Author’s note – This interview was originally published on Examiner.com in 2010. Since then, a lot has changed for Demilich, all for the better. But here’s a snapshot of what was happening with the band at the time.
It is unusual for a classic-era death
metal band to have a more rabid cult following than some of the black
metal bands that followed, but that’s Demilich all over. The band
released their sole album Nespithe
in 1993, and their left-field sound coupled with an oversaturated
genre saw to it that they were mostly ignored. Good art sometimes
takes a while to find an audience (just ask Van Gogh), and a decade
later the group had amassed thousands of dedicated fans worldwide.
The only problem was that the band had been dead since 1995.
metal band to have a more rabid cult following than some of the black
metal bands that followed, but that’s Demilich all over. The band
released their sole album Nespithe
in 1993, and their left-field sound coupled with an oversaturated
genre saw to it that they were mostly ignored. Good art sometimes
takes a while to find an audience (just ask Van Gogh), and a decade
later the group had amassed thousands of dedicated fans worldwide.
The only problem was that the band had been dead since 1995.
In
2005, Demilich surprised the underground by reforming with the key
members of the original lineup. They performed shows in Finland and
then embarked on their first and only a tour of America in 2006.
Demilich went to ground soon after their US excursion and the
announced compilation album, v34ish6ng 0f emptiness,
was indefinitely delayed. Fast-forward to 2010 – the band resurfaces
once more to play a high-profile final appearance for a very lucky
national fanbase at the Jalometalli Festival in Oulu, Finland,
despite promises that they would never perform again. Lightning
rarely strikes twice, but Demilich vocalist/guitarist/mastermind
Antti Boman deemed it should, and fortunately he felt like discussing
it.
2005, Demilich surprised the underground by reforming with the key
members of the original lineup. They performed shows in Finland and
then embarked on their first and only a tour of America in 2006.
Demilich went to ground soon after their US excursion and the
announced compilation album, v34ish6ng 0f emptiness,
was indefinitely delayed. Fast-forward to 2010 – the band resurfaces
once more to play a high-profile final appearance for a very lucky
national fanbase at the Jalometalli Festival in Oulu, Finland,
despite promises that they would never perform again. Lightning
rarely strikes twice, but Demilich vocalist/guitarist/mastermind
Antti Boman deemed it should, and fortunately he felt like discussing
it.
Let’s start with the question that
everyone asks – why won’t Demilich continue?
everyone asks – why won’t Demilich continue?
AB: Demilich will not continue because
I don’t want the history to limit what we’ll do next, or what I hope
we will hopefully do next. My problem is that I don’t want to be a
band that tours with 1992 material. We could do another album, but
with the Demilich monicker it would have to be Nespithe II or
otherwise everyone would be disappointed, including me. So I want to
start a new band, and fortunately we’ll have a lot of “cover
songs”.
I don’t want the history to limit what we’ll do next, or what I hope
we will hopefully do next. My problem is that I don’t want to be a
band that tours with 1992 material. We could do another album, but
with the Demilich monicker it would have to be Nespithe II or
otherwise everyone would be disappointed, including me. So I want to
start a new band, and fortunately we’ll have a lot of “cover
songs”.
What
about the extra tracks for the planned v34ish6ng 0f
emptiness LP? Will they ever
surface? What’s the status on the release?
about the extra tracks for the planned v34ish6ng 0f
emptiness LP? Will they ever
surface? What’s the status on the release?
AB: Yes, they are
just being remixed now. After Jalomettali Festival, I will start
handling them. Xtreem Music will release the CD, but I will release
the double-LP myself, the 397 copies. I will try to get it ready for
the Christmas market (laughs). Every [recipient of the LP] will be
randomly picked from those who signed up to buy the album.
just being remixed now. After Jalomettali Festival, I will start
handling them. Xtreem Music will release the CD, but I will release
the double-LP myself, the 397 copies. I will try to get it ready for
the Christmas market (laughs). Every [recipient of the LP] will be
randomly picked from those who signed up to buy the album.
You realize that
limiting the LP to 397 copies is even more exclusive than most black
metal bands.
limiting the LP to 397 copies is even more exclusive than most black
metal bands.
