I Hate

https://www.facebook.com/events/3524444121126193

I HATE at Noselake!

I hate will traditionally visit/sell at the Noselake event in Nässjö this Friday-Saturday.
Support the REAL underground!

You can traditionally meet I HATE at the Huskvarna Record Fair this Saturday

https://www.facebook.com/events/23942271172085605

https://www.facebook.com/events/1663435977484444

Get your LP/CD/T-shirt-fix from I HATE at the Linköping Record fair tomorrow!

This week you can find I HATE at two locations: Mörkaste Småland: Slaktmånad in Hultsfred on Friday and at the Norrköping skivmässa (on home soil) on Saturday.
Sometimes we wish we could clone ourselves ;-)

https://www.facebook.com/events/798262374496006
https://www.facebook.com/events/620136936717706

https://m.facebook.com/events/727973312403473/?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22:%22null%22%7D

I HATE will as always be a part of the BIG record fair in Solna.
Hope to see you tomorrow!

ROOT – Hell Symphony out now!
Black LP
Red transparent LP
6-panel CD digipak + booklet

We are proud to finally present you this Czech 1991 Black Metal milestone!

Order your copy now at our bandcamp https://ihate.bandcamp.com/
Or at our Discogs shop: https://www.discogs.com/seller/I_HATE/profile
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044245668664

This saturday I HATE will be heading to cozy Mjölby where the first of many record fairs this autumn will take place.
Come and browse through our full sortiment!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100031883782394

I HATE kicks off the autumn with a selling session at Fredagsmangel (24/08). When mighty DRUID LORD visit, we simply couldn't resist going. Be there as well!

https://www.facebook.com/events/3507993666107700/

GEFLE METAL!

Traditionally I HATE head to Gefle Metal Fest for selling session/lesson in violence.
Orders placed between 11/07-17/07 will ship ASAP after our return.
Hope to see many of you at the event!

ROOT – Hell Symphony LP and Digipak-CD

The iconic 1991 2nd album from the Czech Black Metal pioneers to be
re-released by I HATE!

This time history repeats itself in a good manner!
It has been 15 years since I HATE and ROOT last joined forces,
re-releasing "Hell Symphony" (Back then on CD only).
Now, the targets are set on both vinyl and CD!
Expect both abominations to surface within 2 months.
Release dates to be announced shortly!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044245668664

SHOW YOUR B/W COLOURS!

A limited batch of I HATE T-shirts are available.

Yes, for only the second time in the soon 23 years of I HATE history we have decided to make some T-shirts.
100 copies have been printed. Pick up your copy at our bandcamp-site.
We are eternally grateful for your support!

https://ihate.bandcamp.com/merch

Muskelrock done, Sweden Rock up next. A bit of Onkel Kånkel safari in between

FESTIVAL TIMES!

Yes, as usual I HATE will head out on a small tour of the Muskelrock and Sweden Rock Festivals, selling CD/LP/Shirts/Tapes from our ever-growing distribution. During May 29th-June 12th we are busy with these events, which will make communication slower than usual. (shipping of orders will be picked up where we left off when returning home).
Hope to see you at the events!
(And no, Gutalax are not in the line-ups)

I HATE moves on!
We have started our move to a new place/storage within Norrköping.
(Pictures displays part of the LP stock).
Expect delays in shipping (Discogs/bandcamp etc.), correspondence etc. for the coming week.

Linköping record fair coming up!

Yes, the last record fair (with I HATE participation) before the summer takes place tomorrow. Hope to see you at the location!
https://www.facebook.com/skivmassan/

`THE TEMPLE LP + POWER FROM HELL LP OUT NOW!

Finally the “Of Solitude Triumphant” LP by THE TEMPLE and “The True Metal” LP by POWER FROM HELL are out!

All pre-orders have now been shipped out!
Pick up your copy before it is too late: ihate.bandcamp.com/

EASTER ATTACK!
2 Selling-sessions coming up!
Browse through our LP/CD-selection.
Friday 7th, Stockholm, LG Legacy Night
www.facebook.com/events/1305982713524833
Saturday 8th, Huskvarna, Stora skivmässan
https://www.facebook.com/events/1346662002544212
Hope to see you there!

