INTERVIEW WITH GOMOLD

In the shadowed corners of the Hungarian underground scene a new force rises. GOMOLD, a band that has swiftly carved out a name for themselves with their unique sound, proudly label their music as Zugloian Black Metal. Hailing from the heart of Hungary, the band is set to release their highly anticipated demo, "DEMO MMXXIV", in April 2025. This release will be unleashed through Murder Records, a label that remains a pillar of the underground scene, helmed by the notorious Danihell Slaughter. A few months ago, we had the pleasure to have an interview with Crotalos (Guitars). Let's revisit our conversation and explore what GOMOLD had to say about their journey, their vision, and the dark path they tread.

F.D.M. - Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine. Tell us a few things about GOMOLD (Members, Starting Year etc).
CROTALOS - Gomold was established in April, 2024, though the idea of making the band came earlier in 2023. When I was writing some lyrics, they started twisting and rattling in my head, like snakes. Finally, I’ve found the most ideal people for my band, such as our bassist, Big Chris, with whom we’ve been friends since a decade, and we have worked together as colleagues. As for the drums, Lucius joined us, whom I’ve also known for a long time ago. He quickly got he idea how to summon the atmosphere I wanted to represent with the band; besides, he is also from Zugló. Then, Mandragora came to us with her stunning voice and plenty of her great ideasmaking the band in motion. My brother -after laureating as a Buddhist priest- helped me with studio works, and due to his endevour for recording music he made mixing and mastering of our demo on behalf of Attila Csihar. At last, Gomold has been evoked in the depth of the Zugloian Cave.

F.D.M. - You have recently released your demo ''Demo-MMXXIV''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
CROTALOS - Indeed, our demo has just released recently…So, I cannot say any more than the few friends’rating we’ve got. Although this far we haven’t got negative critics, we would not be down in case of getting any of them. After all, you cannot produce music for everyone’s taste, and we try our best to improve in style and technique. Mandragora has let us know some encouraging reviews citing the early version of our song, the “Zugloian Demon” as old-school Tormentor-like music. But this is all I can tell you for now.

F.D.M. - Label or DIY and why?
CROTALOS - Unfortunately, thus far we do not have any label, but we’d like to sign a contract. We’re looking forward to selecting from a few offers, but we’d like to stay “cult” and unique at the same time.

F.D.M. - Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
CROTALOS - Hm… I could not tell any story on concerts, because we haven’t performed on stage yet. But there are always funny things happening at the rehearsals, as well as on the demo recording. We got the drums from Endre -many credits to him-, the drummer of the band from the room next to ours, but the clash cymbal stand was broken, so we had to hold them to prevent the cymbals from falling onto Lucius. In addition, Lucius kicked the double bass so strong, that we also had to hold back the bass drums, which were jumping away like a washing machine with centrifuge turned on. I said, “Beat it, dr. Zanussi! Time for action!”. And we could not stand without laughing. Other funny ideas came from our plan to resurrect the resting death metal band of Big Chris, called “Kitten Remains. While we were trying to write new songs for that band, suddenly I found a guitar riff, that was so cult I would rather spare it for our Black Metal project. The same thing happened with another song, then I said, “Guys, this damn song is cursed”, and we just laughed all the time.

F.D.M. - Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
CROTALOS - To be honest, we love every format, because all of them have their own function and advantages. We collect music from diverse formats, and I buy stuff from my favorite bands in any of them. I used to download (legally) the digital copies to spare the physical copies from getting used, damaged, and to maintain their longevity.

