| Interview with Therthonax By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Kawir has been
spreading Greek Pagan black metal
since 1993; Give us some history on the
band.
spreading Greek Pagan black metal
since 1993; Give us some history on the
band.
Therthonax: KAWIR gathered at 1993
from Mentor (therthonax) with the
purpose to create music for our Gods.
KAWIR means the powerful demon, and
as Strabo says about this sacred cult of
THE MIGHTY GODS KABEIROI, “These
rites being performed with religious
frenzy, sometimes with music, and
sometimes in secret…their music bring us
in touch with the divine.” In 1993 the first
recording was made, with the help of
Necroabysious (Varathron) in vocals and
Escarth (Zemial/Agatus) in guitar. The
track was called SINN (The Blazing
Queen), and was released by
Cacophonous Rec. as 7'' split with SIGH
from Mentor (therthonax) with the
purpose to create music for our Gods.
KAWIR means the powerful demon, and
as Strabo says about this sacred cult of
THE MIGHTY GODS KABEIROI, “These
rites being performed with religious
frenzy, sometimes with music, and
sometimes in secret…their music bring us
in touch with the divine.” In 1993 the first
recording was made, with the help of
Necroabysious (Varathron) in vocals and
Escarth (Zemial/Agatus) in guitar. The
track was called SINN (The Blazing
Queen), and was released by
Cacophonous Rec. as 7'' split with SIGH
Blissfulviolet: What are some of the lyrical ideas present in Kawir’s music?
Therthonax: Just to hymn our Gods in our mothers tongue. Dodekatheon and the mysteries of Ancient Greece
are the main inspiration.
are the main inspiration.
Blissfulviolet: Describe the sound and influences of Kawir.
Therthonax: Well I want to believe that we are playing ancient Hellenic music with the help of today’s music
technology. I found a description of Strabo more than 2000 years ago!!!
“…They represent them, one and all, as a kind of inspired people and as subject Bakkhic frenzy and in the guise
of ministers, as inspiring terror at the celebration of the sacred rites by means of war-dances, accompanied by
uproars and noise and cymbals and drums and also by flute and outcry.”
Strabo explains about the music of mysteries which is what I have in my mind about Kawir’s music with modern
organs (guitars, bass etc..)
technology. I found a description of Strabo more than 2000 years ago!!!
“…They represent them, one and all, as a kind of inspired people and as subject Bakkhic frenzy and in the guise
of ministers, as inspiring terror at the celebration of the sacred rites by means of war-dances, accompanied by
uproars and noise and cymbals and drums and also by flute and outcry.”
Strabo explains about the music of mysteries which is what I have in my mind about Kawir’s music with modern
organs (guitars, bass etc..)
(Japan). In 1994 Dark Side Rec. releases the “EYMENIDES" 7'EP, at the same time two new members entered
the Horde: Archemoros (vocals), and Hephaisteion (keys). In 1995 the mini LP "ΠΡΟΣ ΚΑΒΕΙΡΟΥΣ" was recorded
with the addition of the new member Nick at drums. It was released by Dark Side Rec. again, with the boldness all
lyrics to be in Ancient Greek. In 1997, with the same line-up released the debut CD "ΠΡΟΣ ΚΑΒΕΙΡΟΥΣ".
In 1999 the second CD "EPOPTIA" was released inspired by Hesiod's Theogony. That period there was some
line-up changes... Nick and Hephaisteion left the band, but Erichthonios added with whom the band had co-
operated in the past for some live appearances. In 2002 the song "ΚΗΡΕΣ" was recorded and released as a 7’EP
split with ΝOCTERNITY. In 2003 the track "EMPOYSA" is recorded which circulates in 7’EP form split with ZEMIAL.
The return of Nick (Vriareos) on drums, and the addition of new member Nosoforos on bass. In November we
signed a contract with German record company SOLISTITIUM. In February 2004 “EPOPTIA” CD is re-released
with 2 bonus tracks “KERES” and “EMPOUSA” (remixed). Diavelgenus left the band after years of collaboration.
