Limbonic Art, as if you already didn’t know, is a band that I truly just can’t get enough of. Their majestic sound can be compared to Emperor, in the sense where the music is atmospheric, complex, keyboards, you know what I mean, right? But I would have to say that Limbonic Art is the better of the two, respectively. This was one of the first interviews I conducted for this issue. A lot of the questions I asked most of the individuals interviewed came from this very interview. I hope you enjoy my little chat with Daemon. YOU MUST check this excellent band out!

Conducted on 7/17/98 by Mike Coles

Live photographs were taken at Milwaukee Metal Fest by Mike Coles; Portrait shot sent by Daemon

The Outcast: When did Limbonic Art form and who are the two members and what are the goals and concepts behind the band?

Daemon: The band formed in the early days of anno-93 by me and three other guys. Due to several disagreements about the style and other minor topics, we decided to split-up and go separate ways after only being together for a short period. I had already met up with Morfeus when this happened and we started rehearsing together on some more extreme stuff. Since I was behind the band title, we continued to work under the same name, despite the musical change.

Limbonic Art today is Daemon on guitar and lead vocals. Morfeus on guitar, additional vocals, and synthesizer programming/samples.

The main interest that we have is to create music within the dark dimensions. With some powerful and mournful metallic symphonies, followed up by great artistic cover work and pathological reveries as the core of the lyrical part. Our concept is to create extremism and adventure-like experiences for the audience.

The Outcast: Why the name Limbonic Art? What exactly is the meaning?

Daemon: Limbonic Art is a brilliant title to what we deal with. The Limbo can be a "pre-entrance" to hell, where the un-dead drift in eternal strife and damnation, a lost blackened paradise also known as oblivion for souls and minds. Towards this abysmal darkness, one experiences the extreme passions and limits of life, such as insanity, cruelty, and dis-harmonic euphoria. These topics are the true source on which my lyrics are based on, and which along with the music, it shall unveil passages unto this dreamworld or mind field.

The Outcast: On your definition to the Limbonic Art name, you state; "A pre-entrance to hell, where the un-dead...etc." Why would you want to experience these things? Wouldn’t you rather live in peace, love, and harmony?

Daemon: This is not a matter of choice, but destiny! I have lived through almost three decades now, and the taste I have after this journey is quite bitter. Even though the dark aspects, or the dark side of me is in the ruling position, there are of course some sources of light inside of me too, or else I would have joined the dynasty of death for good. The day the light disappears totally from my soul, mind, and heart, then my earthly race is over. In the meantime I plan to continue the path I am walking, serving the energy that streams through my veins, and to be receptive for the impulses that emerges from the cold beyond. The only occupation that really interests me is to compose and play dark gloomy music and to spend hours in the wilderness of nature. I can find there the peace, love, and harmony that I need to go on my crusade, the battle against the regime of man.

The Outcast: Who are some of your favorite bands? Influences?

Daemon: Most of our influences are from the 80’s. Bands like Bathory, Venom, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, Slayer, etc... When it comes to today’s metal releases, we try to be rather selective because there aren’t that many bands that manage to create good quality music now. There are many bands that sound so incredibly boring and not very interesting. But to talk about those who really deserve honorable words, I can start to mention Emperor, Mayhem, and Dark Throne. Besides mentioning them some others that are worth mentioning are; Dark Funeral, Marduk, Enthroned, Mysticum, Tartaros (Norway), the new Behemoth is a real killer, and I think that Bewitched from Sweden seriously kick ass, almost the old way. The list of metal bands could have been a lot bigger, but I guess you have some clues. We are also inspired by alternative music such as dark wave techno, industrial/cyber and ambient music. Some of my personal favorites are; Aghast, Arcana, In Slaughter Natives, Ordo Equilibrio, G.G.F.H., and Wumpscut. I also think that the fisrt album by Swedish Abruptum titled "Obscuritatem Advoco Amplectere Me" is a masterpiece of horror.

