Firtan -''Chaos is necessary but also order and beauty''
- Sparky
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Firtan are a relentless creative force that in the space of just five albums have ascertained themselves a special place within extreme music. It is a combination of Black and Death metal along with an ear for the classical and experimental that is visceral, exciting and commanding in its presence. Laden with atmosphere and authority, the new album is the stunning Helios that charts the brutal path to enlightenment: not as escape, but as conquest. An evolution of the essence of Firtan?
Phillip (singer, main composer) Thanks for having us. In a sense yes, every album is a new step in the evolution. We are known for combining chaos with beauty and I think we came closer to perfection this time again.
It is undeniable heavy and intense representing the themes throughout of the victory over adversity?
‘’That intensity wasn't something we forced — it came from where we were as people going into this record. And that's really the heart of the record: it's not about staying in the darkness, it's about the fight to get out of it. We wanted people to feel that struggle but also feel the triumph at the end of it. I think this is rare in metal music, it keeps it at the negative aspect, but we think there is a way out.
Yest also haunting beautiful?
‘’Exactly, this the beacon of hope that I mentioned before. Chaos is necessary but also order and beauty.
The importance of having both elements? The juxtaposing of light overcoming darkness?
‘’That push and pull between beauty, and brutality is basically the emotional arc of the whole album. It's the same journey everyone goes through to a certain extend. We wanted the music itself to embody that together with the lyrical theme.
As represented by the album title Helios?
‘’Yes, he is the all-seeing witness and therefore a personification of wisdom and enlightenment.
How do you define the essence of one’s pure self and the path to enlightenment?
''Simple. Not everyone will end up at the same place throughout their life but try to become the best version of yourself. This is true strength and the main moral principle I live by.
Is it a spiritual or personal ideal to become the best version of yourself?
‘’I think it’s both. You make the world a better place by working on yourself, so it also has a component to it that is bigger than yourself.
And remaining true to the ideal with our society’s distractions/expectations?
‘’This is what I believe is the biggest obstacle. The world is so fast, and you have insight into every person’s life. It’s easy to lose focus and oneself.
What is the biggest decaying factor to you in remaining true to yourself?
‘’Oh, I am far from what would be described as “ideal” (although I think this can never be achieved) but I am trying to become better every day. There are many aspects to work on and it’s a process. As everyone else I have good and bad days. But having bad days make the good days what they are so you need both, no need to become perfect. This is not the message we want to portray.
Is ‘’Ascension” the representation of completion?
‘’No, it is more the moment of realization that there is a path forward. The lyrics are based on Platons allegory of the cave in which he describes that true knowledge can only be found when we question ourselves and the most uncomfortable aspects within us.
And the mantras/Chants within Ambrosia combined with your heaviest riff ever?
‘’They are an energy invoking chant from Aleister Crowley. This chant is meant to channel energy within you and hype you up.
Helios has some incredibly experimental moments? Planned or bought about by the creative process?
‘’This is never planned. I for myself am not a trained musician so I write very intuitively. I am not someone who writes after a formular. There are thousands of bands that do that and can do it really well, we want to bring something new to the table through self-realization.
The importance of presenting a true expression of oneself through your music or art?
‘’It is not really that important to be honest. Once the songs are out, I let them go and start something new. Looking forward, this is exactly what I wanted to get across with this album. But now that it is out it is out. It is still part of me but also of everyone else that wants it to be part of themselves.
Helios cycle plans – world tour? Domination?
‘’World tour would be awesome, but currently not on the menu. What we can offer is a release tour in Europe in autumn. Time will tell what comes next.
Future plans?
‘’World domination!
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