Kratornas was originally a 3-piece band, but only for a short time in the early beginning of the band’s career. Soon after Bruno Zamora decided to do all instruments & vocals on his own. Today, many years and few releases later Kratornas is still one-man band. My first encounter with this band was earlier this year when I had the chance to listen to his latest opus The Corroding Age of Wounds released through Kneel Before the Master’s Throne label from Germany. Now I have the opportunity to present you for this Philippines-based band, as I just another day talked with the main man himself. Here’re some exclusive inserts from our chat. Interview done by Bato (denmark).
INTRO BY METAL REVOLUTION (DENMARK)
Hail. Here at Metal Revolution we have featured your mighty band Kratornas on a couple of occasions, but for those who are still not familiar with your band, please take us through the very beginnings of it, history, discography etc.
Kratornas started in 1995. There are several releases made in the past but all those sounded pretty bad due to lack of resources (no music stores to buy decent equipment, nothing) and all that. It was in 2007 when I’ve completed the needed instruments and so the 1st CD Over the Fourth Part of the Earth went out. It didn’t meet my expectations but at least better than all of the shit I’ve done in the past. Second CD, The Corroding Age of Wounds, went out last March 2009 – this one met what I have in mind, but still, there were a boatload of new errors that needed to be fixed. I don’t know how long will I be fixing errors here but the road is getting clear now, so…
It seems based on your biography that there have been many struggles to get Kratornas to where it is at today. How have these conflicts and tribulations affected you and have they made you and Kratornas stronger because of it? What sort of dedication is required to keep Kratornas alive?
It keeps on living because I keep on committing the same mistakes again and again. Kratornas has already met its end last 2002 when that small MLP was released in France but I suppose that’s just a horrible (and useless) record to get satisfied with, so I decided to continue and buy all of the stuff I needed to improved the production and learn it on the days to come. I compete with no one but myself so I really need to seal those holes and that’s the only thing I got. I just can’t agree that there were any conflicts or struggles being encountered. It wasn’t easy, but it was exciting to deal with new things everyday. If I want a clear sound, I’ll simply go to Manila and pay someone to give me THAT sound, sit there and record and that’s it. Doing that kind of shit is just as boring as heaven! Anybody can do that and that will even cost me twice cheaper than buying my own equipment (plus doing all the carpentry building a bunker for it). It’s about self-fulfillment that comes first, any other things comes second.
I know you can play multiple instruments yourself. How did you learn to play everything? Are you self taught, or did you take lessons? …and how long did it take you to learn all these instruments?
No, I’m a guitarist and nothing more beyond that. I’ve learned guitar at 7, or I don’t know, maybe even younger. I’m self taught. In the kind of place where I’m at, there’s no one that can help me but myself. Guitar magazines help me learn the basics then I started playing along with just any albums by ear. Guitar is my only passion. I simply don’t believe in these “multi-talented” people who can handle all instruments, specially drumming. More like a Jack of all trades – Master of none to me. The only other field I’m getting myself involved in is audio mixing, self taught as usual. But of course, there are once again audio magazines helping me understand the basics – going advance, etc. It’s a complicated but a very interesting field.
What is it about black metal that makes you want to play this obscure, angry and untraditional form for music?
Kratornas is not Black Metal. I did stand by that statement since 1998 because the essence of Black Metal is Satanism – and I’m not into that, so it’s pointless. I’m more like into “destroy all” sort of thing and that’s not Satanic at all. Black Metal will not exist without Satanism but that’s not what happening nowadays. Probably because it’s getting popular everyday that everybody is doing it. To the point that even a worthless normal bloke could do this without any purpose at all. So, the answer is no…
What were you biggest influences back at the days of creation of Kratornas and have those changed to this day?
I think most of my influences were 80’s metal since I grew up buying albums of those bands. 80’s Thrash and Big Hair bands were very accessible in the other city and playing guitar along with those albums was indeed a big foundation of my guitar playing now. Nothing’s changing, maybe improving. The new techniques were very easy to learn but I don’t think I can use those tricks with this kind of music.
Can you tell me about the Four Concentric Ways of the Ancient Cult split? What does it represent and how did you get involved with this release? What do you think of the 3 other bands; Black Empire, Nakkiga and Xerion?
