Formed in 1992, Wind of the Black Mountains were among the pioneering bands of US black metal, along with the likes of Profanatica and Judas Iscariot. However, after releasing two stellar albums, the band’s career was cut tragically short with the untimely passing of founding guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Tchort in 2006.
Now, nearly a decade-and-a-half after the release of their final album, Wind of the Black Mountains is back for one final release in the form of Summoned By Shadows. A fitting epitaph for this legendary band, the compilation contains Tchort’s final rough recordings, unearthed and completed with utmost care by drummer Nybras, along with a treasure trove of rare and previously unreleased material.
Nybras was gracious enough to answer my questions about Summoned By Shadows and what compelled him to heed Tchort’s final blackened call from regions beyond…
THKD: Wind of the Black Mountains is about to release Summoned By Shadows, which contains founding guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Tchort’s final recordings. When did you first learn of the existence of these recordings and how long did it take to complete them?
Nybras: Shortly after Tchort’s passing, former WOTBM member SS Nunrapist (Cemetary Desekrator, Funeral Possession) had contacted me to let me know he had found some old cassette recordings with guitars and some vocals, and wondered if I’d be interested in completing the recordings to release. We talked to Xaphan (Summon, Masochist, Lucifer’s Hammer) about completing the tracks at his studio. It was rough as some of the timing was off and the audio wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t the best either. We recorded a rough version of it and sent it on to Moribund. After that, life got busy for all of us, our individual bands were getting busier, and the recording fell to the back of the line for priorities. In 2019, I came across a Facebook page for Wind of the Black Mountains, and it had some info on Summoned by Shadows being released. I contacted Odin and told him I’d like to get a better recording of the songs. Xaphan and I sat finished them in his studio in a couple of days, and I’m pleased with how it turned out.
THKD: What did it feel like to be working on WOTBM material again after so long? Did you gain any new insights into Tchort’s approach to the craft of black metal?
Nybras: It was great! Tchort had some brilliant ideas musically, and it was great to play along and record to his guitar work once again. As stated above, the timing and tempos on some of the guitars were off, but we didn’t want to change anything with what he had recorded, so we worked with what we had. If the tempo slowed down a bit, I had to slow down a bit to make it work. I’m sure he got a good laugh at us trying to work with what he left us.
THKD: How does the material on Summoned By Shadows compare to WOTBM’s previous works? Are you fully satisfied with the completed recordings?
Nybras: Summoned By Shadows is a good showing of where Tchort was musically when he first started WOTBM, where we were when we were together as a band, and also where we were heading before his passing. I am extremely satisfied, although I wish there would have been more material to record along with.
THKD: What was your creative relationship with Tchort like back when WOTBM was active? Was it at all strange to be working with him again in spirit so long after his passing?
Nybras: Tchort made me play better. I honestly believe anyone that got the pleasure to play music with him improved in their craft. He had a unique way of playing guitar, and sometimes that would drive other guitarists crazy trying to watch him and figure out what he was playing. As far as working with him again in spirit, that’s exactly how it felt. There were times where I could picture him laughing his ass off as I tried to figure out his variations in tempos or changes in the riffs, but it was a really good feeling to know that it was getting done to complete his legacy.
THKD: WOTBM’s previous albums Sing Thou Unholy Servants and Black Sun Shall Rise are also being re-released through Moribund after being out of print for some time. How would you describe these albums to someone who might not be familiar with WOTBM’s early work?
Nybras: Both albums have totally different feelings to them I believe. I believe STUS is a masterpiece. It’s one of a kind! There is so much atmosphere and feeling in that album. He had unlimited time to go over to Laud productions and work on the songs, the sounds, being able to experiment with so many different things. I would tell someone who has never heard it to listen to it through headphones where they have no distractions, and just take it in. BSSR is definitely a more in your face record. Something that would be easy to do out in a live setting, not as much atmosphere as STUS. I am happy to see both being repressed as I seem to have a lot of people asking for them quite often.
THKD: WOTBM originally ceased activity after the release of the aforementioned Black Sun Shall Rise. What was the reason for WOTBM’s demise? Was there ever any thought given to continuing the band prior to Tchort’s passing?
Nybras: I was busy with other live projects, as well as my kids. Tchort had a son soon after the release of BSSR, and I think he knew that he had to change some things to try and ensure he would be able to do what was needed for him. We talked in length about what was to happen with WOTBM after his departure, and we both had hoped that once he took care of what he needed to and he was in a better place, that we could carry on with it once again. Unfortunately he passed in 2006 and we were never able to do that.
THKD: Are there any further plans for WOTBM in 2020 and beyond? Might there be any other unreleased material lurking out there somewhere?
Nybras: WOTBM is now finished. It was Tchort’s creation, and without him, it is done. I would love to find some rare material that is laying around, but most of what I have has now been released on the bonus cd for Summoned By Shadows. I do have a lot of discs to go through and see what alternative versions I may have, but I’m not holding my breath.
THKD: WOTBM are considered one of the foundational bands of USBM. How do you feel about the black metal scene now compared to back when it was just starting to take shape?
Nybras: There’s a lot more available out there nowadays. I’m not sure if that’s always a good thing, but with the internet, there’s always good and bad. There are some fantastic bands that would have never had the chance to get their music out 30 years ago without tape trading, letter writing, etc…
THKD: Are you currently involved in any other bands or projects that fans of WOTBM might be interested in? What can you tell us about them?
Nybras: I am currently working on Rise From Embers, it will be a studio project with Xaphan, as well as Alkala, which I played in Project Apocalypse and Serpent Crown with. Rise From Embers is actually the name Tchort and I were going to use before we decided to go with Wind of the Black Mountains. So, it’s still kind of a tribute to him as well. The music will be along the same vein as earlier WOTBM material. More atmospheric mateerial. I’m really excited to see how it turns out when all is said and done.
THKD: Are there any final thoughts you’d like to add?
Nybras: I’d like to thank you for the time and support for helping spread the word about Wind of the Black Mountains, and to keep an eye out for Rise From Embers, hopefully by the end of 2020. Hails!
THKD 