In 2005 we released "ARAI" which is inspired from the Ancient Greek magic, the lyrics are all in the ancient
Greek, written from ORFNI which made also the recitations! Erichthonios made the vocals. In 2006 we released
the “DEI KABEIROI”CD In 2007 we have a new vocalist again, his name is porphyrion and after 14 years we have
a stable line-up and able for touring!
the Horde: Archemoros (vocals), and Hephaisteion (keys). In 1995 the mini LP "ΠΡΟΣ ΚΑΒΕΙΡΟΥΣ" was recorded
with the addition of the new member Nick at drums. It was released by Dark Side Rec. again, with the boldness all
lyrics to be in Ancient Greek. In 1997, with the same line-up released the debut CD "ΠΡΟΣ ΚΑΒΕΙΡΟΥΣ".
In 1999 the second CD "EPOPTIA" was released inspired by Hesiod's Theogony. That period there was some
line-up changes... Nick and Hephaisteion left the band, but Erichthonios added with whom the band had co-
operated in the past for some live appearances. In 2002 the song "ΚΗΡΕΣ" was recorded and released as a 7’EP
split with ΝOCTERNITY. In 2003 the track "EMPOYSA" is recorded which circulates in 7’EP form split with ZEMIAL.
The return of Nick (Vriareos) on drums, and the addition of new member Nosoforos on bass. In November we
signed a contract with German record company SOLISTITIUM. In February 2004 “EPOPTIA” CD is re-released
with 2 bonus tracks “KERES” and “EMPOUSA” (remixed). Diavelgenus left the band after years of collaboration.
In 2005 we released "ARAI" which is inspired from the Ancient Greek magic, the lyrics are all in the ancient
Greek, written from ORFNI which made also the recitations! Erichthonios made the vocals. In 2006 we released
the “DEI KABEIROI”CD In 2007 we have a new vocalist again, his name is porphyrion and after 14 years we have
a stable line-up and able for touring!
Blissfulviolet: Kawir has just returned from touring
throughout Europe. What was that like?
throughout Europe. What was that like?
Therthonax: The tour was great a unique moment of
our existence.
our existence.
Blissfulviolet: How receptive was the audience?
Therthonax: The audience was great specially the
German audience.
German audience.
Blissfulviolet: Has or will Kawir ever tour in the United
States?
States?
Thorthonax: Not yet but we would really like to visit
the U.S.
the U.S.
Blissfulviolet: What is the music scene like in
Greece?
Greece?
Thorthonax: The golden age of Greek black metal is passed away, now we have a new black metal wave with
bands like Nocternity, Naer Mataron, Order Of The Ebon Hand, Macbre Omen, Acherontas, Dark Messiah and
other new bands.
bands like Nocternity, Naer Mataron, Order Of The Ebon Hand, Macbre Omen, Acherontas, Dark Messiah and
other new bands.
Blissfulviolet: Kawir’s last release was Del Kabeiroi, what can you tell me about it?
Thorthonax: This release is out by Kyrck Prod. And contains our first recordings 1994-1996 all remastered.
Many people asked about our first recordings so we decided to release it again!
Many people asked about our first recordings so we decided to release it again!
Blissfulviolet: Is the band currently working on any new material?
Thorthonax: Yes indeed. We have just entered the studio and are working on the new material, soon we will
upload a sample to www.myspace.com/kawir you can check it out.
Some titles are Poseidon, Sword of Dardanus, Apollo, Mars, Dimitra, The Bakkhic Dance, etc...
upload a sample to www.myspace.com/kawir you can check it out.
Some titles are Poseidon, Sword of Dardanus, Apollo, Mars, Dimitra, The Bakkhic Dance, etc...
Blissfulviolet: Are you involved in any other projects besides Kawir?
Thorthonax: NO.
Blissfulviolet: Being a musician for many years, what would you consider to be Kawir's greatest moment?
Thorthonax: Many great moments, but I want to believe that will become even better!
Blissfulviolet: Any final comments?
Thorthonax: I want to close with a
quote from the great geographer and
traveller of the ancient world
Pausanias: ”Why should law be the
master of men and not men the
master of law?”
For more info visit that links:
quote from the great geographer and
traveller of the ancient world
Pausanias: ”Why should law be the
master of men and not men the
master of law?”
For more info visit that links:
Hails from Hellas
Therthonax
Therthonax
Feeling accomplished, it was definitely great to be able to ask
Therthonax of Kawir a few questions regarding the band. For some
reason Kawir has always come off to me as a mystery.
Therthonax of Kawir a few questions regarding the band. For some
reason Kawir has always come off to me as a mystery.