Black Funeral and Darkness Enshroud
Micheal Ford Nachttoter was patient enough to conduct an in-depth, lengthy interview with me over a period of several nights, spread out well over a month's time. When I initially contacted him, I had very little idea what was currently going on with his various projects but learned much as the interview went on. The interview still is not complete and more will be added as additional conversations take place. What you have here is an in-depth look into the past, present, and future of the mind behind Valefor, Black Funeral and Darkness Enshroud. His philososhies, music, magick and more. Read on... more to come at a later date.
Interviewed by Al Kikuras.
Al Kikuras:Is it true Black Funeral is no more?
Micheal Ford Nachttoter: Yes, I am no longer active with it. I am working with Valefor, a magickal-industrial-experimental group. We have released an album of death-ritualistic atmospheres and soon a new album which is aggressive dark-industrial. We have also recently finished the recording of Aleister Crowley's Liber Al vel Legis to music.
A: On Cold Meat?
M: Death Magick was released on Cold Meat, the new album INVOKATION OV FORNEUS was released in August on Dark Vinyl Records of Germany.
A: Do you ever go back and listen to the old Black Funeral stuff?
M: I was totally into our concepts then, but I never really listen to it..
A: When was the last time you actually did? Do you remember your reaction?
M: Yeah, it was good... back when I completed the final mix for Empire of Blood. I was proud of that one... black metal the way it was meant to be. I lost all interest in metal shortly after. Got totally into magick and the occult, experimental music also. That was not new to me though.
A: Do you listen to any metal nowadays?
M: No, not really... I still have all the LPs & CDs but I don't listen...
A: What do you find yourself listening to?
M: Zero Kama, Coil, Lustmord, Hunting Lodge, Psychic TV, Moon Lay Hidden Beneath A Cloud, Blood Axis... Leather Strip too sometimes... I love tribal ritual music.
A: The influence is evident in the Valefor material. Do you think you will get the urge to pick up any of the old black metal albums again in the future?
M: Possibly... that is the great thing about living... especially in the music/art or occult genre; you never know what areas you will go into next. I doubt I will play it again though.
A: No urge at all to play aggressive music?
M: Not like that, got that out of my system. I was more into the occult side of it all anyway. Valefor seems to be my ideal working ground now.
A: Do you still employ any of the imagery you did in Black Funeral ? Corpsepaint? Spikes?
M: No, I left it with that. I wore ritual paint on the first Valefor album back in 1996.
A: Do you view Baron Von Abbadon as a separate entity than Micheal Ford?
M: Yes, I do. Through my magickal practices I have taken the title TALNAGRAPH 108 but I do not really go by that title too much. I go by Nachttoter which is the title of a German Vampire spirit in European folklore.
A: What about the folk tale made you decide to choose that name?
M: It was my astral projections. The name came in dreams. I later looked it up on my studies and later adopted it. It is my nightside persona. When under astral projections I can hear calls to it... kind of strange and I don't like to reveal too much on it. All of our symbols are keys. A result of my three to four year work with the Black Order of the Dragon. I had heard of Nachzehrer but not Nachttoter. Like I said it appeared, like a foggy place... I could see quite well though. This was before I could shift my astral form. I heard a distorted woman's voice.... I think a male's too... at the same time. It said it once but I remember it clearly. It is the same feeling I get from my EVP (electronic voice phoneomena) research.
A: What is the Black Order of the Dragon?
M: The black order of the Dragon was a vampire coven. We were focused on ASTRAL VAMPIRIC SORCERY, not gothic blood drinkers. We focused on channeling vampiric energies into our selves. It worked. It was very dangerous actually but I grew into so much because of it. We opened what Kenneth Grant calls a "Vampire Vortex."
A: What exactly is a Vampire Vortex?
M: A vampire vortex is a rift between dimentions in which a sorceror is able to invoke vampire spirits or channel them into his/her self. Sometimes one can become obsessed and only bad results occur. It was very much a secret. I still cannot reveal much on it. We had public writings though... the basics.
A: Do you still work with the Black Order of the Dragon?
M: I am still the head of the BOTD but we are very much underground. Coven Nachttoter is still very much active, we do much research with vampirism but also Magick and Zos Kia sorcery amoung others.
A: Is Coven Nachttoter a separate group from BOTD or a branch or subdivision?