THE TEMPLE - Of Solitude Triumphant LP out April 14th

Pre-order now at
https://ihate.bandcamp.com/

Finally available: White vinyl. Limited 329 copies

https://www.facebook.com/the.temple.doom.metal

Norrköping Record Fair 25/03!
Let I HATE satisfy your addictions!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2163347367180940

I HATE have agreed to co-operate with the Swedish DARK Death Metal act ABYSMAL WINDS!

We were deeply impressed by Abysmal Winds 2022 debut demo tape “Doom Prayer” and are honored to make this horde part of the I HATE roster!
Truly a feast for anyone into obscure and woeful sounds (Incantation, Grave Miasma, Sadistic Intent – for some namedropping) – unadulterated Metal of Death!
Debut album to be recorded and released during 2023.
Support the real underground!

https://www.facebook.com/abysmalwinds
https://abysmalwinds.bandcamp.com/album/doom-prayer
https://open.spotify.com/album/0A6ZLg4bGsPNlXW58YfG0T?si=NCmmSuncQ46CSAZO89mFow

The SELVAGERIA debut album is finally available on vinyl, 14 years after its release! Truly a feast for Thrash/Speed maniacs pure!
Order your copy now:
https://ihate.bandcamp.com/
All preorders have now been shipped out.

Double Selling-sessions this Saturday!

In our long-running quest to clone ourselves, this Saturday (25/02) we will head to Solna/Stockholm for the “Big Record Fair” (at Solnahallen) in the morning and to “Blodfest” in Norrköping (at Dynamo) in the evening. Hope to see you at one of the locations!

https://m.facebook.com/events/s/blodfest-the-generals-nekrokra/433798875236161/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064712164987

This weekend I HATE will be selling (from our mailorder) at the STOCKHOLM EXTREME SOUNDS-festival. Hope to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/415262657252367

First Record Fair of 2023 coming up!
Meet I HATE in Nyköping this Saturday!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/482198321958609/

Selvageria LP out Febuary 24!

I HATE have the honor to bring you this unmodern Brazilian Thrash/Speed Classic! Originally released in 2009 – now finally available on vinyl for the first time!
With the strong Brazilian 80s/early 90s Thrash tradition in mind, it is great to see the Flag kept high and intact!

SELVAGERIA self titled album move around in the area of SLAYER “Show No Mercy”, ONSLAUGHT “The Force” and countrymen TA**US “Signo de Taurus”.

SELVAGERIA doesn’t re-invent the wheel, which was never the purpose, but create a blend of raw and catchy UNMODERN Thrash/Speed few other new/old hordes have been capable of this side of the millennium!

A longtime favorite at the I HATE HQ – we are proud this finally hold this piece of wax in our (filthy) hands!

Thrash ‘til Death!

Pre-order at https://ihate.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SelvageriaBand

THANKS!

I HATE would like to say a thank you to everyone for their support during the year, be it at our Bandcamp-page, Discogs-shop or in the flesh at gigs, festivals and record fairs.
Also thanks to the promoters/organizers, letting us visit/sell at your events on numerous occasions.

Special thanks to the following persons for helping out in one- or many ways: Oskar Hoverman, Robban Kanto, Emil Busk, Markus Ala-Poikela, Victor Jankovic-Pacheco, Kalle Hoverman, Ola Blomqvist, Thomas Väänänen, Joakim Häger, Ninna Hoverman, Jonte Nilsson, Tim Bojfelt, David Segerbäck, Nicklas Mikaelsson, Daniel Nahlbom, Patrik “Cronis” Cronberg, Dominik Skrzypczak and many more.

Cheers!

Ten years of waiting is finally over - the new album from FALL OF THE IDOLS is upon us!
Order at our bandcamp, Discogs or at respectable distros!
https://ihate.bandcamp.com/

Later this week FALL OF THE IDOLS release their first album in ages! (10 years).
In the I HATE-interview series we took a chance to speak with the band about the new album – a real group effort answer-wise!
Thanks to Ola of Griftegård/Dautha for helping out with this one!

The promotext of your press sheet for Contradictory Notes ends with: "In Finland we have this thing called ‘reilu meininki’.This is not it." When googling the phrase everything from deranged shoot'em up video game clips to smurfs and cute kittens come up. In addition google wants the phrase to mean everything from 'fair game' to 'having a good time' to "great atmosphere". Please explain the true meaning of the phrase to a dumb Swedish person and let us know how it relates to your album?

