A Dirty Dozen with HORAZ from IMPERIUM DEKADENZ – August 2019

According to a recent press release: “Atmospheric Black Metal duo, ImperiumDekadenz, have revealed the hotly anticipated details of their sixth studio album titled “When We Are Forgotten,” due out on August 30th with Napalm Records! Imperium Dekadenz was founded in the late summer of 2004 by Horaz and Vespasian. Their band name was inspired by the 70’s movie Caligula, which was known as one of the most scandalous movies, because of its extreme violent and pornographic scenes. Imperium Dekadenz’ lyrics reflect genre typical topics like death, mourning, hate and desperation,while religious and political topics are not a part of the band’s concept. Generally their music style can be described as atmospheric Black Metal, to the same time also depressive, ambient and acoustic elements are a part of the compositions. Norwegian bands of the Second Wave of Black Metal in the nineties are the most influencing actors, as the band describes their roots.” We get Horaz to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

In comparison to the other albums we wrote a lot of songs and ideas, much more than for any other production before. Finally, we had to decide between many songs and you may think that is a very good thing, but it is hard to find the right song/ idea if you already fall into love with these tracks. The final guideline was, to have an album that is darker and more intimate than the other album and also having fewer epic parts and historical backgrounds in the lyrics. We simply don’t want to repeat ourselves. We wrote so many long and epic songs over the years, so the time was right to try some different and new things. We wanted to challenge us a bit.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I never wanted to be a musician. During an alcoholic self-infiltration, I promised a friend to buy drums to support his solo-project. I kept my word and bought one two weeks later. That project was split up a few years later and another friend sold his guitar set. A cheap Yamaha and a small amp. I started a solo project and realized how much passion that awake in me. In 2004 I learned Vespasian and two solo projects became one – Imperium Dekadenz.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Yes absolutely. I was in large rock and metal club near Stuttgart when I heard Darkthrone – “Quintessence” for the first time. I totally felt in love with that raw, dark, hypnotic and nordic masterpiece. It opened my eyes to look for more Black Metal underground stuff and that led me to the moment when Black Metal became my most favorite music style. I still like classic metal stuff, but also Neo Folk, Classic Music, Dark Wave, Punk and Dark Electronic Music.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Burzum, Darkthrone, Eisregen, Lunar Aurora and old Immortal.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Maybe with Fenriz or Nocturno Culto from Darkthrone. I think I like her way of making and experiencing music. They have no airs and graces and both have a broad taste in music that suits mine very well. Their unagitated nature would probably make being creative a good time.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

It is dark, atmospheric art, driven by passion and the desire for self-realization. Something that really makes us angry is that when someone judges the album and we realize that the person hasn’t spent much time on it. We invest so much time and energy in the smallest details and ideas to make the album something special. When somebody makes a rating after listening 1-2 times, it’s like a direct affection.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Having something in life that makes you feel like you’re doing something valuable with passion.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I am the one who cooks, but since a few months Vespasian found his passion for self-cooked food too. Hehehe. Beer, Wine, Whiskey and Vodka are good friends so neither one of us would hesitate to serve a good drop. Vespasian would crack out the acoustic guitar for sure. I am the one who loves to sing dirty folk songs. Hahaha.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Honestly, it is totally not my cup of beer to adore someone and especially a ‘star’. Most of the famous artists are simply assholes and the most successful one even more. Their life as a whole must offer something special that makes them a special person. Being only a star means nothing. Probably Lemmy is such a person whose life is a total work of art and who although has always presented himself only as a person with strengths and weaknesses, and inspired generations to be free, wild and open minded.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Musician is not my profession. I have a full-time job as an IT consultant. My dream job would be a forester in the Black Forest. Music or art is a passion for me and money should never be a factor when being creative.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

No, every door you open gives you new possibilities and if you don’t go through that door, the things that would have been possible will not have been possible.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I definitely wouldn’t want that because the album would be different because of my influence and if you love an album how could you want it different. Albums that don’t please me don’t interest me. Time would be too bad for me and there are really a lot of great works you can hear instead.

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Category: Interviews