INTERVIEW WITH DIOVIM
LITHUANIA
All the way from Lithuania, Diovim Zine is one of the most influential medium of hard and heavy music and art.This in-depth interview will take us through the journey of Diovim Zine and the Lithuanian metal music scene,generally.Enjoy!-Syargoth Satariah
1. Hail .:.!! How are things going in Lithuania? Please tell the readers a little about yourself
Greetings to all readers in Malaysia. There are good and bad moments, as in every country. Now it’s minus 12 Celsius outside.
Let me stay anonymous, I am just a creative soul under a symbol .:.
2. How did you discover metal? Who were some of the early bands you listened to and what are your "current" favorites If you don't mind sharing?
I was interested in music from my childhood and rock/metal music was natural process of evolution. My class friend was only metalhead in our class and he helped me to “discover” metal music. Later I helped him to love this music once again, when he had almost lost interest in it.
Well, I listened to bands, that were popular in early 90’s, so I think many readers know them.
If I would name favorites, it would be more than hundreds of names, let me shorten to Lithuanian ones: Poccolus, Trylika, Katedra (old), Ha Lela, Zpoan Vtenz, Crypts of Despair, Agonija, Wulture, Anubi, Altorių Šešėliai, Garrote (old), Life‘s Edge, Meressin (old), Ruination (old), Shadowdances (old), The Last Puff, Menhyr (old).
3. I am new to DIOVIM zine and would like to know more about its existence. When did you first came up with the idea of creating a zine? How did you come up with the name for the zine? What does it mean to you and can we relate the name with metal?
I regret that I didn’t start it 10-15 years ago, when I was younger and much “wilder”. So many good bands “died” during that period, I wish I could interview them… But we had many zines in 90’s so there was no need for new one until “golden era” ended (about year 2001). I did few zines earlier, but they were for “friends-only”, limited to few copies.
DIOVIM for me was and still is more than hobby; it became serious part of my life. I had financial and health problems, few of my relatives died, I was ripped-off by those who I trusted, but all these “chains” didn’t stopped me from creating my zine. This was the price I paid for my dream come true. At first I intended to make DIOVIM in 10-15 xeroxed copies (so that’s why first issue looks so “ugly”) only, but it became professionally printed zine. Maybe it is fate…
I think starting from 3rd issue my zine “found it’s face”. Concept was done and it won’t change drastically in future.
I think to find good name for zine is MUCH harder than for son. It must be unique. But all interesting names were taken. At first I wanted to name it “Šiaurys” (in Lithuanian it means “Northern wind”), but band, which had same name re-united again, and I didn’t wanted to get into copyright battles, so I had to make new name. It took me few months and with little help from my esoteric knowledge I came up with “Diovim”.
It doesn’t mean anything in Lithuanian or English language, it has multiple meaning (reverse, numerological, esoterical, astral, occult), so it’s more like spell… Because my zine is not only about metal music, but it has articles about history, literature, esoteric, occultism, art too, this name fits best for it.
Sometimes it is very hard to label my zine, but in short it’s “zine for aristocratic metalheads”.
4. Can you tell who's behind DIOVIM zine besides you? Do you prefer to do all the work (interviews, reviews, articles etc.) all by yourself or you like to co-operate with others in the process?
>I do everything alone, but at the same time people who I interview are best helpers for me, because their answers make my zine interesting.
5. As a fan of zines myself and you as an editor, I'm sure you have a long list of your favorite zines. Local and international ones. So can you tell us more about Lithuanian zines of your choice and recommended for the readers out there?
Well, talking about international zines, I liked some Russian zines (“Raven”, “Gothic”, “Hellz”, “Sotsirh Susi”), Bulgarian (“Brutallica”), USA’s (“Ballbuster”), Norvegian (“Imhotep”) and many more.
In 90’s there were about 300 different zines (best ones were “Kablys”, “Raganos ir Alus”, “Edge of Time”, “Wounded”, “Funeral”, “Epitaph”, “Redivivus”) in Lithuania, now only DIOVIM and KUTVELOS (limited edition and spread only in metalhead football matches, that comes every summer in Lithuania) zines tries to defend good old paper zine tradition. There is TERROR (www.terror.lt) zine too, but it writes more about noise core and antimusic.
