Operated and owned by award-winning author Gwendolyn Taunton, Manticore Press has provided the world with non-fiction literature specializing in history, spiritual traditions (including occultism), and philosophy. Much of the content could be considered obscure (not unlike metal), and overlaps with extreme metal is very apparent.
Much of Manticore Press’ products focus on philosophy, occultism, history, and so on. In turn, many of these subjects are explored in extreme metal. What are some of your favorite bands that you like to listen to? Why?
I believe that there is a connection between music and other creative endeavors. As an intangible art, music is also the purest and exerts a substantial influence on the subconscious. So there is an input/output relationship between music and other arts – what one is listening to at the time of composition can alter the outcome of the work.
Growing up in the late Goth era and that of early Black Metal has definitely influenced my creations. The first genre I was interested in was English Gothic – particularly Bauhaus and Fields of the Nephilim. Fields of the Nephilim have always dealt with esoteric themes. Leading on from that, in the 90’s I discovered Black, Death, and Doom metal. Though I’ve listened to a lot of the early Death metal – Bolt Thrower, Carcass, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, etc., Black and Doom have always had a more aesthetic edge to them – and, as you have noted – tend to explore areas such as the occult and philosophical overtones. Around that time, I listened to Beherit, Samael, Satyricon, Immortal, Emperor, Mayhem, Mortiis, Darkthrone, and a bit of Doom when it first came out with Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride. Since then, I’ve expanded to some more experimental forms of metal like Kawir, Terra Tenebrosa, Sunn O))), and Gnaw Their Tongues. Also neo-classical and symphonic like Elend and Therion, and Black Industrial Noise – Brighter Death Now, Nordvargr/MZ.412, and occasionally even Japanoise such as Merzbow. I balance that with the milder sound of dark/ritual ambient music like Herbst 9, Arcana, Raison d’Etre, Arktau Eos, Peter Gundry, and Lustmord. Also, various random bands, Ludovico Technique, Blutengel, Haus Arafna, and Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, to name but a few.
As to the why – I don’t enjoy ‘happy, light’ music; however, that doesn’t mean I have a depressive personality. On the contrary, I find Black and Doom metal rather uplifting. I also prefer music that is creative and deals with esoteric content.
Do you feel there is a substantive connection between metal music and philosophy and occultism?
There is unquestionably a correlation between some forms of metal and the occult. Particularly in Black Metal, and it’s probably the defining aspect of the genre. However, the perceived occultism is often just a revival of pre-Christian indigenous traditions or traditions from other countries where Christianity never spread. For example, there is also Chinese Black Metal and Vedic/Tantric Metal – which tend to have a unique sound created by blending the traditional instruments and musical styles with Black Metal. The fusion of the occult and early indigenous traditions occurs because the ‘occult’ is simply a resurrection of early beliefs that pre-date the monotheist triad of Middle Eastern religions. The boundary of what separates magical views and those of priests is razor-thin. In reality, it’s just a clash between the institutionalized priesthood and individual practitioners. The only difference between supernatural beliefs and institutionalized religions is the social status ascribed to the ritual specialist. The magician and the priest both interact with the numinous. The difference is that one is inside the exoteric system, and the other is practicing a more esoteric form, usually within a small group or in individual practice.
As for the philosophical aspects, they are undoubtedly present. The more intellectual musicians tend to create around concepts and abstraction. In contrast, the less intelligent forms of music emphasize physical dance, with most of the lyrics revolving around looking for dates and/or just trying to get laid. Mainstream music seems to be rapidly becoming less and less sophisticated, with very repetitive simple beats and shallow themes. So I’d expect the musicians who have actual ideas to gravitate toward other genres such as metal because most mainstream music (or ‘vanilla pop/rock’) is entirely dull.
Being you’re based in Australia, what are some Australian music projects that you enjoy?
I grew up in New Zealand, so I was more involved in the music scene there. However, I moved to Australia in 2011, following an entire year of large earthquakes in NZ during 2010-2011. Virgin Black (symphonic/neo-classical Doom) is probably the best Australian music project and also one of the most obscure. Advent Sorrow is also praise-worthy. Other than that, the best ones would be Nick Cave and Lisa Gerrard/Dead Can Dance.
In your book Nietzsche: The Antichrist & the Antipolitical, you mention that Nietzsche has been misconstrued by modern fringe politics. What is Nietzsche’s relevance today if not political? Is his philosophy more personal to the individual reader than something that can be applied to a broader spectrum such as politics?
I wrote some of this material in 2016-2017. During this time, social media was full of spam from the Alt-Right and crappy Pepe memes. Fringe politics explicitly refers to individuals promulgating this. However, the far left of the political spectrum also tend to be annoying, especially concerning Nietzsche because they also fail to understand what he is saying.
But the political question has much broader implications than ill-conceived political movements. Nietzsche was keen to avoid being associated with any political activities related to his ex-friend Wagner, and he wasn’t exactly thrilled about any form of nationalism or socialism either. For Nietzsche, the problem is the nature of politics itself – that it brings to power people who don’t have the character or skills for the occupation. To be against the ‘Herd’ implies that one is also against the Bull. Politics, in more ways than one, is the Bull.
The thing with Nietzsche is that being antipolitical doesn’t imply that he’s not political. That would be closer to apolitical, which is abstention from politics. The term antipolitical is much less passive and means Nietzsche believes that the problem is how the political system itself is constructed. Instead of simply ignoring politics, he is actively against politics. In some ways, that brings him close to anarchism, but anarchism also fails to encompass what he is saying. Hence why I opted to use the term ‘aristocratic radicalism,’ which is what Nietzsche called his model for replacing the political system. Other authors have used different terms such as ‘heroic individualism’ because they found the ‘aristocratic’ part a bit too intense. As academics, they have to tone down a lot of their research and make everything bland. Most academics prefer their Nietzsche heavily watered down. Nietzsche desired to produce creative individuals with significant expertise in the hopes they could have an impact on society. At some point, these individuals would converge together (as a functional ruling body of experts in different areas) and form a new system of government based on knowledge and individual temperament instead of party dogma.
