One Man Metal: Xasthur

[@j.dhawkes5134]

A several years after he said he wants to make something different, he did it and is sticking to it. Now that's dedication to your word!

[@Bspider0824]

I guess he got fucked over on certain projects. i swear i said nothing disrespectful, but yeah just of it from his point of view. I told him when i get lot of money i want to get all his music

[@martyrmessiah3903]

@@Bspider0824 He's not online. He doesn't even own a cell phone, nor does he wants one.

[@Tha3rdworldghost]

@@martyrmessiah3903 hes on Facebook book so technically he is online

[@behindthen0thing]

@@Bspider0824 I'm trying really hard to understand what you're saying. Is English not your native language? Maybe Scott doesn't talk to you because you have a hard time communicating effectively.

[@richardmorales7266]

Still and always will black metal

[@evanzen9349]

17.12 Look at his precious smile , when he saw the cat.. Animals are the beauty of life..

[@snowbunny9034]

Yes...the small joys..His smile when his cat comes out is wonderful.

[@ostrich..]

i appreciated that part so much

[@adamdestro123]

​@@n0th4ckinqyou're one of the reasons why some people love animals more than humans.

[@theabysshasnogender855]

His music is just so beyond "dsbm" and "atmospheric black metal". Xasthur truly has its own black hole of sound. He took the root of black metal and went further into the void to a sound most can't recreate till this day.

[@macafromthewired]

@@Narragorth except less racist

[@CountMaceAttack]

@@hbc431 guess you haven’t heard of emit before huh…

[@altnap]

@@CountMaceAttack emit is a noise project mostly I like them but I wouldn’t really categorize them as music

[@CountMaceAttack]

@@altnap definitely but xasthur ain’t the darkest like that guy said up top. Emit has some of the most terrifying/ear piercing…. Darkest shit I’ve even heard

[@cummywummy2896]

@@CountMaceAttack I'd put Emit and Xasthur in the top 5 darkest black metal projects of all time. I don't agree with the other dude that Emit isn't black metal. Black metal can be noise or even electronic for that matter

[@machine-shopbilly6584]

"I can never remember how to play half the shit I write" never has there been a more relatable statement

[@GulletBuster]

Xasthur Is honestly on another level, when the human goes beyond his ego he looks at "life" differently, he is on a spiritual journey so he is speaking beyond mortality into deeper realm, he is speaking to the realm of the dead because he understands that world the best

[@Noluxarch]

I'm going through this right now, I relate, I've isolated myself from human contact as well.

[@andrespencroff3104]

01:14 no fucking effects, this guy it's incredible, King of DSBM by far

[@collt091]

Agreed

[@tankakern8169]

yeah i was convinced that his voice was full of effects

[@gageclark2390]

Not to mention it was so fucking loud… Usually Black Metal vocals are a much more quiet then say death metal vocals but man his vocals have so much power and volume to his screams…..

[@cablevamp3163]

Yeah it was good

[@Blackestblack666]

This is the most honest and heartfelt interview I've ever seen. I can feel the pain in his soul when he speaks, the sorrow, the torment. Scott, you are a dark inspiration to so many people....and your music is amazing. Don't ever stop.

[@snowbunny9034]

I am sad for him. He is so intelligent, but so isolated and depressed. High functioning Aspergers probably.

[@Stevensolp]

@@snowbunny9034 I mean, you don’t need any illnesses diseases or disabilities whether that be physical or mental to be an extremely depressed and tormented individual, life and it’s struggles are enough to make someone insane or at least feel and think as one who is insane.

[@cummywummy2896]

@@Stevensolp Life really does suck ass. Because of this some people live it like they'll die any moment or they already live dead. It either gets to you or it doesn't I guess

[@oskytel3780]

Sadly, he makes perfect sense to me.

[@SuperSunburn]

Yeah

[@BlackSnow2389]

Me too

[@raybagels]

real

[@billyalarie2841]

"you might wanna look into that" holy. fuck.

[@collt091]

I know dude,that was intense

[@evergreen3337]

I was like "whoa... he really said that"

[@idealfather3547]

This guy is not a poser.

[@satombff6010]

Timestamp pls

[@BEAKER6868]

this is a bonafied artist. someone who truly makes the music they want to, and don't appeal to the masses. I also love that he's open to trying any musical instrument.

