Deus Otiosus Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Henrik: "We’ve just recovered from water flooding our rehearsal place. But now we have re-built the band headquarters at a new location and are back on track rehearsing new songs. We are working on the music for a second album."

2. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the new album?

Henrik: "I’m not too fond of rigid genres, but obviously it’s death metal. We call it old school death metal to avoid being mistaken for the nowadays typical death metal bands who aim to play as fast or technical as possible. But I think we are old school in the way that we try to concentrate on good, lasting songs, like the ones we know from the classic bands of the genre. Not that we try to sound as close as possible to the sound of any classic bands. I don’t think our sound is narrow and maybe we have parts that some would categorize as black or thrash metal, but it doesn’t really matter. I believe in creativity more than rigid borders."

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores?

Henrik: "Our music explores all the sinister phenomena of the world, and some beyond. Some of the themes on the "Murderer"-album are violence, hell, torture, Armageddon, the undead and, naturally, murder."
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
Henrik: "Deus Otiosus means withdrawn God, and the bandname is simply our concept: All the horrors among an orphaned humankind in a godless world, like I mentioned in the last answer."

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Henrik: "It’s not that we have played that many yet, but I think most have been very enjoyable. Our first gig was a bit shaky perhaps. But since then it’s been all mayhem all the way. There is really no stage show or image at these concerts. We just play and go berserk. Sometimes there’s been naked people and things flying through the air, but that has been courtesy of the audience."

6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?
Henrik: "No real tours are planned. But we will do more concerts and hopefully we will also figure out some dates abroad."

7. The album is coming out on both FDA Rekotz and American Line how did you come in contact with both labels and how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?

Henrik: "We sent American Line a promo, and FDA Rekotz contacted us. Both labels have been very trustworthy and have delivered what we agreed on. That is far from something you can say about every label, as we witnessed in the process of finding a label for the "Murderer"-album. But all is well that ends well and we’re very happy with the support we’ve gotten from these two labels."

8. On a worldwide level how has your music been received by death metal fans?
Henrik: "Many good reactions and reviews, and some people really seem to understand what we’re doing. owever

However I am sure, that there are still a lot of death metal fans out there who have not yet heard our music, so there is a long way to go yet!"

9. Are there any side projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?

Henrik: "I also play in another band called Exekrator, which has a quite unique black/heavy metal sound. Some of the other guys used to play in a band called Hideous Invasion, but that is on ice, so I’m the only one actively involved in another band, and I think for all of us Deus Otiosus is the most active band."

10. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

Henrik: "Where ever creativity takes us. It’s just a matter of making the best possible music, so hopefully it will get better and better, but beyond that I can’t say. However we have new songs ready for a second album, and they tend to emphasize the strengths on "Murderer" further. Each song is in itself stronger and more worked through, and at the same time there is more variation in the dynamic and character in between the songs. More of everything, you could say."

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Henrik: "I have been playing this kind of music for many years, so it’s hard to find conscious inspirations. I suppose I am generally inspired by the old classics both death metal acts such as Death, Morbid Angel and Pestilence, but also metal in general. For example Mercyful Fate, Slayer, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath. I can easily be inspired by music quite far from what we’re doing, and I think that is the way it should be. If we were inspired solely by bands that are musically close to our own, we would probably just sound too much like something that’s already been done. I still listen to classic metal like mentioned earlier, Cirith Ungol, Master’s Hammer, Deicide etc. I must admit that even though there are many cool, current bands there are few that are really great standouts to me. Among bands that are fantastic today would be Absu, Macabre, Morbid Angel (contrary to everyone else it seems, I like the new album), Melechesh and Grand Magus."

12. What role does Occultism play in your music and how would you describe your views on these topics?

Henrik: "Like all other sinister sides of life and history, occultism is a topic for our music. For example the song "Kult of the Horned Snake" from our demo is inspired by the mystery cults from centuries ago. That does not mean that I hold any supernatural beliefs though."

13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Henrik: "Philosophy, history, religion, classic architecture and arts. But that does not mean that I am an expert in all those things. I actually don’t have much time to spend on such interests at this point. Perhaps when I’m retired."

14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Henrik: "Thanks a lot for the support, John. Much appreciated! And good luck with Hatred Means War ‘till we speak again."