MkM: All hailz to thee. I guess it is commun to introduce ONEself into another to start up a relationship. Shall I consider that you and I should have an affair? or are we in for instant and commun shared pleasureable pain? I don’t know. AntaeuS is I and Us. And we’ve been that way for a few years now. Constantly evolving and mixing our surrounding to create a whole. This being the main concept of AntaeuS. Like all concept, it had first to go through major changes since its very beginning.

Many individuals got linked with AntaeuS, and AntaeuS is composed of these experiences. Every single approach is a gift to AntaeuS, and a key to its own evolution. Aktual processors are of course the best ones up to date. Since others either couldn't handle I and Us, or only wished to be "in" to taste. We’re like a shareware somehow, You can get us, but the inner Us can only be perceived if K. is part of you. Put the K back in words, and you’ll strenghen the whole. No wonder why I kreated SPIKEKULT now?
On individual basis, the line up of the concept is as follow: Set, Thorgon: guitarists, Sagoth: bass, Storm: drums, and MkM: vokals devotion. The machine works just perfektly that way.
Past experiences are nothing to brag about, they were mainly test to achieve present situation. Music wise, we feel that only the upcoming MCD of us (on End All Life rex/ Spikekult rek) and the split demo with Eternal Majesty (Fra) are representative of AntaeuS, the way it had to be performed.

By the way, AntaeuS, where does the name come from?

MkM: It hath linkz with the very very first piece of flesh that composed the origins of AntaeuS. Back then, he was giving form to AntaeuS, on a side projekt of his very own "band", TRAGOS ADEIN, who since then, got the recognition deserved, in a more Goth/Folk scene. AntaeuS was meant to be a beginning letter, a long way to evolve, and at the same time, it could represent the origins of all variations and anything that would praise the self, or Him.
I was asked to join as a session vokalist at that time, a rehearsal tape was already done with a few tracks. I had no lyrics done by myself then. I was part of AntaeuS, but still very unaware (or not really into it back then, I had others stuff to focus on, while seemed way more "direkt" underground wise).
AntaeuS started to grow, with the addition of members, and I got interested in it. AntaeuS became something physical, real. As real as He could be. AntaeuS is SaTaN somehow.
But for the word itself, it has Greek origins. To sum up the whole : it is a legend/ story that deals with misanthropy and lycanthropy, with a notion of cyclic evolution of the individual. (7).
I could enter the fourth entrance now and reconsider my vision towards the three pantheons already crossed.

You've released several demos and projets were on their way to release a split album with MorthiriM, which finally never happened. In fact, there's been a kind of silent period of time after the release od the Encyclopaedia Pestilentia compilation, what happened?

MkM: Silence was needed, we had to go through various changes in our very own camp.
You know, it is hard to go on working and evolving with people who are in other spheres, or simply with individuals who don’t provide enough to the "concept". It had to be reformed, I stayed, I passed.
Others didn’t. Everything came naturally, though we are all really into testing tensions towards others. Now it is part of the past, and it is buried by time and dust. Our now kult unluck has also helped a lot to make us remain as "outsiders" when it comes to promotion and releasing demo tapes.
We never wanted to spread what we had back then, we did the very little promotion needed. The real work is in the future, though the present delivers its daily ratio of interest for AntaeuS.
Dealing with MorthiriM, I truely wished we had done it back then, but the more I think about it now, the more I feel that it would have been a mistake. We don’t share much, we are both metal, that is all, it would be enough to some, but not for me. I still feel that their drummer is a great guy, but I have doubts about a few other stuff within this band. Anyway it could have helped us, since the sales for MorthiriM were rather good when you consider the way it was produced and distributed.
Since you did mention the VMI compilation, you could as well have mentionned the MASSACRA tribute compil "Metal 13" which had the very same track on it. We are very pissed with both compilations and we barely play this track on live show these days ("Daemon").
Also we got rid off a few members that were really important for the song writting. That would sound like a clear reason for such delays no?

Eventually, MorthiriM got their part of the split released on your label/distro SPIKEKULT. What were the answers to that released?

