死亡仪式 - 美国Black / Doom Metal乐队Barren Altar专访

Volcano Magazine
2 hours ago
15 min read

今天采访到的是来自美国的Black / Doom Metal乐队Barren Altar，组建于2013年的Barren Altar乐队至今已经走过了13个年头，是一支美国非常优秀，有资历的老牌乐队，当初有吉他手E和歌手R组建，随后吉他手D，贝斯手K，鼓手D加入乐队不久之后发行了第一张EP专辑“A Monument to Endless Suffering”，这张专辑发行之后便收到了众多歌迷的好评，2016年乐队发行了单曲“Stations of the Heathen Cross”之后乐队的第一代成员退出乐队，只剩下E和R，但是随后A，M，S三名成员加入乐队并且发行了一张Spilt和EP专辑，都受到了好评，2018年乐队自助发行了第一张专辑“Entrenched in the Faults of the Earth”限量300张，这张专辑发行之后乐队便处于沉寂的状态，直到2025年乐队才发行了新专辑“Bound by Impermanence”，由美国厂牌Transylvanian Recordings发行，在新专辑发行之际，杂志与乐队歌手R取得联系进行了一次采访！

（V: 代表笔者 R: 代表Ryan）

Today we're interviewing Barren Altar, a Black/Doom Metal band from the United States. Formed in 2013, Barren Altar has now been active for 13 years, establishing itself as one of America's most accomplished and seasoned bands. Originally founded by guitarist E and vocalist R, the lineup later expanded with guitarist D, bassist K, and drummer D. Shortly after joining, they released their debut EP, “A Monument to Endless Suffering.” The release garnered widespread acclaim from fans. Following the 2016 single “Stations of the Heathen Cross,” the original lineup disbanded, leaving only E and R. However, new members A, M, and S soon joined, releasing a split album and another EP that both received positive reviews. In 2018, the band self-released their debut album “Entrenched in the Faults of the Earth” in a limited edition of 300 copies. Following this release, the band entered a period of inactivity until 2025, when they released their new album “Bound by Impermanence” through the American label Transylvanian Recordings. To mark the album's release, the magazine connected with the band's vocalist R for an interview!

(V: Author | R: Ryan)

采访对象：R（Barren Altar乐队歌手）

采访时间：2026.02.27

V: 嘿，兄弟，很高兴见到你，非常感谢你接受我们的采访。我记得这是你们乐队首次接受中文杂志的专访对吧？首先请向所有中国乐迷问好。Barren Altar成立于2013年，是支经验丰富的乐队。当初你们是如何聚在一起组建乐队的？

Hey, man, it's great to meet you, and thanks so much for joining us for this interview. I believe this is your band's first time being interviewed by a Chinese magazine, right? First off, say hi to all your Chinese fans out there. Barren Altar was formed in 2013 and is a seasoned, veteran band. How did you guys originally come together to form this band?

R: 你好，感谢这次访谈。Ed和我（Ryan）是在2013年从挪威乐队Shining的演唱会返程途中创立乐队的。此前我们曾与其他朋友合作过小型音乐项目，但这些项目都未形成能进行现场演出的正规乐队。我们深知彼此合作愉快，且对创作音乐的理念与现场演出的氛围追求高度契合。确定乐队理念后，我们邀请其他朋友加入初始阵容，随即投入创作。

Hello, Thanks for the interview. Ed and I (Ryan) formed the band back in 2013 while driving home from a Shining (Norway) concert. We had collaborated in other smaller musical projects together with other friends, but none of these projects were proper bands through which we could perform live. We knew that we enjoyed working together and had a similar vision for the kind of music we wanted to create and the vibe we wanted to bring to a live performance. Once the spirit of the band was decided, we reached out to other friends who would join us to form the original line up and got to work.

V: 目前乐队仅剩Ed和Ryan两位创始成员，其余均为新加入成员。请问原成员为何离开乐队？新成员是如何加入的？你对新成员的工作表现是否满意？

Currently, only Ed and Ryan are original members of the band; all other members are new additions. Why did the original members leave the band? How did the new members join? Are you satisfied with the new members' work?

