EIBON - Interview with Jim "Ghost" Mroz by Dave Wolff - Music

Give us the complete history of EIBON from the beginning.
EIBON started in late '94/early '95 as DEAD BOYS CHOIR. Started by myself, Terry Hawkins and Mary Woodhouse. The idea of starting the band up came from a cigarette break when we were in college. Basically, we wanted to mix occultism and Techno music. Not exactly the most breakthrough idea, but moreso a rebellion statement. We started writing more songs, all of which were promptly thrown away. We pretty much realized that we weren't very experienced in writing Techno. We kept some of those influences, and started on a sound more our own. And from there, two seven inches, two tapes and an unreleased album were spawned. Then our artistic suicide.

For what reasons has EIBON decided to disband? Was disbanding a difficult decision to make? What will you and the other band members do now?
Breaking EIBON up was probably one of the hardest decisions of my life. But it was something that needed to be done. We just had toom many things going against us. All of us had our own reasons for ending it. Things were becoming too mechanical. All of the recording sessions were always at the same time of the year, whether the material was ready to be recorded or not. Which lad to a lot of tension. For me, it was becoming increasingly difficult to do both EIBON and THE FORGOTTEN. And when Ed Weaver was no onger a part of THE FORGOTTEN, that was the straw that broke the camel's back. At first doing both bands wasn't so hard. When I joined THE FORGOTTEN, I wrote none of the material for the band. Which was fine by me; at that time I was more interested in EIBON. But as time went on, THE FORGOTTEN was becoming more successful, which in return asks more effort as maintenance. And with Ed (the main songwriter) no longer in THE FORGOTTEN, I wound up taking a good portion of hsi responsibility, leaving no time for EIBON. I didn't want to keep EIBON alive and have it half-assed, so I had to go.
The rest of the members...

Describe what the band's music sounds like and discuss any material you have released. What are EIBON's influences and how is the music different from THE FORGOTTEN?
EIBON's music is best classified as experimental music. We tried to have no boundaries within the band, and denounced everything really done before. And with each release, the music was completely different. Our influences: first and foremost, Aliester Crowley. On a phiolosophical level, Friedrich Nietzsche. Musically, the early to mid eighties UK experimental scene (ie COIL, CURRENT 93, WHITEHOUSE, etc etc). As well as a lot of the old COLD MEAT INDUSTRY stuff (ie BRIGHTER DEATH NOW, MZ 412, ILDFROST, SANCTUM, etc etc etc). Also the Italians, FABIO FRIZZI, VINCE TEMPRERA, GOBLIN, ENNIO MORRICONE, etc etc. We also had a fascination with obscure Metal bands that abandoned all Metal roots towards the end of their career (ie BEHERIT, MASTER'S HAMMER), and let's not forget some of the Japanese noise. Visually, it was FULCI, D'AMATO, AKIRA KOWASOWA, VICTOR JANOS, and whatever supposed snuff film we paid too much money to obtain. The DEAD BOYS CHOIR tape was really just ritualistic synth music. The self titled EIBON tape is a tough one to pin-point. At times very ambient, other times trance inducing Techno. While not my favorite release, I still hold a unique bond with that tape. Der Todesking is the unreleased EIBON record. It was supposed to be our first full length. Essentially, the material was Death Industrial/Power Electronics. Inspired by Jorg Buttgeriet's film of the same name, it was a tribute to suicide. Seven tracks, one for each day of the week. A lot of time was spent on it, and it truly is our most mature release. Perhaps one day, it will be mixed down, mastered and given a proper release. As for the seven-inches, it's best not to even bring it up. The differences between THE FORGOTTEN and EIBON... hmmm, the biggest difference... EIBON never had anything to do with the Metal scene, and never released a Metal record. EIBON's fight was political and religious; THE FORGOTTEN's fight is not. Other than that, the differences are fairly obvious.

Speaking of THE FORGOTTEN, how have they been doing of late? I understand there have been a few lineup changes and other hassles within the band. Is this inspiring you to keep the band going that much more?
THE FORGOTTEN has been doing very well as of late. We are in pre-production, and the second weekend in October will be spent finishing L'Aldila. With a release, hopefully shortly thereafter. As for member changes, it is now getting to the point where I lost count of how many ex-members we have. Just as long as the core of the band (M, Maureen, Marc and myself) stay intact, I'm happy. We have been working with some very talented and competent musicians. We won't really reveal who the new members are, until we are confident they are perfect for THE FORGOTTEN. So far they are. So hopefully our best days are still to come.

