« La pensée d’un homme est avant tout sa
nostalgie ».
- Albert Camus.
This famous quote from Albert Camus’ « Le Mythe de
Sisyphe » can be translated as « Nostalgia is above every man’s
thoughts ». It is for sure the best way to depict the works of Erang.
Through the expression of his own melancholy, this one man band leads the
listener to a an unknown kingdom. « Casting the Ancient Spell Again »
was released this january, wich makes of this interview the perfect occasion to
talk about it. What kind of secrets are hidden between the Castle’s walls ?
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If Russia is the cradle of the Dungeon Lore Foundation, gathering over fifty releases of the genre, whern it comes to Dungeon Synth, France does not count many artists. What is it then that lead you to create Erang ?
I released Erang’s first album the 18th of
may of 2012. Before that I sure did a bit of atmospheric music, but wasn’t
satisfied with the result. Unconsciously I was forbidding myself some kinds of
sounds and didn’t trust my instinct enough. I got sick of it, and after a year
without any musical creation I decided to compose something I’d enjoy a hundred percent
without caring about material, technique, nor « good taste ». I just wanted
to be faithful towards my personal feelings. It is then that I discovered Mortiis and
Burzum’s « medieval » and « ambient » albums, without
knowing anything about those musician’s background. I felt in love with their
work, with that type of music. It seemed
to be inside of me, from the very beginning.
You never hide the fact that Erang is the name
of a lonely character whom you tell the story through your different releases.
What is the true meaning of this name, and why did you chose it ?
Erang
is a reference to my personal life, to my childhood. It is the reason this
project means so much to me. Its real significance is too intimate to be
revealed here today.
« Erang » also appears to be a kingdom
inspired from your childhood. A kingdom you are the only one to know. Is this
project a way to rekindle the flame of a time forever past ?
Yes,
it is pure nostalgia turned into music. But what i’d like, and what I wish with
my work is to link each listener to its own « lost kingdom ».
Everyone keeps home objects from the past, from their childhood. Things that
belonged to the ones we loved. Things and even places where we’ll never return
but also ancient myths and civilisations
from the past. I’d like my music to allow those who listen to it, to visit
their own « Kingdom of Erang ». This does not mean that I consider my
work as childish. It’s quite the opposite :
you must have experienced some things to appreciate Erang’s releases.
Is there something we should know about that
Kingdom, or do you think the listener must give free rein to his
imagination ?
This
Kingdom is inside of us all. And in what concerns mine and the titles of my
songs, I like the idea of letting the listener’s imagination run wild. It seems
that nowadays everything must be known, exposed down to the smallest detail. I
like to think some things are prettier when they lie in the shadows.
Before the release of « Another World
Another Time », your first productions where divided in « Tomes ». Why did you stop at
« Tome IV », and what does this quadrilogy symbolizes ?
Dividing
my work in Tomes was a clear reference to Heroic Fantasy Books, and to the
greats sagas that may be divided that way. Once I released Tome IV, I wondered if
I had to continue with a fifth one. I came to the conclusion that the initial
concept would lose of its strength if I’ll do so. I wanted to take a fresh start ;
as you can hear it, Another World, Another Time’s sound is quite
different from the earlier releases. It was some kind of renaissance, and that
is why I decided to give the album the name of the first song from Tome
I : Another World, Another Time. If you look closely, you’ll notice that
Casting the Ancient Spell Again is the name of the first song from Tome II.
This creates a strong link between my albums and my songs. They all answer to
each other, creating the borders of my kingdom.
What theme could inspire you a new saga ?
The essence of Erang will never change. I do
not wish it to. Erang isn’t something modern, in the bad meaning of the term :
I do not seek to be original nor to invent something new. I try to be true
towards myself. As a matter of fact I always add some
« new » musical elements in every album, but my choices are not
guided by innovation. My only shepperd is emotion.
If my memory does not betray me, I believe Tome
II was produced by Katabaz Records. Why did this collaboration end ? Are
you currently seeking a label, or did you abandon the idea ?
Katabaz has never been a real label. It is
more a group of friends where reigns a family atmosphere. It is a way to gather
our works and keep our listeners and fans informed of the upcoming releases.
Actually, Katabaz Records did not produce any of my albums. I like to keep
control over my own work. If my main goal is to touch as many people as I can,
I don’t do it at any cost. I won’t obey a label to get more fans. I don’t live
off my music, therefore I am free to act as I want. If a label understands my
point of view and agrees with it, I’ll study the possibility of joining their
ranks. But I’m not going to run after one.
Why haven’t you released any physical versions
of your albums ? Did you considered starting a crowdfunding campaign
?
Actually,
I’m working on that. I do plan to release physical albums. Maybe a huge
compilation, but I’m not so sure about it. I’d like that first release to be
something special, that people would be happy to possess. I’m still working on
that, but I do hope it won’t take too long.
Since Tome II, a hooded silhouette appears on
every single album you released. Another World Another Time and Casting
the Ancient Spell Again focus on the bleak visage of this figure. Is he the
hero whom you tell the story, or a melancolic wanderer walking through the
shadows ?
It is to this character that some of my
songs refer to, as « The Man With No Face », on Tome IV. We could say
that he is a ghost from the past, the shadow of the old times. He
symbolizes what is dead and yet still
lives. That wanderer is Erang’s soul. He feeds my imagination as well as the
listener’s one.
After
Six albums, where is that
character ? Do you think you’ll be able to flourish his
image ?
