In the unforgiving realm of black metal, Mika 'Belfagor' Hakola, the mastermind behind the iconic Swedish band Ofermod, remains a relentless force, driving the genre forward with his music rooted in esotericism and chaos. As the band prepares to unveil their highly anticipated new album, I had the privilege of speaking with Belfagor to explore the creation of this eagerly awaited release and the introduction of their new vocalist.
Serial Metalbums: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Ofermod's new album? What themes or influences shaped this project?
Belfagor: The influences are of course the draconian current and qliphotic Qabalah as well as other methods that are included in the draconian tradition. We had many contributers of lyrics this time as during the time we created "Mysterium Iniquitatis", many of the same adepts actually appear on this album as on our previous full length album. A couple of new contriters of lyrics are Yiannis Kteis from Serpent Noir and also being the Master of the Temple of Greece in the Ordo Draconis, which is the Order higher above the preparation period in Dragon Rouge. Johannes Kvarnbrink of Mortuus, who used to be a member of Ofermod, has also contributed with a lyric this time. He is the Master of the Temple in Stockholm, Sweden. Otherwise it's the usual adepts that have helped us out to manifest as magically a potent an album as possible. Also, our new vocalist Adeptus has written one lyric for the album.
Serial Metalbums: How did the creation process of this album go? Were there any particular challenges or memorable moments during the recording?
Belfagor: I did less Goetic workings during the creation of this album than during the last one. But on the other hand I did shamanistic work under a female mentor that took me to incredible places of dark wonder. That working became a lyric for the album. I have mostly been sitting in a pitch black room and being isolated from the rest of the world while writing the material for this album, so it has a heavy spirit of dedication and bhakti laying over it.
Serial Metalbums: Can you introduce the new vocalist? What led you to choose this singer to join Ofermod?
Belfagor: Our vocalist Nebiros stopped answering to mail from both myself and the record labels we cooperate with, being busy with other stuff, which sometimes happens. But that made me think of an unknown vocalist, Adeptus, who has never been in another band, so it is a "virgin" entrance into the band for him. We are at the moment counting down the days for when his vocal session starts. How can I introduce Adeptus? I will let his voice do the introduction. Other than that we work with the same current magically and have been in contact with each other for over a decade, so it's no newbie we have recruited to our ranks.
Serial Metalbums: Compared to previous albums, how would you describe the evolution of Ofermod's sound in this new album?
Belfagor: It has a lot of the old Mysterion Tes Anomias vibe in it, but there will be some surprises as well on the album. It all has its foundation in energy transmission from Sitra Ahra to the conscious realm, but you will not be disappointed with what we offer this time if Orthodox Black Metal is your lifestyle and spirituality.
Serial Metalbums: Are there any specific songs or themes on this album that you find particularly important or personal?
Belfagor: The songs "Drakosophia", "Vinyards of Gomorrah" and "Belialistic Bravado Codex" are highlights of the album according to myself.
Serial Metalbums: How does the songwriting process generally work in Ofermod? Did the new album follow this same process or were there any changes?
Belfagor: There were tremendous changes. During the last album I has a whole apartment built to a draconian and Goetic temple in which I also composed the songs musically. When this new album is concerned, I didn't have the resources to do so elaborate magical operations in connection with the composition process itself, but had to settle for a dark room and knowledge of that the gates were open to the Other Side when sitting there with the guitar in my lap. I had to do my magic separately from my composition process, but it all got married in an unholy symbiotic dissonance within the harmony of the Great Dragon of Chaos. Let's see how and where the next creative process will take place. Thanks for your support and for this interview my friend. HDHM!