M: It was the ruling point of the BOTD, Coven Nachttoter is the beginning of all musical endevours of Valefor and Darkness Enshroud . I am the head of this. Coven Nachttoter has two living members, myself and Shanna LeJeune but also what we call elementals, spirits.... vampiric and otherwise. I cannot say more...Valefor and Darkness Enshroud explain this in our albums. Especially the upcoming ones.
A: So there is a forthcoming Darkness Enshroud album as well?
M: It is in the works... composed of the dead. No shit, the real dead that is. Spirits... voices... bones.... very dark, but not "evil." We believe in BALANCE. Call it gray magick. Contacting the dead and working with elementals makes me very happy, so that is not evil.
A: Actual voices of the dead will be on the release? Will we actually be hearing sounds invoked ritually?
M: Yes, but through EVP. We are using bones and composing through voices of the dead.
A: So is that the basis of electronic voice phenomena research? Composing through voices of the dead?
M: Well for us , not all of it. Many of my experiments will not be used. I find beauty in these things, like it is more significant than writing about hate and bullshit like that. I am trying to be constructive and positive, but still very dark. My direction unfolded after I recorded LIBER AL VEL LEGIS, which is Aleister Crowley's BOOK OF THE LAW put to music. I performed the "INVOCATION OF THE BORNLESS ONE" for one month three times daily while recording the album. Demons are not all malicious to me... angels are not bad either. Not Christian crap either.
A: Do you use the bones, themselves, as actual instruments or instruments in the spiritual or magical sense?
M: Both. They act as a calling tool in the use of creating sounds and forming various tones. They also act as a source of inspiriation, like an avatar. It also captures a sort of tribal sound.
A: May I ask where you acquired the bones?
M: Well, I did not dig them if that's what you mean. I have friends and such who got me many of them. I came across some and you can purchase them from various medical places.
A: Is there a connection between the results of their use and the individual they originated from?
M: They don't just call the spirit of the individual but often others. It is a medium of communication.
A: Feel free to plead the 5th if necessary at any point...
M: Yeah, might have to!! (laughs)
A: To get back to what you said about "trying to be constructive and positive..." In the past you have very adamantly stated extreme racist views. Do you still feel at all connected to those beliefs? I would seem that the quote "Men will be greater than the gods they ever conceived" (printed inside INVOKATION OV FORNEUS) would not work within that sort of mindset...
M: No, it was something I went through when I was younger, I came to understand that nazism is an un-elite thing They taught clones and bullshit about Aryan superiority. I am no longer connected with that. I am involved in Pagan/European culture and my roots but no racism. It is not neccessary. I think there are just as many scum whites as any else. I learned that on my travels it seems. Black Funeral NEVER delt with racism. Just death and sinister magick.
A: Not topically, but you were very outspoken in interviews.
M: Yes, always have been. People needed to understand that pre-programmed views are not healthy for the spirit-of any means.
A: Lance Gifford had told me how you had distanced yourself from that whole scene, but until we actually conducted the interview I didn't realize how true it was.
M: Like a different individual. Baron Abaddon died with Black Funeral .
A: That is the perfect way to put it.
M: Yeah, it is a part of my magickal training. I was very into the topics I dealt with Black Funeral , more than many I knew. I grew sick of peoples dabblings and lack of true knowledge on the subjects. The evil thing got on my nerves too. Or the fact they could not be balanced. They were just about evil and all this judeo-christian dogma and no true knowledge of Pagan ethos.
A: So moving away from black metal had as much to do with the philosophy behind it as the actual music?
M: Yes. Actually a bit more. I never was a total fan of it. I was listening to Lustmord and such back in 94.
A: What does Valefor enable you to express that Darkness Enshroud does not, and vice-versa? Is the difference between the two more musical or in the philosophies behind each, or both?
M: Not the philosophies per se, however the musical expression is on different levels. Valefor tends to me more magickal, to act as a current, a spell sent forth depending on the album. Darkness Enshroud is more focused on necromancy and spirits. Not as militant on our magick approach. Both projects DO enhibit the Law and freedom of Thelema.
A: You had mentioned that the new Valefor contains "demonic" vocals. Although employed on Darkness Enshroud 's Ancient Kingdoms, Unveiled Ghostly Shadows is devoid of the more traditional black metal demonic vocals. Will the new Darkness Enshroud employ them as well?
