Tuesday, January 8, 2019

ONO Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band since the recording of the new ep?

T: At the very moment we are finishing the production of two songs for a split tape with a German band called Owl. Both songs are older 0N0 compositions which have received a new solid sound, vocals and each has been rearranged and upgraded to a certain extent. At the same time we are starting to track guitars for our next full-length which will come out in 2020.

2.In 2019 you have a new ep coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

A: The material on the EP could be considered somewhat more accessible, songs also needed to be shorter than usual due to physical limitations of 7" vinyl format. We definitely wanted the EP to have a heavier sound compared to our previous release.

T: Listen to our previous 2016 full-length record Reconstruction and Synthesis. We usually produce songs that are way longer and complicated. We almost never use basic song structures, so motifs rarely repeat themselves and the development of our songs is like a stream of consciousness, moves towards the unpredictable and unknown. We also revel in more extreme forms of expression, blast beats, dissonance and ultra slow doom.
We experiment with a slightly different approach on this EP, more accessible structure, limited song length and a more organic sound. Yet characteristic attributes of our music, for instance heaviness, otherworldly vibe and depth, you name it, are still present.

3.Your lyrics deal with Transcendence and Hallucinations, can you tell us a little bit more about your interests in those topics?

T:  These two words are a different way how to express our inspiration that stems from antediluvian yet timeless wisdom and understanding of the world combined with surrealist methods like dream narrative, free association and absurdity. Even then, everything is deliberately cloaked and concealed. We want people to scratch their heads.

S: I've always been fascinated by human brain and the images it is capable of creating. With my lyrics, I try to build landscapes that revolve around certain ideas, colours or even sounds. Every word has a visual representation in my mind, in a way it's like painting a mental fresco.

A: If you set apart everything around us the human culture has created, what you're left with are the rawest emanations of mind, primitive, chaotic, illegible. We are trying to work with these forms and display them within the music.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'ONO'?

T: The word 'ono' /ɒnɒ/ is written as zeroNzero and it is the personal pronoun ‘it‘ in Slovak. It's a binary code fragment 0110 and the word represents consciousness free from duality.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

A: Contrary to our previous release, this time around the three of us had some pretty diverse ideas about a suitable visual representation for the material, both stylistically and considering what to actually express in the front cover. We also wanted the artwork to make an interesting T-shirt design. It took some deciding before we settled on Viral Graphics, but it was the right choice as the guys did a great job in capturing the essence of the record.

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?

S: Definitely Pohoda 2018 which is the biggest festival in Slovakia annually attended by 30000 visitors with bands from all around the world and from almost any genre you can think of. The organisation in general was amazing and the sound was superb and totally crushing. Also, my favorite moment was when I saw this little boy dancing furiously to one of our songs. Made my day. Sadly his parents were not amused, so he didn't see the whole show. Stage performance in one word: desolation. 

A: There's an element of meditative, almost transformative experience when things fall into place on stage, not just musical performance but a sort of dissolution..

T: We want to present the idea that experience with extreme metal is an extraordinary form of initiation.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

A: We are of course open to any interesting opportunities when it comes to shows. As for the forseeable future however, the plan is to focus on composing and releasing new music.

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of industrial, sludge, doom and death metal?

T: Different. We’ve submerged into a very niche type of production, but there seem to be people who enjoy it.

S: When I talk to people that enjoy 0N0, they all usually agree on one thing: they don't know exactly what happens in our music, but they can't stop listening. It's like the charm of the unknown which is something I also prefer when listening to music.

9.What can we expect musically during the future?

T: Crushing and unearthly experience.

A: Our next full length album is going to be a logical successor to the past efforts, there's an apparent connection. After that, who knows..

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

S: I've always liked epicness in metal music. Not the heavy or power metal sort, but the Nile, Type of Negative or Neurosis epicness, without pathetic and theatrical elements. Nowadays I listen to Caucasian and Persian folk music.

T: All kinds of metal and rock. Electronic music, mostly experimental. Pioneering, unconventional and boundless forms of music primarily. Nowadays, I often listen to various 20th century genres to understand the roots, development and interconnectedness better.

A: I find myself intrigued by all sorts of traditional music from around the world, field recordings, experimental production. Authenticity and element of surprise are some of the important factors in my listening selection these days. Occasionally I might still enjoy some metal, rock, electronic or even pop music, but it is a rare treat to find something fresh within the boundaries of any established genre.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

S: I do comedy. Mainly stand up, but also some other projects. Need to balance out all the heaviness of our music.

T: Art in general. Literature, movies, painting, etc.

A: Very slowly getting into DIY electronics for the last couple of years, enjoying different art forms, in general being away from people whenever possible.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thank you for this interview. Let the mind walk the stars. Those who crave will swallow their own eyes.

Official Bandcamp - https://ono0110.bandcamp.com
Transcending Obscurity Records – http://tometal.com

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