Did EIBON get to play any shows or not? If so, discuss your experiences playing out with them.
A lot of proposed shows that either never surfaced or cancelled at the last minute. Including a Halloween show at Border's books/music which was promptly cancelled after threats from some Christian organization from the area. Also the proposed Long Island noise fest which was also supposed to include some of Will Wizbicky's projects; I think Billy Nocera (PISSED OFF ORGASM) was supposed to be on the bill. Fucking details were always vague, so I'm not too shocked nothing came of it. Otherwise, nope, no live shows.

Does EIBON's lyrical content follow a running theme like that of THE FORGOTTEN?
What lyrics? I guess the closest thing EIBON came to having lyrics was the samples. And those usually reflected the point of the track. EIBON was not meant to be entertainment. It is ritualistic music for the mentally elite. So that would be the closest thing to any running theme for EIBON.

Has the Long Island scene's views concerning Black Metal changed for the better at all in your opinion in the past couple of years? How in your opinion does the LI audience compare to other audiences?
Nothing has changed as far as LIDM's views on Black Metal. Still the same ignorance. One one hand I'm not surprised. The only exposure these people get of Black Metal are the cartoon bands (ie CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR, etc etc). Shit, even the true Black Metal scene laughs at those bands. So I'm not suprised at the "Death Metal" attitude here. But this is a double edged sword because even if they were exposed to real Black Metal nothing would change. True Black Metal comes with a philosophy, a state of mind, and a lifestyle. It was NEVER meant to be a trend because it's only meant for a select few. True Black Metal is NOT for everyone, and don't fool yourself into thinking otherwise. One can't expect some average joe who plays on the football team, then wears the Tommy Hillfiger get up and plays in his "Death Metal" band to understand us. However I do find the fact that closet Black Metallers exist in the area quite entertaining. Like a certain Death Metal guitarist that is spotted at every fucking Black Metal event. As for audiences, nine out of ten times we always go over very well in the out of state shows. People really aren't caught up in the whole political side of the music scene once you leave this area. They don't give a fuck about this Death vs. Black Metal bullshit. They are looking for extreme music, and they'll look up to whoever is delivering the goods. That is not to say we haven't great shows here in LI. Most shows have been disasters for us, but every so often we get a great response which reminds me why we are playing live in the first place.

As a supporter of Black Metal where do you see the genre going in the next few years? There has been much new life breathed into it by many bands writng more progressive music and entities like the "Sarpsborg sound." What do you think of all that?
If there is any justice, true Black Metal will go back deep, deep into the underground where it belongs. Into the hands of who it belongs to. However, I love the idea that there are bands trying something new and different with the music. A lot of bands such as SIGH, ULVER, SOLEFALD, DODHEIMSGARD and VEDROG SAVOR are trying very hard to redefine Metal as we know it. And adding it with class and taste. All of the aforementioned bands sound completely different from one another but still maintain a Black Metal sound. This is progress. They are part of the solution, not part of the problem. As long as bands like these exist, and new bands are influenced by their individualism and not just their sound, I will see a glimmer of hope within the genre. And you can be sure THE FORGOTTEN will always follow in this path.

Do you think you'll ever start EIBON up again sometime in the future?
Nothing is ever certain. And I wouldn't rule out EIBON starting up again. Only with a new name and yet another direction. We have been discussing the idea of mixing Italian free-form Jazz with occultism. This is something I've never seen attempted, and am sure we can pull off. We just need to find a like-minded vocalist (Yes, this would be the first non-instrumental recording). But once again, this isn't set in stone. And may never even surface.

Anything you wish to close with?
EIBON was EIBON. THE FORGTTEN is THE FORGOTTEN. EIBON was an amazing experience while it lasted, and I thank you Dave for this final EIBON interview.
666 Hail Victory 666

"...For what they have done... Make them die slowly..."

Jim "Ghost" Mroz, PO Box 354, Commack, NY 11725 USA

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