Kthien, guitarist for Symphonic Black Metal band from Montreal, Canada Erimha. Interview June 14, 2013
How was it recording the latest album for the Erimha album Reign Through Immortality?
This time around we had a better feel of the studio. It’s our second time going with Chris Donaldson (Cryptopsy, Mythosis) at Garage Studios. He had changed his room so this time around we tracked everything but keys at his place. We ended up rushing to figure out a last song on this album. Since it was going to be released on Victory we wanted it to be longer. We added the last song of the album which is actually a combination of 2 songs, making it a 10min long song. The end product came out awesome.
Where did some of the influences come from for writing Reign Through Immortality album?
What’s the big difference with this album is that it’s a full out concept album. We also keep the time era from the Sumerian age. So the whole album is based on one character, a Sumerian king which is pushed aside by his people and army due to the fact that this King is obsessed by spirituality and magik. He then closes himself off from society to learn more about his new gained knowledge and eventually his powers. He then comes back to his people and destroys them. But that was a very short summary haha. Plus now we are integrating more and more references to the cosmos and more spiritual side of this band, including sacred geometry and things from the flower of life. While always keeping in first point inner strength and limitless boundaries.
What equipment is the band currently endorsing, etc.?
Right now we are endorsing Intune Guitar picks for now. But things are changing fast since the whole signing and our more constant tour schedule.
Are there any tours this summer in promotion of the new album?
We just came out of a one week east coast tour. Things are all being booked and dealt with as we speak for Canadian and US dates. But we are looking at somewhere around a 3 week North American tour.
Would you say Social Media Online has changed the Music Industry for the good or the bad?
I think it’s for the best, although we weren’t big fans of Facebook when everything changed over. But it has helped get world wide exposure and it gives access to fans for more personal contact. You can keep them updated all the time on new stuff and that’s important to us.
What’s your vision on the Internet as a way to releasing Music Online now days?
To be honest I think it has helped bands, big or small. The exposure is worldwide. It’s the people and kids that are fucking it up. In life you learn quick that nothing is free. We see musicians, tech guys, sound men, people at labels working 24/7 just so that fans can get a decent product and out of passion..Don’t get me wrong if we were doing it for the money we would’ve stopped a long time ago. If a kid buy’s our album it just makes us able to spend another week to sleep on the van floor, not shower and eat again some homemade hot dogs from our camping stove, then we get to play another gig for fans and people that may discover Erimha.
What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
For my part you’ll find very vast array of styles. I’ll have any anything from Fleshgod Apocalypse to Led Zeppelin to Obey The Brave, Cattle Decapitation and The Rolling Stones. For the rest of the guys it’ a lot more along the lines of Mythosis, Watain, Marduk, Dark Funeral, Mayhem, Behemoth and Arcturus just to name some.
Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician?
For now I am the only one still working a job off the road. Those days suck haha. So I would get up around 6:30, work till 5:30, eat quickly with my girlfriend then jam till about 10pm then we do a small meeting till10:30-11, then get home shower sleep and repeat!
Where do you see the future of music going in 100 years?
With the way that it is going I see it as only digital sales. Except for vinyl! I also have a feeling that music will be local. Since the boom of downloading, I don’t see how the industry can survive another 100 years. So it will be just local acts playing and posting their home made CGI effect videos on YouTube, or GoogleTubebook by that time.
Any words for future musicians?
Do it for yourself. If the flame is burning inside you, feed it. That is what drives us. If you are looking to becomes full time, be ready to lose everything. Some of us have been doing this for 10 years. If it’s your dream never give up…but work your fucking ass off!!!!
Extra questions with Kthien from Erimha
Life without music would be
Favorite movie 300
Favorite sport Mixed martial arts
Favorite food Poutine
Favorite drink Root beer
Favorite saying M’eurika!
Favorite car Pontiac GTO ’67
Favorite book The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life
Favorite band right now Fleshgod Apocalypse
Star Wars or Star Trek Star Wars
PC or Mac Mac
Check out Erimha Online at http://www.facebook.com/Erimha