The multi-disciplinary artist reflects on fifteen years since the experimental metal trio's landmark album, exploring the crystalline intersection of visual art, religious studies, and the search for compelling sounds in heavy music's conservative landscape.
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The Spotlight shines On Terence Hannum.
Terence wears many hats. He is a visual artist, professor, and one-third of the experimental trio Locrian. It's the 15th anniversary reissue of Locrian's The Crystal World that brings us together today. This album marked a turning point for the band, transforming them from a duo into a full trio and giving structure to their sprawling sonic explorations.
The record takes its name and inspiration from J.G. Ballard's 1966 novel, which is about a jungle consumed by crystalline forces. Terence and his bandmates created their version of that suspended, transformative world through layers of drone, metal, and ambient sound.
Terence's here to discuss this landmark release and share how his background in religious studies and visual art continues to shape his approach to making music.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Locrian’s album The Crystal World)
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[00:01:34] How visual art and music inform each other
[00:03:08] The bifurcation of artistic practices
[00:05:19] Collaborative vs. solitary creative processes
[00:06:45] Apocalyptic imagery and religious studies background
[00:09:35] Studying non Judeo-Christian traditions
[00:11:24] Alternative religious histories and speculative fiction
[00:15:21] The experimental side of heavy music
[00:22:36] Conservative nature of metal vs. experimental approaches
[00:26:53] What makes music "interesting"
[00:30:16] High-volume artists like John Zorn and Richard Ramirez
[00:32:10] Adding Steven Hess as drummer to Locrian
[00:35:19] Recording and production processes for The Crystal World
[00:39:05] The influence of J.G. Ballard's novel
[00:42:00] Justin Bartlett's iconic cover artwork
[00:45:35] Revisiting The Crystal World with new mastering
[00:47:25] The Brutalism project and split release with Toru
[00:51:25] The future of touring and creative priorities
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Check out Terence Hannum's visual art at https://terencehannum.com/home.html
and his solo music on Bandcamp → https://terencehannum.bandcamp.com
Purchase Locrian’s The Crystal World from Utech Records → https://www.utechrecords.com/product/locrian-the-crystal-world-15th-anniversary-remaster-lp
Bandcamp → https://locrian.bandcamp.com/album/the-crystal-world-15th-anniversary-remaster
or Qobuz → https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/the-crystal-world-deluxe-edition-locrian/hq15sz8poc9za
and listen on your [streaming platform of choice → https://album.link/i/1819015412
Follow Locrian on Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/locrianofficial.bsky.social
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/locrianofficial
and Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/locrianofficial
For extensive show notes, links, and podcast information, go to https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com
Be sure to check out The Tonearm, our new magazine site featuring fascinating perspectives and conversations with creative people → https://www.thetonearm.com
The Tonearm on Mastodon → https://social.lol/@thetonearm
The Tonearm on Bluesky → https://bsky.app/profile/thetonearm.com
The Tonearm on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tonearm
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