Dark Mirror ov Tragedy. Interview with Senyt

Interview by Jay Parker

1) Tell our readers about DMOT... when and where was the band formed? Why did you decide to form the band? Who is in the current line up?

M. Pneuma (Vocal) formed Dark Mirror ov Tragedy in 2003 in Seoul. He wrote many black metal songs when he was a teenager and he decided to form his solo project band in 2003. But he changed his mind to run the band as a full line-up band when the debut album came out. Then Confyverse joined in 2005, Reverof joined in 2006, I joined in 2007, Genie joined in 2016 and Zahaquiel joined in 2019.

2) Your latest album, LORD OV SHADOWS is truly outstanding... your music is simply beautiful. Tell u s about it... when and where was it recorded? Who wrote the tracks? Tell about your previous releases...

I need to talk about the history of ‘The Lord Ov Shadows’. In 1999, M. Pneuma started writing the song. The Lord Ov Shadows’ has three parts. The part 1 was in our debut album and the part 2 was in 2nd album. Actually M. Pneuma already finished rough sketch of whole song in 2007. And we knew that we had to release the full version of ‘The Lord Ov Shadows’ one day. So we started to arrange the songs in 2016, right after we released the 3rd album. From 2017 to 2018, we recorded “The Lord ov Shadows” in our studio. It was an amazing experience.

3) People will obviously compare you with Cradle and Dimmu... for me your sound is more like the diabolically divine lovechild of Lilith and Beethoven... the orchestration and compository skills in many parts are far superior to both Cradle and Dimmu (and I’m English, I love Cradle!). Tell us about how you write your songs... which bands inspired you? Which bands do you listen to today?

As you know, the orchestration is a huge part of Dark Mirror ov Tragedy’s music. so classical music like Beethoven, Chopin or something like that give many inspirations to us. All members have slightly different tastes, but we love Carach Angren from Netherlands, Fleshgod Apocalypse from Italy and etc. Before 3rd album, M. Pneuma wrote most songs in 1st and 2nd albums. But in the 3rd album, two guitarists, I and Gash (Former member) participate in writing the songs. We write song personally. and M. Pneuma arrange the orchestra parts and each member arrange their parts.

4) Tell us about your plans for the future… are you recording new material?

The tour was plans of 2020 and 2021, but because of Covid-19, all tours were postponed. So now we are writing the new song. I’m not sure when we show you the new stuff, but I hope we can meet you guys as soon as possible.

5) Tell us about the metal scene in South Korea...

South Korean metal scene very small. In the early 2000s, there were good metal bands in Korea like Holymarsh, Tokkaebi, Sad Legend, etc. But no one knows where they’re gone. But now there are only few metal musicians and metalheads. They struggle to survive in underground.

6) Do you have any other projects?

Yes, I have some. Metamorphosis, it’s thrash metal band and now we prepare the next new album. and Ambroxiak, it’s my solo project. 100% PURE BLACK METAL stuff.

7) Do you have a message for our readers?

I truly appreciate this interview. I hope you meet you guys on stage someday! Hail! Best Senyt