Interview: Ofermod
November 14 2008 at 06:14:14 PM
Te igitur… True to associations with the revered Funeral Mist and Deathspell Omega, Sweden’s Ofermod crafts an extremely well meditated music, imbued with a ponderous ideology built upon bits of Orthodox Black Metal’s religiosity; theurgical takes on occultism and esoterica. And Ofermod’s frontman, Michayah AKA Belfagor is adept at creating much out of nothing, espousing religious propagandistic intent along with a sort of demented Malthusian weltanschaunng: kill the weak; may only the strong survive. Early incarnations of Ofermod provided a thunderous descent into human nature combining Wagnerian bombast with extraordinarily sensitive guitar work. The ensemble’s latest effort Tiamtü demonstrates a refined sound, and fiercely intellectual lyrical content that ostensibly serves simultaneously as a chronicle of religious experience and dogmatic conversion tool in metastasis. Accipite et manducate ex hoc omnes…
LEFT HAND PATH: Initially, the full-length was to be a “Luciferan Cantata” – Mystery of Iniquity. Later there was talk of Pentagrammaton. And now we finally have Tiamtü. It appears this title may be the perfect encapsulation of the music, art, and word. For is Ofermod not inherently about Tehom, Tiamat: Chaos – religious chaos and the “emptiness” espoused by primordial cosmology?
BELFAGOR: Ofermod can be seen as a glance from afar on the divine, initiating womb of the Holy Spirit of Sitra Ahra, Ama Lilith, a dark and opposing counterpart to the cosmic holy spirit Shechinah. Mother Lilith is Tiamat Herself in exile, ready to initiate those worthy and strong enough to endure the draconian discipline required from the dark magician/gnosticist, in search of Luciferian illumination, and thus become alike the Elohim themselves, in accordance with the promise made by Lucifer in the shape of the Serpent in the book of Berashith. Lucifer here being yet another countenance of Leviathan, Tiamat, Tehôm. He is the mysterious, superior black Sun Daath, Knowledge, on the original Tree of Life, which before the fall had the form of a diamond, but when Lucifer shared with man the mystery of the true creative power of sexuality and other magical secrets which gave man the potentiality of being a Creator himself, instead of a mere submissive Creature, the Elohim became envious and thus threw the Sephirah Daath, which in fact is Lord Lucifer, into the Qliphothic Chaos emanations, and where Daath once was placed above the sun Tiphareth as its superior counterpart there now on the degenerated Tree of Life is a vast Abyss, separating the divine Triad from the rest of the Tree, and man was driven out from Eden, that is the astral emanation Yesod, into Assiah, Malkuth, where he was clothed in flesh.
Naming our album Tiamtü and lyrically expressing that this world of flesh and the entire universe is a gross illusion and an abomination created by a bastard demiurge, is our way of inviting our worthy listeners to find a way to the womb of Lilith, and thus be initiated into the anti-worlds of the Qliphoth. For the unworthy listener our album is a curse, as when working with the album I invoked various goetic demons, to which I offer the lazy listener as my sacrificial offering. For the wise, Ofermod is a fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, for the blind and deaf idiot we offer fruits from the Tree of Death. The title of the album has changed during the years in accordance with my own development as magician, and Tiamtü fits perfectly as it is the band’s debut full-length album, and is meant as an invitation to the Sitra Ahra.
Again a version of “Khabs am Pekht” is included. Insofar as “Ofermod” connotes excessive spirit – or arrogance – and “Khabs am Pekt” translates loosely to, “Cultivate inner strength/light in extension,” does Ofermod hold this piece as a sort of leitmotif? Will it continue to surface on future recordings?
Actually most of the mentioned lyric is written in direct connection with a prophetic vision I experienced during my earlier years as a devotee to the occult sciences. It all began with a state of profound meditation, and all of a sudden I was dwelling within a vast, black Void – beyond comprehension – which I instantly knew had the “shape” of a Dragon. From this black Void I was pulled out and born into a labyrinth where I encountered seals that at that point in my occult development were unknown to me. Today I recognize many of them as the symbols for various tunnels connecting various Qliphoth, but back then they were to me “seals of great mystery!” I don’t want to give a more detailed description of my spiritual experience, as it is utterly personal.