[@yanggyan9729]

👍👍™

[@wintherr3527]

and btw, this whole "do it yourself" thing is what makes black metal a sui generis style within the metal world: anyone can express their feelings through black metal, and while not everyone has the talent of a Malefic or a Varg Vikerness, most of the times it sounds genuine, if anything.

[@kabirsingh9865]

He is literally a god when it comes to writing lyrics.. "Fragments of failure, some said it was art, for it only bears a meaning, when all life is torn apart". I mean seriously this is the most beautiful line ive ever heard.

[@darynbrooks1361]

This is the most real interview I've ever seen. I just didn't see it necessary to zoom in on his scared arms like 5 times. I should not bitch though. This is the best interview ever with a real person and musician. It's relatable. Everything about it.

[@wintherr3527]

this guy is the high priest of DSBM, so, if you like this style even a little, you owe him some respect. For me he looks exactly as I portrayed him in my mind: a social outcast, but not a desperate or attention seeking one, just a lonesome guy who feels existence as a pain in the neck (like the Abyssic Hate guy says). He does his thing and deserves credit for that, he' seems to be very honest about himself and about his worldview, I like that. It's hard for me not to identify, not only because I like his music, but mostly because I feel exactly like him most of the times, even though I'm "out in the world", I feel as detached from other people as I could possibly be, I avoid their company most of the times and I really have to force myself to stand their stupid conversation and idiotic demeanour. That is, I feel like an ALIEN. No big surprise that Xasthur's music, while essentially his thing, his expression, his creation, touches me intensely. Go on in your journey, Scott. Your music is unique and excellent. Thanks for sharing your talent with the rest of us miscasts.

[@killercour]

Scott doesn't give a shit about whether you like his music or not which brings me to the point of you don't have to respect this guy or anyone you don't know. you can like his music but that doesn't mean he deserves some sort of higher plain of respect because of it.

[@wintherr3527]

the power of words, the power of context and understanding, the power of correlation...he does “give a shit”, but not in a way he himself would mind to explain. and by the simple fact of liking his music, you automatically respect him...as an artist. Let’s try to understand things in context, folks, KZbin is no excuse for ignorance, otherwise someone might come and say Scott can’t be the high priest of DSBM because he belongs to no church...

[@ritualsounds-ni7rd]

are you the paysage d'hiver guy?

[@wintherr3527]

No, of course not. But I love Paysage d’Hiver and Darkspace, thence my nickname

[@tronjavolta1505]

I held Xasthur in utmost regard for this genre.. ..then i found Moon. (Austrailia) They arrived before Xasthur so i feel he took some of there style into his own.

[@James.99]

Finally, out of all people a normal person in this world actually exists holy shit! The world needs more people like Scott

[@5kamon]

I laughed to myself, that I kinda feel similar about him.

[@giulio4115]

I have great respect for this musician. Depressive black metal is one of my main genres. I’ve heard everything and many bands are ridiculous and fake. Xasthur and others like Trist feel that their music is real, pure suffering. A greeting from Italy.

[@jas31937]

I hung out with him ( few times) in that house way back in '94...he had one vision and is still working on it. An interesting person. The house has not changed much since back then.

[@ærgewinn]

What was he like back then ?

[@jas31937]

@@ærgewinn I don't think he has changed much. He was a quiet person who had a small group of friends. They were just out of high school and they were the "odd" guys back then. He went to the local shows like all of the black metal fanatics. He was still not one of the party types as you would expect from a guy who helped create a black metal sub genre called Suicidal Black Metal. He seemed frustrated with the goings on of "regular" society. I think he is exactly how he is now. He was like spectre. I only got drunk with him once and he expressed his loneliness which seemed to be his main problem. I wish he would go back to his original style though...I don't find his new folk music style very interesting.

