DTRASH: Alright, give us some background on the PHOERON, what you're all about, where you're from, how you started electronic music? How did you hear about DTRASH?

ARRA PHOER'OS : Well, my story isn't exactly a simple one. I was born and raised a Mormon, in Winnipeg, went to a French Roman Catholic School, always got picked on as a kid, was raped when I was 10 by my best friend's older brother... When I was 16, I started my own religion to get myself kicked out of the Mormon Church - those fuckers don't let go easy. That was fun, but it got me kicked out of home too, so I wandered around the States for a bit trying to find myself. I got caught up in some Ex-Mormon pseudo-spiritualist groups while I was there, but they ended up pissing me off, so I went back home. Things didn't go too well with my family though, so I decided to leave home for good. I hitch-hiked out east to be with this girl I met online - let me tell you, that got messy. I ended up homeless on the streets of T.O, with no hope or future in sight. At that point, I figured it was in my best interest to check into the shelter system - despite the drama and bullshit - because I could use it as a place to start over. Phoeronism grew out of all that. So in short, Phoeronism is about pain, 
suffering, contempt.

I first started messing around with electronic music when I was like, 5 or 6. My mom got a Tandy 1000, and it had this midi software bundled with it. You just entered notes on the scale like sheet music, chose your instrument, and pressed play. It was pretty simple, but a great toy for a kid who loved music. In grade 6 I got my hands on a Yamaha digital piano. They were pretty lame back then, but I grew up seeing how fast computer technology was improving, so I figured by the time I was an adult, these synthesizers would be able to emulate real instruments perfectly, as well as do way more. So basically it was grade 6 where I decided I would make electronic music when I grew up. The whole homelessness thing kinda interfered with my plans though. So mostly during that time, I schemed up what I would do once I got off the streets. So by the time I got into the shelters, I already had a plan to start working on. I found about DTRASH when I gave a copy of my first demo to my psychologist. One of his buddies is a big follower of DTRASH, actually, and said I was exactly the type of artist DTRASH was looking for. So I took my chance, and here I am.

DTRASH: What is PHOERONism? Do you believe in it?

ARRA PHOER'OS : As I said, Phoeronism is about pain, suffering, and contempt.  It grew out of my life, and it's still growing. It's inspired by a small collection of Philosophies which helped me overcome my personal problems, but it doesn't stop where these Philosophies leave off. I feel my experience living through hell and back was essential, all this so-called pain and suffering was necessary for me to become who I am. In a sense, I glorify pain and suffering, and I call it the great contempt. This great contempt is what fuels the process of Overcoming.
Since Phoeronism is based on my own real-life experiences, and the established philosophies of great thinkers, like Nietzsche, that have also worked for me, I do believe in Phoeronism very much. Despite the highly philosophical nature of Phoeronism, it is still entirely practical. As for Satanism, I see that as a necessary first step within Phoeronism, but it doesn't stop with attaining the perfection of Carnal Man; that's for 
another conversation though. The most important thing you need to know right now, is that Phoeronism is striving for the Transgothick age. (This is Gothick in the sense of the Visigoths, the ancestors of the Germanic people).

DTRASH: Explain "In an Infinite Universe, Everything Equals Nothing"?

ARRA PHOER'OS : I was sitting in my math class last school year, bored shitless by first year calculus. So my mind was wandering, and off I went to the subject of Phoeronism, as I often do. This logogram popped in my head, so I drew it. This logogram seemed to unite the purpose of Science and Religion somehow, but clearly would destroy them both: it tied Phoeronism and its path of initiation to the very nature and structure of the Universe. The logogram also included a mathematical formula (binomial expansion), which upon calculating discovered that every number in the set would always be zero. This is where things get funny. At the top of the logogram, you find "infinity-squared." If you want to get technical, infinity is always two-dimensional - how exactly do you plan on calculating a linear path of infinite proportions? If its linear, and thus one-dimensional, it has definite mathematical and spacial limits - namely, it can always be defined. A two-dimensional concept is a plane - thus Infinity, on its own, is an infinite (endless) plane of existence where any reference point you choose will always be zero. If you were to square Infinity, you would get a four dimensional frame of reference - this is Space-Time. The premise of the binomial expansion theory is that any given number is only the sum of its parts. So this calculation leaves you with all the smallest whole numbers within the number itself. The problem with infinity though, is that the frame of reference is always zero, and thus with Binomial Expansion you get back an "infinite" number of zero's. It doesn't matter how many zero's you add up, though, you'll still only get zero. So I thought this was funny, but somehow significant. This logogram just came to me, like a revelation or something. And the path of Initiation in Phoeronism worked into it as well, as if to say that Phoeronism holds some secret to the universe. It all starts out with Nothingness - and that is the ABSU.

DTRASH: I know that you recorded then re-recorded many incarnations of this disc before being satisfied with a final version. What were some of the growing pains with recording this and how did it all come together in the end? What tracks were you happiest with?

