Nemuer is a dark pagan music project that brings ancient stories back to life. In order to keep the atmosphere utterly immersive, they use solely authentic dead languages or lyricless primordial chanting.
Would you like to tell us about the band and what kind of music you play.
Hello and greetings from Prague. Nemuer is not really a band but my own project that has grown over the years and evolved. I eventually invited other people to take part in it. In a nutshell we do reconstructions of actual rituals and pay homage to various ancient cultures in our albums (ancient Egyptian, old Norse, Babylonian and more). We consult our work with historians and linguists to give our listeners a touch of the history..
Where did you all meet & how did it start with “Nemuer”?
Katka was at the beginning of the project and was originally a guest on the first album (Irenthoth’s Dream), but we started touring soon after that as a duo. Over the years the other members joined for our live rituals.
How many are you in it?
As for the live ritual part – we’re currently 4: Katka, Masha, Lukas, and I.
Where does you all come from??
We’re all from the Czech Republic, except for Katka, who’s from Slovakia.
“Nemuer” what does that mean, and does it have a special meaning for you?
Nemuer, also known as Meruer or Mnevis, is an ancient Egyptian deity, mediator between the gods and people, which is what to me music is about.
How long time have you played together as a band?
As a duo we played from 2014 to 2019, when Alex and Martin joined us. Then at the beginning of 2023 Masha joined us and by the end of the year Alex and Martin left. In 2024 Lukas joined and that is Our current lineup.
What music inspired you?
Most significantly Dead Can Dance, though I wouldn’t say inspired but influenced. Both Katka and I listened to it a lot before Nemuer started.
Have any of you played anything else or plays in other bands?
Yes, I’ve played in a couple of bands ranging from classical music and jazz to melodic death metal. Masha’s playing in a folk band Dirty Mermaids. Lukas in various bands and with orchestras as well. Katka’s always been focused on Nemuer only…
What instruments do you play on in the band?
I play tagelharpa, African harp, Egyptian Ney flute, electric guitar, and recently Tutankhamun’s trumpet. Also, all kinds of vocals including throat singing and overtones.
Katka plays hammered dulcimer, sistrum and does harsh vocals.
Masha plays electric guitar, shamanic drums and does support clean vocals.
Lukas is specialized on percussion 100%.
How many festivals do Nemuer play on every year?
It really depends. While we’ve played around big parts of Europe, we’re also rather picky and want each of our live rituals to be unique.
Have you as a band done any collabs with others?
Yes, we appeared on songs with Osi and the Jupiter, Svetlana Bakhushina, Castlefest Collective, and Pablo Sorribes Bernhard. And we had a special guest on our latest album – Kjell Braaten.
Would you do any collabs.?
And we’re working on new ones but cannot really unveil with whom yet.
Where do you typically get your inspiration to compose/ produce music?
Usually either out in the nature or in ancient pagan texts. It always comes from the unconscious mind, I just need to listen and capture the ancient voices within me
Is there only one that writes your lyrics in the band?
Yes, I’m the sole creator in Nemuer, but Katka sometimes appears on the album doing vocals and some musical instruments like hammered dulcimer..
Are you a believer of the old ways or finding the history interesting?
I consider myself eclectic pagan and I am indeed fascinated with our history. That said I’m very grateful for living in the modern times for so many reasons including the level of humanity, healthcare, awareness and knowledge.
However, I also think we have much to learn from our past connection with nature’s spirit and ourselves. Modern people tend to miss it more and more
I like the journeys that you take us on in your music, what will the next journey be?
Sorry, but I cannot unveil that just yet. You’ll have to wait and get surprised
Any new releases of tracks or albums soon?
We’re very much busy working on the ancient Egyptian short film but we’re also working on a cool collab track, which we hope will be ready by the end of 2025.
In you free time do you have other interests as sport or crafting maybe?
I have many interests but not enough time to pursue one properly. I try multiple martial arts but lately just work out to be somewhat fit and compensate for lots of static work I do. I also like reading dark fantasy novels.
Where can we see you live next year or maybe before?
We’re planning to perform in the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Belgium, and possibly in the Netherlands and Germany. There are other countries being booked but nothing confirmed as of yet. I suggest you join our website’s newsletter to get notified.
I would like to thank you for answering my questions about your music, and glad we could do this written interview, and I am sure many are interested in getting to know you better….
Thank you for having me, Dorthe! It was a pleasure.
Be well and I hope to see you at our live ritual soon!!
You are most welcome, Michael.
Links:
https://www.nemuer.com/
https://nemuer.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nemuer.music/
https://www.facebook.com/nemuer/
https://open.spotify.com/search/nemuer
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nemuer/939253854
