If ever there was a country where you would expect the most bleak and soul crushing black metal to emerge and be procreated from then it is definitely Iceland. Having loved “In Terra Profugus” immensely I was keen to discuss the process involved in putting the album together along with his inspirations, viewpoints and attitude towards black metal in general but discovered that vocalist / lyricist Alexander’s brusque replies he was unwilling to discuss anything other than his “art” itself, with little regard to any journalistic process. Here follows the complete transcript of an interesting but somewhat one sided interview.
Many thanks for unleashing “In Terra Profugus” onto this dismally afflicted planet, it is an album full of malice and schizoid terror.
AN: Can you tell us something about the vision you had for the album?
I believe the album has a broad concept; could expand on that for us and how it fits in with the Carpe Noctem ethos?
Alexander: These two questions are effectively the same, so we will address them both with this answer. ‘In Terra Profugus’ is a conceptual album about the descent into the void, transcendence through hardship and the subsequent transformation of the self. It is a dream-like narrative, a nightmare both real and profound.
AN: You have a very complex ideology behind your music, what stimulated this intense passion to combine it within black metal?
Alexander: Black metal holds within it a power and potential no other branch of music has to offer. The ideology and music are intensely intertwined. One could not be without the other.
AN: You have stated that the album tracks count down then back up again, what is reasoning behind this?
Alexander: This was already stated in our press release, and should be fairly self-apparent if the concept and meaning of the album is explored at all. ‘In Terra Profugus’ depicts a very personal and self-reflecting journey. A descent into the self, and the subsequent transformation and ascension. The numbering of each track reflects on each part of this journey.
AN: It has been quite a while since you released your debut EP back in 2009, has all this time been spent on this album?I couldn’t find fault with the album but most musicians usually do once the album is out there, are you entirely satisfied with the end result as I can’t see how you could improve it?
Alexander: We are very satisfied, which is why we were ready to publish it. We wanted to communicate something very personal and profound, which is why it took us some time to complete the album. This was something not to be rushed.
AN: There is unearthly virtual inhuman quality about this album, would you agree?
Alexander: This isn’t really a question, but a statement based on your personal experience.
AN: How do you go about writing such complex and challenging songs and who wrote them?
Alexander: The creation process is, like always, more mundane than the actual finished product. There is no single person who makes the music, this is something we all work on collaboratively. 
AN: Can you explain what you think the cover art is trying to show and how it relates to Carpe Noctem’s music?
Alexander: All artwork was custom made for the album by AnttiSalminen. We are really satisfied with the work. Each artwork directly connects with the concept of the album, each song having its own, specific art. We will not spoon-feed people the meaning behind the album. It speaks for itself.
AN: The production is a lot richer than most black metal albums that are released, would you agree? Also where did you record the album and who produced it as it has a brilliant sound?
Alexander: ÁrniBergurZöega, our bass player, recorded and produced the album. Final mix and mastering was done by the excellent Riccardo Pasini.
AN: Code666 is a very diverse label with some truly quality acts, how did the deal come about with them?
Alexander: We sent them out material and they wanted to publish the album. Nothing more to it.
AN: Who would you say are your most influences and have had the most direct impact on Carpe Noctem or personally?
Alexander: To name a handful of bands is a bit redundant, as it does not say anything of value about how we get inspiration. We are not a single entity, we are five different individuals who each draw from very different types of music, art and experiences when making black metal. There is no one person who makes the music, we all create it together. As a result the creation process is both very personal and at the same time collaborative.
AN: Where do you go from here now that you have set such a very nigh benchmark for yourselves?
Alexander: We are currently working on the next release.
AN: Do you have any touring plans at all as these songs need to be heard live especially outside your home country.
Alexander: We have no touring plans at the moment.
AN: What did you think about the actions of VargVikernes recently and do you think his actions will cause more negative publicity about the black metal scene?
Alexander: This has nothing to do with us or the art we make. This is completely irrelevant.
AN: I have become slightly disillusioned with the number of fashionable black metal fans that seem to be plaguing the scene, do you think this undermines the whole ethos of black metal?
Alexander: If you are looking for what plagues black metal as a whole then I suggest you look to your previous question and reflect upon that.
AN: Music seems to have become a throwaway commodity these days, people don’t seem to appreciate the effort that goes into the whole process of writing and releasing albums, do you agree?
Alexander: This has probably been a problem with some types of people ever since the concept of a music “industry” came into existence. There have always been people who do not appreciate art or the work that goes into the creation process of art, so this is not a problem more apparent today than before by any means.
AN: Are there any other bands our readers should be checking out from Iceland?
Alexander: NYIÞ is one of the most phenomenal music projects in Iceland. Both their recordings and live performances are exceptionally powerful. Other noteworthy bands are Wormlust, Gone Postal and Plastic Gods.
(Interview by Martin Harris)
https://www.facebook.com/carpenoctemiceland
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