Yes, of course Ofermod´s lyrics in the future will have this Luciferian pride, as I am an adept in search of Luciferian illumination and the completion of the Black Diamond through the Draconian Current of the Qliphothic Order to which I belong. Ofermod will always be a reflection of my gnosis, or more correctly, a vessel into which much of my magical focus is directed.
Years ago it was written you were composing dogma – a text for "religious devil worship." Have you kept with the text, or has it been abandoned? What is your inclination for creating such work – to whose, or what benefit? Does this need to catalog religious process/experience find an outlet in the music of Ofermod? Do you see the music as part and parcel to the dogma – a useful and necessary tool?
I have burned the roughly 60 pages I wrote to the aforementioned book as I have died and been born anew many a time since these pages were written. The forces of Chaos simply did not want this book to be written. Maybe within a few years I will write a book or two on the Left Hand Path, the Draconian Current, but today I focus on my music, and through my lyrics and in interviews such as this I can spread the word I want to spread.
Behind the music of Ofermod lie the forces of Sitra Ahra, Demon Kings and Queens with vast might, so at this point I feel not the need to write a book. Instead I study the occult sciences with rigorous discipline and tremendous enthusiasm, to ensure perfect result in my practice.
How did you become interested in the occult, and what has compelled you to explore it to such an extent you've come upon the need to erect your own system?
It is certainly not my own system I practice, but the system of an utterly powerful initiatory order, following the Draconian Current on my quest for the opening of the Eye of Lucifer, and the total Godhood gained in Thaumiel. For10 years I studied and practiced the occult arts without the aid of an order, and as I used a lot of Sephirothic techniques in my quest for Chaos-gnosis, I was unconsciously under the influence of Qliphothic forces, which led me to live the life of an organized gangster, belonging through the years to various organized criminal “families,” mafia-like organizations, mostly of the kind that ride Harley Davidson bikes. I have been what one would call a very loyal soldier in these circles, and have been very successful when it comes to these mundane things, that matter naught to me after Ama Lilith visited me in a very lucid dream in the beginning of my eleventh year as a serious student of the occult, where she said to me that it is now time for one of her chosen children to come home to Sitra Ahra, and so I did, at first by myself, and then with the help of the mentioned Order. All of this criminal activity is now in the past for the benefit of my spiritual devotion, as I now dwell in the realms of the holy eleven, and naught but this has any relevance. Everything I do today is in some way connected to dark magic, and my quest for the Light of Lord Lucifer.
Ofermod's lyrical content sounds entirely certain, assured, “faithful.” To what extent are these lyrics results of your religious credo, and is one right to view them as incantatory? In a sense, the certainty embodied by these lyrics is incompatible with your expanded notions of "religious chaos;" do you see yourself as a devotee seeking answers of holy mystery, or do you believe those mysteries have already been revealed?
I am indeed a devotee in search of answers, but each answer gained usually raises more questions to find answers to. All lyrics I write are a religious labor, as I hide hidden numerological codes in them, as well as I can meditate over a verse for days before I decide to use it, as every line has to have a hidden meaning behind it other than the obvious meaning that hits the reader at first sight. For the more advanced occultist it can be a rewarding experience to study the lyrics of Ofermod, just as they would study the Torah, the Sepher Yetzirah or the Zohar. It is this rewarding for myself to write them at least.
Connections – tenuous and flagrant – between religious concepts apparently are an interest of yours, especially the parallels between Pentateuchal concepts and Babylonian cosmology. What place does this serve in your religious study, and, for Ofermod, what is the significance of the Book of Genesis and the Babylonian “Enuma Elish?”
Each and every religion, in their esoteric sense are one and the same. The traditions may differ in some minor details, but when it comes to the bigger picture, one clearly notices that they emerge from the same origin. The Eye of Lucifer is also the Eye of Shiva, and even of Odin. In my lyrics, as well as in my magic, I use symbolism from all myths, all religions. As long as it works, especially in magic (the exoteric religion has naught to do with it), I use it! And work it does! It matters not be it Egyptian, Hindu, Norse, Greek or Sumerian; what matters are the results gained if used in connection with ceremonial magic or meditation techniques of various forms, or that in a lyrical context the profound, esoteric meaning comes across to those with eyes to see and ears to hear. The blind and deaf are not worthy of Ofermod, and thus cannot cope with the immense power we represent. But by all means, buy our albums, ha ha...