R: 维持乐队运转需要大量精力、时间和毅力。老成员们因种种原因来来去去：有人无法兼顾生活、家庭与工作责任，同时还要发展乐队，最终不得不退出；也有人音乐风格的发展方向与我们其他人不符，终止合作关系反而更好。我们感激每位参与塑造乐队今日面貌的成员，对任何前任成员都毫无怨怼。人的品味、性格与追求随时间流转而改变。尽管阵容更迭频繁，现任成员却共同走过了乐队大半职业生涯。我们是一群志趣相投的挚友，既是乐队伙伴，更是人生旅伴。这是乐队迄今为止最强大的阵容。

Maintaining a band takes a lot of work, time and fortitude. The older members have come and gone for a myriad of reasons. Some could no longer balance the responsibilites of life, family and jobs with growing the band and had to step away, while others musical styles didn't progress in the same direction as what the rest of us were creating and it was better to end the working relationship. We are grateful for everyone who has had a hand in shaping this project into what it is today and hold no ill will towards any past member. People's tastes, personalities and desires change over time. While we have had consitent line-up changes, the current members of the band has been here for the majority of our 'career.' We are a cohesive unit of like minded people who are friends as well as bandmates. This is the strongest line up of the band to date.

V: 你们每位都是作曲领域的资深音乐人，能否分享一下你们的创作过程？

Each of you is an experienced musician in the field of composition. Could you share a bit about your creative process?

R: 尽管迄今为止大部分音乐作品都由埃德创作，但我们始终视这支乐队为集体创作的结晶。埃德通常会带着歌曲的雏形或一组即兴段落进入录音室，随后我们便以乐队形式共同演绎，直至形成浑然天成的作品。其他成员也曾提出构想最终形成歌曲，通常源于某个即兴段落或灵感，我们便围绕它反复演练，直至找到恰如其分的表达方式。当创作方向明朗后，我们会反复打磨直至成型。待曲式确立、基调敲定，我便着手填词。

While Ed has composed the majority of the music to date, we consider this band to be a collaborative effort. Ed will usually bring the skeleton of a song or a collection of riffs to the studio and we will play with them as a group into what feels like a natural composition. Other members have also brought their ideas that have become songs, usually through a jam session spawned by a singular riff or idea that we'll play for as long as it takes to get somewhere that feels correct. Once we can see the path forward, we'll hammer away at it until it becomes a song. When the composition is discovered and the tone is established, I will start to work on the lyrics.

V: 2018年发行首张专辑后，你们沉寂了很长时间。直到2025年才推出第二张全长专辑。这长达七年的空白期是由于什么原因造成的？

After releasing your first album in 2018, you disappeared for a long time. It wasn't until 2025 that you released your second full-length album. What caused this eight-year hiatus?

R: 简而言之，是新冠疫情。2018年“Entrenched in the Faults of the Earth”发行后，我们借势全力巡演，有幸与敬重的乐队同台，建立了至今仍维系的个人与职业关系。当全球陷入停摆之际，我们本应与Exulansis乐队展开短暂巡演，作为他们的暖场嘉宾参加西北恐怖音乐节。然而这股势头戛然而止后，我们遭遇了阵容问题。被迫休整期间，部分成员重新审视了自身价值取向，乐队事务对他们而言变得难以承受。尽管我们持续创作新曲，但所有现场演出被迫中断，因缺乏足够成员将作品搬上舞台。我们始终是固定的四人组合，而这需要五位专业且敬业的音乐人。幸而几位才华横溢的音乐人朋友在我们请求时挺身相助，使演出得以延续，我们永远感激他们的付出与情谊。然而我们无法达到理想中的活跃状态，转而利用这段时期闭关创作，最终完成了“Bound by Impermanence”的谱写与录制。遗憾的是在这个充斥电子垃圾的文化环境中，事物恒常性几近于零——若不持续产出作品，为转瞬即逝的观众卖弄风骚，人们便会遗忘你的存在。我们无意玩这种游戏，纵使世界抛弃我们也无妨——这般处境反倒令我们受益匪浅。如今乐队阵容完整归位，我们正全力创作新曲并积极演出。固执与叛逆，终究能铸就坚韧的灵魂。