Vesa: 'Reilu meininki' does indeed refer to things like 'fair game' and 'friendly atmosphere'. But our albums lyrics point out that in life, to quote George Carlin, 'the table is tilted, the game is rigged', in benefit of those on top. And musically it isn't really music to throw a wild party to, isn't it?

Speaking of atmosphere, wherever FOTI is mentioned it seems the word bleak is favored when describing your sound, even before dark and heavy, which arguably also feels adequate. This quality, the bleakness, is something that, to me, seems harder for a band to grasp and emanate than the Doom staple adjectives dark and heavy-what is it that makes you able to consistently create the feeling in the listener of being drained from life as if embraced by Mörkö (The Groke/Mårran)?

Vesa: I think bleakness in our sound you described is a result of us combining slow heavy riffing with ethereal sounding guitar melodies and vocals. And our sound reaches beyond the realms of heavy metal - I mean there are jazzy passages on Contradictory Notes, etc. But of course there was jazz on Black Sabbath's debut, so there.
Jyrki: It's those lyrics that finalize the bleakness, because they usually are derived from the atmosphere -or the melody- of the song. So our songs 'sound' bleak because of this synchronicity between the song and the lyrics.

Loosing a friend and a band comrade like you did with Hannu in 2011 is devastating, something that the interviewer knows from personal experience, and it is perfectly understandable that you, at the time, could not bring yourselves to realize the raw material for the fourth album of yours that were in the works. In hindsight, would you mind talking about how Hannus' passing affected you individually and as a collective besides deciding to shelf album no 4? If you do not feel like talking about it I totally understand, of course. On a more positive note, here's the inevitable accompanying
question: what was it that made you decide to start working on the stuff again after so many years? Any specific, pivotal thing that did it?

Vesa: To me personally Hannu's death was a huge blow, and a major contributing factor for me to (temporarily) get away from FOTI, change scenery by moving to another town and start another band to see could I get any enjoyment from music and playing. It got really overwhelmingly dark. When Hannu died I guess we all had a feeling that we just cannot keep on going like nothing had happened. But on the other had we had amassed a lot song ideas, lyrics and riffs and we felt that Hannu's wish would be that we finish the job. So slowly we've worked on that material the past 10 years. But one catalyst on really wanting to finish the material and get it out has probably been the decision to start playing live again, with a new lineup, and that came to be for yours truly turning 40, and wanting to revisit "the olden days" at a show I organized. So we reassembled the band for live shows with Tero Konola on drums and Ari Rajaniemi on guitar, played the show, and then got a requests for more shows, so that's what we do if circumstances allow them. I have to say that I am having most fun playing those songs now than I've ever had. But it saddens me that Hannu isn't around to share it with me. I was in a dark place most of the time, and not the easiest person to be around with when he was alive.
Jyrki: That year when Hannu passed away (2011) wasn't the only dismal event that took place - my and Vesa's friend Peter Nurkkala died that same summer. My ex also migrated to Prague and I was to leave to Mexico in 2014 to discover if I would die at the age of 36. A belief and an anchor that I had 'cherished' since I was ten - these things or events overrode any musical ambitions and whatnot. Fatalism sucks ass...
Vesa: So there was a lot baggage we had to deal with for some time, as individuals and as a band, to even answer is there a band anymore.
Jyrki: After my trip to Mexico I was left with a simple yet relentless question: "What now?" After Hannu's death it was decided we had to give Fall of the Idols a decent closure, meaning to finalize all that material that was left into a final album, or a bunch of EPs. To answer the question was there any pivotal thing that made us move on to record and finalize all those remaining songs...there wasn't any specific primus motor, since we all had our personal lives and baggage that comes with it. There really was/is no adamant purpose other than to get the record or records done and be gone. But one could also say that the time wasn't right... After Contradictory Notes there is still about eight to ten songs left to do - to give the band known as Fall of the Idols a nice sounding coffin. Perhaps after that we will continue as something else, but not under that name. Let the dead lie in peace.
Jouni: It is like beacon in the past, highlighting the day. Me and Rami traveling from Oulu to Tornio on the morning to record one other project. Rami even calling Hannu from the bus but no answer. In the evening when we were editing in our rehearsal room the news came. There was a foti-poster on the wall Hannu sitting there. Then it gets blurry again.

