LAMP OF MURMUUR
05/01/20 | J.R.
Enshrouded in mystery, Lamp of Murmuur emerged from the burgeoning, overcrowded digital raw black metal scene and gave them a lesson in wampyric rites. I like to think the anonymous person behind this project took a moment between sips of blood wine and thought to themselves, "It is time for the pretenders to be taught a lesson," and, through a library of demos, EPs, and even a split (with the even rawer Revenant Marquis), Lamp of Murmuur's ever-growing discography is a tome through which raw black metal mastery can be learned.
"It's true that I've had a particularly fast output since this project's inception," the person behind Lamp of Murmuur tells us in their first time speaking to the public. "I owe this amount of activity to the 'greater will' that guides the musical manifestation process." In as such, the Lamp of Murmuur entity is a possession or spiritual guidance through which the orator expels this harsh, uncompromising music.
"I feel this obscure energy has been present for a long time, but I haven't been willing to give myself to it until recently, when I started this project," they say, unveiling the source of the project's spiritual depth and power. "Every sonic manifestation this project conveys is some sort of exercise of translation and interpretation of this somber feeling or presence. I still haven't figured out the source, and I'm sure it will be a long way until I properly decipher this driving force."
Though Lamp of Murmuur's music can be categorized as evil and sinister, the orator feels that the philosophy of evil in black metal is misaligned or skewed toward a greater misconception. "I'm not fond of the side of people using a misconception of 'evil' in black metal to portray their spiritual immaturity and misery," they explain. "There's an ever increasing amount of weak-minded individuals who surrender themselves and their art manifestations to childish and mundane hateful ideologies with a poor interpretation of evil, yet advocating spiritual 'might and greatness,' not realizing the contradictions behind their posture."
Since the project's first stirrings in 2019, there have been four demos, a split, and an EP to the Lamp of Murmuur name. What inspires you which leads to such a wealth of material?
It's true that I've had a particularly fast output since this project's inception. I owe this amount of activity to the "greater will" that guides the musical manifestation process.
There's basically no room for the conscious input of ideas; basically all of the project's tracks are spontaneous improvisations of guitar melodies that I record in a single take and finish whenever this subconscious influence decides that the musical labor is completed. The times I've modified any of these spontaneous ideas, being melodies or structure, have been kept to the bare minimum to capture the urgent and feral essence of the moment these creations.
Is Lamp of Murmuur meant to be a feral, urgent entity?
It is, certainly. I wouldn't conceive this entity in any other way. If I would shift this project toward a more "rational" approach, I would feel that the identity, essence, and viscerality will be lost.
Do you feel those elements are lost in more rational black metal overall?
Not precisely. This utterly depends on which is the intention behind the person that drives the project, and his ability to interpret the prime essence of what they wish to convey. In my case, like I've already mentioned, I attempt to portray this primitive and pure viscerality and fierceness that comes from an unknown dark energy.
When were you first possessed or inspired by this dark energy?
It's rather unknown to me. I overall feel this obscure energy has been present for a long time, but I haven't been willing to give myself to it until recently, when I started this project.
Precisely, I feel every sonic manifestation this project conveys is some sort of exercise of translation and interpretation of this somber feeling or presence. I still haven't figured out the source, and I'm sure it will be a long way until I properly decipher this driving force.
What do you think will happen once this force is deciphered?
That I will keep a mystery until I'm finally able to reach that level of consciousness. As with all energies, I'm certain this "entity" isn't static: it mutates, changes shape and/or motivations. For now, I'm just reckoning myself as the vessel of this driving force without much question.
What first drew you to black metal as a form of expression? That is to say, would you be able to express this darkness with any other type of music or art?
As much as I enjoy different kinds of extreme and non extreme music, I feel none quite matches the level of intensity and honest, raw emotional brutality.
As these manifestations started to be expelled, they naturally took the shape of black metal. No other artistic form presented itself as suited for this labor, and the reasons for me, as I've stated before, are quite clear.
Are there any aspects of black metal as a whole which don't fit into this paradigm?
Not much, but the part that I'm not fond of the most comes from the side of people using a misconception of "evil" in black metal to portray their spiritual immaturity and misery. There's an ever increasing amount of weak-minded individuals who surrender themselves and their art manifestations to childish and mundane hateful ideologies with a poor interpretation of evil, yet advocating spiritual "might and greatness," not realizing the contradictions behind their posture.
What are your thoughts on the homogenization of ideology and inspiration in the new wave of raw black metal (e.g. vampirism, moon worship, et cetera)?
I feel that those are all really rich and deep topics that are linked with the history of humanity and its search for understanding and giving shape to that which it still doesn't know or can't comprehend. In particular, the moon has always been an important symbol in human spirituality, culture and traditions.
I feel as though it's somewhat a homage and recognition of Les Légions Noires [eng. The Black Legions], who obviously play a major role in influencing the underground black metal scene as a whole both in terms of music, production wise and aesthetics.
Is there anywhere ideologically in which you would like to take Lamp of Murmuur which you haven't taken already?
That would solely depend on where I will find myself in this quest of obscure understanding that is crafting Lamp of Murmuur's music. As I've stated before, I'm just a vessel who transforms and tries to decipher whatever the obscure regions of my existence whisper to my subconscious.
Are there any final thoughts you would like to add?
I would like to thank you for your time and interest, and also thank Not Kvlt Records, Death Kvlt Productions, and every person listening to this project for their overwhelming support and dedication towards black metal and Lamp of Murmuur.
