WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BEHERIT ON RETURNING TO METAL AND THEIR NEW ALBUM, ‘ENGRAM’

Finnish black-metal legends Beherit have just put out their first new album in 14 years (since their two, excellent ambient-electronic releases in ’94 and ’95) and their first new metal album in 16. The record, Engram (Spinefarm), recalls the raw crunch of their now-classic demos comp, 1991’s The Oath of Black Blood, as well as the avant-garde melodies of 1993’s Drawing Down the Moon. We contacted frontman Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance to find out how the last decade and a half fueled his decision to reunite with drummer Sodomatic Slaughter, draft two new members, and create such a terrifying-sounding album.
 

Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance in Brisbane, Australia, February 2009
 

REVOLVER Why have you re-formed Beherit after all these years?
NUCLEAR HOLOCAUSTO VENGEANCE I didn’t have any particular reason or master plan for this so-called comeback. After years of working alone in my home studio, it was inspiring to play again with real musicians.
 

Why, after Electric Doom Synthesis, did you wish to return to a more traditional black-metal sound on Engram?
It’s a real band recording. I’m able to produce electronic music myself on a computer, but I’m not good in playing drums. On Engram, we focused the time and spirit of “The Lord Diabolus,” which was the last studio session I had with Sodomatic, our original drummer. After such a long silence, we thought it’s better to keep things simple.
 

Engram’s final song, “Demon Advance,” is very different from the others. Why is that?
Yes, it has slower tempo and runs longer than a typical Beherit song. It was composed from never-ending loops during weeks of insomnia. It was the first demo recording [for the album] and it made me think about a possible comeback. At some early point, I was thinking of a concept album based on that style, but I chose to skip the idea for later use. In our rehearsal room, it was more natural to play faster stuff.
 

How does a typical Beherit song come together?
I have couple of riffs on the guitar and some words to create the atmosphere. I usually record the first demo version myself, with written tablatures and give the other members a short explanation of the original idea before we go to rehearse song together. Later there come more variation in rhythms and necessary changes for the final composition.
 

How did you spend your time during your absence from Beherit?
I have been busy with various internet projects, working as a webmaster for hotel and restaurant. I have a small recording studio for electronic music. I also had an ambient-music radio show for six years, specializing in drones and dark ambient. I have traveled quite a lot, mostly in Southeast Asia.
 

From left: Sodomatic Slaughter and Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance, in 1991