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How did things get started with Narthex?
Eris: Well nothing special really. We both had a similar group of friends eventually we were introduced. We needed a change. We are both very open minded and constantly found ourselves in bands that were to narrow in their focus of genre oriented music. Working together we were able to really scratch the surface of what we wanted to hear.
A practical question now, what the Hell does 'Narthex' mean? And why did you pick it for a band name?
Neuro: Well in a short historical overview. The narthex is the room or hall in a church that separates the outside world from the main room that is the church with its altar. When the Romans came up through Europe they built the narthex in order to convert Pagans to the Christ God. The Romans did not like the fact that just any infidel could walk into the church of god. So they created the narthex to buffer out what they didn’t want. This room was made so that when pagans attended mass they would not be apart of Gods children, instead they would witness mass from the back through a window in the narthex, until they have proven themselves, and maybe one day they would be granted baptism and communion, then they could enter. The narthex gave the opportunity to outsiders to look in and choose whether they want to commit to learning and walk in, or just plane walk away. Eventually all those who walked away walked away with a target on their head. The Narthex is a place of decision and interpretation. We were both raised catholic in very mixed cultural communities. We had a lot thrown at us from many directions. Both our mothers made the church predominant in our lives at a very young age. I was an altar server, while my mother ran a children’s eulogy group. Around 12years old I dove in to mythology and the concepts of absurdity. Soren Kierkegaard and others like him became large figures to me. I renounced my self as a Christian to my Mother and never looked back. Narthex is a perfect name for describing what we are doing. It ties together mythology and absurdity very well. "It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey" - Kierkegaard.
How would you describe your music?
Neuro: Concept based extreme metal. For Example: The Abacist was based on this story that we wrote. The abacist is a man who dedicates his life to finding patterns within everything. Cross-referencing and converting numbers into symbols, words into shapes history religion and politics into geometry. Every equation forms unique symbols that spans from haven to earth. As he calculates numerous equations, sacred symbols would bring him forth through dimensions and time. As the right side of his brain grew stronger with divinity he began to predict what he would see without having to calculate anymore. Instead he saw the creations and he knows the extinctions. Without time there is no end, nor is there a beginning. Existence itself becomes pure and everything is everything and we exist only in a moment. Sometimes we create the story first then write a song to it. We often try to illustrate the story through a leitmotif style of writing. Very often we attempt to explain our intention through atmosphere and sound without lyrics a t all. To often music is written with no meaning. And we take deep pride in our work knowing that our own philosophies change our lives.
What are your main influencesa?
Neuro: Vintersorg and anything Mr. V , Strapping Young Lad, Korn, Ministry, Slayer, Einsturzende Neubauten, White Zombie, emperor, arcturus, fear factory…
Eris: The Myth of Sisyphus, Kierkegaard (philosopher), Mythology and Sciences in general.
The self-titled demo release got a good review on our website, but what are your own views on the release?
Eris: Well in short, it is a demo and everything on our demo is really a small portion of the extreme natures of Narthex. And to us extreme is philosophy of intuitive dynamics and rhythm with a complete focus of concepts and ideologies. I’m sure others will feel different.
What do you consider to be the best track on the release and why?
Eris: Without a doubt The Abacist. It is the most complete of all the tracks, but nothing compared to what is coming. Visit www.Narthex.de, for a sample of what is to come.
One thing I couldn't find any info on: are you as well a live band or just a studio project? If you're as well a live project, how does a Narthex show look like?
Eris: Narthex is indeed just a two piece in studio, we both play all instruments and we both sing and write. We are both open to writing and playing with anyone who wants to commit and can fit in to what we are doing. We do have a couple part time members for live shows and our drummer Jesse from Texas has made great contributions for the new album. We have a fan video posted on YouTube and our MySpace.com/Narthex page. Horrid quality, half decent none the less. As we are working on more backing video, new music videos and wrapping up the new album.
What are your views on the industrial metal scene in your native country?
Eris: Well Narthex is a Canadian-German band. We are both Canadian and European citizens I plan on re-locating to Germany after the release of the first full length album. Currently we are in Studio located at Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There isn’t really much of a scene in Toronto. Toronto has a few nice venues for larger acts that have been standing for quite some time. As for the local scene; all the smaller venues struggle to stay open and go through new ownership on such a frequent basis that the scene is entirely dependant on a few local promoters. And our personal opinion is that Ontario is far too conservative. It is a waist of time for a non-major act to come to Canada and fly past Montreal from Europe unless you are going to Vancouver with a stop over in Alberta.
What are next to music your other passions in life?
Neuro: Nature, and things of that nature.
What can we expect of Narthex in the near future? What are the final goals to achieve with Narthex?
Eris: Expect a new album and to see us in Europe next summer. Well we hope that Narthex will carry on for quite some time and if not it will be a gateway to greater things.
The interview ends here, thanks for your time. If you have some final words to add, you can do it here.
Neuro: We have lots on the horizon. A new CD, Eris is opening a merch management company for bands and small labels BioMerch.com. The Anticipated opening will be December 1st.
Interview by: Gerardo - November 2009.
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