QUEENS OF STEEL INTERVIEW
By: Queens of Steel
*Original interview published online @ Queens of Steel (April 2013)
Queens of Steel:
Hi, thanks for your time. What are you currently up to? How is everything doing right now with VON?
VENIEN:
We are finishing last minute studio work on Dark Gods: Birth of The Architects and started to work out the kinks with the final chapter, Dark Gods: Ancient Blood. I am about to go back into the studio with Lord Giblete and HangMan on guitars for the final parts and of course Dirty FvKn! Pistols will be here to abuse the drums. We are going to begin more studio work this month and rehearse some for the tour, but it's all working out great.
Queens of Steel:
VON has always been a huge reference into the US Black Metal scene, being the first BM band ever over there, and also a lot of bands name you as main influence. Does this suppose some kind of pressure or is it rather a pride?
VENIEN:
These things you ask have many twists to them and behind the scenes there are many things going on that a fan can't see, but it is not something that you can't always dwell on as an artist or human being for that matter. I put my pants on the same way you do, and for some it has turned into a curse to have represented VON in the past, others have and remain loyal and supportive of VON past and present at all cost, and then there are some that have come to regret being a VON fan or even stated they were influenced by it and wish I never came back…ha!!! Dynamics and the human condition is a fickle thing, and it can be a bumpy ride- but at the same time can gather overwhelming support and friction among the ranks in the same breath. So its something you look at from a distance and take it into perspective as best you can, but understanding the agendas and feelings behind others actions, is key sometimes. I feel an idea and that feeling around it at one point served its purpose, but its time has come and has gone
Queens of Steel:
You have just released your new album, entitled "Dark Gods: Seven Billions Slaves", the follow-up to the 2012 album "Satanic Blood". What are your expectations on this new opus? And how is its feedback being so far (both from the fans and press?
VENIEN:
Positive and negative, down the line…but I do have to say, I have actually seen a rise among the music critiques showing a sense of exploration and looking into what is really happening here. Some of those eyes are opening slower than others, and there has been more focus on the work, and that a realization that there is more to this story and it has much more than what they might have thought. Dark Gods at this point has gathered some attention, but more questions, and in some cases more hate for those that do not understand it at the same time (or they just don't like it and never will).
Queens of Steel:
This release is the first of three volumes of the "Dark Gods" trilogy. If you don't mind I would like you to elaborate a bit on the concept behind this trilogy and how did the idea born.
VENIEN:
Dark Gods is in a sense about the human condition and also about our species in many levels, and how some deal with these aspects of existence in this universe. It is as much about things otherworldly as it is about them not existing, as well as some of our reality is just as real as some of our dreams, or nightmares in some cases. This story tells how they intertwine and how some can be mislead into dark corners that fear and dread dwell, and some down the path where maniacs, panic, and bloody rage overcome and engulf us. What is inside us? This story brings more questions at times than it does answers. Its much deeper than Satan vs. God, or man vs. beast, or science vs. spirituality, holy or unholy, peace vs. darkness…it's a story about us, all of us.
Queens of Steel:
And what can we expect from the next two releases?
VENIEN:
As Seven Billion Slaves peels back the layers of darkness and rage we have inside, it continues to reveal deeper in Birth of The Architects. In this chapter, a closer look at the dark heavy weight that burdens some in critical times, and that takes us closer from the MONSTER within that subdues us and keeps us ready to kill, into that part of us which can lead us into an unfathomable depth of insanity and clarity in the same moment. This album brings us closer inwards, closer to the core of the story. The final chapter Ancient Blood will follow suite. As we peel back the layers and reveal the core, this lead to my solo project Tribal Blood, which serves as an epilogue, a finale in some respects, as was with Satanic Blood leading us in as our prelude.
Queens of Steel:
On this new opus I've noticed elements from different bands such as ALCEST, NACHTMYSTIUM, DARK FUNERAL or FAUSTCOVEN among others but, what are your main musical influences? Have they broaden throughout the last years? As it seems you are adding some new elements and sounds to your music, or maybe giving them a twist.
VENIEN:
Many things influence me as others are, and those things that have stuck with me and have bleed into the song development throughout my life, are involved for sure. I know that the story has always been there, it has grown and developed as I have since I was young, the accompaniment to the stories, are just that, they serve the story. There are things you will hear, see, and feel when we go down this path together, and you will say that sounds like that, but not really, as well as many negative and positive opinions on direction will be made, its expected. At the end of the day, each piece of the puzzle, old material, new material, it serves a purpose. I never set out to reinvent anything just tell a story, and for these albums, songs, they are concept driven at its core.
Queens of Steel:
And which new bands deserve your respect nowadays into the extreme scene?
VENIEN:
Too many to name in all scenes, sub genres, blah blah blah, it boggles my mind the talent out there, truthfully, it's a matter of competition and no one is making much money, so it has changed the game a bit across the board. Now you have to make something that counts than cookie cutting something that everyone is doing. It's hard nut to crack for any musician, especially when 90% of labels dictate or have heavy influence on what direction they want their bands to sound or be, it's a tough thing on creative people. When you have kids looking at this scene or that scene, all they have is what they are being fed, this of course does not apply to the independent lot of freethinkers out there giving DIY guys like myself and others a listen and even support, but it's far and few between. It's the equivalent of running a marathon breathing out of a straw, it's difficult but can be done painfully.
Queens of Steel:
Due to this I would like to know how uses to be the songwriting process like in VON. Since you reunited you haven't actually stopped, in fact it seems you never run out of ideas so, where do you draw inspiration from to create new music?
VENIEN:
Songwriting comes from much thought and experience and trying hard to keep it simple. I do much within illustrations and visuals and try to capture them, then at times they tell part of the story to me, and vice versa. The story of Dark Gods is the elephant in the room for this question, since it almost dictates my direction with much of the process. I am passionate and intrigued by the inner workings of our species and many other things. From psychological make ups, to belief, to conditioning, and to many other factors. Sometimes exploration leads into very dark corners that we dare not speak of at times, and some things are enlightening but can costs us dearly. So this is my process and it sometimes it can take longer to reach the final versions of the song sometimes.
Queens of Steel:
All this about "Dark Gods: Seven Billions Slaves" being said; how could you describe it in just 3 words?
VENIEN:
THEY HAVE COME
Queens of Steel:
You started the band back in 1987, almost 3 decades. How do you think has VON evolved during these years?
VENIEN:
I created VON when I was young and early on met another person (Goat) to develop it further into what most feel was the early VON in the Satanic Blood era. Since then, minus old collaborations and forging new ones, I am even more committed and relentless in my attack to deliver this story. VON since the early 90's after we disbanded as a band then, it has been static in the sense of it, myself, and the material was being prepared to be brought to the surface again when the time was right, and to finally reveal its true face and purpose, this is where we are at. Dark Gods brings the MONSTER out of the shadows, and the results are a legion of vVurMz to be released to burrow and grow again. These vVurMz will penetrate the mind and release things that most attempt to hide. The time for realization and the time to prepare for the truth has come
Queens of Steel:
And finally; what are your near-future plans?
VENIEN:
Finalize the work and reach those that are prepared to accept it
Queens of Steel:
That’s all, thank you once more for answering our questions. If you want to add some final words; feel free to do it.
VENIEN:
DIY