1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Jharrod: SWAZÖND started off sometime in early 2019 by Shohei (Lifeblood, Miasma Death, Sungoddess) and I after we got together for a few beers and discussed starting a new band together. We then recruited our friends in the Tokyo underground scene Thom (Retch, Worship Pain, Amputee) and Kanako (Flagitious Idiosyncrasy in the Dilapidation), and after some time in the rehearsal studio solidified our sound to what you hear today on "Cursed Inheritance". So that is a brief history of SWAZÖND and how we became the unit we are today.
2. So far you have released a full length and a demo. Musically, how do they differ from each other?
Jharrod: Originally our plan was to record an EP. However, due to the first year of the pandemic throwing everything off, we decided recording in the studio wasn't a safe option. As a compromise, we recorded a demo for a couple tracks. Though the demo was a rough rehearsal studio live recording, it showcased samples ("Goddess Annihilation" and "Blistered Obstructions") of our range. Those songs finally appeared in full form on the more refined full length album "Cursed Inheritance" that we released this year.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with your music?
Jharrod: I'm always interested to hear how others interpret the lyrics. Since we all bring our own experiences and worldview to the media we consume, it can all become quite subjective. However, as for myself, I drew on the collective anger and despair of the state of the world. My lyrics thus far cover topics such as ecological destruction, propaganda, inequality, and the existential pessimism that affects us on a collective and individual level today. But since I am a big fan of horror movies, we also have some songs that are lyrically inspired by media in the genre. I call those our "fun" songs.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Swazönd'?
Jharrod: The name of SWAZÖND was inspired by a series of pretty horrific and grimdark fantasy books written by R. Scott Bakker. In this series, the Scylvendi tribes ritualistically scar their bodies to mark the foes they had slain in battle and to symbolize the absence they had created. Though to be honest, after coming up with a short list of about five possible band names, we ended up deciding on using SWAZÖND because it sounds awesome and is easy to pronounce both in English and Japanese.
5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
Thom: I took a really metaphorical approach with the cover. When considering the album title we decided on and the lyrical content overall, somehow the image of a dragon sprang to mind. I thought of the dragon as a creature of wondrous beauty, yet also highly dangerous. Something that undeservedly would be contained or hunted. In the same respect, this is not the world we were meant to confront when we were born, and the problems left for us to face are not ones of our own creation.
6. Has the band had any live shows or are you open to the idea?
Jharrod: We have performed a handful of shows over the past few years, and we are always excited to perform live any time that we can.
Thom: The pandemic has really limited our live show options, and it has been a challenge being a band that has spent the greater part of its existence in these times, but there has been some signs recently that things are getting better. We are looking forward to playing more shows soon!
7.The album was released through 'Zero Dimensional Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Shohei: The label owner is a good friend of mine and the label is based in Osaka, Japan. ZDR has previously released an album by my other band SUNGODDESS, as well as a split album of Coldnight and my other band Lifeblood. As we were preparing to record SWAZÖND's first album, I sent him our 2020 demo and asked him if he'd be interested in releasing our first full length. His response was positive and we worked out a CD deal.
Thom: And for those interested, aside from digital and streaming options, the album is set to be released on cassette by Goatlordth, a label out of Malaysia, later this year. We're still looking for vinyl label options.
8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal and crust?
Jharrod: That's something that's always hard to gauge, however, I think we have received quite a bit of positive feedback on social media. Of course I am happy to hear that people are enjoying our first full length offering and are looking forward to hearing more of Swazönd as more and more people listen.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Jharrod: SWAZÖND is my main priority, however I also release dark ambient/dungeonsynth under the moniker Forgotten Revenants. Last year, I contributed synth tracks for Wolftread's "Wings of the Ravaged" album as well.
Kanako: FID has not disbanded. There are no plans for live shows or new music releases at this time, but we hope you will check out our past work.
Shohei: Lifeblood plays a mix style of doom / DSBM and is active. We released our 2nd full album last year from Weird Truth Productions. Miasma Death is also a slow Black Metal band and is on hold temporarily because of one member’s personal reason, but we plan to release our first full album in near future. Symphonic Black Metal band Sungoddess has been on hold since the corona pandemic began.
Thom: Aside from Swazönd, I also play drums in another Tokyo band, Worship Pain. We are currently in the process of recording our next release. Retch has no current release schedule, but please check our recordings! My NYC band Amputee (for which I do drums and vocals) has reactivated in the last year and we will also be releasing an album later this year.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Jharrod: That's hard to predict since we don't usually discuss how we want to sound. A lot of the song writing is Shohei bringing a new song to rehearsal that was distilled from a previous all band jam or something he came up with. From that point, songs get hashed out during rehearsal. So far we have two new songs and a third to be in the works for a split release with our friends Wolftread, so keep an eye out for that and be sure to check them out as well!
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Jharrod: I think that I generally draw from Black Metal and Crust bands such as Morrow, Darkthrone, Tragedy, etc. Lately I've been listening to Old Nick, Echo Knight, Eternal Champion, Spectral Wound, and Kyna among others.
Shohei: The biggest influence for me is perhaps Black’n Roll, for example Gehennah, Darkthrone around 2010, etc.
Kanako: I was influenced by the NEW WAVE of the 80's.
Thom: Being a left handed right footed drummer, I've always been influenced by drummers who play in a similar way! Joking aside, I'm a big fan of Fenriz and Gene Hoglan and the bands they have been in. Recently, a friend turned me on to Wagner Ödegård which is a one-man project (which I'm always a sucker for). Kinda sounds like if Jay Reatard was also into Black Metal.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Jharrod: Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this interview with us and I hope you and your readers enjoy "Cursed Inheritance"! Stay safe and healthy!