AB: Well, there are
black metal bands who only release 100 copies, so we’re doing a big
thing compared to them.
black metal bands who only release 100 copies, so we’re doing a big
thing compared to them.
True, but Demilich
is far more popular than most of those bands…
is far more popular than most of those bands…
AB: Well one reason
for it is the number, it’s connected to the numbers in the titles.
But it’s just another gimmick, actually. I want to make a limited
thing, and I will put it out myself to make it as grand as possible –
a double LP with gatefold and a great booklet.
for it is the number, it’s connected to the numbers in the titles.
But it’s just another gimmick, actually. I want to make a limited
thing, and I will put it out myself to make it as grand as possible –
a double LP with gatefold and a great booklet.
What do you think about death metal now
as opposed to when Demilich was first active?
as opposed to when Demilich was first active?
AB: It’s more
quantity now, but there’s still quality in there. I’m definitely not
fond of the new style of mastering. All you see now [on the waveform] is a vertical bar. In Finland, metal has become our national music so
it has gotten boring, especially when it becomes all about production
instead of the songs.
quantity now, but there’s still quality in there. I’m definitely not
fond of the new style of mastering. All you see now [on the waveform] is a vertical bar. In Finland, metal has become our national music so
it has gotten boring, especially when it becomes all about production
instead of the songs.
A recent study
revealed Finland as the smartest nation on earth in terms of academic
performance. Similarly, Demilich is regarded as one of the world’s most
intelligent death metal acts. There seems to be a correlation here.
Do you think your nationality had a direct effect on your music?
revealed Finland as the smartest nation on earth in terms of academic
performance. Similarly, Demilich is regarded as one of the world’s most
intelligent death metal acts. There seems to be a correlation here.
Do you think your nationality had a direct effect on your music?
AB: My family is
not very educated, but they are bright people. I’m a product of my
parent and my surroundings, but still even without Finland I would
have done something different because it’s in me. When I was a child,
my sister said that before I could tie my shoelaces, I would watch
[my siblings] do it, and then she’d try to teach me and I didn’t want
to know. So I watched them and learned it myself, but I still do it a
bit wrong (laughs). I do it my way and it’s a bit clumsy, but I never
wanted anyone to teach me. My sister kept trying to show me, but I
always said, “No! I don’t want to hear it”. So I don’t know where
it came from, but it’s my personality.
not very educated, but they are bright people. I’m a product of my
parent and my surroundings, but still even without Finland I would
have done something different because it’s in me. When I was a child,
my sister said that before I could tie my shoelaces, I would watch
[my siblings] do it, and then she’d try to teach me and I didn’t want
to know. So I watched them and learned it myself, but I still do it a
bit wrong (laughs). I do it my way and it’s a bit clumsy, but I never
wanted anyone to teach me. My sister kept trying to show me, but I
always said, “No! I don’t want to hear it”. So I don’t know where
it came from, but it’s my personality.
Would you say that
another factor in Demilich’s unusual approach comes from the
introverted nature of Finnish culture?
another factor in Demilich’s unusual approach comes from the
introverted nature of Finnish culture?
AB: Actually, you
haven’t seen as much of it compared to [Demilich’s 2006 US tourmates] Biolich. When we arrived in New Jersey we saw them at the meeting
point. And remember, they formed a band because of our band. I walked
up to them and shook hands with each of them – you know, “Hello,
I’m Antti”, and then went back to my group. The other guys [in
Demilich] did the same thing, and it was very polite. Finns are
always polite, but we do things like shake hands and then retreat to
our “safe” surroundings. And the Biolich guys first thought, “Oh
s—t, those guys are totally stuck up, and we can’t stand two weeks
with them!” Of course, after seeing the USA I saw that maybe our
way may seem… well, irrational.
haven’t seen as much of it compared to [Demilich’s 2006 US tourmates] Biolich. When we arrived in New Jersey we saw them at the meeting
point. And remember, they formed a band because of our band. I walked
up to them and shook hands with each of them – you know, “Hello,
I’m Antti”, and then went back to my group. The other guys [in
Demilich] did the same thing, and it was very polite. Finns are
always polite, but we do things like shake hands and then retreat to
our “safe” surroundings. And the Biolich guys first thought, “Oh
s—t, those guys are totally stuck up, and we can’t stand two weeks
with them!” Of course, after seeing the USA I saw that maybe our
way may seem… well, irrational.
