Dakhma (English Interview)

Check out the interview we made with this great, obscure Swiss horde, called Dakhma.

Greetings, thank you for giving this interview to our blog “Questões e Argumentos”, it’s an honor for us make this interview, how has been for you the year 2017? And what are your plans for the future?

Dakhma: 2017 was a busy year for Dakhma, even though we didn’t have any releases come out per se, we were working diligently and in isolation to complete the work for our forthcoming full-length album, “Hamkar Atonement”. In fact, this is how we prefer to operate, as outside influence is mostly a petty distraction that blinds the eyes from what is truly important.

Regarding the future, as mentioned we have completed “Hamkar Atonement”, it’s currently being mastered. The artwork is coming along exactly as it needs to, and will serve as the perfect accompaniment to the music contained on the album. This month of January, however, we have a split cassette coming out through Hammer of Damnation Records with Brazil’s Hammergoat. Our side of the split contains a small preview of the full-length album, an alternative recording to the final track “…Of Great Prophets” that will be exclusive to the split cassette and will not be made available in any other formats.

With that said, we are already in the process of molding new compositions into form…

What are your main musical influences?

Dakhma: I frankly don’t think musical influences are particularly important or interesting, as those are always quite obvious to the listener, particularly in more extreme metal music. So if you don’t mind, I’ll instead briefly talk about the underlying concepts of “Hamkar Atonement”, which are, in my mind, far more conducive to understanding the origins of the music contained therein. On “Hamkar Atonement”, we explore several themes of (what is now basically extinct) Zurvanite Zoroastrianism, in particular creation mythology as well as the demise of Ohrmazd at the hands of his (only in Zurvanite Zoroastrianism) equal twin brother, Angra Mainyu, and various mighty druj. Although these concepts have all but died out in modern day Zoroastrianism, they were pivotal in serving as the inspiration for “Hamkar Atonement”.

How has been the reception of "Astiwihad-Zohr" around the world?

Dakhma: As “Astiwihad-Zohr” was originally released nearly three years ago, I think I’ve been able to gauge the overall reaction, which has been positive or appreciative. Naturally, the furious music contained on “Astiwihad-Zohr” is not easily digestible, sterile, studio-produced manure, so certain people had difficulty understanding the music. Maybe legitimately so, I don’t really care. We make music primarily for ourselves and to honor and explore the concepts of Zoroastrianism that we choose to explore, or rather, that have chosen us. In any case, having now a second member of the band in H.A.T.T., I believe a new era of strength lies ahead for Dakhma, that will surpass our previous creations in scope and quality.

Which bands you have liked to listen nowadays?

Dakhma: I’m not very fond of advertising for stuff I happen to enjoy myself and I’m sure people are more than capable of finding good music themselves (although the search may be arduous at times due to the staggering amount of shit that is seemingly released every day).

What are the main inspirations for the compositions of the band's lyrics?

Dakhma: Overall, we explore religious and ritual concepts in Zoroastrianism. Whereas previous works have been more general in their approach, and therefore perhaps lacking some focus lyrically, I believe we have been able to provide thorough and significant lyrics for “Hamkar Atonement”, which are indeed more significant to understanding the album than any of the music contained on it.

Thank you for the interview, let your conclusions and a message to those who support the band, let your contacts.

Dakhma: Thank you for your interest and your questions.

https://dakhmacavern.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dakhmacavern/