Swedish black metal act Lömsk unveils their debut EP Act I, blending raw intensity with haunting atmospheres. In this interview, the band discusses their origins, creative process, and future ambitions.
1. Congratulations
on the release of Act I! How does it feel to finally share this EP with the
world, and what do you hope listeners will take away from it?
It is a great feeling
to finally be able to share this, the EP has been finished for some time now
and we have been waiting for a good window to release it. In retrospect I think
we chose wisely and we were mindful enough not to rush things.
With hope this EP
will cement us in the black metal scene and in its audience as a force to be
reckoned with, to leave our own hallmarks in this genre, a genre that all the
members of the band have been fans of for a long time.
The aim is to
immerse the listener into a fierce and unsettling atmosphere just to come out
the other side with the echoes of it lingering on.
2. Lömsk's origins and identities are shrouded in mystery. Could you
tell us what led you to take this anonymous approach, and how it influences
your music and presence?
Not to sound pretentious but the music is supposed to be a work of art
and not about the artist or band members. Who we are, what we do in our spare
time or with other bands is irrelevant to what Lömsk is supposed to be. The
veil is allowing us and the audience a clean slate and enables Lömsk to stand
on its own. If you put too much focus on the author of a book or the director
of a movie, the work of art itself could easily be overshadowed.
3. The EP's first single, "Spetälsk," has a haunting atmosphere.
What inspired the themes and lyrics behind this track, and what was the
creative process like?
It all started out with A. and T. throwing ideas at each other which
culminated in a recording session where these ideas were crystallised.
Music and in particular metal can suffer from too much going on at the same
time, a big production, lots of overlays of intricate guitar riffs and
harmonies etc. Spetälsk was born from an idea of making music that is very raw
and bare bones, the whole first half of the song is almost just one chord that
is strung and bent to generate an eerie feeling which then builds up to a final
release halfway in when the melody shifts. Something we had not heard before
and it was very pleasing to us the way it turned out.
That being said, we have a bunch of overlays and orchestral elements on this EP
but we try to portion it out in small amounts to create a dynamic with it and
an atmosphere. Something we feel is missing in music nowadays.
4. The music video for "Spetälsk" captures a very dark, unsettling aesthetic. Could you tell us more about the concept and the vision behind the video?
Since we have up until this point done everything ourselves we needed to convey a mood and story with small means. We took a lot of inspiration from older movies, in particular old westerns but with a militaristic and perhaps darker twist to it. We wanted the aesthetics to match the intense and brooding atmosphere of the music and I think we caught that quite well.
5. With the release of Act I, what was the most challenging aspect of creating this EP, and what moments stand out as highlights for the band?
The most challenging part has been to sit on this and wait. Wait while we find a label to sign with, wait until there is a good window to release etc. The EP has in its entirety been complete for over a year before the release but at the end we got a great label, Vendetta Records, that supports us and a really good window to release our debut so it was worth it in the end.
The first highlights must have been when the mix was done and the mastered version came back from Robert Kukla at Obsidian Recording Studios. Another one when we got the finalised artwork from Misanthropic Art. The third and probably the biggest one was when we got the first press of the vinyl, it all got very real then and there.
6. Lömsk's music has a very intense, brooding sound. What are some of the musical and non-musical influences that shape your sound and lyrics?
People write in the comments and it is true to some extent, we have gotten some influences from newer bands like Mgła. I would though further expand on that and say we have been influenced by bands they’ve probably also been influenced by; bands like Arckanum, Blut aus Nord, Taake and Darkthrone to name a few. Besides the rich heritage of black metal we draw a lot of inspiration from classic music and even cinematic music like the genius of Ennio Morricone even though it might seem far-fetched.
Besides music we draw inspiration from philosophical works like the ones of Nietzsche, Schopenhauer and even Marcus Aurelius. We try to convey a message through our music and reflect upon the state of the world and our lives although be it somewhat veiled.
7. Why did you choose the title Act I for this debut release, and does it imply a larger story or concept that you'll continue to develop in future releases?
It is simply to imply a sort of beginning of something we believe in. We didn't seem to have a song or a title that felt like the one song that stood out, this all felt like the prelude of what Lömsk will become, at least what we aspire for it to become. In other words, the first act in a much longer story.
8. Black metal often explores themes of darkness, isolation, and the human psyche. What draws Lömsk to these themes, and how do they resonate with you personally or creatively?
I would not say that is the theme of the lyrics per se. Sure, it is an aspect of it though it is more of a social commentary, a mirror to hold up to the world around us, the darkness and despair is there all the time, a part of life itself. This is a part of a personal journey and a philosophical one, it might seem uncharacteristic but there is a glimmer of hope in between the lines for those who want to find it, there is also a promise of tragedy for those who are not prepared for it. We’ll leave the beauty and gloom for the eye of the beholder, at least for now.
9. As a band based in Sweden, do you feel the country's rich history in black metal has influenced your sound, or do you strive to carve out something distinct within the genre?
Of course there are a lot of influences from growing up in a thriving metal scene but we still hope to carve out a path of our own. I think you can hear some of those Gothenburg-sound melodies in our music if you listen close enough or that famous nordic melancholy. If we manage to leave a legacy of our own only time will tell.
10. Given the anonymity surrounding Lömsk, how do you approach live performances? Can fans expect any upcoming shows or is the focus solely on recorded music for now?
We will play live and we are ready for it. There are some support slots for us in the future but we are not at liberty to unveil anything yet.
11. What was
it like working with Vendetta Records, and how has the label supported the
vision you have for Lömsk?
Vendetta has been very
good to us and believe in us as a lot of people have done throughout this
journey so far. We feel very comfortable with them and they have a lot of great
bands under their wings, we hope to be one of them.
12. Looking
ahead, what can listeners expect next from Lömsk? Are there plans for future
releases, and what direction do you see the band going in from here?
There is a full-length
album in the making but it is in the early stages. We want to deliver a well
polished and as perfected product as we can for our listeners and they should
expect nothing less. If you have enjoyed ‘Act I’ there is a lot more where that
came from.
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