Nazghor exclusive interview and upcoming album Seventh Secular Crusade

1- Hello and welcome to Metal Music Midwest, first off, thanks for taking the time to do the interview, could you give our readers a brief description of the group? Where is the band from?

Hey! Thank you! Well we’re Nazghor from Uppsala. The band was founded 25th of November 2012, and now at our 10th anniversary of the band we’re releasing our seventh album Seventh Secular Crusade. Since then we have been producing raw, and intense yet melodic and atmospheric black metal of death!

2- Seventh Secular Crusade is the band's 7th full album, how long did it take to write?

Hehe, in the beginning of the career we released two albums a year. The thing is, no matter the pace, everything we released we thought was the best we’ve done that far. However now it has been 5 years since we released anything so this is by far the album we’ve been working with the longest. The work with this album started maybe three years ago. But the result is clear - this is the best we’ve ever done and I’ve never been so proud of being part of a band. You know I'm listening to the album myself and thinking “how the hell can we be so fucking good”.... Amazing!

3- What musical influence inspires the band’s compositions?

Well the main sound and atmosphere is inspired by heavy raw black metal such as Naglfar, Dissection and Gorgoroth. But the melodies are much more pop oriented. That has always been anything with Nazghor, the melodies should be for anyone, but the package must be brutal and black metal is the most solid way to make music as dramatic as possible.

4- The group started in 2012, can you tell us how did you all meet?

Well the band was founded by me (Armageddor, guitars/songwriting) and Nekhrid (Vocals) in Uppsala on a november night 2012. We got connected after some friends we have in common set us up since they’ve heard that we both were going for a new black metal band. During the years we’ve had a lot of people coming and going but now we finally have a setup of the band that we know will last for a long time!

5- The new album title is Seventh Secular Crusade, can you give us details about the content and more in-depth meaning of this title?

The tack-list is set in a specific order to experience the whole album the way it is meant to be. Every song has an important role and message. All the elements required to complete a Nazghor release are invoked in a way that you will remember them. Our lyrics and  philosophy lies with the darkness as our sign of freedom and independence. With Satan as a kind of savior from the religious world to complete the nullification of their pollution. Our message is “ temptation and darkness” and thus is every “crusade” a secular yet blasphemous one.

6- Each member of this project is part of another band, how do you maintain a good balance working together?

Basically one rule - if Nazghor is not priority number one, then leave Nazghor. Don’t care what other people do on the side as long as it’s not affecting the quality of the work done with Nazghor. 

7- Have you performed any shows in your area? if so, how receptive and supportive are the people to your music?

Yes! Our latest gig was in Uppsala and occurred just a few weeks ago. This was our first gig after the pandemic and it was amazing to see our fans are still alive and that they have been waiting for us! The gig was a blast, the whole room was headbaning and the response was basically “you’ve never sounded better”. Felt extra good since we had two new members!

8- Are there any upcoming shows or tours you can tell us about?

We will have a release party the day after the new album is released. This will occur in Stockholm and there are still some tickets left! Other than that we have some festivals coming up next year, both in Sweden and abroad.

9- Thanks for your participation, finally, what is the best way to get a hold of the band, in case someone wants to book or promote the band? 

Just find us on Facebook or whatever media you’re using, or just google Nazghor and you will in some way get a hold of us. 

10- Any final words?

Well yeah thank you for having us and continue supporting the scene! And whatever you do don’t miss out on the new album Seventh Secular Crusade to be released 25th of November! Get yourself drunk, lie down on your bed in a pitch black room and listen to the entire record. That will be an experience you will never forget, I promise you that! Hails!

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