6. DIOVIM as a Lithuanian metal zine, the printed version is still using your national language and this is something that is very difficult for the international readers, to go through the pages. Why would you use your national language and not the international language of English? Don't you think this will prevent DIOVIM from spreading its plague globally due to the language used?
Well, maybe in future I will make English edition of DIOVIM, but for now it will be written in my native language. Lithuanian language is as old as Sanskrit, but still alive and many other popular languages are very young compared to my native language.
There are thousands of English written zines, so it will not be easy to find a free place among them, but you know what? Few foreigners told me that they gladly would learn Lithuanian so that they could read my zine. It shows that my zine has something in it, that people adore.
When I was younger, I learned English, Russian, and German languages so I could read magazines that interested me. Lithuanian is not such a hard language as Chinese of Hungarian, so if you like my zine, try to learn it.
7. What is it about the underground metal scene that has kept you motivated to keep DIOVIM going for all of these years? Do you have any intention to make DIOVIM available online?
To make this zine was some kind of protest for me against nowadays “underground” with brainwashed modern metal fans, digital webzines, conformism, cyber-satanists.
When everything is uploaded online, DIOVIM stays offline. I hate when 10-11 year old freaks had read scaned and uploaded zines, which had cult status among us, older metalheads. Magic is gone. Those who still release tapes, paper zines, write paper letters and organize non-profit underground metal concerts keeps cult live. I use internet to contact and spread message about DIOVIM and I hope it will light fire in many hearts to join and keep the cult alive.
8. From the reviews that I have read on the internet, you've been admired for your ability to write long, in-depth interviews keeping them informative and interesting. Do you have a certain limit of questions you ask or do you just work until you feel it is finished?
When I make interviews with bands I want to travel into people's soul, their minds and to reveal their inner world to my readers. To make those texts timeless. If some readers want to read about how many girls were fucked, how many times band members vomited in parties or who smoked most cigars - they can read other zines. Yes, very often questions for foreign bands are the same, because it is interesting for me how band members answer them (about occultism, religion, books, wars, history, music, death and etc.) and if I am very pleased with these answers, I give bands new questions. But if band answers are shorter than questions it only uses precious zine space. Sometimes bands forget, that this is not webzine, but a document, that will be read by people even after 10 or 25 years, so if bands wants to stay in history with lame answers, that is their problems.
To chat with local bands is easier, because we share the same country, history and have sometimes same interests.
Greetings to all readers in Malaysia. There are good and bad moments, as in every country. Now it’s minus 12 Celsius outside.
Let me stay anonymous, I am just a creative soul under a symbol .:.
2. How did you discover metal? Who were some of the early bands you listened to and what are your "current" favorites If you don't mind sharing?
I was interested in music from my childhood and rock/metal music was natural process of evolution. My class friend was only metalhead in our class and he helped me to “discover” metal music. Later I helped him to love this music once again, when he had almost lost interest in it.
Well, I listened to bands, that were popular in early 90’s, so I think many readers know them.
If I would name favorites, it would be more than hundreds of names, let me shorten to Lithuanian ones: Poccolus, Trylika, Katedra (old), Ha Lela, Zpoan Vtenz, Crypts of Despair, Agonija, Wulture, Anubi, Altorių Šešėliai, Garrote (old), Life‘s Edge, Meressin (old), Ruination (old), Shadowdances (old), The Last Puff, Menhyr (old).
3. I am new to DIOVIM zine and would like to know more about its existence. When did you first came up with the idea of creating a zine? How did you come up with the name for the zine? What does it mean to you and can we relate the name with metal?
I regret that I didn’t start it 10-15 years ago, when I was younger and much “wilder”. So many good bands “died” during that period, I wish I could interview them… But we had many zines in 90’s so there was no need for new one until “golden era” ended (about year 2001). I did few zines earlier, but they were for “friends-only”, limited to few copies.
DIOVIM for me was and still is more than hobby; it became serious part of my life. I had financial and health problems, few of my relatives died, I was ripped-off by those who I trusted, but all these “chains” didn’t stopped me from creating my zine. This was the price I paid for my dream come true. At first I intended to make DIOVIM in 10-15 xeroxed copies (so that’s why first issue looks so “ugly”) only, but it became professionally printed zine. Maybe it is fate…
I think starting from 3rd issue my zine “found it’s face”. Concept was done and it won’t change drastically in future.
