After eight years of silence, German duo Aegror return with Reign of Disease — a dark, introspective journey blending black metal atmospheres, social commentary, and emotional depth in a powerful rebirth.
1. After
an eight-year silence, Reign of Disease marks a powerful comeback. What
inspired you to revive Aegror now?
Thanks a lot for the opportunity to do this
interview. "Revived" might not be the right word — we were still
active, but we definitely took our time. One of the main reasons it took so
long was that the band almost broke up after Dead Man’s Diary. On top of that,
there were personal matters. At first, we needed time to accept that we would
continue AEGROR as a duo from now on. Then came major changes in both our
professional lives, and even a full renovation of a property — so the process
kept getting interrupted. Honestly, it was only in the last 1.5 to 2 years that
we really picked up speed again. We had actually reached a point where we felt
kind of burned out, and were seriously considering ending the project
altogether. The album was originally meant to be a worthy farewell for us and
AEGROR — but as life often goes, things turned out completely different than we
expected.
2. The
concept of Plaguebreeder is fascinating—what was the origin of this
multidimensional being, and what does it symbolize for you?
The concept
of the Plaguebreeder actually dates back to 2009. Our former drummer/lyric
writer and founding member Mithyr worked in the medical field, and he brought a
lot of fascinating topics related to diseases and psychological disorders into
the band. These were then turned into stories around this being. You can also
read our lyrics metaphorically and see the Plaguebreeder as a symbol for the
worst things humanity has ever produced: greed, envy, and hatred. Wherever
these things thrive, that's where the Plaguebreeder exists. Sometimes, I
honestly believe the Plaguebreeder is at work in the government halls of this
world.
3.
Lyrically, the album balances fictional narrative with social commentary. How
do you approach blending fantasy and reality in your writing?
That's
exactly the balance we aim for. We often start with fictional or fantastical
elements — like the Plaguebreeder — but underneath, there’s always a connection
to real-world issues. Our lyrics reflect not only inner struggles and
psychological themes but also broader social crises. Blending fantasy and
reality allows us to create a certain distance, which makes it easier to
process complex topics like decay, madness, or corruption. It also gives the
listener room for interpretation — whether they see it as pure storytelling or
as a mirror to our world. For us, the metaphor is often more powerful than
being overly direct.
4. How
has your sound evolved from Dead Man’s Diary to Reign of Disease? What were you
consciously trying to change or refine?
The difference simply lies in the lineup. As a duo on this album, we didn’t have to make any compromises in the songwriting process — we only used material that we both 100% wanted on the record. In the old lineup with five members, we often had to compromise to make sure everyone was satisfied — and you can hear the difference. We also deliberately wanted a stylistic shift, moving away from technical death elements toward a more atmospheric and epic sound. In my opinion, that worked out really well.
5.
Abyssus, you handled recording, mixing, and mastering—what challenges and
rewards come with being fully self-produced?
Taking on
the entire production process — from recording to mixing and mastering — was
both a huge challenge and a rewarding experience. The biggest advantage is
total creative control. Every sound, every layer, every effect is exactly how
we envisioned it, without having to explain it to someone else or compromise on
details. But of course, that also means a lot of pressure. You constantly
question yourself, and there's no external feedback loop unless you actively
seek one. It’s easy to get lost in perfectionism. Still, in the end, it’s
incredibly satisfying to know that everything you hear on Reign of Disease was
crafted entirely by us — sonically and artistically. It was also a really cool
task for me personally, since I’m studying audio engineering part-time at HOFA
College.
6.
There’s a very modern, sharp edge to your production that contrasts the rawness
often found in black metal. Was this intentional?
We never
really saw ourselves as a pure black metal band. It’s actually quite difficult
for us to fit into a specific musical niche. We create the music the way we
think it sounds good, but we definitely agree that we don’t make pure black
metal — neither in songwriting nor in production. The modern, sharp edge in our
production that contrasts with the rawness typical of black metal was
intentional to some extent. We wanted to carve out our own sound and atmosphere
rather than strictly follow traditional black metal aesthetics. This approach
allows us to explore more atmospheric and epic elements, which better represent
what AEGROR is about today.
7. With
only two members, how do you manage to create such a rich and layered sound? Do
you write together, or separately and combine ideas later?
We both
already had a lot of ideas in the drawer that we created and collected over the
past years. Of course, we still had to refine some things and discarded quite a
bit along the way, but for the most part, we work completely together in our
own studio/rehearsal room.
8. How
do your different musical backgrounds—black metal for Narthaas and thrash/prog
for Abyssus—complement or challenge each other?
Narthaas has the necessary ear for the stylistic elements, while I have the advantage of approaching things completely unprejudiced. This has the benefit that I’m not very familiar with the scene and therefore don’t tend to get too close to the sound of other bands in the genre. I do listen to music from that area, but not as much or as intensively as Narthaas, in the last years he is absolutely more into atmospheric black metal.
9. What
role does the town of Kerken, or your surroundings in Germany, play in shaping
Aegror’s identity and atmosphere?
Actually,
we live in a really peaceful world here — very rural, both of us close to the
forest, living close to nature. Maybe that’s exactly what keeps pushing us to
look beyond our peaceful surroundings, to reflect on things during walks in the
woods, and ultimately to express it all through our music. A lot has happened
in recent years, and it feels like there’s barely enough time to process it
all. Lyrically, we probably still have enough material for the next three
albums!
10. The
themes of disease and plague are more than symbolic today. Was the pandemic a
direct influence on Reign of Disease?
Yes,
partly, but also what else is happening in governments or societies around the
globe. Wars and the complete transformation of the world – politically and
climatic. Even though we are doing very well here in germany, we both are aware
that the world is not at peace and we deal with these things and process them
with our music. It's naturally a constantly ongoing event - much like life
itself. I want to emphasize that AEGROR is an absolutely apolitical band, and
we strongly condemn wars and crimes. This applies not only to the current album
but to our entire discography and project.
11. How
do you envision Aegror’s live presence now that you’ve returned—will there be
performances or is Aegror strictly a studio project for now?
Our first
show for 2026 is already confirmed. Aegror is definitely not just a studio
project. Although we work as a duo in the studio, we really want to bring the
songs to the stage. We will certainly play several shows in 2026 and are
currently recruiting session musicians and friends to join us for live
performances. Maybe we will also get the opportunity to join a small tour as a
support act.
12.
Finally, what do you hope listeners take away from Reign of Disease—musically,
emotionally, or intellectually?
Ultimately,
we didn’t approach the album thinking about what others might think of it. It
was actually meant as a conclusion for us. Now, it marks an absolute new
beginning. And with the step of having the album re-released through Black Lion
Records in Sweden, we’re excited to see what lies ahead. We hope listeners
experience a deep and immersive journey—musically, emotionally, and
intellectually. Musically, we want to offer a rich and atmospheric sound that
pulls you into our world. Emotionally, the album deals with struggles, decay,
and resilience, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences.
Intellectually, we aim to provoke thought about societal issues and the darker
sides of human nature, without being preachy. Ultimately, we want Reign of
Disease to resonate on multiple levels and leave a lasting impression.
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