilous position humanity currently finds itself, boasting unprecedented knowledge and power yet still hamstrung by irrationality and mysticism. Heat of Battle pays tribute to the new wave of intellectuals who have publicly led the attack on religion in response to the destruction of the World Trade Centre and the misguided attempt by religious fundamentalists to promote the ridiculous fantasy of creationism at the expense of the undeniable fact of evolution.
The second side attempts to instil a sense of the numinous by glorying in the stunning revelations of the scientific method. Immortal Code poses the question: can all the wars and conquest throughout history really be attributed to the small piece of DNA code known as the Y chromosome? Pattern on the Stone pictures three key stages of development: the self assembly of the universe, the evolution of mankind under the unguided action of natural selection, and the engineering of superior species through technological advances in biology and artificial intelligence. The precarious balance between genius and insanity evident in so many pioneers of science is treated by Flame Bearers and, finally, Shadow of the Cross explores some of the more startling implications of their discoveries.
6.How is it to work in studio with Tore Stjerna and what does he think about a band such as Razor Of Occam and its way of playing?
Tore was great to work with, talented and imaginative. I guess he is better known for his work with Watain and their ilk but in fact has experience with a wider range of styles. The sound he came up with proved to be a perfect for our particular style, managing to balance the need for clarity with the desire for raw brutality.
7.If I'm not wrong the cover art work was made by Aurelien Police (www.aurelienpolice.com)! Is this the most interesting art work that you have done until now? Does it express at its best the lyrical content you have thought for ¨Homage To Martyrs¨?
The myth of Prometheus depicted on the cover has often been used to symbolise the conflict between science and religion. According to the legend, Prometheus was a favourite of the gods until he stole fire (representing intelligence) from them and gave it to mankind. In return he was sentenced to the recurring punishment of having his liver eaten by a bird of prey. In a sense, the church helped found the discipline of logic as a by-product of their heated debates over religious doctrine and even initially supported then advent of science, hoping to shore up their claims about the natural order. But when the new knowledge instead began to undermine clerical authority they attempted to censor it with a campaign of barbarous torture.
8.Compared to the band's previous material I've mentioned above, is ¨Homage To Martyrs¨ the most important step you've done until now with Razor Of Occam?
It is definitely what the band has been aiming for: a mix of the nasty material from the “Diabologue“ ep with the more thrashy moments of the “Pillars of Creation“ mlp in a 33 minute black / thrash frenzy!
9.Until now you've recorded 3 albums under 3 different labels, but the last is for sure the most important one! Are you happy to be a Metal Blade artist, and take care what are you going to answer because David(from the geman office) is ¨watching¨ us? Are you content with the work they've done until now to promote your band?
We are all very glad to be on Metal Blade. They have done a great deal of promotion and with the utmost professionalism. For the record, we have been bombarded with vinyl requests for this album so hopefully this will see the light of day before too long.
10.As far as I know you consider this album called ¨Homage To Martyrs¨ to be:¨a tribute to the great men of science who died in the pursuit of knowledge, from the early astronomers who were burned at the stake for daring to displace man from the center of the universe, to the modern theoreticians driven to insanity and suicide by their paradoxical discoveries and the cold denial of their peers¨.. Don't you think that this lyrical content isn't a very usual one compared to some other raw black metal bands?
I guess it is not typical for black metal but that is not a concern for us.
11.Are you going to make some gigs to promote the new album, or some tours?
At the moment, we have confirmed a slot in the infamous Hells Pleasure Fest this summer, which we are really looking forward to. After the summer festival season is over we will focus on some kind of tour.
12.Because I know that the former members of Razor Of Occam includes half of the members from Destroyer 666 and Adorior, could you please tell us if there is something to add about the future plans concerning these 2 combos?
The new Destroyer 666 album is already recorded and will be released soon. Adorior are active and working on the follow up to “Author of Incest“.
13.What else can we expect from you in the near future? Is Razor Of Occam going to play in the same manner as you do now or we must expect to some new elements or approaches to develop much more your musical skills?
No major changes in style are anticipated, but we will endeavour to produce a better album next time.
14.That seems to be all for now my friend! Do you have something to add in the end for our readers and probably for your listeners too?
Thanks for your support and time. We will see you at Hells Pleasure this year.