The Outcast: Does Morfeus have any training in painting and drawing? Who are some of his favorite artists? Does he do any art work for other bands? Both of the covers have somewhat of a Japanese animation characteristic to them.

Daemon: I do not think there is any special connection between our covers and Japanese animation. I am not familiar with such topics and I don’t think that Morfeus had that in mind when he painted it. Morfeus has a few years in school, studying art and painting, but he has a natural born talent in that area, so it is mainly his own style that he developed by himself. I know he is inspired by the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, and he also likes the artists behind the Conan and Sandman. He is kind of "hooked" on science fiction and stuff like that too. If you check out the debut of Norwegian Odium, released on Nocturnal Art Prod., you can see his artwork all over it.

The Outcast: Your lyrics aren’t the typical style of poetry. What inspires you to write and what is the concept on "Moon in the Scorpio" and "Dimension In Absentia"?

Daemon: The concept is to write about all my experiences, impulses, mind fields, and science considering death and darkness. Through my art, I manage to open up for paranormal inspiration, dark tunnels off imagination and my own subconscious. I experience madness and cruelty beyond belief, and from this perplexity and mentally possession, I come forth with the message from hell, abyss, or whatever you like to call it I am a prodigy of abysmal romanticism, and for my art, I bleed as hell brainstorms through me!

The Outcast: A while back I received the first issue of "Moon Light magazine". You were asked this question; "You are at a party and a virgin passes out from drinking. What do you do? Your response was; "Either she’s a virgin or not makes no difference. A true lady deserves to be treated with respect, honor, and dignity. I wouldn’t care to touch her. I would probably make sure that no one would dare to think of desecrating her. You said more, but I am sure you know what you said. I was very impressed with your response and respected you very much for being so blunt and honest about it. Also, at the end of that question, you stated: "but to necrophilia, it would probably be a kick in the soul." Does having sex with a dead woman truly excite you (Would that not be considered disrespecting a woman, to have sex with her corpse? - Mike 2006)? Is this a fantasy of yours?

Daemon: Well, though I never have experienced or accomplished a sexual rite with a dead person yet, I consider myself to be very obsessed with morbid fantasies. That’s one reason why I chose to use the word pathological reveries earlier in this interview. I do not always feel like making acts and deeds out of my "deranged" mind field, but yet they are fascinating and valuable in my perspective.

All I have to say about sexual molesters in that they must learn to control themselves. If I should have lived out my darkest being, I would have gone for a fucking slay ride every day to wipe out all the people I didn’t like, either for fun, or for a more serious reason. I am sure that I wouldn’t have any difficulties with rape either, but here comes the good thing about respect. I know also for sure that if someone would cause injury or desecrated a beloved one of mine, I would have not rested before the person lied bleeding on the ground. Even if I feel rather cold and empty inside emotionally, there is still something left that demands to be treated with care and still be kept as sacred.

The Outcast: What are you beliefs on Murder? Rape? Eye for an eye? Turn the other cheek?

Daemon: I believe in the power of the eye, so an eye for an eye sounds reasonable. Too many people are not reliable in their words, therefore I "judge" them after their actions. If they somehow start to show me disrespect and worthless behavior, I wouldn’t have anything against murder. But in my opinion, words can be as mighty as the sword if there is conversation between people with some kind of intellect. It is not the act of killing/murder that is honorable, it is the way it is done and on what purpose.

The Outcast: What is your #1 philosophy in life?

Daemon: My main philosophy in life is that; "No man or God shall stand before myself!" "I am no man and every man, and that makes me a God!"

The Outcast: You say you are no man, yet you are as human as I. Why make a claim to be a God? What power do you possess that makes you a God?