Apparently you deemed the four songs that constitute Contradictory Notes as so different from the rest of the material you had conceived after Solemn Verses that you opted to finish them first and have them released separately, so, in your own words, what qualities do they have that makes them unfit to be presented alongside the rest of the tunes? I assume it is this perceived difference that has given the album its name?

Jyrki: It's all in the lyrics. Those four songs in Contradictory Notes have one thing in common: *power*. Every song is dealing with this theme - and the contradiction "power" as an aspect in the human world brings forth. All the remaining, unfinished songs have a theme too, but for the sake of enigma at this point I won't reveal what it is. You know, some of these songs were older than the songs in Solemn Verses. So they were stored -or forgotten- for later use.

The last song, Thought Virus, is a total Doom hit, a true anthem. Hell, it might even be my favourite FOTI song of all. Still, it is a song that would fit well on any one of your other albums IMO so at least this one is not particularly contradictory to your established sound, which really makes me wonder about the yet unpublished material…will we be completely caught off guard when we eventually get to hear it? What can we expect? Do you have any working schedule for the next album?

Vesa: I agree that Thought Virus is the one closest to our first two albums, but not quite the same either. But I think the yet unpublished material logically follows the path set on the first album, drenched in despair on the second, shaken a bit on third... Why do the same exact album again? The way I see it, when all is said and done, one could see our output as a journey with a beginning and an end.
Jyrki: That 'working schedule' has fluctuated quite a bit, lol. What I mean is that the basics, being the drums+guitar+bass, are ready but vocals and all that other element in the songs isn't, and that is on me procrastinating while the rest of the world keeps on _going down the tubes_. So a little hurrying wouldn't hurt. As to what to expect, well...maybe a storyline type of theme underlining that final album. But nothing too easy. I'd say that there will be some soundscaping involved, which is not uncommon for FOTI, but it's a matter of degree...and the basis is still the same; music for solitary listener in the dead of night. I'd say that has been the driving factor for FOTI when it comes to a listener.

Put very simply, the lyrics for the track Contradictory Notes seems to deal with the pressure heaped upon the individual from culture/society and how it can deplete one's will to live. With lines like "and so you submitted before the grinding facts of life until you grasped it's too much to bear" and "we've got to let you go, one day we'll meet again" one can not help but thinking the song is a tribute to Hannu. Is this so?

Rami: Pretty much so. Hannu composed the most for this song - I took lead for the more thrashier parts - and as it was the last FOTI-song written by him, I didn't have to force myself too much to write lyrics like this. It all felt very natural. Everytime I heard those riffs over time, brought so much memories back into my mind; the converstations we had had with Hannu, the way how he felt pressurized with the expectations imposed by his family and associates - even by us - and the way he felt he was living someone else's life; always forced to please and to fulfill the others' needs. We had six guys with different mindsets, backgrounds and personal burdens and issues in the band, and I always thought this band activity was good for everyone; to do something meaningful together, and to express ourselves freely without fearing to get judged by the bandmates. Obviously and unfortunately I was wrong. Not all of us felt that way.
There were hidden tensions, negativity and bad energy involved in the band, but it wasn't necessarily anyone's fault, we just had issues with ourselves and we tried to cope with them the best we could. Depression, anxiety, addictions and mental problems doesn't make things too easy.
But apart for being our sayonara to our dear ex-bandmate, I would say that I also wrote this song for myself. As a reminder that it's not wrong to follow your own star, and that when you think you have seen the worst, something even worse can happen, but somehow you just have to crawl back to the surface and when it's needed, to cast your skin anew.

The album cover echoes the cut-and-paste grind core collage aesthetics of Na**lm Death and Terrorizer etc, not very typical for a Doom band, which probably will help it stand out from the crowd. Did you intend to separate yourself visually from the Doom herd with this particular artwork? Btw, think you did a decent job with this on your first two albums also, where Albert Witchfinder was responsible for the cover artwork…anyway, what can you tell us about the artwork? Who made it? How, if at all, does its components relate to the lyrics?

