Mister F. Dupont and his band Gorath have once more returned with a new album, aptly called ‘Misotheism.’ And, what is more, Gorath has again pulled off producing a quality record that is really enjoyable. Not every band is this consistent, but Gorath seems to make it look easy. As long as they keep coming up with good output, we will keep interviewing Gorath. Simple as that. Below, Dupont explains about the themes and subject matter of ‘Misotheism’, his place in the universe, and what Gorath has to offer in the future.
So first off, this will be your fourth interview for Lords Of Metal. How do you feel about this, is it getting boring by now? Or do you consider it proof for the fact you keep making interesting music? No, I feel very honoured to be interrogated by the LoM again. It's up to you to say whether Gorath make interesting music or not, I don't have to be convinced.
This is always a bit of a standard opening question, but in this case people are curious, probably, as ‘Misotheism’ is so good: how did you personally respond when you heard the end result for the first time? Do you consider this your most mature product? I am very pleased by the final result of ‘Misotheism’. This is the first Gorath release that comes with real drumming and a raw sound. For years Gorath wanted to throw away the drum computer and finally the time had come. The total package of music, lyrics and artwork blend together perfectly. I heard all songs a thousand times before they got recorded, so unfortunately there wasn't much of a shock. ‘Misotheism’ is a logical sequel to ‘The Fourth Era’ (2006) and also ‘Elite’ (2005). Throughout all the releases you definitely hear the band has grown. The compositions are more thoughtfully made, the lyrics form a strong concept and also the sound made a huge improvement.
You are currently under contract with Descent Productions. Did you intentionally seek a label close to home, or did they come up with the best deal at the time of ‘The Fourth Era’? After ‘The Fourth Era’ Gorath was in touch with some European sub labels in the genre, but chose for Descent Productions instead. Descent Productions is a small and very young label that solely concentrates on quality music. The new Cor Scorpii and Ikuinen Kaamos (to be released) are world-class releases. There has always been a bond of loyalty between Geert from Descent and me. I like to work with people I know personally and who live close to my home. Therefore the choice was obvious. Nevertheless our contract with Descent is finished by now, so I don't know what the future will bring.
As everybody knows, ‘The Fourth Era’ was all about 2012 and the Mayan people. There was quite the philosophical and mathematical theme to that album. Are you still interested in the number 2012, or have you moved on to read into other interesting stuff about how people try to explain the (origin of the) universe and their place in it? I'm definitely still into Mayan related stuff and brighten my horizon each day, whether the material is cultural, historic, scientific or esoteric. Recently I've read some articles about an old Sumerian/Mesopotamian saga (about Gilgamesh) and I'm just back from visiting the Middle East. There are still so many things to discover outside the narrow box of black metal literature. Concerning the Mayan topic and Gorath; I did not wish to write about this 2012 subject once more. We're not a Latin American band and I certainly don't want to limit ourselves to one ever returning theme like many other bands do.
How do you, for yourself, explain the universe? What do you suppose is the place of our puny earth in the grand scheme of things? Should we try and find answers in space or should we dig deeper into our shared human memory here on our own planet? Interesting question, I regard humanity as a failure of creation. Our little earth is just a grain of sand in a huge endless desert. We've made new worlds and still we mean nothing in the universe. It's hard to think outside the marked lines of time and boundaries. It's also hard to capture some things that are eternal. It's very important to reflect about our own actions and mistakes we are making every day. Unfortunately we cannot learn enough from what we do on our own planet as we keep on following the path of self-destruction. I don't foresee our (Western) civilisation a grand future. The magical year 2012 could be a finishing point and even if not, I'm pretty sure we will not last another 50 years under these conditions. Last week there was a newsflash about birth control in Britain. It's about time mankind takes care of its own and reduces instead of spreading the cancer of life more and more. There are so many things to be discovered here and in space. I think we have seen nothing yet of the great dark outside our atmosphere.
Judging on the song titles, ‘Misotheism’ is about heresy throughout history. What is your fascination with heresy and also the wisdom that is supposedly contained within it (i.e. studying black arts for knowledge)? It's interesting to see how mankind searches for confirmation over and over again. All this leads to group behaviour of which the leading acts use their position to please their own and the ones they love. The Christians started out as a small sect and became more and more aggressive to other religions, with the crusades as a possible highlight. Old rituals and traditions were altered or banished in their own advance. Books and infidels were burned and forbidden gospels were locked inside the Vatican. They still are, like the gospel of Judas in which is written only Judas knows the true story about Jesus and was in fact his closed friend. His kiss of betrayal was in fact part of a greater will of which Jesus was aware of. Of course this might not be the known part of Christian history because it would reduce the impact of the martyrdom and thus also the power of the Vatican. Throughout ages the Christian world only released stories which gained them more and more might. Even today I feel it hard to believe so many people subject themselves to religion. In the Middle East at 4 AM minarets start calling to pray for Allah. Why do people so much feel the need to be part of something? Can't you figure it out for your own, without the use of religion or things such as black arts?
Could you explain why you chose to write music and to have lyrics about Abraxas, Abufihamet, Sophia (Greek for ‘knowledge’) and the Sicarii? Also what has apophasis (a line of reasoning by which something is described by telling what it is not) to do with heresy? Initially I wanted to make a topic about local folklore about a monastery which has sunken in the swamps of Diepenbeek [a municipality in North Belgium – RF]. Once I started to search info about this matter I jumped into pre-Christian literature which made me even more curious. I started to discuss these things with my friend Jurgen and so the ‘Misotheism’ concept started.