ARRA PHOER'OS : Well I'll tell you what song pissed me off the most. Der Übermensch. That's one track I felt I'd never get right. Which is funny for a number of reasons. So I destroyed it. I took the final mix, and I loaded it up in Traktor DJ studio, and I did everything I could think of to ruin it. Now I'm very happy with it. As for the album as a whole - everything is a growing process. Especially Phoeronism, and everything I create. Like any good parent though - so I'm told - the real trick is knowing when to let go of your children. I think "letting go" is the key, the key to Phoeronism, to the Nothingness, everything. It's how you find balance and peace when all the world is ripping itself apart.

DTRASH: What would you say were the Top 5 to 10 cds you liked that were instrumental in this album being recorded? What music scenes or styles do you feel an affinity with, with the PHOERON?

ARRA PHOER'OS : First and foremost, Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Skinny Puppy, every single album is a must have. I also really like Tool, Opeth, Aphex Twin. I used to listen to a lot of Cradle of Filth. Once in a while I'll pop in Marilyn Manson's "Antichrist Superstar" - its a solid album. "Broken" or "the Downward Spiral" by Nine Inch Nails. I have these Trance or Ambient fits too. And when I'm depressed, I usually listen to Depeche Mode. Ultimately, if an artist puts their whole heart and soul into their music, I'll like it to some degree. The music I adore is the music I relate to, of course, so mostly I prefer really intense or angry or depressing music. But in the end it always comes down to Classical, Industrial, or Metal.

DTRASH: Some artists approach hardcore electronic music with a political message to be heard - is this the same type of thing with your PHOERON-ist views? Is the music a vehicle for the lyrics, or vice versa?

ARRA PHOER'OS : My lyrics are sacred to me. I realize this is sacriligious to say. Without the music, though, my lyrics can't reach their full potential. Without the music, they just don't sound right, or complete. I don't mind music with a political message. I think its important. As for myself, I'm afraid of politics... I really like this one line in the movie "Max", which I think applies to me: "Would you rather change the way people think, or the way they pay their taxes?" I think its more important for me to show people what I've experienced, let them feel what I feel - the more aware people are, the more likely they are to make better choices. My music definitely has a spiritual message. You can sum it up by saying, "God is the Devil, the Devil is God."

DTRASH: "Belial" runs the course of 13+ minutes, this is one of the weirdest tracks on DTRASH to this point, it almost feels like you are a part of a ritual - Give us some context behind this climax of "The Absu Meditations".

ARRA PHOER'OS : Belial represents myself working through everything that's happened to me in my life, everything I'm trying to understand and deal with - about myself, about the world. The electronic mess is inspired by the way my brain feels some days, so confused... ready to rip itself apart. The song is a ritual though; its the end of the Alpha Sphere - the first stage of Initiation.  the Climax is the process of Overcoming. Letting go, and crossing over. It's not as fluffy and nice as one might assume, but its still necessary. Life is never easy or perfect or happy-go-lucky all the time. Quite frankly, if it was, I would kill myself out of sheer boredom alone. To be totally honest, practicing Phoeronism has caused me more problems than I had to begin with. But I'm not complaining. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I'll keep saying that til the day I die.

DTRASH: How do you see the music scene in 2004, whether electronic or mainstream, online or offline? What's your thoughts lately on everything.

ARRA PHOER'OS : As always, there's some great shit, and there's some baadddddd shit. Like what the fuck is up with pop-punk anyway? And Emo? They're worse than hip-hop. The latest mainstream bands to creep up have been pretty fucking lame. Slipknot's new album surprised me though - they're mainstream as far as anyone is concerned, but they released a pretty solid and mature record this year. I think Manson should lay off the Absinthe. Toronto's underground scene is doing ok I guess. It seems like most people just don't give a shit anymore. I think I know why - most underground artists are too worried about becoming rockstars to just be themselves, and write true music. Everyone is just trying to sound like the latest trend - whether it be the mainstream or the underground trend. Why would anyone care? There's nothing fresh in the scene. It's stale. But that's life. "Every living creature on earth dies alone..."

DTRASH: You plan to play live, how would something like this be attempted at a live show?

ARRA PHOER'OS : That's a secret, actually. I have a few very special surprises for my live shows. I'm really enjoying this whole solo-artist thing - I plan on pushing it to the max. I'd say, expect the unexpected - but then you'd expect me to hire a live band.

DTRASH: What is next for The PHOERON after the release of your CD? 

ARRA PHOER'OS : I suppose that depends on what happens with school. I have my next album planned out, its been driving me mad lately. I'm working on guitar, and saving up money for better equipment. I see myself experimenting with Black Metal. Over the years I've developed some serious anger issues, and I need to start venting properly. The end result probably won't sound like Black Metal - its not painful enough, its still too beautiful. It's a good place to start though.  When I finish ripping myself apart, you'll see a much darker side of the Phoeron.

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