A band who surely need no introduction to you readers is Austrian Black Metal legends Abigor, who after calling it quits a few years ago have now returned in fine style with the superb ‘Fractal Possession’. Although their sound may have deviated slightly from the more traditional Black Metal of old, one conversation with founder member P.K. and it quickly becomes apparent that Abigor’s principles remain unaltered and they are still one of the only remaining ‘true’ bands in the genre…
Your latest album ‘Fractal Possession’ is quite a step forward for Abigor in terms of pushing your already unique sound even further away from the standardised Black Metal framework people usually associate with your name. Although most definitely still Abigor to the core, you seem to have taken a decidedly ‘no limit’ approach to this one, being a lot more diverse and technical than anything you have done before. Can you explain to me how you approached the whole song writing process on this one?
‘Fractal Possession’ grew and developed – during the pre-recordings, and during the studio work. As you might know, we recorded at TT’s Hell-Lab studio so it wasn’t a matter of time and money this time, we had all the time we need, and we had the possibility to work on all ideas we had in mind. Effects, layers, additional guitars – the album broke all boundaries and from the basic guitar-lines to the even most little overtunes all that forms ‘Fractal Possession’, so it’s Abigor to the bone but also a brand new chapter in our history.
Distancing yourselves further from the Black Metal scene musically, your lyrics, however, still echo a very satanic-oriented theme. Can you tell me more about the concept (if any) behind your lyrical approach on this one?
‘Fractal Possession’ is a dark and cold album, lyrically based on satanic and misanthropic values. It’s not a concept album; it deals with the lie of dualism for example, and the essence of Satan itself.
As mentioned earlier your music has taken a much more technical approach than any of your past endeavours, but still has that jagged coherence lacking in so many other post-Black Metal – or whatever you want to call it/them – releases. Was it your intention to create music that takes a few intense listens to fully come to terms with?
As said, ‘Fractal Possession’ developed but of course, we felt the need to create something “different” and with ‘Fractal Possession’ we achieved our goals. ‘Fractal Possession’ might be complex but it’s an album that suits into the current downfall of the world; just take a calm moment, and take a close listen, use your brain, we show you the way that’ll lead straight into hell.
Do you feel that with your improved song writing and ever-increasing musicianship skills you are able to fully capture your artistic vision in a much more direct, much more profound way?
Of course, but that’s just natural in my opinion.
The production on ‘Fractal Possession’ is undoubtedly your best yet, really letting the sophisticated structures and complex melodies shine through in all their blackened glory. Was this the only option for you, to make it all sound so crisp and clear?
TT built up his own studio and turned to a real sound-freak throughout the last years so that’s a big advantage for us. ‘Fractal Possession’ is too technical, too complex to suffer on a bad sound or bad production, so yes, it was the only option for us!
Having split up after the release of “Satanized” due to the fact that you were unhappy with the Black Metal scene, I want to ask if you found it hard or felt any kind of pressure when writing material for Abigor again, or did it just click straight away?
I was involved with Hellbound through the past years, and worked on material I’d like to release through St.Lucifer. At least all that material sounded more and more “Abigor like” so I prepared a re-union. Finally I met TT again and it all came along hand in hand, the rebirth of Abigor was for sure, and so far our co-operation works better than ever before…
I have read that one of the many reasons you decided to reform Abigor was because the Black Metal scene has become a strong movement again, worthy of your unholy contribution. What do you think has changed in the Black Metal scene since your split and your rebirth?
So what represents Black Metal for you – a look, a style, chart-breaker music? Yes, that’s how we all see it today, but Black Metal is meant to be the unity of extreme mental attitudes and satanic values, but that got lost throughout the past years, or it watered down, nearly to null and void! Abigor represents Black Metal in its purest essence, and that’s not linked to any scene nor the opinion of weak-minded persons.
I am curious to know just where you would place Abigor in the Black Metal scene nowadays. Do you still consider yourselves part of the ‘old school’, or does what you create belong somewhere else entirely?
As said, we define Abigor as Black Metal, all other additions would limit us in our independent work.
You seem pretty adamant about the fact that Abigor will never tour or play live and I just wondered what your reasons for this are? Do you think your music would loose some of its otherworldly qualities or black atmosphere in a live setting?
Beside that music loose it’s quality and atmosphere, it’s just a waste of time; spare time we don’t have, and that spare time we have we use for the work on new material, instead of wasting it on rehearsing on old material and gig preparations.
Austria is not a country that has spawned that many Black Metal bands/labels over the years with only yourselves, Summoning and Amestigon (both of which feature members of Abigor) carrying the torch for the Austrian Black Metal scene. Why do you think there are so few?
Time changed, there’re a lot of “new” bands, also some serious underground distributions. But none of us is really involved with the Austrian “scene” so I can’t say anything about it… However, a major problem of Abigor’s “being involved with” is, that still so many other bands envy us, so they try to count with stupid statements and bad music…
Out of all the Abigor releases, which one would you consider to be your finest work to date?
‘Apokalypse’ and ‘Fractal Possession’.
So, what is next for Abigor during 2008? Have you started any preparations for your next assault, or will it be a while before we next hear anything from you?
The split-album Abigor/Blacklodge is ready to be released; End All Life will release it in early summer (with a major distribution through Season Of Mist). Up next is the ‘Nachthymnen’ vinyl through Chaos Sacrum Records, and the 7” demo-box through End All Life; but the work on a new album already begun…
