After two decades of dark, theatrical music, Fatum Aeternum return from a three-year hiatus with renewed energy, a new lineup, and “As Above, So Below.” We discuss their evolution, influences, philosophy, and future.
1. Fatum
Aeternum has been active since 2006. Looking back at the band’s beginnings,
what originally brought you together, and how would you describe the musical
vision you had at that time?
Steve
(Bass/Vocals): Originally the band was created by me and Ze’ev. He is not in
the band anymore. He wanted to play early music and I wanted to play heavy
music. It was the time when I used to listen a lot to the bands like Subway to
Sally, Adorned Brood and Lacrimosa. So we combined Gothic/Doom Metal with
Renaissance music.
2. Your
sound combines dark rock and metal with gothic and doom influences, while also
incorporating electric violin and both male and female vocals. How did this
distinctive combination develop, and what makes these elements essential to the
Fatum Aeternum identity?
Steve:
After a couple years of playing Renaissance influenced music I got tired of
that. Basically, you play the same songs and compositions like hundreds of
other bands. So, I’ve started to experiment with other styles of music, and as
a result Ze’ev left and created his own project Crinatura that plays early
music exclusively. And when I met Evelyn
(Violin/Vocals) and we started to write songs together we both found that we
love Gothic and Doom metal. So the choice was obvious and natural.
3. The
band’s music has evolved from folk-inspired roots toward a more electrified and
heavier sound. What were the key moments or releases that shaped this
evolution?
Steve:
After Evelyn joined the band, we started to work with two guitarists, one had
Trash Metal background and another Neoclassical and Progressive Metal
background and both were fans of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond. If you have
such monsters as members of a band - it’ll sound heavy. No matter if you want
to or not.
4. There
is a strong theatrical quality in your music, but it is balanced by very
personal and emotional songwriting. How do you approach creating music that
feels dramatic without losing its emotional authenticity?
Evelyn
(Violin/Vocals): We both come from a
background of classical training, we appreciate romantic and baroque music, as
well as poetry, lyricism, philosophical ideas, as well as some sociology,
psychology and personal development. All these crazy and eclectic stuff
influence our thoughts and ideas, and as result - our creative work.
5.
Philosophy and social issues have been important themes throughout Fatum
Aeternum’s work. What subjects or questions have been occupying your minds most
strongly in recent years, and how do you translate those ideas into songs?
Evelyn: Among
the things we constantly think about are human nature, how we operate, and how
the divine and the world operate. Sometimes we get inspiration from a line from
a movie or a poem, something that feels worth exploring, and weave this
together.
6. Your
live history includes performances alongside artists such as Diary of Dreams,
Waves Under Water, and Apoptygma Berzerk. What memories from those shows have
stayed with you, and did sharing the stage with those artists influence your
own approach to performing?
Steve: Not
really. It was cool to share the stage with such artists, but we are way too
different. They are all electronic music-based bands.
Evelyn: What's
the most important thing to internalize as a performer is that you need to
bring yourself, without trying to put masks of others. When it's authentic - it
works, even if not everyone likes you.
7. In
2026, Fatum Aeternum returned with the single “As Above, So Below” after a
three-year hiatus. What does this song represent for the band, and why was it
the right track to mark your return?
Steve:
Because it’s a brand-new song that was written especially for the current lineup:
Cello and Violin, and two guitar players that perfectly understand how to play
this type of music, although they came from different musical backgrounds
8. The
hiatus was connected to health issues affecting your singer and bassist.
Without going into anything you would rather keep private, how did that period
change the band personally and creatively?
Mark
(Drums): Well, that was horrible. First of all - the fear of losing an old
musical comrade and friend. And second - the realization that maybe we will
never share the stage again
Evelyn: At some point you enter a state of survival,
so you do what needs to be done to make it through the day, the week, etc.
However, if even during those times music is constantly on your mind, as it was
with Steve, this means that it is really crucial for you as a person.
9. After
being away for three years, did returning to the studio feel natural, or did
you have to rediscover your chemistry as a band? What was the most challenging
part of coming back?
Mark: More
than natural. When we started to play again, our first rehearsals were only
Steve, Evelyn and me. And it felt very good to play together again. And when
the rest of the musicians joined, they brought new energy.
Victor
(Guitar): Because of the fact that I myself joined the band recently, all I can
say is that the first session was spot on and felt very natural and we bonded
instantly.
No words
were spoken and we just jammed over the material and it sounded right on the
spot. Fits like a glove.
Max
(Guitar): I come from a different musical background, but Fatum’s music is
really fun to play, and I love playing with the guys in the band.
Doctor Joe:
After joining the band at the end of 2024, I had a great time learning the
band's materials and hitting stages all over the country. Then, when the band
re-matured again to record new pieces, and I had the opportunity to insert my
personal input as a musician, it felt
like a well timed right of passage. As far as challenges go, I feel that
finding the correct combination of the band's sound with my own personal style
was my main focus.
.jpg)
10. “As
Above, So Below” carries a title with deep philosophical and symbolic
associations. What does the phrase mean to Fatum Aeternum, and how does its
meaning connect with the song itself?
Steve: In
hermetic tradition these words belong to Hermes Trismegistus and the original
text contains the words: "That which is above is like to that which is
below, and that which is below is like to that which is above."
Some things
are predestined and you cannot escape them, but you have the power to change
the final result.
This is a
reflection on my health issues. I was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome. I
was totally paralyzed and could barely move only three fingers on my left hand
and raise my right hand a little.
I lost my
ability to play and I could have surrendered to these circumstances. But it
took me two long years to recover before I could walk and play again.
11. As
an Israeli band that has been creating dark and alternative music for two
decades, how has the musical environment around you changed since 2006, and
what has helped Fatum Aeternum maintain its identity through those changes?
Steve: Well,
it became easier to maintain certain things. And there is only one thing that
helps you to keep your identity - live performances. A band that doesn’t
perform - is a dead band. We all started to play music just because we all
wanted to play and be in the band. All of us were in different bands before.
Some of us even had their own bands, and it all only for one reason - to play
live and feel the stage.
12. Now
that Fatum Aeternum has returned, what can listeners expect next? Are you
working toward more singles, an EP or album?
Steve: Yes,
of course! We are working on some new music and we are going to record the
songs that we have performed for years at our live shows but were never
properly recorded. First, we will release them as digital singles, and then we
will gather all of them on physical mediums such as CD or Vinyl. And of course,
we will continue to do what we love the most - play live shows.
Post a Comment