With exception from Cradle Of Filth; Black Metal from England do not have the best reputation. That is, until Forefather released their debut album "Deep Into Time". This is a brilliant piece of Black Metal and we contacted Forefather to get the full story. Athelstan took time of whatever an Englishman (grrr…) normally do an evening in May and answered a proud Scot's questions.
1. When and where was Forefather started ? Could you give us a brief biography ??
Forefather was started in the last quarter of '97 by myself and my brother (Wulfstan) in Surrey, England. We had a few songs written, but no project to work on, until we thought of the concept of Forefather. Our long time rehearsal drummer Tiowulf also joined the project, which formed the line-up we have today. We wanted to create inspiring, memorable music based lyrically around the ancestors. Once we had this starting block, the inspiration was there, and we spent the period up to Summer '98 completing the writing of the album which would become 'Deep Into Time'. We recorded during Summer with the intention of a release in late '98. Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances Tiowulf wasn't able to appear on the album, so we used a drum machine. We soon realised that the quickest, most hassle free way to get going would be to release the album ourselves. So, after the recording was complete we formed Angelisc Enterprises and organised the release of 'Deep Into Time' on CD. From then on it's been promotion and more promotion.
2. Please tell us more about the (two) persons involved in Forefather.
Well as I said, it is really three people, but for this release it can be seen as two. First of all we are brothers, and we've been into the more extreme end of this kind of music for about four or five years. We've been writing songs for the same amount of time, and we are lucky enough to have the same interests and similar ways of viewing the world, so we get on very well. We are very passionate about what we do, so I hope that people see that in the music.
3. Why do you do Black Metal ? When and how did you get involved in the scene ?
Black Metal was the next step up the ladder from styles such as death and thrash metal, but also, I think it appeals to us more because it has so many opportunities and ways you can use it. Black Metal generally inspires more than straight forward Death Metal can. It also gives better opportunities to write good lyrics and create interesting concepts.
We've been involved in the scene for quite a few years now through releasing demos with earlier projects. That got us in touch with a few people/projects and was useful for when the time came to promote Forefather.
4. Please give us a full insight to your album "Deep Into Time". The recording,
the tracks, the concept, the line up on the album and the art- work.
Deep Into Time', to put it simply, is based around the idea of being aware of what made us what we are today. It deals with certain aspects of this, such as the relation to, respect and acknowledgement of our ancestors and their ways of life, as well as the natural surroundings we live in. 'Natural Chaos' ,in particular, is a celebration of older times when there were less things to hold people down, and life was more natural and spontaneous. Other songs such as 'Deep Into Time', 'Visions of Elders', 'Immortal Wisdom' and 'Ancient Voice' are concerned with looking back at your past and making/acknowledging a connection with it. The intro, outro and 'The Ornamented Sword' are a picture of that past, whereas 'Dusk To Dawn' stands alone as a portrayal of the cycle of nature.
The recording was done at our own studio, the Croft, and as we had the skills ourselves, it wasn't necessary to employ a producer/engineer. So the whole album is a true product of Forefather. Vocals were handled by Wulfstan and all other instruments were, on the whole, shared between the two of us.
The art-work was a simple idea which we felt represented the concept of the album. The front cover shows an ancient, weathered cliff edge of England; a symbol of the ages that have passed, still standing strong.
5. Please describe your music.
On an advert we have described ourselves as 'ENGLISH, HEATHEN, METAL', which is musically a bit vague, but it is difficult to put a name to it and we wouldn't really want to either. At the base it is Black Metal perhaps, fast but with slower parts and a small folk element which is more of an addition than a basis for the music. We don't really like to call ourselves Black Metal because there is no satanic element in the music. Our music is also quite raw, but not without the embellishments it needs to make it interesting.
6. Please give us an insight to your lyrics.
The lyrics are written entirely separately to the music i.e. we will write them and fit them into the song after the music has been written, but they do add to the whole picture of the song. We often use nature metaphorically to describe the presence/calling of our ancestors. For example "I hear the winds of Immortal Wisdom sing". This came quite naturally as the two subjects are closely linked in the Forefather outlook. The majority of the lyrics are concerned with celebrating the positive side of these subjects. As I said before, the main inspiration came from our ancestors and our natural surroundings.
7. The Burzum connection and the whole Forefather concept give some associations
to nationalism and national socialism. What is the concept behind Forefather and
your political, religious and philosophical views ???
The only connection that Forefather has with Burzum is that we did a cover song for the official Burzum website because we've always liked the Burzum music and we've known Rainer, who runs the site, for a long time. I don't think the concept of 'Deep Into Time' is particularly nationalist, and certainly not national socialist, but we are nationalists. We are proud to be English and we want to preserve Englishness in its own homeland. As always nowadays, if you proclaim English Nationalism, it is considered unacceptable, whereas quite the opposite is thought of Welsh or Scottish nationalism, which we also support. If we were Welsh or Scotch, I don't think you would have mentioned that part of this question. As for religion, we are only concerned with the heathen ways of our ancestors. Wodenism has a connection to us because the people who would eventually form our country brought it with them, due to their ancestral connection to it. The basis of Christianity has no connection to us because it is Jewish, and I don't seem to recall my ancestors being Jewish.
8. How is the Black Metal scene in England at the moment ?
A lot of people might say that the underground scene in England is not one of the greatest. This is quite possibly a fair statement. To be honest, most of the music that we have great respect for comes from elsewhere.
9. I guess Forefather is not your day-time job. How is the daily lives of the
members of Forefather ?
Well it is actually. Running the record label as well means we get all the work! It actually takes up quite a lot of time and there's always something to do, but I don't mind that because I enjoy it. An average day might include collecting and responding to mail, sending and receiving promos, making sure the website is updated regularly, sorting out orders, keeping an eye on promotion, answering interviews etc.
10. What is your plans for 1999 ?
To continue promoting 'Deep Into Time' and hopefully start recording the next release. We have most of the songs written for a second full length album, so hopefully, if we're not too busy, we can get recording again during the summer. This time round we will learn from past experience, so the whole process shouldn't take as long. We will probably repeat the pattern of 'Deep Into Time' i.e. record in the summer and release early the next year, but if things get done quicker we could have a winter '99 release.
11. Where can Forefather be contacted ? Any web sites ?
Email: AngeliscE@aol.com.
Website
Write to Forefather at the Angelisc address:
Angelisc Enterprises
PO Box 68
Leatherhead
KT23 4YE
ENGLAND.
The Website has all the information you need, including sound clips, reviews etc. We will also be issuing an Angelisc newsletter soon, with all the latest news, reviews and interviews.
12. Any final comments ?
Thanks a lot for the Interview and keep up the good work. Angelisc is interested in hearing from any bands, labels etc. who want items distributed, so send those promos to the Angelisc address. And of course I couldn't leave without saying HAIL ENGLAND! Our 'Deep Into Time' CD is available directly from Angelisc Enterprises (£9-UK, £10-Europe, £11-ROW). Make Cheques, POs, IMOs payable to 'Angelisc Enterprises'. It is also available from Black Tears Distribution and Godreah distro.