I think to find good name for zine is MUCH harder than for son. It must be unique. But all interesting names were taken. At first I wanted to name it “Šiaurys” (in Lithuanian it means “Northern wind”), but band, which had same name re-united again, and I didn’t wanted to get into copyright battles, so I had to make new name. It took me few months and with little help from my esoteric knowledge I came up with “Diovim”.
It doesn’t mean anything in Lithuanian or English language, it has multiple meaning (reverse, numerological, esoterical, astral, occult), so it’s more like spell… Because my zine is not only about metal music, but it has articles about history, literature, esoteric, occultism, art too, this name fits best for it.
Sometimes it is very hard to label my zine, but in short it’s “zine for aristocratic metalheads”.
4. Can you tell who's behind DIOVIM zine besides you? Do you prefer to do all the work (interviews, reviews, articles etc.) all by yourself or you like to co-operate with others in the process?
>I do everything alone, but at the same time people who I interview are best helpers for me, because their answers make my zine interesting.
5. As a fan of zines myself and you as an editor, I'm sure you have a long list of your favorite zines. Local and international ones. So can you tell us more about Lithuanian zines of your choice and recommended for the readers out there?
Well, talking about international zines, I liked some Russian zines (“Raven”, “Gothic”, “Hellz”, “Sotsirh Susi”), Bulgarian (“Brutallica”), USA’s (“Ballbuster”), Norvegian (“Imhotep”) and many more.
In 90’s there were about 300 different zines (best ones were “Kablys”, “Raganos ir Alus”, “Edge of Time”, “Wounded”, “Funeral”, “Epitaph”, “Redivivus”) in Lithuania, now only DIOVIM and KUTVELOS (limited edition and spread only in metalhead football matches, that comes every summer in Lithuania) zines tries to defend good old paper zine tradition. There is TERROR (www.terror.lt) zine too, but it writes more about noise core and antimusic.
6. DIOVIM as a Lithuanian metal zine, the printed version is still using your national language and this is something that is very difficult for the international readers, to go through the pages. Why would you use your national language and not the international language of English? Don't you think this will prevent DIOVIM from spreading its plague globally due to the language used?
Well, maybe in future I will make English edition of DIOVIM, but for now it will be written in my native language. Lithuanian language is as old as Sanskrit, but still alive and many other popular languages are very young compared to my native language.
There are thousands of English written zines, so it will not be easy to find a free place among them, but you know what? Few foreigners told me that they gladly would learn Lithuanian so that they could read my zine. It shows that my zine has something in it, that people adore.
When I was younger, I learned English, Russian, and German languages so I could read magazines that interested me. Lithuanian is not such a hard language as Chinese of Hungarian, so if you like my zine, try to learn it.
7. What is it about the underground metal scene that has kept you motivated to keep DIOVIM going for all of these years? Do you have any intention to make DIOVIM available online?
To make this zine was some kind of protest for me against nowadays “underground” with brainwashed modern metal fans, digital webzines, conformism, cyber-satanists.
When everything is uploaded online, DIOVIM stays offline. I hate when 10-11 year old freaks had read scaned and uploaded zines, which had cult status among us, older metalheads. Magic is gone. Those who still release tapes, paper zines, write paper letters and organize non-profit underground metal concerts keeps cult live. I use internet to contact and spread message about DIOVIM and I hope it will light fire in many hearts to join and keep the cult alive.
8. From the reviews that I have read on the internet, you've been admired for your ability to write long, in-depth interviews keeping them informative and interesting. Do you have a certain limit of questions you ask or do you just work until you feel it is finished?
When I make interviews with bands I want to travel into people's soul, their minds and to reveal their inner world to my readers. To make those texts timeless. If some readers want to read about how many girls were fucked, how many times band members vomited in parties or who smoked most cigars - they can read other zines. Yes, very often questions for foreign bands are the same, because it is interesting for me how band members answer them (about occultism, religion, books, wars, history, music, death and etc.) and if I am very pleased with these answers, I give bands new questions. But if band answers are shorter than questions it only uses precious zine space. Sometimes bands forget, that this is not webzine, but a document, that will be read by people even after 10 or 25 years, so if bands wants to stay in history with lame answers, that is their problems.
