Interview with KATHARNUM

!!!BLACK METAL FROM CHINA!!!

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about KATHARNUM (Members, Starting Year etc).
Wen: Hails from Shanghai! I'm Wen, the founder, guitarist, and vocalist of Katharnum. Before returning to China, I lived in many different countries, with the longest time spent in Europe. So, I'm really glad that my first interview is with a media outlet from “Mother Europe.” During the 2024 Chinese New Year, I moved from my hometown, Dalian, to Shanghai. Katharnum was formed in Shanghai in mid-to-late 2024. The reason behind starting the band was my desire to create a black metal project that could perform locally, so I took the opportunity to write a few songs. Bassist Jiang Ming Shi took on the tasks of recording, post-production, and writing the synth parts. Thanks to her, many things became much easier for me as I'm pretty much a complete novice with computers. Later, drummer Wade joined, solidifying the band’s core lineup. In the future, I may also look for another guitarist if the opportunity arises.

Wade: I'm Wade.

Jiang Ming Shi: Thank you for this interview. I am Jiang Ming Shi, the bassist. Unlike Wen, I've been living in Shanghai for years and years. Although there has no chance to travel and live abroad, the habit of digging for different styles of music that has been maintained since my childhood, provided great helps of experiencing the world. Currently, I am involved in the whole production of the band's audios and videos.

You have recently released your EP ''蛇年黑金属''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Wen: Strictly speaking, we haven't received much feedback so far. Aside from a few people sharing the videos I posted on Chinese video platforms, and some asking strange questions that aren't really related to the music, it's been pretty quiet. But we’re not in a rush for feedback. What’s meant to come will come.

Label or DIY and why?
Wen: The entire demo for Year of the Snake Black Metal was self-produced and released. Currently, we don't have the right channels to distribute our music, and since the band doesn't have a large catalog yet, the quality of our work still needs improvement. Of course, when the time is right, I’d like to partner with a label to release our music. Ideally, it would be a label based in Central Europe, though I’d also consider options in Greece or Northern Europe.

Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Wen: We haven't played any live shows yet, but we’re hoping to do so as early as April or May. I’ll be sure to send you photos once that happens. As for the recording process, it’s been fairly quick, so I’ll skip elaborating on that for now.

Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Wen: I’m a true vinyl enthusiast—bigger album covers are always better. I love having vinyl scattered around my house. That said, I also have a soft spot for those $5 CDs from NWN back in the day. I’d grab a bunch of them whenever they were on sale. For albums I can enjoy but don’t feel strongly about, I’ll usually go for cheaper CDs or tapes. But honestly, tapes have gotten pretty expensive compared to the old days. If I’m not really invested in them, I’ll just stream them online instead.

Wade: CD.

JIANG MING SHI: All of these types. Normally I find ways to get the Vinyl collections of my favorite bands/albums. CDs are what I collect the most, mainly because most CDs are cheap and easy to be found. I once made DIY self-press tapes for my own psychedelic band, from burning to designing and packaging and production. So we will definitely product tapes for Katharnum in the future. And there has a revival trend of Tapes attributed to subculture recently. Tapes are currently becoming stylish and popular.

Your music style is Black/Death Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Wen: I never described our style as Black/Death Metal. A couple of days after our demo was released on Bandcamp, someone told me they had seen our songs on YouTube. When I checked Metal Archives, I found that someone had registered our band and labeled our style as Black/Death Metal. In reality, Katharnum's current style is purely black metal, influenced by early Norwegian and Swedish black metal. Of course, due to the post-production and drum programming, those influences might not be immediately obvious. The band’s style may evolve over time, but it will always remain rooted in the realm of black metal. Just to mention, MING SHI is a huge fan of Trhä.

Wade: Behemoth.

Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Wen: There’s a lot you have to sacrifice for a band. I think starting a band is a bit like starting a startup or joining the military—you’re always weighing the pros and cons. Especially in a country like China, where most people can’t fully dedicate themselves to their band. Even if you have the financial means to make music every day, there are still family responsibilities to consider. Of course, what I’m saying isn’t absolute. If you choose to live on the margins of society and stay at home recording music all day, that’s still possible in today’s big cities in China. It’s a personal choice. As for me, I haven’t had to sacrifice too much for Katharnum yet, since it’s still a new band. But if I had to point to one thing, when I first returned to China, my grandfather didn’t like my long hair, so I shaved it off. In a way, you could say I betrayed Lucifer and sacrificed my caveman image.

