In the shadow of the much hyped Scandinavian metal scene; France has produced a lot of very good band in the last three years. Most of them put together some money, release their debut album and do not get the attention they truly deserve. That is a great shame !! Yyrkoon is more fortunate ‘cause they have got a record deal on the highly promising Velvet Music International. Their debut album "Oniric Transition" are a true gem. We contacted Kristofer in Yyrkoon for an update.
1. When and where was Yyrkoon started ?? Could you give us a brief biography ??
The band was formed in 1996. The two lone members of this period still in the band are Stephane (guitars, vocals) and Laurent (drums). They made a first demo tape in 1997 called "Oath, Obscure, Occult..", which got a real success in the Underground. From December 1997 to June 1998 we recorded our first album: "Oniric Transition", with Jerome (guitars, Jeff (keyboards), and myself (bass). In the same time (January 1998), we got a record contract with Velvet Music International.
We are from the north of France (about 80 km. from Paris) near Compiegne, if someone of you know where it is !
2. Please tell us what the name Yyrkoon means.
Yyrkoon is the name of one the characters of the famous "Eliric Cycle" of Michael Moorock. The original members choose this name because of it’s original sonority and writing and for the heroic fantasy very similar to the atmosphere of our music. But that’s all: We don’t narrate the M. Moorock stories. For this; you better read them !
3. How did you get in touch with Velvet Music ??
After our first demo tape release; we sent several of them to several labels, including Velvet. And when we began to record our second demo (which eventually became our first album), Velvet contacted us for a deal, which we accepted.
I think we are very luck because to have a deal and to record a first album after only two years of existence seems to be incredible when I think of all the very good bands who still struggle for a long time.
4. Your debut album "Oniric Transition" was released this autumn. Please tell us more about this album. For example the recording, the lyrics, the writing process, the line up and the featured tracks.
"Oniric Transition" is a concept album. Here is the background of the story in a few words: After the first battle, his first defeat in which he lost his best friend, a young man ask himself if all his life was not a lie, a dream. He then put himself and all his ideas, for instance the notion of good and evil, back in question. The following is his mental education, a kind of mental education.
For the writing, as well as for the lyrics as for the music, all was almost composed by Stephane. But each musician in Yyrkoon is free to do what he wants, each one has an active role in the composition of each track. If someone in the band doesn’t like something, we try something else. It’s something I like in this band . Everyone is very receptive to the opinion of the other musicians. And I can say that, in the future, this aspect will be surely emphasized.
5. Your brand of Black Metal has a lot of interesting influences like celtic folk music, guitar masturbation music, classic music, progressive rock and goth rock. What would you call your music ??
We are actually influenced by all kinds of metal. Heavy, Black, Death, Atmospheric (and also guitar & bass masturbation music, you’re right to underline it !!) etc. etc. We take all what interest us in all these music. When we compose a riff, we don’t ask ourselves : "Am I playing Black Metal ? Am I playing Heavy
Metal ?" We just play the music we feel. I think we are above all a Metal band; we play a kind of synthesis of all the different types of Metal. Moreover; diversity permit us to avoid to be boring (at least I hope !). You spoke about Classic Music: I think it is the music we are nearest to when it comes to our approach to music.
6. The French metal scene is the most interesting scene in Europe at the moment, mainly thanx to bands like Yyrkoon, who dare to experiment. What is your view on the metal scene in France ?
It is the first time that I hear that the French Metal scene is the most interesting scene (and even probably just an interesting scene). But it’s true that there is a great evolution in France (as well as the mentalities as in the quality of the bands). At each concert we do, we meet new very good bands… Perhaps the emergency
of a new wave of Metal ??
The problem, in France, is that young bands suffer of a lack of support. It is very difficult to find serious dates of concerts, and organizers often take advantage of the situation. They think that you have to be happy if they let you play.. and you have to jump of happiness when you are only paid your travel costs..
We don’t look for claiming our French identity. You don’t have to be judged on your nationality. For this reason (in other things) we will never sing in French.
7. Necro Butcher in Mayhem recently said that he regard bands like Dimmu Borgir as pop music and added that true Black Metal should be brutal. I use the phrase "family friendly Black Metal" on bands like Dimmu Borgir, but the meaning is the same. What is your view on bands like Dimmu Borgir ?
I say that if play Black Metal means drinking blood, burn churches and run stark naked under the moon: OK, we are not a Black Metal band. Where is the problem ? We are musicians. We play the music we like. That’s all.
About Dimmu Borgir: I very much like this band, and other bands more or less like them. If you want to call their music Black Metal or Sauerkraut Metal, it’s as you want. But the music is the same. There are good metal bands and there are bad metal bands. You don’t like a band for the name of tit’s music, you like it for it’s music.
8. What is your political, religious and philosophical views ?
I am totally apolitical, no less atheist and I have no special philosophy. I think it’s more or less the same thing for the other members of Yyrkoon. As I have just said, we are here to play music. We are not the standard bearer of an ideology. We think that it’s totally stupid to link music to an ideology.
9. What are your plans for Yyrkoon in the coming months and year ?? Any tour plans ??
In the coming months; we are planning to become rich and famous… More seriously; for the moment we are waiting for the effects of our first album. We sometimes have concerts in France but we’re almost working for the next album. However, we have more and more contacts (with bands, fanzines etc. etc.) so we can stay optimists.
10. Do you have a merchandise list ??? From what address can the band be contacted ??
Ah ! Ah ! You will have to wait a few times if you want the Yyrkoon sunglasses or the Yyrkoon toothpick.. but you can join us at the address:
Yyrkoon
189 Rue De Verpillemont
60170 Ribecourt
FRANCE