In the latest
I Hate Records package I found this gem a excellent minicd, a total stormer of
a brainchild. A tormented psyched out spellbounding trip unleashed by this
awesome US 4 piece Totem that here in this interview have decided to switch to
Jex Thoth after their frontfigure. A interview was a must, here they are. Read
and enjoy.
Interview with Jex Thoth (Pre-Totem)
Here we have
the first (and maybe only) time that Jex Thoth has gotten herself together to speak to the outside world. We are very protective of this alchemical
fantasy that we have conjured, please
handle with care...........................
A huge salute
to your first 3 track Cd, how has the response been so far from fans and press?
Really good from fans. We don't really read press. Has there been
press?
You hooked up
with I Hate Records and a debut will be out, how did you hook up with I Hate
and how pleased are you with the support that you received ?
Our experiance with Ola and I Hate Records has been a complete blessing
for us. We hooked up by Ola persistantly seeking us out and writing us letters.
*
Your debut
album, how is that album going to sound like compare to this 3 track Cd ?
More progressive and more advanced. Heavier in some ways but
supremely psychedelic throughout, and not in the cliched traditional sense.
I dont know
how many times I have played this minicd, but to me I find it like Jefferson
Airplane on valium, it have a excellent flow, totally psyched out, wonderful
arrangements, mad and hysterical over the top dimensions, how was the recording
process for this one and how would you describe the sound of Jex Thoth ?
Anyone who remembers anything about our recording sessions wasn't
really there. The sound of the band is doom rock or psych metal or hard rock.
We don't care what you call it as long as you buy the album.We do all like
Jefferson Airplane, though you will find our roots growing more directly from
Black Sabbath or Amon Duul 2.
You also
coming out with a split with original cult UK Doomsters Pagan Altar, how did
you hook up with them, and how is that split going to sound like compare to
this minicd ?
We love Pagan Altar and their ancient alchemical sound, we are
very excited to share a 7" with them. Once we finished work on our song
"Stone Evil" we could think of no better place for it's release than
alongside such heroic DOOM. Luckily
Pagan Altar are friends of I Hate Records and we found ourselves in good
company with them right away.
Looking at the
front of this one where Jex Thoth your vocalist are burning up a guitar and the
back she is sitting on the stairway kicking back and relaxed, have the cover
any symbolic message ?
The cover is the final scene of the battle - the symbolic
torching of the native instruments of the conquered village. The back cover
represents the spoils of victory. There was wine but we drank it all before the
photo shoot.
Looking at the
titles Kagemi, Luna Moth Speaks and Tauti, what is the message in the lyrical and
musical standpoint in them and what are the main subjects on the album that is
coming out ?
The band as a whole has a preoccupation with mortality and
freedom, and the freedom of mortality.Obviously we are also quite reverential
to the legacy of Heavy Metal and all that goes with it.
The name Totem
from where did that came from ?
It was the first word understood by us, before we could
understand the complete Word.We will continue under the name JEX THOTH.
More on the
mini cd, the soundpicture that you have, I have touched this subject before but
looking in at a deeper level, its very epic, haunting electrical god knows
what, I find a lot of freedom of expression here the picture that you are
creating,where you looking for any specific feeling when you went ahead with
this recording or did it came spontaneously during the time you were in the
studio ?
"It's old but it's good" - Neil Young
More on the
soundpicture, I also find very colourful and theatrical and dramatic the sound that you have, beside the musical
influences that you have, is it any other visionaries that have influenced your
concept ?
Father Yod's texts inspired much of the EP. Also
After the
album and the split with Pagan Altar is out, what can we expect from Jex Thoth,
are you going to set up any tour or, fill me in on your next plans.
We take it as it comes. Whatever opportunities present
themselves, we will confer as a group and carry on as we see fit.
Gabriel
Lilliehook
Info/Order I Hate
Records www.ihate.se
Jex Thoth www.myspace.com/totemdoom