Tell us first a little about the formation of the band.

As far as I know there is not much of a Doom scene (if there is one at all) in Polandwas this a hindrance or a motivation in starting the band? Hails, Buarainech. First of all, thank you for opportunity to say a few words to readers of your fanzine. Thats true that there is no pure doom scene in Poland. We have a couple of bands here, but they mainly play weedy stuff or death/doom in the vein of the 90s, and I dont even mention Southern Rock/Metal inventions that are somehow associated with Doom. When we started playing together we didnt even think about Doom, it just turned out that we play doom somewhere along the way, after we did half of the songs for our first album. We were inspired by American obscure Epic Metal bands, like early Manowar, Cirith Ungol or Manilla Road. There was no calculation in choosing the way, we just played and music was simply happening, so absence of a Doom scene in Poland was no factor in shaping Evangelist. What is behind the anonymity of the band

members? Is this also related to not playing live? If there is no scene for Epic Doom Metal in Poland/eastern Europe in general do you see yourselves as being part of a wider worldwide Doom community (with bands like Doomshine, Battleroar, Solstice etc) and would you consider making a pilgrimage to another country to play a festival if the offer was made? We are a nameless band to show our attitude towards modern sins of underground Metal, where musicians concentrate on promoting their faces and names, showing off in photo sessions and studio reports, looking for managers before they even record decent demo or play couple of shows, and totally forgetting what this is all about. Nobody cares who you are, maybe except your girlfriends. Deal with it and concentrate on music! Besides anonymity gives us an absolute peace of mind that simplifies everything around the band. Strongly recommended! We dont play live at the moment, because Evangelist is more like Bathory or Darkthrone than Candlemass, when it comes to

the personnel. Maybe next year we will do some gigs in Europe - we have some cool offers, so its an open issue. Speaking of pilgrimage, one of the most striking features of your music to me at least is the almost prayerful, spiritual tone it strikes and the feeling the listener is given of being taken on a journey. Is there an element of pilgrimage or journey of self-discovery involved in the fabric of the band and what you are trying to achieve? Im glad You feel it that way, because we think music should be spiritual, thats exactly what we wanted to achieve. Its not a concept album, but some of our fans say it has that kind of journeylike vibe, I dont know, maybe it has. We definitely expect some input from the listener, lyrics matter, we do have something to say, but its up to him. Its all about individual perception. More broadly, how does Christianity figure into the band, particularly the band name and also the album title and the final song on the album Confiteor? Are

you the believers or the infidels in the territory of unbelievers? Or is the Christian imagery and use of the churchs language purely aesthetic? As a country which both has a huge Metal population but also a strong Catholic presence that has clashed with Metal bands in the past, can you say youve had any difficulties from religious quarters in being a Metal band in your country? We are believers among infidels, whether it is playing doom metal in our country, or generally cherishing values like truth in what you want to say as a band, sincerity in what you play and devotion to the music, and so on. That is the meaning of albums title. Religious language and aesthetics are very powerful, especially today, when we are all being attacked by vacuum propaganda. Lets face it, there was no civilisation without religion,and even these day we can see attempts at making Eco-fascism or global warming a new religion, which is really a laughable sight to behold. Personally, we have never had any problems with the Catholic Church being metal band. Were not Behemoth, were not celebrities. From my point of view it is really blown out of proportion. Wait thirty years and You will see how difficult will be playing metal and singing about Satan in a Muslim dominated Europe! The band seem very clearly influenced by R.E. Howard, not least because of the sample from the Conan The

Barbarian movie in the opening track of the album but also the quote from the man himself in the lyric booklet for the track Doommonger. Is it purely being a fan of Howards stories and Swords And Sorcery fiction that has influenced you, or do you agree with barbarism being the natural state of man and look forward to the its return and the destruction of modernity? We are fans of Howards work, Milius movie and Poledouris music, of course, but Doommonger, as any other song from the album, has deeper bottom. Im not looking forward to destruction of western civilisation, its just inevitable, its the law of nature. The moment people abandon principles that made them great, they are finished and replaced by new force. Its happening right now, as it has happened numerous times in history of mankind. Ask the average westerner, what is most precious thing in our world, and he will answer that humans life. We say no to the death penalty, but we say yes to abortion or euthanasia. We want to free whole world from tyrants, yet we agree to be wired and watched 24/7 by Big Brother for our safety. Its so ridiculous its not even funny. No principles, no spine... It will crumble, and then barbarians will come, and they will not be counting their lives sacrificed for conquering new land for their children. Are you fans of, or do you feel a particular kinship with, other bands who have been influenced by R.E.

