Vesperith, the Finnish experimental/black metal artist, has unleashed her debut self-titled album on Friday (22nd) via Svart Records (order here). According to the press, mastermind Sariina Tani expressed the record is, “a pilgrimage to the abyss. For many shadows, darkness, emptiness, or void are almost stigmatized as evil, bad, or scary, but I see almost heartbreaking beauty, light, and infinity there.” In short, the record isn’t meant for a background listen, it should be heard in its entirety with no distractions in a comfort setting. At least for the first three listens. The record was co-produced by Oranssi Pazuzu’s Jun-His, and while it’s categorized as black metal, the overall atmospheric explorations make Tani’s music more enigmatic and unique. We caught up with Tani to learn a little bit more about Vesperith.
How long have you been working on your debut?
I guess it has been about 3 and a half years.
What have been some challenges to get this album made?
There were many challenges. I use art as a vessel to better understand the world and myself so making this album has been a trial of fire like never before in my life. I was cast into the abyss and left to find my way out of there. I cannot express how vastly it really changed and challenged everything.
Can you talk more about the song “Fractal Flesh?”
“Fractal Flesh” acts like a portal or a wormhole to another dimension. For me it is an electrifying song. it feels like you’re riding on a magnificent storm to the end of the world.
How would you describe your overall sound?
I compose in a visual manner. I see worlds, places and atmospheres, and I try to capture the images through sounds. In that way, I never try to create a song, I try to re-create a world i see so the listener can also enter. Like reading a good book, you can see it in your mind’s eye when you become immersed in the tale. My storytelling comes through music. At the moment I am really fascinated by noisy screeching sounds and bringing it into harmony with overtonal resonances.
I definitely hear the darkness in this album and in the press I read you explained, “This new album is a pilgrimage to the abyss. For many, shadows, darkness, emptiness or void are almost stigmatized as evil, bad or scary but I see almost heartbreaking beauty, light and infinity there.” I found this interesting and I wanted to know if you can talk more about this.
It is a very large philosophical and paradoxical topic which is difficult to condense here and I don’t think I can. The only thing I would say is that if you stare into infinity you can see nothing and everything. It is in itself very beautiful and whole.
What plans do you have in support of your debut?
There is a music video coming and we are organising a pre-listening party in Helsinki which we will stream. I have also gathered a live band around Vesperith.
Are there any other artists you’ve been listening to as of late?
No, I have wanted to be in silence and just listen to the autumn rain gently thrumming the windows and fire crackling in the fireplace.
Is there anything else you want to say or add about Vesperith?
Nothing comes to mind right now. I wish you well and thank you for the interview!
