Heathen Deity. Interview with Dagon.

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi Dagon! Thanks for taking the time to talk to me...

1) When and where was HD formed? What motivated you to create the band?

Dagon: Heathen Deity was formed in 1998 out of a common respect for the music the scene and its musicians. We initially started covering the bands we listened to, Mayhem, Dissection and Tormentor etc, covering the classics and gradually writing our own music, finding our feet and our sound. The same ‘how we started’ story as most in all honesty.

3) Your new album TEBM is exactly what it says on the label, over an hour of classic BM straight from the blackened heart of the English woodlands... tell us about the album... when and where was it recorded? How was the experience?

Dagon: To me the album is more of an anthology, or a ‘best of’ in regard to our journey so far with Heathen Deity, even if this is our first actual studio album, saying that, at the same time it is also just the beginning. The music was recorded at ‘Mirkwood’ which is Azrael’s home studio. The drums were recorded at the now closed legendary ‘Academy studios.’ And the vocals were recorded at ‘HDHQ’ which is my home studio. The recording experience, well let’s just say lengthy, arduous, stressful, highly gratifying and tempestuous. But it needed to be that way, we have poured our last twenty years into this album, when bands say, “We have put our sweat, tears and blood into this.” It’s usually meant on a figurative sense, I can assure you on our behalf there couldn’t be more of a literal description.

4) Tell us about your extensive back catalogue...

Dagon: Well, I wouldn’t call it extensive haha. We have never been a band that feels the need to follow the trend of write, release, tour year in year out. When the time is right and the feelings within us are there we will do what we have to, whatever is needed to scratch that particular itch. We have released Eps, demos, and a live album, all of which have been met with positive feedback from the followers of the band, which is always good to hear. We have been lucky enough to have the backing of ‘Death Kvlt Productions’ for the last few years, to release our music on physical formats, ‘DKP’ have manufactured cassette tapes and vinyl versions of our releases. The new album ‘True English Black Metal’ is due to be released by ‘DKP’ as a double gatefold later on in the year. For the new album we have the added backing from ‘Cult Never Dies.’ ‘CND’ have released the CD version of ‘TEBM’ which as come out great, and I hope we can continue to work with both of these labels in the future. Like I touched on before, I don’t see the point releasing material you are not one hundred percent happy with, this isn’t a competition or a game to bang out as much half arsed music on media outlets as possible. And if that is your goal, then to me you lack musical integrity. Each to their own I guess.

5) What are HD’s plans for the future?

Dagon: Who knows. We will keep doing what we do, we have already started writing for the next release, the release of the current album has given us a certain vigour at the moment, so we will ride that wave as long as it lasts. We have shows booked for this year, and a few things in the pipeline for next if the state of the world will allow us to play them.

6) How do you perceive the current state of BM?

Dagon: You are asking the wrong guy in all honesty. I don’t really get involved in the politics of Black metal, everyone has their own opinions just like they have a hole they defecate out of daily. I don’t have the time nor do I have the energy to build a solid educated conversation about it. I’m more focused on what I am doing on my own path to be concerned about other people.

7) Tell us about the UK scene...

Dagon: Again, I don’t really have an opinion. I don’t get involved with other bands if I can help it. If we play a live show, I try to turn up, play and stay out of the way. Not that I don’t support the scene in which I am apart of, of course I do, I am just not very active in it, especially as I am growing older and my time is becoming more and more of a premium asset. I am not into keeping up to date with other people’s business. If someone shows me something new, I’ll listen to it, but I will very rarely seek out new music myself. I have a small circle of friends and brothers within the scene, the vast majority of those people are musicians I have performed with in the past.

8) Do you have a message for our readers?

Dagon: Thank you for the opportunity of saying a few words to your readers. Support the war against Christianity. Support the underground scene. Remain true to yourselves. And Gut the Fucking Church...

Thanks Dagon... Black blood my brother.