Aran Angmar released their latest album Ordo Diabolicum last weekend, on March 21st. Time to ask these guys some questions, because even though they are an international band, their vocalist is Dutch, so that still qualifies (somewhat) as being a Dutch Metalband! Let’s meet the guys behind their black-metal makeup.
Thanks for making time for this interview!
Thank you for having me!
For the people that haven’t seen you before; who are you, and what do you do?
I’m Stavros, the guitar player and composer of the band.
Aran Angmar is a relatively new band, how did Aran Angmar start?
I formed Aran Angmar in 2020, and the idea behind that was to form a band in which I could create extreme, dark, and melodic music without limiting myself to any categories.
You have international members from all over Europe. How did you guys meet?
Yes. With Jesse, we met right before the recordings of our first album ‘Black Cosmic Elements’ through a common friend. I was searching for a bass player actually and that friend suggested me Jesse. It happened to be on vacation in Italy at that time so he came to my home and we started talking about it. In the end, I recorded the bass and he handled the vocals hehe. Since I live in Italy I was trying to find members to complete the lineup and not far from where I live to be able to make rehearsals, so from friend to friend, we’ve met with the other guys. Alessandro our drummer has been a member since 2022 and lately the other guitarist, Stefano Viola joined the band.
Your vocalist is a known name in the Dutch metal scene – do you all have similar experiences?
We all have some sort of experience with recordings, tours, and live shows in general, some more, some less.
What’s it like to be an international band? Do you guys rehearse at all?
I always saw that as an issue. Jesse, as you mentioned above is Dutch and lives in the Netherlands. On the other hand, with the rest of the guys, we rehearse often but with Jesse, we had only one rehearsal before our first tour with Gorgoroth in 2023. Of course, it’s always better to be in the same place and rehearse all together but I have to say that he’s always well prepared.
On the 21st of March, your third album was released. What was the writing and recording process like?
The writing process was pretty smooth but during the recordings, many things were going on on a personal level, so it became challenging to remain focused and nail our parts. Could we do better? Definitely but after all, it was the way it was and we are satisfied with the result, this is what counts.
How do you guys write? Is it mainly you?
Yes, I’m the main composer.
What are your inspirations?
Except for bands from the Greek metal scene, bands such as Rotting Christ, Septicflesh, Varathron, Necromantia, and also bands such as Watain, Valkyrja, and Funeral Mist. I listen also to a lot of folk music. That, together with nature and history is inspiring. Emptying your mind and just feeling the vibes.
Is there a theme to the new record?
There is a sort of a concept so to speak. The darkness in us, as a form of challenge, knowledge, strength, and freedom. Often is a feeling of disorder in the beginning but as long as we are willing to accept and embrace it we learn and we can break the chains of what we are until that moment, which leads to knowledge and freedom.
What can we expect from the new record?
‘Ordo Diabolicum’ is a step forward compared to our previous album ‘Atavism & Dying Stars’, furthermore we added new elements and I hope we brought our music to a new level. Some shamanic vocals, some traditional instruments, choirs, I think it’s more rich as an album.
What (black)metal scene do you like best? Is it different in different countries?
It’s different yes, if you compare the Norwegian black metal to the Swedish, French, Finnish, or Greek for example, there are many differences. I do like many bands from different countries or the countries I mentioned above but you know, I’m Greek, I grew up listening a lot to our scene so I’d say ours which is not exactly the black metal people are referring to. It’s more exotic so to speak, with a lot of heavy metal in it but I listen a lot to the Swedish and Norwegian scene.
Any Dutch black metal bands that you enjoy?
The Netherlands has a strong metal scene and I do like some bands. I’m not sure if you can call the black metal, probably black/death in the case of God Dethroned and kind of symphonic black of Carach Angren.
Thanks!
Thank you!
If you haven’t yet, go check out Aran Angmar’s latest album Ordo Diabolicum online, or stay tuned for our review. You can find more about Aran Angmar on their website and Instagram.