The reason I bring
it up is because when Demilich plays live, it feels like you turn the
music in on yourselves. It all seems so esoteric and internalized,
and it struck me that this pointed to the Finnish way of being.
it up is because when Demilich plays live, it feels like you turn the
music in on yourselves. It all seems so esoteric and internalized,
and it struck me that this pointed to the Finnish way of being.
AB: It mostly is,
but there are also bands here who imitate an extroverted kind of
presence. It’s fine for most bands who want to “kick the balls as
long as they they break” and make people shout and do pits and so
on, but could you see us doing that? It would be embarrassing to me.
but there are also bands here who imitate an extroverted kind of
presence. It’s fine for most bands who want to “kick the balls as
long as they they break” and make people shout and do pits and so
on, but could you see us doing that? It would be embarrassing to me.
Demilich
is almost a mythical band due to only having one album and so few
appearances. This last show here at Jalometalli is basically a zombie
performance for the band. Did you plan on this when you released
Nespithe?
is almost a mythical band due to only having one album and so few
appearances. This last show here at Jalometalli is basically a zombie
performance for the band. Did you plan on this when you released
Nespithe?
AB: No I didn’t. I
wanted to be a rock star and spread the good word, or my word. But I
thought it was how I would make my income. It didn’t happen and it
couldn’t have happened because I’m the kind of person who, when I try
to make my living off something out of desire, I cannot make it work.
I will quit if it goes in a direction I don’t want, and if it’s about
income you usually have to make sacrifices. At least I think so. I
don’t know, I’ve never made music professionally.
wanted to be a rock star and spread the good word, or my word. But I
thought it was how I would make my income. It didn’t happen and it
couldn’t have happened because I’m the kind of person who, when I try
to make my living off something out of desire, I cannot make it work.
I will quit if it goes in a direction I don’t want, and if it’s about
income you usually have to make sacrifices. At least I think so. I
don’t know, I’ve never made music professionally.
So no, it was not
planned, but nowadays it feels good to me to be able come play this
gig, and practice for it for three months, and remember the reasons
why, and then call it quits. I’m obviously a bit perverted about it,
but those rehearsals are meeting points for me. They are places where
I can play and forget about everything else.
planned, but nowadays it feels good to me to be able come play this
gig, and practice for it for three months, and remember the reasons
why, and then call it quits. I’m obviously a bit perverted about it,
but those rehearsals are meeting points for me. They are places where
I can play and forget about everything else.
You lyrics and
concepts are very abstract. Is it hard to remember the words on
stage?
concepts are very abstract. Is it hard to remember the words on
stage?
AB: No, but last
night I read all the lyrics and found a paper with the original
version of one of the songs, though I can’t remember which one. It
was a bit different, and in reading them, I thought, “S—t, what’s
going on?”, and then I started remembering how it really goes. But
suddenly I couldn’t remember the words because they are so in my head
these days. Some of the words are such that I don’t really recall
them until I play. When we played last Thursday [in Kuopio] there was
one place where I forgot the lyrics, but then I played and it flowed
out. It’s like the words are rhythms in my head and that’s how they
come to me.
night I read all the lyrics and found a paper with the original
version of one of the songs, though I can’t remember which one. It
was a bit different, and in reading them, I thought, “S—t, what’s
going on?”, and then I started remembering how it really goes. But
suddenly I couldn’t remember the words because they are so in my head
these days. Some of the words are such that I don’t really recall
them until I play. When we played last Thursday [in Kuopio] there was
one place where I forgot the lyrics, but then I played and it flowed
out. It’s like the words are rhythms in my head and that’s how they
come to me.
Regarding
Winterwolf, are you guys going to try to make that into something
bigger?
Winterwolf, are you guys going to try to make that into something
bigger?
AB: It’s a fun
project, but I can only speak for myself. For Corpse
[Winterwolf/Deathchain guitarist], it’s something he cannot do with
Deathchain. For me, it’s something that is lots of fun to play, and
it allows things I want to do but cannot bring into my own projects.
