When listening to Endgame 69, the new record from Vienna’s The Devil and The Universe (out now on Aufnahme + Wiedergabe), one can’t help but be fascinated by the layers which unravel as you move through the album. Inspired by the year 1969, the project aims to take us back to that highly volatile and controversial year, while channeling the similarities with 2019. You will find influences from psychedelia, Eastern music and the group’s signature delivery of occult and ritual hymns. We’ve been big fans of the project for a while now and always admire how they change their sounds, concepts and more all while keeping it within The Devil and The Universe.

Ahead of their live show in Berlin on October 13th, we spoke with Ashley Dayour about the album’s namesake year, Satanic themes in pop culture and what to expect from the goats’ live show. (see below)

The Brvtalist: ENDGAME 69 is about bringing us back to 1969. You talk about the “Satanic Panic” and other aspects of the time. Why do you think that year resonates so much in 2019?

TDATU: Well first there is the 50th anniversary of this fascinating year. It was, without doubt, a very important one in so many ways. Also, the term “Satanic Panic” first emerged back in the year 1969. Most probably as a reaction to the radical social changes and crisis happening at the time. The occult worked its way into mainstream pop and social culture with the Manson Family Murders and the “Church of Satan” grabbing headlines. It was also a year of great unrest and mankind was literally standing at the crossroads. It doesn’t take a lot to do the math and see the similarities today. A bit farfetched one might think? Well, think again.

TB: The band is known for traversing continents to capture specific sounds. What locations inspired you for this record and why?

TDATU: This time it wasn’t really locations as such but the whole feeling of that particular time. It took some time until we found what it takes to make the album sound like 1969 without going full nostalgia or sounding retro, because that wasn’t the idea at all. There was a certain fascination going on with all things near and far east back then, so we began to experiment with these eastern sounding musical vibes and instruments. Actually there are a lot of eastern instruments on the album. Tambur, Darabuka, Tablas, and Santurs etc… We always had that psychedelic extra in our music, we just embraced it fully this time. And honestly, I think it does the trick just perfect. It seems to me we created a sound that is definitely 1969 but also very much 2019.

TB: Satanic themes have certainly become more visible in the public sector in terms of TV, movies and fashion trends. Do you think this is a good thing?

TDATU: There you have it! Also, a similarity with the late 60’s when all these things first emerged in Pop-Culture around the world. I neither see it as a good or a bad thing. Nowadays these themes are more excepted. But we never were and never will be a missionary group. We are mere observers, not prophets or priests. Even though we do teach lessons from time to time, just not the ones one would expect from us.

TB: What can we expect from the goats from the upcoming live shows? How would you say your live has changed over the past couple years?

TDATU: Every time we do a new show, we update our live presentation with new back projections which fit to the themes of the new album, so the show is different every time we present a new album or enter a new phase so to speak. We are always changing and evolving. I think not many people would have expected us doing an album inspired and about 1969. Or back then when we did an album about the Virgin Mary when everybody thought they figured us out and labeled us as this kind really obvious sort of Satanic Group. We are many things but so far, we have never been obvious. I need to keep it interesting, especially for myself though. So, who knows what the future brings? An album about the journey of Penguins? About the dark side of Winney the Pooh? Is there such a thing? Or will we go full free jazz with the next one, not that we could, but we would find a way to do it. And as long as we do we will continue…

TB: What’s coming up next for the band and any closing thoughts?

TADATU: We are having lots of shows planed way into 2020. Especially in Scandinavia. But also, all over Europe. In a few weeks there are shows in England and Scotland, which I very much look forward to. Here are the next dates and there is plenty more to be confirmed soon:

13.10.2019 Berlin, Urban Spree DE

08.11.2019 Hall, Park In AT

21.11.2019 London, Black Heart, UK

23.11.2019 Glasgow, Ivory Blacks, UK

30.11.2019 Downhill Festival, Heerlen, NL

14.12.2019 Bimfest, St. Niklaas, BEL

11.01.2020 Brno, CZE

31.01.2020 Viper Room, Vienna,AT

01.02.2020 Feierwerk, Munich, DE

Just check https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilAndTheUniverse/

www.thedevilandtheuniverse.com for updates

And of course, there is already talk and ideas about the next album and some other stuff but it is still a very long way. So, I can’t say anything more because nothing is true, everything is permitted.

Thank you to The Devil and The Universe for speaking with us. Catch them in Berlin at Urban Spree on Sunday, October 13th and check out the other upcoming A+W shows happening for the next month. As a bonus listen, we also include the goats’ New Brvtalism mix they did for us a few years ago (No. 012!). Listen below.

-JRS