Corpus Christii mainman, Nocturnus Horrendus, speaks exclusively to ZT about the new album Luciferian Frequencies.
ZT: Luciferian Frequencies is your 7th album over a 13 year career. You seem to have managed to stay true to your original black metal sound without becoming stale in the process. How do you think you have managed to achieve this?
NH: Hail! We consider it to be the 6th album, because “In League…” was basically a CD with covers, with just 4 new tracks.
Corpus Christii is still the same dark black metal essence, basically as it is what is meant to be. I do not think much about what is to happen or to change; things just create the way they do. I just follow the drift of what the band means to me, must I say I never thought it would go forth this long. But now I do believe nothing will stop us. I am just pleased the band still exists and that I do what I was born to do.
ZT: It’s been three years since you put out your EP, ‘Carving A Pyramid Of Thoughts’ in 2008. You’ve previously been a lot more proficient with releasing albums on a more or less annual basis. What were the reasons for taking so much longer with this album?
NH: In the early days I was just doing Corpus Christii, so I had more time and energy to do more releases, had much “stuck” in me. Then I started Morte Incandescente and joined Storm Legion, so things started to slow down for C.C.
Besides, I see no interest to drown the underground with so many releases from the same bands. There are far too many releases and not everyone is able to get hold of everything.
Regarding “Luciferian Frequencies”, it took a bit more time to be released as it took us some 3 or 4 mixes before I was pleased with the end result. The album itself has been recorded for over one year now.
We are not a commercial band, nor living from this, much less doing music to please others, so I will always take my time.
ZT: This is your first album on Candlelight Records. Are there any new opportunities you feel have opened up to you by signing to such a high profile label?
NH: Nothing besides reaching more ‘zines and mags, but then again, those who care for black metal and for us would end up getting our stuff and doing a review or promoting. It is always good to see a review in which the author understood what the album was all about, but in most cases it is just people who don’t give a fuck, that have shit loads of CD reviews to do, and do not even listen to a record more than once. I am fine with whatever label as long they give us total artistic freedom, and that will get our releases in the underground.
ZT: The name “Corpus Christii” translates as “Body of Christ”. Given your Satanic stance,this seems quite an ironic choice of band-name. Can you tell us your reasons for having this name?
NH: What do you see when you look at a crucifix? I see over 2000 years of pain, suffering, slavery and mental restrain. It is in no way a nice symbol. So I see all logic in using this name.
ZT: The album was produced by Phorgath (Enthroned bassist). What were your reasons for choosing to work with him, and how did things go with the production? Were there any problems?
NH: I just wanted to try something out in a new location, be further away from home and get my head out of my daily life. I did not know much about his studio, but I thought it would be a good idea due to his experience with black metal and music overall. The only issue we had was to not have the time to finish some of the mix and do the master. Due to that it took a long process until we had the finished record.
ZT: On the cover of ‘Luciferian Frequencies’ there is what looks rather like Arabic letters within a triangular symbol. Of course, one of the song titles on the album is ‘Picatrix’ which is an Arabic grimoire, so this kind of fits neatly together. Can you elaborate on what the symbols on the front cover are all about? – Is this connected to the ‘Picatrix’?
NH: It is the Tetragrammaton, in Hebrew. The symbol as a whole has my vision in what I see God (or whatever you want to call “it”) guiding influence in man; an alchemist’s vision into the blend of the physical world and the world of void.
Picatrix is indeed a grimoire from the Arab world, from the mid half of the 10th century, also can be referred as “The Aim of Sage”, a guiding book on Talismatic magic. It might be the Arabic blood in me that lead me to do that track and it was an inevitable choice due to my interest in magic and ancient texts.
ZT: I ran a few song-titles through Google, and the one that did kind of bring up some kind of meaning was ‘Styx Reflection’… which took me into Greek Mythology with the Styx being the river where Narcissus gazed at his own reflection. Was this the inspiration for the track, and do you take a wider inspiration on the album from Greek Mythology, or am I barking up the wrong tree?
