Exclusive Interview with Beldaroh from BESATT
On the eve of the Kyiv Black Mass festival, Bloodreddistribution spoke to one of the event’s headliners — BESATT. Beldaroh shares plans of this well-known black metal band from Poland.
You’ve been always stating that you are a Satanist (as well as other members of BESATT). In your opinion, what should a Satanist do, apart from hailing Lucifer? May be doing some regular rituals, gaining knowledge from certain literature.
Greetings. Satanism is not considered to work in any described way or law. For me satanism is a religion of power, freedom and mind and anyone can interpret it on his own way and how does he fee about it.
As a young man I was focused mostly on rituals, I do not study the satanic philosophy. Later I’ve discovered the knowledge of satanism.
I live according to my own satanic rules and that is what satanist should deal. Be honest to himself and live by his own rules ignoring the other.
“Nine Sins” contain 9 songs, each dedicated to a certain sin. As sins are impermissible for any saintlike Christian, can this mean that Satanists should follow them, on the contrary?
“Nine sins” is about behaviours which common christian consider as a sin, but from my point of view they are just human instincts, because after all, aggression, hatred or wrath are deeply rooted in our nature, so why should we suppress them inside. In general we can say that the message of “Nine sins” is living along our instincts and feelings. For example in “Homicide” I describe that when somebody kills person close to me, He can not find forgiveness or “turning the other cheek” just death for death.
How does your family perceive what you do more than 20 years? Are they fans of BESATT?
You know I am doing this for almost 25 years now and my family willy-nilly must tolerate this. They know that my music is very important for me and there is no sense to fight with it. Besides, when I met my wife I was after recording BESATT’s first release, and my daughter is 15 years old by now. Sometimes they both come to see BESATT concerts and we also often go to metal festivals together.
In the interview for Unholy Black Metal Zine you described quite tough life in Poland compared to other European countries. Has the situation become better since then?
Nothing changed from last time. We are still way behind other European countries in the economic and religious sphere as well. The prices in our stores are comparable with those in western Europe, however earnings are minimum four times smaller.
Unfortunately, the biggest influential institution in our country was and still is, just like in medieval times, the catholic church. Oh well, you just need to be strong enough and live in this backward country. As a consolation, we have very strong black metal scene in Poland which we are very proud about.
As known, you had a tour with INFERNO in the past. Now you are going to share the stage in Ukraine as well. Are the relations between BESATT and INFERNO close? Have you thought of recording a joint track, or so?
I know INFERNO guys from about 15 years. We played few mini tours in the past like in Portugal , Spain, Serbia or Hungary and Slovakia. Besides that we have also played many single shows together as well of course. Sometimes we meet on festivals and other music parties. On the last INFERNO album I play few of my licks as a guest bassist, so as you can see we are very good friends. We are planning to record a split BESATT – INFERNO all the time, so maybe in near future we will finally do something together.
Please, tell a few words about your music equipment. You act both as a bassist and vocalist. Do you have any beloved brands of music equipment? May be, certain microphones, strings for your bass etc.
I’m not an equipment fanatic of some kind. I have Hartke amplifier and speakers and I’m very satisfied about them. As for strings, BESATT have an endorsement from Thomastik Ifeld Vienna and I highly recommend those strings not only bass players but also guitarists as well. Standard Shure mic that works just fine on rehearsals.
Which country from your tour history did you like most and why?
In many countries we had a very good response and we repeatedly return to them but my favorite country of all is Brazil! I just love to play there. The audience is always fantastic and very dedicated, just absorbs our satanic message. We always return from there with a new baggage of experience and the promise that will must play again there.
You’ve been playing in Brazil lots of times. How did it happen? Do you have any relatives there?
Hehehe, well no. We do not have any family there. Besatt is just very famous in South America. After our first tour there we’ve decided to change our label to Brazilian Mutilation Rec, we’ve released DVD from Belo Horizonte show and from that time on we strengthened our position there. We already played four tours there. In this moment we have many friends there and we all hope to visit that country many many times.
One year is left till BESATT approaches quarter of a century. Do you have any certain goals that you’d like to reach with BESATT?
As a underground band we have achieved a lot. We’ve recorded nine full albums, we went through many tours playing hundreds of concerts, yet to come this year’s tour will face Colombia and the US, I just wish to all of this never end.
Probably on our 25th anniversary we will release our second DVD and give special show celebrating this occasion, but all this in 2016.
What are you expecting from the shows in Ukraine?
Well, I’m just hoping to be well received by audience and we from our side will give really good show with our flagship songs. I’ve heard from few people that the fans in Ukraine are really lively and that is what I’m counting on. Maybe we will be able to record few songs from Kiev show that will be later used as a bonus on our DVD.
Are you going to play songs from the “Black Mass” at Kyiv Black Mass and/or Lemberg Black Mass?
Of course we will. We will play “Final War” and maybe something more, “Suicidal Ritual perhaps, will see… It will be real black mass!
Hail Lucifer Forever!
Contributed by Helle Bogdanova
