Interview with Ethan of Adar

Chase: With only two demos out, the band has improved in composition and technical ability from the first to the second. Your second demo Into the Frozen Ocean has more riff variety and difficulty, more harmonics, acoustic sections, and even some impressive solos, complete with sweeps and all. Since most black metal bands tend to stay away from solos why did you guys chose to go down that path?

Ethan: I chose to put solos in the music because I feel it fits the new direction of the band. I've always wanted to hear a more technical or guitar driven black metal band and so I made one myself. So putting guitar solos and some more technical riffs etc. in the songs I'm trying to create a technical black metal band. Now I'm sure theres black metal purist who will disagree with a band like that but I think it can still represent what black metal is about.

C: As of now, Adar is still using a drum machine. How is the search for a drummer going? Have you had many people tryout that just didn't seem to mesh well with the band?

E: Yes we are still using a drum machine, ideally I want to get rid of it and get a real drummer. At this point I've got in touch with a few people but have yet to add a new drummer as of now. We haven't had problems with people not meshing it's just hard to find drummers in general. Black metal drummers especially have been hard to find and we need one who can play technically too.

C: When a band jumps from a one-man band to having multiple members, there can be a shift in mentality. Ethan, once the band started gaining members did the dynamic change? Has the addition of a member encouraged you to work harder?

E: Well when adding Robbie it wasn't really that weird. He was my only close friend who was as into black metal as I was so he understands it. By adding Robbie I think the vocals are a lot stronger. As far as composing goes I still write the music but I try and make something we are both proud of. Lyrically Robbie wrote half and I wrote half but we aren't really proficient lyricist yet but he came up with some good stuff.

C: The last two songs on the second demo, “Into the Frozen Ocean” and “Waves of Oblivion,” are pleasantly different from most other Adar songs. They are very nostalgic, contemplative, and sad. Is this a new direction that Adar will be exploring, or is the future of your music going to remain evil?

E: Well usually the songs I write are a reflection off myself and as a person I can't be evil 24/7 theres parts of me that wanna here something more melodic and sad at times. To me sorrow is as much a part of black metal as hatred is so yes it will be a part of my music, but I doubt I will get away from and evil sound, Adar should and will encompass all carnal emotions.

C: Is there an Adar full-length on the horizon? Or are you waiting to find a drummer before composing a full album?

E: Well in order to do a full length I would really like to either have a full band or be signed to a record company of some type. So once either of those happens I'll think about writing an entire album.

C: Although Adar is not yet ready for live shows, have you guys been to many black metal shows in Denver? If so what was your impression of the black metal scene here?

E: Well we've seen bigger bands like Mayhem, Satyricon, Enslaved, but we haven't been able to make it to any good underground shows, I know they are out there. As far as the scene in the Denver area I think it is strong and getting stronger but still hidden from most people.

Adar has put up their demos for free download: Dark Reflections, Into the Frozen Ocean