The cover art for ...On the Dawning of Light is very striking and quite different from your previous album. Are they connected in any way? The artwork is connected in that it is linked to the concept on either record, and the concepts follow on across the records. The first one is about ‘darkness’ coming to bring shadows over the ‘Illuminati’, whereas the second one is about the ‘light’ of a new dawn coming to bring a wave of change. This is reflected through either images or symbolism on the albums. This is your second release for Candlelight Records. How helpful is it having the backing of an established major label considering the extreme nature of your music. It’s amazing to have the backing of a label who has always championed this style of music, as fans, and at their own expense. Working with people who care about what you do is important, as it adds to the whole. It is also great to have the backing of a label that allows you the creative freedoms to express what you wish to do, with no encroaching. Black metal has been around for over 30 years now. How does it remain so relevant and what do Nine Covens offer to the genre? Black metal has remained so relevant because it is a genre filled with people who have something to say. That ‘something’ isn’t always positive, but it is often passionate, and for the most part, it is positive and engages people on a personal and intellectual level. I think we try to continue this in our own way and bring socially relevant concepts to people through engaging music. We have our own stories to tell and our own perspectives to offer, so if you care about socio-political issues, then we feel we have something to offer you and the genre through the music and lyrics we make.
British black metal is in the best health of its life with bands like Winterfylleth, Wodensthrone and Fen all recently releasing great albums. Why do you think it has taken the UK so long to catch up with other nations with strong black metal bands? I think the black metal scene is very healthy in the UK at this point in time. All of these bands are coming through and making an impact on the global metal scene, getting recognition for their albums and genuinely bringing UK black metal to a wider audience. I think this is pretty much for the first time ever, as a cohesive scene any way. Bands like Wodensthrone, Winterfylleth, Fen, Cnoc An Tursa, Falloch, Haar, Askival, Burial, Fyrdsman and many others have all raised their heads above water and caused a stir in the international scene. Many of whom have been awarded the great praise they deserve for putting the UK on the black metal map once again. For too long we have been the poorer cousin of the rest of the world’s black metal, despite the genre originating in England. The time has come for change and the output we are seeing from many bands is helping to do that! I suppose this has come about because of the social situation in this country and lots of bands have found black metal to be the medium through which express their views on this; making it our own and bringing the genre back to its roots. Taz from Satan’s Wrath recently stated in an interview that he can’t take satanic bands seriously as his research has led him to believe that Satanism is a bogus religion, invented by Catholic inquisitors to justify witch hunts and the like. Venom were obviously only using Satan for show and yet other prominent musicians claim that black metal has to have a satanic message or by definition it isn’t
black metal. Which side of the argument do you agree with, if at all? I think that religion is so entrenched in our societies and mindsets that it has become a subject matter people like to ‘rebel’ against by feigning to support its antithesis. I don’t think being anti-religious is any good if you pretend to be its conceptual opposite number. The truth is that it’s all rubbish and that true anti-religious sentiment would see the pillars of all religions crumble and see people move on with their lives without the crux of a dogma to make them function as a drone in society. Religion is power, and power is control. Thus religion is control, and if you believe it, you are a fool who needs to see what is happening in society. The argument sits about the statements you mentioned above. What’s next for Nine Covens? Do you have any plans to tour? I think the plan is that we will play live at some point in the future. As you are aware, we are all active members in other bands already, so we are playing live with them. When the right show and the right timing come together, you will see Nine Covens taking to the stage. For now, our new album …On The Dawning Of Light is upon you through Candlelight Records on November 12th. Familiarise yourself, for the path to clarity lies within! Do you have any message for the readers of Ghost Cult? Why should people buy your new album? If you are reading this, then you obviously care about what we have to say. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge to challenge the way society is and use it positively? If our album helps you to do that, then great. http://ninecovens.com
I think that religion is so entrenched in our societies and mindsets that it has become a subject matter people like to ‘rebel’ against by feigning to support its antithesis. ghost cult magazine | 29