MkM: yez, MorthiriM made it on SpK, which was good for SpK. I had positive backgrounds about this release, and not so good ones. Itz as alwayz, people complain and complain about how things should be and how should people akt, but in the end, no one does anything.
So I did this MCD, yes, it was both a good thing and a mistake, but SpK had to go through that. We made no benefit on that release though, we did loose a bit of cash aktually. But it did help us to enter in contact with several people who would be part of the AntaeuS evolution. So I’m very confident in the use and misuse of MorthiriM as a tool for AntaeuS.
Music wise, I did like it a lot back then, though I expected something more in the vein of their reh’ who sounded way more like a dirty spit of Black Metal , compared to the heavy black thrash attack of the final result. Anyway, listening to this MCD is nothing more than getting a good blast of Metal. I don’t feel anything else behind, but well, am I asking too much? After all, it sounds metal, and that is what is important to me!!!

I think I've read somewhere that AntaeuS took part in a US compilation, and you've just released an excellent split demo with Eternal Majesty (FRA). What is the feedback so far?

MkM: Hail REDSTREAM for that, they offered us to be part of their sampler, and since it was an opportunity not to miss, sure we agreed on his terms for this release. We are 200% behind REDSTREAM rec, it is one of the very few label that is into original bands, I mean who would sign BETHLEHEM and bands in that vein, Pat is definitly an underground guy I hail and stand for. Also I think it is great for AntaeuS to have people like him to help it out. This is one of the best help we had in years, and we are grateful to him.
We had very little echos on this release up to now, since we remain really unknown to most of the listeners, all I got to know is that people were surprised with our brutality and we caught some attention here and there. Which is perfekt, we want to reach more people who could be part of AntaeuS, who would be swallowed by the void.
When it comes to the track itself "Devotee" is also part of that split tape you refer to. This tape has been released on DMM prod, which is a demo label and distribution of defunct War & Pain (Embassy rec). We had a few letters with Pierre who is the main man behind the whole, and we agreed on working something out together. Also a guy who used to do distribution (until he stopped totally due to musical diff) helped us out, but I’m not so pleased with how things did turn out with him. Anyway Pierre did an amazing work, we did the cover ourselves and we had copies on our own, and he had a stock as well, we did no flyers (aktually I did none, I did only mention it on the CUT YOURSELF AND WORSHIP SATAN flyer for SpK). And it sold around 600 copies up to now.
We’ll go on selling all the copies I think. At first it was meant to be limited in 350 copies, but we sold these tapes in less than two months, so we went up to 500. Since we did consider it was no need to do more since we had no flyers around. And now, since we had other gigs played and added a few distribution contact, we will sell all the covers+tapes we have left. I think it should be sold out within the end of summer 99. And at the very same time, I think that our MCD will be sold out as well. Since it will be even more limited, and CDs do sell better these days (sadly, no one is into demo tape anymore, that pisses me off).
We’ll do another demotape after that, or hopefully one ep, we had many offers, but none were too serious to be honest, only one with DEMON REALMS & MACABRE OMEN and a fourth band I don’t recall right now, on demo label Daimonion (Greece). Also Demonlovers prod (Bulgaria) did talk about a EP in split with Hirilorn (French BM band out on Drakkar prod) but it would be an old idea someone would have digged since there are been talked about a split ep with that band since long.

Your gigs are of the most chaotik kind I've ever seen. Is Black Metal a music for live shows for you? Or rather a more personal experience, kind of impossible to deliver live, as bands like Blut aus Nord or Abigor seem to believe?

MkM: Black Metal is all and anything one would consider SataNik and disturbing.
I view AntaeuS more like a live akt, on the position where the blast can be perceived way more on stage than on studio, where we get limited in aggression all the time. But I can consider people’s view when it comes to "individual Black Metal", but at the same time, why do they release CDs for then? I mean, these people also say they don’t want their art to be sold, but damn, they print glossy flyers and make their best to sell more and more copies. I find that really hypocrite.
But this "attitude" often increases their sales. They also sound so true to their fans that they hold like a mysterious "aura" around themselves. But if you get to meet them, all you see is the average human, who is really fake and aktually too shy to handle his own opinion. Well it is like that in most cases, but I have respect for those who suizid in the end, when they realize how fake this was to pretend this and that, and be at the same time, the very opposite (unless it is done on purpose, and if it is the case, it can be true genius to create something that would blind people).
When you refer to AntaeuS as one of the most khaotik live show, I have to thank you for that comment, but then again, I would smile and would invite you to witness our latest formation on stage. That would be such a difference. Everything got faster eversince. And we are more and more close to the edge.
I got really pissed at our last gig when a fucking gay looser did throw me a beer bottle in my face while we were playing. Luckily (for me) it only did hurt a bit, but damn, this fake jealousy attitude deserved to be treated seriously, so we smashed his face after the gig. Blood all over his face... A fine way to end a day.

