Interview with Weapon

After their release "Drakonian Paradigm", out on The Ajna Offensive, we asked a few questions to one of the minds behind this enigmatic band. Here is the trasncript about what he had to say about the new album.

Thanks for the interview, and let’s get started with the question:

Infernal Masquerade: It’s been 5 years since your formation and “Drakonian Paradigm” is your first full-length album, can you tell us about the journey Weapon embarked in order for this debut album to be possible?

Weapon was formed over 6 years ago. It took a considerable amount of time to find the right people to see the fruition of this album. Even then, 2 of the players on ‘Drakonian Paradigm’ are no longer in the band.

There was no rush to release an album; the priority was, and still is, on honing our craft; quality over quantity.

I.M: How do you think the band’s sound has evolved since you guys first started playing together?

Like most art forms and artists, we have developed as musicians and thus our music has found a genuine sense of structure. The early releases were quite crude compared to what we are doing now. But we have always focused on material we like… there’s no formulaic path in Weapon’s songwriting.

I.M: What is the overall concept/idea behind Weapon, and more specifically “Drakonian Paradigm”?

All of our releases are connected to Satanism in one way or another. That is the fundamental pillar of BLACK Metal, so there’s no way we could even fathom straying from that path.

Drakonian Paradigm is about transcending towards a realm that is not restricted by the chains of false hope; departure from the deceitful world playground; lawless faction, godhood attainment; the inner wolf treading towards Uncreation.

I.M: What do you guys think of the press and fan’s reaction to the album? Did you expect it to be this way?

The album has been in circulation since June 2009 C.E. Thus far, it seems that some people really like it, going as far as to call it “the album of the year”, and then some people just hate it. We were expecting such polarized stances so it’s no surprise at all.  Our album presents challenging elements that the average BM fan is not accustomed to.  Ultimately, we couldn’t care less because we’ll do what want to regardless.

I.M: The cover of the album is pretty interesting; can you tell us what does it represent?

Benjamin Vierling’s brilliant artwork, ‘Signvm Armorvm’, is detailed piece indeed. There are two stylized serpents forming sig runes (in the upper flanks of the geometry). Since our band’s name is Weapon, it made sense to incorporate these elements representing victory through conflict. The serpent, of course, is an icon of gnosis, so the symbol can be dual in purpose; the weaving effect of the geometry inherently adds to the dimension of the piece. The Lucifer figure is akin to a German-Romanesque style manuscript illustration from the 12th century. Its origin is actually a non-specific angel (cherubim), which was altered by Vierling to depict the Bringer of Light; note the eyes in the wings (transcendent and penetrating Vision), and the gesture of the hands: the Left is forming the horned mudra, while the Right is the lowered signature of benediction, which is also used by the Baphomet in Levi's famous illustration. The halo around His head correlates with the Black Sun. Beneath Lucifer’s feet is the turning wheel of the cosmos; vocation, kismet et al. It is in flames as you can see; this is simply to indicate the mastery of Will over matter, the harnessing of the root Chakra, and sovereignty over Fate. Lucifer remains fixed in His descent despite the turning of the wheel. The inverse crescents signify the receptive lunar principle, while the geometry of the three haloed deathheads balances with the burning wheel of Fate at the nadir. The structure of the piece itself has been sketched in the form of a mandala. Carl Jung saw the mandala as an illustration of the unconscious Self, and believed that his own paintings of mandalas enabled him to detect internal turmoil and toil towards unity in individuality.

I.M: Any touring planned in support of  “Drakonian Paradigm”?

We are in talks with some like-minded bands at the moment regarding that. A tour will happen sooner or later.

I.M: Why did you guys select The Ajna Offensive to spread your music?

The Ajna Offensive is perfect for us right now. They have proper distribution, yet they are not ‘too big’ of a label, which can actually backfire for underground bands sometimes. Above all, the decision to sign with them was easy because Ajna is one of the very few labels that put quality over quantity.

I.M: If you had one wish to do whatever you want what would you change and why?

Legalize heroin, rape and murder.

I.M: Any other things you wanted to add for your fans and our readers of the USA?

Fans and readers of the USA - go and buy ‘Drakonian Paradigm’ or forever remain fast-food gobbling lazy fucks!

Thanks for the interview!