How different are the songs in your "Promo 2001" compared to the ones in
"How I learn..."?

Although the music on Promo 2001 (songs taken from our new CD "Misanthrone") are definitely in our style of extreme death metal, there are of course some differences, first of all in the length of tracks. Those on "How I Learn ..." were from approximately from 3:20 to 5:45, except of intros and instrumental tracks, while the new ones are in generally shorter, from 3:10 to 3:40 or something, again except of instrumental tracks. Musically the new material is different, because it's faster, more brutal, raw, dark and straightforward, and musical structures aren't very complicated, but more effective. Also the vocals now are absolutely inhuman and sound is something I'm proud of, because this raw, heavy and powerful recording fits our music perfectly. On the other hand, there are still very good, matured, perverse melodic guitar solos and cruel guitar melodies, this time more hidden under the hyperblasting furiousity. Anyway, it's needles to say that I like our 1st CD same as our actual stuff.

Are you completely satisfied with the way that "How I learn..." came out?

Speaking about the disc, there are only details that label might done in other way, like using our original logo on the front cover instead of that "normal" logotype, they also might use all artworks I did for it and more photos I've sent them to made the whole booklet more attractive. On the other hand, there are all informations that are supposed to be in each serious booklet. As for the final sound, I'm satisfied with and most of people liked the sound of our 1st CD. Speaking about promo and distribution, some things might be done other way, but all depends on the label's money, so...Anyway, the responses on this release were, and still are, really good, so at least from this point of view I am satisfied.

Deal with Jackhammer is for "How I Learn..." album only, this is the way I aleays wanted to have a deal. I think it's better to sign a contract for 1 album only, because if you're satisfied with the labels work for this 1 CD, then you can sign them for the next CD, it's good especially when you are on smaller label like we are. F.e. now I'm searching for another label in USA or Europe, not because that JHM's work is bad, but they simply doesn't seen to have the opportunity to support us enough in the way we need for the next step on the scene. Anyway they released our 1st CD, it helped us a lot, it was something we weren't able to do on our own costs, not speaking about distribution. As for this choose, they came with not only some vague interrest, but also with serious offer, so I have discussed some details with them and then signed a contract. As for the other labels whom we talked with about the release, X-treme Records from Sweden failed on lack of communication, mainly because they probably thought I'm desperate enough to give them that album for free (I judge that because they never write me back after I've sent them my conditions), and Psychic Scream Entertainment from Malaysia came too late, when I already was negotiating with JHM.

"Misanthrone" has total time 33:09 and there are 10 tracks at all, so it's usual duration of average brutal death metal release. I would like to see it released this year. but I consider it as more like mini CD, because there are 7 new tracks only, 2 of them are accoustic instrumentals. Next 2 tracks are reworks from the 1st CD and the last one is KATAKLYSM cover. As for the next regular full length album, Peter, the guitarrist told me, that he have 2 new tracks already composed. So, we need to solve some stuff about line-up, bass and 1 guitar, find a rehearsal room and work for at least 100% again.

How has been the experience of Nomenmortis in live shows up to now?

We didn't play some enormous number of live shows, but most of them were really great and succesfull, be it in Slovakia or in Czech, in clubs or open air festivals...We use to do a good job, all depends on the sound (sometimes it use to be terrible in Slovakia) and situation in the band. If it's o.k., we do insane show like it was f.e. at Nuclear Storm Festival 2000 (probably our best show until now, also because not of fans only, but also because of killer sound, proffesional lights, smoke etc.), or on most of our shows, if there are some problems, some of members doesn't seem to do it in 100%, which isn't too proffesional and I don't like it.

What do you think nowadays of your earlier stuff like "Twilight of
Humanity" or "Around the House it is good"?

I like these earlier recordings, listening to them brings me the memories of "good old times of real underground". And both of them are quite interresting musically, "Around..." is sometimes overcomposed to absurdity, and "Twilight...", our first studio release, is interresting piece of death metal even nowadays.

It seems that you are influenced by differnt styles: from classical heavy
metal to grindcore and everything in between. Am I right?

Yes, you're right with that opinion, some of us are listening to wide spectrum of not only strictly extreme metal styles, f.e. guitarrist is into black and doom metal and ambient, the drummer is in black, death and grind, but he sometimes listen also to rap music, this is something I can't understand, but it's not my cup of tea anyway. Erik was totally into mainly US death and some grind, Mato, the next guitarrist, liked doom metal a lot, I prefer any good death metal and grindcore, but also some black and doom metal, classical thrash and heavy stuff, some HC, crust and that stuff, industrial, but also things like Enya, some interresting folklore influenced music, some soundtracks...basically all that rings my bell.

How do you see the Eastern Europe metal scene? It seems to be bigger
every day...

Well, I must say that geografically and politically Slovakia is a part of Central Europe, but never mind. I think scene, when it comes strictly to the bands and styles, not to the background, in the countries like Poland, Czech or Slovakia is on the same level like it is in USA, Sweden or, simply said, on the scenes in "geografically more correct" states. Slovakia has a several great death metal bands, the same goes for Poland, where is also lot of good grind core, doom or black or pagan (I'm not speaking about those nazi influenced filth coming not only from there) bands, and the Czech scene is good in grind core, death and doom mainly. Very good bands are in Baltic states and also Russia, Ukraine or Belarus have their "surprises". Worse thing is that most of "western" labels still prefer to release some mediocre crap from USA or Western Europe rather than something fresh and promising, or simply well done from the contries they don't trust in...The same goes for their magazines, you must be Vader or Krabathor to have an interview in most of them... As for our domestic labels, the situation especially in Czech, but also in Poland, is quite better than in Slovakia.

I read that you like playing covers...Which ones you enjoy playing most?

Yes, we played covers from Katakysm, Death, At The Gates, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Dark Funeral and Marduk. I enjoyed Kataklysm (The Awakener), At The Gates (Blinded By Fear) and Deicide (When Satan Rules His World) most, these, together with Morbid Angel tune, were very effective at our shows also. As for Dark Funeral (The Secret Of The Black Arts), it was sung by drummer and I must say he was doing insane job with beating his cans and shrieking in the same time.

What do you think that sets Nomenmortis apart from all the other bands of
the style?

I don't know...countless line-up changes, or frontman not worshipping US scene in every intie? Or maybe followig our path without taking a part at some silly "fights" on scene in the sens of attitude "the eagle doesn't feed on flies"? Well, I can say we try to play really extreme form of death metal without being a some pathetic clone band I could mention, but why? I don't say that we are something truly original, but no one can compare us to only one certain famous band. And we also try to do our things like correspondence, inties, promocampaign well and a.s.a.p., that's it I mean.

How does it feel to be one of the main metal acts in Slovakia?

Thank you for saying that, it makes me proud, but I think after almost 10 years of quite hard work Nomenmortis deserved it, especially when you take into consideration the things like continuous problems with line-up and not very great devotion of some people you must play with. Anyway it also means to do a good job also for the future, but it isn't something I would be tired of because I see it has a sense and I will do it because I like the way I've chosen.

Something more that you want to say?

Nomenmortis

Martin Lukac

Lomonosovova 2

040 01

Kosice

Slovakia

Interviewed by Federico Marongiu

Around the House it is good - demo (1994)

Twilight of Humanity - demo (1994)

"How I Learn to bleed...for the things I wish to forget" - CD (1999)

Promo 2001 - MC (2001)

Mato (guitar)

Robo (drums)