1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
We are from Croatia, small central/eastern European country and living in the capital Zagreb.
We started Duskburn in 2006. before that we all had bands, me and Edin were playing together after our old band broke up and were trying to get a drummer.Through a friend we met Neven who at the time was playing with Mario in a grind core band, they were also looking for something new so we started rehearsals.
We started Duskburn in 2006. before that we all had bands, me and Edin were playing together after our old band broke up and were trying to get a drummer.Through a friend we met Neven who at the time was playing with Mario in a grind core band, they were also looking for something new so we started rehearsals.
2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the new ep?
We wanted the sound to be cold and stern, like some of the proto sludge productions from the '90.
On "Atum" we incoporated percussions and used more keyboards/samples and we intend to use them more often.I think the music is more layered and atmospheric than before, we are constantly working on our arrangements and adding new stuff which may benefit the sound.The song progression is a little bit more steady than what we were doing before.
On "Atum" we incoporated percussions and used more keyboards/samples and we intend to use them more often.I think the music is more layered and atmospheric than before, we are constantly working on our arrangements and adding new stuff which may benefit the sound.The song progression is a little bit more steady than what we were doing before.
3.I have read that the band started out as a death metal band, what was the decision behind going into a more sludge direction?
We all loved doom, sludge and stoner but we came from a more "metal" background.Up until 2005 there weren't well known bands in Croatia or even the region which were playing any doom or sludge, it was manily all death and heavy metal and all the core variants which were popular back then.The only band that was doing this was Chang Ffos.
It was natural for us to play death metal, but through the years we heard a lot of people saying "yeah but your music is so slow and fat, it sound's like a cement truck rumbling".That's not a quality I would describe a death metal band, so we talked and agreed that what we wanted the band to sound was in fact sludge or doom.
It was natural for us to play death metal, but through the years we heard a lot of people saying "yeah but your music is so slow and fat, it sound's like a cement truck rumbling".That's not a quality I would describe a death metal band, so we talked and agreed that what we wanted the band to sound was in fact sludge or doom.
4.According to the metal archives page, the band was once known as PHSY, what was the decision behind the name change , and also what is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Duskburn?
PHSY was the name we made up when we first started rehearsing so we could put something on the paper in the rented gig rooms.It meant something like a combination of Phobos(fear) and psychedelia.But somewhere in 2007. when we got our first practice place we decided for a new name.
I was allways interested in the occult stuff and hereticism, and reading about the burning of thousands of innocent women in the name of catholic church was a deep influence on me.So I wanted the name to be about the witch hunts, but not to be blunt and use the name Witch in the name since many bands were doing that already.I pictured a scene in which zealous illitarete masses gather at dusk and watch a pyre of bodies burned alive, their lifes burn away with the dusk... yeah... Duskburn.
I was allways interested in the occult stuff and hereticism, and reading about the burning of thousands of innocent women in the name of catholic church was a deep influence on me.So I wanted the name to be about the witch hunts, but not to be blunt and use the name Witch in the name since many bands were doing that already.I pictured a scene in which zealous illitarete masses gather at dusk and watch a pyre of bodies burned alive, their lifes burn away with the dusk... yeah... Duskburn.
5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the song lyrics you have covered with the new ep?
All our EP’s have themes; isolation and angst (“Marrow“), the heresy(“Left for the Wolves“) and now “Atum” is focused on a need for cleansing. Cleansing of the mankind, the soul and the body.
Atum is another name for the Egyptian deity Atem or Tem who was considered the finisher(cleanser) of the world.
Atum is another name for the Egyptian deity Atem or Tem who was considered the finisher(cleanser) of the world.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
The best shows were in the two of the best known alternative clubs in the country, one was in club Močvara and another at club Kocka. I guess the reason is because the smaller clubs have shitty equipment or acoustics, and when there’s a small audience that doesn’t help loud bands look or sound good.Also another reason for a good performance is if you have a good time, when you are playing alongside bands you are friends with or are compatible in genre. I dislike bigger festivals greatly, the clusterfuck of genres and different styles is not an idea of a good time for me.
We tend to play loud with lowered lights and with a strong drink in arms reach, I don’t know how we look from the pit.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?
We want to do a small tour outside Croatia later this year but that is still in negotiations, and there’s a deal for a show in Zagreb with Sourvein and Graves at Sea in April.
8.Your new release was released by Cimmerian Shade Records, which was formally known as badGod music, do you feel that they have done a lot for getting your name out there heard?
The press is yet due to be handled since the album is getting out on CD in February but we are getting responses already.
Dave, the label manager is a great music enthusiast and does all the handling with bands himself. Doing that takes a lot of work and I have the most respect for people like him. I think we are just getting started with the exposure because we were under the radar as it gets since now, so any review or airtime helps.
On another hand getting the band to be well know is the job of the band itself and booking/promo agencies not just the label. We are not from the US so we can’t really show the people how we sound, nor can we attract fans at venues so we got to make a good record.
With a sea of underground bands you really have to rise up and show that you are doing something interesting, nobody can do that job for you, not even famous magazines or labels.
Dave, the label manager is a great music enthusiast and does all the handling with bands himself. Doing that takes a lot of work and I have the most respect for people like him. I think we are just getting started with the exposure because we were under the radar as it gets since now, so any review or airtime helps.
On another hand getting the band to be well know is the job of the band itself and booking/promo agencies not just the label. We are not from the US so we can’t really show the people how we sound, nor can we attract fans at venues so we got to make a good record.
With a sea of underground bands you really have to rise up and show that you are doing something interesting, nobody can do that job for you, not even famous magazines or labels.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge metal?
I haven’t heard criticism so far, but I think that is also needed. I often wonder will anybody like this as I’m the most self-critical person I know and listening to other opinions helps. The thing I love from fans of doom and sludge is that you can actually sound like shit and make a hour long record of nothing but static, but if you catch that vibe, the negativity and atmosphere you are getting good reviews. And that is really the thing I’m looking in music nowadays. Not the pretty and flashy but the ugly, the truth.
10.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
Since 2010. we made a lot of songs but we’ve released only 3 EP’s, that's about 10 songs in 3 years.It isn't a lot of material but that's because we discarded a lot of songs which didn’t fit. We were searching for the right balance and ideas and now being content with “Atum” we are going to explore that ideas and prepare a full length.We already have 6 new songs but we want to make sure they are solid and not to rush into recording.
11.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Ah there’s too many bands and genres to number, from metal to rock and electronic and as the time flew the influences changed so it’s pointless to name just a few. I guess for a long time I thought that the “black sabbathian” type of doom bands were crucial in our sound, but now I’m looking for more experimental elements and listening to minimalistic acoustic, electronic and ambient stuff. I still think that the distortion is very needed but I want to do something smart with it not just turn the volume to 10 and blow away. Lately I’ve been listening to the early Swans, Virus, Scott Kelly, Hexvessel, Atrium Carceri and to compensate best death metal band ever Entombed.
12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Drinking I guess haha.Well I love art and design, being digital or illustration hence I’m doing all our graphic stuff, also I do tattoos and design leather accessories. I know Mario likes airsoft, Edin is playing soccer and Neven… well, he likes to drink a lot.
13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks for the interview.Support the underground!
Dominik,
DUSKBURNwww.facebook.com/duskburnband
duskburn1.bandcamp.com
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