Heavy Metal Tribune: Interview with The Beast of the Apocalypse

Interview with The Beast of the Apocalypse

Author: Hong Rui | Filed under: Black Metal, Death Metal, Netherlands, The Beast of the Apocalypse

The Beast of the Apocalypse, with their latest release Henosis, has proven how 2 demented souls can possibly create so much chaos in a short span of time. We talk to H.T.M. to find out more about what goes on behind the band.

HMT: Greetings Henry! The Beast of the Apocalypse was formed in 2007 and to date has already released 3 albums. Would it be possible to give us and our readers an insight on the band’s history?

We have known each other since high school. We have stayed friends for the past twenty years, playing in several bands, either separately or together. We have played under the banner of TBOTA since 2007. First we had a drummer, but now we play without one. It proved to be difficult to find a drummer for this style of music who suits our personalities. Now we decided to stop looking and stay as a two piece.

The band’s name is also not a “conventional” name, with most black metal bands simply adopting names of the devils as their band’s name. How did the band’s name come about?

Main inspiration for the name was the bible book revelation. We had a kind of common interest in that text.

In 2009 the band released 2 albums, with the debut, The First Four Trumpets being a digital release offered as a free download. What was the reason behind having the album as a free download?

We first recorded the first album, than got a deal. In the meantime we also started recording the second album. That album turned out much better sounding, so we decided to release the second album on the label. The first was to good to collect dust, so we offered it for free.

Let us now talk about the band’s latest album, Henosis. It was released in February this year. How has the reception for the album been so far? Has it met the expectations of the band?

So far all the reviews we saw where good. We have no expectations, we are glad our work gets released. Our main goal is to make dark occult black metal for our own souls.

On the band’s MySpace page, it is claimed that the band plays dark mystical occult black metal, and it shows in the band’s lyrical themes. How did the interest in writing such themes on the band’s music come about?

It's something we have been into for a long time. Studying old/alternative religions, mysticism, the occult etc.

When writing the lyrics to the songs on Henosis, where and how does the band draw inspiration?

We draw inspiration from old text, gnostic writings, the bible and occult books.

Also, judging from the song titles and lyrics on Henosis, there is a certain sense of spirituality involved in the songs. Personally, do you have any spiritual beliefs, and what are your views on spirituality and black metal in general?

Personally I believe in nothing, but I search, that's why I have a fascination for spiritual and gnostic text.

What about the album artwork? Would it be possible to explain the concept and the meaning behind the album artwork of Henosis?

The artwork was created by someone else. We like the mystic atmosphere it evokes. It's a Primum Mobile: quote wiki: In medieval and Renaissance astronomy, the Primum Mobile, or "first moved," was the outermost moving sphere in the geocentric model of the universe. The primum mobile was thought to be responsible for the apparent daily movement of the heavens around the Earth, producing the east-to-west rising and setting of the sun and stars.

On the album as well, each of the members juggle duties for the recording of the various instruments. What are your musical backgrounds, and what was the reason for the rotation of the vocals, keyboards and drum duties?

I (HTM) mostly handle the guitars. SS handles bass. We both share vocals and drum programming. We both also switch instruments. It depends who wrote what. We both have been playing music for a long time, in various project/bands, but nothing worth mentioning.

The music on Henosis alternates between abrasive black metal section and seemingly calming atmospheric sections. How does the band manage to come up with something so twisted, resulting in the masterpiece that is Henosis?

It's all about the flow and atmosphere of a track. It's also the chemistry between us, that we are able to create dark art.

With the album already released for more than half a year, what are the short term plans of the band?

We recorded some track already, but no exact plans yet.

Related articles:
Album Review: The Beast of the Apocalypse - Henosis

The Beast of the Apocalypse on the internet:
MySpace
Transcendental Creations

©2011 Heavy Metal Tribune | Hong Rui