Artist: The Stone
Orgin: Belgrade, Serbia
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Folter Records
Link: https://www.facebook.com/thestonehorde/info?tab=page_info
Bandmember:
Vocals – Nefas
Guitar – Demonetras
Guitar – Kozeljnik
Bass – Usud
Drums – L.G.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
Hello Kozeljnik,
I´m very glad that you found some time to tell us something about you and your new record Nekroza. You are from Belgrade and play Black Metal. So far, so good, what else is there to know about you and your position towards Black Metal.
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
The Stone had begun its dark journey back in 1996, belonging to the 2nd generation of Black Metal front. The fact that band originates from such an unpopular land of Serbia back in nineties, with the bad warlike image of holocaustic monsters presented in the media worldwide, was giving us much difficulties in spreading the ashes of black art as the same time the attention that was coming from the labels and media was pretty much turned on the other side, covering some other bands and scenes, which is not changed even today actually, but our persistence is timeless so we are here, still present in the scene, releasing our 7th album in 18 years long career.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
Since you last records Golet, three years passed. What have you been doing in the meanwhile and when did you start writing for Nekroza? How quick was the process between recording and releasing the record?
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
During the time Golet was released we were playing live a lot, having three tours marching across Europe with the bands such as Inquisition, Nifelheim, Vulcano, Corpus Christii, Isvind. Our will was to give more space for live activities in order to promote the record on higher level so that’s why it took 3 and a half years between the new and previous record. Speaking of composing and recording process we needed one year to complete the work on Nekroza which is more or less the exact plan we had in mind.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
What themes and motives can the reader find in your music/lyrics? What is the core essence do you want the listener to find?
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
The message behind the latest opus Nekroza sublimes the concept of Necrosis of the soul, initiating the demise of all spiritual values known to modern man encaged in religious forms and dogmas. It sails the earthly ships to the utter madness crashing the soul havens and hammering its presence to the point zero. It’s the inexhaustible fluid of negativism that keeps the darkness omnipresent at the very core of our lyrical expression, nourishing its will to become the destroyer.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
Comparing Golet and Nekroza, where is the biggest difference between the two and which one would you describe as more intense from a personal point of view?
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
It’s hard to be objective when comparing these two albums because as an artist I naturally consider the newest opus as more affirmative then its’ predecessors, but with Nekroza the more time passes I’m totally convinced that we’ve digged a Beasts’ lair with the latest one and opened new dimensions that will guide the band throughout higher levels of artistic freedom. Our aim was letting the atmosphere drives its course, leading us within its audible maze and finally creating the patterns which are more coherent and frequent at the final stage of creativity.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
The lastest material of you has also found its way to Germany. How important is it for you to become famous not only in your region but also worldwide?
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
Mostly all of our releases have found its way in Germany as we are dealing with German labels since our second album back in 2002. We never felt our art need to be restricted or distanced from the wider audience, but being famous is not a category we set as our primary guide line. Still we don’t run from being available and we certainly do care to get more people interested in our band, but we don’t flirt with the fans pretending to be something we are not, like many other bands do at the present stage, carrying the adopted image and message in order to be highlighted among the masses. We have our own path and if people recognize it as something worth to follow then the circle is closed for good. Otherwise fans can choose between thousands of others that pop out on everyday basis.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
I´m not an expert in the Serbian metal scene, therefore I´m totally not familiar with the Serbian Black Metal scene. How difficult is it for you to organize concerts/gigs in your hometown?
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
For us it is not difficult at all to organize concerts, but we don’t play that much in our hometown, maybe once a year and usually we have sold out gigs. I cannot speak about the scene in general as it’s not much consistent, but few promising Black Metal acts can be named here such as Ophidian Coil, Samrt, Vehementer, Svartgren, Kolac, Zloslut, Paimonia, Terrohammer. Also to mention few other bands which I’m involved in such as Kozeljnik, May Result, Murder.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
Have you ever had political or social problems resulting out od the fact that you play Black Metal?
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
Not really. Here Black Metal is not that much in the focus of politicians or any other social organization. We never let any political or social issue to become a part of our artistic expression as we stay totally isolated and independent.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
Have you ever played in Germany or are you planning to come to Germany and present your art live on stage for us?
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
I think we played more in Germany then in our homeland in last ten years. It’s always inspirational to play there and we’re coming back with great pleasure all the time. We’ll return to your soil to headline Bavarian Winter Battle Festival in Rosenheim on January the 10th. Also we are planning a tour for next spring and also some festival dates including legendary Under the Black Sun Festival that happens near Berlin area so obviously our concert agenda will be overwhelmed with German dates in next period.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
How important is the contact to your fans? Is there something like a debate whether talking to your fans is considered as being „true“ or „not true“.
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
The only method of contact worth to talk about is the one made between our music and its consumers as everything we have to say we clearly express through our art and such way of communication is of high importance for us as a band. All other debating such as questioning what is true and what is not is simply out of hand for us and have no any credibility.
Time For Metal / Rene W.:
Thank you very much for the interview. Any final message from you to our readers and listeners?
The Stone / Kozeljnik:
Thank you for giving us support within this interview. Digipack CD and Gatefold LP of our new album Nekroza are still available to purchase at Folter Records so be fast if you seek for the uniqueness in Black Metal art.