YOUR NAME AND INSTRUMENT: NEMTHEANGA - VOKILLS

How did the recording sessions for your new release go?

- the last one was in 2005. we are recording the new album this summer so i cant answer that yet. the last ones were the usual. which means stressed and difficult.

What goals did you set yourself before you started recording?

- to do the best we can in any given situation. to make something pure and honest without compromise. and to stay as far away as possible from the modern plastic soul less computerised sound most bands go for these days.

What do you feel are your own limitations when it comes to creating/writing music?

- none really, we dont think about it. we know what makes primordial primordial and we dont really concern ourselves with anything outside that when creating music.

Tell us 3 of your favourite songs from your career and the inspiration behind them? (to clear up some confusion, these are three of your own/bands songs-not other artists)

- very difficult to say really but ill try and have a go

- gods to the godless - has everything in it a classic primordial track does. structure and dynamics. tragedy and might.  The initial inspiration for the lyrics was the concept that in times of war people who lived beside each other can end up killing each other, the conflict in the balkans inspired this. the enforcing of tragedy upon a race or nation.

- the coffin ships - huge tragic sounding song. again totally encapsulates what primordial is all about. is more or less the emotional high point of the last album.  The lyrics are about the millions who died and emigrated between 1845 -49 during the irish famine. and the ships on which they sailed to america on in search of a new life were called - the coffin ships.

- sons of the morrigan - more uptempo and rocking then the others, its a great song to play live and has a real fist pumping metal attitude. yet again all the primordial trademarks.  Lyrically uses an old irish mythological tale as an allegory for the modern age. feeling like an alien in modern society that seems honourless and meaningless.

Tell us about your worst live show yet?

- worst...probably wacken in 1998. we had never played in europe before and only ever played a handful of shows in ireland before and a few in the uk. most of them on the floor of pubs and small clubs. we didnt even have the right plugs, didnt know how to soundcheck properly etc. not many people saw it thankfully.  however you live and learn.

What are the bands plans for the rest of the year?

- record the new album in the summer, make the best album we can. make it look incredible. do interviews/press etc and hopefully some touring/festivals in 2008. and never compromise...

How would you describe your own/bands sound?

- dark, passionate, honest metal.

Who is currently moving you musically at the moment?

- loads thankfully....new marduk album, watain, funeral mist, high on fire, isis, neurosis, sigrblot, destroyer 666, rotting christ, uriah heep, woven hand, 16 horsepower, megiddo, axis of advance, reverend bizarre, the cult, godspeed you black emperor, gospel of the horns, loads of things

What album changed your life and why?

- probably the first metal album i got which was ac/dc - for those about to rock when i was a kid, that or iron maiden - iron maiden. the first time i heard prowler when i was 10 or 11 i knew that was it.

A moment in your life and a song that seem so perfectly intertwined in your memory?

- too many to mention thankfully...putting the needle on bathory - blood fire death for the first time back in 88 and being brought to another world no other band could bring you, the summer of 96 seemed to be summed up by rotting christ - triarchy of the lost lovers for example. a few years ago the eye of every storm by neurosis touched me. then woven hand....loads

Your proudest achievement so far?

- not giving in after all these years and forging our own bloody minded path.

If you could erase one single/album from history (your own or someone else's) which would it be and why?

- none of mine. im proud of them all.  any album by some modern female fronted euro pop metal band. fuck them all, if you are thinking of forming a band like this or are in one. spare us, kill yourself. no really...do

How do you see yourself altering the band and your sound in the future?  Is there anything you wish to attempt in the future that's inspiring you right now?

- I don't think about it. the band wont last forever so i take it for what it is right now. it will always be part of me no matter what but its important to put things into perspective. we dont alter anything, we just write what we like and see what comes out. i have enough inspiration in this fucked up world to last as long as i live.

A rumour you'd like to start about yourself, or one you'd like stopped?

- the only reputation to have is a bad one after all so nope...

What drives you & What are your fears?

- im a creator. a creative person. there are creators and consumers in this world. ill always be doing something. whether its primordial or not. i havent said all i have to say so until i feel i have ill keep on as i have been.

The revolution comes, who would you like to be first against the wall (and if you're feeling particularly bitchy, a second, third, fourth and so on...)?

- again too many people to mention.  the people who are reducing our culture and history to one faceless mono-culture without spirit or character.

Best piece of advice you'd give to aspiring musicians, or the best piece of advice you were given when you started?

- im not sure i was given any to be honest. we just made our own mistakes. my biggest piece of advice would be. dont rush. dont think that just because you have 8 songs in 3 months people need to hear them all instantly. hone your craft and dont follow trends.

If you're in a car going at the speed of light, and someone turns the headlamps on, would they do anything?

- i dont know, id have to rent out back to the future.

and please answer either:

TOP 5 IPOD TUNES

(What are you favourite tracks on your ipod/in your cd collection and why?)

1. rose tattoo - 1854

from the new rose tattoo album which is fucking awesome. a real comeback, full of energy and fuck you attitude. the lyrics of this song are about the sacrifices our ancestors made for us. in an austrailian context. the eureka stockade etc.

2. rush - circumstances

from hemispheres. ive been going through quite a big old rush phase lately here and there and i just love the harmonies here and the lyrics are great as well

3. steve von till - if i should fall to the field

heartbreaking track from his second solo album. the last half when the drums and backing vocals come in are simply incredible

4. rotting christ - nemecic

from the new album by them. one of my very favourite bands ever and this is massive. the best album of the year so far easily...

5. from ashes rise - concrete and steel

anything from this album makes me want to fucking kick the shit out of someone, some violent d-beat really sets my day up ! o). that or tragedy.

or:

Dream Festival Line-up (the bands you'd want playing, dead or alive, at your dream festival?)