Interview with Malefic
Xasthur is a highly prolific black metal band from the West Coast. Actually not a band, Xasthur is more of a solo project of Scott Conner (a.k.a. Malefic). Over the course of five full lengths, Xasthur has proven to be one of the most creative and emotional black metal bands around. The misanthropic, depressed spirit of Malefic lends a sense of authenticity to the bands darkness. Here are some questions as we tried to find out more about this artist.
What type of mental state are you in when you write and record Xasthur songs?
I'd say it's mainly a detached state of mind that I'm in.
What type of recording equipment do you use these days?
Some new pieces have been added, lately I've been using a DOD G7 effects processor for guitars and a POD also for guitars, the POD provides a deeper low end sound for guitars I've noticed and the G7 provides that 'abyssic hate' sound, so both come together to provide a sound I've been looking for. Other than that, I've added a new 4 track and an 8 track, I use both, I got rid of most of the equipment I had used on the demo and debut c.d.
I know I've read that you are not keen on using a proper recording studio, how important is it to you to have the freedom to record when you want?
That is most important, since I have absolutely no schedule, I doubt any studios are open at 4 a.m. for example, and half the time, I don't have the patience for writing out everything in tabs for another day, for someone else's time, I like getting instant results on my own.
I've just recently received Telepathic With the Deceased from Moribund and I also see you've released To Violate the Oblivious- tell me a little about this new release.
To Violate the Oblivious was two split c.d.'s I had coming out, but both splits didn't happen, so both splits became a full length. To Violate is either the improved bastard child of the Telepathic c.d. or part 2 of Telepathic. I thought I could have made Telepathic better, even though I was mostly satisfied with that recording. Then the situation fell into place to just release To Violate the Oblivious, which is an album I am 100% satisfied with. I've been wanting to make an album that I was 100% satisfied with for a long time now, even though I have very few complaints about Telepathic. To Violate flows a lot better I think (from one song to the next), it's more heavy, played more tightly and has an aura of its own. I really wanted to be 'precise' on the recording/ sound of this one, I have to admit, this c.d. just happened spontaneously with all the new tracks I had been working on since the beginning of 2004, but I don't need
tough critics because I'm one of the toughest.
Your music is very expressive and depressing; do you play music a lot or are your albums generally straight from your emotions?
Thank you, that is what I aim for. Yes, mostly it's from my emotions, I seem to (not only musically) act and react with my emotions first, maybe too much. People think I'm paranoid because of this, but that's a different story. I can actually look back on quite a few songs and realize that they sound (or have the mood of) how I was feeling at the time, if that makes any sense. I'm not one of those people who have to take a guitar with them everywhere they go because I'm hearing and seeing the music in my head even if some kind of instrument isn't in my hand.
What is your everyday existence like? What is your reality?
It's boring and very busy at the same, if that makes any sense. I am always doing something Xasthur related with my time, day to day life. I always find something to do. I mainly do my own thing, I keep away from the urban humans, I hate them. I have very few friends, I don't hang out with people and I like it that way. Friends, enemies, the same, they'll eventually serve as their true colors, and its often the color of a brick.
What were the early days of Xasthur like? Do you like it better now as a solo artist?
The early days were a struggle and weren't anywhere near my expectations. I miss only certain aspects of those times, since I didn't have to see what the scene became at that time. I remember a different kind of enthusiasm that I had, it was before the internet killed the spirit and ways of black metal, in the early days. I had aspirations of being the band's drummer and songwriter, of course the drums were sold and eventually I became a one-person band, but I do like it better as a one-person band. In the beginning of that chapter, I was worried that I would be even less productive but that didn't end up being the case at all. Instead I reached many of my goals, goals I wouldn't have reached otherwise.
Are you in contact with other black metal bands? Do you find people with the same ideologies and feelings as yourself?
Yes, but not as many as I used to be. I usually can relate with bands/ people who are misanthropic and/or depressive kind of people, moody people if you will, yet people who are realistic about things at the same time. People who aren't trying to act more grim than they really are. Some of these people/bands that I'm still in contact with, I am glad to have met.
How do you deal with the reality of your life?
Sometimes I'm not able to deal with it, sometimes I try, make an effort, but it seems futile considering I hate people so much that it's hard to always restrain myself. Sometimes I get very depressed or angry at myself when I don't hurt the people I hate, they're everywhere. The only thing I can do is make subtle comments about how useless they are and how meaningless their lives are in a friendly way when I have to deal with them or am passing by them. Other than that, I realize that everything in life has become the darkest of irony, fighting the irony that is my life. Trying to survive and trying to not fall down once again and leave this fucking place (in more ways than one I often wonder). It can be very difficult because I always feel very out of synch with everyone. Even the few people I'm on okay terms with, I have a very hard time relating with anyone, so on that note, I'd like to tell the gossiping children/scene failures of the black metal computer scene that you do not know me. I have never made an attempt to relate with you, only I would know the operations, intents and plans of Xasthur, not you. No one will remember these people for their opinions.
Do you feel you are in control over your actions and the situation you're in today?
Musically, with Xasthur, I believe so, with the rest of my life, I can certainly blame others, but technically it comes down to me only being able to point the finger at myself. Sometimes I throw tantrums first and then analyze my actions second. This gets me into trouble sometimes.
Do you ever wish for what some people would view as a normal life?
Are the people who have 'normal lives' really even normal, or normal anymore? I don't know. I don't think I could ever have or realistically wish for a normal life, the way it looks on a brochure, that would be great, but the 'real world' has always shown me something different than that, but either its not really like that or not like that for me (a normal life). I don't know how much longer I can live the kind of life I'm living, mainly feeling and being the way I'm feeling, other than that, it's not like I'm living the 'sex, drugs and rock n roll' kind of life. I'm not deteriorating due to crazy parties, I'm deteriorating due to existing.
Will you continue to keep a busy recording schedule?
I think I've done enough for a while, for about a year I got on an obsessive roll with recording. I never exactly set a schedule, many new songs and quite a few releases just sort of happened, impulsively. As far as the future, nothing is forever and/or I shall make it unpredictable and unorthodox as usual. I'll resume sometime in 2005, if at all. Other than that, in the meantime, while Xasthur takes a nap, I will be lending a hand with a couple other bands/projects for a while. One I am proud to mention (at this time) is Mord, consisting of Misanthropy and Striid members, I've been playing bass and keyboards for this band that has really caught my
interest.
Final comments?
I have said enough, possibly too much. Thanks for the interview.
Discography:
2004...To Violate The Oblivious (Total Holocaust)
2004... Telepathic With The Deceased (Moribund)
2003... The Funeral Of Being (Blood Fire Death)
2002... Nocturnal Poisoning (Blood Fire Death)
2001... A Gate Through Bloodstained Mirrors (Profane)
Current line-up:
Malefic
www.blackmetaltomb.com/xasthur/
| TTM reviews of albums by Xasthur: | |
 | 2007 - 'Defective Epitaph' |
 | 2006 - 'Xasthur' |
 | 2004 - 'To Violate the Oblivious' |
 | 2004 - 'Telepathic With the Dead' |
 | 2002 - 'Nocturnal Poisioning' |
| TTM editorials involving Xasthur: | |
