When I was in Melbourne last year, I found the place to be most agreeable even if it is quite excessively spread out. How do you find living there, would you rather be elsewhere? Do you get out of the urban areas often, out to the Dandenongs or down to the Mornington Peninsula, places like these?
I find Melbourne to be a great place to live as far as cities go, everything I presently need is at arms reach. I live in a quaint old area that's aesthetically pleasing and close to the beach. However, the constant pace, volume of people and pollution get to me more each year so eventually I plan to move out bush somewhere. I get out of the urban areas often (I think I've explored every inch of the Dandenong Ranges) and go away camping about once a month - it keeps me close to sane!
What of the desire of some to "relocate" back to Europe, I suppose for some a preference for Europe, for others utter disdain in regards to Australia. Does Netherworld share this wish to up and leave, your thoughts on such a line of thinking?
We (I'll speak for Morgue and I being Netherworld, as Anvil is no longer playing drums for us and we have very little in common with him) are content to live in Australia at the moment. Morgue has lived in other parts of the world and feels that it is advantageous to live in Oz in comparison. There's alot more of Australia for us to explore. I hope to be visiting Europe soon so I'll have to see then where I feel most at home. Although I have a European heritage, I doubt that I'll find European society any less fucked up and deluded than that of Australia.
If you don't mind my asking, how far have you managed to trace your Blood Lines, was it an uphill battle or somesuch? Did you have trouble finding the link in Europe?
I am lucky enough to have relatives on both sides of the family who have been tracing our blood lines. My great grandparents were the first generation to come out to Australia on both sides of the family and overall we have a Scottish, German and English background with a bit of Irish sprinkled in. We hope to trace our blood lines further back into our European past with the help of some distant relatives we just found in Scotland.
Returning to Melbourne for just a sec, black metal seems to be thriving - thriving in the sense there seems to be quite alot of people involved - down there; Bestial Warlust pulling a few hundred to gigs, pretty large handful of bands there... How do you find the calibre of people - both the bands and the fans/followers - involved?
I agree that there is a big black buzz going on down here. As for the calibre of people in the Melbourne scene, it varies. There's a frighteningly large proportion of moronic lost souls who hide behind some fragmented, borrowed philosophy and pretend to be strong, individualized beings. There are however some remarkable individuals (both in bands and fans) who fight hard at the front line of the counter cultural movement such as "Bestial Warlust" and "Destroyer 666". I hope Netherworld make a mark in this department as well. It's of paramount importance to me to live my life as a kick up the arse of the civilized world and to make a difference.
It's quite sad nowadays in Australia that our very being, our essence is being neglected in such a way as it is; children can go right the way through school and learn bugger all about those that came before them, that what is Australian is being replaced by American (read: GLOBAL), that all the hardships our Ancestors went through is being ignored and put down... The face of tomorrow is that engulfed by some bizarre want to forsake their past, their Heritage in favour of some foreign, plastic "culture" that has them entranced. Your thoughts...
I think of the current influx of plastic American culture as a mind numbing drug that disarms the masses by keeping them bound up in the endless strivings of consumerism, and blinkered by the misguided vision of most Holywood film makers and those puppets known as Politicians. As you mentioned, our essence as self defined individuals has no place in the world of popular trash culture, hence the sheep remain passified and part of the flock.
This is of course helped aplenty by the ever-present manufactured "youth mentality" that prescribes the face of tomorrow to be lazy, dim-witted, unfit, without virtue "characters", whose overall attitude is "who gives a shit". This reached its zenith of sorts a couple of years ago, but still continues now, as can be easily seen... The nature of Paganism being as it is, requires pride, dedication, responsibility - virtues quite out of step with the deception that is currently drilled into youth. Again, your thoughts...
The civilized world is one big deception. The Pagan/Heathen/Neo Satanic traditions provide a strong foundation for ones individual journey and a sense of Brother and Sisterhood that replaces the alienation, disassociation and oppression that are characteristic of the status quo.
In countering the current pacifist mentality, quite alot of bm bands have adopted a volatile pro-war attitude, which is on the whole no less destructive. What of the more balanced view "when in a time of peace be ready for war", as espoused by the RAN for example, or "only a fool fights in a burning house"?
I think that by taking the path we have, you put yourself on the frontline. I, and most of the people I'm close to are constantly having altercations with moronic christian fuckheads, authoritarian "suits", etc. Before you leave the front door of your house you're fighting a war for what you believe in. This kind of war is necessary, however massive scale war as dictated by politicians doesn't serve the purpose of the people, especially those outside of mainstream delusion. I do believe in being prepared for conflict though no matter what form it comes in and as for "only a fool fights in a burning house" - I guess if the roofs about to fall in, you get the fuck out just before it happens and let your enemies perish in flames.
On a lighter note, what of Netherworlds debut album, there is a concept behind this, could you tell us a bit about it and whatnot? Where do you hope this album will take Netherworld?
The debut Netherworld album revolves around a few related themes, these being a descent to the underworld in search of enlightenment, an attack on the corporate christianized world and a return to individuality and strength. Morgue and I use mythology and dark fantasy to express our heathen sentiments and hopefully others will find inspiration in the message and music Netherworld produces.
In your bio, you describe Netherworlds music as ranging "from wistfully atmospheric to aggressive, grating and dark", which all things considered, is quite apt. How would you compare the first album to your promo tape in this instance, regarding the music alone that is?
