Interview: The Magus
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Interview by Jeger
As the Mediterranean Sun sets o’er the land of Hellas, bringing forth the sacred Grecian night, the promise of magick, the will to romance and the pathway towards Daemons are beheld by those whose lives have been dedicated to the beauty of the Dark Arts and to the mystification of great Occult works. The Magus is one of these rare individuals. He played a key role in the development of the early Greek Black Metal scene; having contributed to Necromantia, Rotting Christ and Thou Art Lord’s discographies. He has fairly recently set out on his latest creative venture, his band, The Magus. Music for the one who strives, who dares and for the one who lusts – true Greek Black Metal of the Occult-driven kind. “Daemonosophia”! The acquisition of wisdom through the study of Daemons and the understanding of their implications on the spirit.
A new year, a new album, a new interview. During my first interview of 2026, The Magus discusses the music, the mystique and the magick behind what makes an extraordinary individual like himself tick. Let the ritual commence!
This Is Black Metal: Hails Magus! And welcome to This is Black Metal. New year! Brand new possibilities, adventures to explore and take part in. One of which is your new album and we’ll get to that shortly. First, I’d like to get some background reflection. You played a key role in the formation of the early Greek Black Metal scene, having played for Rotting Christ, Necromantia and Thou Art Lord, but I’m curious as to your Occult beginnings.
When did you first begin your Occult journey and how would you say it has shaped your art?
The Magus: My occult journey started more than 30 years ago. I was always opposed to the figure of an authoritarian god since I was 5 years old. Yes, 5. I started getting in touch with the metaphysical through horror literature around the age of 12. The Daemonic side felt more attractive to me and entities from other worlds were viewed with awe by my young self. I had already rejected the Xtian idea of the afterlife: sin, punishment and all that stuff.
When I got in touch with the early Black Metal bands around 1985 – ‘86, I decided to search beyond the lyrics, beyond the fictional characters of a book, beyond fantasy. To experience for myself if there is a shred of truth or reality in all these. And my occult journey began… I felt in my being that the Left Hand Path – often hidden or deemed “evil” – had more secrets to unveil and it was closer to a “truth”. I went through the whole world of Western Occultism from Agrippa to Dee, from Blavatsky to the Yezidis, from Kabbalah to Gnosticism, from Necromancy to Divination, Pagan traditions, from Crowely to Lavey, etc., etc.
I am still on a quest, but after all these years, I have a clearer picture of how the metaphysical world affects the physical – the afterlife, mankind’s origins and more. As I often say in the physical world, I am an Atheist/Agnostic but in the metaphysical I am Luciferian/Draconian. Magic happens when these two words collide…
TIBM: When you look back at the early days, what would you say that you are most proud of?
The Magus: That we had the guts to form a non-conventional Black Metal band like NECROMANTIA with no guitars! That we followed our own creative path until the end.
TIBM: I feel like the Greek scene is one of the very few schools of BM to have maintained its mystique over the years. Why do you think that is?
The Magus: I do think that the Greek bands were always more towards the mystic and the Occult. More atmospheric than in your face, more melody and less aggression. I do not know why… Maybe we have a more subterranean tendency due to the heat… I do not know… But our pagan roots are kind of in our blood, because we get accustomed to them from a very tender age, even before our exposure to Xtianity.
The Magus
TIBM: The Magus has a new album coming out in February via The Circle Music – “Daemonosophia”, once again with Maelstrom (drums) and El (guitars). George Emmanuel (Lucifer’s Child) also contributes keyboards.
Would you say that the new album is an organic continuation of the previous one, or did you take on some different, all-new songwriting/recording challenges?
The Magus: Yes and no. It is a continuation lyrically and spiritually, mostly. The same dark aura that has surrounded my music since the beginning is there. The new album is definitely more aggressive and a bit more focused/compact. Although each song can stand alone, they all feel more belonging to the same. We have been working on it for one and a half years: from the first ideas to the demos, to recordings, to mixing and mastering.
We have even thrown out 3 – 4 songs, because they were not up to the standard. And this is the first time I’ve done this. Riffs and melodies are thrown to waste all the time, but whole songs? First time. I will sound cliché, but the album is one step ahead of the previous one.
TIBM: It appears that the study of Daemons is the focal point of the new album? How would you describe the new material as far as conceptualization?
The Magus: Yes. From the cover, you can easily see this. It is based on Byzantine triptychs where divine entities are portrayed. Ours are Daemonic ones. Each entity is of dual nature: to the left, bearing a book and a chalice is Tiamat/Leviathan, representing wisdom. To the right, holding a sword and a branch is Satan/Belial, representing action and in the center, holding a key is Lucifer/Samael, representing Will.
To achieve anything in both worlds (physical and metaphysical), you need Will to motivate you, Wisdom to guide you and Action to finally do it.
TIBM: Daemonosophia refers to the study of Daemons. I was discussing with Jim Mutilator (ex-Rotting Christ, Yoth Iria) his experience with Daemons, particularly with Yoth Iria – the Daemon of the New Millennium who serves as a protector.
What’s been your experience with Daemons and has your experience with them proven to be vital to the creation of your music?
The Magus: Yoth Iria is Jim’s entity. I work with entities/deities/beings/non-beings who are rooted in the collective subconsciousness, and they are there for a reason. Daemonosophia is achieving wisdom and transforming/evolving through the Infernal; through the Daemonic. A pathway to the Serpent self, to the Draconian core. I feel that the Daemonic element, or spirits, or whatever you may call them, are closer to the human psyche than anything else. I feel comfortable with it and this is why I work with it, towards it.
TIBM: The final track of the new record, “La Llorona Negra”, is a take on an old ghost story.
Can you describe the story behind the song?
The Magus: “La Llorona” is a traditional Mexican song performed by many artists, with the performance of Diamanda Galas being the greatest of all. At least for me. I always wanted to cover it my own way. This is why I chose “La Llorona Negra” – The Black Llorona. I took the Llorona folk tale and transformed it with a direct reference to Lilith.
TIBM: It’s been quite the storied career for yourself and as an Artist myself, I understand that inspiration can be a fickle bitch. What is it that keeps you inspired/motivated after so long?
The Magus: Yes, it can be a fucking bitch, I agree, but without it, I cannot make anything. It is a flame within that is burning secretly within you. I do not know what it is that keeps mine still lit. I still want to create music and make new things. When this dies, I will stop.
The Magus
TIBM: Do you have a message for the Hordes?
The Magus: Do not listen to anyone. Not even me. Experience things firsthand and find your own unique path. Make Lucifer proud! Do not be a false prophet. Become a creator of worlds.
A special thank you to The Magus.