Castrum from Croatia released their brilliant Black Metal opus "Black Silhouette Enfolded In Sunrise" on CD earlier this year through Folter Records. We contacted the band through their manager. Thanx to their unfaithful -ex manager; it took us some time and effort to get this interview, but the result justify our efforts. It really bring a new dimension to the magazine. Loris from Castrum gives in this interview the truth about war and hardship in Castrum and Croatia.



1. When and where was Castrum created ? What is the philosophy behind the band ?

- The idea to create CASTRUM exist since the winter 1994, but it was not easy to find the persons with the same attitude for music. Four of us started 25/12/96. Morsus Sordahl- vocals, Insanus- guitar, Noctuvigilus- bass and Set- drums. Several month later CASTRUM recorded first demo tape "Nocturnal Eden Behind Serpents Eyes" which was good enough for promotion around Europe. In zines critics were very favorable. After recording Set left CASTRUM because of personal problems and Noctuvigilus change his name in Fra. Mortes. After few month of promotion CASTRUM has made the decision to take second guitar player. The new guitar player was Dirgloch. Castrum created some new songs and recorded them very professionally. That was second demo tape "Black Silhouette Enfolded In Sunrise" which was made for distribution to labels. On that recording Fra. Mortes was bass player and drumer. All keybords composed and played by Insanus. We would discribe our music as Sympho- Epic- Black- Metal which perfectly sets together with nocturnal poetry. Our poems are dedicate to eternal vampiric love and spheres of tenebrous nature where we adore majesty of red wine and majesty of Luciferian virginity.

2. You were involved in Ashes You Leave. Why did you leave the band ?

- Yes. I was involved in working process of the band. What so ever, the truth is that I started and created the band. The situation in the band was so pitifully that I couldn't stand working with such primitive people. They were looking everything thrue the money. On their first CD "The passage back to life" I did all the lyrics and most of the music. But like I said this is the past and I'm not interested in their work or them as band at all. They don't exist in my life anymore. Let them die.

3 . Please tell us more about your album "Black Silhouette Enfolded In Sunrise" in your own words.

- "Black Silhouette Enfolded In Sunrise" is the final product of the first year of CASTRUMs existence. That means that CASTRUM since the begining started with vampiric black metal. Music is done on a high level and lyrics are two steps in front of considering today’s black metal scene. Whole CD is deep story about fight between thinking and feeling. And the leading thought from our vocal Morsus Sordahl about dark side of the world. Orchestral parts are very strong and the accent is on atmosphere and ambiente. "Black Silhouette Enfolded In Sunrise" is very balanced concidering music and lyrics cause they were made one for the another. Lyrics in their emotional parts as well as in the rough parts made the same ambient which was follows the music. And that’s the point of the band, isn't it ?

4. As we all remember too well; Croatia was the scene of a nasty war in the beginning of the ’90. How was it to live in a warzone ? Were you or other members of Castrum involved in the fighting ?

- Well, its not so easy to talk about the war in my country 'cos I was involved. First of all, it was very complicated political situation. The Serbs made an invasion on my country with one thought- to keep Croatia to be a part of Yugoslavia and to extend their borders. They really wanted to destroy our country and our people. Maybe it is possible to destroy material sources but it is not possible to destroy people spirit. That spirit was so strong that Serbs didn't have a chance. In the beginning of the war Europe didn't care to much about it so we defend ourselves as you know very successfully. On your question "how is life in the warzone" I really can't find so bad words to describe it. Lets put it in this way- I'm just trying to forget it.

5. Has the war influenced your new album and your attitude to music in general ?

- Well, during that time war created certain amount of aggression in all of us. But CASTRUM started as an vampiric black metal band so that war has nothing to do with our music. The bad war experience is forever in our minds and hearts so I really don't think that we should write and sing about it. It would be like calling bad pictures and memories from our life. I would like to use this interview to say a couple of words to the bands from black metal scene which are singing about war: Guys, you don't know what are you singing about. You don't know what war is. If you would knew you would be ashamed of your lyrics and your bravery on stage !

