Metal Maleficarvm: GORGON, Black Metal, France, Interview

1/Knowing you come since early 90s, what can you mention regarding Les Legion Noires in France? Did Gorgon belonged to any kind of circle?

Gorgon has never belonged to any circle or movement, and that is very unlikely to change in the future. The Legion Noires that you mention, were unknown in the 90s, their aura really developed after the 2000s thanks to the appearance of the internet, whereas before, very few people knew of their existence. They who advocated being part of the deepest underground, the rejection of any commercial forms of their music, ultimately quite the opposite happened.

2/In what is argued the Black Metal of Gorgon? Antichristian? Nationalist? Cultural/Ethnic? What is the main ideology that argues your BM?

There is no ideology or political connotation in our music. The cultural aspect is not present either. In the past, we wrote a song about Brittany (French zone in the West of France), another about the legend of the Ankou which, is from the same region, also one about the Gorgon sisters from Greek mythology. In the future, we may perhaps write about another French legend, but that does not make us a group with cultural specificity. We also dealt with historical elements such as the Countess Bathory, the Inquisition, witchcraft trials and the stakes, but here again, we are not claiming a typical “history” BM. Our goal is to diversify as much as possible in order not to repeat ourselves and to continue to be creative, so we do not want to lock ourselves into a niche that would be reductive for us. Also, we can very well talk about Satanism, black magic, occult philosophy or other aspects of the dark side, and alongside that have other subjects exposed. Certain groups from France, Eastern countries, Greece or Scandinavia highlight the cultural wealth of their country and have an image, a concept based on it. This is not our case, so we do not want to be categorized, even if we sometimes cannot prevent outside people from doing it for us through our texts.

3/What is the concept and/or interpretation for SATAN? It is needed to get a figure like this (or other)?

I love the appearance that the Middle Ages gave it with the representation of the goat, both visually in paintings, sculptures and in the stories that have come down to us. Beyond the visual aspect, it is also the freedom that I appreciate with this detachment that many people have felt in the face of the oppression of the clergy. While the majority of people followed the precepts of the Church out of ignorance or ease, others voluntarily decided to follow their own path, to look elsewhere, or to continue to venerate the ancient deities of the Earth. I therefore adhere more to the philosophical vision to connect the concept of Satan and less to that of a church or a movement which would also have its dogmas, its laws and regulations to respect.

4/What is religion since your point of view? Is everything "bad"/"wrong" in religion? Did you find aspects of religion that at some or another point, exists also in Metal?

Religion, and it doesn't matter which one we're talking about, is based on beliefs that could be described as supernatural. From that, rituals, practices and laws are enacted according to this or that religion, but at the base it is always a sacred aspect which is put at the top and the men at the bottom who are prisoners of it. The goal is to regroup, to bring together, in such a way as to have more power, financial means, more importance in the eyes of “non-believers”. Not everything is bad in religions, you have to be fair, it's generally those who interpret the writings in their own way who are on the bad side of it. If it's necessary to “force” those who do not adhere to the religion they defend, they sometimes resort to physical violence to achieve this or to reduce opponents forever. France has known this in its past, among other things, under the name “war of religions”.

There are indeed similarities between religions and Metal. First, there are the gathering places (church, mosque, etc.) which for Metal fans are fests or concert halls. There is also the clothing aspect which makes it possible to identify a particular religion or belonging to the Metal, Punk, Gothic movement, etc. The ideolatry aspect is also very present with these fierce fans of Iron Maiden, Metallica or other groups who spend financial sums on “their idols”, identify with them (by the way they dress, the tattoos they wear, etc.), following their way of living. Where in the event of a hard blow in life some people turn to religion, others will listen to a particular album to give themselves courage and get back on track. There are surely other points in common such as ritual practices (making the sign of the horns for Metal fans), spiritual meditation alone (listening to an album alone “religiously”), etc.

5/How does BM reflects in your daily life? Do you consider it really fits in that sense? Or just matters should be totally appart from normal life?

