Out of the
ashes...
“Every move is a lesson in the music business, good
and bad. However, all I can say is keep thick skin and always watch
your back. There are too many leeches trying to drain your blood.”
Bornless Fire is the
new industrial project from Kristof Bathory, better know as the
driving force behind industrial-black metal outfit Dawn Of Ashes.
Featuring members of Dawn of Ashes, Bile, and Carved Souls the
project is a return to Bathory's early industrial sounds that
characterised the initial years of DOA. This time however, Bathory
returns to that style a battle-hardened veteran of the scene with a
renewed vision and fire within him.
The band's debut album is
scheduled for release in early 2018 via Metropolis Records, so we
caught up with Bathory to talk about his motivations in revisiting a
purer industrial sound and his inspirations behind the new project.
Intravenous
Magazine: First of all how did the idea to create Bornless Fire as a
band come about?
Kristof Bathory:
For many years, I have had high demands that I do Industrial music
again. After, the last Dawn of Ashes tour, the idea just happened
while randomly listening to Hocico in the van. I started to think
about the fans asking me when I would or if ever I would do this
style of music again. Then, I came to terms that I am going to bring
back an era of Industrial that has been buried and modernize it with
my current skills.
IVM: The band
features yourself along with members of Bile and Carved Souls as
well, how did you go about recruiting them and are their
contributions purely in a live capacity or are they actively writing?
KB: Its
actually myself and Angel from Dawn of Ashes and members from Bile
and Carved Souls. The recruiting happened by a tight friendship from
me and Krz from Carved Souls. During the last DOA tour Brendin from
Bile actually approached me in NYC and we bounced back thoughts about
this idea. It just came into place perfectly.
IVM: The
band's moniker has a strong sense of the Luciferian about it with
allusions to the Bornless Ritual and The Black Flame. How did you
come to settle on that name and how do you evoke it sonically?
KB: I wouldn't
strictly classify it under "Luciferian", even though the
symbol does have the sigil of Lucifer in it as a symbol of light.
However, I would say it would be classified under various sects of
the Left Hand Path. The name itself is derived from the "Bornless
Ritual" that is from Greaco/Egyptian origins which the term
"Bornless" actually means without a beginning. I then tied
it in with the "Black Flame" to represent the divine spark
that is within the evolution of human beings.
IVM: The band's
Facebook page describes the genre as industrial/dark electro. With
Dawn of Ashes evolving into a primarily black metal based sound over
the years, how important is it for you to keep writing electronic
music and will there be any similarities between the two projects?
KB: I think I
made the decision to separate the two in order for DOA to move
forward in the direction that it has been going and to give the fans
that miss that old era of DOA something familiar but new. So to
answer the question, I will always make Industrial music.
IVM:You're currently working on your debut album under
the new moniker, what can listeners expect to hear on the album?
KB: An era of
Industrial that has been dead and now it's time to dig up it's bones.
IVM: Names such as Suicide Commando, Grendel, and
Tactical Sekt have been mentioned as remixers for the album, how
important is it for you to maintain this practice with other artists?
KB: I felt that
if I am going to make a come back with this, might as well have my
old EBM pals back me up on it *Grin*.
IVM: How has the
songwriting and recording process differed for Bornless Fire?
KB: Well, I am
DIY-ing everything myself so I am in a portal messing with various
alchemy ingredients and honestly loving it. No more pain in the ass /
arrogant / self-entitled band members to tap on my shoulder every
second which is a goddamn blessing.
IVM: Musically and
thematically what have been your primary influences when recording
the new album?
KB: Musically:
Late 80s to early 2000 Industrial music. Thematically: My wisdom from
the Left Hand Path and the crisis within the downfall of humanity.
IVM: When
can we expect the debut album to be released?
KB: The debut album
will be released 1st quarter of 2018. Unfortunately, I can not reveal
any further details until closer to that date.
IVM: Is there a title
for the album (working or otherwise) that you can share with us yet?
KB: This info won't be
revealed until sometime towards the end of this year.
IVM: The album is
scheduled to be released through Metropolis records who also released
the last few DOA albums. Did you entertain any other labels for
Bornless Fire or was the plan always to stick with Metropolis?
KB: Metropolis Records
immediately jumped on this once I told them about it. They are one of
the largest Industrial labels so I felt that the album would be
handled properly. Also, since there has been a high demand that I do
Industrial again, I think the label knew it was something to invest
into.
IVM: Can we expect to
see Bornless Fire on the road anytime soon, and if so have you made
any plans as far as the live presentation of the band?
KB: Probably looking
around the same time when the album gets released. Bornless Fire
features members of Dawn of Ashes, Bile, and Carved Souls so we have
an amazing live lineup.
IVM: You've been
involved in the music scene for a while now, what have been the
hardest lessons you've had to learn and what advice would you give to
new artists?
KB: Every move is a
lesson in the music business, good and bad. However, all I can say is
keep thick skin and always watch your back. There are too many
leeches trying to drain your blood.
IVM: Finally is there
anything you'd like to add?
KB: I'm very excited to
jump into this again and I am looking forward to seeing all of the
reactions.
Bornless Fire's as yet untitled album is slated for
release via Metropolis Records in early 2018. To keep up-to-date with
the band, including release dates and tour news, follow their
official Facebook Page.