Interview with Damnum Animus (2011)

Neoclassically-inspired black metal mastermind "Chaosweaver", the man behind Damnum Animus who's been reviewed twice on Goul's Crypt, agreed to do an interview on the basics and future of his solo project Damnum Animus and had this to say:

Goul

So you're from North Carolina. What's the scene like there?

Chaosweaver

The metal scene in North Carolina, as a whole, is fairly diverse, but I live in a podunk town where very few people like metal. Those that do normally are classified as scene kids, because many of the so called "metal" bands out here are stereotypical deathcore. However, there are a few notables, such as Final Curse (classic thrash), Black Acid Moon (stoner doom), and Syopsis (techdeath).

Goul

So I don't take it there are any bands like yours, genre-wise, in your area?

Chaosweaver

Unfortunately, no. Finding another member with similar influences is hard enough, let alone finding other bands.

Goul

What inspired you to make what is essentially neoclassical music mixed with ambient and black metal vocals and drumming?

Chaosweaver

This started, as you may or may not know, as a DSBM (Depressive Black Metal) project. The transition from that to what Damnum Animus became was pure happenstance; I was messing around with a MIDI file of "The Last of My Kind" on my DAW, and put cellos in place of the guitars. Voila, Damnum Animus was born. That being said, I've always had a love for classical music, especially bombastic classical (movie soundtracks, Tchaikovsky), so transitioning wasn't a stretch of the musical imagination.

Goul

Did this genre come naturally to you?

Chaosweaver

Some of the elements took some getting used to. Creating an atmosphere isn't the easiest thing to do if you're used to metalcore style songwriting.

Goul

Are you in any other bands, or do you have any other musical projects?

Chaosweaver

I have both, in fact.

Invoking the Divine: an experimental metal band with my good friend Josh Horne.

The Fall of the Heretic: a metalcore project that I've been messing with for a good 6 years.

Decaying My Youth: death/doom metal project. Main feature: huge riffing.

Goul

To return to Damnum Animus, how was the initial response to your style of music, especially "Sanity: The Lies of the Father"?

Chaosweaver

Generally, the response was good. I got several reviews commenting on the "coldness" of the music, which was what I was going for. The main complaints were the sudden stops and starts, as well as the similarity of the tracks.

Goul

Since you're only one person in the band it seems obvious to ask: Why? Why are you the sole person in Damnum Animus? Is it because of creative controle, was it too difficult to find band mates, or something other?

Chaosweaver

It's multiple things. Creative control was never an issue, as the other bands I've been in have never had that problem. The main reason I'm the sole person in Damnum Animus is finding people with similar influences. Drummers are hard to come by in this area of North Carolina, as are good bassists. Session musicians are not out of the question; however, it doesn't seem like there will be any for a good while.

Goul

Can you tell us about the pros and cons of being a one man band?

Chaosweaver

Pros:

No arguments with band members.

Make your own working schedule (rather than practice x times a week).

Decide exactly where the band will go.

Cons:

Some ideas sound great to you, but shit to others.

Less outside influence to add new sounds to the band.

No live playing.

That last one is a big one.

Goul

Do you have any goals regarding Damnum Animus?

Chaosweaver

Yes, I'd like to play live at least once.

Goul

You've got a new release coming out sometime in the future called "Beneath the Swells". Can you tell us a little about this album and what it's gonna feature?

Chaosweaver

This will be a FULL LENGTH album. It will feature many of the same elements of the previous EP: symphonic soundscapes, ambient and black metal influences; however, it will feature both acoustic and electric guitars, more vocal variance including clean vocals, epic length songs (10+ minutes), and much more. The lyrical content is also much different. The last album was focused on depression, religious struggles, and hopelessness; this album will be focused on depression as well, but the lyrics will be written through my love of oceans. It's going to be nothing like you've ever heard; the old EP will be "Thrown To The Sharks" (song title!).

Goul

If you wouldn't like to add anything, this concludes the interview! Thanks a lot!

Chaosweaver

All I'd like to say at this point is thanks to everyone who's listened to the music and given me feedback on it, including you. Get the album when it comes out!


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Read the original review of Sanity: Lies of the Father and Forgotten by the Waves