M: I will not even consider mentioning Ancient Kingdoms any further. The first Darkness Enshroud TO ME is Unveiled Ghostly Shadows. As far as demonic vocals on INVOKATION OV FORNEUS they are like extreme invokations, much energy and focus. Darkness Enshroud 's new recordings will have no demonic vocals. I have made my point with that.
A: Are the demonic vocals on INVOKATION OV FORNEUS at all akin to those on the unmentionable Darkness Enshroud album in sound? Assuming that they are not at all in inspiration or meaning...
M: No. They are much better than that crap. I know what I am doing now. I know, I have been doing it long enough. Actually, they have some distortion on them but mostly natural aggression. I was invoking Hadit mostly during the recording of that album. The track "FENRIR," which is a call to the lycanthropic strain of the psyche, is the most violent sounding.
A: You stated earlier that you have already recorded LIBER AL VEL LEGIS, but you do not plan to release it until April of 1999. Is there a chronology to the releases of Valefor and Darkness Enshroud or is your decision not to release it until that time based on the simple desire not to oversaturate your audience?
M: Yes, both. I want my audience to have time to absorb each album. Liber Al should be released in conjunction with the writing of the BOOK OF THE LAW in April anyway. It is a dedication to Baphomet 729 and Zero Kama to an extent. We went beyond ALL ego in that recording.
A: You have mentioned ego a few times so far... do you study psychoanalytic theory at all or is your use of the term magickally based?
M: Both. To understand the self on all levels one must destroy all anthropomorphic images of the self as god. The other side is to create yourself as god. Both, in balance is unity and what I call "Lucifer Rising... "inspired by Kenneth Anger's work and Milton.
A: Although you have removed yourself from the genre, do you still have any opinions on black metal? Do you feel any of the bands are still doing any valid work today?
M: No, I think most of the bands are out of ideas. It is all so boring and one sided to me personally, I just find it all too boring and childish. It went with my sinister pathworkings then but now it does not. There are some good tunes though, like Carpathian Forest, Von, Satyricon (Dark Medieval Times)... I like black metal in relation to paganism and culture.
A: Which traditional black metal releases do you feel were most important to the development of the genre?
M: Bathory's first three, Venom (I hate them but they started it), Celtic Frost/HellHammer. Second wave: Burzum (wonderful), Mayhem , EMPEROR, SATYRICON, VON and Carpathian Forest in 93. Impaled Nazerene too...(another one I dislike). I will give Marduk credit too. Dark Funeral as well in the later days.
A: What is it you hate about Venom? Is it the music? The cartoon imagery?
M: All of it. How can you take it seriously? If I want comedy I will watch Chevy Chase. If I want dark music, I want something from the depth of the soul. Actually, it is great when an artist is able to be themselves and not take EVERYTHING so seriously, however I think Venom were just rubbish. Some of their tunes are ok for heavy metal but then again I have not been a heavy metal fan since I was a teenager.
A: Do you think Chevy Chase is still funny?
M: In a Groucho-marx sort of funny, like a pair of clown shoes.
A: What is your favorite movie of his?
M: National Lampoon's European Vacation. The later ones were good too. Very tacky but still funny.
A: I think European vacation is his best, and is an absolutely wonderful movie in every way. What is your opinion on the resurrection of Mayhem ?
M: Hmmm... let's see... Mayhem equals Euronymous. Mayhem minus Euronymous equals "no Mayhem !" Good guitar riffs. Very good metal musicians as well. Let's see if they can stand the test without the name. Doubt it, boys.
A: Have you heard their latest, Wolf's Lair Abyss?
M: Yes, a listenable recording for that style. Old Mayhem is far better.
A: Which Mayhem vocalist put forth the finest performance, in your opinion? Counting Atilla...
M: Atilla because he was so original. Dead was overrated. He was very good on those two compilation tracks though. His voice had power on those two tracks.
A: You don't think his voice held up live?
M: No, but most black metal bands sound like crap live anyway. Not saying I could have done better either. I knew my limitations in that. It would be for the energy anyway. Live that is, the aggression....
A: Did Black Funeral perform live often, or at all?
M: We had offers, even a European tour with Dark Funeral. I was asked by Ahriman, my associate/friend. I had to turn it down. Nothing was right on our side. We did some small get togethers and things.
A: How old were you when you formed Black Funeral ?
M: I was 17, just left Sorath, my previous band. I had some dark ideas then. Full of anger and violent emotions. I was lucky to have an outlet for all that.