In European society, the one I know best, BM isn't a significant element, both economically and representatively. There may be official concerts and fans scattered here and there, but it remains underground. And that's a good thing. Also, in every day life, I do not preach this style around me to a mass of people who do not know it, and would reject it anyway. So its within me and it suits me perfectly. I am not trying to convert anyone, you have to be attracted to it, no matter in what way, to want to join in. There are many people who live alone, rather reclusive, in the countryside, small mountain villages or forests, but the majority of amateurs are still in the cities, so they too, in my opinion, are “BM” on a daily basis in the society around them. Many even have this way of living tattooed on their skin, it’s really within them, it’s not a surface hobby. Some will choose to live their love of BM apart from society, but in the majority of cases, the question will not arise as it happens naturally. Whether it is record stores or internet purchases, postal orders, public transport or personal vehicle, to go see concerts in declared venues, we are almost obliged to use the traditional means of society to bath in BM. But there will always be clandestine concerts, Muslim countries with more repressive authorities, or more isolated corners of the Earth like the islands, which shows us that other people must adapt to live it their way.

6/What about your knowledge towards occultism, spiritualism, gnosticism or any kind of other "system of beliefs"? Is there some beliefs that are "right"? If yes, how can we determined this?

I used to read a lot more back in the days, so I had more knowledge which gradually deteriorated due to lack of time and practice. Nowadays, I have more perspective on all these elements, but it doesn't bother me, even if having more personal knowledge allows for better reflection. Over time, a philosophical vision was built based on elements drawn here and there which suits me perfectly. I don't think there are good beliefs, those that we can advise or want to impose, quite simply because we don't all live in the same environment, the same global context. It is conceivable that someone who lives in Nepal will not have the same expectations or spiritual needs as someone who lives in an ultra-urbanized city in the United States. The cultural past, the dominant religion, family upbringing and other elements that we are confronted with every day determine different paths when it comes to our relationship to the spiritual.

7/Religion is shit? Institutions are shit? Or people is shit? Develop the answer the best you want.

There is bullshit everywhere regarding the vision I have of these 3 choices. Between the religions which all think they hold the truth, and sometimes impose it by their devoted servants, the institutions at the orders of the world banks and corrupt politicians and the people who blindly follow what they are told to do, there isn't much hope to place in this trio. What remains is individual will, camaraderie, loyalty to what one believes is right, resignation in the face of adversity and being a wolf in the face of all these sheep. In the end, find your personal path by imposing a code of conduct and don't deviate from it.

Added questions:

If we speak about your country, how does "oppression of the church/religion" be seen? In what activities or situations?

Having always known and lived in this country where the Christian religion is the dominant religion both in monuments (church, cathedral, crosses on crossroads, crosses in cemeteries, etc.) and in everyday life (various religious festivals), talk about oppression is exaggerated and anachronistic. Perhaps in the Middle Ages, the clergy had very strong power, today this is no longer the case. There has been separation between Church and State for over 100 years now. There are a few shows on television every Sunday, but besides that we can have 150 channels or more, so no monopoly. The same goes for radio. Masses no longer bring many people together. There are no cancellations of concerts for religious reasons. The three religions of the desert share most of the inhabitants who generally do not like each other, but live together. In conclusion, a person of whatever faith will not be bothered in France, except possibly in a few neighborhoods of certain cities where foreigners want to impose their fanaticism.

Do you think Metal is a tool to fight against this? And most important does really Metal should make this? It is in its nature and essence? Maybe this "nature" was just put later by some...?

No, as a whole Metal is a peaceful music which is mainly aimed at an audience which is just as peaceful. Punk, Hardcore, Grindcore have more of a social, protest message. There are a few Death or Thrash Metal bands that are also in this niche, but it’s a minority. Those who travel to a concert or a Metal fest have no desire to fight anyone or anything. They come to see something to entertain themselves, something to recharge their batteries in the face of their daily lives, to dance or sing along for some, to see the technical skills of the musicians, in fact everyone has their own feeling when they listen to this music or experience it together... We can clearly say that Metal is not there for that reason, it doesn't have a spirit of rebellion in our Western society, it is not its "nature" which is just to compete with other styles of music and to regroup its followers.