From the rising Canadian Black Metal scene we have another underground jewel. Beyond The Ninth Wave is a one man project totally devoted to the dark side… Its mastermind Morder (ex - Nirnaeth Arnoediad) makes of this project a hatefully expression of Misanthropic Black Metal. “Vol. 1” is an interesting travel through a devastated vision of our miserable world… So, contacting Morder was a priority to us… here are the results…  

BB: First I would like to thank you for giving us this interview… Your band is barely new, as far as I know; can you tell us about the beginnings of Beyond The Ninth Wave?

M: BTNW is a new band to all but myself and a few others, as although I’ve been recording under the name since 1999 until the release of Vol.1 it was a purely personal project.  Originally it was created to be a more pure expression of my hatred than other bands I was playing in at the time.

BB: Can you tell us about your former band Nirnaeth Arnoediad? Why you decide to terminate this band? Was Beyond The Ninth Wave a reason to quit Nirnaeth Arnoediad?

M: NA was formed in1997 by Herr Diederichs (gtr./vocals), Troll (drums) and Morder (bass/vocals).  After a demo and a few live shows differences of opinion led to a slow demise, culminating in Troll’s departure in early 2001.  By this time BTNW had already begun.

BB: Can we say Beyond The Ninth Wave was created of the ashes of Nirnaeth Arnoediad, or both bands are completely different entities?

M: BTNW is completely separate entity from NA.

BB: By the way, why you choose the name “Beyond The Ninth Wave”? Can you explain the meaning of this name? …I understand it has to do something with Celtic culture… Am I right?

M: “Beyond The Ninth Wave” is a Celtic phrase that means “beyond the boundaries of known lands”.  The band’s name is a metaphor for the boundaries of human consciousness.

BB: I think your music is very intense, dense and minimalist, with a huge hateful and misanthropic feeling… How you define the sound of Beyond The Ninth Wave?

M: I prefer to let people listen and make up their own minds.

BB: What are your sources of inspiration? What you lyrics talks about?

M: Hate, isolation, madness, contempt … the lyrics contain many heresies I feel most would not hear, and will not elaborate upon.

BB: How has been the reception of “Vol. 1”? I understand you are working at a “Vol. 2” …Is this “Vol. 1” part of some “big” conceptual work?

M: I actually don’t have much interest in what people think, but what little I’ve heard has been surprisingly positive.  Vol. 1 is part of a larger concept, and if BTNW continues long enough what this is will become apparent.

BB: Personally I think the cover art is awful (sorry). Who made it? Has this “monk” some special meaning?

M: No need to apologize, I am not of the kind to take offence.  The art was drawn by Graeme Burke, and I think it the perfect cover for the album.

BB: Can you tell us about the phrase “Nihilistic Aural Terrorism” at the inlay cover? I think this phrase resumes perfectly the whole music of Beyond The Ninth Wave in three words… are those words about the music, or is more something about some conviction or belief?

M: Nihilistic Aural Terrorism is a statement of intent that requires no further explanation

BB: Have you, as a band, some special ideology or belief? Do you think Black Metal has to be, necessarily, leagued to Satanism (as a church, institution or whatever…)?

M:  The “beliefs” of the band are mine, and these are not something I will make public except within the music itself.  Whatever my opinion, it seems “Black Metal” no longer refers only to satanic bands.  Personally I could care less…

BB: Your music seems to be inclined towards the misanthropic and nihilistic side of Black Meta style… What do you think about the increasing number of BM bands who choose this way to express their hate and anger?

M: I rarely buy or read about music anymore, most of what is going on now is irrelevant to me…

BB: What you opinion of the raising Black Metal scene in Canada? What is your favourite Canadian Metal band?

M: I don’t really know much about the scene, as I don’t speak to many people or own a computer.  Black Autumn.

BB: What kind of music are you listening nowadays?

M: Lots of 70’s and early 80’s metal- Sabbath, Priest, Mercyful  Fate, Rush etc., and of course some early black and doom metal bands.

BB: Your music is visibly influenced by the sound of old-to-mid period Burzum… but I would like to hear (or read) your opinion about the latest works of Varg Vikernes, from Filosofem to Hliðskjálf…

M: I like the Filosofem album, but the synth albums are completely overshadowed by his previous works.  Why would you listen to either when you could listen to something like Det Som Engang Var?

BB: What are the future plans for Beyond The Ninth Wave? When can we expect the releasing of “Vol. 2”?

M: The end could come tomorrow, who knows?  I’m not sure when Vol.2 will be released, perhaps mid 2006.

BB: Thanks for you time and congratulation for your work… These last lines are all yours…

M:  Trust Nothing. Hate Everything.

…The Abyss Awaits