(Black Metal/Avant-garde) Stefan /Stéfan/ Kozak (Azerlath, Mystic Forest, Eikenskaden, The Skaden) - Дискография (1997-2010), FLAC (image+.cue) lossless

#777Страна-производитель диска: France
Год издания диска: 1998
Издатель (лейбл): Black Fields
Номер по каталогу: BF01
Продолжительность: 37:29
Трэклист:
01. The March of the Lost Souls [01:21]
02. Nightside Aura [05:46]
03. The Leaf [03:13]
04. Melody of the Forest [01:21]
05. Snow Covered Land [06:54]
06. Svart [01:27]
07. Northward [04:04]
08. After the Rain [00:53]
09. The Stream and the Lake [06:43]
10. An Ode for a Frozen Night [02:40]
11. When All Will End [03:07]

If you’ve followed Maelstrom much over the past couple years, you’ll know we’re big fans of Mystic Forest and Eikenskaden. The cult is growing too, with our protegé Bastiaan de Vries catching on and getting all of the sister bands’ output (that’s seven albums between the two projects in a handful of years). The latest of the albums, Mystic Forest’s Romances was released late in 2004 on Blackmetal.com’s label.
While the group has always been about the pretty and classical, Romances takes it a step farther with a heavy nod towards the nostalgic and traditional by adding in overt accordion sounds in the repertoire to accompany the swirling, melodic din of the harsh tracks, punctuated by tranquil, reverent piano classics during a rainstorm. We chatted with Mystic Forest main man Stefan Kozak (again. Please check out our interview with him for Eikenskaden, too).
Maelstrom: Stefan, for sure the biggest element to notice on Romances is the "accordion." Is this a real accordion? It carries with it a super strong sense of nostalgia of what I think of the as old country. Romantic for sure. Could you begin to talk about what romantic moods you were in when composing this album?
Stefan Kozak: I was in a despaired mood during the recording of Romances. Maybe that's why it has this romantic feeling; despair and romanticism are always linked; love is always sad...
For the accordion, what can I say... I am proud to use this typical French instrument. I am proud of my roots. When I see French NS bands playing Viking parts, it make me laugh so much. So that's the fact! A real accordion ? what is a real accordion for you ? hehe... (Kozak pictured below)
Maelstrom: Indeed, it still seems kind of comical for French bands to pretend they're Vikings. I dunno... There's an Italian band called Doomsword – which I like, incidentally – but whose songs about wishing they were Danish is just rather quaint in addition to being cool.
Stefan Kozak: Yep, there is many answer to this question. Some want to be a pirate captain in a space ship. For now, I just want to be myself, sad and despaired... goodbye life, I stay because I hate you !
Maelstrom: A real accordion to us? It's the thing with keys and buttons that you operate by pushing your arms in and out. Is that what you used? Ever the secretive guy about members and what they play, aren't you?
Stefan Kozak: I pushed buttons, but maybe I did not operate by "pushing" the arms... hehe. If you see what I mean...
Maelstrom: In your song "Coupable de tous les Péchés" ("He who is Guilty of all Sins") You talk about the end of a trilogy and the beginning of a new era. Could you tell us what this is about?
Stefan Kozak: This the way we decided to break away from our lyrics and concepts [up to that point]. We had spoken enough about nature and forests. It was time to speak about something else! The Green Hell..., Welcome Back in the Forest and Waltz in the Midst of Trees trilogy is over. The green lady has been slain, now it's time for sadism and romanticism to go carry on !
Maelstrom: See, this is what happens when i don't follow the lyrics at all. Who is the green lady?
Stefan Kozak: Nature...
Maelstrom: You KILLED Nature? gasp. Do you not love the Mystic Forest?
Stefan Kozak: Haha... that's not the point. You can't eternally be in the same place, or you start to rot...
Maelstrom: Indeed, the structure of "Romances," with its piano interludes, and the lyrical structure suggest a definite concept album. Twisted romances, perhaps? You make reference to a Marquis in "Supplice Raffiné" ("Refined Torture"). Can we conclude that this would be de Sade you pay homage to in your very graphic lyrics of depravity?
Stefan Kozak: Yes, Baalberith is a big fan of Le Marquis de Sade. He is one of our biggest influences. Refined and tortured... yes, this is it!
Maelstrom: You dedicate one song to Terje "Valfar" Bakken, the creative force behind Windir, who died of hypothermia while taking a walk in the snow in Norway. Certainly a sad loss. How much did Windir touch you and your own creativity?
