Interviews: HYL

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Black Metal band, HYL from Poland and Italy. 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?

Hyl (whose meaning is "howling") was born thanks to the important contribution of my wife Claudia, who since the start, has given artistic support to the band, she is my biggest supporter and collaborator. When I started playing the first riffs, the idea was to create atmospheres evocating nature in its darkest sides, of course, these were riffs with open and melancholic sounds, black riffs, music that will make you dive into a desolate snowy field among wolves. Hence the name Hyl.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

What musical genre is more suitable than this one if you want to express sadness, melancholy, gloom, despair, a sense of emptiness and loneliness, if you want to evoke the spirits of the forest, misanthropy, pessimism, if you want to dive into the twisted spiral of the human mind? To express this also means trying to achieve inner peace, unleashing their own sensitivity that is often the result of an aversion to society. Black metal sounds manage to express this feeling of unease more than any other music genre.

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

I knew K. Klingbein through his socials. I noticed him as a live drummer for Vader and Belphegor, he has also recorded for many other major bands. So I decided to contact him and ask him to record. Then I happened to watch on my facebook a video of the Polish band Black Altar, I was very impressed by the singer Dariusz Sieradzki (Shadow). I went to look for the band's discography and I immediately thought "Here's what I need!". I immediately contacted him to present my project and ask him to sing for me, luckily he accepted. The result is a beautiful friendship and above all a great musical collaboration, which goes even beyond Hyl. This is fantastic if you consider we never met in person and we collaborate remotely. It's not easy to trust people today, but there is a lot of musical chemistry between us.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

The question I can't answer. As for Klingbein, I know him very little, we never talked about it, but we only had dialogues about our musical affairs. As for Dariusz I would definitely say "Black Altar" ;) He plays also Swedish Ofermod which I respect a lot. As for me, obviously (being part of it) I would say the thrash metal Italian legend "Schizo". Many bands influenced me, I can quote the Norwegians "MARE" and their side project "Vemod", to me superior to anyone else in black metal.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I think that any musician, myself included, firstly plays to express himself, as in any art form. As for Hyl, I take care of the instrumental side, I compose and write all the music trying always to create something original that can appeal to the listener. I like atmospheric yet cold metal music with a hint of occultism. I also enjoy dark ambient music and the cosmic frequencies of the Universe, I always try to put them into my songs. There is no one in particular who inspires me, only my sensations and my emotions. In this case, though my wife Claudia wrote the lyrics. I really like the way she writes, it perfectly fits my ideas. I think she's among the few people who write meaningful lyrics, filled with pathos, introspection, and malignant poetry. I find it perfect for Hyl.

6. Where was your last gig?

I created Hyl without thinking much about concerts, in fact, the various components are scattered throughout Europe. I was talking to "Shadow" about it a few days ago, for sure not this year due to timing reasons but as soon as we can, we will try to meet to work on it, hopefully with the support of Les Dzięgielewski (ex Behemoth) on guitar. I would be happy to have him with us. My last gig was last year with Schizo, in Italy, but we have many more to come in the near future.

7. Where would you like to act?

Certainly, our intention is to perform in an important context, maybe opening act for some big bands, on a big stage. But it is still too early to say anything.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

For now, I am focused on carrying out my projects. I don't want to rush saying names with whom we will collaborate in the upcoming months. But we will definitely surprise you. ;)

9. Whom not?

With anyone who can cause me problems or who wants to take control of my future projects. I always try to keep those kinds of people away from me.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I've never been afraid of the stage, it's one of the best feelings to play your music for people who are waiting to hear you. I am a very introverted person, sometimes shy, but when I perform I get into a frenzy, I feel a strong energy and I forget everything else. My advice is to always go live fully prepared. Without any doubts or insecurities and without having rehearsed just before a concert. That's going to get you into trouble! Think of it like an exam at school, it's exactly the same.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

What inspires me the most is the modern concept of Black Metal. Nowadays it's important to create something contemporary, even with a touch of inspiration from the past for God's sake, but you have to keep up with the times and try to reveal your intentions by playing something modern. Trying to imitate bands of the past will get you absolutely nothing, then you can make a bloody cover band. 

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

It is definitely amazing when you are not a rock star at all, but people ask you for autographs on CDs or for the pick that you played bass with live. Totally surprising, but gratifying.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Without the fans, nothing would make sense. When you play, when you record, it is absolutely for the fans, and obviously for personal satisfaction, but without their support it would all be flat, meaningless. 

14. What do you think of our site?

Running a webzine like yours takes a lot of passion, attitude, and courage. And you have all the right skills for that. My congratulations to you.

15. Something to add?

Thank you very much for this interview, it was really a pleasure for me to officially introduce the band and I hope to hear from you again in the future, about future releases. Until next time!