6. I believe things are quite peaceful in Croatia now, except from the gruesome noises from Castrum’s rehearsal studio. How is it to live in Croatia after the war and with the warlords in Serbia as your closest neighbors ?

- It was logical that we have to rebuild country again 'cause most of it has been destroyed. So we all have to suffer a bit. Our economy is in a bad condition but I hope that soon will be at a high level. About our neighbours the Serbs, I really don't care about them, except that I hope they will drop dead. Try to understand what they did to our nation- we will never forget !

7. Your CD was released on Folter Records. How did you get in touch with this record label ?

- After we recorded our demo "Black Silhouette Enfolded In Sunrise" we decided to find a label which would be interested in our work. First demo we send was in Folter Rec. and after few days the owner Joerg (the beer guy) call me at home with nice words about contract for 3 CDs. We didn't think so much cause we had bad negotiation with Music for Nations in the past so we accepted it right away. So far everything works allright and our relationship is strong. So soon we'll release our second CD on Folter Rec..

8. Have you done any gigs in Croatia and abroad ? Please tell us more....

- Yes we did some gigs in Croatia but not many of them, cause there are not so many clubs for that kind of music. In our hometown Rijeka approx. 250 people visit our gigs each time 'cause we are some kind of sensation in our place. The music throne belongs to us. The gigs abroad are a different story. We did lots of gigs in Slovenija with some well known bands like: Setherial, In Battle, Ancient, Behemoth, Belfegor....which were great. In June 1998 we played on the great "Under The Black Sun Festival" in Leipzig /Germany together with Enslaved, Lord Belial, Nox Intempesta, Gehenna, EInherjer, Ragnarok and Aeternus. Everything went great over there. So I heard that German magazine Deftone declare us as one of the best bands of the festival and the biggest hope for the future. Those things are really great to hear. So we hope that will continue.

9. What is the advantages and disadvantages being based in Croatia ?

- Well, so far living in Croatia brings us just a trouble. It would be so much easier for us if we were from the UK or Scandinavia. You know most of the Western Europes look at us like we are something different, like we don't really belong there, but I hope that one day we will be the same. Okay, here in Croatia we have basic problem like music studios or session musicians. There are not enough of them and they are so fucking expensive. Much more than in Western Europe. Who knows, maybe we will move to another country where we will have easier conditions to continue our work.

10. What is your view on politics, philosophy and religion ?

- Well, I really hate politics 'cause politics are a bitch. So leave it on the side. About religion- it is very clear. We think that the Christian religion is finished and totally unnecessary. We have our believes in mythological creatures (vampires) from Karpatia and that is where we found ourselves. In today’s black metal scene Satanism is very strong and we have nothing against that. We are followers of the evil side of the world- and we will stay on this way.

11. What is your view on the world wide Black Metal scene ?

- I think that Black Metal scene at the moment gives a very wrong picture. There are to many bands which are playing BM only for money. So Black Metal music is loosing the touch. At the moment there are hundreds of bands and we have war for surviving. I hope that the only important thing is the quality and not the financial support. I'm sure that quality bands will survive. But one thing is certain, through Black Metal music Heavy, Speed and Thrash Metal will come up again.

12. What is your plans for the coming months and year ?? Any upcoming tours ??

- At the moment we are negotiating for our second CD. We have booked the Metro Studio in Ljubljana. There we will record with the producer of Morbid Angel and Laibach. We gonna try to make a new productional step...but its to early to talk about that. After recording it would be great to have a tour with some other bands. But so far the studio is the most important thing for us.

13. Do you have a merchandise list ??? From what address can the band be contacted ??

In few days our label will release CASTRUM shirts. Believe me- the artwork will be very outstanding! If you can't find our stuff in your local metal store you can contact Folter Rec. via e-mail.

If anyone wants to contact Castrum- my adress is free for all dark souls.

Fra. Mortes
M. Jengica 47
51000 Rijeka
CROATIA

We wish you good luck and we will follow your progress with interest in the coming months and years. Their "Black Silhouette Enfolded In Sunrise" opus are a brilliant Black Metal release and Castrum truly deserve success with this opus. Contact Folter Records at
for a copy of this release.