Stefan Kozak: As Terje was a great Mystic Forest fan and had developed his way of playing guitar after listening to me, it was normal for Baalberith and me to say a goodbye to him like this.
Maelstrom: A FINE compliment (mostly to you, but also to him). Windir was becoming one of the best bands with Likferd. 1184 was amazing, too.
Stefan Kozak: Yes. He was a great composer. There are so many good players all around the world; but a good composer is so hard to find. We have lost a lot of metal artists these years. But this is the biggest lost.
Maelstrom: Speaking of Windir, have you heard the continuation of Windir's remaining members, Vreid? Could you please give us your opinion?
Stefan Kozak: This is a great band! In the way of Windir, but with a modern touch. Not as good as Windir, but better than a lot of nowadays BM bands!
Maelstrom: Could you please tell us what order you record your music in, and what kind of equipment you use?
Stefan Kozak: At first I record the main melody, often this is the guitar. To be on the rhythm I use a simple drumbox line. Then I add the other guitars, the bass, the solos, the other instruments. Finally, I record the main drums. Then, the vocals.
I use a digital 8-track recorder for the guitar, the bass and the voices.
Maelstrom: Is Claire your girlfriend? She's pretty. If I remember well, wasn't there a Julie on a previous record?
Stefan Kozak: No, and definitely NO! I never mix music and love... even music and friendship. Hehe, you think she's pretty, I'll tell her. She'll be happy to hear that (Claire, vocalist, below).
Damn Julie, She is the best female singer I know. But now she lives 1000 Km from my home. That's a bit too far. Even if Ballberith is far away, it's easier in his case...
Maelstrom: You mentioned before that your impressive production of albums will be slowing down. Are you feeling burnt out, or do you have big plans that will require some extra maturation period?
Stefan Kozak: In fact "real" life has taken too much place in my daily routine nowadays. I work too much, spend too much time on the road... and too much time with girls... and in bars. But I take my time, without hurry. I am preparing the new Eikenskaden, this will be a great CD. I have to finish the drums, to write the fucking vocals and it will be done! And no, there is still no maturation time! Everything is still improvised, but this time this is even more strange since for a few songs the beginning of the song has been recorded months before the end. This will be a great record!
Maelstrom: As a side note, I've been enjoying not buying very many CDs at all anymore. It allows me to really appreciate the ones I already have, like your Waltz in the Midst of Trees album. Like Romances, it charmingly punctuates the harsh bits with classical pieces played on the piano. For the metal fan just getting into classical music, could you please share some of the names of these pieces, and maybe tell us what your favorite interpretations of them are?
Stefan Kozak: I’ve used a lot of Chopin, especially his “Nocturnes"; Debussy’s "Serenade" and some other well known pieces. I used so much of these I don't even remember which one is on which CD.
Maelstrom: Mystic Forest's contributor Baalberith (below) doesn't play on Romances, but gets a very big billing. how much of a role does he play?
Stefan Kozak: He is the half of the Mystic Forest brain. Without his writing, Mystic Forest may lose all its meaning. He is the little angel (or demon) on my shoulder that says, "No, this time you have gone in the wrong direction." But for non-French readers this may have no meaning since his art is even hard to understand for a native speaker of French.
Maelstrom: So, no more foreseeable Mystic Forest CDs? When's the new Eikenskaden coming out, again? Is it just going to be you on it?
Stefan Kozak: I am recording the new Eikenskaden CD alone. All the guitars and bass are recorded, and nearly all the drums. Now I have to write the lyrics and record them, mix everything and do the artwork. All will be finished in maybe six months. Then, when the new Eikenskaden will be out (it will be more rock ‘n’ roll! hehe), the Mystic Forest team will start a new adventure!

