Interview with Deep Desolation 2011

By Bradley Smith

Hells, can you give me a History of the band?  How did you guys meet and how was the direction of the band chosen?  How did you choose the name Deep Desolation and what does it represent?

Meriath:  Deep Desolation was brought to life by Markiz. He writes most of the music we play, so when he was creating the band, it was obvious from the beginning, what will be the music like.   At the beginning there was Darek on drums and Piorun on bass guitar. Martinous was doing the vocals, but they were looking for second guitar player, and after couple of people Markiz called to me and asked me to play with them. And that’s how our line-up finally grow strong. After recording “Subliminal Visions” Darek left the band, and that’s where Wilku came on board.  The band was named Deep Desolation, because the music we play is very anti-human, desolated. We can say, that this band is our second world, that we’re entering with our music. And it’s very sick and desolated place…

Can you reveal some of the efforts that went into the writing and recording of Subliminal Visions?  Are you happy with it and how has the response to it been? 

We are very proud and happy with the final form of “Subliminal Visions”. Many people like it, We’ve heard a lot of good words about this album. With our music we want to send big “HAIL!” to all bands, especially old metal bands, that we love. Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Burzum, Khold, Bathory etc…   Our music represents us. That’s why our music is a compilation of evil, hate, darkness and psychedelic sounds.

It appears based on your entry in the Metal Archives that you never released any demos.  Did you actually record anything prior to Subliminal Visions?  How did you get a recording contract?

Before “Subliminal Visions” we haven’t released any demos, EP’s and other shit like this. We think, that every new band, which wants to appear in the “real” music world and go out from the underground, should start with a big hit. There is a very, very small chance, that some record label will release them, if they will send 2, maybe 3 songs. All they can count on is a review. But if you have a full CD with good sound (only studio recordings), maybe some label will like it and release it. Nowadays we have brutal times, when everyone cares for money and the record labels are very careful with giving their funds to new bands. That’s why we decided not to release some small albums.

One of the most pronounced influences that shows itself within your art is that of doom.  How do you feel that spirit of doom matches the philosophy and aims of your art?  What are some of the most important doom bands that have had an effect on you? 

Especially Electric Wizard. We just love their sound and climate of the songs. Doom Metal philosophy is very similar with our philosophy, so I think, that when we’re working on a new record, we automatically put some misery and evil to it. We declared our style at the beginning of the band, and we’re holding to it.

What would you say that lyrical inspiration and direction is for Deep Desolation?  How are they composed?  Are they applied to the music after they are written or are the lyrics written first?  Does everyone contribute?  How important are lyrics to your music?

The lyrics for “Subliminal Visions” were written by Martinous and Markiz. Some of them are based on their feelings and experiences, and some are just lyrical fiction. Lyrics are important for us, because they can show our listeners what we think about the world, life and everything we do.

It would appear that you have a deep and abiding hatred for Religion.  Is that true?  How did you develop your beliefs regarding religion and how do you feel that religion affects Polish society?  How do you feel about the previous pope being from Poland?

Oh yes! We really do hate that mass religion, that covers people’s eyes and tell them how to live, even if there is no logic in it. Everyone in the band thinks on his own, and what goes with it – we won’t let any priest-pig to tell us what to do. The fact is - in Poland many people are blinded by the church, and they do something only because “it should be done this way”. It really makes us angry. As for pope… The consequence of polish pope was the concordat signed by our country. Now we have many of church-holidays, which are days free from work, children in schools are indoctrinated from the beginning, some political decisions are taken upon “what the church says”, so that’s why it all makes us really angry.

On a similar note, what is your concept of Satan/Lucifer?  What does he represent and how does his archetype influence your own personal beliefs? 

For us Satan/Lucifer is the only worthy person in that “bible history”. He represents the pursuit to self-improvement. He represents the belief, that you shouldn’t be weak and miserable to be strong. Everyone should do what he wants, and listen to his own will. Let lust be satisfied!

You grew up with the underground occult feeling of early 90s black metal.  How do you feel about the commercialization of black metal that occurred during the late 90s?  What bands do you feel were the biggest offenders and how has their transition from the underground to the mainstream affected your view of them?

Early black metal was real magic. The climate of that music was very specific and I think, that this made us into it. Finally there was music, which glorifies evil, darkness and pain. Finally – there was music which terrifies weak people. Black Metal was music of freedom for very sick-minded people. That’s why Black Metal is our music.  As for the commercialization of Black Metal, we think that music of such bands like Dimmu Borgir, Keep Of Kalessin or Cradle Of Filth, which think they are Black Metallers playing evil music is just hilarious. But thankfully nowadays there are more and more bands showing that real Black Metal art didn’t die…

What is your opinion of the old Polish scene and what it has developed into today?  What bands do you think set the tone for the Polish scene and where does Deep Desolation fit into the scene?  What is the Polish scene’s legacy to the rest of the world?

OK. Everybody knows Vader or Behemoth, but with first sounds, you can tell, that our music is very different. We had in Lodz a band Imperator, Pandemonium still exists and are doing well… We must say, we have very rich scene in our country. From Polish scene we like for example Azarath or Infernal War, but there aren’t many bands that play the exact music, as we play. I don’t know, if there is a band in Poland that plays the same music as ours. And maybe that’s the recipe for some success? 

As for the legacy for the rest of the world – we had/have many good bands in Poland, but it’s sad to say, that we never had some outstanding band. We never had a band such like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath or Emperor, Satyricon. It’s simply related with political reality in our country. For example – when Led Zeppelin or The Doors was forming and playing great music, we had tanks on the streets…

Can you let me know about the upcoming plans for Deep Desolation?  Any new recordings headed our way?  How about any live performances in the near future?

At the beginning of June we’re going to record a split with Primal and Iugulatus – friends which we play a lot and meeting in non-music world also. We’ll record two songs, there will be our new drummer – Wilku on drums, and I, beside guitar parts, will record vocals on it. We have also new material for second full album, and we will record it soon, I think maybe in October, November will start the recording session.

We will also play as many shows as we can. We have more and more propositions, so surely we can say – It started, and it will be only more from us…

I’ll leave any Final Statements heard in the realm of consciousness to you.

Thanks a lot for reading this and for interest in our band. Buy our CD’s, go to the shows, support the music You love! Think by yourself, don’t let anyone tell You what to do! HAIL!