FOG - Interview with Lord Typhus Mirinor - Music - http://maxpages.com/aeazine/FOG

What first inspired you to put a band together back in 1996? In what ways, if any, were Fog's first incarnation Thy Darkest Empire different from the band today? What made you decide to change the band's name?
I had just relocated back from NY, I had played in a black metal band in NY called BRIMSTONE. I chose to leave NY and relocate back to the midwest. When I left NY I took many riffs and song ideas with me. BRIMSTONE went on to change the name to EXILE and finnished writing and recording the first album. Which will be release later this year on Dark Horizon Records. Upon my arrival back I continued to shape and forge my ideas while writing many new riffs. I came across Luathca and Tophetarath our bass player and drummer. We began to rehearse, our styles worked well with each other, so we started to write what is now the THROUGH THE EYES OF NIGHT... material. We then crossed the path of Aziluth Voluspa, his style seemed to match and blend in perfect with us. We all see the formation of FOG as our Unholy Destiny! And we shall crusade our War Propaganda of Hate and Misanthropy!! With the addition of Voluspa to gruop, we decided it would be the perfect time to change the name of the group to FOG. We feel this name fit's the atmosphere of our music much better, and it also leaves us open to develope our style without being shackled down to a stereotype from the begining. Besides it is more memorable. Wouldn't you agree? The band is much different now than from the beginning. We have more depth to our sound, and our style of writing has become more complex.

How well-received was your debut demo recording "In the Sorrow of the Crimson Sea" in the metal community at home? How widespread did it first make a name for you abroad?
It was received well! We made a very limited amount and sent them out to labels and zines, the response was excellent.

What's the current lineup of Fog? How long has this lineup been together? How well altogether would you say you work together as musicians, as far as composing and performing your material?
Lord Typhus - WarAxe & Serpents Call, Luathca - Abysmal Undertones, Atziluth - Cosmic Anihilator, Tophetarath - Cadence Iniquities. The current line up has been together for 3 years. We work together like a fucking machine. We have all adapted to each others style of writing, and we shall attack with a vengeance. Live is 180 percent, prepare for the second Holocaust when witnessing FOG live.

In 1998 Fog appeared on Dwell Records' Slayer tribute CD "Gateway to Hell." What made the band decide to cover Slayer for this compliation? What song did you adopt for the CD? How in your opinion does it compare with the original?
All of us in FOG respect the early recordings of Slayer. When we were approached, we were offered any song. We chose At Dawn They Sleep. For what it is worth we feel this song pays tribute with respect.

Looking back on Fog's debut CD "Through the Eyes of Night Winged they Come," are you generally satisfied with the presentation of the material? Which aspects of your musicianship if any did you later deem necessary to improve from the recording?
Yes we are all sastisfied with this recording. As with any group there were some things we would change, but nothing overly important. We have matured as a band over the past two years, so one thing you will notice on the future recordings of FOG are more solos, and you will notice more depth in the song writing. The same aggression and hatred but with a more mature sound.

Since releasing official label releases how have Fog been received by the underground metal press? Has the majority of your press coverage been positive or negative?
The response has been positive. The underground seems to be embracing the fury of FOG. It is hard to deny us! We expect negative criticism, but so far all has been embracing and positive. Hail The Unholy Rise!!

Now that black metal has endured despite naysayers' predictions that it would disappear in a few years' time, and a high number of bands are expanding their boundaries into further unexplored territory, where do you see the genre headed in the future?
As long as the bands stay focused on the music, and with expanding the dimensions of it, I see a promising future for the the whole extreme bm/dm music genre.

How did Fog go about releasing a split-EP with Finnish band Horna? Had you previously been in correspondence with them? How appreciated were the efforts of both bands on that recording?
We were in correspondense with them, They mentioned a wanting to release split EP vinyl for Dark Horizon. FOG was chosen for the other half. Both bands efforts were of an exceptional caliber. HORNA has already been established for a while, and this gave FOG the opportunity to Attack rising forth as a new group. This has become the fastest selling release on Dark Horizon to date selling out of 1000 copies in less than three months. If you missed out on this, YOU MUST DIE!

Since releasing "Through the Eyes of Night" have the band expanded its own boundaries of recognition?
100%! We appreciate World War III for having the balls to back and support the unholy propaganda of FOG. Hails to them! FOG is now recognized on a way larger level because of this release. And as I mentioned above the response has been fucking excellent! Hails to the unholy hordes who choose to walk our path!

Do Fog get to perform live to a great extent? Have you had an opportunity to perform overseas or do you plan to in the future? Which bands would you most like to play live with?
We have played many shows since our beginning. We will be appearing at a few underground festivals across America this summer and fall. Check our website for all the fine details. We want to get overseas, and we shall in the future. There are many bands we admire and would like to do shows with. I should name them all, but the list would be extensive. Go to our website for full details on our show listings: www.geocities.com/darkhorizon666/fogindex.htm or Dark Horizon Records: www.geocities.com/darkhorizon666 or World War III Records / Fog: www.ww3music.com

In what ways do the band expect to progress aesthetically as you grow as musicians?
The music will stay harsh and destructive, but expect more solos, more in depth guitar work, an overall expanded sound and recording, all from within a hightened maturity level as musicians. Those who like the THROUGH THE EYES OF NIGHT... recording will be in praise of the new material!

What led to Fog's signing with WWIII? How well are the band treated by the label?
The people we were in contact with at Dwell left to begin World War III They offered to sign FOG. We like what they had to offer, and as mentioned before they had the balls to support our unholy message. We commend them for this! So, we are fine with the work the label has done for us. They have promoted the album better than we had expected, combine the propaganda spread through Dark Horizon Records and we shall consume the world. Hail Our Unholy Victory!!

What is your overall view of society and the media's depiction of what quality music is? Do you see the underground metal scene changing this for the better in the future?
HA! HA! The overall view of society on quality music! What a Fucking Joke! Society in general is fucking brainless! Pseudo/Gen X pea brained robotic consumers! All happy with the spoon full of shit they are fed by industry!
Take the red pill when you get up
Take the green pill at work
Take the blue pill when you go to bed
Do what you are told
Be a good machine
Hail the rise of the new Satanic Elite, those who think for themselves.

Anything else we can expect from Fog in the days to come?
Expect TOTAL FUCKING CHAOS! Dark Horizon Records will release the LP version of THROUGH THE EYES OF NIGHT WINGED THEY COME July or August! FOG will record a new 7" EP to be released on Dark Horizon Records before the end of the summer. FOG will record the second album also before the end of the summer. We expect it's release early 2002.

Anything you wish to sign off with?
GO TO OUR WEBSITES, BUY SOMETHING!
SUPPORT THE UNDERGROUND AND THE WAR AGAINST CHRISTIANITY!
ALL HAIL THE RISE OF UNHOLY VICTORY!

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