#777Страна-производитель диска: France
Год издания диска: 2001
Издатель (лейбл): Chanteloup Creations
Номер по каталогу: WOE02
Продолжительность: 36:24
Трэклист:
01. Legend Of The Glade (3:04)
02. Welcome Into The Darkness (1:56)
03. Green Paradise (3:09)
04. Theme Of The Squirrel (2:09)
05. Shadows (2:11)
06. A Dead Tree In The Landscape (4:07)
07. Nature (1:59)
08. Mystic Spirit (3:24)
09. Eternal Myst (2:22)
10. Mysterious Flowers (3:55)
11. Black Forest (3:04)
12. Forest Lamento (Live) (5:12)

#777Страна-производитель диска: France
Год издания диска: 2001
Издатель (лейбл): Oaken Shield / Adipocere
Номер по каталогу: FPG 7
Продолжительность: 42:12
Трэклист:
01. Welcome Back In the Forest (0:56)
02. O Belle Maudite (4:04)
03. Sous La Majesté Céleste (4:14)
04. La Dame Verte (3:09)
05. Requiem On Waltz (1:50)
06. Une Valse Avec La Mort (2:59)
07. Genese De Glace (4:03)
08. La Tristesse D'une Pluie D'automne (1:16)
09. Mes Songes Decimes (3:15)
10. Braver Les Ombres (2:44)
11. Le Sourire De La Nymphe (3:57)
12. Pour Enfin Liberer Ma Vie (4:37)
13. Requiem Lunaire (5:18)

#777Страна-производитель диска: France
Год издания диска: 2003
Издатель (лейбл): Sacral Productions
Номер по каталогу: SP CD 06
Продолжительность: 43:39
Трэклист:
01. Tandis Que Les Arbres Regardent (While Trees Are Looking) (5:57)
02. The Tender Lady of the Fog (4:10)
03. Waltz in the Midst of Trees (2:56)
04. Perdu Sans Le Regard De La Lune (Lost Without the Look of the Moon) (2:49)
05. La Terreur Me Contemple (The Terror ... Me) (4:53)
06. Requiem Pour Une Conscience Perdue (Requiem For A Lost Conscience) (3:23)
07. Avalee Par La Nuit (Swallowed By Night) (5:25)
08. Les Sombres Caresses Du Brouillard (The Dark Caresses of the Mist) (6:07)
09. In Her Black Lace (2:28)
10. La Dame Verte (the Green Lady) - Part II (4:23)
11. The Melody of Hope (1:13)

#777Страна-производитель диска: USA
Год издания диска: 2004
Издатель (лейбл): Blackmetal.com
Номер по каталогу: BMC66611CD
Продолжительность: 42:34
Трэклист:
01. Coupable De Tous Les Péchés (5:29)
02. Cette Rose Que Rend La Mort (6:09)
03. Dans Le Couloir Du Vice (4:57)
04. Une Ronde Dans Les Ruines (6:57)
05. Soumis A Ces Lianes (2:37)
06. Supplice Raffiné (5:42)
07. Si Le Bois Pouvait Parler... (4:53)
08. Romances (3:46)
09. Un Dernier Supplice (2:07)

#777Страна-производитель диска: France
Год издания диска: 2010
Издатель (лейбл): PostChrist Productions
Номер по каталогу: PCP 001
Продолжительность: 77:48
The 3 first Mystic Forest demo recordings, "Medieval Art" (edited and remastered version), "Your Memories...", "Third Requiem" plus 2 unreleased tracks from the "Your Memories..." recording sessions released on one CD in a strictly limited edition (500 copies).
Трэклист:
Medieval Art
01. Grim Forest (2:31)
02. The Stream (4:40)
03. The Cave in the Mountain (1:31)
04. Nature Spirit (4:54)
05. A Black Castle in the Landscape (1:30)
06. Blizzard (3:44)
07. Desolate Melodie (0:48)
08. Blazing Wind (4:14)
09. Farewell... (1:45)
10. When All Will End (2:04)
11. Cloud Tears (1:02)
Your Memories...
12. I - Denizen Of The Dreamy Forest (3:27)
13. II - Requiem On Waltz (3:28)
14. III - The End Of The Eternal Night (1:32)
15. IV - Presto Agitato Cupido (2:52)
16. V - The Wind Is Calling My Name (1:52)
17. VI - The Nymphs Will Pray For My Soul (4:50)
18. VII - Overture For The Lamento Concerto (1:57)
19. VIII - Laments (2:42)
20. IX - Sonata De Luna Dom Inferni (3:18)
21. X - Insana Domine (1:17)
Lost Memories
22. Lamento Concerto (3:53)
23. Lost Memory (3:12)
Third Requiem
24. Welcome Back In The Forest (2:39)
25. Diving In The Lake Of Sorrow (2:09)
26. Another Requiem For My Cold Love (5:09)
27. So Many Sighs... (3:09)
28. My Heart Is A Stream (1:36)

The term "black metal art" gets thrown about quite a bit. You know it's too much when bands like Enthroned start talking about what they do using these words. However, calling what Eikenskaden does truly fitting. First and foremeost is the sound: shattering and breaking at every note like an explosion of a geode, the unique, excruciating sound is a perfect delivery for the passionate, classical music tinged compositions.
