1. Greetings to INFERNO. The new album “Omniabsence Filled By His Greatness” is finally out so I am wondering what’s now going on in the band? What caused the year-long gap between the recording and the release of the new album?

Ave.
I would say that nothing of real importance is going on right now. As expected, everything flows in an established and recurring manner. We have our feet on the ground and we are preparing for upcoming concerts and tour overseas.
Well, what can we say about such a gap between the recording and the release itself? It is simple. Sometimes it is better to be a number one band for a small label, than the huge label’s number 66, if you know what I mean. Labels nowadays need more money for their releases and functioning and some also just want to cash in. So it is normal that they prefer to release bands that will fill their pockets and/or cover their expenses as soon as possible. It is quite sad but that’s how it is. The art, its quality, maturity and soulfulness are often laid aside and the name, fame or as the case may be, sales and profit, are the central point of things.

2. Before we start talking about the new album, let me ask you about the previous and crucial album “Black Devotion” which was released four years ago. INFERNO have, for the first time ever, set out beyond the borders of Europe and the album itself received some very favourable reviews. So how important “Black Devotion” was for INFERNO?

True, this album was crucial but the shift in sound and musical progression was natural. The change in line-up played its role as well. If we didn’t move forward we would simply fail because there has always been a certain urge to do things differently in INFERNO. The art usually emulates the course of life, its changes and failures, so it was necessary to try something different and imaginative in the band. To breath a new life in the band on all fronts. For some fans it meant the end, for others yet another new beginning. As it was for us. We do not intend to drown in the waters of sterility and that’s why we are trying to search for unconventional and unusual ways of playing and incorporate them in our music. This may help us to make our music more penetrating, interesting and also ambiguous. That’s the aim. To give our art a significance and form. That’s why I consider “Black Devotion” an important album and a milestone for all upcoming works.

3. As far as I know, the bits of material created after “Black Devotion” weren’t drastically different from the aforementioned album. What forced you to create the album such as “Omniabsence Filled By His Greatness”? How did you compose it? Did you have an exact vision and the goal you wanted to achieve?

After we recorded “Black Devotion” it was evident that our next album will be different again. We felt a huge urge to try something different so we just jumped straight into it. We wanted to experience the innovation, rebirth and our own artistic elevation – that was our motivation. We were full of inspiration and we couldn’t do anything but to let it flow. At first, the compositions were quite standard and not very different from “Black Devotion” but more we were getting close to the finish, the more it was evident that everything will be different. We honestly didn’t even feel the change. It was an unravelling, liberation and submission to artistic and instrumental desires. The new album might not suit everyone’s tastes but this does not bother us at all. The thing that we broke free from standard directions was the most important for us. We felt a defiant energy that opened many new ways, shapes and images and most importantly, the new freedom. These have always been a key aspects of the new existence.

4. Personally I would describe the new album as the collision of the most distinct aspects from the Swedish and French black metal. Even though I expect that you see it differently and that you weren’t inspired just by the bands like Ondskapt or Blut aus Nord. So how would you describe your nowadays music?

I think there is no need for such description but ok. It really has something from the French decadence and Swedish darkness but this album can appeal to anyone in a different manner, according to his or hers own interpretation and approach.
The impact of the album is substantial here as well as its magic, distinctiveness, instrumental prowess, depth and if you are able to find something for yourself every time you listen to it. Me and Ska-gul (guitarist) have similar views on various favourite records or bands. That is a great advantage and thus our direction, vision and communication is made a bit easier and enables us to keep the music consistent. We also try to creatively enrich each other which helps us to create things that may be fresh, more varied and then eventually become an ideological and artistic whole. I think we succeeded in that with “Omniabsence…”.

5. Now, that the new album is released and you could create some kind of detachment from it, how are you satisfied with it? Even though it marked a huge step forward, don’t you feel that you still haven’t reached your pinnacle? Have you set some goals that you would like to reach with new album? Perhaps getting a new label, more concert opportunities etc.?

It is hard to say if this album is a pinnacle or not. You can get a lot from the sound and the production especially if you record in Necromorbus studios with someone like Tore Stjerna. In was our first cooperation with a professional like this. Back then, we have met for the very first time in our lives, so I will say that this album was experimental/introductory for us. I believe that the next time we can push everything further. The more you learn about something the better you are able to work with it, in other case the result could be inconsistent. We also do not want to justify our work and aims. We need creative independence.
The one’s conviction and work itself should be good enough reasons for the creation. That’s why we don’t set any particular goals. We will humbly accept what will come before us. What elevates you can also destroy you. That’s also a way how to take it.