I believe that when it comes to Black Metal, attitude is as important as music, and I think AntaeuS is one of the very few bands with the right 'feeling'. What do you think?

MkM: True. An answer and at the same time "an often" misundestood term when it comes to definition of an individual being part of the BM scene.
Yes, Black Metal is not only music, that is the main thing. You have to hold the banner of darkness high, you have to represent the dark side. I mean, be anything you want, as long as it is "dark and hateful". That could be AntaeuS’ motive. We don’t only get along BM people, I get along various people into different stuff, but in all I can feel frustration, anger, darkness, hate, the will to power, all mixed up in a vicious khaos.
That is my fuel, one image with many shapes. AntaeuS hath to be many of those shapes, and thus we will evolve. But we will remain on the same path. I’m maybe the only one into SataNism within the band, using that term "SataN", but when I get to talk with the others, I feel something I couldn’t feel with others who would pretend to be "evil". I had to witness things that changed my views on people, and now, I’m pleased with how we are. I still consider some of us as true assholes, but well, I’m a fucker myself so why should I complain... We all came to the point to openly admit we do HATE each others from time to time, and some of us, even more often that others.
The alchemy works on stage, we do have this tension around us, we live it, we sweat it, and we give it.
That’s aim #2. To give Hate, to provide Hate...

"Cut your flesh and worship Satan"... is AntaeuS a Satanik band or you don't give a fuck about it?

MkM: Uhmm last question should solve the whole.
Cut yourself and worship SataN, is ME.
But I’m also ANTAEUS. So then it is not fake. That is my way of life.
Set is also ANTAEUS but the CYAWS is not his thing, he is another shape of AntaeuS.
Right now, with this interview I’m the element of AntaeuS giving one view. But I’m the only one who would give his view, so here I am. We do split the work, they compose and make the band evolve, I do represent it. The concept and lyrical approach is mine, thus I do present it better than others.
But I feel SataNism as a daily thing, so I don’t really ask myself how I should akt one day or another, I just go on with my usual views and aktions. I care for what I can get and for what I shall do to get it.

By the way, is there any message at all you want to convey with AntaeuS? (Anti-)Religious, political, whatever...?

MkM: Anti God Anti Music Anti YOU. That is AntaeuS. We got that from Mr REDSTREAM who had to define how we would sound (on his distribution list).
Yes, AntaeuS is Satanik Black Metal. We hold no political nor social banner. We don’t care for that. I have my own views, but I don’t link them with AntaeuS [Ophth: that's exactly how it should be]. AntaeuS has nothing to do with social involvment. We are about EGO.
We strongly support suizid and the will to destroy, the koncept of Khaos towards the innerself and others.

What do you think of the French scene? Eternal Majesty, Merrimak, Hirilorn, Himinbjorg, Osculum Infame, Seth...?