What really makes things get weird and interesting is when you discover that there's this other band called Mystic Forest, which not only has the exact same sound, but also the same type of artwork and the same sound sample of running water and the same type of piano breakdowns. Things were getting pretty bizarre. So amongst much speculation, I tracked down the leader of Eikenskaden, a Frenchman by the name of Stéfan Kozak, to figure out what the hell was going on. Sure enough, it turned out that he was behind both bands. So the question was, why? Why do the same thing under two different names? Is Kozak an artistic genius or a one-trick pony who's found something special and is totally out of control? Read and find out as Kozak (and, to some extent, Mystic Forest bandmate Baalberith) talks about his projects, as well as the just released Mystic Forest album Waltz in the midst of Trees (reviewed in this issue) and the hot off the presses new Eikenskaden album, The Last Dance. (pour lire la version originelle en français, touchez ici.)
Maelstrom: I learned about your works by discovering Eikenskaden. When I noticed a Mystic Forest album (it was Welcome back in the Forest, review in issue #10) at a store, I was very excited as there were elements of style and presentation that were similar with the first Eikenskaden disk. The main question initially is, why do you have two bands when the sound and the sonic themes are practically the same? I do believe that Welcome back… differs in a fairly notable way from The Black Laments Symphony (review in issue #9) in terms of the actual musical compositions, but the production is the same, you've got the running water samples (as well as on Green Hell, the first Mystic Forest album)… For example, when I first heard Welcome…, I knew when to anticipate the piano solo.
Stéfan Kozak: Everything that you mentioned is true…well, was true…for with the two new CDs of my two bands, things change. Now Mystic Forest and Eikenskaden are much different from each other in terms of the image, ambiance and sound. You'll see. Eikenskaden will keep that rawer edge, while Mystic Forest will be more prog. Well, it'll remain the same at the core level. The Black Laments… is in fact a compilation of all the "waste" of my other projects! Everything that is unusable elsewhere - perhaps as it's too "strange"! Eikenskaden is a sort of forum for us to let off steam! It's the roughest of the rough; we play what we like, when we want. That's it. It's really something separate; it's desperation in its purest form. It's inexplicable. To be exact, the next Eikenskaden has strong industrial and S&M imagery. There are also gloomier sound samples. By the way, thanks for your write-ups of my bands. I'm quite proud.
Maelstrom: I find it a bit surprising that the first Eikenskaden was a sort of recycling bin… That would certainly explain why the sound is so similar between the two projects. However, I find, like you mentioned, much more passion in Eikenskaden's music. Speaking of this, does Eikenskaden mean anything?
Stéfan Kozak: It means "oaken shield."
Maelstrom: So if I understand correctly, the new Eikenskaden will be different as the project isn't something for you guys to let off steam?
Stéfan Kozak: No, it still is.
Maelstrom: I find the titles of the songs on The Black Laments… very interesting and funny (without being stupid in the least, of course). They're certainly unique, like "She's Hiding behind a Tree," "I'll take a Walk on My Grave" and "I'll Take Another Walk on My Grave." Did you foresee that these titles would have this effect?
Stéfan Kozak: Eikenskaden's titles are in fact caricatures, but in the favorable sense of the word. It's quite true! I don't place any limits on my imagination, that's all…hehe. On the next album, the song titles aren't too bad, either, and the artwork, well, that'll be the corker!
Maelstrom: So, you're three in Mystic Forest; are you three in Eikenskaden? I think that there is a woman in Welcome back… Is there currently a drummer?
Stéfan Kozak: We're six on the last Eikenskaden… I'm the drummer on the new Mystic Forest. Julie, our singer, is still in the band; she does some fantastic vocals, especially on Waltz in the Midst of Trees.
Maelstrom: Something doesn't make sense. You said there were three people in Mystic Forest, but six people in Eikenskaden. How can Eikenskaden be Mystic Forest extras if there are different amounts of people?
Stéfan Kozak: There is mainy strange things about Eikenskaden... The first thing is that I am the only Mystic Forest member in Eikenskaden. The second is that the photos show which guy plays which instrument... maybe sometimes the same man is in a different picture... maybe No one except me and the other Eikenskaden members know really how many we are and who we are (except for me but that's due to a label spoiler… and now it's to late to hide). The only thing I can say is that the line-up is not always the same from song to song... but I write all of them.
Maelstrom: I'd like to know more about the sound that you have achieved on your albums. It's like a microphone has been held un way too closely to a loudspeaker. The result is like a scintillating shattering of glass at every note.