Jyrki: The artwork and the layout was done by Jani Kaarlela (KÜRØISHI, ex-Terveet Kädet), who has some knack for these things - he's a real gig poster aficionado. Been doing posters, cover art and whatnot as long as I can remember. You can find his art under his alias ZeroMinded from the net. The real reason is that he resides in Oulu, as does most of our band, so it was somewhat easy to ask him to do some album art for us - he asked for the song material for listening and inspiration and we gave him free rein to do what he does. Overall we were quite satisfied with the end result - it really captures some of that contradiction and despondent infinity of power a lá the aforementioned aesthetics of Na**lm Death/Jeff Walker. One could say this is our most political record, but then again isn't everything politics; choices?

At the heart of all True Doom there's an ominous feeling, a feeling of prophecies soon to unfold, of impending ending, and without this sense the music does not live up to the moniker and becomes stoner or, if possible, something even worse, right? Right. With this in mind while considering the fringe placing true Doom always have enjoyed in the mind of mainstream men, do you feel (as I do) some small vindication (without joy) now when the world seems to have caught up with the atmosphere us Doom acolytes have been basking in all along? In The End (hoping I am wrong), the doomsayers are always right, right?

Vesa: Well, one could say that there is a part of me which wants to shout 'See, we were right, you fu**ed up!' I mean, look at the news and then tell me 'Panama' has any relevance in this world! I guess Doom is outsider art, outside of the mainstream, but when not dealing with inner demons and suffering within an individual often also detached from the mainstream flow of life into outsider observation - and not always prophecies of things to come but observations what is going on, currently. And perhaps there is an element of timelessness - I mean I wrote the lyrics to Wail of the Serfs in 2011 and they're even more relevant now, when taking into account what has happened since and is happening today. As someone who studies history academically I am painfully aware of our species capability to bring death, misery and devastation upon themselves. Therefore Doom is always upon us.

Jyrki: There's an downright ill saying we all know: "*I told you so!*" But I don't want to be that person who breaks someone's bubble. Might just backfire in the end.

Vesa: I guess our purpose with this album or in general isn't necessary to preach The One and Immutable Truth, but throw some seeds around to make people think.

Jyrki: Aye, but with vitriolic determination. 😀

The long awaited "Of Solitude Triumphant" album by THE TEMPLE is finally out!

The reviews have been nothing short of amazing!
All pre-orders have now been shipped out!
Get your copy as well!
https://ihate.bandcamp.com/

We will start up a new tradition on I HATE's Facebook: an exclusive interview with an artist connected to the release (when possible). First up is Father Alex of THE TEMPLE.
Thanks to Ola of Griftegård/Dautha for helping out with this one!

1. It has been six years since Forevermourn, would you care to briefly sum up what has happened within The Temple in this, for an outsider, rather long interval between full length albums?

I was satisfied with “Forevermourn” as a debut album, but I always believed that we could do much better. So we had to be very accurate to our compositions. We needed to focus on details and the new songs needed to be played well. So we came up with the idea of making a demo of the album with the perspective to listen to it, grow in us, become mature, to correct it and become perfect. Then, many things happened that slowed us down, like the pandemic, the fact that I became a father and the professional obligations that we all had. The main reason beyond all excuses above is however, that I was trying to conceive deeper meanings and translate them musically and lyrically. I am quite satisfied with the result.

2. Comparing Forevermourn to Of Solitude Triumphant it is evident to these ears that your way of working with song melodies is more poignant and effective these days (while they fully retain their mournful, lamenting ebb and flow). The same elevation in quality can be noted in the riffing as well which is simply breathtaking at times, like on the closing track The Lord Of Light in which the swarming black metal-esque-yet-still-totally Doom- guitars in tandem with the sparse, punishing drumming is just sublime. Yes, your drummer sure is a satisfyingly consistent minimalist performer - no unnecessary fills and frills, leaving lots of air/space for the riffs to soar and land in! Awesome! In your own opinion, what are the insights and strengths you have gained as a band since Forevermourn?

Thank you for your kind words. The main thing that we achieved as a band, apart from the strong bond that grew within us, is that, finally, we all contribute to the songwriting. Forevermourn was written by me, as I am the bearer of the vision of doom that guides us. Then, the rest of the band understood the way I compose songs and became familiar with the vision of true doom which is clear. This knowledge gave us more opportunities as we all follow now the same composing path.