You have spoken freely of an obsession with “religious chaos.” What do you believe religious chaos “is?” Does this concept extend from the ancient Hebrew idea of Ma'aseh B'reshit – the “act of creation” itself, and first man, Adam, who brought about death with knowledge?
Through the Draconian Current, man is given the opportunity to continue with his own Maasseh Berashith in the Sitra Ahra, the side of Chaos, where he, with the aid of demonic forces becomes a god himself has he the endurance, strength and discipline this requires. This is definitely not for the average man, and there exists far too many “armchair” occultists with all their theoretical book-knowledge, but without any practical experience in neither meditation, nor astral travel, nor ceremonial magic. This is unfortunate, that these people don’t find a way to establish the discipline to at least start with meditating 30 minutes each day, and then, maybe after six months, move on to more advanced methods. You can have all the knowledge in the world about the occult, but it serves you naught if you don’t put it into practice. Magic is the way of Action. This obsession with religious chaos you speak of simply means that I religiously serve the primeval Draco ab Chao as it serves me in my quest to become a god... All glory to Tiamat! Hail!
Ofermod's sound has transformed dramatically since Mysterion Tes Anomias. Ofermod has eschewed breakneck speed for brutish, evocative music, which has far more technically in common with Death Metal than Black Metal. Is the change an effort to fulfill the “Orthodox Religious Death Metal” moniker, or is the phrase more indicative of lyrical/aesthetic stylistics rather than musical substance? What place does “Black Metal” have in Ofermod?
Actually, Ofermod IS true BLACK Metal, as our lyrics and most of all the presence conjured into our album in the process of making it is SATANIC in every way possible! We choose to call our art Orthodox (Qliphothic) Death Metal merely not to be confused as one of the shitty unserious bands that have the arrogance of using the term Black Metal in connection with the shit they produce. We are just trying to avoid drowning in the pile of shit which the so called "Black" Metal scene in fact is, and to demonstrate that we belong to the orthodox Cult we created together with bands like Funeral Mist and Malign in the 1990s. Afterwards we have been joined by worthy bands such as Watain, Deathspell Omega, Katharsis, Teitanblood and a few other very strong bands, but there will always be a vast abyss between what is considered to be the Black Metal scene, and the true Cult which we represent. Death and Black Metal are in fact exactly the same, when it comes to the Cult, as it is the same satanic forces of Chaos we religiously devote ourselves to.
There is much said of what “True Black Metal” consists in. People incessantly ascribe traits of perfection to imperfect ensembles, failing to realize Black Metal rots in ideal. Yet, few can reconcile what this ideal – or ideals – must hold. In your opinion, what are “True Black Metal Ideals?” Are these tenets “things” that anyone – or anything – is capable of making “real?” How can the genre hope to flourish when so many continue to pull it down, diluting it, remaking it in commercial body, and spirit?
First of all, there is nothing wrong with good selling rates. Just look at a band like Marduk, which is one of the few bands I consider to be true Black/Death metal, and thus belong to the Cult. They make a living on their satanic art, and this is splendid, because they have always been true to the code of our Cult. They worship the forces of Chaos religiously, and this is what matters. The same goes for Watain, who have gained success in these recent years, and keep gaining more success no matter how uncompromising they are with their art. This is splendid. Ofermod is a bit more esoteric than the aforementioned bands, but my aim is to make the band as successful as I possibly can, yet always staying true to the Cult. Those who compromise deserve no success, but death...
You have a documented history of violence, serving prison time for assault, robbery, etc. In great contrast, the majority of Black Metal ensembles preen a typical, “acta non verba” stance. There are impassioned threats, unbalanced aggression, and belligerent provocations. But none of this translates into action. What – if any – is Ofermod's stance on making the “word flesh?”
Today I would rather eliminate my enemy with a severe curse than by shooting the bastard. I have done enough shooting for a life time. And economically I would rather earn money through my art, or by conjuring a demon, than by robbing banks or breaking bones. Also these things I have done in the past to last one life time. I resort to physical violence only if every other possibility is out of the question. I practice Mixed Martial Arts five days a week, not for the sake of using it on someone who provokes me, but for the sake of the discipline it requires, and the benefits gained by both body and mind. I have always loved a good fight, and this satisfaction is gained at the club where I practice.