Stéfan Kozak: I don't know…it's the way it is, it's my sound. It comes from my will to use this sound. Now, if you say that I'm the only one to have a sound like this, it's perhaps true, but I'm not trying to stand out from others; I'm only looking to do what I want to do. Mystic Forest has never had any restraint, nor any desire to seduce. Maybe this feeling comes directly from my equipment. At the same token, I'm not one to try to have the most extravagant guitar possible, just the one that sounds the best. I use a jazz type guitar with very thin strings. It's my style.
Maelstrom: Should we be looking for complicated themes in the samples of running water that are in all your albums? Is The Black Laments… a concept album?
Stéfan Kozak: All the samples have an important place on my recordings: they represent something. Now, it's for each person who listens to my music to make his own image. It's like when you read a book: it's your imagination that has to be working above all else!
Maelstrom: Your incorporation of classical music in Eikenskaden is a success. Abinoni's "Adagio" is one of my favorite pieces.
Stéfan Kozak: I have always done that and will continue to do so. I simply have always adored classical music, so I make it live through my music. It makes me happy to play it, so if on top of that other like it too, that's perfect!
Maelstrom: Who's the little guy on the Mystic Forest albums? Why is he leaning over at that curious angle?
Stéfan Kozak: That's my own personal logo. I try to include it in some way in the logos of all the bands I play in. That's why, incidentally, that it'll be on the next Eikenskaden record. Actually, he's not leaning; it's just his shadow that makes it look that way.
Maelstrom: Tell me a bit about yourself. "Stéfan"… that sounds rather Slavic rather than French… Tell us about your love for the forest and the duality of the serene images on your albums and the music, which is so explosive and then calm. What are your demons?
Stéfan Kozak: I have the same first name as my Ukranian grandfather. In terms of the forest imagery, it's more present on our earlier recordings. Now, it's rather an image of sadness and desperation that we're putting forth. The forest represents something really mysterious, which is the feeling we've always wanted to the band to have. There are enormous forests in the place where I was born. When one spends a lot of time in such places, the image of what the places represent remains engraved within oneself forever. In terms of the duality of my music, it's something difficult to explain, but for me it's something that's very natural. It's in my emotions, sometimes calm and sad, sometimes unleashed and desperate… sometimes both at once. My music represents the sadness that I feel at my core, and it permits me to allow it to be liberated. It's difficult to explain. My music is me, that's what I am… What are my demons? Certainly an infinite sadness at the depths of my being.
Maelstrom: I'm doing another interview with this band. We've been talking about the notion that black metal isn't for fun. What do you think of this idea?
Stéfan Kozak: For me, black metal allows me to completely evacuate my sadness, which allows me to be more normal afterwards. But like always, there are exceptions, such as certain bits of Finntroll or Nokturnal Mortem that sound a bit like a Pagan party, but which remain completely black metal in spirit!
Baalberith: I'd like to intervene on this discussion. Personally, I am entirely of the same opinion as you are, Roberto. I live my life well, but when I'm making black metal, there's a certain spirit one must respect!
Maelstrom: I noticed this thing on the new record that you, Baalberith, said that dates back to 1980 (!). "For who that is in black metal, contemplates sadness…" What importance does this musical expression have?
Baalberith: Concerning the 1980 dedication, and it is indeed one, you're not the first one to ask me about it. In fact it's a dedication to my best buddy, who's a fan of the band and especially that song ("La Terreur me contemple" from <Waltz in the midst of Trees>) So instead of putting down his name (which seems kind of lame), I tried to be more subtle by putting down his birth year instead!