Daemon: Yet my bodily figure is human, I feel more like a beast inside. Some kind of devil incarnation perhaps, external man/internal beast. Well, what is God, but just a name invented by man? You do not have to manage tricks like David Copperfield and his mates in show-business, though a "master of illusion" could be an alternative "god" for many people. To become God, or a supreme being, the secret is; all that matters is the mind behind the thought, and the power of the eye. There are no higher beings in this entire universe than man.

The Outcast: What is your opinion on morals?

Daemon: Morals rule the world today and the immoral have come to change this! I am just one of many that follows a revelation plan.

The Outcast: I know this is an old question, but what is your opinion of the church burnings?

Daemon: I have personally nothing against churches as buildings, but all the fucking crap they fill it with I hate sinisterly and sincerely. I can imagine the euphoria of desires and enormous kick it must have been to watch such an event, but I guess no one, not even our dear friend Samoth had the time to really enjoy his art of blazing destruction. They were too busy entering the night side eclipse.

The Outcast: How has N.A.P. been doing with your albums? Will you stay with them for future recordings as well.

Daemon: When we first signed to them, it was for two full length albums only. They have showed us very good potential as a label, and Samoth personally has done a great effort towards Limbonic Art. We appreciate this cooperation and friendship, so we decided to sign on for further releases and to continue our apocalyptic ride under the flag of the honorable N.A.P. This is a true Norwegian fusion of extreme musical art.

The Outcast: You are walking down the street and a Christian walks up to you and hands you a flyer that reads; "Have you accepted Jesus into your heart?" and begins to talk to you about his beliefs.

A) Do you calmly tell him sorry but you have different beliefs and begin to talk about each others beliefs over a nice hot cup of cocoa.
B) Walk away and say nothing.
C) Tell him to fuck off and die.

Daemon: I would have preferred alternative B or C, because I do not want to waste my time on non-interesting beings with pathetic beliefs. I have rather important missions to accomplish here on my short visit on the face of earth than to listen to a lot of crap and rubbish. Playing music and composing material is one of the few things that have my full attention here in life, and I am raised high above religious limitation and bullshit talk.

The Outcast: For one day you have God’s power, what would you do with that power?

Daemon: Oh, you are so limited. We have access to "Godly" powers everyday, it is only a matter of being perceptive and receptive. I admit that we can’t actually walk on water, maybe not yet. There are enormous vibrations in the sphere that creates a power field between earth and the cosmic-ocean. If one gets in contact with these forces/sources, and learns how to bring it inside, there is no limit to what you can do. This is true magic, art of the illusion and weird phenomenons. We use out forces to create music among other more private duties.

The Outcast: What are your beliefs on God and Satan? Do you think they are actual beings? Why or why not?

Daemon: God and Satan are just fiction spectrums to human belief and desire. Christians strive for the dazzling light and Satanists towards the dark mysticism and dimensions.

The Outcast: What do you hope to find after death?

Daemon: All my spiritual energy will escape the bodily function and go for a glorious ride beyond the grave. I’ll transcend into other dimensions that is much more complex and perplex than the earthly one. The soul energy is immortal, only the flesh is not. Death means two things in my opinion, either reincarnation or a metamorphosis of your organism.

The Outcast: What would be the ultimate pleasure for you?

Daemon: To die every day so I could have been 100% spectra land drifted on the nightly breezes as a ravenous shadow, and to hunt and kill like a predator. I often dream about transforming into a large bird and throw myself from a high mountain or something like that. That must be the ultimate experience of freedom.

The Outcast: If you could commit murder and get away with it, would you do it?

Daemon: When the thought of killing someone crosses my mind, there must be a serious reason for it. Though I must admit that in periods when I experience the mentally possession of hatred and cruel madness, I have a very hostile point of view against all life. It is like nothing matters anymore, and the more my mind descends into darkness, the closer I am to cross the threshold to genocide. Thus far I have managed to behave and control my evil, but I have nothing against killing mankind. There are too many people on this planet already, so if we could lose a few million people, it wouldn’t bother my conscience. When it comes to personal actions, I would have killed if I was mistreated with too much provocation and disrespect but it must be a direct threat to my personality and to my sanctuary, or else I would maybe be satisfied with haunting him to the very edge of sanity. A few fatal beatings would also do I guess.