To chat with local bands is easier, because we share the same country, history and have sometimes same interests.
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9. You've been doing DIOVIM for quite some time so I wonder who have been some of your favorite bands and labels to interview so far? What about those you never get the chance to interview? What are the methods used to reach those unreachable?
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Well, people are different and in many interviews I found something interesting for me. One of the hardest interviews was with cult Lithuanian black metal band DISSIMULATION, because at first that band member didn’t want to do interview, and when after some struggles we made it he asked me to fix all grammar in it, because he answered it using non Lithuanian keyboard. It took me hell lotta time to fix it. But I am happy, because this was one of the best and longest interviews in DIOVIM history, we talked about so many themes, that even smart professors would be jealous. I don’t think that I can make anything better than this soon.
Yes, there were some bands that didn’t respond, but that is their problems. Talking about famous bands… What can you ask them that were never asked? Same boring questions give those bands headaches, so I can understand them if they ignore underground press. Sad, that even local bands don’t support underground press and give interviews to major media.
10. The process of creating a good zine (printed and online). What is your recipe of running a good and quality zine that covers a large area of metal music. packed with information and honest reviews? Any advice to be given for the newbies?
Be ready to have new problems, new enemies, rip-off’ers, lack of leisure and loss of money. Be original. It’s hardest thing. I found the good concept for my zine only starting from 3rd issue. We don’t need new lame zines with awful layout and grammar mistakes, if you can’t do better than average zine, don’t even start. To review 2-3 CD’s per month is OK, but will you have time and will to review more? In 4th issue of my zine there were more than 200 reviews (keep in mind that DIOVIM is released twice a year and I do all work alone). When you review 120th CD it is very hard to write review with new phrases. Review everything, even if it is awful noise core grind. Respect your reader, because he may be smarter than you. Support non famous bands in local or foreign metal scenes, because they need it more, than major bands. Never lower your zine level (2nd issue must be better than 1st, 3rd better than 2nd). If zine is not interesting for you, then just stop making it. Even if your zine has only 7 readers it is better than nothing. Don’t expect profit from it.
11. What are the criteria that you look in bands/labels before interviewing them? What is the key factor to be in DIOVIM? Do you concentrate on local bands or the international as well?
I reached the level, when bands want to be in my zine. It shows that I am in good path. Now I have enough interviews for next two issues, but I still search for bands that interest me.
I support local bands even if they not play extra good music, because it’s my native bands. I can say that there are 35 percent local and 65 percent foreign bands in my zine.
I must like band’s music to make interview with them, or I must like its ideology. I ignore nu metal, metalcore, industrial and many ultra modern nonsense bands. They only have the chance to be in “Reviews” section. Dark rock, hard rock, dark ambient bands have chance for an interview in “Non-format” page.
12. Let's talk about Lithuanian metal scene. You've been involved for quite some time so would you mind to introduce us bands from your country. As far as I'm concern, I only know a few bands like Luctus, Ha Lela, Fuck Off And Die!, Obtest and several more, and I am aware that there are a lot of exotic bands, well kept secret gems of Lithuanian metal scene.
Stay away from Luctus, this is just a band made by a guy who had wonderful childhood in sunny Italy with his very rich parents and has no serious black metal ideology behind his music. Just check the titles of new album’s songs: “My fist”, “Don’t look, don’t shine”, “Monotonic black metal” and etc. That guy made Fuck Off And Die! project too. Many serious metalheads don’t look at this guy serious and his answers about ideology in major media interviews are very funny.
Skills of musicians and quality of instruments became better, but there is a lack of originality. Still we have some good bands of various styles: Degradatonia (gothic/doom metal band from Vilnius which started in 2006), Obtest (pagan metal band from Vilnius, first Lithuanian metal band that was signed with “Osmose” label), Crypts of Despair (technical death metal band from Kaunas, which started in 2009 and became most promising newcomers in our scene), The Last Puff (sludge/southern metal from Panevėžys which started in 2011), Agonija (death metal from Jonava, born in 1991), Wulture (heavy metal from Vilnius, born in 2011, featuring very talented vocalist Tadas), Life‘s Edge (death/doom band from Vilnius, born in 2008), Inheritage (brutal death metal from Panevėžys, born in 2010), Thundertale (patriotic heavy metal from Kaunas, born in 2004. Most popular metal band in Lithuania and only one, who was on prime time TV shows in recent years), Dissimulation (thrash/black metal from Anykščiai, born in 1993, one of the last bands that makes serious lyrics about satanism/occultism), Metal Messiah (old school thrash from Vilnius, born in 2012), Pekla (old school heavy/speed metal from Šiauliai, born in 2010) and etc.