F.D.M. - Your music style is Black Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
CROTALOS - If I may, I’d like to note that we’re not playing just Black Metal, but Zugloian Black Metal. We try our best to avoid stucking in cliches repeated by some other bands, who are copying the old classics of the genre, perhaps, also each other. On the other hand, we love, and respect music made by Mayhem, Tormentor, as well as earlier Bathory releases and the work of LLN bands (Vlad Tepes, Mütiilation, Belketre, Moevot). As for contemporary Black Metal works, we are inspired mostly by the NorvegianNidrosian bands (Beyond Man, Mare, Kaosritval, Dark Sonority, Grenjar, Mokekunst, OTOH, Ritual Death, Selvhat, Vemod, Whoredom Rife..) and we respect their record company, Terratur Possessionsfor their top-notch quality releases. The Spanish Black Metal formation 13th moon is also among our top favourites, likewise, we love listening to Barshasketh, Belliciste, Brón and the Inner Awakening Circle’s bands (Dunkelheit, Grimness, Hell Eternal, Lepra, Niedergang, etc). In addition, we are greatly inspired by Lidérc and Infectus from the BFBMK circle, (Balatonfüred Black Metal circle). Personally, my guitar music is affected a lot by Cryfemal and Muert. But the musician inspiring me the most is Nospophoros, the guitarist from Mare.

F.D.M. - Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
CROTALOS - Everybody commited to a band with willpower and faith is ready to make any necessary sacrifice. So we did sacrifices for Gomold, but it was always worth it. For instance, I take more than one part-time job besides my profession to provide all resources for the band.

F.D.M. - Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
CROTALOS - We are in the initial phase of preparing for a live performance. We’ve got no experience yet. Though, I rely on my own intuitions about finding out the settings, which are visually appealing for a live show, but not too much.

F.D.M. - What attributes do you think that a new Black Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
CROTALOS - I’m not sure if my opinion makes a big difference, but acquiring an identity takes heart and finding individual ways. We have different inner drives to achieve this. Certainly, bands come and go with their own image and music repertoire, but if they were just following the same trends that would have been a straight path to collapse. Uniqueness is important, but every musician must have a feeling for what makes his/her art unique and authentic.

F.D.M. - Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Black Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
CROTALOS - I can see a potential help in it, especially if it is well-used. (On the other hand, I consider it important to keep the hardcore fans satisfied with physical copies). Moreover, it can accelerate the process of finding a label. Despite prefering the traditional ways, we do not display any contempt towards digital platforms.

F.D.M. - Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Hungary (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
CROTALOS - I could emphasize the Inner Awakening Circle and BFBMK bands mentioned before, adding Voidshrine, a fantastic Hungarian band. Among the Zins I know The Tales of Morbid Butchers, Dögvész and Metal Catacombs, all of them doing their job great. As for webzines, I could mention Kronos Mortus. The biggest Hungarian record companies/distros include Sigillvm Tenebrae, Éjoltár and Neverheard, Fekete Terror and Total Darkness Propagande. Unfortunately, most local clubs providing stage for the genre does not operate, or they are not maintained properly. One place which never disappoints and keeps up the great vibes is the Supersonic Blue and Red Hell due to the great leadership of Balázs Tóth and his crew.

F.D.M. - Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
CROTALOS - Hm..I know some outstanding Hellenic bands, yes. I just highlight a few favourites, by whom I listen to albums quite frequently. Acherontas, Acrimonious, Human Serpent, Thy Darkened Shade. They are all so unique, and they make amazing music in the Hellenic scene.

F.D.M. - In the last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange, and new situations in our everyday lives (covid, lockdown, etc.). Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
CROTALOS - I wasn’t affected too much by Covid, or lockdown or any similar happening. Maybe the mandatory vaccination, because I did not consider that reasonable. Same for the pressure of several employers pressing the workers to get vaccined, saying „if you are not taking it, you are fired”. But the last year brought several personal changes having a negative impact on me. Nowadays, I just think about that year as a bad dream, and I’m happy that I got fine. Without going deep into details I can tell you, that we have the potential to stand up from every strike hiting us, and strike back whatever comes.

F.D.M. - What are your future plans?
CROTALOS - Future plans…I got plenty of them, he-he. Of course, we like to spread Gomold like plague and make other bands of the Zugliovian Black Metal Circle (ZBMK) grow. Let me tell you some recent ideas…Next year we are planning to release another demo with songs in English, and an EP in CD format. In addition, we’d like to organize the first ZBMK event by adding two extra bands as guests to Gomold.

F.D.M. - Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
CROTALOS - Hail from Zvglo!

Interview made by Steve the Filthy Dog.