Summon: How did the band get started?
Gulnar: We have started Illness after being in few bands before. Around year 2000 after long discussions we decided to create a band/project a little bit different from the common Bm bands. Strongly based on Black Metal but more, sick,grim and evil. We decided to use drum machine instead of “live” drums and samples from horror movies in our hymns (back then except for Mysticum (drum machine) and Funeral Mist (samples), nobody was doing anything like it). It was “fresh”. We started first rehearsals in early 2001.
Summon: What kind of music do you play?
Gulnar: ILLNESS Represents Black Schizophrenic Metal Exclusively!!!!
Summon: How has the fan response been?
Gulnar: We don’t have a fans. Idols and celebrities have fans. We are not any of them. We are not looking for fame. We as musicians and listeners of Black Metal are almost 20 years in it, so if we would like to be famous we would probably already been. I don’t know how people react to our music. Some like it ,some don’t. Its not important for us cause we will keep on doing it anyway.
Summon: Where did the band name come from?
Gulnar: We were looking for a name which will be original and sick. We haven’t heard about any ILLNESS before and there’s no sicker name then ILLNESS. That’s why we choose it!!!
Summon: Introduce the band members and what they do in the band.
Gulnar: Gulnar – Screams, guitars, drum programming, samples, bass, lyrics and Carrion – Keyboards, bass, samples, guitars.
Summon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Gulnar: I (Gulnar) write all lyrics and music for all “Guitar” songs. Carrion is doing all “Keyboards” songs.
Summon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Gulnar: Mainly from life. My lyrics often tell the true stories or stories that I wish to happen. Sometimes I just want to express my beliefs or disgust for humanity in general.
Summon: What is your view in Satanism and Occultism?
Gulnar: This is a subject for a longer discussion. Lets just say that they are very important parts of The True Black Metal.
Summon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Gulnar: We recorded:
In 2003 we recorded our first album “Paranoic Abyss’ but it was lost during mixes
3 albums (Black Shizophrenic Metal(2007), Necroterror(2009), Planet Paranoia(2010)
1 mini album (Razors,Dope and Suicide Worship(2007))
1 official reh (Cursed and Forgotten (Antiposer Manifest (2008))
1 ep (Trupi Jad – Cadaverous Poison(2009))
1 split ILLNESS / S.I.R.S. (Drowning in Schizoprenic Depression(2011)
In February of 2012 we’ve recorded our new album entitled “PsychoPath”. Its during mixing and mastering process.
Summon: Tell me about some the songs on the latest CD?
Gulnar: As always album will be divided on two parts. First part will be more aggressive Second one more schizophrenic. It will be 10 songs + intro and outro.Title of new album is “PsychoPath”.Game of words. As always lyrics will treat about: Death, Pain, Fear, Hatred, Satan, Suicide, Self Mutilation, Depression, Drugs, Schizophrenia, True Black Metal. There will be one hymn entitled “Death in the Name of Black Metal” and it will be a manifest against posers.
Summon: Do you have any side projects?
Gulnar: Yes we both have. I also work with: A.H.P. , S.I.R.S. , Riping Chain, Nihilism(session), Longing for Depression (session). Carrion works with: Manslaughter, Disorder and few others.
Summon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Gulnar: ILLNESS’ musical influences are early Black Metal bands (Bathory, Sodom, Mayhem,…..) Soundtracks, Horror music, Classic music and bands like Mysticum, Profanum, Diamanda Galas, Agahst and a lot of other sick projects. Too many to mention……We are listening to different kinds of music.
Summon: What is the band like when you play live?
Gulnar: We don’t play live. We will maybe play only once,but I don’t know when, and if at all.
Summon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Gulnar: No.
Summon: What do you think of the US Black Metal/Death Metal scene?
Gulnar: Death metal scene is still probobly strongest in a whole world. As for Black Metal you also have/had a lot of good hordes like: Black Funeral, Amputator, Absu, Judas Iscariot, Demoncy, Von………………….
Summon: What do you think of the overseas scenes?
Gulnar: I like them. Some of the bands have strong Death Metal roots but I think bands from those countries are mainly good ( Black Witchery (can),Judas,Iscariot(USA),Bestial Warlust(AUST) for example from many others).
Summon: What are some of new favorite black metal/death metal bands?
Gulnar: In Black Metal – actually Black/Industrial – Control Human Delete is not so old (I don’t follow newcomers as much as I did in the past.)Very good music but unfortunately without ideology. As for the Death Metal – WE HATE MODERN DEATH METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Summon: When do you guys plan on writing any new material?
Gulnar: We just finished recording on new album (PsychoPath), but we will start to create new shit soon.
Summon: What does the future hold for the band??
Gulnar: Death, what else?
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/Illnesshorde
http://illness666.bandcamp.com
http://illness666.bandcamp.com