The short answer is Covid. After Entrenched in the Faults of the Earth was released in 2018, we took advantage of the momentum of the release and played as often as we could and had the pleasure to share the stage with bands we respect, forming personal and professional relationships that last to this day. At the time that the entire world shut down, we were supposed to go on a short tour with Exulansis, supporting them on their way to play Northwest Terror Fest. Unfortunately once that momentum was taken away, we ran into line up issues. The forced time off allowed certain members to consider what was important to them and the band just became too much. While we remained working on new material during this time, all live performances had ceased as we did not have the members needed to bring the songs to the stage. We found ourselves as a perpetual four-piece, where five dedicated and competent musicians are required. We were fortunate that friends of ours who are excellent musicians stepped up and filled in when asked so we could continue to play some shows and we are eternally grateful for their time and friendship. However, we were not in a state to be as active as we would have preferred and instead we used the time to insulate ourselves and work on finishing writing and recording what would become Bound by Impermanence. Unfortunately in this electronic trash heap of a culture, object permanence is near null and if you are not continually producing and playing the fool for an ephemeral audience, people forget you exist. Much to our detriment, none of us are interested in playing these games and if the world moves on without us, so be it. Yet now we find ourselves back with a full dedicated line up and are continuing to work on new material and play as much as we can. stubborness and a bad attitude it turns out can lead to resiliance.

V: 你们的Logo相当独特。是谁设计的？专辑封面也极具辨识度。这些封面是谁设计的？创作灵感来自哪里？

Your logo design is quite unique. Who designed it for you? Your album artwork is also very distinctive. Who designed these album covers, and what inspired them?

R: 我们的Logo贝斯手Karl Schoelles设计，他后来曾短暂回归担任吉他手。他拥有敏锐的视觉设计眼光，在未征询其他成员意见的情况下独立完成了标志设计。此后我们将其视为象征符号，认为它完美体现了乐队的音乐理念与创作意图。“Entrenched in the Faults”专辑封面由友人Patrick Cass根据乐队指示创作；“Bound by Impermanence”封面则由Matt Stikker在乐队协作指导下完成。我们对每张专辑的视觉呈现都有明确构想，相信两位艺术家完美诠释了我们的愿景。“For Entrenched”封面需传递冰冷、遗忘与沉寂之感——一座被时光遗弃的石祭坛，曾承载无上威仪与力量。这座古老圣坛终将沦为废墟抑或重获新生，由你来定夺。“Bound by Impermance”是对存在虚妄的沉思，亦是倡导众生主动终结生命的宣言。我们曾有机会却挥霍殆尽。或许将大地让予那些凭本能与需求生存的低等生命，而非贪婪的生物，才是最佳选择。

Our logo was created by our orignal bass player who later returned for a brief time on guitar, Karl Schoelles. He has a keen eye for visual design and came up with the logo independently of any input from the other members. We've since taken it as a sigil we feel reflects the music and intent perfectly. The cover for Entrenched in the Faults of the Earth was created by our friend Patrick Cass through instructions from the band; and the cover for Bound by Impermance whas created by Matt Stikker also through collaborative instruction from the band. We knew exactly how we wanted for the visual component of each record and believe the each respective artist translated our vision perfectly. For Entrenched we wanted the cover to reflect something cold, forgotten and dormant. A stone altar neglected by time, but once a place of immense importance and power. Whether that ancient dedication remains a relic or is renewed is up to you to decide. Bound by Impermance is a reflection on the fultility of existence and an argument for the voluntary cessation of all sentient life. We had our chance and we've squandered it. Perhaps it is best to relinquish the earth to those lesser life forms borne by instinct and need rather than avarice.

V: 你们与Transylvanian Recordings和Mullet Death Records合作发行了专辑。是如何与这两家厂牌建立联系并达成合作的？对他们的运作是否满意？

You released your album in collaboration with Transylvanian Recordings and Mullet Death Records. How did you establish contact and partner with these two labels? Are you satisfied with the work of these labels?

