And behold, in the present year 2022, Serbia graces us with this pleasant surprise. Without any warning, PRAZNINA emerges from the empty void with not one but two releases, the powerful EPS “Podsvesno Mrtav” and “Nedostižni Zenit“ showing a Black Metal with a raw, melancholy and hateful sound. To talk a little more about this project, which will probably be the biggest revelation in the style this year, Deimos, the mind behind PRAZNINA, answered some of our questions…
-When did you come up with the idea of creating Praznina, and why, since you already played in Todesfall and last year you released the great album “Nine books of cosmic Antebellum”?
There was a lot built up pressure and around February 2022 I decided to release it in the shape of a one man black metal project titled Praznina. As primarily a guitar player and songwriter I also wanted to broaden my musical skills by learning to write drums, sing and write lyrics, which is in Todesfall done magnificently by D. (Chaoist,Todesfall).
-Praznina appeared seemingly out of nowhere, was introduced to us in 2022 and has already released two bombastic EPs, “Podsvesno Mrtav” and “Nedostižni Zenit“. When did you compose this material and why release these songs divided into two EPS?
Both the project and the two EPs were very spontaneously created, each EP was written and recorded in around two or three weeks. Both EPs share the same idea, but the execution and perspective is different so it didn’t feel right to release it as a single EP or mini album.
-Although “Podsvesno Mrtav” and “Nedostižni Zenit“ are very similar to each other, I would say that the first sounds slightly more melancholy and the second more angry (even in the lyrical part). Do my words make any sense?
You are absolutely correct, both releases take a subjective point of view and while the first represents the sadness and feeling of utter defeat by Being itself, the second represents the anger and the Will to act and bring change, no matter the price.
-Bands and musical projects usually have convictions and truths that are expressed in their music, What do you want to express in your music?
The idea behind Praznina is very simple and very pure. It’s an emotional expression from a man who is faced against the Great Nothing. All the pain, sorrow, suffering, hopelessness and outright soul crushing depression that are being experienced serve to pave the way in search of something greater, something more. Now, instead of stagnating and being dominated by those feelings, they are used as fuel for the willpower to go further, to go beyond, and to recognize that in the Great Nothing and in the Great Suffering there is a rare unimaginable beauty and that in the deepest and most painful parts of the Abyss where one can go resides true wisdom.
-Praznina seems to have come up with a very particular visual identity idea, either through their own images or through the EPS cover art. Is seeking a visual identity of its own something important for Praznina?
Of course, the music and the art/image/visual identity completes one another, and I am extremely lucky and pleased to have the opportunity to be working with Katabasis Design.
-Some people are saying that Praznina would be the Serbian answer to bands such as Mgla and Uada, do you agree with these statements? What musical references and influences helped to shape Praznina’s music?
Musically speaking, Praznina is an obvious Mgla-worship there is no hiding that. I have chosen that particular sound of Mgla and other bands from the rich Polish Black Metal scene because I think their sound is the best for conveying the feeling and atmosphere I seek to express. As for people comparing me to those bands, I have no issues with it, they are comparing me to some great bands after all.
-By the way, what’s been playing on your playlist these past few days? What never comes out?
What never comes out are the Swedish giants like Dissection, Watain, Sacramentum, Vinterland, while in the past few days I have been listening to a handful of different bands, ranging from DeathSpell Omega, Tod Huetet Ubel, Kriegsmaschine, Annihilation Vortex to Edelweiss, Black Magick SS and The Devils Blood.
-The Brazilian label Hammer of Damnation will be re-editing the first two Eps of Praznina in the second semester. How did this partnership come about? Did you imagine that your music would reach such distant borders in such a short time?
The people behind “Hammer of Damnation\Black Metal Store” saw potential in Praznina and reached out to me. The partnership has so far been very pleasant and professional and I believe we are going to have a very fruitful collaboration, in the present and in the future. To answer the second question, definitely not, and I would like to thank the people behind Hammer of Damnation and all of the fans from all the corners of the world for their support.
-What are the next steps with Praznina?
I am currently writing the debut album for Praznina which will not see the light of day as fast as the first two releases did because preparations for the recording of the next Todesfall album are currently being set up.
-Will Praznina remain as a studio project\one man band or do you think that future live performances might be possible?
There was talk about creating a line up for live shows, but unfortunately private and logistical reasons make it near impossible.
-Last words…
Thank you very much for the opportunity to be heard, a slipcase CD of both EPs will be released around Septembre via Hammer of Damnation Records/Black Metal Store.
Also be sure to check out the upcoming Chaoist release titled “Annul” for some authentic and pure Black Metal.
HS!
0>1