13. Which metal genre is the largest market in Lithuanian metal scene? What about other genres and subgenres? What can we find in Lithuanian bands that is outstanding and can only be found in Lithuania?
In mean time death metal, heavy metal and thrash metal are most popular styles. Other styles are not so popular, but we got bands of almost all metal styles in Lithuania.
In mid 90’s we had many original bands: Anubi (avantgarde mystical dark metal), Ha Lela (folk metal), Poccolus (pagan metal), Zpoan Vtenz (war/folk metal), Ghostorm (technical death metal), Nahash (black metal). Now it’s very hard to find something original among Lithuanian metal bands.
Yes, there were some bands that didn’t respond, but that is their problems. Talking about famous bands… What can you ask them that were never asked? Same boring questions give those bands headaches, so I can understand them if they ignore underground press. Sad, that even local bands don’t support underground press and give interviews to major media.
10. The process of creating a good zine (printed and online). What is your recipe of running a good and quality zine that covers a large area of metal music. packed with information and honest reviews? Any advice to be given for the newbies?
Be ready to have new problems, new enemies, rip-off’ers, lack of leisure and loss of money. Be original. It’s hardest thing. I found the good concept for my zine only starting from 3rd issue. We don’t need new lame zines with awful layout and grammar mistakes, if you can’t do better than average zine, don’t even start. To review 2-3 CD’s per month is OK, but will you have time and will to review more? In 4th issue of my zine there were more than 200 reviews (keep in mind that DIOVIM is released twice a year and I do all work alone). When you review 120th CD it is very hard to write review with new phrases. Review everything, even if it is awful noise core grind. Respect your reader, because he may be smarter than you. Support non famous bands in local or foreign metal scenes, because they need it more, than major bands. Never lower your zine level (2nd issue must be better than 1st, 3rd better than 2nd). If zine is not interesting for you, then just stop making it. Even if your zine has only 7 readers it is better than nothing. Don’t expect profit from it.
11. What are the criteria that you look in bands/labels before interviewing them? What is the key factor to be in DIOVIM? Do you concentrate on local bands or the international as well?
I reached the level, when bands want to be in my zine. It shows that I am in good path. Now I have enough interviews for next two issues, but I still search for bands that interest me.
I support local bands even if they not play extra good music, because it’s my native bands. I can say that there are 35 percent local and 65 percent foreign bands in my zine.
I must like band’s music to make interview with them, or I must like its ideology. I ignore nu metal, metalcore, industrial and many ultra modern nonsense bands. They only have the chance to be in “Reviews” section. Dark rock, hard rock, dark ambient bands have chance for an interview in “Non-format” page.
12. Let's talk about Lithuanian metal scene. You've been involved for quite some time so would you mind to introduce us bands from your country. As far as I'm concern, I only know a few bands like Luctus, Ha Lela, Fuck Off And Die!, Obtest and several more, and I am aware that there are a lot of exotic bands, well kept secret gems of Lithuanian metal scene.
Stay away from Luctus, this is just a band made by a guy who had wonderful childhood in sunny Italy with his very rich parents and has no serious black metal ideology behind his music. Just check the titles of new album’s songs: “My fist”, “Don’t look, don’t shine”, “Monotonic black metal” and etc. That guy made Fuck Off And Die! project too. Many serious metalheads don’t look at this guy serious and his answers about ideology in major media interviews are very funny.
