Articulo Mortis: Interview with Acta Perverse (Brazil) (ENG)

Country: Brazil

From: João Pessoa, Paraíba

Genre: Blackened Death/Doom Metal

1. AM: Who is behind Acta Perverse? Tell us about your roles in the band.

Acta Perverse: First of all, thank you for the interview, well done! Acta Perverse, in the beginning, the idea was to record some things that came to my mind, for a style that I created from textures until then, very different from what I usually create, a strong feeling, heavy, dense, made me feed all my senses, so I put the name Acta Perverse, a cursed expression, raw, and at an event I met a great friend, Therion, drummer, we made contact, I made the invitation to play and record in Acta Perverse, and then the ideal was formed.

2. AM: What is the aim of the band?

Acta Perverse: We want to express our ideas in a simple, raw way in the form of music, that's the most important thing. We've played a few gigs at events in our field, and it was a good experience.

3. AM: Tell us about the history of your debut demo: how and under what conditions was it created?

Acta Perverse: The demo was recorded live in a studio, in which the songs were created. It was a bloody incredible energy, because since we started playing together, we recorded it in 3 months, and we liked the primitive way it was done.

4. AM: Tell us about the design/cover you used. What's the significance of it? Who made it?

Acta Perverse: We followed an occult line, and there we expressed what was written in the lyrics and music, the form of an initiation of cycles, of our egregora.

5. AM: Tell us about the lyrics. I don't know if they were presented on one of the few cassette tapes released by Baphomet Revelation, and I haven't found the lyrics in the public domain either.

Acta Perverse: Yes, in the Tape-k7 format released by Baphomet Revelation -Brasil, the insert has all the lyrics, written in our native language.

6. AM: By the way, who is the author of the Acta Perverse logo?

Acta Perverse: Emerson Maia is the artist who put the idea for the logo on paper. He has been doing artwork for me for many years on other projects of mine.

7. AM: What was 2024 like for the band? After releasing the demo, did you take a break or are you actively working on new material?

Acta Perverse: It's been an incredible year, we've managed to complete some big goals and we've recorded new material, which will be presented in 2025, and we intend to perform and play all the material live.

8. AM: Will it be a series of demos or do you plan to record a full album?

Acta Perverse: At the moment, we just want to create our own material, without rushing, but in 2025 we have a good schedule, usually these demos are very exclusive with 6-7 tracks, we're going to be as natural as possible.

9. AM: Which bands do you consider to be closest in spirit to Acta Perverse? There are a lot of references from different genres in Acta Perverse's music.

Acta Perverse: Acta Perverse sounds very different, we have a lot of influences from bands from Greece, but not so much musically.

10. AM: What about live performances? How do you feel about them?

Acta Perverse: We really enjoyed the experience of playing live, not least because it was the way we wanted it to be, at an event aimed at an excellent underground audience.

11. AM: Last words to readers.

Acta Perverse: We want to say a huge thank you to this great audience of our necrounderground, a salute to these impure souls! Thank you so much! Mauro Necrohunter (Acta Perverse).

---

December 2024

Interview for Articulo Mortis

Обновление каталога дистро 18/12/2024

• Regicide (Россия) - Eternal Siege (Stoned Steel Records) - Cassette - 800 руб.
• Regicide (Россия) - Eternal Siege (Stoned Steel Records) - Slipcase CD - 800 руб.

Articulo Mortis: Interview with Omenfilth (Philippines) (ENG)

