Relics of Humanity return with Absolute Dismal Domain, a brutal death metal masterpiece. Discover their conceptual vision of annihilation, dark storytelling, and artistic evolution in this exclusive interview.
1. Congratulations on the upcoming release
of Absolute Dismal Domain! Could you share more about the concept
behind the album and how the theme of annihilation of light ties into the music
and lyrics?
Hey there and thanks. Yes, this album is the most conceptual of our entire
discography. From the first to the last track, the story is about the absolute
destruction of light, both spiritual teaching and physical phenomenon. The
apotheosis of this story is the Dominion of ubiquitous darkness, without the
slightest chance for the revival of God or life itself.
It's the same story we started on the debut album, where the dark messiah came
into this world. On the second album he enslaved it and on the EP Obscuration
he transported the enslaved souls to the dimension under his control. Now he
got enough of them to destroy the light…
2. Absolute Dismal
Domain is described as a nine-act conceptual record. How did you
approach structuring the album to maintain a cohesive narrative across all the
tracks?
The album was planned and composed as a whole from the start. We had used a
similar formula before, but this time we took the process to a new level.
3. This is
your first full-length album in over a decade. What challenges or inspirations
did you encounter while working on new material after such a long gap?
In 2019 we released EP Obscuration, made a European tour and a bunch of fests
and shows in different countries. Everything seemed pretty succesfull and we
were planning more shows all over the globe and then release this third
full-length late 2020/early 2021. In February 2020 we had few rehearsals with
current line up (first time with our vocalist Flo) in Minsk/Belarus and they
were really inspiring. Band got the live sound we were always looking for , but
very few weeks after COVID has happened. We decided to wait a better times to
work on album, cause we wanted to have tours and shows to support it. But times
did turn into good for few more years. Me and Pavel decided to move from
Belarus in 2022 and it did not help us to make this new record faster of
course. So yeah it is what it is. That was an unexpected pause for the band,
but now we are back.
4. You not only composed, mixed, and mastered the album
but also created the artwork. How does this hands-on approach influence the
overall vision and cohesion of the project?
Initially, this art was a sketch for the further implementation of the final
cover. The object painted on it is actually the Absolute Dismal Domain, a
concentrate of fallen dark souls that have become a single whole to confront
the False Creator.
We were searching for someone who can remake it but could not find any artist
that we would like and can effort at the same time. Bandmates supported me and
we collectively decided that we will use original art as a front cover.
5. The track
titles, such as "Omen Apollyon" and "Dominion," evoke
powerful imagery. Can you elaborate on how the titles and lyrics contribute to
the atmosphere you wanted to create?
The title, the lyrics, the music itself, the design and in some cases the art
for the tracks - it's a single whole and is created in this way with the goal
of creating lore behind the album. We
don't mold a product from what we have, but we think through everything in
detail, as much as possible.
6. “Smoldering
Of Seraphim” has been approved for airplay. What makes this track stand out,
and why was it chosen to represent the album to a wider audience?
have to say its not kind of banger among the other tracks, and we picked it up
mainly, because of its reference
to our debut album “Guided By The Soulless Call”. Being out for so many years
makes us wanted to pay homage to the people who stay with us from the very
beginning.
7. How do you think Absolute
Dismal Domain differs musically and thematically from your earlier
works, such as Obscuration and Ominously Reigning upon
the Intangible?
Musically its much more unique, and not that fast. We have more really slow
doomy parts, a lot of groove and dark atmospheric riffs, but at the same time I
think the listener easily can recognize its ROH. Saying about lyrics, this time
its more focused, conceptual and it’s kind of a storytelling from first to last
track. That’s something we did not get previously. But in general I have to say
this is the record that will surprise with some new elements.
8. Brutal
death metal is known for its intensity, but you’ve incorporated a strong
conceptual and artistic element as well. How do you balance brutality with a
deeper narrative and artistic expression?
I think we are far from the first group to take this path in creating a BDM
product. I have always considered groups with a well-thought-out concept to be
a cut above those who simply place piles of corpses on their covers and write
lyrics about murders/dismemberment/decompositions over and over again. There is
nothing wrong with that, but we wanted to create something different and we are
trying to cope with it in the way that is reflected in our releases.
9. The
artwork, painted with oil by Siarhei, adds a unique dimension to the album.
What inspired the choice of medium, and how does the visual art complement the
music?
As said above, this is Absolute Dismal Domain. We wanted to have a simple, but
at the same time very dark cover for this album. A symbolic cover. We believe
this art fitting very well.
10. As a band from Minsk,
how has your local scene or cultural background shaped your sound and
perspective, especially in the context of a global brutal death metal audience?
No one of
current band lineup is living in Belarus, unfortunately. We cant say that we
got some local impact, but at the same time last 10 years were really huge for
local scene there, a lot of bands found worldwide success, got signed with
great labels and released great albums. Hope its just a beginning.
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