Interview with Chaosweaver from Damnum Animus

I'm proud to present an interview with the man behind the musical beast that is Damnum Animus. The debut EP, Sanity: The Lies Of the Father has created a little bit of buzz within the metal community and has gotten all around positive feedback. In this interview we discuss the process of creating the EP and upcoming releases from Chaosweaver's numerous other projects.

Foul Feast: How did this project come about?

Chaosweaver: This project actually started as an exclusively depressive black metal endeavor. I had written one song, which turned out to be The Last of My Kind. I let it drift for a while, and ended up turning it into a symphonic/depressive/ambient project.

FF: The band is currently just a one man thing, do you aim to keep it this way or would you accept like minded musicians to join?

Chaosweaver: In fact, the next album will feature multiple other musicians. I’m not going to say anything else about that until later though.

FF: Who are some of your main influences?

Chaosweaver: I am a huge fan of intense classical composers such as Hans Zimmer, so I draw some influence from them. Also, When Mine Eyes Blacken is another influence in terms of drumming and composition.

FF: Do you have any plans of future releases (with this project or any other)?

Chaosweaver: I do. For this project, I have a split coming up (no release date or name yet). I also have another EP or possibly full length (!) in the making. For my other projects, I have several things planned: Decaying My Youth has an EP in the works, The Fall of the Heretic has a full length in the making, and Invoking the Divine has a demo coming up.

FF: Your music is far from what would be considered conventional black metal.
Lyrically what are some of the themes explored on Sanity?

Chaosweaver: Heartache and living without purpose are two of the big ones. Some have called my music too “emotional” because of this, but hey, if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it, you know? Also, religion/lack of faith in such is the subject of the last track.

FF: How did you go about writing the EP?

Chaosweaver: One of the main parts of the music is melody. I tried to infuse as much melody as possible without sounding cheesy or overdoing it. Furthermore, the cellos took a big part in the songs, so I tried to make those almost like the lead guitars of sorts. A lot of the actual writing took place on guitar, in fact, and I transposed it to cellos or strings or choirs.

FF: How has the feedback regarding the EP been so far?

Chaosweaver: The feedback has actually been rather good. The average review has been around an 80%. Minor complaints here and there, such as the abrupt starts and stops to the songs, but in due time, the critics will get their wishes.

FF: What is the meaning behind the name Damnum Animus?

Chaosweaver: Damnum Animus is Latin, actually. It means “loss of soul”. I figured it would be appropriate for the type of music I would be playing.

FF: It is great to hear underground artists doing something unique and the EP sounds excellent. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Chaosweaver: Thanks for the interview. I’d like to throw a shout out to all the people that gave me feedback on the album before its release. Also, for all those metalheads that read this, keep the underground alive. Don’t let corporate media take us over. For that reason, all of my releases with Damnum Animus will be released free of charge. Stay metal my friends.

Damnus Animus- Sanity: The Lies Of The Father

Damnum Animus is a one piece black metal band from North Carolina. The band has various other elements entangled in the emotive web of music that is featured on this EP. Chad Nottingham handles everything you hear on the release and does a superb job handling the one man band situation. If you are in search have a happy, upbeat funfest than the next sixteen or so minutes may not be for you.

It isn't very often you hear something quite like this EP. Nottingham cohesively creates an odd soundscape by blending classical and ambient elements into his music. We have all heard symphonic metal, and most know whether it is your cup of tea or not but all in all Damnum Animus is putting out something that is far too different to be compared to that. Managing to encompass despair, beauty and a slew of other emotions in one moment is not an easy task but Nottingham somehow manages to make this the overall theme of the album.

Sanity: The Lies Of the Father is without a doubt melody driven. The slow, brooding melodies lurk over the listener like a black cloud. One of the main problems some people have with this style of music is the fact that it often comes across cheesy. While to the person making the music it may be the most serious thing ever created, unfortunately not everyone hears things exactly the same as the next. Luckily for Nottingham there isn't a moment where the music comes across over the top or too self indulgent.

The vocal approach consists of a strained and tortured scream. A tad more variation wouldn't hurt but in all honesty the melodies take a big portion of the listeners focus away from the vocals in the first place. Truth is, this EP would be just as good if it was an instrumental release. The most amazing thing about the EP is how this music manages to have such an impact even with the programmed drums. Sure, it still takes a little away from the overall sound but it isn't nearly as detrimental as one would assume.

Overall Damnum Animus takes a style of music that normally doesn't do much for me and made it their own. At just sixteen minutes this release crams in a surprising amount of great music whenever the project gets around to releasing a full-length I can only imagine how excellent it will be. This is definitely worth checking out if you are into black metal or just depressing music in general. It might even appeal to people who aren't into metal and in many ways it reminds me of soundtracks of incredible films like Schramm and Nekromantik. Give this one a shot.

Band Sanctioned Download:
Damnus Animus- Sanity: The Lies of the Father