Explain your connections and/or opinions on the following people, places, and things:
GERSCHOM SCHOLEM
Interesting author. I think Scholem, Kaplan and Halevi are the most interesting authors within Hebrew Kabbalah. I especially find the chapter named “Sitra Ahra” in Scholem´s “On the Mystical Shape of the Godhead” intriguing, him being one of very few Right Hand Cabbalists that have the courage to write about the “kelippot.”
"NSBM"
Politics have nothing to do with our religious Cult!
MEISTER JOHANN ECKHART
The technique he called “intellectus,” the quieting of the mind is the mere first step for the aspiring Gnostic or magician. He has not much to come with, the little I know about him. Maybe there is some deeper esoteric system behind his methods that I’m not aware of, but as for now, he offers me naught.
THE IRAQ WAR
Read John’s revelation...
GEHINNOM
Sitra Ahra, my home...Hail Lucifer!
[Stewart Voegtlin]
[Photo of BELFAGOR by MORTUUS]
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Interesting interview.
Fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, indeed....
I read through this interview very patiently, twice. This to at least counter the demons that might be inherent to this text that mr.Michayah has put there against me, the potential lazy reader.
I would be very disappointed had Ofermord's music fully convinced me to expect a lucid mind behind it (as it initially suggested, given). As it stands this just a verification of what I expected: form over substance. There is nothing vital in any of this. There is only either deep-seated delusion of very practiced pretense.
It is a difficult text to parse because I think mister Michayah doesn't really answer much of anything asked, yet he says a lot of things which he loves to hear said. This seems to suggest an inability to understand what one is being asked to expound on, and does not inspire confidence in one's ability to discern anything useful from his vast, I trust, collection of occult texts.
Mixed Martial Arts and Tiamat. Why does the reader care if he was a Harley Davidson criminal? He himself says these things no longer matter since he's died and been born again numerous times so why does he mention his street credentials (and in a question not related to them, well before you outright asked him about his past). Also, being successful at it? At what? Selling heroin to make money to consume heroin? Is that something anyone can be succesful at, really?
I'll just restate my previous intuition: for black metal to grow up one cannot take everything from its juvenile form and 'grow it up' in parallel. Some things just cannot be done in a grown-up way and should be discarded: mystical incantation interviews require a humanity to counteract the fantastical. Answers such as these are a wound to anyone trying to do something actually potent in the genre.
Furthermore I would hope any serious student of *anything* develops some honesty and therefore humbleness towards the unfathomable the longer they study what they study. There is no such qualities on display here. This man I think is just a farce. He might be well-masqueraded to the point where the people looking up to him for his black metal sounds will never detect his ingenuity but this should not be encouraging. I have no problem with self-importance, but in HM it needs to be dialectic to some inner, existential humbleness. Otherwise one is just full of shit. I understand to a degree if this humbleness doesn't communicate in the piece of art as is (in the music I mean) especially if it's Heavy Metal music but at least interviews are a great time to underline the actual humanity behind the 'entity' of the band. No attempt was made. The interview is a longwinded ramble of what an awesome super guy mr.Michayah thinks he is. And I posit: if everything he says actually, practically, pans out... His philosophy, his theurgy, all of it is for real and works. If the character on display here is the optimal result of these processes, then what does that say about the processes? Judge the god by his follower. It is only just as there is nothing else.
Smallness, this is what this interview is about. Very very small things, small man, small mind, big words. Can play guitar, will write black metal record.
Also to the comment about the sheeple buying his records, ha ha send more money ha ha he wins ha ha his Tiamat is a pretense taught to him by a consumerist reality far more insidious than any spell he's ever cast... at least some of us download one's product, peruse it and were it to be found to be just that can delete it. One gains nothing.
Helm, you're on the mark about most of this interview, especially Michayah's attitude towards the consumption and commodification of the art.
But can you really expect humbleness to arise from a path devoted to ego? Nothing in his quest for godhood should inspire humility. For the ego-seeker, an encounter with the unfathomable would only inspire a hunger to gain. However, it's this element of the quest for ego that screams 'BULLSHIT' to me. But the bullshit isn't necessarily in the person, it's their choice of path.
