(interview done in summer 2001, if I'm not wrong...)
I think this band (which
frequently goes to be a solo project) as a legend, or better, as one of the
darkest and most intriguing acts I've ever had the pleasure to encounter on my
countless nocturnal voyages through this branch of my adored Art which is called
Dark Music, which probably illustrates at its best what I mean... I got
fascinated by Demoncy since the first time I've listened to the infern ally
chaotical yet infinitive ghastly "Faustian Dawn" album, some years ago, which
among a few other discs totally initiated me to one of the most hidden sides of
the Dark Art, which means blasphemy, iconoclasty, antichristianity, in two
simple words "Black Metal" ; after a long silence of the band, I heard they came
back on the hidden underground and, despite a long gestation of my questions, I
have here a result of my talking with the great artist yet brainchild of the
Demoncy kult Ixithra, the Lord of Sylvan Shadows... Vanish: Hail Ixithra... I hope to not bother you with one of
the most annoying questions, but even if I know your band since a remarkable
time ago, I don't know the Demoncy history in its entirety, so, could you
illuminate me about the musical percourse of your obscure creation starting from
its birth to come to our days? Ixithra: ...created from the depths of primordial darkness in ages
long past Demoncy was spawned in the year 1989 by Ixithra, Lord of the Sylvan
Shadows, and the fires of evil, darkness, magic, sorrow and hate still burn
stronger than ever as the legacy continues on into this thirteenth year and
beyond... At present the Demoncy kult is comprised of Ixithra and Synvorlath... Vanish: The seed of Demoncy was spawned in a era when the main trend in
extreme metal music was "death metal"... so an obvious question is: why did you
took yourself apart from the masses? Ixithra: We were never part of the masses, so we did not take
ourselves apart from what we were never a part of to begin with... Vanish: The image/look of a Black Metal band at that time was truly
bestial, occult and satanic... there weren't not so many bands completely
dressed in black, wearing inverted crosses and pentagrams, so why did you do it?
Ixithra: We only do what comes natural to us...
Vanish: Beside that you used
to adopt those long disquieting pseudonyms (In example Wicked
Warlock of Demonic Blasphemy, Desolate Wings of the Pagan Dawn, etc.)
... I think that thing started with bands like Beherit and
Blasphemy, but what about Demoncy for this fact? Ixithra: Our pseudonyms were devised as magical/ritual names
which were later changed to become more personal...a stepping stone to
something deeper and darker... Vanish: It is somewhat legendary an involvement of yours in
Profanatica back in time (1992) when the band was just going on to split
up. In which circumstances you joined them and why they parted ways from
each other? Ixithra: I was asked to join based on my work with Demoncy...The
band split due to lack of darkness on the part of some of the members...
Vanish: Has the Profanatica bass player Aragon Amori (R.I.P.) ever
played in/for Demoncy? His picture is on the booklet of the "Within The
Sylvan..." Cd... (Actually this was wrong, I was referring to a
picture on the booklet of the double cd re-issue... -V.) Ixithra: Aragon co-wrote the lyrics to the Demoncy track Denial
of the Holy Paradise and therefore became a part of the Demoncy kult...
Vanish: Why you booted off the (old) Demoncy members that played on
the "Faustian Dawn" Cd and back? Why did you decide to completely renew
the line-up of the band back then? Weren't you so convinced of their state
of mind for playing Black Metal? Ixithra: Lack of dedication and adherence to our ideologies and
philosophies... Vanish: So it is natural to ask you what and how you intend (for)
Black Metal... probably for you it is not only a musical genre and I'd
like you'll speak about this matter. (Not answered -V.) Vanish: In the back cover of the above
mentioned album there were a writing praising to the Church Of Satan. Why this?
Do you still support them? Are you a member of the Church? Are you a Satanist?
If this yes, what do you intend for a such term? (Not answered -V.) Vanish: Being part of other various bands/projects and having so a grand
interest fot that aspect of Art called Music, why did you decide to turn your
mind to its darkest and most occult shapes (with Demoncy black metal,
Profane Grace dark ambient, without counting the other projects...)? Ixithra: What you are referring to was the actual logo in part for the So
It Is Done label and something similar appeared on all of their releases...it is
only natural for me to turn my mind to darkness and the occult... Vanish: Beside the Demoncy kult, you are well known in the dark/ambient
underground to be part the obscure project called Profane Grace, whose music is
very weird, intriguing and makes me breath pure Darkness... can you tell me any
words about it? Ixithra: As it is an audial experience, words on the matter would be
severely lacking... Vanish: Which is the symbolism represented by the "Black Wings", a
particular present in both the Demoncy and Profane Grace (and Mysterian
too, I know now -V.) lyrical aspects? Ixithra: Utter darkness, night and shadow... Vanish: I think your lyrics are for the most part apocalyptic, praising to
a triumph of Darkness upon Light... In what circumstances you usually write your
lyrics? Do you need of a peculiar atmosphere around you for the seeking of the
inspiration? Can you explain me what do you feel during the moments on which you
feel (artistically) inspired so? (Not answered -V.) Vanish: Also, since your lyrics contains some references to the infamous
Necronomicon, I would to ask you: do you believe in a real existence of the book
or are you just a fan of the H.P. Lovecraft's genius? Ixithra: I write lyrics when inspired to do so and the atmosphere is
always present within myself, Synvorlath as well...The lyrics contain what we
feel or have experienced when we compose them... Vanish: Would you explain what kind of attraction you have for the Night,
Cold, Darkness and what kind of emotions such things give you? Ixithra: Completeness...
