Hails Kozeljnik! You are mostly known as the guitarist and mastermind behind The Stone and May Result for many years now. When, how and why you decided to create this solo project of yours?
L.G.: This is full-time band Kozeljnik and L.G. started doing few years ago. An idea itself differs from what the two of us are doing in our other bands. Half of the lyrics and some music for debut album were written even before the whole thing began to unfold. It's more personal thing than any of the mentioned. Expect a lot of things to shape from this.
What does Kozeljnik mean and why did you choose this name?
L.G.: It's a Name for ancient divinatory that once lived along the east European soil, though mostly where Serbia lies nowadays. They predicted human destiny by observing the entrails of the dead goats. Has a rather prophetic note to it and is ancient as hell. So is our message.
In 2007 you released the Wrecked in Ruins of Solitude EP and a year later your debut full length Sigil Rust. Can you describe both with your words and tell us what do you think are the main differences between the first and second release? Tell us when were the songs written and when recorded. What label released it and where can we get a copy of each? How do you think the album was received and are you still satisfied with it in 2010?
L.G.: Well, this EP was released only on tape format so far, via Spiritual WarArt Productions from Turkey, though some copies have errors concerning the sound (made by label itself). It also included rehearsal version of some tunes later found on our debut "Sigil Rust". Later, we've made this contract with Diabolist Services from Washington NJ and are expecting another release of this recording on 7" gatefold vinyl. Sure, our sound went much farther lately when compared to the one we had on this EP, but it still sounds very strong and obscure and we're definitely proud of it. "Sigil Rust", released in '08, was a step forth at the moment and is a debut we couldn't be more pleased to have. 5 of our songs (+ cover of Dodheimsgard) played in mid-paced to fast sections, with cold and brutal message to it and a true mark of Kozeljnik scarred for years to come. Next material will be a surprise on its own and should be out in couple of months, so I won't say much at the moment.
What is the main theme in your lyrics? Does Kozeljnik stand behind any specific philosophy? The Stone are known for their use of Serbian language on every record, however for Kozeljnik you decided to use English. How come?
L.G.: We wrote our first lyrics in English, don't know why, but it came somehow natural to us. Further on, when we discovered the actual sound of those tunes on our first rehearsals, we simply chose to go with that from then on. We won't avoid the use of our mother-tongue if it comes along the way, neither. Our lyrics are the presentation of one's hidden psyche, the one that is ever-endeavoring in seeking the path to the utter Black, the one that invocates the Upheaval of diabolic sphere, in darkness and light omnipresent. Final and complete reversal of the Known.
What is the cover art on Sigil Rust representing?
L.G.: It marks the Root, present-thereafter and NEVERENDING: for those who are willing to Observe. Old and ever-growing seed of the True Beneath, Devil's all-consuming breath to embrace all flesh and thought.
Should be Kozeljnik treated like a real band or is it just a project for you?
L.G.: This is dead serious full-time band.
Can Black metal exist outside of Satanism? What is your opinion? Can acts of Black Metal exist only in music or does its meaning manifest beyond Black Metal's music, ideology and image?
L.G.: It's individual enough to get out of any common and typical way of thinking, behaving, reasoning and in the end: living the Thing. In certain cases, it will leave the mark for as long as our culture goes, sometimes it simply disappears after the Thought. This is extremely individual and not many of those (supposedly involved with this extremity) have the gift to Create and Convince. Many of them have even been active for too long and one day simply left everything behind as nothing ever happened. The term you used in your first question is not really embraced by many or is being simulated to fill the needs of the very moment they are found in. Kozeljnik in S.A.T.A.N. breathes this guidance that voids all things of the obvious, material and orthodox... a path that leads our inner thought towards the time's oblivion and reversal of this current. Where darkness spreads with aura in all ways, desolate, continuous and never-ending.
Underground... Is it only an empty phrase or does it really exists in your opinion?
L.G.: It actually meant something couple of decades ago, but nowadays it doesn't get much farther from being a common simple phrase.
What are your future plans? Can we expect the follow up to your debut full length?
L.G.: Final mixing of the 6 new tracks for our second full-length album "Deeper the Fall" is being done as we speak. In December '09 we agreed this release with Paragon Records from New York. They've been very cooperative and I think the album will be released in June this year. If your way gets you anywhere near Berlin (Germany) this summer, don't miss our performance on Under the Black Sun Festival in July. The sound of the album will be a bit of the surprise, diverse, innovative and tasty, but I won't reveal anything about it yet.
L.G.: Thanks for doing the interview, we appreciate it a lot. Our web design is still in progress, but will be done soon with completely new look. All the news will be posted there, as well as all the vital information about the band, lyrics, samples of our works etc. I encourage all to check our future "Deeper the Fall" album (out in June).