[@cummywummy2896]

@@jas31937 I found the doomgrass style neat before he had a singer tbh. Nocturnal Poisoning days. It sounded good until that guy came along; it was like Xasthur but bluegrassy

[@jas31937]

@@cummywummy2896 I don't like the singer's style all that much either. His voice to me sounds more "grunge" than folk. It would be cool if Xasthur reformed as a Black Metal band and did some real tours with a stage show. That's what we need in the 2020's not really another bedroom folk strummer. Unless people like bedroom folk. I don't know.💀🎧

[@somaticspirituality]

@@jas31937 i don’t like their latest release very much at all but Subject to Change is an album i listen to a fair amount

[@darrenmetal3338]

Seen this doc a many times and everytime I get remembered what the definition is of Brutal self awareness and honesty when I listen to Scott Conner. Listen to his music and you know and feel he's been to "places"

[@Sergio-nb4hj]

His smile when kitty comes out and the puppy plushie on his bed MY HEART

[@chainsawteddybear]

Haha finally somebody mentions the puppy plushie !! Haha aw

[@tierankarb]

I can relate to alot of what Scott is saying.

[@CarmaCasto]

His smile when the cat comes in

[@booshting3520]

There was a long period where I felt the same way he does about "people".

[@bridgetking4553]

I respect this guy so much I love his music and his work in Sunn O))). I have major depressive disorder and Xasthur encapsulates the worst, ugliest symptoms neurotypical people refuse to acknowledge.

[@harl4227]

Get a life stop listening to this garbage

[@BadEconomyOfficial]

Neurotypical people are EVIL 👿! They love Rap and Pop and ASSUME everyone around them does.

[@ediddy_420]

I hate to make assumptions of this beautiful broken man but, when I saw when the interviewer told him about telepathic with the deceased. He is talking about his past. Someone must of sexually abused him because the way he gets up and gets his pack of smokes just reminds me of me. He wants to isolate himself, if he was, it happened to me too. I'll never forgive the man who did that to me, but I just discovered him a couple of days ago and it was amazing, I love hearing about him personally. I just quit my job it was to much and something I didnt want to do, and I just want to make music, and get rid of my pain the way he does. He is inspiring me to become a better musician. He hurts alot, I literally saw it in part 1 of this. I can just tell, I can read him but he thinks others cant but I see it. I'm not as old or "mature" as him but he is awesome, and it sucks he wants to be left alone. He is such an amazing musician.

[@absolutelydisgusted8665]

Fuck man, I can relate. I was sexually abused as a child and never told anyone. Everytime something related to it comes up I always try to distance myself because it's too painful to remember. Hope you're doing okay

[@SkarletOctaviaMUSIC]

I've been sexually abused too and I definitely feel like that's what he was having a flashback of

[@celasius]

Honestly I think it's something more a kin to dpdr, considering what he was describing.

[@lindboknifeandtool]

EMDR is the shit, google it

[@SplinteredX]

he has a girlfriend now, happy for him

[@im0uS]

Im really happy for him, Shannon and Scott

[@Bspider0824]

scott dates seriously?? Didn't see that coming …scott doesn't seem like the dating type wow

[@franzliszt4192]

BigBoy Black How so? I think he just has raw depression because aspegers do want to associate and can even be happy at times.

[@saraivatoledo1842]

Indeed , how many times have you realized that all you needed to "normalize" / stabilize was a good lay let alone a full on relationship ? Like a drug ( Cha La La La ) .

[@saraivatoledo1842]

@Joseph Knecht Indeed . Actually , " intelligence " can be extremely ambivalent as far as " existential depression " goes . These days I´m but a spectator to the following pattern , yet , it wasn´t uncommon in the past to over rationalize/ dissect human nature , emotions ... behavioural patterns etc . Once you realize only brutal honesty , knowledge , truth and Will will eventually heal you ... go for it ," how close are we ? " is the one whose presence and distance we can never predict . Bang on brethren .

[@jessewilson2621]

Just stumbled upon this . I started listening to Xasthur in probably 04. Even then there was something different about it. It wasn’t just black metal. It was truly dark, and real real real fuckin weird. But amazing. Watching his mannerisms and his reluctance to talk about many subjects, seeing the house he lives in, he’s most definitely on the spectrum, and has also been abused. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind. Could I be wrong? Of course. But I can see it. Truly a tortured artist. Brilliant.

