Crystal Abyss [ Black metal | Russia | Interview on April 25, 2008]

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Crystal Abyss [Date of interview: April 25, 2008]
"We are a satanic band; however we are not extremely orthodox. If you read our lyrics, you won't find praises of Satan in every line because we have it inside of us and don't feel the necessity to underline it every word." Words of Sarquanaar (whisper of madness, astral hurricane), front line of Crystal Abyss, the Symphonic Black metal band from Moscow, Russia. They came with the awe first full-length album "Word of the Darkest Ages". Here is the interview that you guys will know this band more!.

Hails, Crystal Abyss, How's its going? How's the black metal scene in Moscow, Russia?
Sarquanaar | Crystal Abyss: Fine, thanks. If to speak about Moscow Black metal scene we have it very contrasting. We have 3-4 "grand" bands like us and some others, which come from the end of 90s and a couple of dozens of much younger and less experienced bands. The strange thing is that we don't have anything in the middle.

Crystal Abyss was born in 1998 'till now, you guys only released the first full-length album in 2007, why's that?
Sarquanaar | Crystal Abyss: It was mostly because since 2001-2002 we had lots of line up changes and other problems with the band which prevented us from concentration on album's production. We have reformed everything only in 2006 thus giving the "second birth" to the band so if to count from 2006 we haven't had much time wasted.

Can you explain the music of Crystal Abyss "Pagan Black metal"? What is your philosophy of life?
Sarquanaar | Crystal Abyss: Here we have a misunderstanding. We have never stated our music as "pagan" Black metal, but for some unknown reason I often see our music listed under such a "brand". I don't know why it has happened: maybe because we use some folk elements in our music or maybe just because modern pagan metal bands are coming mostly from Eastern Europe and as we are also from Eastern Europe some careless publishers rated us as "pagan".

For me Black metal has nothing to do with paganism - it can be Satanic, misanthropic, melancholic, even agnostic but not pagan. If music is about pagan gods and philosophy or lifestyle connected with them it's simply pagan metal no matter if the band uses guitar tremolos and blast beats or not. To resume "Black" and "pagan" terms in metal are religious and philosophical characteristics which cannot appear at the same time.

As for Crystal Abyss philosophy and religion - we are a Satanic band, however not extremely orthodox. If you read our lyrics you won't find praises of Satan in every line, because we have it inside of us and don't feel the necessity to underline it in every word. Instead our lyrics express many different aspects of philosophy, feelings and lifestyle one may have following this religious path and from my point of view it gives the way for our lyrics to be more versatile.

As for my attitude to paganism - I respect the roots and beliefs of my grandfathers and have many good relations with pagan societies. Nevertheless paganism is not my religion - I don't pray to these gods respecting paganism only as a tribute to our ancient traditions.

I had a chance to listen your song from the compilation "Metal Farm Vol.6" (Thai), how come to conjoint in this compilation?
Sarquanaar | Crystal Abyss: Everything is simple - the producers of that compilation have contacted us and offered to take part. You know the result.

In 2007, you guys had a chance to perform with the bands like Testament, Sepultura, Destruction, My Dying Bride in Metal Mania Festival. How's your feel on the show? And how's the response from the audiences?
Sarquanaar | Crystal Abyss: For me Metalmania has usual atmosphere of European metal festivals. I have worked on many of them as a FOH engineer so coming to Metalmania wasn't anything unusual. However it was obviously a great experience for the band and has given us some kind of "next level", I should say. As for audience - they seemed to be very friendly and thankful though I don't doubt that there were people who were not much into us. On festivals having more than 5000-10000 people you always have people with different tastes as well as you always have your own audience.

Have any good news from the owner of Metal Farm invite your band to perform in Thailand? Is that possible?
Sarquanaar | Crystal Abyss: We haven't discussed it yet. It will be no problem for us to play in Thailand so if there is anyone ready to provide our coming it will surely be possible.

What's your plan in the future of Crystal Abyss?
Sarquanaar | Crystal Abyss: Now we are working on new material and playing shows from time to time. We plan to release new album in the second half of 2009 and most of our efforts are concentrated on that. We try to make it something special, to say some significant word in the genre and that's why it takes so much of us even now.

Wanna say something to the metalthai's readers? If the metaltheads who read this interview and interest to your band, how should they do?
Sarquanaar | Crystal Abyss: I want to wish them mental freedom. Don't ever let the prejudices of society rule you but nevertheless keep your personality strong and principles inviolable.

Best regards,
Sarquanaar,
Crystal Abyss