Jiang Ming Shi: Job and money. We were able to form Katharnum because we didn’t want to be enslaved by work and wanted to devote more time to real Metal things.

Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Wen: As for the ideal live show, for black metal, I believe it must have an absolute sense of ritual, pure chaos, excellent live sound quality, and the musicians’ spirit fully merging with the darkness. And as I mentioned earlier, we won’t be able to start performing until at least April or May.

Wade: I don’t have to carry the equipment to the show myself; someone helps me set everything up before the performance.

Jiang Ming Shi: I always get enthralled by some crazy noise performances, as well as doom and sludge black metal performances with a strong exotic sense of atmosphere. Till these days，the feelings I long for is still hard to reach, that‘s also the reason I try to convey the burning madness and hatred through Katharnum.

What attributes do you think that a new Black/Death Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Wen: For me, a black metal band first needs to figure out what it wants to express. It’s a vehicle for my emotions. It can be anger, hatred, sadness, pain, ecstasy, nostalgia, or fear. What draws me to black metal more than any other subgenre is its ability to express these emotions so clearly and vividly. With a clear emotional direction, that’s when you get a truly unique black metal band.

Wade: Anything works.

Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Black/Death Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Wen: I’d say there are pros and cons. Digital music has definitely made it easier for everyone to access new music, which is a great thing. In the past, a band from the Third World could barely find a label, and now it’s much easier. That’s a positive change. But I’m from the '90s, and when I was a kid, getting your hands on a specific CD or cassette was a challenge. The feeling of finally getting that cassette, putting it into a Walkman, and waiting for it to play – man, that was such a thrill. And it was that era of tape trading that really sparked the birth of unique bands and styles. I believe for a band to have long-term success, both traditional promotional methods and digital platforms are essential.

Wade: Anything works, it just depends on the style – there are different approaches and ways to do it.

Do you see any differences between the Chinese Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
Wen: In Europe, the labels and fans tend to be more specialized. A lot of European fans will only go to shows for one specific style, like some people will only go to black metal gigs or similar genres. But in China, especially in Beijing and Shanghai, it doesn’t matter what style the show is – the same group of people show up. Of course, this also has to do with the fact that metal shows in China are fewer in number compared to Europe and the US.

Wade: I don’t know, I’m not familiar with the Chinese metal music scene.

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in China (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Wen: After returning to China, I almost exclusively went to see Alternative/Indie bands. The truth is, there haven’t been many new bands, webzines, or metal clubs that have caught my attention. I’m not someone who enjoys socializing or discussing music with others, and even in Europe, only a few people or places could spark my interest. Honestly, the underground metal scene in China today isn’t necessarily as vibrant as it was when I was younger. Back when I was in my teens, China actually had quite a few interesting death metal and black metal bands. It’s a real shame that Hyonblud and Chaotic Aeon didn’t continue, and Ritual Day’s first album is truly an eternal classic.

Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Wen: If you listen to black metal, you can’t avoid Greece. I’ve been deeply influenced by the ''big three'' of Greek black metal and have seen Rotting Christ live many times. It’s not just the music, but also the aesthetics and other aspects that left a mark on me. When I was in my teens and twenties, I bought a lot of albums and cassette box sets from various Greek labels. Sometimes, I come across emerging Greek black metal bands playing live, but none of them have left a lasting impression on me.

Wade: I haven’t been paying attention.

Jiang Ming Shi: I’ve listened to Nar Mataron, Zephyrous, Acherontas, and Rotting Christ. Especially Rotting Christ’s A Dead Poem – the melodies are truly unforgettable.

What are your future plans?
Wen: We’re planning to start rehearsing at the end of February or early March 2025 and look for the right opportunities to perform live. There’s a chance we’ll release another demo with a similar style, and then, if all goes well, we’ll work on an EP or album with better production, and the style will evolve a bit. But honestly, compared to all that, what I really want is to go back to Europe and perform. I’d love to spend a month alone in the Carpathian Mountains, just connecting with nature and not thinking about anything. That’s what truly makes me happy, more than any other plan.

Wade: I want to develop my own teaching system, and as for the band, I’m eager to try more and not be confined to a single style.

Jiang Ming Shi: More albums, more shows.

Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Katharnum: Thank you so much for this interview opportunity! I hope we’ll get to meet in the future, maybe in Europe! We are Katharnum!

By Steve the Filthy Dog.

KATHARNUM CONTACT:

https://katharnum.bandcamp.com/album/-