The Ritual speaks to Athenar about all things Midnight

Midnight is a solo blackened thrash metal entity from Ohio who has taken the extreme metal scene by storm in recent years, with music that the Devil himself would be proud.

Lyrics that involve blasphemy, debauchery, and Satan coupled with blackened hoods and the burning and smashing of guitars on stage, is what makes Midnight such an appealing act to fans of extreme metal.

Nate from the Ritual show here on TotalRock caught up with Athenar to discuss all things Midnight.

Hello Athenar and welcome to The Ritual here on TotalRock. How are things with you?

Athenar: “Things are going great at present and it’s great to be in Ohio in Winter where it’s actually warm for a change.”

You have just released your fourth full-length album via Metal Blade Records titled ‘Rebirth by Blasphemy’. Is there a meaning to this album title?

Athenar: “The title basically just means a new challenge and new era for Midnight with the signing to Metal Blade Records.”

This album is obviously the first that you have released under Metal Blade Records since you joined them, towards the latter half of last year. What appealed to you about having the opportunity to join Metal Blade Records?

Athenar: “Well growing up in the 80’s since the label has been around and they’ve signed big bands and I wanted to be a part of that. I was ready to make a new start and the opportunity to join Metal Blade Records made perfect sense.”

Midnight at present seems to be getting bigger and bigger with bookings now all over the world. What is it like now to tour with Midnight after originally the concept was just going to be a solo project?

Athenar: “Well in itself it is still a solo-project even though I have musicians on stage with me. But yeah it’s great now to be able to tour around the world and visit places that I could only have dreamed of when I started the project. At first, it was slow and just local shows but now the wheels are in motion.”

What would you say were the biggest influences on yourself to create a band such as Midnight? And did you ever intend to release as much material as you have done this far in Midnight’s career?

Athenar: “At the beginning really I only intended to create one EP and that was it and now the band is 16 years old and the material is increasing all the time. Obviously the extreme metal scene of the 80’s helped inspire me hugely with bands like Venom, Sodom etc.”

Your onstage presence and image is one that is quite unique with the hoods and smashing of guitars sometimes on stage. Where did the concept for this image result from? Did horror movies inspire any of this creativity?

Athenar: “I guess really it’s just a generic question of Kiss first using makeup and maybe Alice Cooper with shocking the audience etc the imagery and showmanship.”

If you could describe to someone Midnight who’s foolishly never listened to your music before how would you describe it?

Athenar: “It’s just solid and honest metal music. You don’t have to be a fan of extreme metal to like it, you could be into disco and still be into Midnight. I’ve have spoken to lots of people from all different backgrounds and they enjoy the music of Midnight.”

So what is next for Midnight? Is there anything exciting on the cards?

Athenar: “Well I will be doing the usual tour dates and festivals this year but nothing massively insane like a Midnight motion picture or Midnight action figures etc.”

So the most important question to your fans here in the UK is will we be seeing you again anytime soon? I know you played towards the end of last year here and everyone who I know went absolutely loved it!

Athenar: “I hope to be returning soon and maybe in the summer or towards the end of the year. It’s a great honour to come here as it’s such a small place but a place that has produced so many incredible bands – it’s fantastic and I love it in the UK.”

Well, Athenar it’s been a pleasure talking to you and we hope to see you back in the UK very soon.

Athenar: “Thank you and TotalRock for taking the time out to speak to me.”

Rebirth by Blasphemy is out now via Metal Blade Records.