Formed as early as 1997, we can definitely say that Burning Winds is a band that more than deserves the term ‘Cult Band’. Although always at the ultimate underground level, the band has undoubtedly contributed heavily to what we now call USBM. So it should come as no surprise that the interview I had with NecroDan is therefore entirely in the same vein as the black-and-white copy-paste zines of those 90’s, where the questions are regularly longer than the answers. So get your fill of Burning Winds…
Hi NecroDan, welcome to The Whispering Darkness. In the last six months, you have been quite active and have treated us to three new demos. What are you currently working on musically?
Hails Felix, thanks for the interview. I just finished up recording a new full-length LP for Werewolf Records (Finland). Expect nothing but sick raw Black Metal Hell. Besides that, Heidens Hart is releasing the split with Kerberos on 12″ they are shipping this week, they will have the tracks from the 3 way split as bonus.
If Burning Winds is anything, it is a total admiration for everything that typifies the earliest steps of the Black Metal genre. What is it in these very earliest steps of the genre, which would later grow into Watain proportions with fancy tours and festival appearances, that continues to appeal to you on a personal level?
The early 90’s was a great time in my life as well as the music scene, underground Black Metal needs to remain underground. Back then it was about playing Raw Black Metal.
Following on from the previous question… It’s not very difficult to track your music back to your main source of inspiration; the band name, for example, is already traceable to Bathory. How do you feel you musically honour what you bring to the fore with Burning Winds?
I feel I honour by staying true to the underground playing tribute to these great bands from the past in the lyrics and raw music and keeping the black flame burning.
The latest in a hefty series of demos, ‘Black Satanic Mass’ was released at the beginning of this year via Dutch Heidens Hart. In my review, I tried to spend some words on this to capture the stocic nature of the music. How would you describe ‘Satanic Black Mass’ yourself?
Black Satanic Mass is Sick, Raw, Unholy Black Metal Hell for underground manics only.
Of course it undeniably contributes to a certain underground flair, but it has still always surprised me that Burning Winds, in its nearly quarter-century of existence, releases music almost exclusively as a demo on cassette tape. I suppose that medium is close to your heart, but have you never felt the need to release a full-length album on, say, vinyl?
This is true I have always been a fan of the cassette. I was recently approached about doing a official full length LP,CD, Tape. Look for that out later in 2023.
The band’s history goes all the way back to 1997. If you look at the evolution of Black Metal, in general, from your perspective on music, what are the most notable developments for you?
The most I would I would say is how easily available it is to get access to everything now verses back then not so easy.
Although the band may not have the notoriety of some other acts from the US Black Metal scene, Burning Winds is often cited as one of the founding fathers of what is called “USBM”. How do you personally perceive your role in this?
Personally I don’t see Burning Winds being a founding father of USBM but that is an honour if that’s the case.
For most of its existence, American Black Metal was only barely taken seriously, at least by many Europeans. Not infrequently then, for example, Kult Ov Azazel was cited to characterise the “wretched” state of American Black Metal…. It is actually only in the last few years that this seems to be (finally) changing. How do you personally look back at those formative years in the 90s and development of American Black Metal in general and specifically that of Burning Winds?
I look back at those times and see there were plenty of great USBM bands and still are today Back then the scene was big with shows almost every weekend not so much anymore. Burning Winds has developed into a more darker more satanic band.
In itself, one-man bands are of course absolutely by no means unique (anymore), but what is somewhat striking is that in that quarter of a century you have worked completely alone almost without exception. Even outside Burning Winds you have had no other bands or projects. Even your own label, Necromantic Productions you run alone and is mainly meant for Burning Winds releases. Do you prefer to go in full hermit-mode or do you just like being in control?
Neither I guess, I like to do my own thing sometimes being a hermit. I did have a line-up at the very beinging when we went under First of the Fallen as a 3 piece. We did several rehearsals but we went into different music directions. Necromantic Productions was started as my video tape trading of bands on VHS. Also was used to release Burning Winds as well as a Rise From Embers CD.
As said, in 2022, you served us no less than three demos, the last of which (‘Black Satanic Mass’) you made available digitally on the last day of the year. That naturally raises expectations that we should welcome another couple of new releases this year…
Yes, expect an official full length Burning Winds first and and split 7” with Black Offal Messiah at the pressing plant now.
Picking up a bit on the previous question, some recent demos haven’t seen a physical release (yet) and can only be listened to/obtained as a digital stream for now. Will these, sooner or later, also become available on cassette tape?
Yes they will be released at some point, have had a few interested labels.
Some of the photos and videos you’ve posted show a pretty impressive collection of records and CDs. Not surprising perhaps, but you are a man of good taste, as I discovered by looking closely singles by Impaled Nazarene, Ancient, Beherit, records by Samael, Mayhem, Borknagar and Rotting Christ, among others, and a nice ‘Holocausto De La Morte’ poster. Can you take us sometime and share some of your favourite records with us
Thanks for that I take great pride in my collection! A few of my favorites would be:
1. Blasphemy – Fallen Angel of Doom, this is by far my favorite album everything about this is perfect it’s sick it’s raw it’s brutal!
2. Bathory – The First 4 Albums, I can never get enough of these albums the atmospere on these is just killer.
3. HellHammer – Apocalyptic Raids, this album is where a lot of my riff influences came from simple yet raw.
4. Necrophagia – Season of the Dead, way before it’s time I listen to this sick album weeky (RIP Killjoy)
5. Beherit – Oath of Black Blood, big influence on me Beherit Rules
6. Order From Chaos – Stillbirth Machine, I remember getting my copy from Chuck and was just blown away about how brutal it was.
I have many more could go on for hours…
Okay NecroDan, thank you very much for your time and the insight into your world you shared. Traditionally, I like to leave the last words to my guest, so to you the honour…. Would you like to round off the interview?
Thanks Felix and The Whispering Darkness for the interview and the support for Burning Winds. Until we meet in Hell.
//NecroDan