Country: Philippines

From: San Pablo, Calabarzon

Genre: Black Metal

1. AM: Tell us about how Omenfilth came to be. How did your paths cross?

Omenfilth: The genesis of Omenfilth began 11 years ago, in 2013. I was and still am playing with my main band, PATHOGEN which was a more Death Metal band and over the years of writing music, I come up with riffs the didn’t exactly fit the PATHOGEN mold because they sound more atmospheric and more “epic”, for lack of a better term. And one hellish evening in July of 2013, things were bursting at the seams, and the urge to create an entity band to realize these songs and riffs that were forming inside my head, so I decided to create another side project with the desire to create energies and atmospheres that would differ from PATHOGEN. I asked drummer and guitar player, whose style of playing appeals to me, from a local band for a jam session along with old comrade, Guiller Morbid slaughter to join on bass guitar and few days later I asked another individual from another local band to do the vocals and that five-piece line up recorded the first rehearsal demo, “Diaboli Mortuo Infinitum” (2014) and the debut album, “Opus Sanguinarium”. After that, I took over the vocals starting with the 2017 EP, “Iconoclasis Of Venomous Transfiguration” and up to today the only difference now is we have a new drummer and second guitar player. It is only I and Morbidslaughter who have remained from the original lineup but our goals and visions to create atmospheric, ominously dark, evocative and powerful music have remained the same.

2. AM: How would you describe your style of Black Metal?

Omenfilth: Cold, esoteric, epic, malign and suffocatingly dark.

3. AM: How did you choose the name of the band?

Omenfilth: We did not choose the name of the band, rather the name chose us. It is an integral ingredient to the music we execute. The moniker embodies everything the aural energy that we create.

4. AM: What bands influenced your sound? Who would you point out as your main inspirations?

Omenfilth: I would say, that the style of Black Metal that we play is a combination of all the bands we collectively listen to such as old Samael, Mystifier, Rator, old Rotting Christ, Necrophobic, Revenge, Abysmal Lord, Revenge, Blasphemy, Nuctemeron, Varathron, Sarcofago, old Emeperor, old Alastis, Dead Congregation, Embrace Of Thorns, Mercyful Fate and legendary local bands, Kambing and Ebwa. I could go on forever...these just some of the musical entities that inspires us. And the alchemy and amalgamation of such musical styles is what we attempt in order to create our very own dark spells of aural vibrations.

5. AM: How has your sound changed from the demo to the latest album?

Omenfilth: Our abilities to actualize our musical visions has increased significantly since the early demo days. Indeed we have become more musically confident now compared to those early formative days and having two new members now gave us a new energy to further advance and enhance our creative forces.

6. AM: What role does each member play in the band? Tell us about each of you.

Omenfilth: I am the guitarist/vocalist/ main creative force, and Morbidslaughter plays the bass guitar and writes some instrumental synth parts, while we have a new drummer a new lead guitarist and together we collaborate contribute to the overall arrangements of the new material we are currently writing.

7. AM: What were the biggest challenges the band faced along the way?

Omenfilth: Thus far, the sudden abandonment of our old guitarist and drummer resulted in a period of inactivity the entire 2022 up to the middle of 2023-our longest hiatus. Morbidslaughter and I were left somewhat in a lurch and I lost the inspiration to write new material so we focused on other projects at that period of time. But since we found two new members, our energies to forge ahead and do what we are superior in doing, has been re-ignited and rejuvenated.

8. AM: The band has been together since 2013. What was the most memorable event over the years of the band's existence?

Omenfilth: The victorious moments are great and there are plenty, but it is the hard, challenging times of trials and tribulations are what tested our limits and defines our character. And they are the most memorable for me. When I look back that’s what makes me proud!

9. AM: Do you rehearse? How often do satanic events happen in your region in general?

Omenfilth: Right now we rehearse quite often. About once or twice a week, we have a new drummer and bass player so it re-energized our will and determination as the dark forces are constantly guiding us to delve deeper into this path. We are in the process of writing and arranging new material for our upcoming full length album. Satanic events? You mean live shows? Not much here in out city. We would have to go to far away cities in order to play a show. Our very recent was on September 10th this year when we opened for Rotting Christ in Davao City.

10. AM: How does Filipino culture influence your music? For example, on Metal Archives it is stated that the themes of your songs are related to local mythology. Tell us more about this.

Omenfilth: Metal-Archives was probably talking about our third album, “Devourer Of The Seven Moons”, which was a concept album about the Philippines mythical dragon, The Bakunawa. Which was based on the Philippine mythology and demonology. It was an ambitious effort that was mentally draining in terms of creativity, but once again we have proven that we are up to any challenge! Other than that, I don’t think we’ve written anything else related to ancient Philippine mythology and/or culture.