R: 演出结束后，我们与Transylvanian唱片公司的James取得了联系。他主动提出要发行“Entrenced”的磁带。Transylvanian这个厂牌的诞生根源，恰恰是我们组建乐队时汲取灵感的那片沃土。对不妥协的地下艺术怀有热忱与奉献精神——其价值源于艺术本身而非大众认可。詹姆斯亲自为Transylvanian Recordings策划发行作品，若他选择与你合作，意味着他认可作品本身。对于此规模厂牌而言，每张唱片都是财务风险，若他愿意为我们的作品押上品味与资金，说明我们做对了什么。我们为能与该厂牌及其旗下乐队结缘而自豪。Mullet Death曾发行我们与贝斯手Morgan Wren另一支乐队Argentavis的合辑。这是Argentavis与该厂牌既有的合作关系，除合辑外我们与Mullet Death并无往来。

We connected with James from Transylvanian Recordings after a show where he approached us about releasing a cassette version of Entrenced. Transylvanian is a label spawned from the same source that we drew from when we started the band. A love and dedication to uncompromising underground art where the value is derived from the art itself rather than mass approval. James personally curates his releases through Transylvanian Recordings, and if he's chosen to work with you, that means that believes in the work itself. For a label of this size, each release is a financial risk and if he believes in our work enough to put his taste and money on the line we must be doing something right. We are proud to be associated with the label and the other bands on the roster. Mullet Death released our split release with our bass player, Morgan Wren's other band Argentavis. That was an existing relationship Argentavis had with that labal and other than the split, we do not have a relationship with Mullet Death.

V: 反神学礼拜仪式、末世死亡崇拜——这些是你们音乐的核心主题。为何选择这些题材？又想通过它们表达什么？歌词也出自你们之手——具体由谁创作？灵感源自何处？

Anti-theological liturgies, apocalyptic death worship—these are your musical themes. Why did you choose such themes, and what do you aim to express through them? You also composed the lyrics—who wrote them, and what inspired them?

R: 这些不过是我们这群日渐苍老、愤世嫉俗的心灵迫切想要表达的主题。我们对这种音乐怀有深深的敬意，它应当映射真实而本能的本质，而非刻意雕琢的产物。Barren Altar正是我们内心反叛人类、文化与社会的部分的放大。我们认为极端金属是对万物的“去你妈的”宣言，而我们的表达方式是：没有上帝，没有救世主，没有意义。宇宙是深渊，我们注定沉沦谷底。迄今所有歌词均由Ryan创作，灵感源自配乐本身。

These were just the themes that our aging, cynical hearts felt the need to express. We all have a deep respect for this music and that it should reflect something true and instinctual rather than calculated. Barren Altar is an amplification of the parts of us that is antagonistic of our species, culture and society. We belive extreme metal is a 'fuck you' to everything and

our version of this expression is that there is no God, no savior and no purpose. The universe is a pit and our place is at the bottom. All lyrics so far have been written by Ryan. They are inspired by the music to which they were written.

V: 首先恭喜贵乐队于2025年发行最新专辑。你们的音乐作品气质独特，暗黑氛围中交织着邪恶与辛辣感，更穿插着厄运金属元素，令作品更显阴郁悲怆。您如何评价自己的创作？新旧专辑之间是否存在变化？

First of all, congratulations to your band for releasing their latest album in 2025. Your works have a unique temperament, with a dark atmosphere, evil, and spiciness. In addition, elements of doom style are interspersed in your works, making them even darker and more sad. What is your opinion on your own works? Is there any change between the new album and the old album?

R: 谢谢。对我而言，“Entrenched in the Faults”浸染着徒劳无功的气息。那张专辑关乎放弃。而“Bound by Impermance”延续了这个主题，却更为激烈直白。这次我们全程掌控了录音与混音过程，这确实对我们的精神状态造成了巨大消耗。我相信这种状态最终都体现在了成品之中。

Thank you. To me, Entrenched in the Faults of the Earth is steeped in futility. That record is about giving up. Bound by Impermance continues on this theme, but is much more violent and direct. We took total control of the recording and mixing for this one and it really took its toll on our mental state. I believe this is reflected in the final product.

