Herem Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

After the whole process of finishing the album to be ready release meaning recording, mixing, mastering and hiring an artist to realize  our ideas for an album cover we all sort of needed to take a break from it and let it breathe on its own for a bit.


2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

We wanted to have more dynamics and different nuances so with this in mind we concentrated a lot more in the arrangements for each song. I think this comes across pretty well and listening to the album is like going on this dark and heavy journey where these feelings are represented in very different ways.


3.This is the first album to come out in 5 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?

Well, playing shows and writing new material mostly. We do this because of our uncompromising passion for the sound of dark death/doom and since that will not put you in the charts or sell very many records we have to deal with our day jobs and other life situations that sometimes need to take priority for a while.


4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

The lyrical themes on the new album feature occultism, horror fantasies and overall desperation: Scars is about using the markings of another persons skin to summon the dead into telling their stories and secrets. Snakes tells the story of sex, death and rebirth involved an occult ceremony. Slumber honors H.P.Lovecraft with a horror story filled with ancestral curses, nameless monsters and such. Drowning Steed is a woeful story leading to hopeless death and Edge of the World explores escapism as a way to cope with reality and depression. Fun and cheerful topics, right?


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Herem'?

I think our our bass player Tommi found it in the bible or something and thought it would make a good name for a band. Nothing special or mystical there I'm afraid.


6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Umm... I don't know if we are the right people to answer this :) Sometimes you feel like a show was close to shit but the audience loved it and sometimes the opposite.  It depends on so many things. But the fact is that we love playing live and for what we hear is that we sound best live as well. Not to say that our albums sound bad but playing live always brings out something special.


7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We have a show coming up in January 14th. It's in a boat called Wäiski anchored to the harbor of Hakaniemi in Helsinki. It's with a couple of local bands Radien and Dead in the Water. Should be cool. Come see us if you can.

https://www.facebook.com/events/344519399248505/


8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge, stoner and doom metal?

Generally very positive. We seem to be receiving very good reviews from Eastern Europe and a lot of presence in US based podcasts as well. I think underground music has a strong worldwide support scene and also we seem to fit pretty well. So thank for all the zines, podcasts and especially fans who have given us support!


9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Valendis is also handling vocals in Dead Samaritan, whose style includes shades of thrash and death with hints of good ol' dirty rock'n'roll. Dead Samaritan is currently in process of writing material for their third full-length album. other members are also involved in some on and off projects of various musical styles.


10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

To be totally honest I don't know. We're on the verge of releasing the physical album on December 16th in Finland and I guess we are waiting to see how it goes. In any case Herem is a death/doom band so I don't see any synths or spandex happening anytime soon.


11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I would say that the initial inspiration for Herem came from death, doom and stoner bands: Autopsy, Cathedral, Sleep, Electric Wizard, Kyuss, Bolt Thrower, Goatsnake, Carcass, Reverend Bizarre and of course Black Sabbath just to name a few. Nowadays I think we would all just call ourselves as "fans of good music" meaning that any type of music can be good if its done right.


12.What are some of your non musical interests?

I usually spend my free time going to shows to see other bands, watching movies, playing games and trying to have a good time in general despite of all the shite happening in the world. I think its important to keep a healthy PMA despite of how dark our music is ;)


13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thanks for hitting us up with this interview! It's been fun. Take care of each other and doom on! Cheers!

-Valendis and Patrick from Herem.