A: What might have happened if you didn't have that outlet?
M: Jail... dead... who knows? The occult actually was my outlet in the start, like my calling if you will. In other words, it was my true will. I discovered that very early but was not sure how to get it to work for me.
A: Was your realization of how to get the occult to work for you reflected in your decision to put Black Funeral to rest?
M: Well, it was my art that was driving me. I have so many ideas and I was not sure how to get them to work. Metal music was only a stepping stone, in other words it was NOT my "true will." Yes... I believe it had everything to do with that.
A: Do you feel Valefor is a product of your "true will," or just another stepping stone?
M: Well, I think it is just a manifestation of my true will, art that is. I paint pictures with tones that is. I feel Valefor is significant for me now. There is much room to grow with it.
A: Did your involvement in the occult pre-date your involvement in metal (paricularly black metal) or was it the other way around?
M: No, from a young child I always had an interest in the occult. It was with me from a very young age. I began to like metal music because it had "dark" and "occult" themes, much of which I was already into. It was just there at that time.
A: How old were you when you first got into metal and which were the first bands that you listened to?
M: I was 13-14, I think. I liked Venom, Slayer, Celtic Frost and shortly after, Bathory.
A: What is your opinion of Into the Pandemonium today?
M: Not good. I perfer To Mega Therion and the debut.
A: I would have thought you'd prefer the more experimental stuff.
M: No, not with metal. I would not do Valefor -esq material with Black Funeral , I mean, that just would not be right.
A: Where do you feel Black Funeral , and particularly Empire of Blood, rest in black metal history?
M: I am not too sure. It proved we were very strong. I think it is one of the top American releases. Far more serious than some of the garbage out there.
Ohweight: Why did you decide to re-record the material on Vampyr: Throne of the Beast (the first Black Funeral album) for Empire of Blood?
M: I wanted it to be the way I had originally planned it, that's why. Vampyr had no atmosphere beyond violence. I wanted a ghostlike-cold effect.
A: What do you feel are the best and worst US black metal releases to date?
M: Best: VON - Satanic Blood demo and ABSU - all. I can't remember any other significant ones. Bad ones: Well, I don't remember too many.. maybe December Wolves, but they were always so generic anyway.
A: What do you think of Burzum/Varg's latest?
M: A great album. He did the right thing, not playing black metal. Burzum is one of those bands that can do something different and still be Burzum no matter what. I respect that. I am fascinated with the runes and northern Magick anyway.
A: Do you feel that if he hadn't been imprisoned and had the means to perform and write black metal taken from him, that his music still would have moved into the areas that it did? At least, as quickly as it did?
M: Yes. He is a very unstable individual, obviously. He progressed. If he was STILL doing metal I would say he regressed.
A: He associates the guitar with "nigger music," as he puts it, and claims that is a large part of his reasoning for putting metal behind him.
M: That's bullshit. Racism is not a viable excuse anymore.
A: I also found that to be a little questionable to say the least. His adamance about it makes me wonder if he is being so obtuse because it was taken from him rather than him giving it up. Although, that is just my theory... who am I to say?
M: Well he is so unstable... changing his ideas like clean people do their underware. He will never reach to a strong level because he does not know himself. It is as IF he invoked Choronzon and that demonic force won.
A: Which Burzum release do you feel is his finest?
M: The debut Burzum is the ABSOLUTE BEST!!!
A: Do you have any contact at all with members of the black metal scene?
M: I really have no contact with the metal scene. Since 1995 or so I began associating with more serious occultists, I remained friends with the more in depth black metal individuals.
A: Such as?
M: Well, some of the Thelemic people, some of those interested as I am in magick, Spare, old 80's industrial-ritual music, the shadowside in general. I don't think it is too important to go name dropping although I will say they are not involved in the metal genre. When I was involved in the occult-black metal scene in 1993 many were very interested in the occult subjects, we all explored a lot. Around 94-95 all people were interested in was "metal and true." Later it was that HORRIBLE heavy metal... I grew sick of it all and decided to branch out.
A: What is your opinion of other black metal bands that have branched into more "ambient" directions, like Graveland/Lord Wind?
M: Great..I have always respected Graveland and Mr. Darken he is a talented musician with a lot of vision. I also respect Ulver as they do what they want. It is nice to see band not care about what the metal press and genre says and find acceptable. Do your own thing. Well, that's what it is supposed to be about anyway...