Vanish: Just a curiosity:
which is the meaning of your actual pseudonym "Ixithra"? Ixithra: I am Ixithra...that is the meaning... Vanish: Why do you define yourself The Lord Of Sylvan
Shadows ? Ixithra: It is the darkness in nature that I most identify with....
Vanish: Which is your (personal?) definition for the word "Art"?
Ixithra: Things created through the conscious use of skill and
creative imagination... Vanish: Do you define yourself an artist? Ixithra: Indeed... Vanish: In which circumstances music is not art for you? Ixithra: When there is no depth or originality... Vanish: And which is your definition for the word "talent"? Who
(generally) is an individual who have talent? Ixithra: Talent would simply be an exceptional often creative or
artistic aptitude for something... Vanish: Do you think you have got talent, as
musician/artist? Ixithra: My art speaks for itself... Vanish: What do you intend for "Evil"? Do you define yourself an
evil person? Ixithra: I do not see 'evil' in the standardized definition of
it...it is something more akin to darkness to me...more of an emotion and
feeling...than something tangible or definable... Vanish: Some time ago I read a Demoncy interview on
which you were talking about the actual society from a negative point of view,
pointing out all its mediocrity, silliness, futility... do you see your point of
view as a misanthropic one? What is misanthropy in your opinion? The complete
knowledge of your possibilities? Ixithra: Yes, I have a very misanthropic view of life...it is hard to
feel otherwise when one can see clearly the disgusting nature of humanity in all
of its mediocrity, silliness, and futility... Vanish: Why do you play music? For a self gratification or just because
it's "cool" to do that? Ixithra: I am driven to create darkness through art...which does bring
great self gratification... Vanish: Would you ever write any music for the entertainment of the
others? Ixithra: No...It is for darkness sake alone that I create... Vanish: What point do you want to reach with your music/art
and/or with your bands? Where do you want to arrive? Ixithra: The arrival is really only a return to the beginning for
us...we are and shall remain where we have always been... Vanish: Six years ago, in '95 e.v., you remained alone in Demoncy and
recorded the marvellous "Joined In Darkness" album... does it has been hard to
play all the instruments alone? Why that album saw the light only four years
later, in '99? Ixithra: No, I am quite use to handling all of the instrumentation
alone... Vanish: Why the "The Dawn Of Eternal Damnation" 7" has never been
released? Ixithra: Lack of label interest in releasing either one... Vanish: What about the most recent re-issue on vinyl by the french label
Spikekult Rec.? It seems it contains a Mayhem cover... Ixithra: The Joined In Darkness LP version on Spikekult has yet to be
released although planned for some time...There is a Mayhem cover of Freezing
Moon... Vanish: Why, despite Demoncy enjoy a so long background, it is not a so
famous band? What's your opinion on this matter? Ixithra: Things of such nature are of no concern to us... Vanish: Can you tell me a handful of words about (all) the other projects
you're involved in, beside Demoncy and Profane Grace? On which you are the
mastermind? Which is the one you're tied up the most/you privilege? Ixithra: I am the creator of both Demoncy and Profane Grace as well as
two other projects, Raven's Bane and Mysterian...All are equally important...
Vanish: The last question: what about your next Demoncy album "Risen From
The Ancient Ruins"? When does it will be out? How does it will sound alike?
Ixithra: Risen From The Ancient Ruins will be released on Baphomet
Records (USA) in late 2002 following the two full lengths that will be released
earlier in the year, 'Empire of the Fallen Angel' on Blood Fire Death (USA) and
'Enthroned is the Night' on Elegy Records (USA)... Vanish: Which point do you want to reach with your music and all your
obscure, fiendish visions and creations? Where do you want to arrive? Ixithra: Only to create utter darkness and to perpetuate it
endlessly... Vanish: All my gratitude and greetings goes to you Ixithra for a such
pleasure of having talked with you through this interview... please state some
words to end, now... Ixithra: Enter the darkness by shadow's embrace...