Skills of musicians and quality of instruments became better, but there is a lack of originality. Still we have some good bands of various styles: Degradatonia (gothic/doom metal band from Vilnius which started in 2006), Obtest (pagan metal band from Vilnius, first Lithuanian metal band that was signed with “Osmose” label), Crypts of Despair (technical death metal band from Kaunas, which started in 2009 and became most promising newcomers in our scene), The Last Puff (sludge/southern metal from Panevėžys which started in 2011), Agonija (death metal from Jonava, born in 1991), Wulture (heavy metal from Vilnius, born in 2011, featuring very talented vocalist Tadas), Life‘s Edge (death/doom band from Vilnius, born in 2008), Inheritage (brutal death metal from Panevėžys, born in 2010), Thundertale (patriotic heavy metal from Kaunas, born in 2004. Most popular metal band in Lithuania and only one, who was on prime time TV shows in recent years), Dissimulation (thrash/black metal from Anykščiai, born in 1993, one of the last bands that makes serious lyrics about satanism/occultism), Metal Messiah (old school thrash from Vilnius, born in 2012), Pekla (old school heavy/speed metal from Šiauliai, born in 2010) and etc.
13. Which metal genre is the largest market in Lithuanian metal scene? What about other genres and subgenres? What can we find in Lithuanian bands that is outstanding and can only be found in Lithuania?
In mean time death metal, heavy metal and thrash metal are most popular styles. Other styles are not so popular, but we got bands of almost all metal styles in Lithuania.
In mid 90’s we had many original bands: Anubi (avantgarde mystical dark metal), Ha Lela (folk metal), Poccolus (pagan metal), Zpoan Vtenz (war/folk metal), Ghostorm (technical death metal), Nahash (black metal). Now it’s very hard to find something original among Lithuanian metal bands.
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14. How big is the Lithuanian metal scene to be compared with other nearby countries? Is it still developing and spreading across the globe or only in Lithuania in terms of distribution and exposure?
We have many good bands, but without sponsors they can’t be famous in neighbor countries. Money is the main problem and the ignorance of big countries major media. We had few bands that signed contracts with foreign labels (Goldtrack, Black Mark, Osmose), recorded their albums in best foreign studios (Ruination and Ghostorm albums were mastered by Swedish legend Dan Swano), had many tours in various countries, but when money ended, fame ended too. |
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Lithuanian metal scene is bigger than Latvian, Estonian, Belarusian scenes. We have many metal fests each year (Metalinis Speigas, Kilkim Zaibu, Velnio Akmuo, Ont Grindu, Giedfest, Daubos Griaucmas and etc.), huge arena concerts with Metallica, Testament, Megadeth and etc., every weekend we have gigs in Vilnius and Kaunas clubs/bars. But we feel isolated, so I am very happy when Latvian and Lithuanian metal communities organize events together. We have wonderful scene, but metalheads don’t have enough money to visit concerts, because we have one of the smallest salary in European Union (280 euro, when Germans get 1600 euro).
15. The largest ideology reigning the metal scene is satanism. Others like paganism and stuff like that are also making way among others. What about Lithuanian bands? Elaborate more on this because who knows there are some bands that carry different ideology and may vary from the majority?
Serious bands with satanic/occult ideology are only few. We had pagan metal bands (Poccolus, Zpoan Vtenz) when it was not trend (in early 90’s).
There was one man dark metal project “Altoriu Seseliai”, he based his lyrics on famous Lithuanian poets (Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas, Eugenijus Diglys and others), Zpoan Vtenz singed old native war songs on their debut album, Anubi was very impacted by Egyptian myths on their first demos,
16. There's a lot of new releases from new and old bands worldwide. Any Lithuanian bands with new releases to recommend and maybe stay away from?
Good new releases: Pekla – Degsit (old school heavy/speed metal), Life's Edge - Left in Despair EP (death/doom), Inheritage - Morbid Grace of Death EP (brutal death metal), Dissimulation - Iškelk Ir Išniekink EP (black/thrash).
I hope this year Crypts of Despair and Wulture will release their debut CDs, but you can listen to their live shows on youtube.
17. Is there any restrictions regarding metal music in Lithuania? What about the distribution of metal releases, any Lithuanian distro or label to recommend to the readers out there?
When Lithuania was in USSR metal music was in deep underground and only in mid 80’s thanks to Gorbachev’s “perestroyka” it became more free, but still militia blasted every guy, who had long hair. After fall of USSR in early 90’s it was most creative time for metal scene.
Taxes are very high in our country, so bands and concerts organizers try their best to pass them. CDs are released in limited editions and sold during concerts or to friends. As I mentioned, people here get small salary, even if prices are bigger than in Spain or Portugal, so average metalhead better buys a bottle of beer which costs less than one dollar instead of original CD for 25 dollars. Labels here usually release stuff from their friend bands, so it’s hard for a new good band to find label. We have few distros: one of the oldest is Ledo Takas (ledotakas.net) and new ones are Inferna Profundus and Volcanic Slut.