3. There are some startlingly low end notes played in The Foundations-how low are you tuned? The production as a whole is very well balanced and warm - What can you tell us about the recording process?

We use the drop-C tuning, exactly as Warning did. Actually, we wanted to make a cover for “Watching From A Distance”, which you can find it in our EP “As Once Was”. This was the day we realized that it is played in drop C tuning and we decided that this was the tuning we deserve to play! As far as the recording process is concerned. Well, we always love the whole process, specially the vocal sessions. It is the part where magic happens, everyone comes up with ideas, maybe with vocal lines that we haven’t thought and it is very interesting. Firstly we recorded the drums. It took us 2 days and it was great. The producer told our drummer to be more minimal but yet monolithic, because he believed that in this way we could approach a more solemn result. The rest of the recordings took place in a different studio. For the guitars and the vocal sessions we spent more time than we thought because of the specific atmosphere we wanted to succeed. Finally, the result makes us very happy, because despite all these months of effort, it was exactly what we wanted. Enormous!

4. Putting the choral Me To Lichno Tou Astrou first on the album perfectly sets the tone for the mournful, sacred, epic glory to come IMO, however it might also turn off the restless in the audience that has come primarily for the Metal in Doom. Is this a calculated risk from your side putting it first and might it even be a way of yours to test who is able to digest meat like real men and not only the milk reserved for babes (paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 3:2)? What can you tell us about the song, which is also performed by Mikis Theodorakis if I'm not mistaken?

I don’t believe that will turn off the restless in the audience that primarily came for the metal, because exactly after the intro, there is “The Foundations”, with a full dynamic range that will definitely make them satisfied. Me To Lichno Tou Astrou is the ideal beginning of this journey of the immortal soul through the material world. If you translate the lyrics, it has to do with the soul. Mikis is wandering in order to find his soul. I think it is the perfect prelude to open this album. Totally spot on, both because of the meaning but also because of the choir. As you said, it sets the standards of what it is about to follow, and what follows depicts exactly the forerunner

5. Not only the introductory piece but the album as a whole has a very sacred quality to it, much due to the lovely choral work in the songs, so... what is your relation to the sacred and how, if at all, does it shape your everyday life? In this context please elaborate upon the band name, if you care to do so?

I believe that living an everyday life, being able to see, hear, feel, walk and everything that we take for granted is sacred and we have to be grateful. I wouldn’t say that I am religious person, but I like the spirituality of the religions. I believe in good things in life and love. That’s what the song “The foundations” is all about. To set the foundations for a peaceful life. To love, to help, to forgive and to forget, which are things that are sacred, or maybe they lead to a sacred life. The Temple, is a place where sacred things usually occur. But it can also be our body that hosts our inner God, our higher self.

6. I would be so bold as to state that it is obvious to most whether an album is truly inspired or not and that Of Solitude Triumphant certainly is- how do you look upon the phenomenon of inspiration? Where does it come from- ideas in Plato's world of forms that yearn to manifest or holy spirit or just happily misfiring neural circuits within the brain? How does inspiration work through you and what is the feeling you have when it does? Do you have any particular methods for becoming inspired/getting in" the zone"? Any kind of preferred settings/stimuli? Is it possible to create without inspiration like many professionals claim, or in other words, is inspiration for amateurs only?

I am very glad that you are familiar with Plato’s world of forms, because it is something I strongly believe. Well, as far as the whole concept album is based on experiential facts of life, I can say that in order to compose a song, I have to be inspired by something strong. That’s why most of the songs have to do with loss, solitude, death and fear. I inspire from everyday life, from behaviors, from facts, from dreams, even from lives of others. If I don’t have an inspiration, I usually don’t write a song. Moreover, I come up with the idea of a vocal line and then, I arrange the riff that could follow this line. Then, because of the aeolian scales that we use, I add the appropriate choirs. When I finish a composition in the way that makes me satisfied, I feel relief, like it was something within me and now it is set free, translated into music.

7. Would you agree if I said that playing True Doom in the vein of The Temple, i.e doing it in a truly emotional and soul searching way, means that one runs the risk of becoming vulnerable in the eyes and ears of others in order to bring one's message through?