[@MetalMF0508]

That last comment is truly chilling “maybe this is one of the people I’ve turned into and now this person is nobody”

[@myekuntz]

this guy really needs caring help from a kind heart , i hope you find the light you need my friend ,just to let you know , your not the only one

[@Purplecreature36000]

Pretty sure he's getting that in some form now I think he's married? It's either that or he just got into a relationship that visibly lifted his depression a bit

[@sniperslim]

I always felt that Scott was literally possessed in some way for the length of the DSBM Xasthur era. That last statement kind of backs it up for me

[@theabysshasnogender855]

I used to act just like this when I made dsbm about Junior year until a year out of highschool. I made a mask for the "image" that represented my demon laughing at my misery and I swore I was possessed as well

[@collt091]

Agreed

[@pedrusthewarrior]

the way he smiles when his cat arrives

[@SimonB.]

He's the definition of DSBM

[@yanggyan9729]

⭕👍⭕

[@behindthen0thing]

What's that

[@arvid7562]

xasthur isnt dsbm...

[@pencilshookchurchillknockh4934]

@@arvid7562 depressive suicidal black metal

[@kaisatyr]

In my opinion, Xasthur is more than that. I prefer to say "Ambient black metal" with a macabre and gloomy sense. His music sounds different comparing to the others dsbm bands. He is better, I would say.

[@xirrantos]

Only this kind of soul would make such beautiful music

[@URiiNE]

Would love to know Scott’s story on a deeper level. Fascinating person.

[@kleepo7733]

It's amazing what people think about black metal it's been so commercialized but some people don't even get the true essence of what it's all about? There's a lot going on here that most people wouldn't even recognize? The fact of in talking about how he wakes up from a sleep and then he writes for down songs. His arm is riddled with cuts. It's amazing how truthful he really is. Finally something honest.

[@TheMegadeth350]

He looks very sad

[@hpebackwards]

The first impression you get is bitter, conceited, cynicism, but then at times like 8:07 you see that he's also just a sensitive and timorous dude who's probably received a lot of hard blows.

[@saraivatoledo1842]

Nice not being alone in this cruel world ... validation , yeah ... cheers !

[@saraivatoledo1842]

@The Plague I know , I like it a LOT ... some of that stuff even sounds ´personal` or some emo expression along those lines ...

[@TheVoltConjurer]

scott conner smiling at his cat enlightened me

[@diabolikalm]

Xasthur’s music is incredible! It’s chaotic poetry 👌 and everything blends so perfectly

[@TristWallace]

someone get this man some Zoloft and a hug

[@lindboknifeandtool]

Cmon dog Zoloft makes my brain loop and my dick not work

[@dannycheesums]

Experiencing isolation during covid lockdowns has made me appreciate this music in a new way

[@SummoningSnakez]

The way his spirit lifted when the cat walks in the room. Thats EXACTLY how i feel everyday when i come home to mine. I don't like people either but i didn't know it was turning into a fashion.

[@lindboknifeandtool]

What makes you say it’s turning into a fashion?😂 it’s objectively anti human. I’ve argued with people endlessly about how I don’t need human interaction. People can’t wrap their minds around it

[@bradleestone5344]

I CAN NOT believe he's not financialy independent. Wish I could help him financially somehow , besides just listening and liking his music.

[@bradleestone5344]

@@tomjegs___ ; Dark Art for Dying World

[@Rumfahrverbot]

very moderate and reflected person. I like him and his music.

[@BSousa-tb7ks]

XASTHUR is a Piece of art

[@k33pstrumming39]

Also alot of people are saying that he had his own genre it's so true he has his own genre he's not Dsbm or anything . His music is totally different His music is from another dimension

[@raf7837]

Scott Conner is so simple, you can see that he is lonely, it seems like he just needs someone by his side, I love him 😢😢

[@warrenw42]

This music has a purity of emotion that cuts through the chaff of my mind. It's visceral and real and sadness never had more beauty. In the beauty of sadness, there is hope.

[@gentlecamel6745]

I am totally identified when he says..."I find most of the time humans to be really arrogant with nothing to be arrogant about..." This is happening all the time... people like Scott should be proud of the work he has done but instead , he is a true and humble person... However there are tons of douchebags out there that are stupid morons that doesn´t know even wiping their asses...!

[@sSanctum]

loved this, I just wish he did more interviews like this but I understand why he dosent.

