Interview with Canis Dirus

Infernal Masquerade: Since Canis Dirus means “Dire Wolf”, why did you guys picked this name for the band?

TMP:  To be honest we didn't really even discuss a name until the music started to take shape. We wanted something that would not only encompass where we come from but also something that would speak to the dire situation the earth is faced with in this day and age. The Canis Dirus (Dire Wolf) is a now extinct species of wolf that was prevalent in this part of North America thousands of years ago, so that combination of a predatory animal that was also around way before modern times was very appealing to us. Thus we thought that Canis Dirus was perfect.

I.M: There is not a lot of information about Canis Dirus on the net, do you guys mind telling us a bit more about when the band was formed and all of those ‘traditional’ things?

TMP: RH and I were friends long before we started Canis Dirus and we really only discussed starting a project sometime last year (2008). But once we made the decision it all came together fairly quickly. I guess it all came about when I had expressed to RH that I wanted to start a new black metal project (I had another one man black metal band called Uvall) and I asked if he was interested in joining as a vocalist. So around summertime of 2008 I started to send him some arrangments and complete songs that I had recorded at my own studio and then in November he drove up here from his home in Ohio and we recorded the vocals in one night.

I.M: What is the basic ideology behind Canis Dirus?

TMP: Well, I don't usually like answering this particular question because it is sometimes hard not to come off sounding a bit self righteous but in terms of any sort of philosophical ideology we are just very disgusted by mankinds desacration of earth and nature as a whole. But as I've said in other interviews, this ideology is not what is most important to us. It is the actual music of Canis Dirus that is most important.

I.M: “A Somber Wind from a Distant Shore” marks your first full length release; can you tell us more about the writing and recording process of the album?

TMP: Well as I said previously we were talking about starting a project together in the summer of 2008. I had the band Uvall for a little while and one of the things that I really thought was holding that particular project back was my vocals. So a mutual friend of ours recommended RH as a vocalist and since we were already friends and are familiar with each others tastes and and ideals as far as black metal goes, it just seemed to make sense. I really think that we have a great working relationship so it has worked out well thus far.

I.M: Why did you guys choose Atmospheric Black Metal to present your art to the world?

TMP: Simply because that is what we like to play and listen to.

I.M: Any touring planned in support of the new album?

TMP: Nope. We are not a live band. We are strictly a studio project.

I.M: Anything else you want to add for your fans and our readers?

TMP: Thanks a lot for all of the support thus far. We are going to start recording the new album this fall and hope to have it completed by springtime 2010.