1) So Diamatregon is a
French name for a medieval medicine, not the kind of medicine that’s
going to aid the sick – more like the stuff prisons put in the lethal
injections!
Hell Diam’s, I know this project has been in existence since 1997, but
for those that are a little behind the times could you quickly introduce the
maniacs behind the violence please?
We released 3 demos, 2 albums, and one 7ep recently. Except this, I eat everydays
at least twice and shit minimum 4 times a week. Theses days I have worms in
my stomach. And take medecines for this. I am not going to dominate the world
. www.loginsatan.org/dmg
2) While there is more
to your violently brutal approach to metal than the basic black metal elements,
Diamatregon harness a great deal of black metals foundations. I suppose unless
we were to make another genre of metal you would have to say Diamatregon are
essentially a black metal band, would you agree?
I totally agree.
3) If we were to make another
category exclusively for Diamatregon, what title would be most fitting? (Schizophrenic-Black-Violent-Metal
perhaps?!)
We often use the “Vintage black metal” label. It is what we feel
about our music. We are not doing True Black Metal as we got a bad reputation
making shitty demos. Any category would fit, as long as it gets the hots.
4) So many of your songs
deal with Satan in some way or another, do you use Satan just as a tool to
scare the children or is there some strength behind the lyrics?
There are some strenght behind our lyrics, sure, but it is not poetry. We
are not proud to print the lyrics we write 10 minutes before recording the
song. But there is a strength in it, sure. Just listen the conviction we give
when shouting them. Stupid words written with computers would not be comparable
to the feeling, the sensation of the screams. We don’t want to scare
any children, so we take care of shouting only when they sleep.
5) Other
than Death, Satan, Satan and mmm…Death, what else inspires the chaos
that is Diamatregon? Are you inspired by specific events, or is Death and
Satan in their most basic understandings enough of a foundation to work with?
Death and satan are concepts we deal with because they are a reason to go
beyond everyday life. It’s like a transcendental vision that gives a
meaning to our life. A reason not to be happy, a reason not to stay in front
of the TV, not to buy coca cola. It is the voice of contestation, the alternative,
the voice of the left hand path, the voice of satan.
6 )As for the Blasphemy
for Satan album, you recorded this at home I understand? Why did you decide
to record this way after recording the Satanic Devotion album in a studio?
Actually we managed to use a studio for free in north of France for the first
album. But we had to record and mix the whole thing in 3 days. We needed to
touch our shit alone. We already recorded the demos home, so we get used to
this. With more time for the Blasphemy album, we could avoid loosy passages,
musical mistakes and stuff like that. Also in the demos we were used to add
many vocals and arragements , but it demands time in studio. In the end, I
think the sound is more low fi than the first album, but more raw, aggressive,
violent like nailing your ears.
7) You were hellbent on
releasing the Blasphemy album through tUMULt which isn’t specifically
a metal label. What did you hope to achieve by taking this road less travelled?
We want to stay away.
8) Darkthrone has been
mentioned among your major influences in the past, and recently you covered
their track Majestic Desolate Eye on the Charognard ep. Darkthrone made no
secret about the fact they were essentially a tribute band to those that inspired
them, would you say Diamatregon is in anyway of a similar nature given your
strong garage roots?
I guess if Darkthrone wouldn’t have exists Diamatregon would have sound
differently.
9) Diamatregon don’t
play live anymore right? Was it a case of not wanting to play or simply the
fact that each member is based in a different continent that made it impossible
to play shows?
We need a japanese secretary, it is just a matter of logistic. Also, I don’t
manage to learn the lyrics.
10) What was a typical
Diamatregon gig like; with the increased rawness and chaos of playing live
it must have sounded like the apocalypse was approaching every time you took
the stage! How much of your throat was left on the mic after each show?!
Yogourth, but not Mamie Nova. Hard, strong and black . It is wet because of
the transpiration. Actually, we never really played a gig with the minimum
equipements. It was more, using guitars amp for vocals, and playing in stranges
places. Caves, street, bar, with plane inside... yes, we can call it apocalypse,
at least from our side.
11) Before the Charognard
ep, Diamatregon’s releases were limited to cd and tape (and 1 video!).
I think that the Blasphemy album would make a killer vinyl, especially with
the epic b-side “The Beast is Dead”, do you think you will ever
release your albums in this format?
There might be plans for this. We would like it. But wait and see.
12) Now that I have mentioned “The Beast is Dead” what better time to ask about this 20minute
rollercoaster through hell. Can you tell me a little bit about how this track
evolved?
It is the last track that have been finished. We had the vision since the
very beginning of the “blasphemy for satan” concept that the last
song would last a huge time without blasting drums... like very slow and evelasting
sensation. It is the only track that have music composed by ‘Url (other
stringman) and me. This song was supposed to be postume.
13) Crossroads is the title
for your next full length (not due out before end2004?), have you found Diamatregon
has approached such a destination and what would you sell your soul for should
the devil be there to greet you at these Crossroads?
Hope he will be there, for sure, all of us will be.
14) As a band that has
made no secret about having influences outside of metal, could you find a
place on this album perhaps to cover a Robert Johnson song? I’d be interested
to hear Diamatregon’s take on Cross Road Blues or Hell Hound on my Trail!!
No, we won’t cover Robert this time, but there might be a cover from
an old Canadian man from the 60’s . Wait and see.
15) Since the band is scattered
across the world, how are the song writing duties being approached for Crossroads?
Diamatregon was originally a solo project, are you effectively the sole song
writer?
It seems I have composed most of the material until now for the Crossroad
album, but for the Blasphemy, it was 50-50 ‘URL and me.
16) I recently heard the
new Blacklodge album, Login:SataN, on which you played bass. This is a wicked
slab of Industrial Black Metal in a similar vein to that of Diabolicum or
Anaal Nathrakh, and unlike a lot of industrial music, one you can actually
bang your head to! How involved are you with Blacklodge, was your contribution
to the Login:SataN album more than just session work?
No, I was really involved in the BLACKLODGE, and I still considere myself
involved even If they play with another bass player (which is a friend of
mine).
I used to work for the whole scenery concept, which is way more sofisticated
than in Diamatregon. Through, I made no composition except my basslines for
the Blacklodge. I might work with them again later... I really dig their industrial
realm .
17) I understand Blacklodge
to be a band devoted to experiencing life and all its temptations, especially
Sex, Drugs and Satan. Does Diamatregon share these similar indulgences?
Not really, not the same way. Blacklodge is more exhibiting, like the evil
all around Saint Vincent. Diamatregon is more rotten inside. All come from
the deepest of our soul.
18) Under what conditions
do you see the next album being created? Is there some sort of October Ritual
planned that will see all members of Diamatregon in the same country long
enough to record this next blasphemous chapter?
The condition is : we have to meet again. We have to feel the same vibes.
I am afraid of talking too much about this. Sorry.
19) Well so ends another
one, thanks Diam’s for taking the time to answer my questions. Any final
comments from 5 degrees north of the equator?
It is cold. My throat is dry. My eyes are tired. I feel attracted ... I feel
satan.
