1. Hails please introduce yourself to the readers?
Necro: Enshadowed started back in 1998. It has been a band with non-stop activity for the last 22 years, it’s a long time so I think most of the people of the underground black metal scene already know us. If not, please use internet, a simple fast search will let you know everything you need, it’s not necessary to spend more space about any copy-paste introduction answer.
2. When did you first discover black metal and who were the first bands you listened to? Who are some of the current black metal bands that have caught your attention?
Golgotha: For me I started listening to black metal about in 1997. Some of the bands that got my attention were Mayhem, Emperor, Immortal, Rotting Christ, Marduk and more. As for now I listen a lot to Ascension, Svartidauði , White Ward, Mgla, Medico Peste but you know there are so many great bands out there.
Necro: We are in late thirties. If you do the mathematics in the early 90s we were very young. We didn’t have the opportunity to live “from inside” the 2nd wave of Black Metal birth. But finally we are lucky because we began close to this era. Personally, since 1997 the journey has begun. Bands like Bathory, Marduk, Mayhem were a big influence. Today’s scene sounds very flat to me. There are many good musicians out there but it’s so difficult to find pure darkness and deep feelings in their music. One basic problem is the digital, full of editing, resampling productions nowadays. In our new album we avoided editing and digital process. Every note and hit you will hear in this LP is bloody human aggression.
3. Enshadowed was started back in 1998 when did you first get the idea to start this band? And are you satisfied with how things have progressed with the band over the years?
Necro: In 1998 I was only 16 years old. I was collecting demo tapes as a maniac, I had a lot of mail trades and I was spending all my money on buying music. I have already had a guitar since I was 13. Slayer and early Metallica were the first reason to begin guitar playing. In 1998 my blood was hot enough about metal music, but Black Metal was a bigger reason to create a band. The years passed and we are still here to talk about these times, better than before with this album. We are satisfied because we made underground music for ourselves, that’s enough.
4. Who would you say are Enshadowed biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years?
Golgotha: Back in those days, the biggest influence came from the Swedish and the Norwegian scene. The main core remains the same, but it is normal to add more elements to our music. For us, it is very important to get involved both as musicians and as individuals.
5. Stare Into The Abyss is Enshadowed newest release how long did it take the band to write the music for the new release? How long does it usually take the band to complete one song?
Necro: It was a complicated situation. Ideas, riffs and many partial themes come together as a kind of puzzle. A pure challenge for us. The experience was our weapon, so we spent time in pre-production. After a lot of research we were ready. We did a recording/production plan, like the old good days. We chose the correct drummer for these songs. The plan worked, the band was in high performance and finally after some months the album was ready. An inspired album with a real reason of existence.
Golgotha: I believe it took us about four months to compose completely the music for “Stare into The Abyss”. As for the time that we need to compose a song, it depends on the state of mind that we are in that moment. It could take from several hours to many days.
6.Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the music and what are some topics written about on the newest release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
Golgotha: The one responsible for the lyrics is our vocalist, Serpent. Mainly our lyrics are about cosmic chaos and how we stand inside of it. For this release, lyrics are focused on death and the points of view that many civilizations have had over the years about this subject.
7. Besides the upcoming release are the bands previous releases still available for the readers to purchase? Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently available if yes what is available and where can the readers purchase it?
Necro: Odium Records will release the new album at the end of June. Gatefold vinyl LP and digipack CD version will be available. Furthermore, we will have exclusive patches, a new T-shirt and old material of the band for everyone in our web shop pages. You can find us in bandcamp, big cartel or just by email in our official contact address.
8. Has Enshadowed had the opportunity to play very many live shows over the years? If yes what have been some of the bands most memorable live shows and who are some bands you have had the opportunity to share the stage with?
Golgotha: We never went on a tour but over the years we have performed a lot of shows. Some of the bands that we shared the stage were, Mayhem, Dark Funeral, Belphegor, Impaled Nazarene, Dodheimsgard, Arkhon Infaustus and Ancient Rites. For me, the shows with Dodheimsgard and Mayhem were very special.
9. When things get back to normal and bands can play live again are their any plans to tour in support of “Stare Into The Abyss” release? If yes where will the band be playing?
Necro: It’s not impossible but it is not so easy for us. We have normal jobs, families and difficulties, you know, life is not a party.
10. Enshadowed comes out of the legendary Greek black metal scene what are your thoughts of the black metal scene in Greece over the years?
Golgotha: By the passing of time many things have changed not only in Greece but also worldwide. You can witness that nowadays some things have become easier for the bands, so now you can have access to a lot of music in a much easier way. That had as a result to find good music all over the world and in Greece too.
Necro: Hellenic Black metal scene is good, but we have a lot of good Death metal too. Worldwide, bands have a big progress in technique and skills, but I will say again that the pure feeling is missing.
11. Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Greece and are their any new bands you could recommend to the readers?
Golgotha: There are so many, Rotting Christ, Necromantia, Septic Flesh, Dead Congregation, Inveracity, Sickening Horror, Burial Hordes, Resurgency, Mass infection, I thing the readers won’t waste their time if the listen to those bands.
12. Enshadowed has been a part of the black metal scene for many years how do you feel the scene has changed over the years? And what does black metal mean to you?
Necro: Yes of course, the situation in these last years has been different. And everything will change again and again. It’s not something that we care, we just watch that. And what does black metal mean to me? Come on this is a so classic question. You will find the answer in our new album.
Golgotha: As I said above the scene has seen many changes, but I think the flame is still alive. Black metal for me is the ultimate form of expression. I see it beyond music, I see it in other forms of art. It was, and I think, it will always be my form of catharsis.
13. Besides working in Enshadowed do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
Golgotha: Me and Necro are working in a death metal project that is called Respawn The Plague, and we are currently working in our first record. I also participate in Mortal Torment, which is a brutal death metal band, it would be an honor if the reader took some time and checked them also.
Necro: Well, all of us are active in other bands too. I have the honor to still create music for the great Burial Hordes. Soon we will record the debut album of Respawn The Plague. Furthermore, the next months I will record the first album of Anticreation. A new band that I have created with live activity plans. Serpent, the singer of Enshadowed, is also a member of Dead Elephant, a catastrophic sludge doomy band.
14. Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Golgotha: Thank you so much for this interview. Support our new record and thank you for reading this right now.
Necro: “Stare into The Abyss” will be out on the 30th of June, don’t lose the chance to listen to this album. Thank you again for the interview.
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