[@MrHanswurst47]

Awesome insight! Need to buy all of his music instantly. His grin towards the cat was so pure..

[@IsoleerBeer666]

I can relate so much to Scott, he's one of my biggest influences in music.

[@d_walsh]

I like his black metal noise releases. They are scary at night in the dark. I think of him performing those screams and can the neighbors hear him.

[@ryankyungsoocho4291]

4:43 aww that puppy doll XD

[@ryanlaustsen4415]

Finally someone who sees the world the same way I do people are arrogant and likes close to absolutely quietness

[@frankster666metal]

The fact that Romb Zombie is doing the interview is pretty cool.

[@jakubzdzienicki4836]

He looks more like Charles Manson tbh

[@semiserioussam]

Looks like him but isn't. Rob is waaaay skinnier and couldn't give two shits about BM.

[@juanvazquez5836]

Lmao. "Rob Zombie came to LA to discuss about depressive black metal with Xasthur composer". Wouldn't that be nice?

[@zombieshredde5973]

Charles Manson is back from the dead

[@collt091]

I wonder what happened during the telepathic with the deceased recordings

[@shotamurderface1110]

7:29 Xasthur - Moon Shrouded in Misery

[@iconofsin1043]

Thanks so much bro, been looking for this track name for like 30mins

[@snesable]

one of the best interviews ever

[@Timothy2706]

Saw him on stage on the Sunn/Earth tour. It was amazing.

[@molonlabe11]

I'm gonna write a song about the feelings that I experienced when I first listened to Xasthur 10 years ago and I had no idea it was a one-man project. The sound and the music touched something deep within me when I was in my early 20s.

[@somaticspirituality]

didn’t notice this before though ive listened to it so many times but there’s something very fierce, intense and disturbed underlying his expression that i can see at 17:30 and so he seems pretty depressed in this video but i feel like i get more how and why he produces this music

[@spacealienjesus709]

I feel just like him.. I have a love / hate relationship with music.. It does not give enough back and I will figure out how to play anything.

[@oobjg]

I am so grateful that I can see him play in person tonight ~

[@angelazazel1501]

_I love malefic. His nickname is malefic. The first song I listened from xasthur was the prison of mirrors._ 🖤🖤🖤

[@chainsawteddybear]

Ok ???

[@fredo3816]

the eyes say it all. Truly beautiful minds and to relatable

[@gulinotm]

Dude you wouldnt need to hire session people, im sure theres tons of people who would volunteer. Ok cameraman, we get it, hes cut his arms before. give it a rest already.

[@simonh9987]

yeah well the difference is that you weren't around in the late 90s as a session musician

[@gulinotm]

@@simonh9987 I dont see what your point is

[@Bspider0824]

I went and bought 3 albums of his xasthur wise. I buy some more but I'm few thousand in debt

[@SardonischerDean]

This shocked me tbh. I love depressive black metal, and always knew Malefic/Xasthur but always imagined him to be like Pete Steele...but he actually seems interesting, and has made me interested in Xasthur hmm.

[@exp_h]

bro I listen you in Kazakhstan! top dude

[@ellawelitschewska4756]

Жиза

[@Sergio-nb4hj]

That's so cool, my family is from Kazakhstan

[@LK-wn2bt]

Doomed by howling winds was the first dsbm song I listened to I fell in love with it right away

[@DYSPATHY...]

This hits way harder after starting my own project 🖤

[@ddrmmbrs]

No one knows the amount of times I've watched this

[@dasinhaberlicht3998]

14:55 “this album is dedicated to no one” 😂😂😂

[@evanobrien8662]

This is like if Rust Cohle from True Detective made music.

[@sauce.unlocked]

Lmao

[@opydr]

Haha true.

[@floristheavens]

I don’t sleep, I just dream

[@gcsontvari]

I sit at home, watching this and the entire docu, and I am everybody.

[@panasony23]

In my opinion as interesting as Scott is I preferred Jeff Whiteheads story more. I also prefer Leviathan over xasthur. But I find Scott intriguing none the less

[@BA-qw2dj]

I’ve always found xasthur to be simultaneously dark ambient and black metal, his music is very real and honest and honestly that’s inspired me in many ways. I tried to take my own life for a second time listening to prisoner of mirrors around this time last year, it was a projection of my mind to me, I’ve spent a year trying to use that song and album as a form of therapy, it helps. To anyone who has gone through or is going through the same I wish you the best

[@MrDamburger]

well said, you're not alone. Hence i watch this documentary quite alot recently, getting ready to move from my shit city and rebuild my life, it'll be even more lonely but at least i have music like xasthur to release tension..

