Saturday, March 24, 2018

Aorlhac Interview


1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

NKS (guitar) : Hey there ! Because of our recent change of label, we are currently working on several things. With the help of the label, we just finished working on our merchandising which will be directly related to “L’Esprit des Vents”. We are also working on our upcoming gigs by adding three tracks from our last album on the setlist. And as you can imagine, we spend much time answering to interviews.


2.You have a new album coming out in March, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

NKS : The fact of having our very own studio directly impact our way to record. We could take our time to test different mics, different positions, instruments or even amps. Let’s say that we really could shape the album as we wanted. Most of the time, you start recording the drums, then the guitars parts, then you realize that something on the snare drum could be added… Here, we could of work without any stress from A to Z. Before that, we had to make do with we had to hand, even if we wanted to have a “home-made” and airy sound, there, for once, we get what we wanted.

3.This is your first release in 7 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

NKS : After the release of « La Cité des Vents”, we continued touring until 2012. We also participated to a split album with Darkenhöld, Ysengrin and Ossuaire back in 2011. Because of a lack of inspiration – not because of weariness – we felt like we needed to take time to direct the last events.
The writing of “L’Esprit des Vents” really started in 2013; if I am not wrong, I think a demo was register in 2015 with a programmed drum. We could have rushed to release the album, but as you can easily guess, after these years of break, every one took care of their own personal project. So we and to wait that everybody was 100% invested on the recording.

4.Your lyrics cover 'Occitan History', can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

NKS : We wanted to highlight the values of our roots many times before the creation of the band. We are lucky to live in a region full of histories, the Occitan region spreading through the south of France and passing by the North of Italy and Spain has a rich History, full of legends and fierce battles – that is an endless source of inspiration for the band. We also wanted to arouse interest on our History, and to remind the listener of what happened on our lands.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Aorlhac'?

NKS : Aorlhac is the Occitan name of the city of Aurillac from where we all are, most people do not remember our city’s roots – this was the occasion of paying tribute to our way too unknown small city.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

NKS : We have many good memories of some dates, but I most certainly say that’s during the NORDIC BLACK MASS, at Luynes, where we were honored to share the scene with TAAKE, HELMEIM and VULTURE INDUSTRIES. You must wondering why this date: because at the beginning we were influenced by TAAKE, we were far from thinking that 3 years later we would play by their side!
That is not easy to describe us, but the direct and efficient style of our music, the alternation of melodic and epic parts next to the aggressive singing of our frontman has touched the public.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

NKS : Even if some gigs are planned, or about to, we do not have a tour planed yet - We can believe in a one-week or two tour in Europe during summer, if everybody in the band is free, let’s see what the future brings us.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

NKS : Even if our change of label is recent, we are already seeing the repercussion of our collaboration with Les Acteurs de l’Ombre. LADLO has a visibility far from what we have known before. Until now, I think that the band was quite confidential abroad … except for Canada, where the language of Moliere surely helped that. However, be sure that ‘till now, the Historical and musical concept of Aorlhac was always well greeted.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

NKS : Today, we are a 100% focus on Aorlhac, for the brains of the band at least. Even if our live drummer Ardraos is a member of PESTE NOIRE, I heard he might be leaving the band for its own project : SÜHNOPFER.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

NKS : I think that Aorlhac will continue to evolve naturally. We started the project 11 years ago, since then our influences and taste in music have changed. In other hand, I think our biggest success was to keep the Aorlhac touch all along the albums. It is possible that some atmospheric parts from “L’esprit des Vents” will be more used in the future. Anyway, we attend to keep our simplicity and efficiency and bring it on stage.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

NKS : At the beginning, I was influenced by renowned bands as  EMPEROR, DISSECTION, SACRAMENTUM, then later by ULVER, DRUDKH, PRIMORDIAL, AGALLOCH. Now, I do not have the time, neither the will to listen to new bands: I feel like they all put the sounds quality first (even though they all sound quite artificial…) rather than the quality of writing.
We are in a consumer society where everything must go fast, nothing last, anybody on Youtube can now discover a hundred BM bands whereas, back in 1997, you could hardly get 10 CDs! In addition, I am not sure that only the rarity of a band is enough to arise interest.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

NKS : We are lucky to have those beautiful landscapes close to us, when we have the opportunity, we love to enjoy those together. Also, our live bass player has a real gift in terms of drawing; we would love to explore this aspect for the upcoming projects.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

NKS : Thank you to you and your webzine for letting us express ourselves. Do not forget “L’Esprit des Vents” release on March, 2nd, with Les Acteurs de l’Ombre.


AORLHAC
https://www.facebook.com/Aorlhac/
https://aorlhac.bandcamp.com/


LABEL
 https://lesacteursdelombre.net/
https://www.facebook.com/LADLOproductions/
https://www.youtube.com/user/ladloprods
https://ladlo.bandcamp.com/


ORDER https://lesacteursdelombre.net/shop/



No comments:

Post a Comment