** Greek black metal legends, Varathron, are readying new album, Untrodden Corridors of Hades, for the blackest of legions. We summoned our inner Hellas and ancient spirit to commanded lead Varathron sorcerer Stefan Necroabyssious to answer important questions as a preface to the streaming premiere of the entire “Untrodden Corridors of Hades” album.
What was your main inspiration going into Untrodden Corridors of Hades?
Stefan Necroabyssious: The absolute darkness! We are dedicated to the stygian forces! This album is pure evil. Psalms with strange and bizarre riffs that can make you travel beyond the known dimensions. It’s an awesome dream, an abysmal reality, a prayer to HIM!
What’s your favorite track and why?
Stefan Necroabyssious: I like all of the tracks equally. Every Varathron song, since our glorious beginning in 1988, has its own memories and stories to tell. Every track has an identity. The new album contains seven endless sins and I love them all!
Tell us about the cover art. What is Varathron conveying?
Stefan Necroabyssious: The new cover, rest of the illustrations and layout was done by my great friend from the past, Mark Riddick. His awesome art with the goat head and the seven columns represent the seven sins, the seven tracks of the album. It also illustrates the Greek element of our ancient history. The dark god—Hades—is one of the many faces of our ultimate lord! Both music and Mark’s art transfer an utter message, the prevalence of evil!!!
What’s different about Greek black metal now compared to the early ‘90s?
Stefan Necroabyssious: Well, in the old glorious days, the unholy trinity—Varathron, Necromantia and Rotting Christ—created the unique Greek black metal sound. Back in those days the bands had beliefs and true passion for unholy creations. The zines, the flyers, mailing and tape-trading were the only way of promoting in our scene. Later things changed. Big labels started giving a lot in marketing techniques and promoting a ‘pseudo image’ for many bands. The entire philosophy of this music collapsed with their ways. Desire for pure creation, spread of beliefs and true attitude and feelings started transforming into fake icons and idols all in the name of profit. Of course, we still exist and fortunately the dark flame is still alive and immortal among many bands worldwide. I salute my true brothers and warriors against the filthy music industries!
What do you want black metal fans to walk away with after listening to Untrodden Corridors of Hades?
Stefan Necroabyssious: We want to strengthen their lust for darkness and offer them a voyage into obscurity that will haunt their souls forever. All these atmospheric melodies and bizarre riffs are an astral trip, a road to the higher occult meditation! OBEY!
** Varathron’s new album, Untrodden Corridors of Hades, is out soon on Agonia Records. It’s available HERE on CD, deluxe CD and LP.
