Seregor:  Guitar, Bass and  Vocals
Ardek:  Keyboards and Piano
Namtar:  Drums

Formed: 2003
Landgraaf, Limburg, Netherlands
Label: Maddening Media
Genre: Symphonic Black Metal

CURRENT LINE-UP:

In February, Carach Angren released their critically acclaimed new album Death Came through a Phantom Ship via Maddening Media. Chris recently checked in with Seregor the vocalist, guitarist and bassist of this trio from the Netherlands to talk about the new concept album, its lyrics, touring and plans for 2010.

Chris: Seregor, thanks for taking time and speaking with me. First, may I ask where the band’s name came from and what made you decide to use it?

Seregor: Hallo! ‘Carach Angren’ is a name from the realm of Tolkiën. I had that name in mind for longer than ten years. In the past [we talked about] Carach Angren…but other band names were chosen. So when I met the guys later, we needed a name for our black metal project, what now became Carach Angren.

Tolkiën used to be a sort of bible in the black metal world. And when I found Carach Angren I thought it sounds strong and dark. It means ‘Iron jaws’ and in Mordor it’s a dark pass leading towards Gorgoroth. Mountains of Iron, looking like giant jaws of a predator. Carach Angren…you need to hear it a few times. Then you will never forget.

Chris: The topics of paranormal activity and ghostly haunting are very near to me as well. What made you decide to record two albums and an EP full of conceptual ghost stories? What influences your lyrics?

Seregor: Every form of horror influences my lyrics. And ghosts are simply the conceptual source for C.A. We started with it and never stopped. Ghosts are entities you can describe in any form of evil. There are many movies: The Grudge, Paranormal Activity, The Blair Witch Project, Shutter…you name them. Like movies we want to describe tales about ghosts. It’s our thing.

Chris: The new CD is truly amazing. The orchestral music combined with black metal is one that many try, but many fail when attempting it. How do you go about creating such music combinations?

Seregor: Thanks…Well, Ardek is the main composer and creates good keys and arrangements in order to fill them up the with the right drum rhythms. He sends them to me where I create the guitar lines and riffs. Meanwhile Namtar changes and expands these drum parts.

Later I take my time to write appropriate lyrics. [It’s] a matter of brainstorming and using lot’s of time on it (laughs).

Chris: I recently interviewed Nefarium and saw you two toured together with Dark Funeral. How was that, and did the crowds seem excited to see you? Were the responses positive?

Seregor: It was a great experience! The guys of Dark Funeral and Nefarium are all okay. Cool dudes to tour with and very professional. There are many people who still have to discover C.A. but there were always some die-hard fans at every gig. So yes! We had good reactions. We are proud of this step and hope to get to the top.

Chris: Your demo The Chase Vault Tragedy and EP Ethereal Veiled Existence are only available as downloads right now. Do you have plans to reissue them on CD soon?

Seregor: Actually yes! We have this question a lot and had some conversations about re-releasing them in the near future. The moment it happens you will know through our site.

Chris: Do you find it difficult to create an entire CD around one topic, or is it easier for you to just write with the knowledge you have of the topic you choose for the CD?

Seregor: It takes lots of preparation. We take our time to think how we can pull off a better album every time. Sometimes ideas come spontaneously, sometimes it’s hard to write the right words or find the best idea. It’s just that we get a feeling and pictures in our head that we translate in our music. It’s hard work. But we have the click in our band. [There’s] always satisfying results after working our asses off (laughs). And it’s fun being creative in this way.    

Chris: Is the paranormal theme one you’ll be keeping as part of the band’s topics or will you drift into other areas? I honestly think you’re one of the only bands doing such topics consistently.  

Seregor: We have an unwritten rule: Every concept we shall release will have something to do with ghosts, only the environment and story change. Think of a haunting in houses, forests, oceans etc. But honestly, who knows what we will do in the future. Everything is possible. For now we keep it on horror and ghosts.

Chris: How is the Dutch metal scene out there? Is there a big metal scene where you are?

Seregor: Holland is not so big. But still since we exist we are supported by more and more fans.
For a little country I can’t say it’s a small scene, so the audience is great! And if you speak about bands, well, [there are] not so many these days. I mean melodic black metal. I think there’s more death and trash metal in the Dutch scene these days. Scandinavia is better (laughs).

Chris: What bands and/or books influenced you growing up and continue to influence you?

Seregor: Hmmm…I have to say now that we toured with Dark Funeral, their music is back in my top list. I grew up with albums like Secrets of the Black Arts. For me personally bands like Emperor, Tartaros and Limbonic Art are good inspirations. We also get lots of ideas out of horror movies.

I have a few of these black encyclopedias containing information about ghosts. They will always be in my possession.

Chris: Are they any plans for you to come to the United States and jump on a tour here?

Seregor: No plans yet! But if that’s possible we’ll be there right away. This was our first big tour through Europe that we pulled off. It’s becoming an addiction once you get home. So keep your eyes open! One day we will haunt the States!!

Carach Angren's Seregor

April 22, 2010

Interviewer: Chris

DISCOGRAPHY:

The Chase Vault Tragedy Demo (2004)
Ethereal Veiled Existance EP (2005)
Lammendam (2008)
Death Came Through a
                             Phantom Ship (2010)

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Check out Chris' review of Death Came through a Phantom Ship here

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