Primordial Serpent. Interview with Geoff Coran

Interview by Namtar

1.) When was the creation of Primordial Serpent and what does this project mean to you?

Primordial Serpent was created during the first wave of the Covid pandemic when the restrictions in Manitoba were very tight. This project, like any other music project to me, means the world to me. It’s my lifesaver, a companion, and something that I can escape to.

2.) You have put out many amazing releases in such a short time over the last few years, how do you come up with these albums? Do you have to put a lot of thought into these songs and releases or does it just come naturally to you?

They come very naturally to me. I think it’s due to playing guitar for nearly 20 years of my life and been doing cover songs as a means to help progress my guitar playing abilities as well as to practice my mixing and recording skills. Plus, when I have an idea in mind, there’s no blueprints for them, they just come out right there and then. But I would say I would have to work hard at harnessing my ideas just because I feel sometimes when these ideas come to me, it’s like a floodgate being opened and I have to wait for everything to settle in order to work out the ideas.

3.) Where did you come up with the name Primordial Serpent and what does it mean to you?

Primordial Serpent was actually from a video game series I played called Dark Souls which is heavily relished in occultism and dark fantasy. Primordial Serpents were creatures that intended on luring the character in leading an age of darkness. So because that, I also interpreted the intentions of the primordial serpents in the game to be similar to the biblical serpent swaying those into luciferianism, in a way. Plus, it’s just a cool name.

4.) What is the lyrical content of your many great songs, do you stick with the same style lyrically for each release or does each album have a different path or story?

Initially, it was to be themed around dark souls but I didn’t really want to fall into that trap of having it entirely based around a video game series. So I made it about things that reflect me as a person and things that I’ve become interested in over the years. So that could be pagan mythology, my own personal struggles, video games (though I’m sorta straying away from that), and recently anti-Christian/ Satanic themes. So, yeah the concept of every release so far has a different path or story but still carrying the same feeling throughout different albums.

5.) What is your opinion of today’s Black Metal scene as a whole?

I think it’s great that it’s going back to its underground roots and I also love how supportive it is. I’ve met many great people during my time of being an active black metal artist as well. I’d say it’s maybe gone little bit too political but I try to remain apolitical as much as possible in this scene.

6.) Will you continue to be a one-man project or do you see yourself working with other musicians in the future?

I think it will remain a one-man band. Maybe down the road, it may become a full on band. But who knows. The future is unwritten, as they say.

7.) Do you ever see yourself playing shows or tours in the future?

That would be cool to do that and just experience even if it was for one time, but again, only if this ever turns into a band and if everyone involved is interested in touring.

8.) Being that you are from Canada, what is the current state of the Black Metal scene there? Are there a lot of good Black Metal bands emerging in your country?

Well got some great black metal bands. Aside from myself, here in Winnipeg we have Nocturnal Departure and Hellmoon, Wilt, and Cell. But in the rest of Canada, you Blasphemy being one, Revenge being another. Also from Quebec, we had/have Gris, Forteresse and Akitsa. As far as current, I believe Apparitional Glare, Erythrite Throne, Panzerwar, and Panzerfaust to name a few.

9.) Do you feel that Primordial Serpent will continue to put out albums at such a fast pace or do you think you will slow it down in the future?

I think I’m going to be slowing down in the future, or at least try too. I’ve said in the past sometimes that I would be going on a break but then release something a few months later. But as of right now, I’m going to be taking a break from it and work on something in the new year.

10.) You are one of the most well know projects at the moment in my opinion, your growth across the world is amazing, how do you feel about this, and do you feel that the response you have been given globally is beyond anything you have ever expected?

Oh it’s absolutely beyond anything I expected. To me, I still view this as a basement project and I always probably. But I’m glad to see that it has gotten this much attention and still continues to harness high levels of attention and praise from many. The impact that my music has had on people throughout many parts of the world makes me want to continue doing more and maybe that’s why I can’t stop making music or have trouble from taking time away from it.

11.) Is Primordial Serpent the only project you are currently doing?

At the moment yes. I do have three other music projects. One is called Dojo Kobra which is a drone metal project featuring my friend Tim Cleaver, and Cavan (Hellmoon and Nocturnal Departure), a dungeon synth project called Kalameet and a retro/horror synth project called NeuroNet which I haven’t touched in about 3 years but I’m trying to work on it.

12.) What are some of your main influences musically?

For Primordial Serpent, I’d say Sargeist, Immortal, Darkthrone, Warmoon Lord, Bathory, Armagedda, and various other Scandinavian black metal bands as well as thrash bands like early Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, Nuclear Assault and tons more.

13.) Is there anything you would like to add or say to your many fans, friends or readers of Inside the darkness zine?

Hails to all!! The Serpent thanks you for undying support for these last few years and The Serpent hopes you all continue to support for the years to come!

I would like to say everything you have released is amazing, you are a true metal tyrant, and we all are beyond proud of having the pleasure of releasing your albums! Hail the Serpent!!!

Hails, dude! Thanks for reaching out for doing this interview and thanks so much for releasing my material. It means a lot.