A: What is your opinion of Abruptum?
M: Pure crap now. I liked them in their early incarnations. After a few albums they just do the same thing, therefor it is not "experimentation." Their 7" ep was great as well as the first album. I liked the demos too.
A: The Evil 7"?
M: Yes.
A: What is the meaning behind Valefor ? The name.
M: Valefor is a spirit/demon from the Goetia. It is a focus of Vampiric pathworkings, astral vampirism as well as the desire manifestation. Something a but similar to Kia, the "atmospheric I," however, more fleshlike. When I founded Valefor I created a sigil which I still have to this day. It is also a carrier of my spells and magickal workings, not "just" astral vampirism.
A: Are you referrring to the symbol at the top of the Invokation Ov Forneus flyer? Next to the logo?
M: That sigil is not the Valefor sigil. That is the seal we call "The Seal of the Grand Awakening", it was designed by myself and Blood Moon, an individual who has since succumbed to Choronzon in a way that is not healthy. The seal means "entering in reverse through the eye of night..." you will notice the sigil of Lucifer (the bearer of light) is present, as well as names of the demons of the Tunnels of Set as described by Aleister Crowley and Kenneth Grant. It is a crossing of the Abyss.
A: That is the seal you suggest listeners implement to "enter the soundscapes" of Desert of Set, right?
M: Yes, it is used on Invokation Ov Forneus as well. mainly on Invokation, anyway.
A: What would that entail, magickally, on the part of a listener?
M: Assuming through the focus of the sigil in the right atmosphere, entering it in the assumption of what AOS called the "Death Posture" in which you enter a point of your mind not conscious or awake with your dayside, conscious self. Or just enjoy the music. It is up to the listener.
A: Is there a magickal significance to the number 310, in refrence to the number of copies Desert of Set is limited to?
M: Yes. The double headed beast in union with Kali. Choronzon/Shugal half of in itself with Kali.
A: Which of Valefor 's recordings would you say is most indicative of what you hope to accomplish?
M: Hmmm... good question. I think on some levels it is Invokation Ov Forneus but we have not fully reached it yet. Liber Al Vel Legis holds some of it. I think it is Invokation Ov Forneus. Very diverse, but it was necessary when it was recorded. Valefor is not just "death Industrial".
A: How would you describe Valefor 's music?
M: It is diverse... brooding, haunting, timeless (well some of it anyway), industrial, demonic/angelic. It is like what Spare called a "resurgent atavism." I am trying for a timeless approach. Definitely organic sounding...with the vocals and bones played on some of it.
A: You mentioned him once before... pardon my ignorance, but who exactly is Spare?
M: Austin Osman Spare was a British sorceror who lived from 1886-1954. He was a magnificant artist who was quite diverse in his art. He painted many wonderful "ritual" or "resurgent" dreams and desires. He was a gifted Sorceror, an adept. He developed a system of Sigil Magick as well as ways of exploring the subconscious and bringing these desires into flesh. ZOS KIA is the name of his system, without any stifiling or restrictive dogma. I think of him on the level of Crowley. The father of modern Magick...well, Spare and Crowley. They knew each other anyway. Spare was a member of the Golden Dawn as well. He had some great books: The Focus of Life, Book of Satyrs, Book of Pleasure, etc.
A: Do you think you will ever move away from the industrial overtones? Dark chamber music, perhaps? No electronics?
M: I may. I could see that because I am very interested in dealing with more timeless subjects. I adore industrial music and creating it, however I can see myself doing something like that in the future. I am not planning it in all ways... I want it to go with my true will if you get my meaning. I want to try something a bit different but not just "normal" dark industrial.
A: Is your music primarily influenced and molded by the topic matter (such as in the case of Liber Al Vel Legis where the entire piece is based on one publication) or is the topic filtered through the aim of Valefor ? To put it plainly... how much influence does the topic matter have over the realization of the music?
M: Well, it is a bit of a give and take situation. When I recorded Liber Al Vel Legis, I understood it would be in some ways very different from my other albums in the fact that it is not dealing with anything other than The Book of the Law. I did it as a tribute to Baphomet 729 and Zero Kama, that work is a manifestation of beauty and strength. Now, with my other recordings, I tend to look at my focus and then begin forming ideas on the music. This is usually the case. However I sometimes do work based on sounds. That is usually when I am collaborating with others which is rare now. I look forward to that again anyway. I always have a vision before I begin recording because that dictates the images I record. What sort of Spirits I make a calling to...
