Interview:


Canada based duo Mausoleum is a new name on the scene, but they have already released a well-received EP in 2016, a demo and a split on Obscure Abhorrence last year, so they are starting to get attention from the underground eyes, let's see if this short chat will shed some light on their activity.

What made you chose Mausoleum for your band's name since there are already a lot of other bands with this name around? Don't you think that will be a problem after a while for people to recognize you, or that doesn't really matter?
We wanted a name that was simple, to the point, and evokes the atmosphere that we were going for. That other bands use the name is irrelevant to us.

Your music is a mix of Thrash and Black Metal, or rather a Thrash Metal influenced Black Metal according to your words. I also feel the atmosphere on your debut EP is deeply obscure and morbid, is this something you're looking for? Is the general atmosphere of your release(s) important for Mausoleum?
Again, atmosphere is imperative to the delivery of the music. Conveying atmosphere elevates the music from just bashing riffs to creating something more. Something that connects at a deeper level.

What would you say are your most notable influences when it comes to other bands? What influenced this path for your band, and do you plan on developing in this direction, or will you explore other territories as well?
Remaining visceral and intense while pushing ourselves musically is always a goal of ours. Taking any influence from any genre and twisting it into our perversion is immensely satisfying.

Talking about this, especially in the '90's there were a lot of Extreme Metal bands that changed direction, most of them becoming softer, yet they all said it was pure desire to discover new territories. only a few embraced these transformations, but the major part of their followers didn't. How do you feel about that?
Why soften what is meant to be harsh? Exploration and development shouldn't mean weakening the musics core.

Your latest release, the split with Mourning Dawn, was released in late 2017 on Obscure Abhorrence Productions. How do you feel about working with such a reputable underground label? Do you plan on continuing this collaboration? How do you feel about Mourning Dawn's music? Who cam with the split idea?
Obscure Abhorrence was excellent to deal with. There reputation was obviously well earned and I as well hope to continue working with them on some level. As far as the idea for the split, I believe the label suggested it.initially it seemed kind of a odd pairing but i think Mourning Dawns suicidal salutes certainly fills out the split nicely. Excellent musicians and i think they complimented the spectrum of the release quite well.

What can you tell us about the topics in your lyrics? How important are your lyrics in the overall impression your music makes on listeners?
Our lyrics come from the observations on the world that surrounds us. The lyrics are important to me, whether published or not, to fully convey the atmosphere and strength of a track. They serve to anchor the music and punish the listener appropriately.

Have you planned your debut album already? Will it feature only new material, or will you re-record old stuff, too? Will you choose a professional studio for the album recordings, or do you plan on keeping the same murky sound for it, too?
The new album is finished with the majority of the artwork being completed. We are just looking for someone who is willing to release this monstrosity. As for the material itself, it is certainly a showcase of our evolution of the band with it being far more brutal, layered and polished. Make no mistake, it is still very murky and obscure but clear enough that it'll rip your fucking heart out. As for the old material there are some plans on re-recording them and working through our extensive backlog of completed songs. Also i am not a fan of polished overly sterile productions, I want to feel the energy and the atmosphere. A studio polish can castrate music rather quickly if you're not careful.

January 2018


themausoleum.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/themausoleumhorde/