Interview with Law Of Contagion posted on 9-12-20

1. Hails Ishkur please introduce yourself to the readers?
Not really sure what to say as an introduction. Hi, I'm Ishkur and I make music.

2. When did you first become interested in writing and playing music? What was the first instrument you learned to play?
My first contact with music was probably at 5/6 years old when I started taking music lessons. The first instruments I played were likely the recorder (flute) and the piano.

3. Are there any instruments that you would like to learn one day?
I'd like to get back to playing the piano and get better at it. Would also like to have time to get back to playing drums.

4. You also take care of the vocal duties when did you first start screaming and growling? Do you do anything special to keep your voice and throat healthy?
I think I started on vocals as far as my first ever bands, over 20 years ago. I did vocals on several styles, but mainly black and death metal growls. I don't really have any special methods, I just have experimented over the years in order to be able to use my voice without damage. Most of what I do is related to the screaming in itself and not on day-to-day exercises.

5. Who are some of your favorite vocalists?
Depends a lot on the genre... As far as metal goes, Ihsahn, Gaahl, David Vincent, Frank Mullen... Otherwise, I really like Brendan Perry from Dead Can Dance, Leonard Cohen...I don't know, I listen to so much stuff it's hard to choose.

6. When did you first discover black and death metal music and who were the first bands you heard? Who are some of your current favorite bands that you are listening to?
I discovered death metal before black metal. Death Metal I found out with Cannibal Corpse's Vile when it came out. Black metal probably around 20 years ago, with Dark Funeral and Dimmu Borgir. Hard to choose favorite bands, what I'm enjoying at the moment changes a lot... Emperor and Sargeist have a special place nonetheless.

7. Ishkur I believe you are the sole member of Law Of Contagion when you started this band did you plan to work alone or would you like to find more musicians to make a complete line-up?
Yes, for now, LoC is a solo project, but that might be changing in the future. It started that way because it was an urge I felt to pursue a specific vision and style that I wanted to explore without anyone else limiting my ideas. Finding someone who aligns with what I've done already might make me want to work with them.

8. What do you feel is the easiest and hardest part about being a one-man band?
Like everything, there are two sides to this. The easiest part is not being limited by anyone else's vision or opinions and answering to no one else for your decisions. Hardest is becoming a hostage of your own creative spurts and having to handle every aspect of creation and management by yourself.

9. Woeful Litanies From The Netherrealms is the debut release that is being released through the legendary Moribund Rec. when did you first come in contact with this great label?
There's no great story in that, it just happened naturally. When I finished recording and producing the album I sent a demo to 2 or 3 labels I really admired. To be honest, I wasn't expecting Moribund to even reply, but they immediately expressed interest in joining forces, so the choice was made, I didn't even wait for any other answers. I was extremely pleased that a label as seminal as Moribund Records showed interest, and am really satisfied with their work so far.

10. How long did it take you to write the music for the debut release? How long would you say it takes to complete one song?
In the case of this specific album, it's hard to say how long, because most songs were composed while I was focusing on the band I was previously in. I usually write songs as creative spikes, so it takes somewhere from 1 hour to 1 afternoon. I might come back to it before recording to further work on it, but usually, it's something that either comes out as a whole or not at all.

11. Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some topics written about on the debut release? What usually comes first the lyrics or the music?
In the particular case of LoC, I wanted to have someone work on the lyrics. I created the music before any lyrics are made, and already have a theme and concept in mind while writing the songs. I want, with this project, to explore concepts around demonology, thanatology, and my particular views around Luciferianism, but didn't want to expose them crudely and openly. I approached S.H. with the idea of translating those concepts into lyrics and gave complete creative freedom. I did some minor adaptations to better fit the songs and that was it.

12. What does Black Metal mean to you?
The expression of your innermost feelings, desires, and philosophies. It is catharsis and sublimation of all which makes you truly yourself, and a reflection of what you truly believe in. At least it should be. Visceral and true to yourself.

13. Ishkur you have been a part of Portugal's black metal scene for many years what is your opinion of the black metal scene in Portugal?
I guess it's the same as anywhere. Good bands, bad bands, good people, assholes, like everywhere.

14. Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Portugal and are there any new bands you could recommend to the readers?
That's hard to answer, as I stated above. I don't really have favorites. Corpus Christii are pretty much the most impactful of the bands around here, so maybe start with them if you know nothing about Portuguese BM bands.

15. Besides working in Law Of Contagion do you currently work in any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
I currently am focusing all my energies on LoC, but I also have another active project - Wistful - although I don't know when it will become active again (if ever). All other projects are on hold or dead, and I'm no longer playing in any other bands.

16.Thannk you Ishkur for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thank you for the questions.
Support underground labels and bands, be true to yourself.
A.M.S.G.
Cheers,
Band Contact
https://lawofcontagion.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/lawofcontagion/
Label Contacts
http://www.moribundcult.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MoribundRecordsOfficial