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Hail to you Naer Mataron out there in Greece! At first let me thank you for your time.
I would like to start with the history and past of Naer Mataron.
Tell me how the rising of Naer Mataron begun at the founding of the band and about the way you all had to go through until today?
Morpheas:
Hailz! Naer Mataron was founded at the ends of 1994. Since then we have released 3 CDs, the "Up From The Ashes" back in '98, the "Skotos Aenaon" back in the year 2000 and now our latest CD the "River At Dash Scalding". During the autumn of 2002 we also released a 7"ep limited to 500 copies entitled "A Holocaust In Front Of God's Eyes". We have participated in two compilations, the tributes to Bathory and to Celtic Frost. The current line-up is Morpheas (guitars, screams and recitations), Kaidas (bass) and Warhead (drums). There were many problems in our path during all these years. We changed to vocalists and two drummers until Warhead comes to Naer Mataron and I take over the vocal part along with the guitars. Of course as Hellenes we all must go to the army and we all must work in order to earn our living. These things have kept us away from composing at times and in some occasions still do…
What is the actual line up of Naer Mataron today relating to who of you is writing the lyrics and the music?
Morpheas: As I have already mentioned the current line-up is me Morpheas - guitars and screams, Kaiadas - bass and Warhead - drums.As far as it concerns the lyrics, Kaiadas is the main writer. In the past I was the main music composer but in the "River At Dash Scalding" Kaiadas participated in the music part as well.
You can be proud to call a fantastic drummer - Warhead - a member of the band. How did you get in contact with him and how did it come that he became a member of Naer Mataron?
Morpheas: Warhead was a fan of Naer Mataron. We saw him playing in a studio and when we asked him if he would like to join Naer Mataron, he accepted at once. Warhead is a great drummer, but the most important thing of all is that he has a strong personality.
Tell me, what did you want to achieve with your music when you founded the band, what was your intention at that time?
Morpheas: My only intention was (and still is) to express my feelings through my music and to praise my ancestors through the black metal cult!
As far as I know the most of your lyrics are about the ancient Europe. What's the reason for this - not so often used - theme, are you especially interested in it?
Morpheas: We have a glorious past as Europeans! What else should we need as a reason? The ancient past of Europe is full of knowledge, pride, and moral values of great importance. Things that don't exist nowadays due to Christianity. People have become miserable and act like idiots due to this religion for sub-humans. I believe that now you can understand why we are supporters of the ancient reality.
In my eyes you are playing old school touched Black Metal in the style of for example Darkthrone or Celtic Frost. How would you describe the music you are playing by your own words?
Morpheas: We just play Black Metal! We all like the 1990-95 era of Black Metal. I believe that our music is in the vein of old Darkthrone, Mayhem or Gorgoroth. I don't think that we have much in common with Celtic Frost as far as it concerns the music. However I really like Celtic Frost and that is why we have participated in the Celtic Frost tribute CD. Celtic Frost is a cult band!
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How did you come on the bands name Naer Mataron, and tell me something about it's meaning?
Morpheas: Naer Mataron is the Sumerian name of the palace of the dead. In other words a different name of Hades. It represents our music in a very good way and that is why we have chosen it.
As I read in your list of releases you did two cover songs in your early times. One for a Tribute CD to Celtic Frost ("Return To The Eve") and one for Bathory ("Equimanthorn"). Are there special reasons why you especially took these two songs from these bands? Do you have a special relation to them?
Morpheas: Both Bathory and Celtic Frost are cult bands for the worldwide Black Metal scene. These two bands set the basis for the Black Metal architecture. When the label asked as if we would like to participate in these CDs we accepted at once. It is a great honour for us being in these two releases. I believe that our music style was very close to the style of the "Equimanthorn song as far as it concerns Bathory. From Celtic Frost we chose to cover "Return To The Eve" because it is a really dark song and also because this song could be changed into our black metal speed style.
We experimented a bit with its tempos, hehe…
What about the metal scene in Greece? A big mainstream scene and a small underground like in many European countries or quite different?
Morpheas: Well, Greece has the old great Black Metal bands like Necromantia, Varathron, Rotting Christ and Zemial (that are now live in Australia). We have many underground bands here in Greece. I will only name Goatvomit and Nordor from the underground black metal scene, as I really don't know anything from the rest of the metal scene. Yes, I suppose that the Greek scene is almost like all the other scenes of Europe. The only thing that changes is that we don't have many good 'zines or radio shows or clubs…
Are there many bands worth mentioning playing such extreme music like Naer Mataron in your home country?
Morpheas: Only Goatvomit but Goatvomit plays in the vein of Beherit and Blasphemy.
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