Every
single album I release shares a common thread, that is actually symbolized by
this wanderer. I think it gives depth to the musical world in wich I evolve. As
I told you, my songs also refer to other creatures and places. The Lonely
Stone Giant, and the Underwater
Kingdom appear more than once. They are part of Erang’s Mythology. Any
curious listener is free to play with all those song titles and the artworks’
details.
Das
Dungeon Klavier is a clear reference to 1990’s Dungeon Synth. Wich projects of
that era would you recommend to our readers ?
In my opinion, the classics of the genre are
the better ones : Mortiis (and his side-projetcs as Vond, Fata
Morgana, etc.) and Burzum’s jail albums are fantastic (even if his music inspires
me, I’d like to say I do not share his political opinions). I also enjoy some
of Depressive Silence’s Songs.
If
the use of percussion instruments is not so frequent in Dungeon Synth, we are
the witnesses their appearance in songs such as « Alt Und Kalt »,
« Vampire of the Souvenirs » and « Guided by an Ancient
Glory ». Do you think you will developp this idea in your future
works ?
Why
not, I don’t want to restrain my imagination. I introduced percussions and
drums on Tome IV, so everything is possible. This is also what I really love
with Dungeon Synth, or at least in the way I see it. If the genre may seem a
bit monotonous because of its classics, and its codes, I don’t think there are
any real rules. That gives us all a complete freedom when it comes to writting songs.
I like to add new elements to my music without undermining it. I am currently
working on a new album : it is going to be a real trip to the roots of
Dungeon Synth
There
is no doubt that Dungeon Synth is mainly focused on the creation of musical
atmospheres rather than singing. However songs such as « Vampire of the
souvenir » or « Years in the Mirror » distance themselves from
the others when the rasping voice of the wanderer appears. What is the conveyed
message of these songs ? Could we say that « Casting The Ancient
Spell Again» is a concept-album ?
« Casting
the Ancient Spell Again » is not a concept-album… But we could speak of
concept-music : all of my albums draw the map of Erang’s Kingdom. However,
it is true that I wanted this particular album to be about old age and decline.
« Vampire of the Souvenir » talks about the idea of being drowned in
a gargantuan tide of nostalgia ; at that point, the character only
experiences negativity and resentment.
The lyrics of that song are not written in
any known language : it is « Erangen », an imaginary language.
However, the lyrics of « Years in the Mirror » are written in
English. This particular song depicts that precise moment when you look at
yourself in the mirror ; that moment when you don’t only see your face,
but also all those years that are know gone forever. Actually, the opening
track of the album gives to the listener an essential clue. In german,
« Alt und Kalt » means « Old and Cold. »
As
many other artists your are familiar with the world of Tolkien. Moreover, you
released a short compilation inspired by the Silmarillion (NB : The
Silmarillion is a book written by Tolkien, that talks about the genesis and
first ages of the middle earth. It was published after the author’s death). Are
you also inspired by the works of Howard Shore, who composed the soundtrack of
Peter Jackson’s « The Lord of the Rings » ?
J.R.R
Tolkien’s books are clearly linked to my past. When I was a child my
father used to tell me the adventures of Bilbo and Frodo. Even if Howard
Shore’s work is quite impressive, it is not a musical source of inspiration.
If
a huge part of Erang’s iconography has kept the same spirit, « Casting the
Ancient Spell Again » inaugurates your sixth logo. Where does this need of
changing Erang’s banner comes from ? Is it a way to give a every album a particular
soul ?
There is a bit of
that, yes. Through my artworks, I tend to reach the same goal as with my music
: to create a familiar world that keeps
evolving yet staying true to what it was in the first place. In my opinion, the
word Erang is stronger than the banner that represents it. By the way, I don’t
really like the word “logo”. Sounds like a soap brand to me. I like to think
that every single album I released has a unique personality and the banners are
an important part of that process. That is why they will keep changing.
You recently stated
that you are currently working on a new split with Lord Lovidicus. Correct me
if I am wrong, but I believe it is not the first time you two work together. It
is rather an unusual thing, but one of the songs will be the fruit of this
collaboration. Tell me, will this track drift away from your own world ?
It is a lot of fun
to work with Lord Lovidicus. He is a really nice guy. I do enjoy his releases and
I appreciate to work with him. There won’t be a fundamental difference between
my usual productions and this one, but it is very inspiring to work again with
him. And it sounds like what I’m currently working on for my next album.
As you told us
earlier, you released Erang’s first album on 2012. In less than two years, you
composed 6 albums an a few splits. No need to say you never get tired of
working on your project ! On the other hand, don’t you fear you are going to
dry out the well that feeds Erang ?
There sure are
periods when I feel like my imagination abandons me. So I just wait until it
comes back… But Erang is a part of me. It lives through myself. It isn’t just a
hobby or a simple projet. Even if I take a lot pleasure with it, I don’t
compose for fun. As long as I’ll be alive, Erang won’t disappear amongst the
shadows. It will live through myself, and feed my music.
Ecole de Scholomance Webzine would like
to thank Erang for according us this interview, and we wish him good luck on
the path he draw with « Another Time Another World ». It is our duty to inform you that Erang's and Lord Lovidicus' split "Gifted With magic", was released during the translation fo this interview. You’ll be
able to find his complete works on the bandcamp page of the project. Every
album can be purchased for 2 € : the dreamed occasion to discover Erang’s
unique Kingdom. If the dreamlike melodies of the genre catch your attention,
don’t hesistate to check on Katabaz Records, and the Dungeon Lore Foundation.
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Interviewer : Waldo Losada
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