#777Страна-производитель диска: France
Год издания диска: 2001
Издатель (лейбл): Chanteloup Creations
Номер по каталогу: WOE8
Продолжительность: 36:59
Трэклист:
01. Into the Void of Sadness (0:34)
02. I'll Dance This Adagio with the Spirits (3:00)
03. Dying On a Bed of Roses (4:10)
04. There Is 666 Trees In My Forest (4:53)
05. I Want to Die Alone (1:56)
06. I'll Go for a Walk On My Grave (4:15)
07. Leather Fetish Whore In the Arms of Morpheus (2:20)
08. She's Waiting for Me Behind a Tree (4:48)
09. My Heart Is a Stream (1:50)
10. I'll Go for Another Walk On My Grave (7:09)
11. The Theme of Sorrow (2:10)

#777Страна-производитель диска: France
Год издания диска: 2002
Издатель (лейбл): Sacral Productions
Номер по каталогу: SPSN 3/6
Продолжительность: 38:27
Трэклист:
01. Then I'll Erase Myself Forever (3:25)
02. Lunarian Seas (5:29)
03. The Nymphs Will Pray For My Soul (4:20)
04. Worlwide Forest (4:37)
05. Presto Agitato Cupido (3:37)
06. The White Cold Mist (3:42)
07. A Requiem For My Cold Love (3:05)
08. Close Your Eyes And Dream (3:11)
09. Lost Memories (3:10)
10. The Lamento Concerto (3:57)

#777Страна-производитель диска: USA
Год издания диска: 2004
Издатель (лейбл): tUMULt Records
Номер по каталогу: tm 91
Продолжительность: 41:50
Трэклист:
01. The Smell of the Whip (6:03)
02. Laments Waltz (6:06)
03. Sharp Edged Iron Trees (3:22)
04. 665.999 (2:22)
05. Funeral March (4:25)
06. Another Dance (2:19)
07. Virgins Are Buried Wearing A Wedding Dress (6:22)
08. Absolute Zero (3:25)
09. Feelings from the Past (7:30)

#777Страна-производитель диска: USA
Год издания диска: 2005
Издатель (лейбл): Blackmetal.com
Номер по каталогу: BMC66622CD
Продолжительность: 37:44
Трэклист:
01. I Hear Voices But They Aren't Saying a Thing (5:37)
02. Anthology (5:22)
03. I Left Tears in My Thoughts (3:20)
04. The Death of a Sad Old Man (6:09)
05. Eternity is not Product of Time (4:48)
06. 666 Pills (3:39)
07. There is no Light at the End of the Tunnel (3:24)
08. The Song of Despair (5:30)

With an output of eight albums over two projects in a six-year span, one can understand if musical juggernaut Stefan Kozak needed to take some time off. His twin sister projects, Eikenskaden and Mystic Forest, primarily the product of the man’s singular work, reached impressive musical heights, but towards the end, it seemed like little was left in the tank.
Four years later, the newly titled, yet familiar-sounding band The Skaden releases its debut album You Will Hope I Had Died, and all we needed to see was the familiar mascot on the logo to know that Kozak was back on the scene. We contacted the man to feature another installment on the development of his musical career.
Maelstrom: Such an intense output for years, and then just as many years silent. Couldn't even find you on the usual social network sites. I remember you saying when There Is No Light at the End of the Tunnel was released, that it was time for a good, long break. Could you talk about your feelings then and how they've progressed till now?
Stefan Kozak: During that break I recorded all the music for the next Mystic Forest album. That was pretty intense. After finishing to record the music, I was unable to write the lyrics: I tried to work with Baalberith, but I quickly understood that this was not what I wanted. Then I tried to write the lyrics myself but I was washed up, no energy anymore... And here comes the funny part...
I had to move to a new house for a few months with nothing else to do every evening other than playing music, at the same time I had bought new instruments, new material for my home studio and I wanted to try it all, so I decided to record every little thing in order to find how to use my new gear...
And here it is. A few months later, a new CD was recorded before I got even the idea to record one! All this little things I had recorded I put together, threw on some lyrics, took the voice Debbie J. had recorded for Mystic Forest, and put it over one of the songs, decided to have a song sung in Japanese, and then changed my mind and asked for a Japanese radio announcer voice to record it.... I recorded my voices in an afternoon... And my new CD was ready!
Maelstrom: New instruments? Do tell. What are you playing on now?
Stefan Kozak: I had bought a Vigier Excalibur Supra. It’s an incredible guitar. It was handmade in six months in order to be the exact guitar I wanted. This guitar has opened me a new way of playing — this is really one of the best guitars ever made... really, I had played on many guitars, but this incredible feeling of touching a true piece of wood and not a piece of plastic; like what you feel when playing on a violin, for exemple, is incredible...
Maelstrom: What new recording gear are you using?
Stefan Kozak: A small home studio like everyone’s got these days... Everything is really "garage" in spirit.
Maelstrom: My ear for detail has developed so much since the period when I first heard Eikenskaden. I could always feel the crazed intensity, but now I can actually pinpoint how, like, on that record, you turned all the toms and cymbals up very loud, and the snare and kick not. You love turning the cymbals up loud. On Black Laments and other albums, was this crazy mix choice intentional, and how do you feel about it now?
Stefan Kozak: The fact is that I wanted to mimic the typical Pytten Grieghallen drum sound. I was in love with this way of having blasting toms. I am still in love with it, in fact. But now, with The Skaden, I use an old school rock drum sound... far more organic. It sounds huge and helps to give a certain feel to the musical landscape since I do not use many instruments in The Skaden songs.
