Interview to BODYBUILDER (USA)

1. Hello dear Nicholas, pleasure to have you on Rotten Pages ´zine. How are you doing today? Let us set the scene first. Where do we find you right now? Please describe your surroundings.

I’m feeling fairly decent, thank you for asking and thank you for having me on Rotten Pages! I currently live in the subburbs of Los Angeles, California. I’m renting a house on small property that’s nestled on a hill full of trees that welcome many of the city wildlife such as coyotes, hawks, and rabbits. 

2. Let’s start with the boring basics. Care to explain to the unknowing precisely where in the world you emanate such an aura of evil from?

The perception of evil may be different per region and territory on earth. I manifest the malignant form of evil through my dreams, nightmares and sleep paralysis. 

3. As a one-man project, how do you handle the creative process and bring your vision to life? Are there any specific challenges or advantages to working alone?

My process of writing songs begins with a rough jam. I start by programming a drum pattern and create riffs on a synthesizer. I then obsessively listen to it so I can pick out the parts that I’ll use to finish the song. This tends to be a long process. In the nature of painting on canvas, it’s my own vision and I’ll sometimes fail, but I learn from my own mistakes. 

4. How much exposure did you have to black metal and extreme music in general growing up?

In 4th grade I was introduced to Cannibal Corpse and Slayer, and those two bands had a huge impact on me. Then in high school, I listened to a lot of death metal and goth music. Not a lot people I knew had similar interest, so I would blindly pick metal CDs from the local record store in search for heavier and darker atmospheric music. I found black metal by chance, and it opened up a different emotion I’d never felt before with music. 

5. Your music has been described as Black with elements of dsbm and post metal. How do you balance these different influences to create a cohesive sound?

The lyrical content is closely related to dsbm, while I tend to program black metal drumming patterns with modular synths and drum machines. The sort of post metal sound I believe comes from reappropriating the guitar sound with the use of distorted synthesizers. 

6. As an emerging band in the extreme metal scene, what are some challenges you've faced, and how have you overcome them to pave the way for your future?

There’s so many bands that hold an immense amount of talent. I can never play as technically or keep up with complex song writing. I hold myself true to the best I can produce without overwhelming myself to compete in the metal scene. 

7. How do you define “underground” and where do you see yourself and your band in it?

“Underground” is the notion of outsider art. A way of organizing abrasive tonality in the shape of expression. The popularity side is also a metric that matters. Staying true to one’s self and not making music for the masses. I’ll continue to make music for myself as a form of medication. 

8. What is the spiritual ideology or philosophy that drives you as individual? Do you think it can become a limit to your creativity?

The chaos of the cosmos. We as humans still have a lot to learn about the universe. I’m continually fascinated by new scientific evidence. 

9. Your latest EP “Unknown Kadath” deliver a raw, malefic and primitive sound. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind these 3 tracks and how it felt to release your music to the world?

“Unknown Kadath” was a title I took from H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath “. I made a three-part single / E.P. that describes my own horrors of sleep paralysis and night terror hallucinations— a dream quest that’s similar to the story. However, my experience led to profound suicidal ideation. Making this record was very cathartic. 

10. Were there any elements of the recording that proved particularly troublesome? How do you typically approach songwriting and arranging?

For “Unknown Kadath,” I used a modular synth for the drums section and a sequential circuits six trak for the synth leads. Those two elements were recorded very naturally. Vocals and lyrics are the most difficult for myself and always fall last to glue the song together. 

11. As a band, what do you hope listeners take away from your music? What emotions or connections do you aim to evoke through your songs?

I guess since I’m making music that falls into the genre of black metal (with sub genre that has emphasis on the theme of suicidality), I like to give hope that’s there’s a tomorrow and that life is rather difficult but also very beautiful. 

12. Live performances are an integral part of the black metal experience. Does BODYBUILDER have any plans for live shows or touring in the future?

Bodybuilder has played one live show since the birthing of the band. I don’t have any plans on playing live just yet. 

13. Can you name some of the bands who you first really admired and helped shape your future in music?

Many bands have galvanized a structure of influence to what Bodybuilder has become. Here’s a short list of inspiration: 

Blut Aus Nord, Cocteau Twins, Today Is The Day, Swans, The Locust, Ulcerate, Aphex Twin, New Collapse and Bjork. 

14. What can listeners expect from your upcoming release? Are there any particular themes or influences that you're exploring?

I’m releasing a new E.P. “There’s No There, There” with the Italian record label WormHoleDeath. C.D.s will be available May 30th 2025. I’m currently working on another E.P.that will be finished by end of 2025. 

15. Thank you! I want to give you the final word. Is there anything you want to share with our readers?

Thank you kindly for your time. With love from Arrokoth and back.