I usually stick to my own business and live the life as I mainly prefer it to be, I try to glorify my soul and being as much as possible, only to be able to survive in a world that is incredibly pathetic when it comes to true values of existence. I am sure that I will meet quite a few soul mates along this earthly journey, and if they dare to be really open minded, I guess we could step into the illusive cloud of magic and wonder together, and act and talk like true mentors of what the abysmal awakening deals about.

The Outcast: What are your views on spirituality?

Daemon: I believe that I am a living example of that. If I did not have all this energy of spirituality that I have, I would have been devoured and terminated by all my senses, and my grave would have been somewhere not present. This last decade of black voyages into the dark dimension has been in periods very difficult to handle. I have met insanity, and I entered several circles into what is so popular to call hell. The pain of living reached the utter limit, and I experienced valuable things to partly quote my own lyrics; "I am no longer a candle burning in the darkness, now I blaze like a torch." It all deals with finding out who you really are, and then to raise the energy or dark star, whatever, as high as possible on the earth thy walks upon. As long as you are alive, have contact with the earth, everything is fine, but if your mind, soul, and spirit comes out of focus, you’re pretty fucked. You need to stand as one unity inside yourself, or else you would soon be unveiled and punished for false or incorrect action and behavior. To truly explore the dark euphoria, you need a certain brain capacity in the traveling soul. To me, it is not enough to be born into darkness, but also to grow with it, to expand the mind fields in what you are doing. I do not mean and go into every book, magazine, or whatever to search for the truth in your life, the history of your soul and being, dwells inside you. Words do not count forever, and no theory is good, or bad for that sake, without practice, and vice-versa.

The Outcast: What are your opinions on religion?

Daemon: I personally feel raised above all religions. I live a life of ancient culture, where I worship the forces of nature and earthbound magical inheritance.

The Outcast: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change and why?

Daemon: Since I still can’t walk on water, I assume that would be an area I would love to improve on, or flying would be great. I would also love to have a little more money to invest on personal needs would be great, but besides that, I have all that I need to go on raging against the full moon lit sky, and dance with the ghost like misty shadow lands. Through my nocturnal cries and screams, I invoke other un-dead, so we can unite in a choir. All in the name of the midnight aura.

The Outcast: If you could change only one part in history, either in your life, someone else’s or an event, what would you change and why?

Daemon: I would like to be in a specific episode in my life and kill a certain person for what he did. Many years have passed, and it no longer has any value for me. I have closed and settled that file. If I could have changed history just a bit, I would definitely go back in time to the moment you invented this question, and with a ghostly finger, push the delete button on your computer. Just another example of black humor that I have, sorry.

The Outcast: What are your views on drugs?

Daemon: Why should such topics in this world that one can not dare to admit with an open heart? At least when things come from an open heart, it should be allowed to do so. The fine truth is that it has no past or future. It is, and that is the only thing is has to be. Drugs can be so incredibly dangerous to a man’s soul and mind, and in some cases it often leads to the person’s death. Drugs can also be used as magic keys to the doors of perception, and it works guaranteed. I have experimented with heavy drugs as well as light drugs, but I do not need it permanently to manage "tripping" far out. I have a natural speed in my veins, and if I need to chill down, I know how to find a cure for that. I would like to end this answer with quoting a sentence from an old Dr. called Hook; "I’m making no excuses for the many things I use. It just sweetens my relationships and brightens up the days!"

The Outcast: Well, thank you for the time and I hope I didn’t bore you with my questions. Any closing comments?

Daemon: Oh, is it finished already? I can’t even remember that I started up! I enjoyed this cascade or words quite okay. Stay faithful to the mighty power of the voice of the heart, and to the power of the eye.