What sparked your interest in music? Which instruments do you play?
It depends about which time period and music we are talking about. Vinyl records were played since birth at my home. During soviet times my father was interested in jazz. Anyone who experienced soviet times knows quality music was a special hardly gained experience for which you might have to explain yourself. Though jazz never became my favourite I guess it left some mark in me. My youth was spent with a whole number of music taste transformations which led to extreme metal and non-metal. Speaking of instruments I can play anything I need with a drum kit and a guitar. I’m not interested in playing techniques. My musicianship is at the level that is sufficient to achieve wanted results.
What were the beginnings of your personal and band’s activity?
I was playing in several bands (simultaneously) until Anubi, at times thrash as a guitarist at times in heavier psychedelic rock band as a drummer. Though it wasn’t what I needed. In this case Anubi became a project where I could control the whole musical part without any compromise and do what I thought was right. The acquaintanceship with Lord Ominous was simple. We met at a music market in Vilnius, Antakalnis. It was an illegal shop for metal attributes. I was drinking beer with my friends in a meadow nearby while Ominous came and asked where everything is happening because he was from another city (Kaunas) and knew nothing. We became acquainted and shared some ideas. We’ve stayed in touch and decided to realise something. At that time I had all the equipment needed to record. So, a very trite beginning of everything.
Anubi’s music is full of mysticism and reflections on death. Why were such themes chosen? Was it influenced by art, music, books, life experiences?
The answer is really simple and any derivations would be superficial. I hold that creation is an attempt to see through the veil of existence where the origins can be felt. Why do we try to see there I don’t know. I don’t why certain themes trigger it. Many processes affect this but curiosity is the main one. It’s not a choice but a need to advance to such voyages. Maybe Martynas could tell more about this since both lyrics and concepts were his domain and describe these inspirations in more detail. And I think his concept would be different from mine. Then again themes change, insights develop, ideas evolve. Maybe some ideas would have come if not for the halt of the activity.
When you played in Anubi, which bands (metal and not) did you listen to? Which ones were the most influential?
The spectrum is really wide. I don’t think that any band or style was so dominant that it had any real influence. We’ve tried to have our unique sound, concept, album structure. The goal wasn’t to adhere to a certain style but to achieve a needed mood. Of course anything that was fresh and elemental at that time was on play. From Mayhem, Pan.thy.monium and from other areas: Mordor, Swans. At the same time I was interested in emerging twisted electronic music. Musical famine was indeed great so strange and radical directions intrigued.
Egyptian mythology dominates band’s music. Why exactly did this interest you/other band members, having in mind that many black metal bands of that time were interested in our nation’s (Lithuania) roots?
Egyptian mythology was the initial step. It was more of a Lord Ominous theme which was interesting to me and I accepted. Why? Because it inspires, rich in images and vision, concepts of reality. The last albums had none of it or at least a direct interpretation of it. Other bands chose their own way. It’s a weird question in general why the one project is different from another. They are different and that’s okay. The listener chooses the prism of concept/sound to explore the world. I think in general metal is full templates which haven’t changed for the past 30 years. It’s a safe and comforting state “I want it that way” which is exploited for marketing purposes though void of actual creation, search and exploration.
Could you tell more about the creation process in the band? Why did the recordings happen only at full moon?
Don’t remember the details probably because the full moon was there. During the creation process it’s no wonder that some elements or occurrences happen but it’s spontaneous. The two of us were in charge of the creation process. I made the music. For recording I’d ask my friends to use their rehearsal facilities where we would bring our 4-track tape recorder. There we would record drums and guitars. No prior rehearsal only prepared themes. We would record vocals right there (if we had any energy left) or at home. After 3-4 sessions an album was made. Only last two albums “Sutemus skambės” and “Kai pilnaties akis užmerks mirtis” were made in a professional studio. I don’t think that was a good move. Back then the recording studios were really bad.
Compared to our fellow countrymen Obtest and Pocculus, Anubi took a far more obtuse, eclectic musical approach, not unlike the Czech outfit Master’s Hammer. What were the catalysts that brought this all together?
I agree about eclecticism. I will repeat myself again. We didn’t try to fit in. For us the mood was important and all the means were appropriate. The creation was important by itself. No need to please a wider audience no need to be true black metal band no need to adhere to a standard theme no need to do shows on a scene. Both Poccolus and Obtest who were and still are friends had their own way. The majority of their music evolved from the pure metal of those times. So, if the question is why it’s because that was the vision according to the available means. If I understood the question correctly.
After “Kai pilnaties akis užmerks mirtis” more music was planned. Could you tell us more about it?
I wasn’t involved in that stage. This question isn’t for me. I remember there was a contract written for an album. Guitars were played by Sadlave from Obtest. 3 tracks were recorded. Maybe they’ll be public someday. I’ve heard them but don’t remember the details. They are closer to classic metal.
In one of published interviews with Lord Ominous he said that Anubi is a studio band rather than a live one. Why?
It was a studio band. First of all, there were only two of us (speaking about creation process). Permanent and a wonderful member was a drummer. Other people were invited to fill in for instruments. We had no rehearsal facilities or rehearsal times. We would always record one or two tracks. If there is an idea, we realise it and don’t come back to it. So, for the stage shows there was no need or capabilities. I think that not all the music should be played on stage. In some cases live performance spoils the whole mood of the songs especially if the audience wants entertainment.
In 2002 Anubi was disbanded. What were your further creative endeavours?
Wouldn’t say that we disbanded rather me and Lord Ominous went on separate ways. He tried to develop Anubi further on and I wasn’t against the usage of the name. The final nail in the coffin was his death. There was no conflict during the separation. I didn’t really like the final result and direction of “Kai pilnaties akis užmerks mirtis”. When you record at so called pro-studio time is limited and it becomes more of a sport to fit in time limits to record the material. In the end, there are no opportunities to make any spontaneous experiments on the spot. Also, the sound engineers who don’t understand the music we made, burden the whole process because they can’t understand what is needed from them or take something as a misunderstanding. So, the final result is less than satisfactory. The future activity of the band would’ve gone like this: regular rehearsals, more-defined style, more-define realisation, etc. I didn’t like it at all.
What do you do besides music?
I’m an engineer by training. Really far away from art. To me music has no place as a job. When I don’t make music or engineering systems I go to mountains.
What could you tell/wish Hessian Firm readers and fans of Anubi?
I’m honestly pleased that someone is still interested in Anubi. Of course it’s important to evaluate it according to the times when it was made. It’s more interesting that way. Both the sound and recording quality. And mood too. I wish you never lose the need to search and excitement of discovery.
