Mānbryne: Finding a Meaning in the Void
Mānbryne |
The Heavy Metal Citadel |
Mānbryne | The Heavy Metal Citadel |
Polish Black Metal is one of the strongest underground sounds. Many of the bands that have blazed onto the scene in recent years have taken the genre to new and exciting levels. Mānbryne is no exception. Mānbryne is the offspring of Oremus and its creator/vocalist, Sonneillon (also from Blaze of Perdition) has returned from a near-death experience, with a vengeance to achieve what he set out to do with Oremus.
Manbryne offers a multi-dimensional sound that merges wailing guitars, epic solos and gut-wrenchingly brutal vocals. Dealing with themes that revolve around meaning, faith, religion, truth and philosophy, Mānbryne offer something truly unique in the Polish scene.
We invited Sonneillon and guitarist, Renz, to discuss the band a little more and what the future holds for Mānbryne, here’s what they had to say.
It’s officially been a year since Heilsweg: O udręce ciała i tułaczce duszy was unleashed unto the masses. Congratulations. Can you tell us how the reception has been?
Sonneillon: Reception was mostly great. Pretty overwhelming at first and certainly surprising to a degree, especially that we didn’t really expect anything and had no further plans in mind. We pretty much tried to avoid unnecessary promotional fuss; just wanted to create something that resonated - and still does - with both of us (Renz and I) and have it released with the proper care and quality.
Many people seem to love it though and thus it generated some kind of small “hype” around us, but such things are always beyond one’s control I guess. We just do our job and love doing it.
Pustka ktora znam is such a complex merging of different layers all in one song, from wailing guitar bends to traditional black metal shredding to the slower breakdown and the masterful drumming and dynamic vocal range. How did you develop the song into its finished version?
Renz: 'Pustka…' was the second song I was working on, right after 'Ostatni splot'. I feel like these two were composed in a surprisingly short time. I remember making the chorus part first, but I wasn't sure if it was good enough - it seemed to be too melodic, maybe a little frail, possibly because of using a triple metre.
Nevertheless, I showed it to S. 'Are you nuts?', he answered, 'we’re keeping it'. It's important to mention the song wouldn't be nearly as catchy if it wasn't for Wyrd, he composed almost every leading part there (except for the simple 'Dies irae'-vibe related part during the second verse).
Is Renz a real human? His life seems like a Deus Ex Machina in some kind of film; left-handed playing a right handed guitar brilliantly, no formal musical education, and rarely plays black metal unless he’s composing.
Renz: That's very kind of you, but I'm afraid reality is anything but being that poetic. My guitar skills are, at most, mediocre.
The black metal Polish scene seems to be a juggernaut at the moment, what do you think makes Poland such a hotbed for amazing Black Metal bands and do you think it’s difficult now to separate yourself from the herd?
Sonneillon: This question certainly returns in most of the interviews, but honestly - I don’t know. Many Polish bands I love aren’t that fresh, some of them are already dead or forgotten and the newer ones usually don’t tickle my fancy. People seem to love the Polish scene though and that can’t be denied for sure, at least judging from the attention it gets so often. Is it difficult to separate ourselves from others? I’d say it’s not - if you actually have something interesting to offer - and I believe we do. Still, it’s all a matter of one’s taste and someone might beg to differ
The Seventh Seal is a film that heavily inspired you and the album. It’s also a film that places art on a pedestal of immortality, something that death cannot touch. Do you feel the same way?
Sonneillon: Art certainly has the ability to make one somewhat immortal - or should we say - to live on its own long after our death. I also believe the art itself is and should be more important than the human(s) behind it. I don’t consider myself a particularly interesting person, but if someone feels my/our art is special to him/her, then it’s perfectly fine. We all share the same emotions and fears after all, so the essence is always universal.
In an earlier interview you claim that humanity still hasn’t found its meaning and that secularism has been responsible to whatever degree in destroying the pillars of belief and the foundations of the old world. Do you feel that civilization was better off in the age of Gods or the era of doubt?
Sonneillon: No. I believe that regardless of our advancement as human species and as a society, there’s no way of finding something that can universally be described as “meaning”. We all should create our own personal purposes in life to get through it with at least some degree of fulfilment, but in the grand scheme of things, life itself has neither meaning nor rules. We just try to impose them to make it somewhat bearable.
The live show with Mgła, Deus Mortem, Darvaza, and Martwa Aura in Krakow sold out. Do you feel this is a launching pad for more shows around Poland/EU?
Sonneillon: It hasn’t been decided yet and we still have to wait and see how it goes to make further plans. We certainly don’t rule out playing more shows in the future and - if given - we might seize the opportunity, but Manbryne will never become a “regular” live band doing tours etc. Neither the initial idea of this project nor my health condition allow for such things to happen.
What is next for Mānbryne? Are there any plans for live shows in the UK/London?
Sonneillon: Aforementioned show is currently the only live appearance in our plans. We already have some new music and lyrics written, so we are (very) slowly planning our next release, but I can’t really share anything specific as of yet.
What would you say to your younger selves if you could speak with them now?
Sonneillon: To give a fuck less and do my thing.
Any last words?
Sonneillon: Thanks for the interview. It’s been a pleasure.
We raise our chalices to Sonneillon and Renz for doing this interview. If you love this band as much as we do, head on over to the Mānbryne Bandcamp page and buy the digital album now, and follow them on Spotify.