V: 你们的乐队参加过许多音乐节，哪些音乐节给你们留下了深刻印象？能否介绍当时的现场氛围？2026年还计划参加哪些音乐节？能否和大家分享一些信息？

Your band has participated in many music festivals, which ones have left a deep impression on you? Can you introduce the live atmosphere at that time? What other music festivals are you planning to participate in in 2026? Can you share some information with everyone?

R: 我们最近一次演出是去年十二月在华盛顿州布雷默顿举办的“Winter Harshfest”。布雷默顿的查尔斯顿俱乐部或许是我们最钟爱的演出场地——舞台设备精良，音响效果出色，经营者本身就是乐队成员，深谙如何让演出流畅进行。我们渴望重返此地，但目前尚未确定2026年的音乐节行程。乐队随时接受演出邀约。我认为乐队最值得现场体验。我们的音乐在舞台上迸发着强烈的侵略性能量，无论观众规模如何，每次演出都倾尽全力，只为发出震撼宣言。

The most recent one we played was Winter Harshfest in Bremerton Washington this past December. The Charleston in Bremerton might be our favorite club to play. excellent stage and sound run by people of conviction who also play in bands, so know how to run shows smoothly. We'd love to go back, but sofar do not have any plans for festival appearances in 2026. We are always available for bookings. I belive we are band best experienced live. The music thrives on stage with a loud and agresive energy. We bring all that we have to each performance, no matter the size of the audience. We are there to make a statement.

V: 2026年你们将开展哪些新工作？例如创作或录制新歌时，能否与大家分享一些信息？

What new work do you have to do in 2026? For example, when creating or recording new songs, can you share some information with everyone?

R: 我们目前正在创作新作品，同时全力推广"Bound by Impermanence"。虽然尚未公布具体行程，但我们计划开展数场小型巡演，力求让乐队登上更多舞台。若有中国主办方有意邀请我们赴华演出，欢迎随时联系！

We are currently working on new material while supporting Bound by Impermance as much as possible. We have a couple of small tours that are not yet announced, but are looking to bring the band to as many stages as we can. If any promotors in China are interested in bringing us to your country, please reach out!

V: 你们是经典的老牌乐队，我将永远关注并支持你们的乐队。我也希望通过这次访谈吸引更多中国乐迷关注和支持你们。访谈结束之际，你们有什么想对中国的乐迷说的吗？

You are a classic old band, and I will always pay attention to and support your band. I also hope to attract more Chinese fans to pay attention to and support your band through this interview. Do you have anything to say to Chinese fans at the end of the interview?

R: 感谢您的赞美。我们确实秉持着“老派”理念。您不会看到我们在TikTok发布短剧，也不会发现我们为博眼球而钻算法空子。我们坚信音乐最美好的状态，是源于人、为人在舞台上呈现。若这限制了我们的传播范围，那便如此吧。宁可体面地沉寂于无名，也不愿为微薄利益沦为小丑。远方听众能与我们的作品产生共鸣，这份感动令人谦卑。我们心怀感激，绝不轻视这份支持。正因音乐承载着如此私密的灵魂，我们与每位认同其价值的人都产生了精神共鸣。若命运允许我们登台献艺，那将是我们的荣幸。尽管歌曲传递着深沉的情感与思绪，现实中的我们其实相当友善，期待有朝一日能与各位相见。衷心感谢你拨冗阅读！

We appreciate the kind words. We definitely have an 'old school' mentality. You won't find us posting skits on Tik Tok or trying to game any algorithm for exposure. We believe that music is best created by and performed in front of people. If this limits our reach then so be it. We'd rather languish in obscurity with dignity than behave like clowns for crumbs. The fact that anyone who lives so far from us has resonated with our work is humbling. We are grateful for the support and do not take it lightly. Becuase our music is so personal, we feel a kinship with anyone else who also finds its value. If the fates allow us to perform for you, the honor will be ours. Despite the feelings and thoughts expressed through our songs we are quite friendly in person and hope that we can meet you all someday. Thank you so much for your time and attention!