Howard? For example; Manilla Road, Jag Panzer, Bal-Sagoth, Cauldron Born, Battleroar, Roasae Crucis, Ironsword, Assedium, The Gates Of Slumber, Hyborian Steel, Solitary Sabred Personally I am a huge fan of Manilla Road, one of the most original bands ever, Im waiting for new Ironsword album, and I support The Gates Of Slumber. On the other hand, I find Hyborian Steel Well, I still dont believe they are being serious... Also, an important question to ask any Howard fan. Have you seen the Conan movie remake and what did you think of it? Its just an average fantasy movie, we expected it to be much worse. It seriously lacks a powerful soundtrack; no comparison to the original whatsoever. The album also features 2 songs clearly indebted to H.P. Lovecraft. Again, is this influence purely aesthetic or because of being fans of Lovecrafts stories, or has his writings influenced your outlook on life in any way? Lovecrafts influence on Metal is a little more wellknown due to Morbid Angel and Metallica, but were you aware before writing these songs of other H.P. Lovecraft-loving bands and are you fans of any? Im thinking of bands like; Abgott, Ripping Corpse, Arkham Witch, Living Death, Shub Niggurath, Solstice, The Wandering Midget, Thergothon

Its similar to Howards influence situation - we are huge fans of Lovecrafts works and his madness fuelled genius - its a vehicle to channel our thoughts into lyrics, way of wrapping them up in story or special aura. Some of the bands You have mentioned are known to us, but personally, my favourite metal bands that used Lovecraft mythology are probably Nile, Reverend Bizarre and Manilla Road. The lyrical allusion I find most intriguing however is to the English essayist and art critic John Ruskin, with a quote from his essay The Seven Lamps Of Architecture in the lyrics booklet before the track Funeral Mounds. What does this human voice that speaks more strongly from the grave than anywhere else say to you, and what is the importance of ancestry and heritage to Evangelist as a band? Also, how far would you agree with me that Ruskins 7 lamps (Sacrifice, Power, Truth, Beauty, Life, Memory, Obedience) could equally be applied to being a foundation for Heavy Metal as they can for architecture? Funeral Mounds and Confiteor are our most in Your face songs, considering the lyrics. Funeral Mounds lyrics were written shortly after 10th April 2010 and are a result of my observations of what was happening in Poland in those days. Its really incredible, how majesty of Death is humbling to people and making them to stop and listen to what the dead had to say, although it doesnt last long, to be honest. Spineless

creatures people are indeed. Im deeply interested in history and politics and I can say this: without knowledge of your past and heritage you are an easy target to be manipulated. Read, talk, exchange thoughts! Ruskins lamps reference to Heavy Metal is really interesting, for me, personally, the most important are Truth, Life and Power. Obedience and Beauty??? Come on, its Heavy Metal! (Maybe Observance should substitute ObedienceBuarainech) Having talked about your lyrical influences we cant neglect talking about the music. From your debut album I can hear an obvious debt to Candlemass and Solitude Aeternus, but also to the Epic Metal genre, in particular Manowar, and some influence going right back to Black Sabbath. Would you agree with this, and is there any bands who have been very important to you musically who I have missed out on? Yes, Im glad You pointed out Epic Metal, because it was our starting point, and we are huge fans of the entire genre. Moreover, we are inspired by soundtracks and generally classics of Rock and Metal. Strictly from doom metal area I can mention Reverend Bizarre, Procession, The Gates Of Slumber and Grand Magus. Were not fans of twin lead guitar noodling in Doom, Doom is about riffs! And last but not least - Primordial! One of the most inspiring bands around these days, be proud of your kin!

Lastly, I think I read that youve just recently gone into the studio to start work on your second album. Can we expect anything different this time around either musically or lyrically? Yes, its going to be something slightly different from the debut. The debut songs were written in years 2008-2009, so its been a while. We had our songwriting system finally set, so it was easier to write new songs. We had more confidence and sense of direction. Actually, half of the new album was already composed by the time of In Partibus Infidelium's release. Songwriting is a constant process in our case. Anyway, its slower, heavier and darker, really regressive stuff, no Howard or Lovecraft this time, lyrically we will touch more spiritual and religious areas. We are really curious, whose epigons we will be called to this time around. Anything you'd like to add? Check out our debut and wait for second album, You wont be disappointed. Support local bands and be yourselves! Thank you! Its we who thank You, really cool questions, hails!