Interview with Horaz – (IMPERIUM DEKADENZ)

 

horaz

Satania: Recently you signed a contract with Napalm Records. How important was that step to you? With what this cooperation will change Imperium Dekadenz?

Horaz: Very important I would say. We learned some new people supporting us with the daily business and increasing our network. They are very professional and direct, what we really appreciate. We have the feeling that they love what we do and that we do it with passion and that feels good. They do not influence our music, so we are still free for any decision we do.

Satania: Let’s talk talk about your upcoming album first. How long did the creating process take? Tell us something interesting from the creation process.

Horaz: In comparison to the other albums we wrote a lot of songs and ideas, much more than in any other production before. Finally, we had to decide between many songs and you may think that is a very good thing, but it is hard to find the right song/ idea if you already fall into love with these tracks. The final guideline was, to have an album that is darker and more intimate than the other album and also having fewer epic parts and historical backgrounds in the lyrics.

Satania: Everyone knows, that Imperium Dekadenz are Horaz and Vespasian. Were there session musicians who took part in the recording of the album? Is there a change in the lineup of the live musicians, with whom you are performing live?

Horaz: No, it was Vespasian and me doing the whole album from start to finish and we still have the same live lineup for 10 years. That is something we are proud of it, because you have to investigate a lot of time and energy to keep all interests together. I think that is one of the best things we have, because if you are on tour, you are on tour with good old friends and not any mercenaries.

imperium-dekadenz

Satania: In every single song of yours there is always a very ethereal, beautiful and obsessive melancholy, which has somehow become the trade mark of Imperium Dekadenz. How about ‘When We Are Forgotten’ are we going to find the same sound in it?

Horaz: I would claim that these feelings and moods are even higher than on the last albums before. As already stated, the new album will be more intimate and personal than the other albums. You can expect some new ideas, but you will also find a 100% Imperium Dekadenz album. Of course, it is hard for an artist to rate his output completely natural, but we really think that old supporters of our stuff will also love the new one.

Satania: Is that the sound, the music of the Black Forest?

Horaz: Many people already mentioned that. They can feel the forests and mountains in our songs. There is no reference or algorithm to declare what Black Forest music is, but we agree with these peoples because the Black Forest is our main inspiration, source of energy and place to retreat. So that landscape is in our hearts and always a part of the energy you can hear in the songs.

Satania: The topic in ‘Absenz Elysium’ is very philosophical, existential. Is the whole album underlying on this topic?

Horaz: It is about self-reflection and transforming, so I would say yes… it is a kind of philosophical. The lyrics are close to our life and no longer filtered by historical background stories.

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Satania: According to a tale from a compatrion of yours Wilhelm Hauff, the people of the Black forest are very different than everyone else and… they don’t have hearts 🙂 How would you comment?

Horaz: I think that is taken form the tale “Das kalte Herz” (The cold Heart). Well, the Black Forest region was until back to the 50s in the last century a very raw, poor and forlorn place. The people had to fight for their lives hardly and the landscape was sparsely populated. So that makes people distrustful and unsatisfied. I can remember back in the 80s that there were some really rough characters in my hometown. People who worked in the woods and on farms came to the bars to start brawls. But everything has changed in the last 20 years, so you can visit bars in the Black Forest without being afraid. Hahahaha

Satania: Now seriously, what does the Black forest mean to you? With what does it inspire you?

Horaz: Of course, the woods, mountains, waterfalls and gulches but also the witches and demons of the Fasnacht-celebrations in the winter. I spent the most time of my childhood in the forest. Stories about these mystic creatures always fascinated us and with the ‘Fasnacht’ they came alive. I think the nature and the traditions of that landscape had a high impact on us and made us very affine for dark art.

Satania: Although two years have passed I can’t not ask – what memories did you take from Bulgaria? Would you come back to play here?

Horaz: Well I think you cannot understand the land and people if you spend 2 days in their main town. The people were friendly and we had a good and chilling time in park at Saturday afternoon. It was conspicuous that if you spoke to Bulgarian people and they heard that we come from Germany, they always start talking about the bad economic situation in Bulgaria and the lower standards. Well I think higher standards and a good economy are no guarantee for a happy life, so there is no need to be disappointed. Regarding the organization of the festival we were a bit frustrated. Some bands played earlier overdraw the line check extremely, so our stage time became very very late and many people had to leave due to train and bus times. The organizer should have been strictly here. But no question of course we would return because we had a great time!

Satania: Something I didn’t ask, but you would want to share?

Horaz: Thank you for give us the chance to share our thoughts and we hope you will enjoy our latest work when the new album is released.

Satania: Thank you, Horaz, and I hope to see you somewhere on the road.

Photo credits picture Imperium Dekadenz to Void Revelations

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New Video „Absenz Elysium“

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