I would agree. Every soul crushing emotional music should make people vulnerable and maybe this is the way to deliver the message. When you are vulnerable you always perceive meanings deeper and better.

8. In my own experience, witnessing true Doom as performed by Warning, earlier While Heaven Wept and Isole, Count Raven etc live on stage this vulnerability, or nakedness (for a lack of a better word) is particularly tangible as there is nothing to hide behind when playing this style. No walls of distortion, fire and smoke, props/gimmicks will help a True Doom band set people's hearts ablaze, the only thing that matters is the strength of the message and how it is embodied, how much it is lived and felt by the performers. Is my categorical rambling something you can identify with? Is playing live with The Temple a joyful or cathartic experience or maybe a combination of both or neither? What is it that you seek for yourselves when going on stage and what do you want to give? Have you had a live moment where the receiving and the giving has been in complete balance from your perspective and how did this affect you? Do you have any shows planned in support of Of Solitude Triumphant?

I agree that there is no need for effects or making a “show”. The simplest the better. The major thing is the message to be delivered to the audience. During our live performances we try to retain the feelings of the album. We owe to be humble and solemn in order to achieve this and usually we lead to cathartic experiences. I can remember our live concert with Obsidian Sea at Ioannina City. The place was packed with friends and fans and it was magical. The message was clearly delivered and we were in complete balance between what we’ve preached and how the people reacted to this. We have planned few gigs in Greece and hopefully a European tour. However we want to play as many shows as possible in order to promote our album, as we all strongly believe in it!

9. Premonitions of the Final Hour...if there is one song that fully epitomises what True Doom is this must be it. Hell, the title says it all really. Probably my favourite track on the album. Do you have a song on Of Solitude Triumphant that is particularly close to your heart?

Thank you, this is my second favorite song of the album. “Profound Loss” is my best though. Even when we rehearse this song I’m getting the chills, specially during the vocals with the choir doing the second voices. In combination with the lyrics and the mournful heaviness of the epilogue of the song, it puts it in the first place of my heart. “Premonitions Of The Final Hour” indeed epitomizes what True Epic Doom is, from the beginning to the end.

10. I keep returning to the fact that your music has the signature of True Doom written all over it as it feels timeless, archaic and goes outside and above all trends, just like the four first Candlemass albums, Saint Vitus, early Trouble, early Isole etc - what is it within you that makes you want to work in this particular tradition? Is your (to me obvious) passion for True Doom shared by all band members?

Yes it is. We all love Doom metal in the epic and traditional way like the bands you’ve mentioned above. We believe that Doom metal should be played that way, in order to remain pure, as it is the purest form of metal. It is a difficult genre of music and that’s why it is not suitable for everyone, thing that makes it special and unique. I have this urge to play pure true doom since 2005, when doom metal changed my whole life. Since then, my band and I, try to serve it properly.

11. How is the fact that you hail from Greece, a country so rich in history, philosophy and religion, reflected upon the structure that is The Temple?
How does your country's cultural legacy impact you as a human being? How does the Greek populus in general relate to its heritage?

It is good that we hail from such a rich country, but things have changed since then. We are privileged to have this heritage of wisdom and all these amazing knowledge that was given to the whole world, but I don’t believe all these have an impact on us. We live in a modern world where everyone tries to harm others. That’s contradictory to what ancient philosophers have taught. Greek populus is always proud of their ancestors, but they do nothing to become even a bit like them. As a band, we try to preach some of the virtues of the ancients in ways of unity, solidarity, forgiveness and humility.

12. Finally, will we need to wait six more years for a full length or can we expect another True Doom Metal masterpiece within a more foreseeable future?

I am not sure if I can answer this, because as I said before, I need to be inspired from life changing events in order to compose. I guess it will be sooner than six years because hopefully we won’t have another pandemic! But notice that I will be more strict in the next album which means more time to complete every detail!

Feel free to add any closing words of your own…

I would like to thank you for this very unique interview, it was one of my best. I am really happy that musicians from bands that influenced me like my music, it is a real honor. I can remember listening to “Forevermore” by Isole back then and watching this I HATE RECORDS logo. I won’t hide that I thought that I would be glad if I one day joined this label, which I did! So you can understand how excited I am. Have a nice evening and support true doom!

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