The other point with Nietzsche’s antipolitical stance is that it connects to his views on Christianity. According to Nietzsche, the consequences of Christianity and the fall of Rome exerted an enormous influence on the evolution of modern politics, and that the ethical values inherent in them are ultimately derivative of Christian values. Individual fortitude and the Will to Power cannot flourish under such conditions. Thus Christianity and its political heirs come into conflict with Nietzsche’s opinions, tastes, and preferences.
Can you summarize what makes the Russian mystic Azsacra Zarathustra special? How does he embody Nietzsche’s philosophy?
Azsacra’s very interesting because he can’t easily be defined. Whilst Nietzsche obviously inspires him, he doesn’t attempt to copy Nietzsche and has developed his own style, incorporating many different elements. For example, there are influences from Hinduism, the Damned Poets (Baudelaire, Rimbaud, etc.), authors such as Ernst Junger, Yukio Mishima, Antonin Artaud, and the Theatre of Cruelty, and even the films of Andrei Tarkovsky. Stylistically he draws from all these various inspirations and then transgresses the boundaries to create something unique.
These different strands of aesthetics combine not only with Nietzche’s philosophy but also with his work in the martial arts, film, photography, and animal welfare.
Perhaps the best way to describe Azsacra Zarathustra’s embodiment of Nietzsche is to say that he has looked into Nietzsche’s abyss and gone beyond Nietzsche himself.
Much of Manticore Press’ content can be considered idealistic, especially in regard to philosophy and occultism. What is your personal stance on Idealism? Is it necessary for personal growth?
In terms of my personal perspective, I’d say that my view would be closer to objective Idealism, in the sense that there are universals/ideals (in both the sense of Plato and Jung) that the majority of humans can interpret through symbolism and have a similar meaning all over the globe, with slight variations arising through external stimuli such as meteorological events, diseases, war, famine, natural disasters, and any other threats in their geographic proximity. As much as consciousness is internal, the physical environment has a tremendous effect on it. Because of these environmental differences, various cultures can have different spiritual and ethical beliefs. These symbols have an independent existence in the subconscious but remain reliant on collective human interpretations to a certain extent. Ideals, therefore, are more than symbols. Most people are aware of them on a subliminal level, but there is some variation in interpretation due to cultural, historical, and environmental factors. So, in terms of Idealism, though I affirm the existence of the subconscious aspect, I also acknowledge that philosophical materialism and empirical knowledge are obtained from the external physical world.
However, I also see Idealism as a requirement for aestheticism. The true creative process is transcendent because all art forms are a reflection or perception of the world and a projection of an ideal. There is always an image that has to be created. Philosophy is more of a logical process, though, at times, it does manifest through art. Occultism and spirituality are more rigidly bound to the arts. Crowley is perhaps the best-known example due to his poetic skills. Poetry, in particular, has been linked to many spiritual traditions all over the world. Poetry is a dying art, though, and is more likely to manifest in song lyrics these days. To a certain extent, vocals in music have overwhelmed the popularity of poetry as a literary art.
Perennialism is a focus on universal truths espoused in various religions, traditions and philosophies throughout human history. What are some perennialist works that you would consider to do justice to the source materials?
Anything by Ananda Coomaraswamy, Huston Smith, Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, Mircea Eliade, and James Hillman. I’ve written a lot about Guenon and Evola in the past, but they both tend to ascribe modern factors to their work that are not present in the original source material.
Outside of writing books and running a book company, what are your personal hobbies?
My other pastimes include watching horror films, gardening, swimming, painting, and drawing. Because writing tends to be a computer-based industry, I like to spend my recreational time as far away from the computer and technology as possible. In 2018 I purchased the vacant lot next to my existing property, which at the time was just a barren field of meter high thistles and other unpleasant weeds. I’ve spent the last three years doing this up – it now has a pool, spa, gazebo, in a fully-fenced entertainment area, pathways, a large native garden, a rose garden, fruit trees, and a vegetable patch. Aside from the building and construction, I’ve done all the work myself. I’m also a recreational artist, using pencil, ink, watercolor, and acrylic paints.
Where do you see humanity heading?
I think humanity is at a dangerous crossroads at the moment, and it can go one of two ways. There is an opportunity for significant progress in the sciences, but at the same time, a considerable chance that we could see a regression in terms of quality of life. On one side, there are many potentials – advancements in space exploration, alternative energies, robotics, and very probably a wave of new tech once the Hololens and AR/holograms are perfected. But, on the other hand, it seems that the 2020-21 pandemic will unleash some unpleasant consequences. Not only has it disrupted the quality of life for many, it’s also likely to send most people finically backward for at least one generation and entrench mass poverty. The economic disruption, particularly in poorer countries, is expected to be massive. The greatest danger is that those who have lost more money will want to take it by force from their wealthier neighbors – potentially leading to class conflict, major political disruptions, and even wars in the more economically disadvantaged areas.
All of this will most likely combine into something like the industrial revolution, with changes in technology and poverty creating a politically volatile environment. As a result, I would expect to see some significant changes taking place over the next fifty years.
Being you’re an award-winning author, do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
If you have an arts degree, use it for writing to create your career. Don’t fall into despair because you have to work in a mind-numbingly dull day job. Instead, rework all those old essays into something you can sell. Then, if you have enough inspiration and the will to endure, you can escape those drab routines. But keep your day job until you can afford to get rid of it.