Most song titles on ‘Misotheism’ are in the Greek language and deal about Gnostic subjects that put the current Christian views in another, less devout daylight. It's not always the easiest info to discuss and that's why each text has got a prologue which explains the content bit more. About ‘Apophasis’: the New Testament makes mention of a magician named Simon who rivalled with Christ. Simon said he was the messiah, that he was the One. Christian authors enthusiastically detail the story of the duel of the apostle Peter with Simon, who possessed the power of levitation but was cast down by God and stoned to death by a crowd. It is said that Simon has written several books such as ‘Apophasis Megale’; therefore ‘Apophasis’.
The song ‘Sophia’ clearly marks a break on the record. What, if any, is its function in the whole? You hit it right on; it's a break on the record.
What does ‘Misotheism’ mean in relation to the subject matter of the album? ‘Misotheism’ is Greek for ‘hatred of God’. This perfectly suits the Gnostic topics which aren't that kind-hearted for the today's Church.
Would you care to explain who Jurgen S. is? What is your relation with this person? In any case, he seems like someone with a keen interest for history; how come he writes such lyrics? Did you feel that for this album your writing abilities would not be enough, or did you want to focus on different aspects of the creation of this album? Jurgen is the main man behind the band Theudho. They just released their third album entitled ‘Cult of Wuotan’ on Det Germanse Folket. I've played the bass on that release (and also the previous one) and Gorath and Theudho are connected since we released a split demo years ago. Jurgen is a walking encyclopaedia – Deep into all kind of cultural topics. I feel very fine with this collaboration and I wouldn't say no to a further collaboration between both of us.
As for the music, how do you infuse your material with such a drive and urgency? It is perhaps somewhat similar to Watain’s, but the interplay between melody, the rough tone of the guitar and the many turns and changes is quite fascinating to listen to. Do you have a secret ingredient or is it not something you pay much attention to? Let me start to say I don't really like Watain's latest album, sounding too nice and too clean. When you write songs from around eight minutes you surely have to keep up enough variety to keep it all interesting. I'm mainly into black metal, but I also appreciate other musical styles that bring a good combination of atmosphere and technique. So I've also been listening stuff such as Agalloch, Melechesh, Amenra, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Earth, Ikuinen Kaamos, Katatonia and a lot more. I guess this open-mindedness pays off when creating my own music. Besides those bands I'm also into a lot into bands like Deathspell Omega, Secrets of the Moon, Negura Bunget, Glorior Belli, etc. Unconsciously you suck up all those different influences and there you have your inspiration for Gorath.
On your site it said that Zahrim left the band. Why is this? Will this new line-up be able to carry Gorath into the future? Zahrim is the main man behind Panchrysia. They're listed on Dark Essence and have just releases their third full length. Besides Panchrysia he has got a busy job and it didn't come as a surprise when he told us to cut down his activity for Gorath. B. Put, who I know from his other technical death metal band Ill Fares the Land, will take over the guitar duties. Zahrim will do two coming Irish dates and the day after Put will do his entry for our show at the famous Belgian Biebob venue. We're all looking very forward to sharing the stage. Put is also bald headed, just like Devenster and me, so it definitely can't go wrong.
It seems you solely play with people you (intimately) know. Is this a prerequisite for you to achieve a certain interaction needed for Gorath? It's certainly not a must, yet I pay much attention to loyalty. On ‘Misotheism’ I had Bart Goffinghs (from Hollowtone) doing some grunts. He will also return on future Gorath releases as part of ever returning tradition. Also Jurgen (Theudho) delivered a vocal contribution, being a good friend. Tijs from Oceans of Sadness I didn't know personally, but he has got a great clean voice – So the choice was obvious. I rather work with people I know well and of which I know they can pull it off. I was in touch with Mirai from Sigh to do some guest vocals as well, but in the end we lost contact. I prefer working with people I personally know, but it doesn't necessarily mean there won't be any outsiders helping out the band.
The new Gorath album has been mastered by Dan Swano. As is known, he has mixed Hail Of Bullet’s 2007 demo, as well. Is he monopolising another country / region when it comes to mastering and mixing records? How did you end up with Dan Swano? Swanö is a real mastermind; as a musician, as a composer and as a producer. I like his direct and natural sound – As on his Dissection, Katatonia and Edge of Sanity productions. Some years ago he did some guest vocals for a project of mine (Mahlstrom) and I thought it would be a nice opportunity to let him do the mastering. All turned out very well, thanks to the good production of both Reinier Schenk (mixing & drums) and Joris Timmermans (guitars & bass). Without a good mix a decent mastering is impossible. Swanö gave ‘Misotheism’ the final dirty, raw touch.
Where will time take your band? Have you been planning on a certain course? I don't live up to any schedule. The last records came out quite fast; nevertheless I prefer quality above quantity. Already thirty minutes of new music has been written and hopefully Gorath will enter the studio next year. Though I don't want to rush things and I don't pressure myself with a deadline. Around the end of this year Eisenwald (home of Loits, Urfaust, Drudkh,…) will release ‘Misotheism’ on 12 inch vinyl and some compilation appearances are set as well. Further some dates are set to promote the new album and probably the live aspect will be cut down a bit next year, in order to complete the new album.
For the release of ‘Misotheism’ Gorath will be visiting the Netherlands and Ireland, do you think Gorath will do a full European tour shortly? We're working on a five date European (Germany, Poland and Czech Republic) tour with Enthroned and another band (possibly Hecate Enthroned). At this moment I cannot confirm anything and we'll see how things will turn out. Besides that short tour there will not be a full European tour. Why? I'm quite limited due to my job. I'm pretty sure a decent European tour will follow once we're on a more specialized label, though this will not be the case for ‘Misotheism’.
Well, thanks for your time and have a nice one. As you will know by now, the closing words are for you. ENS ET BONUM ET VERUM ET PULCHRUM CONVERTUNTUR!!!
Maak home
Bookmark