[@SammyxSweetheart.02]

(Sat, Aug 17, 2024) Unemployed8:34 9:06 Doesnt have long hair, 50 years old w BM shirt 13:04 13:57 Xasthur- Telepathic w the deceased 14:23

[@prisonoffleshh]

Good to know that bedhed was a big fan of xasthur, never knew where the sample on negative flowers came from

[@vadymd6510]

One of the best DSBM bands ever

[@IXTABOFFICIAL]

7:20 that’s everybody dies alone by desolate tapes sample

[@bobsucks9647]

I can’t believe that voice comes out of a human. I always assumed it was covered in effects but it’s totally legit. Mind blowing

[@andrewcorbett5729]

Im a one man art photography poetry project. I do it for the love of creating. Im not musical at all and this inspires me to remain myself and keep going

[@ek6648]

That Leviathan song is so powerful! I totally love it

[@URLDEATH__]

whats the song called i forgot the name

[@altnap]

It’s surprising vice made an actually good bm documentary seeing as they’re the people behind lords of chaos

[@SigismundSonOfDorn]

As ive gotten a bit older(21 now, so not too old, quite young) i realize more and more that i can relate to him in a few ways. I remember when i was a bit younger i strayed away from bm and especially nsbm but as ive aged and seen more of life I've kinda takenna few steps back. Looking at the world as a small part of a grander whole. I kinda have always been that way, i learned at an extremely young age that the world is full of ... less than desirable people and happenings. Its onenof the reasons i started to enjoy bm and nsbm etc. I got older, learned more about myself and realized that kind of music spoke to me haha. Dissection was my gateway band and i just kinda went from there haha

[@behindthen0thing]

You will want to avoid being like him though unless you want to lead a miserable life

[@cian9461]

He sounds so much like Dwight from the Office when he speaks

[@cablevamp3163]

Idk I just love this guy Just so real and his music is unbelievable

[@Paolur]

Maybe this is one of the people I've turned into and this person now is nobody Idk why but that really resonated with me

[@the_prince_of_thy_black_light]

12:38 hurts seeing his arm man but i wish him sm luck, hail xasther

[@the_prince_of_thy_black_light]

Xasthur*

[@ronjeremy6663]

Goddamn. I feel Scott's pain. #irelate

[@grapplingbuddy2418]

14:50, I can relate 1000% to his reaction.

[@christopherrobin361]

Same here, same here.

[@hitto8863]

I got this reaction remebering to some shit happened to me,even whit my psyachrist i just cant..

[@alexandrosgrigoris632]

He is so sad maybe he has autism or some other serious mental illness... but his work is really extraordinary!

[@harl4227]

No black metal destroyed his mind like yours

[@nicolas3947]

He is a higher intellectual individual with depression

[@joaomarreiros4906]

The only thing I can say on a personnal note is that the damned abyss does stare back at you.

[@elionaidgranados1005]

Man Xasthur is from my state im from Los angeles La Hambra is like 30 minutes Hails Xasthur!!!!!!

[@grantjamieson4291]

You have a big family Scott! You are a huge talent and inspiration! Not being milksop!

[@eishawave3934]

Well.. how could anyone live in LA and not get depressed ? It's the epicenter of American capitalism. Also, it's sunny ALL the time. That would do anyone in after a while.

[@primaryendo]

Why is it the epicenter of american capitalism? honest question

[@eishawave3934]

@@primaryendo That was probably a mis-statement

[@CursedFortune]

this guy is brutally honest but dark as fuck

[@HateDisease]

LOL!!!

[@cristalchavez4098]

I love the interviewers face when scott said the listen to should looking into sue is side

[@aresledieu]

I would give anything to forget what Xasthur is ... and rediscover it for the first time !

[@christopherrobin7776]

Me, too. Just outstanding dark art.

[@jaysanchez3228]

This is my first or second favorite black metal artist