Zeke Gase is an interesting character – filmmaker, ex-frontman of a black metal band, originally from Baku, Azerbaijan and now living in Brooklyn. He just issued the debut EP of his new project ADORN 16 and I have to say that I’m digging it a lot – the Russian lyrics, inspired by Dostoyevski complement the movie samples and dark gloomy rhythm, noise, technical guitars and growls. Both songs include guest vocals by Tair “temniygospod” Mamedov in “Alyosha” and Maks Kochetov in “Raskolnikov”.
Here is what Zeke told us about the album, dream shows, and the exotic Azeri black metal scene!
picture: Facebook
What made you start Adorn 16 and why a solo project not a band?
I used to have a band back in Azerbaijan, but after I immigrated to the US, I got busy with other things. Plus New York is a tough place; it gets to you and there isn’t much time for anything. Eventually the itch to play got so bad, I just had to start making music again.
It takes a lot more patience and time to have a band, I don’t have either. I prefer to work on my own and rely only on myself.
How did moving to Brooklyn changed your work as an artist VS making music and Azerbaijan?
Well, Brooklyn is a truly unique place. It digests everything and makes it into art; Brooklyn opens your mind; it forces you to interact with people of all cultures, etc.; it forces one to interact with people of all cultures, etc. In Azerbaijan, I did not get to experience that, so my music then was very stale, I believe it is a lot more colorful now.
Tell us a little bit about the Azeri metal scene, that sounds exotic as hell!
Azeri metal scene is exciting indeed! It still feels fresh, so the bands playing metal are part of a history. There is always a lot of drama between the bands just like one would expect from tempered rockers. Keep and eye on this subject, I am working on a short documentary about Azeri metal scene.
What are your lyrics about and why did you choose to sing in Russian?
One of the main decisions I made for Adorn 16 is not to limit myself. “Besy” EP felt right to be sung in Russian since it’s based on Dostoevsky’s work. Other songs I’m working on are going to be in English. In the future, maybe I’ll try Azeri as well.
What’s your dream show line-up and the next show you plan to attend?
Dream show? Mmm…
Die Antwoord, Rammstein, and headline with The Prodigy, but I want Keith back. I’ve seen the first too already, but not together, that would be awesome. Never seen The Prodigy though.
Next show I have tickets for is for Cher’s show at MGS, it was my birthday gift for my mother. But, I might attend a few other ones in the Fall. Maybe I’ll go see Obituary or Nile.
Follow Adorn16 on Bandcamp.
