STRYNN - ENTREVISTA

1. Styrnn was officially born in 2011. Is this really so or did the band exist beforehand? How did the idea to form the band come to be and how did you join the different components?

Strynn was officialy born in 2011 but we’ve been playing together for at least 4 years. The band was formed purely because we wanted to play Black Metal. It began when Dwimorberg and our last bassist came to Bordeaux, then Obscurisis joined them on drums and finally Anadrark one year later on guitar and vocals. Our bassist left in 2011 after the name changed and here we are today.

2. What events led to the birth of Styrnn? What important aspects of your life made you decide to become a musician? And are these reasons that pushed you to dedicate your time to music still valid today?

Dwimorberg : I discovered Black Metal and guitar when I was 15-16 years old, and I’ve never stopped listening since. Playing in a band is a hobby for me and a good outlet. My motivations haven’t changed since; I do it because I love it.

Anadrark : My answer’s really similar to Dwimorberg’s. I’ve only listened to Black Metal and extreme music for 2 years. I play in Strynn because it’s enjoyable.

Obscurisis : Music is a passion for me. I love to play, I love Strynn’s compositions and I love Black Metal. My motivation is to always do what I want.

3. Your new album, Decadence, came after a Split with Galvauder. What did this Split represent in your career, was it perhaps a way to raise awareness? How has the band's sound evolved ever since?

The Split with Galvauder emphasizes the transition between our last band and Strynn. It allowed to us to pass into another area of music. Our references have changed since; our music has turned towards a more dissonant sound.

4. How was the songwriting process? How do you work in the studio, is there a particular member who imposes his ideas or do you all contribute something? How will you cope without a bassist? Does the absence of a bassist make things complicated? Are you thinking of bringing someone into the group to fill the space or do you feel comfortable as a trio?

Our songs were already finished when we were ready to record at the studio. For the composition process, the guitarists suggest some riffs, each one composes his own part generally and we help each other if one of us is stuck. The guitarists usually take an afternoon to compose, it motivates us. When we think that we have a satisfactory piece we send the composition to Obscurisis who adds his drums parts. As for the bass, we’re not trying to replace this void, it feels natural. In the studio, the sound engineer worked hard to make sure that the lack of bass went unnoticed.  Nowadays we don’t want a bassist because we prefer our dynamic as a trio.

5. Who created the cover design and how does it relates to the lyrical content, if it does in any way?

Dwimorberg’s sister, Rachel, created the design. She is a graphic designer and a tattooist (http://lenouveaulabo.fr/). The link with the lyrics is not direct, it can be found in the atmosphere of the cover: decadence, despair, human stupidity…

6. What are your main influences and inspirations for Strynn? Could you comment briefly on what you think of the legacy of the following bands: Peste Noire, Alcest, Merrimack, Glorior Belli?

Our main influences are Sargeist, Behexen, Beastcraft, Mütiilation…

For the legacy of the bands that you’ve quoted, except the fact that they are French, we don’t see the link. These bands are musically very different from us.

7. How do you see the current black scene? Do you think that it has lost some essence? What groups in your area do you recommend?

Dwimorberg : I have the impression that today the visual aspect is more important than musical one, this is something from which evil will rise.

Anadrark : It’s difficult to answer quickly, the essence of Black Metal is the evil. From this point of view, except the bands cited by Dwimorberg, I think that the content is present. On the true underground scene, the content is there, with bands who, even if they are not original, rise from the masses to fill the interstellar nothingness. For exemple, scene from south america.

Obscurisis : The current mainstream Black Metal scene doesn’t try to do anything new. Since the 2000’s, there has been no evolution. I don’t follow the underground scene so I can’t contradict Anadrark, but in my point of view, our generation lacks of a real emergence compared to the 90’s scene.

8. What would you say the fundamental CD’s in the black scene music’s history are?

Dwimorberg : Fundamental CD’s in Black Metal history are for me « Under the Sign of Hell » by Gorgoroth, « 1184 »  by Windir, « Morbid Fascination of Death » by Carpathian Forest, « Below the Light » by Enslaved…

Anadrark : “Antichrist” by Gorgoroth, “Vampire of Black Imperial Blood” and “Black Millenium (Grimly Reborn)” by Mütiilation, “March to the Black Holocaust” by Vlad Tepes/Belkètre…

Obscurisis : “Transilvanian Hunger” by Darkthrone, “Opus Nocturne” by Marduk…

9. How did you come to publish your work through Mortis Humanae Productions? Were you happy with the service they provided? Will you continue publishing more material with them in the future?

We came to publish our work through Mortis Humanae Productions through a shared acquaintance, who let us know that they were looking for bands. We were very satisfied with their work, they were always approachable. If they’re ready to work with us again in the future there is no reason not to say yes.

10. What are the band’s future plans about concerts, new material. Etc ...?

This summer we will be immersed in composition. For future shows, maybe, we can’t say a lot about that for the moment.

11. Thank you very much for your time, if you want to add something for people who like Strynn, this is the place, thanks. I hope the questions were to your liking.

Thanks for this interview. We want to say that we formed an association with other bands in Bordeaux to organize shows, if you have a Black or Death metal band, you can contact us at : theinsanelegions@gmail.com