It’s my trademark to be very hard to get (laughs). So it’s both. In
April, we recorded Deathchain’s new album, and then we played one
show with Winterwolf and made two songs for a new 7 inch. Now we have
this Demilich thing, then after that more Winterwolf again. It’s a
band that gets ahead in between the bigger projects, but it’s not
like we’re just putting our leftovers there. It is relaxation for us,
because it’s a lot easier and something fun to do, rather than
sitting on the couch. But it’s nice because it doesn’t require as
much concentration.
project, but I can only speak for myself. For Corpse
[Winterwolf/Deathchain guitarist], it’s something he cannot do with
Deathchain. For me, it’s something that is lots of fun to play, and
it allows things I want to do but cannot bring into my own projects.
It’s my trademark to be very hard to get (laughs). So it’s both. In
April, we recorded Deathchain’s new album, and then we played one
show with Winterwolf and made two songs for a new 7 inch. Now we have
this Demilich thing, then after that more Winterwolf again. It’s a
band that gets ahead in between the bigger projects, but it’s not
like we’re just putting our leftovers there. It is relaxation for us,
because it’s a lot easier and something fun to do, rather than
sitting on the couch. But it’s nice because it doesn’t require as
much concentration.
Would you say that
it is important to remain active in your work in order to maintain
musical integrity?
it is important to remain active in your work in order to maintain
musical integrity?
AB: No. After 1993,
I didn’t do anything until almost 2000. I occasionally did something
programmed on my Amiga PC. Then we recorded the new Demilich song,
which people actually say… well, there’s one guy who doesn’t really
understand Demilich – the bassist of Winterwolf. And even he said
that the new song is close to greatness. So it’s something that is
“baked in”, and it doesn’t fade away. Of course, if you want to
play guitar well, you have to play it. But you can relearn it again.
I didn’t do anything until almost 2000. I occasionally did something
programmed on my Amiga PC. Then we recorded the new Demilich song,
which people actually say… well, there’s one guy who doesn’t really
understand Demilich – the bassist of Winterwolf. And even he said
that the new song is close to greatness. So it’s something that is
“baked in”, and it doesn’t fade away. Of course, if you want to
play guitar well, you have to play it. But you can relearn it again.
The reason I ask is
because the newest song is unmistakably Demilich. I was amazed at how
much of a continuum there was between the original album tracks and
the recent one.
because the newest song is unmistakably Demilich. I was amazed at how
much of a continuum there was between the original album tracks and
the recent one.
AB:
That makes me smile, but it also raises the uncomfortable situation
where I start to think that we will do another Demilich album. But
no, the new band will get the name it deserves. I want to keep it so
I don’t have to think of it as a continuation. If it sounds like
Nespithe, then it just
happened because it was played by me and those two guys [guitarist
Aki Hytönen and drummer Mikko Virnes]. Corpse is a great
addition on bass, but without them there would be no Demilich. I’ve
played our songs with three different drummers, one of whom is really
great, but he doesn’t sound like Demilich; he sounds like his other
bands. The “bossanova” is missing, which Mikko has in his style.
And Aki’s playing style- I remember back in 1991 I told him how to
play it, and he forgot and put in the “dampi” [palm mute] differently. I don’t want to correct those things, because it brings
those small variations that adds up to the mystery of our sound.
That makes me smile, but it also raises the uncomfortable situation
where I start to think that we will do another Demilich album. But
no, the new band will get the name it deserves. I want to keep it so
I don’t have to think of it as a continuation. If it sounds like
Nespithe, then it just
happened because it was played by me and those two guys [guitarist
Aki Hytönen and drummer Mikko Virnes]. Corpse is a great
addition on bass, but without them there would be no Demilich. I’ve
played our songs with three different drummers, one of whom is really
great, but he doesn’t sound like Demilich; he sounds like his other
bands. The “bossanova” is missing, which Mikko has in his style.
And Aki’s playing style- I remember back in 1991 I told him how to
play it, and he forgot and put in the “dampi” [palm mute] differently. I don’t want to correct those things, because it brings
those small variations that adds up to the mystery of our sound.