Here is a band from the land of Australia, Anarazel. They just recorded a demo entitled 'Into the Abyss of Midnight'. I just got a copy of it, and it is good, I mean it, so get a copy today!! All of them answered this interview. I don't know what else to say, so just read the intie, and try contacting them and get the demo!!!

• Introduce Anarazel.
  Members -
  Dean ; Vocals,
  Stuart ; Strings,
  Roman ; Percussion
  Location - Melbourne, Australia.
  
  You said you would be finishing your demo soon. How has it been going? tell us about the demo, if so, your previous releases?
  The recording of the demo has been a very gradual process. This is due mainly to line up changes, equipment restrictions etc.
  Also, as we have all been developing as musicians, our styles and influences have changed radically. Up until recently we had not settled on a particular style or format for our music. It is now complete and we are content with its sound. It is entitled "Into The Abyss At Midnight". Though we do need an extra guitarist before we start gigging.
  
  How do you think the reaction would be towards the demo? Do you feel you have an 'edge' on the demo that would let Anarazel be famous in the Black Metal scene?
  Dean: It is difficult to say whether the demo will be received well by Australian followers of black metal. Certainly it is different to most bands in the Australian scene. I believe we do have a distinctive 'Anarazel' edge to our music.
  Roman: It's not one dimesional like some bands. There is a good mixture of different paced songs/parts. The production is also reasonably good.
  
  

• What are the songs about? Who does them? Is it your beliefs/thoughts? What is the philosophy of Anarazel and how close is it to your personal beliefs?
  Dean: When writing lyrics for the band I try not to be too specific about my own personal experiences and thoughts. Rather, I write from someone else's perspective and this allows me to convey my beliefs and emotions in a slightly more subtle manner. Each song tells a story which may have been inspired by a book I've read or a horror film I've seen.
  Roman: The lyrics speak for us all.
  Stuart: Philosophy is for people who can't play their instruments.
  
  
• Where do you derive your musical inspirations from and what kind of music/band do you listen to?
  Dean: Musically/lyrically I am inspired heavily by the likes of Slayer, Morbid Angel , early Sabbath and more recently the European black metal scene.
  Stuart: Satyricon, Slayer, At the gates...
  Roman: We were all initially big Slayer fans. I really got into Death Metal a few years back...Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Morbid Angel. These days I mainly listen to Black Metal, I prefer stuff like Emperor, Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Enslaved, etc. But Deicide is definitely something that doesn't leave my CD player.
  
  
• Do you think black metal is only songs about praising satan and blasphemy only? What do you think about scandinavian bands singing about paganism, the forest, snow, 'mother north' or their ancestors? Is it still called Black Metal?
  Dean: There are definitely some black metal bands out there who are not too sincere about what they're doing. Personally, I have had an interest in Satanism and the occult since before I discovered music. I am a big fan of the Scandinavian black metal scene and it doesn't bother me that they sing about their ancestors etc. They are very passionate about their music for that reason.
  Stuart: I don't give a shit what they sing about.
  Roman: Well, I think that to be called a Black Metal band you do need to have some Satanic/Anti-Christian content. Just as Death Metal usually deals with gore and all that. But these days Metal is so diverse that its hard to label bands this way. Though most bands that have Satanism as a theme probably wouldn't really believe all that Satan stuff. They would only do it to piss people off! And because Christianity and all other religions are fucked up. I hate Christians and what they stand for, so this hatred expresses itself in our music. If snow and forests are things that inspire some bands, then so be it. To me the music is more important than song themes, band image, etc. But a bit of corpse paint and big axe never goes astray.
  
  
• Your opinion about Marilyn Manson. Is he a real satanist as he claims to be? Would do you someting nasty towards him?
  Stuart: Who's Marilyn Manson?
  Roman: He's just a fuckwit. I don't understand how he became so popular in the first place. He's an insult to Satanists!!
  Dean: I have no respect for shit bands who cash in on a certain image to sell records.
  
  
• Are there other black metal bands in your area/Australia? How is the scene in Australia now?
  Stuart: Better since we started.
  Dean: The scene is reasonably big and is of a high standard but there's not enough bands playing gigs at the moment.
  Roman: There are quite a few Black Metal bands in Australia. Destroyer666, Anatomy and Bestial Warlust are Melbourne bands worth checking out. And I'd say we have some of the best Grind/Death Metal bands around. Damaged has got to be heard, as well as Blood Duster and Abramelin. We don't know too much about Black Metal bands interstate. Though there are heaps more quality bands. The problem here is that there is a shortage of venues for extreme bands. There is also little recognition by record companies.
  
  Do you think zines (printed/ezines) are useful in the underground scene? What in your opinion is a good zine?
  Without zines how else could underground bands like ourselves get our demos heard all around the world? And get the recognition we deserve. Especially e-zines(and the web in general) are useful 'cos its quite inexpensive and very effective way of spreading our material. Sending demos to record companies is useless.
  
  How would you like to end his interview?
  Thanks for the interest. May the rest of your days be spent revelling in blasphemy!
  Hail SATAN!!! Check out our homepage at http://go.to/anarazel