MkM: French scene? Uhmm well, not the best around but since I got to know it more these past years, I had both good and bad surprises. When it comes to bands who popped up and claimed to be so fucking true and who did fade away as ice under sun, when I can only laugh, these akts were really nothing important anyway, but uhmm luckily all I had to deal with were stupid deaththreats and late phone calls.
About Osculum Infame, music wise, I dislike their album which is DIMMU BORGIR sounding to me, it is filled with keyboards and the aggression totally lacks. I got to read a few reviews on the net for that album, and damn, I got to see that they were really popular music wise, while they are more popular here for their concept and political ideas. I think that their cd is nothing interesting. In the meantime, some of the projekt are way better than the original, and a band like ARKHON INFAUSTUS was a real surprise for me. I mean, this MCD is a bit too short and expensive, but it is a great release, really violent and how I feel Black Metal should sound. Merrimack is dead, from what I know at least. They had their chance in the past but they fucked up many things and their line up problems wasn’t easy as well.
Hirilorn is a great akt, their members are really sick, I consider a few of them as true mates. Hails Sinn and Hasjarl. I didn’t get to see their singer much, but he’s a great guy as well. Up to now, all of our discussions were great and I support their help towards AntaeuS. I also did my best for them when they had their album out on Drakkar. I still prefer the demo they did, but anyway, the cd is one of the best BM album done in France.
Seth is a weird band to me, a death metal demo, a fast melodic MCD, and a really atmo melodic Black Norsk Metal in the end?!? I have never met them, I only know I got backstabbed by them, even if we never met. I feel lucky to have that much recognition! but since a girl I know moved to Bbordeaux to play with them, I think I did understand a few things, and, for me, all is ok up to now, though I don’t like much the music itself, and from the live video I had, I feel that this band isn’t really ready for playing live, they are a better studio band than a live one.
Eternal Majesty are among the few parisians akts we hail, and through SpK, I hail them totally, they are getting better and better. I hail Niohhoggr as well, eheh they are a bit lazy when it comes to releasing things, but they hold the true attitude. Garwall is a great new band as well, among other bands I would mention there would be: DEVIANT, MYSTERIIS, THYLORD, CENTURIONCENTAURI, MALE ASTRUCUS, LOVE LIES BLEEDING, WARSHADES...
I could spit on Battlehorns since this band has a truely fake backstabbing attitude (apart from their drummer who should definitly quit that band). But If I start, this would be endless... maybe too recent fur mich.

You're also in contact with bands on the fringe of Black Metal... I'm thinking of Elend and Melek-Tha. How did you get in touch?

MkM: Melek-Tha, well I knew mister Ludo Evil, but who wouldn’t?? This guy is so fuckin great, hez been in the scene for decades ehehe, doing the fan club for Blasphemy and Sarcofago, damn, that’s a really killer thing. I like both bands aktually (only some of Sarcofago to be honest). So I do respect Ludo for his work, we got in touch when he was doing the Infernal Diatribes compil tape. I wanted to hear more and he was about to start EvilOmen back then, we stayed in touch for a while and I got to hear his band "Melek-Tha" which is weird and oppressive ambiant stuff, but I felt it was more of a projekt than anything really serious. Maybe I’m wrong. I hail him anyway, long time no hear though...
When it comes to Alexandre (Elend) we had a commun friend before he started Elend, we met at a party some years ago, and he is one of the few individuals I had to meet with culture within the Black/Death Metal scene, well since, he left the whole scene behind him to go on with different horizons, but I still count him as a great friend. I hail all the work of ELEND and their Umbersun is the very highlight of their work, their label did a fucking stupid thing when they did so little advert for this release. They missed their chances, but now I think he’s evolving with his new akt "A Poison Tree".
Being in the Paris area, I often get to meet people from different scene and that is positive for me. Also I do my best to travel and see different things. It makes me more aware of how AntaeuS should evolve. I learn from people.

What are the plans for the future?

MkM: releasing the promo CD, selling them, trading them. After that, we shall see. We had a few gig offers but nothing to brag about. We also had the ep plans I mentionned earlier. We want also to be part of a few compil CDs with the track "Inner War".
Opyros of ex Nazgul Eyerie (now Barbarian Wrath rex) mentionned he’d be interested in having us in a compil CD with only brutal black metal band, so we said YES, it would be killer to be with this guy!! Also we want to contact Killjoy and Baphomet records (USA) since he’s doing a compilation CD with some of his home label band (and THORNSPAWN being on it, this blacksting US band did recommand us to his label, THIS BAND RULES!! It hath ex Necrovore members in it, fast Black Metal, really intense).
We had one CD offer from US Profanation records, but we want to consider all options. We had problems with labels and distribution for so long, so we hope that AntaeuS will get enough support to be spread.

OK, time to die... the last word is for you.

MkM: CYAFS.
I hail thee, and all in me.