Interviews
Darren Cowan

NACHTMYSTIUM – Interview with Guitarist/Vocalist Blake Judd

NACHTMYSTIUM has become America's answer to the Scandinavian monopoly on black metal talent. Since their inception in 2000, the group has become one of the more talked about black metal groups in the United States. Starting as a cold, psychotic black metal group that released albums through respected underground labels such as Regimental, Autopsy Kitchen and Total Holocaust, NACHTMYSTIUM has transitioned into more psychedelic/progressive spheres. The full weight of NACHTMYSTIUM’s growing cult status hit band founder, Blake Judd when he released “Instinct: Decay,” which sold over ten thousand copies through release of his own label, Battle Kommand Records.

Since the release of “Instinct: Decay,” Blake and his mates have continued on their journey into tracer-inducing havoc. The “Worldfall” EP and “Assassins: Black Meddle Pt I,” both released in 2008, show the group stepping further into experimental territories. Covers of the post punk/folk outfit DEATH IN JUNE and gritty desert rockers GOATSNAKE on the “Worldfall” EP revealed the group’s assorted taste in music.

Later into the year, NACHTMYSTIUM related even more personalities with “Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. I.” This album featured a wider range of vocals, acid-dropping noise, moog and even saxophone. Acclaimed death/black metal drummer, Tony Laureno (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, ANGEL CORPSE, NILE) commanded the drum kit, resulting in the fastest NACHTMYSTIUM recording yet.

Before the leap to Century Media, NACHTYMYSTIUM undertook a number of high-profile tours with satanic agents such as GOATWHORE, WATAIN and ANGELCORPSE. With the diversification of their music came tours with a wider range of groups. Over the past year, the group has toured with BORIS and TORCHE, made an appearance at this year’s Norway’s Hole In The Sky Fest, and made a brief showing with OPETH before prematurely returning home.

Currently, NACHTMYSTIUM is touring the States with earth-worshipping black metallers, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM. Metal Centre caught up with guitarist/vocalist Blake Judd before the group took the stage in Austin.
[icenter:Nachtmystium_logo.JPG]

Interviews
HailnKill

UNHOLY – Interview with Jarkko

If you don’t know Finland’s Unholy, it’s imperative you read this interview and learn about one of the most influential European Doom bands from the early 90’s. If you do know who Unholy are, then it’s equally important you read this interview—entertained no less by co-founder Jarkko Toivonnen—and get the juice on the new reissues (via Ahdistuksen Aihio Records) that cover their entire discography. Feeling glib and shooting straight, Jarkko guides us through his band’s turbulent history, his own baby, Tiermes, and explains why he hates Metal Hammer.

Back To Top