So even though I find Michayah's spiritual path disagreeable, and his severe posturing amusing, we should at least say that he's consistent. Assuming, that is, that he is as disciplined and devoted as he claims.
I think some humbleness is expected from any path that depends on the feedback of communication with other people. Humbleness as in a receptive, open humanity, a fascination with the mystery of others, not some christianesque mannerist self-effacement. He's giving an interview isn't he? If he was completely devoted to the path of the ego (with whatever that would entail) he shouldn't even bother with this kind of stuff. In his equalizing of giving an interview and writing a book (as to how they further his needs) it shows how grossly he misunderstands what expression and communication are.
But consistency - besides being a very easy thing about anyone to nitpick on, we are not robots - isn't really a big problem on that level for me. I do not care about the robustness of his theology nor can I crucify him for lack of since far better than him have tried and failed to be 'consistent' in word and action. I care about art, and it is his art that is wounded by this lack of humanity. He could say the most outlandish things if he were human enough to leave some space for ambiguity, for interpretation, for communication in how he says them.
These recent 'orthodox' people seem to me to have interpreted old black metal through a very neurotic viewpoint where the crux as they see it is to be taken as seriously as possible in an attempt to be respected at all times. Possibly as a response to the indignities of the recent past, of how hipsters and idiots appropriated this music through humour to disguise their inner fascination with it and in the process neutered it. But the old black metal that inspired them, to me, didn't shrink away from the inherently ridiculous side of itself, nor did it seem to define itself against listener expectation.
A lot of these Ofermod reviews mention that the record seems very deliberate and very consciously constructed. I suggest that it should have been less deliberate and more instinctual, not as 'perfect' for it to be potent music. There should be spaces in the music that willfully make no sense, that are just there and even the artist himself couldn't tell you why they put them there. These aspects of ambiguity are there in old Immortal material, in old Burzum material, in old Fleurety material, and it is there that the listener started a discussion with the art that captivated him so, and assigned personal meaning along with the blatant guided sense. In short, these orthodox black metal people should stop trying to hard if they want to communicate something else than 'look how hard I'm trying to be awesome'.
You seem to take alot of this personally, Helm, as if his stance is in direct conflict to yours. Although I found a lot of that review to be muddy, I also disagree with your insistence on lucidity, given the esoteric nature of what is being discussed. Surely, the last quality required for this pursuit is 'humanity?'
I read recently that Micayah has reactivated Nefandus, and it looks like something might be in the works for 2009 via NOEVDIA.
steve:
I have to disagree with your statement that the last quality required in this pursuit is 'humanity', though it would take much space to properly explain why. It is exactly when someone attempts transcendental art that they need to know when to be human about it.
Helm, my dear friend. I have read your harsh words and the judgement that falls like relentless hail upon me from your omnipotent mouth. Forgive me, my all-knowing and by some reason wrathful Greek God for answering this interview in an unsatisfying way. This will never happen again. From now on, I will do my duty and check with you before posting any answer to any interview, so that I wonﾴt make your life miserable, or displease you in any way, as you are the foundation upon which my artistry rests. And my Lord, gnothi seauton, before passing judgement. All music deserves to be taken seriously by its listener...clearly my art is not for you, o great and mighty one, yet you seem to be jealously in love with me. Unfortunately, I donﾴt go that way, so you will have to find someone else to waste your energy on.
For those who do understand; keep up the Great Work and we will keep delivering art that stimulates your spirit and mind. No matter how deep or shallow your descent into the underworld, once the journey has begun, the black diamond will one day be yours!
Belfagor, in all humbleness...
My critique is well-meaning and though you can disagree with it all you like I think it would benefit you to consider it more fully.
I would hope that an ascended individual such as you what with your theosophy and all would contain themselves from responding to critique with irony befitting a 13 year old american on the internet. They might think meaning one thing and saying the other is cool, but it doesnt befit a person such as you. You're not Oscar Wilde. I'm not your friend and if you want to address a stranger, do it with the respect in being direct.
Your critique is a joke and your little "insights" are pathetic, pretentious, and infantile which makes you a hypocrite. Go whine elsewhere because no one gives a fuck.
helm, you just got burned. better watch what you say lest you anger this guy.
No matter what hurty words the internet calls me I'm not going anywhere.