Interview with NECRONOMICON
!!!BLACK METAL FROM NEW ZEALAND!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about NECRONOMICON (Members, Starting Year etc).
Necronomicon was founded in June 2023 by myself, Seere (rhythm guitar), and AC (bass, songwriting, and production). The original lineup also included Morkahn (drums), Shade Declan (lead guitar), Hþisþ (vocals, lyrics), and Aldebaran (synths). Since then, both Hþisþ and AC have left the band, leaving me as the sole leader. We have found a new bassist (CW), and are currently searching for a new vocalist. Our first EP was heavily shaped by my creative vision, and this direction will continue moving forward. This release also marks my first songs ever written. That said, every member of the band plays a crucial role, with each bringing their own unique contributions to shape our sound.
You have recently released your demo ''Necronomicon''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Feedback on the EP has been overwhelmingly positive, even from those who are typically hard to impress. That said, it's still a small sample, as the release hasn’t reached a wider audience yet.
Label or DIY and why?
We’re independent for now, which gives us the freedom to focus entirely on
the music—especially for our first release. That said, we do have support through Aldebaran, who runs Swampkult Records. In the future, we may look to sign with a label in a more official capacity, particularly once we have more material.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your Live shows that you would like to share with us?
We haven’t performed live yet, but it’s definitely a goal we’re working towards. Everyone in the band is eager to hit the stage when the time comes. As for funny stories—none come to mind just yet, but I’m sure that will change soon.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I prefer tape and vinyl, as both bring their own unique warmth and character to the music. Tapes work best for raw, scuffed recordings where a rough edge enhances the sound, while vinyl is ideal for well-produced music, as some details—especially the drums—can get lost on tape. CDs and digital formats have their place, but for me, they don’t particularly elevate the listening experience.
Your music style is Black Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
My main influences and favorite bands come from the Finnish scene Horna, Behexen, Sargeist, Noenum, and others. I also love Vlad Tepes, Arbor, Mgła Nimbifer, Trhä, Sanguine Relic, Emperor and Totenwache to name a few. Beyond black metal, I like Traveller, Devourment, Vulture, Cephalotrispy, Eternal Champion, Defeated Sanity, Mortician, Bolt thrower and Entombed/Nihilist. I have a background in folk music, which has been a strong influence on both our EP and future releases.
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?
I don’t believe a band should sacrifice anything beyond what you'd naturally give up for something you love—time, money, or time away from home. And in the right context, those might not feel like sacrifices at all. That said, I’ve just turned 24, and I’m not chasing overly ambitious goals right now. My Focus is on growing as a musician, writing music I’m passionate about, and hoping others connect with it.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
An ideal live show for us and our goal, would be to open for a black metal international band when they (rarely) come to New Zealand. We’d want our performances to be theatrical, incorporating props, costumes, and other performance elements to enhance both the music and the overall experience.
What attributes do you think that a new Black Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
This is a difficult question, and honestly, it’s a bit daunting to think about. Creatively, it feels like many of the obvious paths to advance the genre have already been explored. I try not to overthink it—my main focus is writing music that I enjoy, that feels genuine, and that moves me personally. Outside of that, I believe theatricality and performance are important elements, and that a unique identity will naturally emerge if your creative vision is genuine. These decisions might not always fit the 'trve kvlt' mold, but that’s not something I’m intentionally trying to adhere to.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Black Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
I do believe these platforms help—they're a solid advertising tool and great for reaching people who might not usually be involved in underground metal. Will these listeners dive deeper than just streaming on Spotify? Maybe not, but it certainly doesn’t hurt for music to reach as many ears as possible. That said, not all platforms are created equal in my opinion. YouTube (for demos and deep cuts) and Bandcamp, in particular, allow for more meaningful community and fan engagement. I’m still learning how to promote, and from my personal experience, I think playing live is probably the best way to connect with fans. There have been gigs where I’ve shown up not knowing the band, but after a killer set, I became a fan. Also, YouTube channels like No Gleaming Light are doing fantastic work promoting new Black Metal bands, and that's one of the main ways I discover new bands. The other way is browsing and buying from reputable underground labels.
Do you see any differences between the Metal Market in New Zealand & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
Unfortunately, a lot of big bands that do come far away from home go to Australia, and skip us because the scene here is relatively small. That being said, Valknut from Valhalla Touring is doing fantastic work bringing big international bands over. I’ve noticed that extreme metal has become mostly an older crowd in New Zealand, and I think that’s the case in other places too, though perhaps not to the same extent. There’s definitely work to be done in promoting Black Metal and more extreme forms of metal to the younger generation. Aside from that, trends seem pretty similar to what’s happening overseas.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in New Zealand (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
The metal scene here in New Zealand is small compared to similarly sized countries, and there isn't really a distinct, separate underground scene there’s often overlap with hardcore and other genres. In addition, there seems to be a lack of variety in the metal bands, with a large amount of doom and metalcore bands (at least based on my observations and comments from others, but I’m not all knowing about the NZ scene). That being said, I’ve noticed some momentum in the underage metal scene here, so I’m hopeful That will help the scene grow more broadly. SwampKult is doing an excellent job fostering passion and organizing metal gigs, both within the all-ages scene and more widely. We have been having problems with venues which have been making things difficult. Black Metal bands are definitely the rarest type of metal in New Zealand, and it's been rare to see Black Metal live. However, I’ve seen a small uptick in the scene, with bands like Abyssic Grave (Auckland), Windswept (Wellington), and hopefully us soon, bringing Black Metal to the stage. Some other notable bands include Parasitic Infestation, Dol Bludger, Malevolence, Exaltation, and Grym Rhymney (metalcore), just to name a few.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Yes, it’s a bit of a blind spot for me, but bands like Rotting Christ, Macabre Omen, Necromantia and Varathron are incredible. They’re often underrated but are vital pillars of Black Metal, and their influence cannot be overstated.
What are your future plans?
First on the agenda is definitely recruiting a new vocalist so we can start playing live. Beyond that, I’m currently working on our first full-length album—I’ve written two songs so far.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to do this interview. Keep up the amazing work in promoting and keeping the underground alive. Be sure to check out our EP, and keep an eye out for future releases! Ευχαριστώ και χαιρετισμούς από τη Νέα Ζηλανδία.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
NECRONOMICON CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571933587774
https://www.instagram.com/necronomicon.nz/
https://necronomiconnz.bandcamp.com/album/necronomicon