Necronoclast mastermind Greg Edwards has returned with his latest blacker than black opus, "Ashes". We could not resist entering into his lair to rifle through the thoughts of Scotland's premiere Black Metal band.

The name Necronoclast may not be so familiar to some people out there; can you give us a quick overview of the history of the “band”?

I started Necronoclast in 2003, inspired by Death, repulsed by life. Over the first few years, the debut album “Monument” was assembled, which was eventually released through Korean label Infernal Kaos Productions. This led to my signing with USA’s Moribund Records, and the subsequent release of The Plague, Haven, and now Ashes.

Necronoclast’s new album “Ashes” was just released, what has been the reaction to the record and are reviews something you take notice of?

I read some reviews out of curiosity, but I’m never too concerned about their content. A review is simply the written opinion of its writer. My opinion of Necronoclast is far more important. Reaction has been pretty good, lots of positive, some ambivalent, haven’t seen anything particularly negative.

Your previously release “Haven” was a concept album, how did you approach “Ashes” regards how you envisioned the album to flow?

Haven was always going to be a concept album, even before I realised it, because it was inherently inspired and driven by the environment in which it was written. I did approach Ashes slightly differently in that it was never intended to focus on one single concept lyrically. In terms of the writing process though, it has always been a case of letting one idea flow into the next, and letting a song take its own course. It’s sometimes difficult to talk about how the album flows from a listener’s perspective since I probably listen to it in a different manner to how you would, but I think it’s a more varied experience, drifting through more extremes than the previous album.

What is the writing process for a Necronoclast album, as being a one man project what challenges do you think this brings vs. the more traditional band context?

I’ve talked a bit about the writing process in the previous answer, but I prefer writing by myself. I know what I am seeking to achieve with Necronoclast, and there is no place for anyone else’s contributions within that framework. Obviously a writing relationship can be synergistic but it can also be detrimental if you’re not all on exactly the same wavelength. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Of course, it’s also fair to say that there are plenty of multi-person bands who don’t share the songwriting. There might be four or five people there, but are they writing the songs together? Very unlikely. The only challenge I really face with writing is satisfying myself.

The art certainly doesn’t inspire the music; I don’t consider artwork until the album is written. Usually, I go to Gabriel with an idea, he develops it and we run through some ideas before he puts paint to canvas. I always appreciate cover art because I think it can be intriguing if it really does give a visual reference for an album. I think the light, pale colours of the Ashes cover make it stand out among typical black metal fare, and I think the abstract qualities of the image contrasting with the skull’s clarity are quite striking.

The inspiration for the latest album comes from a variety of sources; legend, superstition, mortality, nightmares, history. Life tends to throw up a lot of inspiration for bleak and negative thinking.

Of course people see the world in different ways, but the people who are utilising escapism are the people who can’t accept reality. The themes that inspire Necronoclast are the realities of existence, there is no escaping from them. The world is a horrible place, we are all repulsive beings and Necronoclast is a harbinger of reality.

What do you feel using computer generated drums brings to the Necronoclast sound vs. using a session drummer?

Ideally, nothing. It’s difficult to make programmed drums sound exactly like a real drummer, although in this era of drum triggers, real drummers can sound like drum machines themselves. Ideally, the drums would sound as realistic as possible. I’d consider using a session drummer if it seemed right for the situation, but sometimes programmed drums can have their own qualities.

I think there are some styles of metal which are best suited to the studio, and Necronoclast is such a style. I don’t think the atmospheric qualities of the songs would be well reproduced live.

No. To elaborate on the last answer, I don’t think that the sound in a live setting would do Necronoclast justice. Above all, I achieve what I set out to do with Necronoclast with the recordings I make. Extending into a different realm of music isn’t something that interests me.

“Ashes” is again released via Moribund, how is this working out for you guys?

Black Metal’s links to Satanism over the years has become almost as integral to many bands as the music itself. Where do you stand on this, as I’ve always felt Necronoclast’s music is dark but not satanic?

Yeah, that’s right, I don’t like to label my personal opinions with anything specific, although I think there are many interesting philosophies within the ‘framework’ of Satanism. There may be some overlap in lyrics or theme, but there is no intent to produce anything Satanic.

Within your music there appears to be a wide range of influences which you draw upon, who would you say is the biggest influence for you, and is there anything new out there of consequence to you?

When I started Necronoclast, I think the biggest musical influences would have been mid-period Katatonia and old Burzum. I think there is still plenty of good new black metal coming out, especially from Sweden and Germany.