Doomed Confessionary: Christian “Chrisu” Ulrich (Dark Nativity)
Thrown deep into a world of madness, Styria, Austria based doom rock outfit Dark Nativity has managed to create their own unique sound.
Beyond the worship of desperate heavy riffs, there is room left for harmonic patterns which are surely not your everyday standard radio experience.
With songs that will take you on a trip into your own personal vast nebula of existence, Dark Nativity awaits you at the gates of all venues you might be stumbling into.
Dark Nativity are Christian “Chrisu” Ulrich (guitar, vocals), Christian “Creepy” Pichler (bass) and Mathias “Hias” Renner (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Dark Nativity was formed in September 2013 by our bassist Creepy and me on guitar and vocals. After several changes of band personnel Hias joined us in June 2015 on drums, and since then our line-up has settled down.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
That’s a difficult one – like many other questions concerning us. But if I was to pick one answer, I’d name the removal from our previous rehearsal space to our current one. All our gear loaded up in two regular cars and one van and in the middle of the night. Our recent rehearsal location is far in the mountains, the street was in very bad condition and the weather was very foggy. That’s been quite challenging.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Most likely that we’ve managed to record and publish our first album at last.
What was your biggest regret?
To not have been recording much more music and not have been playing live more often.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
I’d say there were two best concerts: first, in August 2021 at a secret festival location in Upper Austria, because it was the most beautiful place for anything alternative that I’ve ever seen; then, in February 2023 at Club Wakuum in Graz – that night we were in high spirits and tight like never before.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
That I actually like music with keyboards – Mother Morgana, they are awesome.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’m listening a lot to High On Fire in the last time
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
I’m not a learned guitarist or singer on my behalf. But I’ve been shown several exercises concerning all kinds of scales and at times I indeed work on them. But I still have to master speed skills and a singing style that won’t ruin my vocal cords in time.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Playing my 12th fret to death
Can you say something more about the music scene in Graz / Styria?
We in Dark Nativity are very fortunate to be able playing/rehearsing 24/7 with full force. There should be more places for band practicing without being troubled by noise restriction laws all around in Styria.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We hit the road in August with our fellow doomers from Deumus for 2 concerts (August 16 in Košice, Slovakia – August 17 in Prague, Czechia) and on October 4 we play at Tenne Leoben for the release show of Senntus’s new EP »Herzlfresser«.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
I think everyone of us is already sick and tired of playing the same 4, 5 songs that we’ve been performing for over ten years. With that, I’d say one of our plans – if we got any – is to write material for a sophomore album or an EP at least. We’re already working on a few new ideas, that will push our music on the next level
How can people best support your band?
Show up to our gigs, buy our music and merch, and keep talking about our music if it really touches you somewhere inside.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you so much to every single person who’s been experiencing and even enjoying our style of rock music over the years. We shall strive hard to keep it that way.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well