Spotlight on … Omega Infinity.

*When did you really get involved into music in general and into metal specific? Who was responsable for your interest in (metal) music?

It can be said that both of us have had quite the interest in anything that strays away from what can be considered ‘mainstream’ and that did not only start with music, this also emerged in a heightened interest in darker literature, movies, or in Tentakel’s case video games. That has always been at the root of both our tastes. So it might not come as a surprise that we both were looking for darker expressions in music as well, and we would say that his naturally lead to metal. Kind of a beconing we both had to follow. There was not necessarily “that” person, rather an attraction that led us into the directions until we found what we have beeon looking for.

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

Too many to count. Anyone who pours part of their own soul into what they do, and that is not limited only to metal. We think being inspired by people who come across in being honest in what they do is a big influence in itself. If you look for band names, then for both of us you can’t leave the essential Norwegian black metal bands out of the picture that broke down borders to the extreme. The whole nineties have been a huge influence on both of us.

*Which instrument do you play and how and when did you learn to play? Did you had lessons in school or private lessons? If so, was that because your parents expected that from you? Or did you learn to play the instruments by yourself? Do yo still follow some lessons?

We are both mainly autodidacts at what we do now, however it can’t be denied that some of the basics have been laid through lessons. For creativity it is a good thing if you try to do as much by yourself as possible, so you won’t adapt someone else’s style – just don’t forget to take some lessons so you won’t spoil your technique. A good technique is a great foundation to build your musical world on. For a vocalist it is mandatory to know about breathing techniques as much as a drummer needs to be able to add a good amount of technique to even be able to play certain things, especially at faster speeds. Lastly – practice must be done regularly as there is one thing you can’t learn, you have to build it up; and that is: Stamina.

*Do you follow other or are you intrested in other styles of music beside metal? If so, what is the music you prefer to listen to?

Anything that is dark and has soul. We both love Nick Cave’s ‘Murder Ballads’ for example. Killing Joke is an obvious candidate as people will soon experience, you can also find what we both are looking for in for example Lana Del rey’s ‘Summertime Sadness’ to cite one of her songs, or another example of what we are drawn towards would be the sadomasochistic vibes of the swedish band Priest (with ex-members of Ghost). Basically just take about anything that is dark and differs from the norm and you have a high probability that our tastes match.

*Is music a full time job for you now or do you have a job beside music? If so, what kind of job are you doing? If you would be really succesful with music, would you quit your other job?

You could say that for both of us – just not only as musicians. We’re both part of the music industry in a broader sense, one of us a little bit more in the spotlight and the other one rather behind it, but definitely earning money with what we love. Let’s leave it at that. The details are too mundane, unglamorous and irrelevant for our creative output.

*If you could start a band with other musicians on other instruments, which artist would you pick for wich instrument and why? (Something like an “All Stars Band”.) Would you still go for a black metal band? Or would you do something completely different?

Not that we would want to dodge the question, but OMEGA INFINITY is not really something that was created by conscious planning. More by channeling something that wanted to get out. It has a reason Tentakel choose to do the musical foundation on his own rather than looking for other musicians and why Xen joined him as a vocalist – the work in a band where everyone has an opinion can be rather tedious. We both needed something that just went smooth and created itself. Writing and recording the album has been a breeze – so to even think about an answer to your question is kind of far away from us at this point. Safe to say though, most of our friends are either in the music industry or musicians themselves so should the need arise to kind of form an all-star band – then we would both be able to choose those individuals who are closest to whatever form the music we would make would be. It might not be an extreme metal album maybe, because we both have explored this area to a certain extent.

*If you had been banned to an uninhabited island and you may pick 5 albums to listen to, wich albums would you choose and why?

That is quite impossible to answer as both our tastes are so infinitely wide. But rest assured our lists would contain the old Norwegian masters from the early 90ies – MAYHEM, SATYRICON, EMPEROR, and in addition Tentakel would also pack some Phil Collins Era GENESIS while Xen would surely go with NICK CAVE’s ‘Murder Ballads’.

*What about Todtgelichter? Is this band just “on hold” or did we hear the end with ‘Rooms’ (2016)?

*What about Ne Obliviscaris? Is that still your main band?

TODTGELICHTER just recently came together again to perform their ‘Schemen” album in it’s entirety. They have started rehearsing again and who knows, if this worldwide energency situation is over, then they might continue in a limited capacity, we will see. And NE OBLIVISCARIS is as active as always with Xen. Though their schedule has been pushed back due to the Virus situation as well.

*How and when did you get in touch with Xenoyr? Did you both work togheter on the music and lyrics of the OMEGA INFINITY-album? And who proposed Marta en C. Kolf for extra vocals?

Xen and Tentakel know each other since the days when both NE OBLIVISCARIS and TODTGELICHTER have been on Aural Music/ Code666. We have been in contact over the years and also met several times in person once NE OBLIVISCARIS were able to tour the world. After TODTGELICHTER were laid on ice indefinitely and Tentakel had everything in place regarding what he wanted to do next – that is, music, concept, etc. – He approached Xen for the vocal part. The addition of Marta was quite the logical one since Tentakel and her are married and also in TODTGELICHTER together, and as she also knows Xen. And with Christian Kolf – Tentakel has always been a big fan of him and his projects and the two were also friends for a long time, and since recently Tentakel was asked by Christian to do the drums for one of his projects, namely OWL. The suggestions were made to Xen and were quickly approved. In general there will always be guest additions but they must be different enough from Xen’s voice to add something new to the sound, and both Xen and Tentakel must be okay with it. Luckily we both have quite a similar taste so that hasn’t been and most probably will not be a problem in the future.

*Every new album of a band or an artist is the best one, that’s what they always say. So here is a chance to promote the album. Why should a music lover buy your album? What are the standout tracks for you on this new album and why?

Of course this one is or best since it is also the first. About the standout tracks: We absolutely despise the concept of ‘standout tracks’. We have composed each song not as fillers but for the album to function as a whole, an eternal dark monument to the nothingness behind existence. You can’t take something away and you can’t grasp it if you only look at certain tracks. It is a black vortex into an alien construct of nothingness. This is how it sounds and this is why a music lover should buy it. It is a musical window into what lies behind the fabric of all that is.

See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new Omega Infinity album ‘Solar Spectrum’ (Season Of Mist) –

*Is there a chance that you will promote these songs through live concerts? Are there contacts with other musicians to promote the album live yet? And if so, would you prefer small clubs or big festivals? And if you start promoting this album through live concerts, will we see ‘OMEGA INFINITY’ in Belgium.

We are sorry to say that there are no live shows planned in the foreseeable future. If you want to join the void, you will need to do it at home, preferrably with headphones and a good wine.