Formed in the late 1990s, Darkestrah is a very important band of Asian Extreme Metal scene. Native of Kyrgyzstan, the quintet now based in Germany has released five albums and two EPs. He is also on the last compilation of the webzine, "Enter the Asian Cult", released in September 2014.
We had the chance to interview Asbath, who officiates on drums, percussion and folk instruments in the band since its founding in 1999.
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Hello from France, and thank you very much for accepting this interview with Scholomance Webzine. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?
Greetings! Asbath here! Darkestrah is an Epic Shamanic Metal band, started in 1999 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzsatn and now based in Leipzig, Germany. Since 1999 we have released 5 full-length albums, the latest being “Manas”, released in 2013 by Osmose Prod., two EPS and two demo-tapes.
What are your musical inspirations, related or not to your country, Kyrgystan? When and how did you discover Metal music?
What are your musical inspirations, related or not to your country, Kyrgystan? When and how did you discover Metal music?
Our music is deeply rooted in Kyrgyzian folklore tradition. Not only we use traditional instruments from time to time, but our riffing is also greatly inspired by Central Asian traditional melodies.
And about metal… Well this part was easy. “Enter Sandman” was on the radio and the first time I’ve heard the song I’ve realized that I will never be the same again.
Epic Shamanic Black Metal: could you explain in a few words the meaning and the characteristics of this genre?
There are two main sources of our musical inspiration. The first one is definitely the Black and Doom Metal classics, like Emperor and My Dying Bride. The second and a very important one, as I told you, is Kyrgyzian folklore tradition. Traditional Central Asian culture is deeply rooted in Shamanism and folklore music often sounds ritualistic or what you can call “mystical”. And we are trying to reproduce this feeling in our music. On other hand our songs often deal with the topic of war and mythology, and for that reason some of our songs are pretty bombast, or you can call it “epic”.
Your last album, "Manas", has been reviewed by our webzine in 2013. For us, it seemed more atmospheric and "mid-tempo". Do you think that this album is different from your earlier works? If it is, what are these differences?
As I told you before, we were always inspired by Doom Metal, but on "Manas" this influence was more prominent than on our earlier works. So, yes, it is true, that our music became slower on this record. I also think that it became darker, more depressive, and in some parts more atonal.
In this album you talk about an epic poem, "Manas". Could you explain its themes and story? why did you choose this episode of the story of your country?
Your last album, "Manas", has been reviewed by our webzine in 2013. For us, it seemed more atmospheric and "mid-tempo". Do you think that this album is different from your earlier works? If it is, what are these differences?
As I told you before, we were always inspired by Doom Metal, but on "Manas" this influence was more prominent than on our earlier works. So, yes, it is true, that our music became slower on this record. I also think that it became darker, more depressive, and in some parts more atonal.
“The Epic of Manas” or “Manas Destanı” is Kyrgyz national epic. It is considered to be the largest epic poem in human history. The plot revolves around the exploits of Manas, a young batyr whose birth was predicted. Manas unifies the scattered and partially enslaved Kyrgyz tribes into one strong host and recaptures the sacred land of Ala-Too, the Motley Mountains that was occupied by the enemy tribes. A lot of side-stories, flashbacks and so on are also incorporated into the text.
Both the story and the unique size of the epic make it a key element of Kyrgyz traditional culture and a kind of gospel of national pride. It was always clear for us that the time will come when we’ll do something based on the Epic. And well, in the end we did it.
People in Europe don't know the Metal scene from Kyrgyzstan very well. What are its particularities? In general, what do you think about the Asian Metal scene?
Well, I live in Germany for more than 10 years now and it is hard for me to tell about the current situation. But as far as I’m concerned the metal scene is as good as dead in Kyrgyzsatn. In the 90s the scene flourished. There were a lot of great bands, live shows every week. But there was no hope for a breakthrough. There was simply no recording equipment available. Even a computer capable of producing a decent recording like our first album “Sary Oy” was a rarity. Almost all the older bands have left little to no trace at all and they all disbanded in the early 2000s…
And what do you think about our last compilation, which is devoted to Asian Metal?
And what do you think about our last compilation, which is devoted to Asian Metal?