18. Are you in contact with the rest of the world? And through which medium you prefer most? For now the internet has been very helpful or destructive to the Lithuanian metal scene? What do you think of bands offering their music and art online, making it downloadable for free off the internet?
Sure, I have many contacts, and I sometimes use usual mail to get in touch with people and spread flyers. Sure, internet is much faster, because often letters stuck in postal offices worldwide. Internet helped Lithuanian metal scene to spread information over the world, starting in mid 90’s, but the peak was from 2004. But there came other problem; young guys from new bands have many free time to advertise their low quality bands on the net, so foreigners knows not the best, but most advertised bands, which is not the same. So a modern metal band with awful vocals has 22000 Facebook fans, and a talented band with skillful musicians only 94 fans, and only because they do not have time to sit all day online. Personal blogs became very popular, so now any 13-14 year old kid can make a “webzine” with tons of useless information promoting modern stupid ****core.
I understand when band uploads a short clip from their upcoming album, but if a band, that spent few years to record an album launches it for free doesn’t respect their hard work.
19. What do you think of the underground movement today? Do you like what you see or perhaps you're against it and prefer the old way of doing it? What is your definition of the term underground?
I am not in underground (almost). If it’s in the internet it’s not underground anymore. Many rare tapes from 80’s and early 90’s were converted to mp3 and uploaded in internet, so as many old zines. Analog became digital and lost it’s magic. If you want to support underground by making it mainstream, then what is the point? Will you be happy to see Behexen, Autopsy, Leviathen poster in girl magazine? Paper zines, tapes and vhs still has underground status, so keep it alive.
Some metal styles should stay in underground forever, because mainstream demolished strong black metal ideology and replaced it with “radio-friendly” lyrics. There was times when people were afraid of black metallers, but now they just laugh at them. “Thanks” to mainstream and dumb kids.
20. What do you think of metal bands that changed their direction permanently? Do you think they're all wimps or you support them in terms of their courage to move forward without following the path paved by other bands today? Can you name one band that you adore from the early days until now even though they've changed in all aspect far from what they used to be?
It is good when band can play same music all these years and still be in the mood and energy, like Motorhead. It is good when band naturally changes into something new without loosing their origins. But is sad, when band from raw black metal style jumps into math core. Even my zine changed from 1st issue and will change many times in future and I don’t give a damn about some teenagers complains if they want this or that metal style covered in zine or to even delete some themes. I don’t have zine logo, because in every next issue it is different. It is one of the strange aspects of my zine.
Well I can’t say that I adore a band, but I can say that I like the evolution of some bands, for example Therion, Tiamat and I am happy that Paradise Lost returns to “Icon” sound.
21. We've come to the end of this interview session. So what is your last words? What is your hope for Diovim and for the Lithuanian metal scene in general? How can the readers reach you for information and interaction?
Thank you very much for your time to do this amazing interview with me, I hope DIOVIM’s ideals (knowledge, art, metal music, occultism) will find new followers around the world and this small interview will become a good start to know Lithuanian metal scene better.
Bands, zines can contact me via diovim@mail.ru for postal address.
Linkiu visiems daug geros nuotaikos ir valios kovai su kasdienos negandomis.
15. The largest ideology reigning the metal scene is satanism. Others like paganism and stuff like that are also making way among others. What about Lithuanian bands? Elaborate more on this because who knows there are some bands that carry different ideology and may vary from the majority?
Serious bands with satanic/occult ideology are only few. We had pagan metal bands (Poccolus, Zpoan Vtenz) when it was not trend (in early 90’s).
There was one man dark metal project “Altoriu Seseliai”, he based his lyrics on famous Lithuanian poets (Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas, Eugenijus Diglys and others), Zpoan Vtenz singed old native war songs on their debut album, Anubi was very impacted by Egyptian myths on their first demos,
16. There's a lot of new releases from new and old bands worldwide. Any Lithuanian bands with new releases to recommend and maybe stay away from?
Good new releases: Pekla – Degsit (old school heavy/speed metal), Life's Edge - Left in Despair EP (death/doom), Inheritage - Morbid Grace of Death EP (brutal death metal), Dissimulation - Iškelk Ir Išniekink EP (black/thrash).
