1. The band started back in 2008, why did they choose the name Locus Neminis? What does it refer to?
At the beginning we started as three guys that wanted to do good music and have fun at it. We founded the band under the name “Endlos” which means endless. After some time, we realized that another local band had already taken that name. We weren’t really proud of that name anyway and our guitarist J.P. came up with that name after he’d read it in a geographical book about a place that belongs to nobody. It means no man’s land in Latin. We liked that term because our lyrics are about distant worlds and sci-fi stories in the empty space.
2. “Weltenwanderung” (2012), your first album whose sound owed much to atmospheric aspects, with an electronic touch background but without losing sight of the work of bands like Darkspace, album which you took care of all the production and editing aspect and that it was for you, despite being little known, a whole accolade from critics and media. How was the whole songwriting and production process surrounding this album? Were you surprised in any way by the impact of “Weltenwanderung”? What do you think this album meant for the band?
Weltenwanderung was a huge step for us. We’d released our first demo just two years before. Before the production of that demo, Franz E. had joined us and he was not only a great guitarist but also a very talented producer. He set the bar high for the production and had a more professional approach. Almost everybody in the band contributed some material to the first album. We work on new material like this: Either someone composes the whole song alone in guitar pro or we work on a song together. We send us the tabs and try to improve it. We never jam at rehearsals to write new songs but we play the songs together and check if it sounds right and adjust just some details. Weltenwanderung was a new experience for us. I still remember how exciting it was for us to hear the first rough versions of that album. We all knew it was a milestone for us. It was really rewarding how the public reacted to the album. The physical album was sold out after some years.
3. After this work begins to work on the next one, however the death of Franz Enkner truncates the course of events, did you ever think about ending the band? What did it mean to be able to continue working on new songs thanks to to the finding of Franz's hard drive where was all the work on the new album?
We were immensely heartbroken and shocked. It was really a tough time. We needed some time to get a clear head and to come back to the production. Franz's family was very supportive and helpful. Although we got the important hard drive very soon it was unfortunately not complete. It wasn't easy to gather all files together. That took us some months. Nobody had ever brought up the idea to stop. We wanted to do everything possible to finish the album for Franz.
4. As a result of this hard work, the edition of the second album "Verborgen in der Zeit" arrives in 2020, how did you manage to carry out all the composition and recording work with respect to the past? How was your way of working on new songs and how did you face the restructuring of the band?
When I overtook the production there were just a handful almost finished songs. The other songs had all the recorded instruments but the sound design and mix were not really there at that time. There were just placeholder synthesizer sounds. Most of the things weren't even edited yet. The other members gave me their feedback frequently and also came to some mixing sessions. We polished the almost finished songs and matched the sound of the other songs. After some time, we had to come back and adjust also the first songs to have a consistent sound and atmosphere. At first it seemed that we will never be able to finish that album but then everything suddenly worked out and we finally could complete the production. Just a week before the final master my computer broke completely down and it was a real nightmare. But I managed to reinstall everything quickly and load back the files and then we finally released the second album.
5. “Weltenwanderung” contains a much more atmospheric sound, however for this new album you have focused your proposal towards a more melodic sound in styles such as death or black, even if you hurry me on symphonic black, where the sound of bands like Emperor, Dimu Borgir or the aforementioned Darkspace are shown as influence, do you agree to name these bands as influence of your last album? How would you define the sound of the album for those who have not heard it yet?
Yes, all the bands influenced us a lot at that time. I could also name Anaal Nakrath as an influence if you consider the industrial parts. "Verborgen in der Zeit" is the next step in our development as a band. It has still some aspects from Weltenwanderung but it sounds fresh and new. The songwriting and lyrics are more complex. It is for everybody who likes fast and heavy parts but also can enjoy some melodies.
6. Your music transmits feelings of loneliness and death, just as your covers can lead us to themes related to space, what topics do you deal with in your lyrics and why do you consider it interesting to treat them? Do you adapt the music to the lyrics or vice versa? do you intend to transmit to the listener?
