Harkonin formed in 2002 in St. Louis, Missouri with Mike Evans, Drake Poeschel and Jason Barron. Like most bands, Harkonin underwent multiple lineup changes before stabilizing with vocalist Barron, Matt Coyle on guitar, Tom Quach on bass and Clayton Gore on drums. Harkonin’s sound is best described as “blackened, progressive, technical thrash metal,” according to Quach.

Harkonin has released one EP and two full length albums. The group is hard at work writing material for their third full length record, which they hope to complete by the middle of 2006. The group is also discussing an American tour with Enthroned in April.

“Right now we have eight songs ready, and plan on recording in February,” Gore said. “We will record at Red Light again. Coyle will produce it and it is possible that my old bandmate Jarrett will master it.”

“Depends on what the deal is; why be signed at all?” Coyle said. “If a big label wants to sign us and pay us a huge sum of money, I am down for that. Of course, I am also down for the ability of flight, and having a three-way with Jessica Alba and that chick from the Scorpion King, but all three have the same chance of happening.”

Harkonin feels displaced in America because of the lack of black metal bands in the United States, let alone the Midwest.

“If we were in any other country, we would be looked upon as an amazing band,” Gore said. “Being from St. Louis, [the] “scenesters” do not realize how many great bands there are locally.”

Harkonin has endured many struggles in their short history, from lineup changes to lack of time due to jobs, lack of money, and at one point being shunned by local music promoters.

“We were sort of ‘blacklisted’ for a while by local promoters, and that is something we have had to overcome since the lineup changes. We are slowly rebuilding bridges,” Gore said.

Quach added, “We would like to be able to do this to where we do not have to have normal jobs. That could never happen, or could take a long while to happen. If anything, just to make a big impression to the scene and show we are strong musicians and to show [that] the old school flame will never burn out.”

Despite being one of the few black metal bands in the Midwest metal community, they feel they have a strong following.

Gore commented, “I think for the most part the other bands do not really know what to do with us. They like us, but many do not want to play with us. As far as the audience, I think we have gained a great respect in no small part due to support from places like Chunks of Meat and The Riverfront Times.

“What would make it better would be if people around here stopped taking heavy metal for granted and came out to the shows to support the good bands also if we had more promoters that gave a s*** about local bands rather than simply lining their pockets with money at any cost.”

Harkonin can be found at their official website, www.harkonin.com, with news, shows, and merchandise available. The group is also found on MySpace.