Ouija. Interview with Midgard.

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi, this is Jay here with Midgard from the amazing old school legends, OUIJA, from Spain.

1) Tell us about Ouija. Where and when was the band formed? Who are the members of the band?

The band was born in 1994, after the disappearance of Levial, our first band we decided to form Ouija, since we had other musical concerns at that time different from Levial and we thought it would be better to start from scratch with a new project. After several months of rehearsing, we recorded our first demo which did not even see the light of day, because we were quickly signed by Repulse Records for the edition of our first album “Riding into the funeral paths”. After a few years of inactivity for different personal reasons, in 2009 the band regrouped and we recorded the EP “Adversary”, which would be followed by our album “Ave voluptatis carnis” released in 2013. After another stop in time, the band In 2020, Map and I first joined the founding members of Ouija and JM 101 on the other guitar, to consolidate the band, Labelua also joined our ranks on drums and Shogoth on bass to close the circle. More or less that would be an abbreviated bio, I sincerely hate the bios because I think it bores people to read them, but as is obvious it is a procedure that has to be done in many interviews... hahaha...

2) What was the inspiration behind forming the band?

As I have already mentioned in the next question, we began to be influenced, we are going to call it that by the first wave of Black Metal,

in which we were totally involved and we needed to plan what we were generating in a new band, that is how the idea arose to form Ouija.

3) What influences does the demonic and different sound of Ouija have?

Our influences are very varied within Metal in general, I could mention endless bands, all the members have grown up listening to Metal ... hahaha and we are already from the old guard so the list would be very long going through many subgenres that this style encompasses musical.

4) Has a long and admirable musical career, with some classic albums of the genre. the most recent, SELENOPHILE IMPIA, is another true black jewel, suitable for the crown of the king of hell himself... tell us about the album... where and when was it recorded? Tell us about the songs... tell us about the previous albums...

It was recorded and mixed at the Nomad Studio, then mastered by Magnus Andersson at the Endarker Studio... from the recording little to tell, everything was very correct, this is something mechanical and it only changes if you change studio. The EP consists of three songs, I would say quite different between them because each one has its own identity, I don’t really like talking about our work either because I think the listener should do that and give their verdict on it. Regarding the previous works, that is already part of the past and now we have to focus on the present, only its legacy remains and I go back to what it was before, listen to them for yourself and if you like then enjoy them.

5) What are the plans for the future with Ouija?

At the moment the only fixed and imminent plan is to compose new material and next year record it as soon as possible, the rest of the things will come by themselves.

6) As a pioneer of the genre, and having been recording and playing since the 90s, how have you seen the evolution of the scene, the music, the bands, over the years?

This question is very elastic, the scene moves by trends or fashions of the moment, there are bands that remain, others disappear, others are born... but very few with the passage of time continue to keep their original essence both in sound and attitude, those They are the bands that have always interested me the ones that really love what they do and believe in their convictions tooth and nail and not sold in the fad of the moment.

7) How do you see the future of the genre, in Spain and internationally?

Ha-ha... at the moment I do not have a crystal ball to predict this issue, we live in times where superficiality is what prevails and ideals are dead. Therefore, time will speak and we will see what the future holds for this genre.

8) Which bands do you listen to today? Which Spanish bands would you recommend for our readers?

I listen to many bands, I still enjoy finding new bands which, if I listen to them, give me satisfaction. I don’t really listen to many Spanish bands, I am not the most suitable to recommend bands from here, I will quote Ered and Balmog, that my opinion is good bands and completely honest with their work.

9) Do you have anything else to say to our followers?

First of all, I would like to thank you for the interview, a pleasure to answer it... and finally, to continue strong and combative because turbulent times come in which we will not have to stop fighting.

Thank you very much Midgard.