Sometimes the best things happen purely out of chance but end up being excellent experiences in this human vacuum we’re all living in. Such is the case with Portland Oregon’s atmospheric / black / doom metal project Felsenmirror. Pure happenstance brought us together and here we are with their Profile and new friends to boot. If you’re not familiar, Felsenmirror play a very emotionally driven and ultra thick brand of atmospheric blackened doom metal. You all know we hate those RIYL things so none of that here but, the four tracks on their current self-titled album (released in January of this year) are nothing short of stunning. The weight of “Embodied Spirits” alone is worth the price of admission but you’ve also got the pained vocals of “The Truth Reveals Itself in the Dark” that tugs on the heartstrings to a point it almost hurts… I could go on and on here about how great this album is and why but, you need to read how this Profile went down then, or now, go grab yourself a copy of this via the links contained within.

—

How did you first get into playing music, and have you achieved the level of success that you hoped for?

I first got into playing music after seeing an elementary school assembly, ha. There was a drummer there that I was entranced by. Through the years I began playing more and more with my stepbrother Jake, and eventually with friends. When I finally played a live show, and felt the intimacy / release of it, I was hooked. Personally, I believe that success regarding music is nonlinear. I have been fortunate enough to travel all over north America through music, make some cherished memories with new friends and old, hug people, cry with people, and make connections with strangers. That to me is great success, and all I can hope for in the future. However, we are hoping to make it over to Europe at some point. None of Felsenmirror has been before.

What’s the most you have ever debased yourself to get your band onto a show, into a magazine or otherwise promoted, covered, and praised? (If you don’t have a story, please tell us any funny/embarrassing story.)

Only being a band for a little over a year we don’t have too many embarrassing stories quite yet but there’s still plenty of time to correct that! With my old bands there was quite a few though. Mostly partying, playing awfully, throwing up between the snare and my legs, falling off stage, etc, etc.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in metal and what are some of the worst things happening inside the scene right now?

Hmm, it seems that metal could potentially be getting less gate keepy and more inviting towards fans being eclectic in taste. A lot of people are pushing the limits of genres, daring to be more experimental or blend or try different things. I’d love to see people get primal with it and really not hold back on unleashing some rage. Some of the worst things happening is trend following or trying to fit into a certain mold. Which only limits yourself potentially.

It seems that now everyone has a passion for some cause and that those people are very open about displaying their passions. This is probably a very, very good (and progressive) thing socially. What are some of the most important issues for you and how do you insert those issues into your music?

Overall, the issues that have been inspiring this project are psychological. For example: depression, grieving, catharsis, addiction, trauma, mental health, etc, etc. That being said, the state of our world plays its role in a lot of those feelings. One of the most important issues in our music is the never-ending cycle of trauma that our society helps perpetuate over and over again. I think a lot is inserted subconsciously into the music, but overall our aim is to inspire a cathartic release for ourselves and loved ones.

What, or who, got you into metal and how old were you? How did your family take the news?

Haha, umm… that’s a thing we sometimes all giggle about. All of us definitely have metal roots and love a lot of metal, but were all pretty eclectic. These days I mostly listen to techno. Pretty much though, Linkin Park is what got me into metal, hahaha, and the Deftones. I got into punk first via my father, and then later on got into more metal. Limewire helped a lot. My parents were stoked! Mostly my dad.

What advice do you have for aspiring music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Be supportive, be compassionate, be patient.

What’s your goal? You guys thinking world domination? Maybe saving a continent? Maybe invading one? Any interest in starting a cult? Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share? Whatever it is, please let us know.

Our aim is wakefulness, our enemy is dreamless sleep.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Keenan: Trauma Bond – Winters Light, Oldest Sea – Sacred Destruction, Aarktica – Paeans, Pale Star – Ceremony

Heidi: Adrianne Lenker – Songs, Earth 2.23 special lower frequency mix (esp Brett Netson)

Jeremy: Jesu – S/T, Low – I could live in hope

Josh: Thantifaxath – Hive Mind Narcosis, Khanate – To Be Cruel

Brian: Ensemble NeoN – Niblock/ Lamb, Robbie Basho – Visions of the country

What is the 12-month outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

Currently, we are in the writing process, shaping, structuring, etc. We have new members which we’re hugely excited about. Heidi, and Jeremy from another local project called “Glacial Fall” along with our good friend Brian Levin. So in the next 12 months we will have a new album, a new set, a new everything. Right now we’re just working hard on bringing forth the most intentional set and music we can. Maybe a tour, maybe some live shows.

Summarize your band in exactly one word.

Catharsis

—

Many thanks to Keenan, Heidi, Jeremy, Josh, and Brian for their time!

---

Felsenmirror is available now on Bandcamp. For more information on Felsenmirror, visit their Instagram page.