美索不达米亚神话 -丹麦Melodic Black Metal乐队Lotan专访

Volcano Magazine
3 hours ago
11 min read

今天我们采访到了一个丹麦的Melodic Black Metal乐队Lotan。Lotan成立于2020年，成员基本都来自Vanir和Ethereal Kingdoms。在2021年，乐队发行了两张EP。这时候你就能听出来乐队音乐的中带来的愤怒和反抗。而乐队在2023年发行的首张专辑 "Lotan"则很好的继承了上两张EP的风格，同时音乐也更加成熟。建立之初，乐队就把“反抗”作为自己音乐的主题，因此不论是从音乐还是歌词上来看你都可以发现这个乐队的个性。本次乐队即将发行第二张专辑，杂志也和乐队联系做一次专访。

（V: 代表笔者 L: 代表Lotan乐队）

Today, we interviewed a Danish melodic black metal band called Lotan. Lotan was founded in 2020, and most of its members are from Vanir and Ethereal Kingdoms. In 2021, the band released two EPs. At this point, you can clearly hear the anger and resistance in the band's music. And in 2023, the band released its first album, "Lotan", which successfully inherited the style of the previous two EPs and also became more mature. When the band was first established, they made "resistance" the theme of their music. Therefore, whether from the music or the lyrics, you can discover the personality of this band. The band is about to release its second album, and the magazine has contacted the band for an interview.

(V: representing the author L: representing the Lotan band)

采访对象：Lotan（Lotan乐队）

采访时间：2025.07.02

V: 你好，Lotan，感谢你接受这次采访。你能给中国朋友介绍一下你们乐队是怎么组成的吗?各位是怎么认识的，有是怎么走到一起的吗？“Lotan”这个乐队的名字有什么特殊的含义吗？

Hello Lotan, thank you for accepting this interview. Could you introduce to Chinese friends how your band was formed, how the members got to know each other, and how you came together? Is there any special meaning behind the band name "Lotan"?

L: 感谢你们邀请我们——能和中国的金属乐迷交流，我们深感荣幸！Lotan成立于 2020 年，正值疫情肆虐之际。该项目最初是由丹麦两支现有金属乐队——Vanir和Ethereal Kingdoms的成员展开的一次创意合作。起初，他们只是想表达一些更黑暗、更原始、更具政治色彩的东西，但很快便发展成为一支拥有自己独特风格的完整乐队。我们都是通过丹麦极端金属音乐圈结识的。这是一个规模虽小但充满热情的群体，此前我们在各种场合多次相遇——在演出中，在录音棚里，还有在演出后台我们谈论了些世界局势和音乐的力量。Lotan这个名字源自古老的神话传说。在Ugaritic的文献中，Lotan是一条远古的海蛇——一种混乱且具有破坏性的力量，必须被克服。我们选择这个名字是因为它反映了我们所探讨的主题：内心的恶魔、社会的崩溃以及创造与毁灭之间的神话般的斗争。洛坦象征着人性中阴暗的一面——那些我们压抑、否认或盲目崇拜却未察觉的事物。我们的音乐不只是为了娱乐——它是为了挑战、激怒和唤醒。

Thank you for having us – it's an honor to speak to metal fans in China! Lotan was formed in 2020, in the shadows of the pandemic. The project began as a creative collaboration between members of two existing Danish metal bands – Vanir and Ethereal Kingdoms. What started as a shared desire to express something darker, rawer, and more politically charged quickly grew into a full band with its own identity. We all came together through the Danish extreme metal scene. It's a small but passionate community, and we had crossed paths many times before in other constellations – at shows, in studios, and backstage conversations about the state of the world and the power of music. The name Lotan comes from ancient mythology. In Ugaritic texts, Lotan is a primordial sea serpent – a chaotic, destructive force that must be overcome. We chose the name because it reflects the themes we explore: inner demons, societal collapse, and the mythic struggle between creation and destruction. Lotan is a symbol of the darker aspects of human nature – the things we suppress, deny, or worship without realizing. Our music is not here to entertain only – it's here to confront, to provoke, and to awaken.

