Krvna Vatra is the creator, sole musician and the essence of Krvna. An extreme project that began in black metal but has become its own malevolent force of nature in the underground where nothing interferes in the integrity , passion, atmosphere and the intensity that goes into each release. Krvna redefines black metal and upholds its creative, darkened spirit that is uncompromising and inevitable.
What is the Rhythmus of death eternal?
‘’It’s the 4th successive KRVNA release, and whilst it’s an MLP, I’ve put in as much energies as I do into my full releases, onto this one. I view it as my most complete release, to date, both musically and philosophically. But I know you weren’t asking this in the literal sense, ha-ha. The Rhythmus Of Death Eternal is just a succinct line that I had hoped would define what waits for us all, our return to oblivion.
Does the cycle end in eternal darkness and silence?
‘’To ask that…. It tends to lead us into the thought or prospect of us having the capability to experience (eternal) darkness and silence, beyond death. In my heart of hearts, I tend to, with quite discomfort, assume there is no subjective experience, at least in the way we understand things, beyond the point of death, or dying. Death is not a state of being, it is objective non-existence. So, tentatively, I answer your question with an assumption, one of non-experiential affect beyond what we call ‘life’. The romantic in me, however, yearns for something, but the pessimist, the realist, always wins.
Also, on a new label?
‘’Yes and no. In many ways it was dealing with people who’d surrounded themselves around KRVNA, previously. Those being Third Eye Temple & Zazen Sounds. TET released my last album, ‘For Thine Is The Kingdom Of The Flesh’, and Zazen Sounds had previously re-released my demo, ‘Long Forgotten Relic’, with two bonus tracks. There was however a new player on this release, Brilliant Emperor, who had released ‘T.R.O.D.E’ on vinyl, and pressed some awesome t shirts and long sleeves.
And more incredible art by Greallach. A visual match for your concept?
‘’Greallach is a great thinker; this is why I use him, first and foremost. Additionally, the fact that he is an amazing artist, only serves to complete the union between KRVNA and he. We tend to philosophise, frequently, and of his friendship, I am grateful.
There is a sense of immediacy and urgency on this record. Is it a release of energy before moving onto the next cycle?
‘’I suppose every release serves, in some form or another, as a vehicle for catharsis. All that pent up anger, the rage, the melancholy & disappointment that life brings, all ends up expressing itself, or manifesting itself into my releases, in some way or another. Each release cleans the slate. I’m readying myself for new music, slowly letting the ether tease new music into my stream of consciousness.
The three tracks are lengthy harrowing experiences. Was it intentional to make the complex more immediate?
‘’In some ways yes, and in others, no. I suppose we all contain multitudes. With each release I have a rough idea of what my expectations are, and then I work toward, & attempt at meeting them during the arrangement process. Regarding riff writing however, I’m very much at the mercy of my subconscious. I don’t sit down with a pen or instrument in hand, trying to force music into existence. I literally just wait, and pluck things from the ‘ether’. In reality, I’m sure there’s much more contemplation at play on a subconscious level regarding all of this, whether or not I’m completely conscious of any of these goings on though, remains to be answered.
A God’s work? Is an incredible denouement with matching riff. How do you feel about God’s work and man’s interpretation of it?
‘’This needs to be viewed within the framework of a nihilistic reality. We’re thrust into this cosmic play – unwittingly. And from birth we’re conditioned to assume life is a certain way. We follow certain rules; we garner an understanding of what is right, and what is wrong. And then, some of us have the epiphany that it is all truly for nothing. All constructs, tenets, and the collective sum of our experiences, is, in universal terms, pointless. The only certainty is oblivion. So, for those of us who don’t come to this realisation, we spend our days wondering why - why do bad things happen to good people, and where is the justice? We’re all waiting for a hope that never comes. And this is the sentiment behind ‘A God’s Work’.
Has it ever served as a positive experience?
‘’I’m not one to tear down institutional thought. My hope is that there is always something to take out of any philosophy, religion, and even out of the experiences life brings. My understanding of what God is, doesn’t line up with the literal interpretations most modern religions have of ‘him’. I like Spinoza’s take on things, where the entity that is ‘God’ is synonymous with all existence, all matter and antimatter, within this universe and any other prospective, possible worlds. God is the collective sum of all matter, experience, information, consciousness and sub consciousness past, present and future, and we’re all a part of that, albeit for a brief moment. So, now you’ve heard the romantic speak, and I should let the realist conclude with the question that is being begged to be asked, ‘what’s the point of any of this?’ – And I dare say the answer is a cold, hard, ‘nothing’.
The continual evolution of Krvna? Will the intensity to continue to rage and manifest in different ways?
‘’I’m not paving a deliberate sonic pathway outside of the fact that KRVNA manifests itself in the traditional 90’s black metal sense. I find this to be the most convincing music, and if my music continues along this path, I’m happy. That’s not to say there isn’t room for growth, or experimentation, but as we know, black metal is (rightly) guarded, and when it’s done right – with the purest of intentions, you just feel it/and that’s all I want to convey, is that same honesty, in my music.
The inclusion of Abigor and Bathory covers? Homage to the gods and personal favourites?
‘’Yes to all aspects of the question. Both bands are fundamental, and what I consider to be legitimate players within the genre. I’m sure you can hear some KRVNA in the covers, but then again, even more obviously, you can hear the Abigor and Bathory, in KRVNA.
Man of Iron is not the traditional choice, but very underrated.
‘’I’ve always loved this song. And when considering covers, I wanted one obvious choice, one where parallels were easy to draw, with Abigor’s ‘As Astral Images Darken Reality’, and then a not so obvious choice, in a ‘Man Of Iron’. Performing and arranging this way made more sense to me, than to just try and emulate the original. Both covers serve to appease the conventional, and the unconventional.
Does inspiration come easily for you? What would it look like without extreme music?
‘’No, it doesn’t at all. I’m weighed down with all of the things I’d mentioned earlier, in your question regarding ‘A God’s Work’. Life isn’t easy. I’m sure it’s not easy for everyone. These stressors have the same impacts on me as they do everyone else, and it’s a battle to push through that, and I must add, most importantly, to push through that nihilism, to ultimately convince myself to product something and release it out into the world. When you have that suspicion that it’s all for nothing, then it becomes really hard to rationalize any kind of action. Thankfully, for me, I try, at least in the face of all the adversity that life (and the prospect of death) brings, to be productive, albeit on negative levels.
‘’And to the last part of your question, I’m sure it’d be that bit more bland & boring. I am grateful for having found it – or it having found me. It’s defined who I am and I think it’s still important to try and construct some kind of point to all of this. All of our paths end in the same place, and I suppose it’s trajectory that ultimately leads us to that inevitably that might, hopefully, count for something.
Will the majesty continue? Immediate and longer term plans?
‘’As long as I’m convinced, I’ll keep putting out new music. I’m slowly working on new music, but taking my time. I’d have trouble sleeping at night if I knew I was releasing garbage. That wouldn’t be fair on me, or the listener.
Final thoughts?
‘’Thank you for the great questions and for the time you’ve taken to put this interview together. Apologies for the delay, life, tends to throw at you all kinds of distractions, from time to time. Cheers, & until next time, I may see you among the ruins!
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