Interviews: Artach

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Black Metal band, Artach from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Early on, when we wrote our first song, “Eternal Black Winter”, I knew the band would have a lot of songs about winter etc. Knowing that drove me to find a name that was original and not used by any other metal bands. I also wanted to avoid the Scandinavian/Nordic mythology stuff since we are not from there and would be just ripping off those bands. So looking at our own island's historical background, and knowing that a lot of the immigrants who settles and stayed here were from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, I got to read some mythology and stories of Gaelic origin. The word “Artach” translates into “Arctic” in English, so that was perfect.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Because it's primal, free, you can have crazy fast tremelo picking and blast beats then more thrashy extreme riffs, even a few clean parts. It's not as limiting as one might think. It is fun to just play with no care about perfection but just to play raw, noisy, wild and savage sounding black metal.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, the local metal scene here is very small. We even played in another band before which is on hiatus right now.

4. Each band member favourite band?

We could each pick so many, from different styles, but since you asked for one, here we go:

Sruthán: Immortal

Fíochmhar: Opeth

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We didn’t want lyrics about demons and Satan and other often overplayed themes that don't speak to us as nature does. Thus, the natural world provides most of the lyrical inspiration. Winter plays strong in that because it’s the season that lasts for the majority of the year here. There are some other things in there like history, science, some gothic influences, and even some science fiction topics that have been inspirations for other songs. Many lyrics are primarily written around man’s relationship and connection with nature… However, we try not to limit ourselves when it comes to the content of the lyrics. From a musical standpoint, the inspiration comes from what we listen to as it would from most artists and also from our own spin on things and emotions.

6. Where was your last gig?

Like the mighty Darkthrone, Artach is also not a touring or live entity at the moment.

7. Where would you like to act?

NA...but if we were, then anywhere where people would like to see us of course. 

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Venom.

9. Whom not?

Umm...if there are people there to see us, it doesn't matter really.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

We have both played live before, just not with this band. For me, it's not really frighting, it's nervous excitement. The one way to lessen any fear is to be prepared. Then to also not give a fuck and just go for it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Black metal overall is the primary influence, that would include the first and second wave, the black metal originators (i.e. Venom, Celtic Frost....), thrash metal, traditional metal, black n' roll. There are lesser influences from styles like doom, some glam, some death metal, punk, etc etc. So to drop some names: Immortal, Celtic Frost, Venom, Darkthrone, Satyricon.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

To sign our CD? Lol Naw, nothing really weird yet.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We haven't met many because we don't play live, but the ones who've interacted with us online have been supportive which is of course cool.

14. What do you think of our site?

I like the breakdown of the plethora of musical styles on the right side. Ya needs more black metal and power metal articles tho! ;) lol 

15. Something to add?

Thanks for the opportunity to share our music with your readers, it's much appreciated. Hopefully, a few of your readers will check out our new album on June 25th! Cheers!