V: 你能谈谈你是如何创作音乐的吗？Lotan的每一个成员创造他们自己的部分还是一个人创造所有的部分？

Could you talk about how you create music? Does each member of Lotan create their own parts or does one person create all the parts?

L: 我们通常从一个主要的音乐创意开始——通常是吉他Riff或一个节奏型——为歌曲奠定基础。从那之后，这首曲子会传到几个人手上。每个成员都在这个创意上进行拓展，既发挥个人的创造力，又考虑到整首歌的整体氛围。鼓和吉他经过精心编排，营造出富有张力的变化。与此同时，人声和歌词也在同步创作，通常会受到音乐走向和情感基调的影响。我们利用家庭录音设备来分享数字版的小样和草稿，这样就能快速更新，保持创作过程的灵活性。尽管我们有在某些领域带头的成员，但最终的结果总是由整个乐队塑造的。每个人都有发言权，这对于保持乐队声音的真实性和一致性至关重要。

We typically begin with a core musical idea—often a guitar riff or rhythm pattern—that sets the foundation for the song. From there, the track is passed through several hands. Each member builds upon the idea, contributing their parts with both individual creativity and an awareness of the song's overall atmosphere. Drums and guitars are refined together to create dynamic shifts. Vocals and lyrics are then developed in parallel, often influenced by the musical direction and emotional tone. We use home recording setups to share demos and sketches digitally, allowing us to iterate quickly and keep the process flexible. Even though we have members who take the lead in certain areas, the final result is always shaped by the whole band. Everyone has a voice, and that's essential for keeping the sound authentic and cohesive.

3. You will release your new album in August. Could you tell us about this new album? Do you think it's different from your previous album "Lotan"?

V: 你将在八月发行你的新专辑。你能给我们介绍一下你的新专辑吗？你觉得这和你之前的专辑"Lotan"有什么不同吗？

You will release your new album in August. Can you introduce us to your new album? Do you think there is any difference between this and your previous album 'Lotan'?

是的——我们的第二张专辑"Yetzer Hara"将于八月发行，我们相信这标志着Lotan的一次重大突破。尽管我们的同名首张专辑旨在确立我们的风格——原始、激进且充满反权威的愤怒——但"Yetzer Hara"则更深入一步。专辑名称源自希伯来语，意为人类内心的“邪恶倾向”。这张专辑探讨了内在腐败、社会衰败以及权力的诱惑性等主题。如果说首张专辑是愤怒地呐喊，那么"Yetzer Hara"则是带着明确目的地咆哮。在音乐方面，新专辑更加丰富多样。它更重，但同时也更具活力。我们更进一步地挑战自我——增加更多层次，尝试不同的结构，并创作出将残酷与旋律及氛围相平衡的歌曲。制作方面也更上一层楼；一切都听起来更清晰、更紧凑、更集中。"Yetzer Hara"并非只是延续——它是一场对抗。与世界对抗，与自身对抗，与那些我们常常视而不见的黑暗真相对抗。

Yes – our second album Yetzer Hara will be released in August, and we believe it marks a significant evolution for Lotan. While our self-titled debut was about establishing our sound—raw, aggressive, and driven by anti-authoritarian rage—Yetzer Hara goes deeper. The title comes from Hebrew and refers to the "evil inclination" within human beings. The album explores themes of internal corruption, societal decay, and the seductive nature of power. Where the first album screamed in anger, Yetzer Hara growls with purpose. Musically, the new album is more diverse. It's heavier, but also more dynamic. We've pushed ourselves further—adding more layers, experimenting with structure, and crafting songs that balance brutality with melody and atmosphere. The production is also a step up; everything sounds sharper, tighter, and more focused. Yetzer Hara is not just a follow-up—it's a confrontation. With the world, with ourselves, and with the dark truths we often ignore.