I hope this year Crypts of Despair and Wulture will release their debut CDs, but you can listen to their live shows on youtube.
17. Is there any restrictions regarding metal music in Lithuania? What about the distribution of metal releases, any Lithuanian distro or label to recommend to the readers out there?
When Lithuania was in USSR metal music was in deep underground and only in mid 80’s thanks to Gorbachev’s “perestroyka” it became more free, but still militia blasted every guy, who had long hair. After fall of USSR in early 90’s it was most creative time for metal scene.
Taxes are very high in our country, so bands and concerts organizers try their best to pass them. CDs are released in limited editions and sold during concerts or to friends. As I mentioned, people here get small salary, even if prices are bigger than in Spain or Portugal, so average metalhead better buys a bottle of beer which costs less than one dollar instead of original CD for 25 dollars. Labels here usually release stuff from their friend bands, so it’s hard for a new good band to find label. We have few distros: one of the oldest is Ledo Takas (ledotakas.net) and new ones are Inferna Profundus and Volcanic Slut.
18. Are you in contact with the rest of the world? And through which medium you prefer most? For now the internet has been very helpful or destructive to the Lithuanian metal scene? What do you think of bands offering their music and art online, making it downloadable for free off the internet?
Sure, I have many contacts, and I sometimes use usual mail to get in touch with people and spread flyers. Sure, internet is much faster, because often letters stuck in postal offices worldwide. Internet helped Lithuanian metal scene to spread information over the world, starting in mid 90’s, but the peak was from 2004. But there came other problem; young guys from new bands have many free time to advertise their low quality bands on the net, so foreigners knows not the best, but most advertised bands, which is not the same. So a modern metal band with awful vocals has 22000 Facebook fans, and a talented band with skillful musicians only 94 fans, and only because they do not have time to sit all day online. Personal blogs became very popular, so now any 13-14 year old kid can make a “webzine” with tons of useless information promoting modern stupid ****core.
I understand when band uploads a short clip from their upcoming album, but if a band, that spent few years to record an album launches it for free doesn’t respect their hard work.
19. What do you think of the underground movement today? Do you like what you see or perhaps you're against it and prefer the old way of doing it? What is your definition of the term underground?
I am not in underground (almost). If it’s in the internet it’s not underground anymore. Many rare tapes from 80’s and early 90’s were converted to mp3 and uploaded in internet, so as many old zines. Analog became digital and lost it’s magic. If you want to support underground by making it mainstream, then what is the point? Will you be happy to see Behexen, Autopsy, Leviathen poster in girl magazine? Paper zines, tapes and vhs still has underground status, so keep it alive.
Some metal styles should stay in underground forever, because mainstream demolished strong black metal ideology and replaced it with “radio-friendly” lyrics. There was times when people were afraid of black metallers, but now they just laugh at them. “Thanks” to mainstream and dumb kids.
20. What do you think of metal bands that changed their direction permanently? Do you think they're all wimps or you support them in terms of their courage to move forward without following the path paved by other bands today? Can you name one band that you adore from the early days until now even though they've changed in all aspect far from what they used to be?
It is good when band can play same music all these years and still be in the mood and energy, like Motorhead. It is good when band naturally changes into something new without loosing their origins. But is sad, when band from raw black metal style jumps into math core. Even my zine changed from 1st issue and will change many times in future and I don’t give a damn about some teenagers complains if they want this or that metal style covered in zine or to even delete some themes. I don’t have zine logo, because in every next issue it is different. It is one of the strange aspects of my zine.
Well I can’t say that I adore a band, but I can say that I like the evolution of some bands, for example Therion, Tiamat and I am happy that Paradise Lost returns to “Icon” sound.
21. We've come to the end of this interview session. So what is your last words? What is your hope for Diovim and for the Lithuanian metal scene in general? How can the readers reach you for information and interaction?
Thank you very much for your time to do this amazing interview with me, I hope DIOVIM’s ideals (knowledge, art, metal music, occultism) will find new followers around the world and this small interview will become a good start to know Lithuanian metal scene better.
Bands, zines can contact me via diovim@mail.ru for postal address.
Linkiu visiems daug geros nuotaikos ir valios kovai su kasdienos negandomis.