A: Do you still work with S.L. LeJeune?
M: Yes a bit. She is a talented woman. A witch in all cases. We are not working as closely as we once did but I am very fond of her. She is appearing on some new material. She just does vocals in general.
A: Did the two of you meet through the occult or black metal scene?
M: Both, she came to me after a series of magickal workings in 1995. I was looking for a female to bring something new to my music, which was horrible at the time. I had bad equipment and so forth and was growing sick of working with metal and those session members. We were worlds apart the session members and I. Anyway, Shanna sent me some photos and we wrote for a long time. Then we spoke on the phone a lot and she moved here. We shared an interest in magick then and formed a coven which is still operating today. She taught me a lot and then I went crazy and did much better material. I grew as an individual and magickian not to mention we had some crazy adventures in our travels.
A: Spiritual travels or geographical?
M: Geographical. We had some spiritual ones too.
A: Do you feel stronger magickal ties to different physical locations?
M: Oh, yes. As a child I and my family had some very strange experiences at my Aunt's home, different spots I have been to. Yes, even some I have evoked energy at as well.
A: What kind of experiences? Was their any history to your Aunt's house that may have had an influence?
M: Actually, it is funny because my Aunt's house had no major distrubances. In other words, a normal suburbian house, except sometimes we had strange feelings there..like things were watching. Once we eere playing with, of all things, a Ouji board. My mother and my Aunt and myself. The garage door leading in opened and shut. Her cat stood at the stairs, ears back and growling at an empty space, nothing at all... the door was locked from the inside...I felt like I was being called. I loved it, like a kid when he wins his first football game or something... like when you have your first girlfriend or sexual experience. I was hooked and loved it. That is how I have been ever since and I have had some strange things, many since then. That is why I love this, it takes you to some strange corners.
A: What would you say has been the strangest?
M: Oh well the time things said my name.... in full physical voice... nothing playing in the house. No drugs, nothing. I was doing a ritual. Afterwords something that sounded both female and male said my name..."Michael." Other times I have seen things, like spirits and shadows in different places. Ghosts I do know exist because I have seen them and heard them. I have had many dealings with spirits, call them demons or angels... both. None have wanted my soul though... (laughs)
A: Not yet! Have you had any experiences that outright frightened you?
M: Yes but I won't say much on that one. Too personal! I will say it frightened me for only a few seconds and then it was like the most interesting thing. I did not sleep for a while anyway. I was so happy.
A: Was that also your most elevating?
M: I have fond memories of some demons. "Elementals" that take the flesh of woman... well they reside in bodies of individuals who are weak in some way. A girl named Monica once came to me from New York, she was a beautiful creature. I was doing evokations of a succubus for a while then. I wanted flesh though, not just a spiritual/dream thing. She just came to me which is strange and even stranger now. I had her under my control living with me for several months.
A: How did it end?
M: She had a crazy mother and a very hard life in New York. Shortly after one of her visits to New York she vanished never to be heard from again. I also had some strange experiences with actual spirits which sort of guided me into finding my true will. Nonetheless I do not do actual succubus evokations anymore...
A: Speaking of control... in an interview in Pit Magazine #13 back when Black Funeral was in full stride, you stated "I already have one kid here who will do anything I tell him. Pretty soon, I will order him to do something in the name of black metal." Was someone actually that devoted?
M: Yes, well you get that with that kind of music. I was young then and did not care. There were several, actually. I am glad those days are over!
A: What were you considering having him (them) do?
M: The session members were jealous about the control I seemed to have over others. I was quite the Satanic Magickian then. Very much evil if there ever was such a thing. My dark side was much in control. I will not go any further on that. I was cruel and angry... much like my image. I have changed a lot.. evolved... progressed... control is the key.
A: In that same interview, you stated that your "greatest achievement would be to get at least one kid out there to either kill someone or commit suicide from [your] art." It is obvious that has changed drastically... what would be your greatest achievement now?
M: My greatest achievment is that some find my music as a form of dark art. Maybe a light will be lit (Lucifer) for them to find their true will. Quite the opposite of my desires then, yes?!!!
A: Like night and day.
M: Also to fully contact and arrange transfers of energy in my music... like a bridge for the dead. There is a balance in it all. Choronzon is in my music as well... the beast is still there waiting to rise. I hold NO responsibility for misuse of my music.