V: 你的音乐主题是什么？你为什么选择这个主题？你希望通过你的歌词传达某种想法或思想吗？

What is the theme of your music? Why did you choose this theme? Do you hope to convey a certain idea or thought through your lyrics?

L: 我们音乐的核心主题是反抗——反抗压迫、无知以及我们自身内心的黑暗。我们从神话、哲学以及现代政治的衰败中汲取灵感。我们的歌词常常探讨权力结构、内心冲突、群体操纵以及盲目信仰（无论是对神明、领袖还是意识形态的信仰）所带来的后果。这些并非虚构的故事.它们是对我们所生活的这个世界的真实反映——只是以充满激情和扭曲的方式呈现出来。我们选择这个主题是因为我们认为极端音乐不应仅仅起到娱乐的作用。它应当引发思考、提出质疑并唤醒人们。在这样一个时代，真相不断被歪曲，暴力被教条所正当化，人们因安逸而变得麻木，我们希望我们的音乐能够带来一种突破——一种能够穿透喧嚣的声音。通过我们的歌词，我们想要提醒大家：你们并非无能为力，也并非孤立无援。愤怒可以成为一种力量。反思可以成为一种反抗的形式。

The core theme of our music is resistance—against oppression, ignorance, and the darkness within ourselves. We draw inspiration from mythology, philosophy, and modern political decay. Our lyrics often deal with power structures, inner conflict, mass manipulation, and the consequences of blind faith—whether in gods, leaders, or ideologies. These are not fantasy stories. They are reflections of the world we live in—just told with fire and distortion. We chose this theme because we believe extreme music should do more than entertain. It should provoke, question, and awaken. In a time where the truth is constantly distorted, where violence is justified by dogma, and where people are numbed by comfort, we want our music to be a rupture—something that cuts through the noise. Through our lyrics, we want to remind people: you are not powerless, and you are not alone. Rage can be a weapon. Reflection can be a form of resistance.

V: 你对乐队未来的发展有什么想法吗？或者你希望乐队能达到什么样的状态？

Do you have any ideas for the future development of the band? Or what kind of state do you hope the band can reach?

L: 我们对于Lotan的愿景十分明确：我们希望发展壮大，但绝不会削弱我们的核心理念。我们希望将我们的音乐带到欧洲乃至更广泛的地区——尤其是那种黑死的原始力量能够触动那些寻求真实事物的人们的地方。巡演、与新观众建立联系，并拓展我们音乐的边界，这将始终是我们未来的重要组成部分。但我们不想沦为仅仅追逐一时热度的普通乐队。我们的目标是坚守我们创立乐队之初的初衷：创作出富有意义且充满激情的音乐，以此挑战自我以及我们所处的世界。如果我们能够持续进行创新性发展，能够让更多的人受益而同时又不压缩我们的核心价值，并且能够通过夸张手法传达真实信息——那么我们就算是成功了。

Our vision for Lotan is clear: we want to grow, but never dilute our message. We hope to bring our music to more stages across Europe and beyond—especially places where the raw energy of blackened death metal resonates with people seeking something real. Touring, connecting with new audiences, and pushing the boundaries of our sound will always be part of our future. But we don't want to become just another band chasing popularity. Our goal is to stay true to the reason we started: to make meaningful, aggressive music that challenges both ourselves and the world around us. If we can keep evolving creatively, reach more people without compromising our identity, and continue to speak truth through distortion—then we've succeeded.

V: 你有没有最喜欢的对你有很大影响的乐队或艺术家？

Do you have any favorite bands or artists that have had a great influence on you?

