Corpus Christii – “There is only one Lord and that is God. You can also call Him Satan…”

Don’t let those words mislead you! Corpus Christii religious Black Metal re-defined the dark genre even more. N.H.’s latest revelation, entitled ‘Rising’, sums up all necessarily elements real Black Metal needs. The main man Himself clears out the satanic and tormenting undertone that makes ‘Rising’ an audible black mass. Here’s Nocturnus Horrendus, five years after his first VM interview.

‘Rising’ is the third and final part of Corpus Christii’s torment trilogy. Now that one is finished, tell me, what’s your personal view on the essence of torture?
This work ended up to be my most personal and revealing work ever with Corpus Christii. With great pride I finished this record and sealed the trilogy. It was a long period and I wasn’t even sure I would ever finish this trilogy. Things were getting quite complex for Corpus Christii for a while, but it is my main drive force. I just had to go on and finish this record. It’s not easy to go almost unprepared to the studio and getting out of there with still so many more ideas for more tracks. I think the 3 year period of not composing/recording was quite important to lead the album to what it is. ‘Rising’ is a manifest of me towards me, an open wound never to be healed.

For ‘The Torment Continues’ there’s a video made for ‘Soaked in your Blood’. Any plans that direction for the ‘Rising’ release?
The ‘Soaked in your blood’ video clip was made after the album was released, this because we had no budget, nothing For this new record it might evolve the same. Sincerely, right now I’m not so interested in doing something like that, but I think there’s a chance it might happen.

I just adore the cover artwork of ‘Rising’ (as well as the previous album). You’ve made it together with Phobos Anomaly Design. What’s the story behind the artwork as well as the correct interpretation of both grey images inside.
I started the cover with a drawing from the 17th century. The whole artwork concept of the album rounds that drawing and ended up being the cover: a manifest of Man upon God, of the spiritual alchemist vision of creating Man a higher Being, mutating himself to other standards not recognizable by the current ways of thinking.
To become closer to God, to become above all things. The remaining Christ pictures are more to emphasize the real meaning of what the band name means to me, its religious values and of course to praise Christ himself. The Icon of pain and despair, not joy and hope as most people see his image.

The ‘Rising’ CD is released in Europe through your own Nightmare Productions (tape through Propaganda and DLP through Obscure Abhorrence). It seems you like to be in control when it comes to your own productions. Or there’s another reason for not signing to a ‘more popular’ label, I’m sure there must have been some offers! And what other labels do you think are able to preach Corpus Christii’s ideology?
There were offers from bigger and also small labels, but I wasn’t interested in most ones. In some cases we would be just another band from the label’s catalogue. And in fact, labels don’t show that much interest in Corpus Christii as some might think. Smaller labels don’t contact us because they think they can’t do proper work for us, bigger ones think we don’t sell enough. Or they propose deals that are of no interest for a band that has been doing as much as Corpus Christii has been doing during the last 9 years. In the end I decided to do it all myself, because yes, I’m also a control freak. I got fed up of not so sincere labels and lack of proper contact. I have got some contacts myself. I think I can do just a good job as many labels around. I might spread maybe a bit less than the others, but at least I know what’s happening and who is getting what. Most labels think only ‘€’ and not ‘ideology’. So that question is of no importance to the real business world.

How did you end up with the Portuguese Ultra Sound Studio? It may be odd to choose for a rather unknown studio, or do I get the picture wrong? The result is simply amazing, really powerful but still very dirty. In my review I wrote ‘Rising’ leaves the too clean ‘Sworn to the Dark’ (from Watain) far behind.
Daniel from Ultra Sound is an old friend; he used to be Sirius’ drummer and currently he’s Head Control System’s (with singer C. Rygg from Ulver) main guy. He used to be into Black Metal and he has got an idea of how it should sound. Besides, the studio is situated in a beautiful city, called Braga. It’s considered as the most Catholic city in Portugal. In that way it was even a source of inspiration. Every now and then I could hear the church bells and it inspired me to visit some churches and therefore I got myself more focused. All together it made become complete and special. Besides, I know a little bit about sound engineering myself. I recorded many things already and I knew that in this studio I would be able to control things. Also the factor I couldn’t take days off from work made my choice easier. I had to drive 350 km one way each weekend.

I haven’t heard it yet, but this year Corpus Christii also released ‘Lost Chapters’ (10 inch LP on Obscure Abhorrence Records). It contains older, un-used song material. How old are the songs? I guess in general they cannot be compared with the ‘Rising’ album?
I think those tracks were recorded somewhere in between 2002 and 2005, still with Ignis Nox on keyboards and programming. All tracks are with drum machine. They were either not fitting any release or were supposed to be on EPs which release didn’t happen. It is a pretty varied 5 track album, but it gives an idea of what was happening during that transition period. In no way those 5 tracks are to be compared with the ‘Rising’ album.