The album is an extension of the promo tape. Four of the tracks from the promo are on the album remixed. The promo was a glimpse whilst the album is the full picture.
What of the current bm scene, are there many bands/individuals whom you respect or admire in some way, for what reasons? What about society-at-large, through history and whatnot?
Generally I respect inspired individuals who reside outside of normality, some examples would be Carl Jung, Diamanda Galas, Alister Crowley, Marquis De Sade, Mary Shelley etc. Of the current b.m. scene my respect goes to Joe Skullfucker (my soul mate) & Bestial, Immortal, Burzum, Primordial, Mysticum, Enslaved & Arcturus and the ones who started it all like Bathory, Samael, Beherit, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd (they're an influence for me), Slayer, Voivod and Destruction.
With the Olympics now over, there seems not much more to do but marvel at the extent big business has hijacked this Pagan Celebration. The Games innate Spirit raped and forced to parade the symbols and slogans of IBM, Nike, Sony, McDonalds etc etc... What of the original Spirit of the Games of Greece, still alive in the minds of some (though one can say definitely NOT in the swelled heads of the Yankee male relay team), both competitors and spectators alike?
Yeah, what of the original spirit of the games? - its been raped and forgotten.
Of course, this "overriding of Nature" is happening on a much grander scale. The aim of making as much money as is possible is not only killing our surrounds, it is indeed killing us. People now are but shadows of our former healthier, more complete selves. The connection with the land is fading, it is a precious few who realise the need for this connection/interaction. The Century Zinc Mine in northern Queensland is a relevant case in point of the ignorance towards nature and the people still at one with it. Your thoughts...
I agree that the self and nature have been sacrificed for the dollar. Although I do not know about the Century Zinc Mine I am currently protesting against the proposed development of Wilson's Promitory. Saving the unspoilt magic of the wilderness is really important to me and to Morgue.
In the last few years there has been much discussion regarding the identity of the Australian Nation. The republican movement argues it is time to stop "hanging off the coat-tails of Europe", to cut ties with Europe, now that we are all of a sudden "part of Asia". With a focus on returning to our roots, Paganism is more cementing links with Europe, rather than cutting them. What of the so-called need for Australia to become a republic, and what of Dr. Mahatir's "Australia won't be a part of Asia until 65-70% of the population is Asian" line that got the politically correct Left's nose out of joint, and had the media crying "racism"?
It seems that the identity of the Australian nation is founded upon the most shallow of archetypal masculine characteristics. I can't relate to the great "Australian Legend" and it's yobbo culture, but then I'm a woman with a degree in psychology and a European background. I'm not a monarchist but I'd hate to see John Howard as head of an Aussie republic. Someone that out of touch with the big picture and that conservative with that much power is dangerous. Enough said from me.
What of these "gun-control laws" brought about in the week following the shootings at Port Arthur. What seems most odd about them, is that it will no longer be a valid reason to own a weapon for personal protection. Bizarre that, you would think that would be the MOST valid reason? What do you think the chances are of much at all happening because of these laws that will undoubtedly get pushed through Parliament?
Another hysterical, reactionary move by the government. I don't think that gun control is the answer to these much publicized incidents. There has always been violent crime within the restraints of society and always will be.
Fairly recently bm has been heading in a more "folkish" direction where the people involved have been incorporating and presenting their culture, their Heritage. From some quarters this has been labled the new trend, it must surely be obvious however that taking a diverse, individual, Pagan path, learning of and from your Heritage should be the way we would want this to go, rather than it just being some puerile musical genre of not much importance in the overall scheme of things. Firstly, do you agree with this "folkish" observation, if so where do you think this may lead? Secondly, what of the line of thought that believes this Awareness of Heritage doesn't belong in bm?
If everyone involved in black metal, and beyond that, genuinely took on individual Pagan path and learnt of and from their heritage, life might start to make sense. Its a good sign that this awareness and direction is surfacing in things other than just black metal. Look at the Celtic cultural revival things like "Riverdance" have tapped into.
With this however has come the rather bitter (not to mention, PETTY) in-fighting; "my heritage is better than yours...."; "the Celts sacked Rome"; but "Rome ruled the Mediterranean for hundreds of years"; "under the Macedonian Alexander, Europe and Asia were his"; but, "the Vikings made it across the ocean to Iceland, Greenland and the Americas..." all of which in the long run, will really only stifle/limit the Rusurgence of Awareness, Our Heritage, Our Destiny. I ask you this, what of The Pan-Euro Ideal, what of Unity, what of the future?
I agree with you 100%, such petty squabbling about this heritage being better than that is a set back in the attainment of awareness. I hope to see this awareness and focus on the growth of the individual self continuing to evolve and moving into mainstream society. I don't think true unity of a positive nature can exist unless the parties involved are evolved enough to know their individual essence and hence to come to unite whilst on the path of their true destiny. Most people can't even see the shining path because they've got their eyes closed and as we've seen throughout history, when the blind unite, the "seeing" suffer. May those with their eyes open to evolution unite and pry open the eyes of the non-seeing.
As does everything, this must end. I thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and the best of luck for your future.
Thanks heaps for the stimulating interview Hugh. Looking forward to reading your zine, bye for now, Andrea (Vorthe).
Netherworld
Our new contact address is:
P.O.Box 3092
Ripponlea 3183
Melbourne, Australia
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