The compilation was just great! Some of the bands were really interesting and completely unknown to me.
You use traditional asiatic instruments for your Black Metal, like the komuz, for example. Could you describe the specificities of these instruments?
You use traditional asiatic instruments for your Black Metal, like the komuz, for example. Could you describe the specificities of these instruments?
Temir-komuz is just a jew’s harp. Komuz is Kyrgyzian three-stringed lute. We also used kyl-kyak, a kind of hybrid between the lute and the cello with strings made of horse hair, played with a bow.
By the way we have also used a European cello and a mandolin for our recordings.
Your former singer Kriegtalith, is a woman and her voice sounded very incomparable and unique. So, according to you, what did female vocals bring to your music? Do you think that the change of vocalist may have an impact on the composition of your next works?
Your former singer Kriegtalith, is a woman and her voice sounded very incomparable and unique. So, according to you, what did female vocals bring to your music? Do you think that the change of vocalist may have an impact on the composition of your next works?
Female-fronted extreme metal bands always attract some attention just because they are rare. Kreigtalith also used clean vocals on “Manas” which gave the album special undertone. I also think that her screaming was great!
But this surely doesn’t mean that our current singer Merkith is bad, haha. What really changed is that since he is German, he can’t sing Russian. So the new lyrics will be in English for now.
Two musicians joined your line-up in 2013, Cerritus and Ragnar. What is the advantage to be a quintette and not a trio?
Two musicians joined your line-up in 2013, Cerritus and Ragnar. What is the advantage to be a quintette and not a trio?
Such a line-up is perfect for live shows. One doesn’t have to think about some session personal who don’t really identify themselves with the band. Also Ragnar is a great song-writer, he brought a lot of fresh ideas with him. And Cerritus was our lyricist since “Khagan”.
You have now one male singer, Merkith. Could you present him to our readers? Why did Kriegtalith leave your band in 2014?
You have now one male singer, Merkith. Could you present him to our readers? Why did Kriegtalith leave your band in 2014?
Kriegtalith has lost the interest in Darkestrah and was almost a session musician for the last year. So we decided that it would be better if she leaves the band. The decision was mutual and there was no quarrel or something like that. We are still in touch.
Merkth has moved to Leipzig something like a month before he joined the band. And a couple of weeks after Krigtalith left. It was a lucky coincidence that we’ve found him. His voice is perfect for Darkestrah. He also has live experience which is important, since we are planning to play live as much as we can. He is also great as a person, so the climate in the band is very good now.
Asbath, you played live with Nargaroth from 2001 to 2005, could you share your experience with this group? Do you have side-projects you would like to talk about?
Asbath, you played live with Nargaroth from 2001 to 2005, could you share your experience with this group? Do you have side-projects you would like to talk about?
It was a great live experience. Nargaroth played a lot abroad and the venues were always full. It was also a good time altogether. But at some point I’ve decided to work more with Darkestrah and left. I’ve also played in with Trimonium in 2010-2011 but left for the same reason. I didn’t have any serious side-projects since.
As for other band members, Ragnar plays keyboards in a Power Metal band Ethera. He also studies music if you could call it a side-project… Cerritus sings and plays bass in a “Psychedelic Post-Punk” band called Nietzsche and the Wangers and Resurgemus has some kind of experimental death metal project, but he is rather secretive about it, so I don’t know the details.
Are you preparing your new album this year, and will we have the pleasure to see you in France at a concert?
Are you preparing your new album this year, and will we have the pleasure to see you in France at a concert?
Yes! The stuff is almost ready and we are hitting the studio in March. We’ll publish the exact infos as soon as possible. Right now I can say that the album will contain 7 tracks, 6 songs and an instrumental, and that it will be a killer album!
Right now we have confirmed three shows, in Belgium, Germany and Czech Republic, and a couple of other shows are being planned. One of them is in France. We’ve already played in Paris in 2009 and we loved it! The audience was great, I really think that that was our best live appearance so far.
Thank you for your answers. One last question: do you have a message for our readers?
Thank you for your answers. One last question: do you have a message for our readers?
Thank you and all our fans for the support and interest in our music. Darkestrah will never stop. Expect us!
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Interview: Tom
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