Interview with Nybras drummer for Wind Of The Black Mountains done by Patrick
1. Hails Nybras, how is 2020 starting out for you so far? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hails Patrick! I am Nybras, the drummer for Wind of the Black Mountains and Rise From Embers. Past bands I have played in are for Genocya, Production Grey, Left Hand Trinity, Gates of Steel, and Project Apocalypse. I have been active in the Michigan extreme music scene for roughly 35 years.
2. When did you first discover black metal music and who were the first bands that caught your attention? Are their any current bands that have caught your attention?
I first got into black metal, or what was to become known as black metal since Venom coined the phrase, in the early 80’s with bands such as Venom, Celtic Frost, Sodom, etc... I would then read through bands thanks lists to find other bands to search for and listen to. I’ve been stuck on listening to the older bands that have influenced me and unfortunately haven’t put a whole lot of effort as of late into finding new bands. I really need to change that as there is so much new music available out there nowadays.
3. Wind Of The Black Mountains was formed back in 1992- when did you and the other members decide to start this band? How did you choose the name Wind Of The Black Mountains does it have a special meaning to you and the band?
Tchort started writing material for WOTBM as a solo project around the time he was still in Masochist. He showed me some rough recordings he had that would eventually become the first demos. At that time, Masochist was always busy and I myself was busy with my band, Left Hand Trinity. It wasn’t until after Sing Thou Unholy Servants was released that Tchort and I talked once again about doing something together. We originally were going to start a whole new project under the name Rise From Embers, but quickly decided to keep WOTBM going instead. As far as the band name, Tchort is the one that came up with that, but it most definitely has a special meaning for me to be able to see it through to hold up what Tchort started.
4. Who would you say are the bands biggest influences and have they remained the same over the decades?
I would say Bathory and Venom were by far a couple of the biggest influences, and most definitely remain that way. Without their sound and topics, we might not be talking about WOTBM at all.
5. Moribund Records will release a compilation of the bands demo's and early recordings of the bands music- when did you decide to release this compilation? Are you satisfied with how it turned out?
We actually wanted this released 10+ years ago. Tchort and I had agreed I would carry on with WOTBM while he took care of some personal issues he was dealing with. When he passed away in 2006, I didn’t have any concrete plans, or even wants, to carry on without him being a part of it. A few years later, SS Nunrapist who had played with Tchort and I doing live shows as well as recording the Blasphemer cover on Black Sun Shall Rise, contacted me and informed me he had found some old recordings that Tchort had done. The timing and tempos were rough, but they were complete songs that I could put drums to. Xaphan, SS Nunrapist and myself worked on a rough recording but it was then put on the backburner as other things in life were of higher importance. In late 2019, Xaphan and I once again sat down in his studio and finished up the recording for the Summoned By Shadows release. All the other tracks that are included are old recordings and studio outtakes that Tchort had sent to Moribund years earlier, mostly from the Forcefed Into Blasphemy and Sing Thou Unholy Servant recording sessions. I am very pleased with how everything turned out. I believe Tchort would be pleased as well.
6. Besides the upcoming release does the band or label have any other merchandise planned? Are their any plans to re-release the bands first two releases? If yes when will it be released?
I believe Sing Thou Unholy Servants is being repressed to coincide with the release of Summoned By Shadows, and Black Sun Shall Rise will be getting repressed in March of this year. There are also plans to have all 3 albums released on vinyl this year as well, which I’m very excited about. I don’t know if there will be any other merch as far as shirts, patches, etc… is considered, but hopefully.
7. Does the band have any plans to play any live shows in support of the compilation or do you prefer to work in the studio? If yes where will the band be playing and who are some bands you will share the stage with?
Unfortunately with Tchort’s passing, so did any hopes of live performances. I received so many show offers since the news broke about the new release, but WOTBM was Tchort’s creation, and with him being able to be a part of this last album posthumously, this is where it will end. I have decided to start work on a new studio project, which I will be using the original band name that Tchort and I were going to use, Rise From Embers.
8. Are their any plans to write and release a new studio release in 2020 or are you all currently working on other projects and bands?
As stated above, I will be moving on from WOTBM and onto Rise From Embers. I hope to have something out by end of the year. I plan on keeping the same ideas and concepts as WOTBM has had.
9. Speaking of music how long does it usually take to complete one song? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
Each song is different. Sometimes everything falls into place and can be done in one setting. Other times, it might take several days or even weeks. I plan with the new material I will be working on, to take my time to make sure everything is just how I want it.
10. As mentioned earlier, Nybras you have been a part of the U.S black metal scene since the early 90's what drew you to this genre of metal? How do you feel the black metal scene in the U.S has gotten over the years- better or worse?
I can’t ever remember a time in my life where I wasn’t attracted to extreme music. I remember being a very young age and listening to Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Deep Purple, all of the stuff that ended up being considered the beginnings of heavy metal. From those bands, I was able to find my way to thrash, hardcore, etc… the heavier side of metal evolved into something faster with darker lyrical content as I was evolving and growing towards those trends as well. As far as the black metal scene today, it has its good and bad points. The internet has made so much music easily accessible, which in turn makes it both good and bad. When I started, the only way to find out about bands, or even styles of music, was to go to the shows and record stores and search for hours trying to find something that peeked your interest. Actually getting together with your friends and everyone bringing vinyl and cassettes to share with eachother. Nowadays, everything is at your fingertips, which can sometimes take the excitement out of it.
11. Did you read a lot of fanzines back in the 80's and 90's? If yes, what were some of your favorite fanzines to read?
I can’t remember a lot of the fanzines names back in the day. Epitaph was always a good one out of Michigan, Jeff Cooch did a good job at trying to cover a lot of the national acts, as well as bring attention to the up and coming locals. He also started putting out recording compilations to to coincide with the bands he would cover in the issues.
12. Are there any current fanzines or web-zines that you like to keep up with?
I haven’t kept up with many at all in the last couple years, but that is starting to change as the release of Summoned By Shadows is upon us now, and I have been getting back in the groove of doing interviews once again.
13. Tape-trading was also a big back in the 80's and 90's did you ever do a lot of tape trading? What were some of your favorite bands and demo's you traded for back in the day?
We all did back then! That was the best way, and sometimes the only way, to learn about new bands from different cities and countries. I still have old tapes buried somewhere in storage of bands like Hellwitch, Mantas, Dark Angel, Possessed, all kinds of stuff, that I feel I will have to dig out now.
14. When did you first become interested in playing the drums? Are you self taught or did you take lessons when first starting out?
I’m pretty sure I always wanted to play drums. I never got a chance to take lessons, everything I learned was from throwing on a pair of head phones and playing along to what I wanted to try that day. I think I learned the most from playing with other musicians though. I’ve been fortunate enough to know some people with amazing talents.
15. Nybras thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out. Do you have any final comments for the readers?
I want to thank you, Patrick, for the questions. I hope everyone enjoys this final installment of Wind of the Black Mountains, and that Tchort’s legacy can be preserved in USBM history. Keep an eye out for Rise From Embers by the end of the year hopefully!
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