Doomed Confessionary: Mihailo & Vladimir (Habitus)
Photo by Katarina Marković
Habitus started at the end of 2018 as a solo project of Mihailo Matović from Čačak, Serbia, when instrumental songs started pouring out of him, in perhaps the easiest to describe, post-metal style.
At the beginning of 2019, the first single was released, but the project experienced its greatest creativity in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Isolation, curfew and loneliness shaped the »Marhor« EP, which was released a few months later.
After 4 years, moving to Slovenia and a bit of getting used to the new climate, the second album is here. This time, a stronger and more determined album, reinforced by Vladimir Rašić (from Mark My Words), on bass and behind the production. Habitus second album »Astrayed« just dropped on June 29th, 2024, available now on all major streaming platforms!
Can you say a few words about your band?
Mihailo: Habitus lived somewhere in my head for a long time, but it came to the fore during the covid pandemic. The excess of free time allowed other ears to hear Habitus!
Isolation had a great influence on inspiration and revealed to me a new mold for riffs and melodies from which new songs continue to emerge.
The first EP was created in a couple of days of constant playing during curfew, and it was clear to me that it was something that needed to be recorded and that I needed to continue working on. It was natural, without forcing, which remains the main thing for Habitus.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Mihailo: Making music is not so much a challenge for me as the motivation to make music. After the first EP, I started putting together a crew for a band with the desire to have Habitus perform live. Rehearsals took place for 3-4 months and everything sounded great, but unfortunately uncontrolled situations and moving to different countries put a break on the band. And on me… Even though I continued to make music for Habitus and other things, the motivation wasn’t enough to do something with it.
I think I just woke up one day with the firm decision that Habitus should not be followed by a full stop, but by an exclamation mark, and that encouraged me to continue working, if not with the band, then on my own.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Mihailo: I’m quite proud of the 7 minute 3D animated video I made for the song “Turnpike” from the second album »Astrayed«. It took me 10 months to finish the video in Blender, and the main thing for me is that now I can watch it, without judging my work. (We’ll see in a couple of years 🙂
On the other hand, I’m very proud when I see support from strangers on the internet, whether in the form of comments, shared songs, interviews, reviews, or in some cases, album purchases. That support means a lot and inspires hope and confidence.
What was your biggest regret?
Mihailo: The biggest regret is the fact that it took me more than 3 years to realize that I should record something new.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Mihailo: Well, since there were no concerts yet, I guess the rehearsals with friends were the best performances.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Mihailo: In general, I was surprised by the number of audiences at the instrumental concerts. I’m not used to people listening to so many bands without vocals and catchy choruses. So I will use the opportunity to mention a couple of instrumental bands from Serbia that you should hear!
Instrumental post-metal bend – Lednik
Progressive-post rock instrumental trio – Frakhtal
New wave of Serbian heavy metal – Neon Puma
Doom duo on bass and drums – Hill
Punk / krautrock / synth / spacerock – Roza
Surf punk – Threesome
And so on…
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Vladimir: Currently i listen to the most diverse music possible – from grindcore, deathcore, to hardcore and metalcore, down to some of the weirdest genres possible, like neo pagan music and georgian (sakartvelo) reggae. I really try to be as diverse as i can, since i realized the awful truth – the more different genres you are into, the better it is for your creativity and understanding of music in general.
Mihailo: A lot of Isis, Melvins, Hank III, Baroness, some recent discoveries like Daevar, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, and always, always Consecration from Serbia.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Mihailo: That you should do and play what pleases you and what comes naturally to you. Not to stick to the safe, proven, mold and mainstream, but to explore and enjoy. Although music can be work, it should not be experienced that way.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Mihailo: Oh my… Paul Engemann’s »Push It To The Limit«. It’s always a blast when that song comes on.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Čačak / Serbia?
Vladimir: The music scene in my city doesn’t exist at the moment. There are no bands, no gigs, no anything. Most of the musicians that are currently active, play in the bands from other cities. That really sucks, but i kinda get the feeling it comes around every 7 or 8 years. First we have some bands, some gigs, the scene looks to be thriving for a couple of years, and then it all disappears in a moment. I’m guessing, a couple of years from now, things may turn around for the better, but this is the lowest point the local scene has been to as long as i can remember.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Mihailo: This year, Habitus will only be available online, but the desire for the band is there, so in the future…we’ll see 😉
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Mihailo: The plan is for Habitus to continue working, to form a band and to give the music a new dimension with the help of other creative members. Also gigs, festivals, tours and much more music.
How can people best support your band?
Mihailo: The biggest support is to listen to Habitus on YouTube, Bandcamp, Spotify and other platforms and to share. There is also an option to purchase digital editions on the Bandcamp page of Habitus.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
For all my rare Pokemons out there… Thank you! There will be more of Habitus!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well