Maelstrom: Something that I misunderstood about your bands... I thought you were actually playing the drums, and that it was an e-kit. It never sounded like a drum machine, even though (primarily) the tUMULt site lists it as such, because the performance sounded too passionately damaged and rabid... like a drum machine couldn't do... and there was something alive even in the sound of it.
Stefan Kozak: I’ve performed the drums in many different ways on all my records, but I think that with The Skaden, I’ve found the perfect way. I am very proud of this drum recording: a perfect mix of synthetic and organic parts.
Maelstrom: Care to go into more detail about examples of the synthetic / organic mixes on your records?
Stefan Kozak: Haha, no, I will keep a bit of my secrets, if you don't mind.
Maelstrom: Eikenskaden is listed as "broken up" on metal-archives.com, and the new album is called The Skaden. Why the name change? The continuity in German of "eikenskaden" ("oaken shield") seemed perfect. Now it's English / German "the shield," the logo still looks like Eikenskaden (or maybe it's because of the little man mascot that goes with all your albums) which sounds like a popular cable TV series about Policemen. What shield is it your music represents?
Stefan Kozak: Do not try to translate what The Skaden means. I just wanted to change the band name in order to not fool people, The Skaden is not Eikenskaden, The Skaden is not black metal, it is far more than that.
I had thought that the "The" was pretty "rock'n roll," and I used "Skaden" because it was the part I loved the most in the Eikenskaden name... really everything was so spontaneous with this band that you do not have to think methaphysically — it is just a band called "The Skaden." Yes, I used my "mascot" on the logo, this mascot means "this record is a pure Stefan Kozak product." That's all.
Maelstrom: How about Mystic Forest? Is that alive or dead?
Stefan Kozak: As I told you, as soon as I find the inspiration to write lyrics again for Mystic Forest, the new CD will be here. This may be tomorrow or in two years.
Maelstrom: Got it. Do you plan to make more records under The Skaden? How about Eikenskaden?
Stefan Kozak: Eikenskaden is dead for now. The Skaden is alive and well! I have already recorded 10 minutes of music for the next album...
Maelstrom: Is the music for the new Mystic Forest and the music for The Skaden two seperate things?
Stefan Kozak: Completely, and more than ever. The new Mystic Forest does not have even 1% of rock'n roll in its veins, while The Skaden’s got at last 50%. The new Mystic Forest will be the evolution of Romances, bue more complicated, with a LOT of guitars, a lot of lead guitar rhythmics, and all the Mystic Forest style will be there.
Maelstrom: French black metal has become increasingly in vogue and talked about on a world wide scale. Antaeus, Deathspell Omega, and now bands like Merrimack... All along, Eikenskaden made black metal records, kind of in a semi-parallel universe. How do you feel recognition for your work has gone along with the strengthening of the perception of French black metal?
Stefan Kozak: I really was gravel in the French black metal scene’s shoe. There are maybe 5% of French black metal musicians whom I appreciate as human beeings. Damn, I haven’t had to speak to another French black metal musician for maybe five years now. As you said, I am in a parallel universe.
By the way, and at last, there are now finally good French black metal bands I can be proud of! Bands like Hyadningar, La rumeur des chaines, Pensées nocturnes, and the latest Peste Noire album deserve all your attention.
Maelstrom: I can hear the stylistic differences mentioned in The Skaden press release, and feel like this album is coming more from a heart place in comparison with the last Eikenskaden, which sounded like you were trying to do just one more record for whatever reason, but your heart wasn't really into it anymore.
Stefan Kozak: There is no Light... got all the qualities of its faults. I mean, it is full of despair, pain, sorrow... it is breathless. It is a "real" true black metal record. Mysanthropic stuff at its best. Then The Skaden comes and here is all the best I have to offer! The Skaden was not even designed to be a band, a CD or whatever else, just me recording stuff for fun. And here it is, my best release.
There was no way it could not be my best release, I am at my best when I am in "whole improvisation mode." This is why it is not black metal anymore. This record is just the deepest part of my guts.
Maelstrom: About the Japanese bit at the end of the record... I find it interesting how the "you" in Japanese was chosen as "kisama," which connotes extreme hatred and disgust. Since in English, we don't have such pronoun nuances, that aspect can't be conveyed as well in the title without adding a bunch of words to get in the way. Were you aware of the pronoun choice, and why choose it? Your band photo is you sitting despondently with twin middle fingers extended. Whom is this vehemence directed at?