The title was chosen by the guy from Xerion so I have no idea about his own interpretation on this. Coincidentally, the theme exactly relates with my 1st album but I wasn’t aware of it until I saw the woodcut artwork of the tape version. Xerion and Black Empire were already good long time allies before the idea of making this split came to reality.
How do you see at the scene today? Not only in your country but in general?
The scene is better than ever! This might be a contrary to all of the complainants who keep on whining how lousy the scene has become. Millions of bands are out there so expect only a tough competition. It’s kill or be killed and nothing gets better than that. You can struggle creating original ideas to separate yourself from the rest or you can follow someone else’s music in order to be easily accepted. Right there, you got two choices: you can lead or follow. To me, Darkspace is great. Darktribe is great. Conqueror is great. Origin is great and even the new Abigor is great. Hah! People might not be ready for this stuff yet they keep on bashing them; they prefer recycled music and backward ideas.
Coming from a relatively small scene that is isolated from the rest of the metal underground can be both positive and negative. With no peers has it meant that Kratornas has developed in a stronger more individualistic manner.
I’ve met these ‘peers’ last 1995 but they’re nothing but complete idiots and a big disappointment. I quit, ended up being alone so pissed and I just can’t believe that I should re-structure the riffs from fast to slow just because these ‘peers’ you’re talking about are not capable of doing on what the song requires. NOTHING is hard being alone if you know what to do (or don’t know what to do but eager to learn). Attitude and dedication is important and people (the ignorant ones) just don’t get it.
What is the main message/topic in your lyrics? What inspires you most – is it politics, religion, death… or something else?
The end of days is the same theme being discussed since 1999 up to now. Nothing is changing. I don’t have any other interests than this. Mass panic might only happen among movies but imagine that to be happening in reality. Humans will reveal how violent they really are given the circumstances and I’m not talking about internet warriors. I’m talking about real panicking chaos in the streets while watching an asteroid as big as Russia flying above our balding heads! Good shit.
With such a strong Catholic influence in the Philippines has it been hard to stick to ideals of Satanism?
With regards to Philippines and Christianity, once again, nothing is “hard” as long as you have the capability to think, to separate yourself and why would you want to be separated with it. I do what I want to do. Those who are so affected by these outside resources are simply those that seek companionship among others as they are just too weak to make decisions on their own and just can’t deal with it.
I guess I right if I say that Kratornas is an underground black metal act, but what do you think of underground metal webzines like ours?
I’m the kind of person who likes embracing the product of technology and webzines were simply one of them. The only beef I got with webzines is that they MIGHT not be as permanent like the printed ones. Once their database crashes, there’s a possibility that all entries will be lost if they’re not having any back ups, etc and a given fact that they’re not portable too. Once again, it’s all about attitude and dedication. I read ‘zines (printed or web) to gather information and not to read gossips or opinions from a ‘Mr. Know it all’ nobody pretending to be somebody in the internet.
What are the plans you have for Kratornas in 2009? How do you envision both the band and you growing in the coming year?
I don’t plan, really. I just face the day and think what prolific things I can make out of it. The band will soon be put to rest once I’ve fulfilled myself with it. If this happens, I’ll simply disappear on thin air and do something new which I consider to be more pleasurable. You should learn more to know more because learning and exploring new things is already a never ending process. There is no reason doing something you are no longer fond of. Nothing feels better achieving good things at a young age.
Any last threat/message for your devoted fans and all the readers of Metal Revolution here in Denmark and abroad?
Like what I’ve said in the very beginning, I don’t know how long will I be fixing errors here but the road is getting clear now. So as long as I like what I’m doing, all the critics can keep on talking shit about me and throw me a thousand of insults on what I do but that will not change anything. You know critics were like sandpapers. They make you smooth while they start wearing out themselves and that’s good.
Thank you for taking your time taking to us. Eternal Hails to you…
Many thanks to you Bato for this given chance to share thoughts in your webzine. Anyone can drop by to our website at WWW.KRATORNAS.COM for cd’s, shirts and other exclusive merchandise only available direct from us (paypal accepted). If you’re from Europe, you can also get in touch with our label, Kneel Before the Master’s Throne Records from Germany.
[visit kratornas website] [buy the corroding age of wounds shirt]
