Bahimiron... Interview and Review

Texas’ Bahimiron recently released “Southern Nihilizm”, another impressive release from Moribund Cult Records. I had a chance to question drummer Blaash about Bahimiron…

1) Tell us about the black metal scene in Texas.

Blaash – It didn’t really evolve I’d say until the late 90s, though we’ve always had a strong satanic death metal scene in the state I believe… I recall a few bands trying to incorporate black metal (like IMPRECATION) into death metal, or a full out black assault like CEREMONY (I think they were also in Mexico at the time), but besides ABSU, black metal did not really take form in Texas until a bit closer to 00… THORNSPAWN, led by Blackthorn started notoriety with the Sacrifice of the Nazarene Child show – that spawned I believe around 98 or 99 (I’ve been to handful of them), and I believe that did a lot to conjure interest in black metal, as well as the overall finality of the US catching on to what had started overseas in the early 90s.. As of now, you have larger truncheons like the AVERSE SEFIRA horde bringing the banner of Texas hate to several continents, and a phalanx of bands that spew from Texas (such as OBEISANCE, PYRE, DEMON HAMMER, KATHONIK (rip), ADUMUS, TO SCALE THE THRONE, GOLGOTHA, BLASPHERIAN (more satanic death, though).. and a horde or two more that I have probably forgotten…

Interviewer: See Encyclopaedia Metallum for further information...


2) Does the fact that Texas is overrun with christians/ Republicans have an impact upon your music?

Blaash – depends what kind of xtians…, the nice xtians that beat their wives, rape their daughters, go to church and ask for forgiveness from god – they’re funny folks. Makes good television if you ask me – televangelists I believe they call themselves… lessee.. republicans…, they start wars... and encourage the death penalty…, none of that happens to bother my person, though I can’t speak for the band…, anything leading to derisive demise is the work of the devil, even if they want to think they’re xtian, or republican, or whatever.

Short answer – the religious/political nature does not bother me as much as say when I run into bible thumpers here in Arizona, or when I was living in Norway and I ran into some Real Christians. Those mutherfuckers felt the need to step up and start preachin’ – the hypocrites know to keep their goddamn mouths shut, coz heh, they’re just as bad as the rest of us, they just want to be on television.

3) Do you encounter any hostility from the christians/ Republicans in Texas (or anywhere else for that matter)?

Blaash – I’ve encountered hostility from authorities, i.e. fuggers with badges and guns. I don’t know what their political, economic/socio demographic sphere may be, but I definitely had issues with them. The others in Bahimiron may have had rougher times then me, though…

4) “Southern Nihilizm” seems to be influenced by early Bathory and other first wave acts. Would you say that assessment is accurate?

Blaash – I don’t think so…, Krag Daggon, our guitarist, wrote all the guitar parts (minus war whiskey sodomy), and then we as a band battered those riffs into the spewed songs that are now embodied on the CD. I can agree that perhaps they are ‘simple’, as is BATHORY, but that is the only correlation I would find.

5) Alcoholic rage combined with war is fertile ground for lyrical and thematic inspiration. Tell us how these themes come together in Bahimiron’s music.

Blaash – we’re drunk, violent and bitter – and to boot, we’re from Texas, the goddamn fuggin’ hottest place I can think of, barring standing out in 125 degree weather here in goddamn Phoenix – that’s inspiration for ya…, but if you actually read the lyrics, you will see that they are severely demented diatribes conjured from satanic violence that emits from Grimlord – he is solely responsible for lyrics…

6) Awhile back, Bahimiron did a split with Sargeist. Tell us about that endeavor.

Blaash – we’re fuggin’ proud to have done it.


7) What future touring plans are in the works for Bahimiron?

Blaash – not many I’m afraid, we live in different states right now, and playing cohesively for multiple days could pose problems…

8) Describe Bahimiron in a live setting.

Blaash – very simple – we emit negative energy through our music – nothing too fancy – what you see is what you get – motivated individuals bent on hellish manifestation – not a whole bunch of dead animals, nekkid chix, or gallons of goat blood… just straight up fuggin’ black metal.

9) Although “Southern Nihilizm” was recently released, what plans are in the works for a future album?

Blaash – Grimlord and Krag have both sent some first fusillades of guitar riffs to the Arizona compound…, so ideas are a’churning.

10) Would JenOside care to comment about being a female musician in a blackened war machine?

Blaash – she has stated previously that there is no need to comment – her involvement goes back to early 90s in Europe’s extreme scene, and I doubt many can say the same, though its not something she advertises.

Thanks for your time.

Whiskey vomits – Blaash on behalf of Bahimiron

Here is my review of Bahimiron...

Bahimiron- Southern Nihilizm

(Moribund Cult)

Rancid, raw black metal with no frills is the bread and butter, if you will, of Bahimiron, a USBM band based in Texas and now releasing their second full-length, entitled “Southern Nihilizm”, on Moribund Cult. Consisting of fast riffing, a prominent bass, all out blasts with some mid-paced tempo thrown in at just the right moments, and, notably, soaring rasps that ebb and flow between a high pitch and a full throated roar, Bahimiron hit all of the requisite signatures of the genre with considerable gusto and enthusiasm.

There’s nothing terribly original about “Southern Nihilizm”, but that doesn’t really matter as Bahimiron’s intent is to flatten the listener with an all out black metal assault; nothing more, nothing less. Since this is all done very well, that’s just fine with me as “Southern Nihilizm” blows through an approach somewhat reminiscent of Bathory’s first couple of full lengths with a bit of a more mature approach and touches of droning atmosphere. In addition, there are a few weird, unsettling moments of horribly twisted, distorted riffs and even some bizarre solos set against a backdrop of dirges that make “Southern Nihilizm” particularly effective. Combine those touches with well done, fast riffing on top of effective songwriting, and Bahimiron make a strong statement for USBM supremacy with “Southern Nihilizm”.
Moribund Cult once again has dug up an American black metal gem with Bahimiron. “Southern Nihilizm” is highly recommended.

Sorry, song removed.

Interestingly, a recent blurb appeared on ABC News.com about a recent concert occurring in Baghdad. The band performing was Brutal Impact (pics swiped from ABC News)...