6. By the way, is there anything on the new album that really makes you proud? Some detail, part of the song or anything else? I am sure that you are proud of the album as the whole but there is definitely something special for you.

I am sure that every member of INFERNO finds something unique in this album and has his own favourite parts; be it a massive rhythm section, eerie melodies or a wide range of emotions. That’s up to the individual to decide. But we in INFERNO appreciate “Omniabsence…” most for its uniqueness in the discography of the band, its technical prowess and a certain cohesion between different aspects. I am glad that we managed to create truly a conceptual album.
Shortly about the production of the album. Personally I really value its unique sound which is not that typical for Necromorbus studio. It simply doesn’t sound like Watain or Valkyrja and similar bands. I dare to say that in this studio we have found something that could be eventually ours. And I don’t know if this album has a pinnacle or if it is worth to search for one. It works as a mosaic so you cannot just take one thing from the whole. It should be understood as a monumental piece of progressive and negative black metal.

7. The recording of the new album in Necromorbus was announced shortly after a release of “Black Devotion” and it did happen last year. You don’t need to elaborate on the recording session itself but it would be great if you could tell what this experience brought to you? And what do you intend to do next? The new album really set the bar high.

If possible, we would like to record the next album in Necromorbus studio again. It is a very professional studio where they are capable of creating what you need. They are able to capture the specific emotions that make the music lively, dynamic and unbound regardless of form. This cooperation was immensely beneficial. I have never experienced that a sound engineer who could influence the record so much. You can’t find anyone like Tore Stjerna in the Czech republic. But I think we still haven’t hit the top, there is a lot to be achieved…

8. Even your vocal, formerly the dominant element of INFERNO, wasn’t spared from changes. The vocals are deeper, for some almost death metal-like and they are quite drowned in the mix. Why? The vocals now work as an additional instrument but they are also quite unintelligible now.

That’s correct. The vocals are lower in the mix, thus they serve as a background for the music itself. It sounds more compact, which was intended. As well as trying the deeper vocals that would enhance the atmosphere. All goes hand in hand so the feeling of the album can strike hardest. The different approaches and visions can lead to the best possible outcome.

9. We could also say that each album of INFERNO has been different not only musically but also lyrically. What do you personally think of this long and often signification evolution? It is obvious that when you change the main composer that the music changes as well but what would you say about your lyrics, that have certainly explored many topics during the time?

We don’t need to record same albums all over again. We are not here to satisfy the wishes of listeners. The art is too independent for that. But I don’t think that this evolution has been forced. We don’t want to repeat ourselves and create the restricting barriers, that would be an artistic suicide. Our music reflects current states of mind, the events in life and of course also the line-up. This shows not only in music but also in lyrics. It is all about personal development and emotions. We don’t care about rules and what we are supposed to do. We care neither about togetherness nor about pathetic people who need the group’s acceptation. The real art lives in ideas and essence than in form.
I can already imagine all those reactions and drivel about how we follow some kind of a trend… Fuck it. The way how we create and overstep the low illusions and ideas is about perspective and our own independence. Only then we can feed our creations. We don’t need to know each other but if you don’t even try to understand it’s not worth a try.

10. Even though it didn’t seem like it five years ago, the Czech bands have really made some progress since then and not only when it comes to production. Several new, interesting names have appeared. Bands and musicians who were not expected to progress are now forcing themselves into best possible creations. And old legends have also awaken from a lethargy. What do you think about it and what surprised you most in recent years?

I am really pleased by a recent development. To be honest I don’t follow the Czech scene that much nowadays but the albums which were supposed to cross my path did so and thus I am more than satisfied. The Czech black metal has finally awaken and the bands are gaining some attention and praise not only here but in the abroad as well. I am especially surprised by the young bands. All the old bands that have returned should remain dead and buried.

11. Ok, let’s discuss the certain future plans of INFERNO. The album is out, do you also plan some merchandise? What about concerts and tours? Have you already started talking about the new music? The split album with Kozeljnik has already been announced…

We have everything ready for t-shirts and sweatshirts themed around the new album, so hopefully they will be printed soon. We have several Czech concerts announced and we will play Black Flames of Festival in Finland in November. At the turn of November/December we will play 8 gigs in Mexico and we are also arranging Brazilian and European tours for the February of 2014. Let’s hope everything works out well.
We are not composing anything new at the moment. We are having a break and focusing on the promotion and upcoming concerts. Ska-gul will be working in the USA for some time so we are now rehearsing with a session member for the upcoming live rituals. In the meantime we will think about the next album. This also means that the split with Kozeljnik is postponed but we certainly want to make it happen.