By the way, did you know that the actual character meaning of "kisama" is "noble form"? The "sama" is the same "sama" used when people honorifically refer to someone, and "-san" is just not honorific enough. Somehow, through time, "noble master" became "you fucking piece of shit." I don't know how. It's interesting that other Japanese uncommon pronouns that convey disgust also started off as honorific terms. The other one that springs to mind is "onore," which is meant to mean "the self," or "myself," but means in contemporary Japanese as "you bastard." Thought you'd like to know, if you didn't already.
Stefan Kozak: Here is the "secret" about this song, I had written the lyrics in French at first (I never do that...), then — and I have absolutely no idea why this crazy idea came to my mind — I asked for my friend Sakrifiss (one of my French black metal buddies, who lives in Japan now and is married to a Japanese woman) to translate it in Japanese in order for me to sing it...
To help me to do it well, I asked him to record a reference track in order to know how to pronounce the words. Then Sakrifiss, who works at a radio station, asked one of the female newscasters to do it. When I heard the incredible voice of this woman, first I understood why she was a newscaster, and then I told myself, "hey, don't be stupid, you have top stuff material in your hand, don't do shitty stuff. Use this woman’s voice!" I love the result!
Maelstrom: Excellent. Oh, one more aside point, it's funny how the woman uses "ore" as the "I" in the narrative. "Ore" is the most manly "I" there is, because the origin of the lyrics are from you, a man. But it's a woman reading it. So it's like a dainty woman reading the lyrics as if she were a pissed, testosterone-filled man. Weird.
Very cool cover art! Is that a photo of a person wrapped up?
Stefan Kozak: It’s a Kevin Rolly, and I can’t think of a better cover for a CD called "You will hope I had died." For me, it represents a person coming out of the coffin she (yes, despite the asexual look, it is a female model) was put a few hours before in order to be buried.
Maelstrom: Is there more concerning the asexual theme in this record?
Stefan Kozak: No, everything else is sexual!!! Hehe. In fact, at first, like yourself I thought that this was a man in the photo, but I saw that this was a woman when I had seen the whole picture series from which the cover is taken from.
Maelstrom: Listened to Green Hell, Welcome Back in the Forest, The Last Dance, and Waltz in the Midst of Trees again lately. I think Waltz will probably be my favorite album of yours ever. I like the melodies and compositions best in it, and the classical pieces played between the songs make it so fun. And the last track with the "waltz in the midst of trees" is classic. I didn't remember Green Hell being so good!
Stefan Kozak: A CD with the three Mystic Forest albums will be released by a small French label in a few months. For the first time ever, the first Mystic Forest demo will be available to a large number of people.
Maelstrom: Also gave The Skaden another good listen. I can see how you'd feel it was your best album. It's got the most balanced sound and greatest variety of musical approaches yet. But from a fan's standpoint, I feel so much more gusto coming from Mystic Forest, which I've realized is my favorite project of yours.
Is Julie no longer the Mystic Forest singer?
Stefan Kozak: Sadly, Julie moved to the south of France five years ago. I haven’t heard from her since. I was lucky a real singer like Julie accepted to sing with me purely out of friendship and artistic curiosity. She is the only person I played with I really miss, the only one I know I would never be able to substitute. So, I had to change the way I use female vocals since her leaving.
Maelstrom: You've been at it for years now, and have released at least eight albums. How closely have you been paying attention to the response of your work, your "fanbase," so to speak? What does the response to your art mean to you? How do you feel about it? Has it colored your work? In your case, does life imitate art, or the other way around?
Stefan Kozak: At first I am always interested in knowing how my music is received by people. I love to see that a few open minded guys on this planet like my work. But then (and this is the most important) I don't care about the critics. It's not because people like something in my music that there will be the same type of things in the next record. I really don't care, I have always made music for myself, alone — listening to people makes you make boring music. There is always someone who won’t like something... But, in a certain way, I am making what people are wanting me to do by being always a bit odd,...
Then about life and music, my music is what I love, not what I am.

#777Страна-производитель диска: USA
Год издания диска: 2009
Издатель (лейбл): Blackmetal.com
Номер по каталогу: BMC66652CD
Продолжительность: 38:42
Трэклист:
01. Pain and Sexual Overdose Delusion (7:11)
02. The Suicide of Thoughts (5:58)
03. A Peaceful Moment (5:11)
04. White Noise in a Monochrome Night (7:00)
05. Grand Final (6:03)
06. Kisamara ha ore no shi wo nozomu (You'll Hope I Had Died) (7:21)