You’ve just returned from a European tour with Setherial and Ravencult. I played myself on the Rotterdam date (Sathanas in Gloriam festival) and heard most people speaking about Corpus Christii as the most interesting band of the evening. Have you experienced the same thing during the whole tour and did you notice any changes with the last tours Corpus Christii have done?
The tour was like any other, with bad and good gigs. Mostly good gigs. And for some I wasn’t in the right mood. Corpus Christii doesn’t do that many gigs as some people say/think. This was the first time we did a proper tour and a longer run. We still had quite some days off in between the 3 week period on the road. Each gig is something different because as you know, I have serious line up problems. It’s never steady so there are always different members playing. And of course, if different people are playing it also means the gigs are different and also the way of expressing them to the listeners. Rotterdam was very good. I really enjoyed doing that date and it was just the 2nd date from the tour. We barely made it there because we had problems with transport.

I guess that tour will be the only one promoting the new album. But since Arkhon Infaustus left the Gorgoroth bill, it would be a nice opportunity to re-invade Europe. Add Glorior Belli to the bill and it’s irresistible for sure! Are there new other live plans coming up? The USA perhaps?
Gorgoroth without Infernus?! Think twice. It would be interesting to do some dates with Glorior Belli. Their latest album hasn’t been distributed properly, so they should hit the road and promote it. The only confirmed date so far is in Vigo, Spain in February. We are looking forward to it because we only played in Spain once, 6 years ago or so. The USA would be the next step for us, but I doubt we will ever make it there. The new album is going to be released there through Moribund Cult which promised a lot of promotion. But Corpus Christii is not known enough to do a USA tour, I believe. Still I will not say no to possible (good) offers touring that continent.

Corpus Christii have been touring more and more lately. This is in great contrast with many other Black Metal bands, which are keeping themselves away from live performances. Why do you think especially Black Metal bands fear to promote themselves on stage?
First, I don not think Corpus Christii plays that often. There were years we only did about 8 gigs or less. But regarding other bands, well, I think most people realize not many people will show up at gigs. Most people are there to drink beer and to complain about the bands, etc. All that doesn’t really motivate a band. True Black Metal is a style more to assimilate at home, in total loneliness, etc. But it doesn’t mean one can’t play live. Maybe there are also bands that fear they cannot recreate their sound live. That is possible. Many bands have such a specific sound in the studio that they might sound like shit, and they know that. Besides, it works not playing live. That way there’s always a more mystical side to the band, with unreachable musicians. There are maybe even more explanations. Sincerely, I do not give a fuck. I play live when I want to, when we are invited. If one day we can’t play live anymore, it’s okay too. It wouldn’t bother me much. We have done good and bad gigs and most of the bad gigs are due to our bad mood. A band like Corpus Christii doesn’t take it as a profession, a person has to be in the proper state of spirit to go on stage and do his thing. That doesn’t always happen.

Corpus Christii worked with many session members and various live line-ups. Again you’re listed as the sole member when it comes to songwriting and arranging songs. But a real band only strengthens the final result, right?
Not always.

On the band’s My Space site you’ve posted a blog about your lack of political views. Don’t you think the rumor (Corpus Christii being a right winged band) spreads even more now you’ve made a public statement? Who cares about it anyway!
I am fed up of misunderstandings and that left wing, whatever, assholes always get away with things. So I decided to be clear. There is a limit for everything and I’ve had it. I can’t stand it anymore. Those cunts have to pick this band out of so many fucking bands. They should get a life, that’s basically it. Corpus Christii is a satanic band! That’s all I have to say.

Bands like Deathspell Omega, Enthroned, Antaeus and also Corpus Christii somehow label themselves as ‘religious’ Black Metal, putting forward their Satanic background. When you praise the dark Lord, does it necessarily mean you also believe in God? What’s your interpretation of Satanism? I’m correct it’s more different than Nödtveidt’s (Dissection) interpretation.
There is only one Lord and that is God. You can also call Him Satan, I believe there is only one Entity, one symbol of revelation. The One who gives, the One who takes. I’m no Christian believing in Good and Evil. And this one represents that and the other the opposite. Things are a bit more complex than what we all wish. I spit on black & white ideas, lowering the level of something greater, something above us all. But still, it is just my opinion. At least I have my own opinion.

Personally I think ‘Rising’ is one of the best Black Metal efforts of 2007. You may be a glam rock fan, as owner of Nightmare Productions you must be up to date of the current scene. What’s your top 5 of extreme metal, released this year?
I am a Glam Rock fan? I like some Glam Rock, but what does that have to do with Nightmare Productions? I try my best to know new bands and see what’s good out there. But in most cases there are just clones of each other. Now and then I still get surprised and that is why I still believe Black Metal is alive and well. There are way too many bands, but the weaker ones will perish anyway. Just the motivated and original will continue with their mission. I prefer not giving any names. I can’t really rate things like that. All depends on my mood and so on. Besides, why should one do such a thing? I could like an album one day but the next day I’m not really fond of hearing it. So there’s no use to come up with Top 5 albums of the year.

That’s it. Thanks for the interview!
Hail Satan!