L: 当然。Lotan是在极端金属地下圈的烈火中孕育而成的，我们对那些先于我们的乐队也心怀感激。像Behemoth, Mgła, and Anaal Nathrakh这样的乐队对我们产生了巨大的影响——在音乐方面以及思想观念方面皆是如此。他们把氛围、攻击性和主题的完美融合，激发了我们去在这一音乐流派中找到自己的风格。还有像Watain, Rotting Christ, and Mayhem这样的乐队，他们那种原始的强烈感和坚定信念也深深打动了我们，我们对他们表达深深的敬意。但灵感并非仅仅来源于金属乐。我们当中有些人还会从古典音乐、电影配乐以及政治思想中获取灵感。任何具有情感或思想深度的事物都能影响我们的写作方式。最终，我们站在巨人的肩膀之上，但我们的声音却是属于我们自己的。

Absolutely. Lotan is forged in the fires of the extreme metal underground, and we owe a lot to the bands that came before us. Artists like Behemoth, Mgła, and Anaal Nathrakh have been huge influences—both musically and ideologically. Their ability to blend atmosphere, aggression, and message has inspired us to find our own voice within the genre. There's also a raw intensity and conviction in bands like Watain, Rotting Christ, and Mayhem that we deeply respect. But inspiration doesn't only come from metal. Some of us also draw from classical music, film scores, and political thought. Anything that carries emotional or intellectual weight can influence the way we write. At the end of the day, we stand on the shoulders of giants—but we howl with our own voice.

V: 你参加过现场表演吗？有没有什么表演给你留下了深刻的印象？2025年有什么业绩计划吗？

Have you participated in live performances? Are there any performances that left a deep impression on you? Do you have any performance plans for 2025?

L: 对于演出，Lotan是原始的、激烈的，毫不留情的。我们在舞台上展现的激情与信念与在录音室里是一样的——每一场演出都是一场反抗的仪式，是一堵充满声音与火焰的屏障，旨在将观众从沉睡中唤醒。对于 2025 年，我们正在积极筹备演出和音乐节。随着我们的新专辑《Yetzer Hara》将于 8 月发行，我们计划大力开展巡回演出。我们的目标是将新曲目带到尽可能多的城市和国家，并与那些觉得金属乐仍然可以是危险的、真实的以及有活力的粉丝们建立联系。

Live, Lotan is raw, intense, and unrelenting. We bring the same fury and conviction to the stage as we do in the studio—every show is a ritual of resistance, a wall of sound and fire meant to shake the crowd awake. For 2025, we are actively booking shows and festivals. With our new album Yetzer Hara coming out in August, we plan to hit the road hard. Our goal is to bring the new material to as many cities and countries as possible—and to connect with fans who believe that metal can still be dangerous, honest, and alive.

V: 我真的很欣赏你的音乐，并将继续跟随你的乐队。希望你的专辑发行顺利。那么，在采访结束时，你还有什么想对大家说的吗？

I really appreciate your music and will continue to follow your band. I hope the release of your album goes smoothly. So, is there anything else you want to say to everyone at the end of this interview?

L: 非常感谢你的支持——这对我们来说意义重大，简直就像是来自天上的祝福。致我们在中国的朋友们和粉丝们：我们看到了你们，我们听到了你们的声音，能让我们的音乐传递到你们这里，我们深感荣幸。Lotan不仅仅关乎声音。它还关乎抗争、反思以及重新点燃内心的火焰。如果我们的音乐能触动你，那么请记住：你也是我们声音的一部分。我们希望有一天能将我们的作品呈现在您面前。在此之前，要保持坚强，要大声疾呼，永远不要屈服。谢谢，干杯！

Thank you so much for your support—it truly means the world to us. To our friends and followers in China: we see you, we hear you, and we're honored that our music reaches you. Lotan is about more than sound. It's about resistance, reflection, and reclaiming the fire inside. If our music speaks to you, then know this: you are part of our voice. We hope to bring our chaos to a stage near you someday. Until then—stay strong, stay loud, and never kneel. Thanks & cheers,