NH: You got it right; the wonders of internet right?! Well, I am interested in the old world, in mythology, the Dark Arts, Magic, the influence in it all to what was once a world of way more spiritual guidance and respect for the inner forces.
For some it might be considered as a rude blend, to me it makes all logic to study it all and see the common hard patterns.
ZT: Is there an interlinking theme connecting all the tracks on the album, or an overall concept, or are they all unconnected? Can you talk a bit about the lyrical themes.
NH: I think I gave you the idea already that everything is not a mere coincidence. Everything is somehow linked together in a mysterious and magical path in which just a selected few can roam. It is up to the reader to gaze into it and see if there is a link to it all or just a mere spectator.
ZT: Can you talk about what Black Metal means to you – would you say it is more about a certain ethos or set of beliefs, than a particular “sound”?
NH: I would not be in this band for over 13 years and in constant battle with so much shit if it was just for the sound. I love many sorts of music, and play some but black metal has been the way in which I have been able to connect with my inner forces; to free my demons and grasp for the higher cause of “life”.
It is NOT just music.
ZT: Are there any bands you think are classed as Black Metal that you disagree with – for example, what are your views on Christian black metal?
NH: I try not to waste my time thinking about other black metal bands; I have too much going on to worry about that. It does annoy me sometimes, especially if some supposedly smart fellas think they are more than me. But at the end of the day I know who I am, what I do and what I am here to achieve.
Christian Black Metal?! There is no such thing.
ZT: Would you consider Opposing Christianity/Organised Religion is particularly high up your agenda, or has it become less important over the years?
NH: There is a reason for organized religion, and I think they are doing an ok job; I will not go against any of it, unless it intrudes in my life. Sincerely it has never before so why should I oppose? I am all up for slaves and limited minded people, there is no space for a world full of enlightened people. We need the slaves, the scum, the ridiculously obsessed that just have no way to reach a higher goal. In fact I admire and respect the high standing people who control religion, they are true dictators of their people, they do their job well. Just do not step on my feet and all is ok.
ZT: Do you think being in Portugal, which is not especially well known for its black metal scene, has made it harder for you over the years? For example, a place like Germany has loads of festivals and touring opportunities that perhaps aren’t as easily open to you.
NH: Being from Portugal has made this road way harder, some people might think not, but it has. Still after so many years and proving we are a band of reference, that we still have to deal with shit, and then watching others getting things way easier for no apparent reason. But all in all it has just made me stronger and willing to fight even more. The ways of Satan is of hard work, not the opposite.
ZT: What are your opinions of the scene in Portugal? I have heard good things about the SWR festival, and there are a few black/doom/extreme bands over there but would you say it is quite divided rather than having a great sense of unity between the bands?
NH: These days I have more union with non Black Metal bands than others, I helped quite a lot of people and I feel I was back stabbed far too many times.
I am a humble person; In the past I would have liked to see this scene grow, but not anymore. People here think too little and care way too much for intrigue, so now I do not care if they all drown. Still there are some outstanding musicians and individuals in the scene that take their shit seriously and I still support them.
Still when it comes to Satanism in black metal over here, I find it all very plain. You know, the typical Venom “let’s scream Satan” kinda thing, that is a bit sad but I get over it as long I don’t think too much about it.
ZT: Do you have any plans to tour in the near future; specifically are you likely to visit the UK?
NH: We will be playing in London on the 17th of September along Inquisition, Revenge and The Stone. I am looking forward to it because we have there quite some mates and in fact we never played in the UK. This will be a 18 date tour in Europe, but we also have already some 4 dates fixed for Portugal before and after the tour, and there is some talk to tour the Balkans in late October, a small tour. So yes, we will be busy, we want to hit the road, last year we barely played and I think this album is real strong live.
Besides all this I don’t know, I just let it go with the flow, when I have some time and inspiration, I start working on a new record. I have no clue what will be about nor what it will sound like, now I am deeply into what I have to do now.
I basically take a day a time, the more I plan the less things work, so I just let it go.
ZT: Any parting message for our readers?
NH: May you all drown by your styx reflection.
