Melbourne-based
duo HUNTERS MOON first burst into the scene back in 2006, releasing a
self-titled demo the same year, followed by the EP "The Serpents
Lust" in 2009. Fast forward to 2021, and the band has put out
one of the best albums of the year with “The Great Pandemonium”
(reviewed here), re-establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned
with. To get a good sense of what they sound like, imagine a crude
mix of early Morbid Angel, Dissection, and Destroyer 666. Jim
Hexetomb conducted the following interview with J. and D.
Hails! For those readers unfamiliar with Hunters Moon, could you provide a little background and tell us how the band was conceived?
D. and I went to school together and have played in bands since we were young. We began Denouncement Pyre and after a while, I had a few ideas that didn’t really suit what we were going for in DP. As those ideas took shape they ended up manifesting as “The Serpents Lust” mLP. Despite the long hiatus, we’ve never stopped writing songs. The new album is the culmination of those efforts over the last decade. Now with a full-time drummer at the helm, our intention is to be actively releasing albums more frequently.
Where did you get the name "Hunters Moon" and why was it chosen?
The Hunters Moon is the sign of the wild hunt. A name that fits the themes and sound of our music.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?
Having read so many reviews of the album, it quickly became apparent that people hear and perceive things in such different ways. I’ve read comparisons that couldn’t be further from what we were aiming for, and then others that were more aligned with what we had in mind. One reviewer said we sounded like second wave black metal mixed with elements of Australian death metal, that description kind of resonated with me. We aren’t glued to a particular sound or aesthetic which is why T.S.L and T.G.P sound so different. The thing that unifies the albums is the mixture of sinister but at times melodic sections. I wouldn’t say that our music is necessarily ground breaking but we do try to write memorable songs that invoke a specific atmosphere.
Your latest album "The Great Pandemonium" is one of my favorite albums of the year so far. Can you tell us a little about the recording process and what inspired the title?
Great to hear that you’ve enjoyed the album. It was one of those recording experiences where everything went right, which isn’t always the norm. We had a great drum room at our disposal in the way of an 18th-century church. This environment gave the drums a huge spacious sound that is hard to emulate in a small space. The rest of the album was tracked in my personal studio. We tried to stick to analog processing for the bulk of the album, which adds to the overall atmosphere. There were no time or financial constraints, so the record was done in a relaxed and focused manner. The album was mastered at Orgone Studios by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Mayhem, Paradise Lost, Primordial).
We all have fairly broad musical interests. The list of bands we are interested in would be unending. Based on our sound, you would no doubt hear our worship of 80s and 90s Black Metal. Our tastes cross many genres, metal and otherwise - from subdued to violent and crushing.
Would you consider Hunters Moon to be a Black Metal band? Are there any criteria you believe a band must meet in order to be true Black Metal?
I wouldn’t say that we are exclusively a black metal band, though this is probably the most suitable sub-genre that aligns with our sound, themes, and aesthetic. We have a wide range of influences and our material blurs the lines between multiple genres and sub-genres. For us, black metal is all about the atmosphere. If a band has that aura then it becomes less Important as to whether sonically they cross the boundaries between black/death or otherwise.
Why did it take so long for Hunters Moon to release new material? Also, do you think the band shares a common fan base with your other bands like Denouncement Pyre and Nocturnal Graves?
Whilst the band has been inactive for a long time, we have all been actively involved in music but not HUNTERS MOON specifically. I started an audio company (High Voltage Audio) designing and building pro audio analog gear for recording/mixing/mastering studios. D. has been very active in both Denouncement Pyre and Nocturnal Graves. Our drummer D.M is a professional drummer and drum teacher. In the midst of the hiatus, D and I continued to write songs over this period until which time a suitable drummer was found and the new album could be realized.
Perhaps those who follow DP and/or NG will find something of value in Hunters Moon also, but of course, that is not up to us.
For this record, in particular, inspiration was found through John Martin’s illustrations of Paradise Lost, as well as using various other biblical references. Both the album title and some of the track titles & lyrics are reflective of this. Visually they capture something that aligned with our idea of how the music should sound. They are the essence of The Great Pandemonium - Foreboding, doom-laden, yet fiery and chaotic.
Do you have any favorite albums of 2021 so far?
Sijjin - Sumerian Promises is a great record. Baxaxaxa - Catacomb Cult is also killer. Perfect atmosphere and sound. I just checked out the new Funeral Mist record, which after a couple of listens is as interesting and killer as anything they have done. Albums by Grave Miasma, Lvcifyre, and Concrete Winds are also worth a mention.
What is your opinion regarding the current situation in Australia regarding the draconian restrictions? I've seen some pretty hectic videos about police brutality there.
Draconian is an apt assessment. You have to make a concerted effort to rise above all the dissent and fear, in order to pave your own way through the unending insanity. If you become adrift in the sea of negativity it’s hard to stay afloat. I made an effort to use the house arrest to hone crafts, write music, and generally try to immerse myself in productive outlets as opposed to becoming downtrodden. You quickly learn how to circumvent and bend the rules in order to stay sane. The restrictions definitely slowed down parts of the recording process. We tracked drums right before the scourge (Nov 2019). The remainder we had to do in stages throughout 2020/2021 as we couldn’t always get together.
Your thoughts on the following:
Elitism - Inevitable, for some are hungrier than others
Post Black Metal - Not black metal
Humanism - Each man should seek his own virtues to uphold, not those that are determined by the greater good
Theocracy - Dreamers, ideal for slaves
Sadistik Exekution - The Magus is one of the best albums to come out of Aus. ever
Thanks, and best wishes to the lads in Hunters Moon! Any last words?
Thanks for the interview.