A: You mentioned creating "a bridge for the dead." Have you ever actually set out to contact a specific non-living individual or is it like simply opening a channel for their beings? The dead, as a whole...
M: It is both. Certain waves of sound can alter atmospheres. In doing so you are creating a bridge or gate to other dimentions which are open on certain levels of the mind. If you call, something will answer. I am quite fond of them but you have to be careful. They can be tricky...
A: In what sense? What is it they desire or hope to obtain through trickery?
M: Demons/angels and the dead are much like living humans in many ways. Some have different desires, all of which answer a different call. A different urge is within them. It is up to the individual if he/she will succumb to them. WILL is the key. Strength is the lock.
A: You mentioned drugs a while back... do you ever use controlled substances to heighten a mood or awareness for ritual purposes?
M: No, I am actually very against the use of drugs for a heightened ritualistic point because it is very difficult to focus upon the true will. When drugs are involved you tend to loose sight of that and all is distorted. When I create a ritualistic and other mood, it is without the use of mind altering drugs and such. I have experimented with such to explore the mind on a subconscious and psychic level; to open new avenues of mental awareness. Sorcery is best wove and magick is best practiced for me personally under control of will.
A: Geographically, do you feel strong ties amongst nature? In the forest and such? Is the old black metal adage true?
M: Well, I love nature as it is a strong point and connection of magick. I have a close connection to nature as a whole and find it beautiful. I think many black metal bands came with this through Pagan culture, heritage and altered to to fit their grim lifestyles. That is far from my reason as it always has been.
A: Tell us about the film you are working on.
M: I have completed my film for Valefor , "The Night of Pan". It is a montage of ritual, visualisation and focus. Myth and spells wove in detailed methods. Editing played a strong role in it. The focus is a union of thoughts and will. A thelemic film with a strong urge to the shadows were a part of the psyche awaits.
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EDITOR'S NOTE : Some time after the initial (incomplete) interview sessions, Michael and I had another conversation that covered some very interesting (and surprising) developments that are very relevant to what was covered in the interview thus far. It went as follows:M: Black Funeral will continue however NOT black metal. It will be black ritual ambient, darker than Valefor . We are preparing to record an album based on vampiric sorcery and shadow magick.
A: WOW! How did this happen?
M: Yes, well Black Funeral has always had a reputation for being a vampiric group, something I am very serious about. I did not want to continue Valefor on the lines of Vampirism which are explored on the Invokation Ov Forneus album. I thought since I had Black Funeral with such a strong vampiric presence to continue it as a Black Ritual Ambient project and focus on shadow magick and the like. A bit more demonic than Valefor in some ways.
A: Are any of the original members involved or is it a "reformation" in name and concept only?
M: NO. NO METAL MUSICIANS!!!! This is deeper than that. It is why I founded Black Funeral . The concept, the feeling and the joy of it. No other bullshit is involved. The essence was revealed and I felt inspired once again for it.
A: Is anyone else involved? SL LeJune, perhaps?
M: No. Not currently. I will continue with others at some time.
A: Do you at all anticipate a backlash resulting from what people have come to expect from Black Funeral ? i.e., the more traditional black metal style?
M: Yes... oh, yes and I don't give a shit about that. I am not in the "make people happy all the time business." That is not what this music is about. If so, I would have played rock or such. I am an artist/composer and my music is my sorcery. My magick medium if you will. Some of the more serious will enjoy it. I am not worried about such really. You cannot, some of the most significant art is hated by the masses.
A: Will you still continue with Valefor and Darkness Enshroud ?
M: I will of course continue with Valefor , that is my main interest. Although Shanna is no longer a part of it. Darkness Enshroud will not currently continue.
A: Have you already written material for the "new" Black Funeral ?
M: I have a base sound and concept. Not the nuts and bolts as of yet. These things take a large amount of time.
A: What will the instrumentation be?
M: Ambience created by noises, synthesizer drones, ritual percussion, monotonus bleak and haunting sounds.
Black Order of the Dragon writings are available from: Tempel of Azagthoth
750 SE Maynard Rd. Suite 126
Cary, NC 27511-5720 USAThe official Valefor/Psychonaut web page: http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/moldova/878/
For info on Spare and magick: www.tantra.org/spare.htm
Info on Typhonian OTO: www.cyberlink.ch/~konig/staley1.htm
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