Most songs are just sci-fi stories or are a bit philosophical. Some have even a double meaning. Sagittarius A for example is about a super huge black hole or about the ego. Ex Machina is about a mad scientist who tries to improve himself with technical gadgets until it is too late and he becomes a machine without emotions or a human soul. I also get inspired by a lot of sci-fi movies. Monument is almost like the movie "It". It takes place on an ice planet where a group of explorers is attacked by a vicious snow monster. The last survivor sacrifices himself to take it down. And at the end he and the monster become the monument in the ice. I write the lyrics actually at the end of the whole songwriting process. There is always a finished demo version and then I just listen and think what setting or story would fit the song the best. After that we check it at the rehearsals and make a final demo version of the song. This is then the guideline for the next album. We don't intend to influence anyone with the lyrics.
7. In both the first album and the second you have taken care of the entire composition, recording and production process. Is this a way to feel more in control of the final result of your music? Do you feel comfortable in a facet more related to engineers? sound, etc? Have you not considered the possibility of working with someone outside the band to produce the album?
We never considered the opportunity to work with somebody else on our album. It was never a problem to decide alone about the songwriting and the production.
8. Who was in charge of the album cover design and how does it relate to the content of “Verborgen in der Zeit”?
Our guitarist J.P. has always done the artworks for our releases since the first demo. We were really satisfied with the artwork for Verborgen in der Zeit. It fits well with the atmosphere of the second album. Dark galaxies and empty planets.
9. Another element that has remained unchanged in the two albums is desktop publishing, is it a way to have greater control of your music? Was there no interest on the part of any record label for the album edition?
Yes we’ve sent many times our songs to several labels but we’ve never got any answer. We have no other choice than to publish it alone.
10. In the past Locus Neminis came to offer some concerts, do you consider taking the new album live once the situation normalizes after Covid-19? Is it very difficult to recreate the richness of your sound on stage? What equipment Do you use for concerts and what main differences can we find with respect to the equipment you use to record and compose?
We are really excited to play the new songs live. I hope it will be possible soon. We used the whole time this year to prepare all the songs for the live concerts.
11. How do you band this period of restrictions due to Covi-19, has it been difficult? Have you used this time to promote the band differently? How do you think you have been affected?
It was pretty bad, because we couldn’t do anything. We couldn’t even do any promo photographs for the album. It wasn’t even allowed to practice here in Austria. We were able to sell the album mostly just digitally. Without concerts it is not really possible to sell any merchandise or CDs.
12. What is the black metal scene like in a place like Austria? How do you think the Austrian black metal scene has evolved since you started with Locus Neminis?
There are just a few opportunities here in Austria to play at black metal concerts or at any concerts. I have the feeling that it got worse with the time. A lot of venues have vanished since we’ve started. If you play in Upper Austria you’re luck if you get at least some people at the concert. It’s the same if we go to other bands’ concerts.
13. How were your beginnings in music: first albums you bought, first concerts you attended, etc. What made you want to play an instrument and be musicians?
Back in the day, I started with softer bands like Pain and Rammstein and got into more extreme genres with time through friends and concerts. My very first show that I attended was at the age of 17. After that followed some festivals. I’ve always played some instruments since I was a child. My very first instrument was the piano. When I was a teenager, the biggest impact on me made Rammstein. I really enjoyed covering their songs at home and then I tried to write my own songs and lyrics in German. I know the others in the band started with Metallica. We all enjoyed listening to Dimmu Borgir and Hypocrisy. I think you can hear all these influences in our music.
14. Which album defines the essence of black metal for you? What latest albums have you bought? What format do you prefer to listen to music in?
I would say the old Dimmu Borgir albums, Emperor and Carach Angren. I’m not really into the NWOBHM. I have to admit that, if I think about black metal, it’s mostly symphonic black metal bands. The last albums that I bought recently were the new Fear Factory and Gojira album. I enjoy music either on vinyl or digitally as high-res audio files.
15. What immediate future plans do you have for Locus Neminis in terms of upcoming releases, concerts, reissues? Are you already working on new songs?
We’ve already started working on the new material. We were thinking of an EP as the next thing but that could easily change in the future if we get more material together. If the new album sells better we would like to release WW as a rerelease. Next year the album will be 10 years old. That’s crazy!
16. Thank you very much for the time dedicated to Black Metal Spirit, if you want to add something for Locus Neminis the place. I hope the questions have been to your liking
I thank you for your interesting and sophisticated questions. We want to thank everyone who supports us and we hope we can see you all at our live concerts soon!
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