11. AM: Is there a recurring theme in your lyrics?

Omenfilth: For the most part, our lyrics revolves around the malign path-the left hand path. They are lyrics that oppose the degenerate, dead brain modern world of egocentricsm and apathy and our extreme hatred towards such behaviors. These lyrics are concepts which evokes the true feeling, spirit and energy of destruction and creation and transcends time. They are both symbolic and literal.

12. AM: As far as I know, you have had 3 split albums. How have you collaborated with other bands on split albums? Tell us about these bands.

Omenfilth: That’s correct. Most recent was the split with the excellent Greek band, Ceremonial Worship in 2021. The first one was with the Polish black/thrash outfit, Sulphurhaze in 2017, that was followed by “Triumph Of Evil” 4 way split cassette with local acts such as Sacrosanct, Inferium, and Paganfire in 2018. We don’t really want to do too many split albums. We’d like to focus more on our full length albums since they are more challenging to create.

13. AM: What does Black Metal mean to you?

Omenfilth: In a deeper sense, black metal connects man to the destructive and creative power of cold, harsh elements of unforgiving nature that symbolizes revolt, while evoking deep spirituality, contemplation introspection and intense raw hatred towards the despicable acts of modern man. Black metal is the music of the dark forces.

14. AM: What do you think of the current trends in Black Metal?

Omenfilth: Trends are always disgusts me. It seems as though everything that is pure and substantial eventually becomes trendy every spiritually weak people has wanted tio claim black metal as well because they think it’s “fashionable” but they are just jumping into one trend after another. I don’t give a fuck about trends since I was young and I have always hated it! I always go against the grain. We never strived for popularity or fame, those things are irrelevant to us. We only care about the quality of the work we put out in Omenfilth and we will continue to this path because we deem it necessary.

15. AM: How is the Black Metal scene developing in the Philippines? How traditional is it or does it tend to change?

Omenfilth: Black metal has been in Philippine underground metal scene since the 90’s with Deiphago, Sacrosanct, Incarion Kambing, Ebwa and many others. Yes, it has changed a lot since the 1990’s when bands here sound more like old South East Asian black metal such as Abhorer, Profancer, Rator and Finnish and South American bands like Beherit and Sarcofago, and then the Norwegian style Black Metal became a big trend along with the Gothic-tinged styles of Cradle Of Filth clones from the mid 90’s to early 2000’s and since then it is the Bestial War/Black Metal thing that is a big trend up to now. I never really cared about trends like I stated earlier but I am very much aware of what’s going on in the local scene since we I constantly play live with my Death Metal band, PATHOGEN.

16. AM: What bands would you recommend from your region?

Omenfilth: As far as local black metal act goes, some newer bands from the Philippines that I’m into right now are Sadistor (black/thrash), Rapist (Bestial Black Metal) and Wartorr (Black/War Metal) are just some of the newer bands I’m always listening to at the moment. The old legendary bands that already gain some international recognition in the underground scene I can also recommend such as Deiphago, Korihor, Kambing, Ebwa, Maniak and Incarion among few others.

17. AM: What are the problems in the Philippine Black Metal scene?

Omenfilth: Like in any other “scene” there are many problems such as rumor-mongering, factions, and other senseless shit that we don’t want to be involved in. We distance ourselves from such conflicts and behaviors. We have no time for those things. We only concern ourselves with perfecting our craft and writing better albums.

18. AM: How do locals perceive metal culture? Black Metal?

Omenfilth: It’s still not and possibly will never be accepted by the general public and it doesn’t need to! Music this powerful is not going to be embraced by the general public.

19. AM: Are there any censorship issues in the Philippines regarding Black Metal?

Omenfilth: Fortunately, no we never really had problems expressing ourselves without any hindrance from the authorities even though black metal or even metal, in a general sense, is regarded as a music for outcasts, disenfranchised and rebellious individuals, the government very much tolerates our existence. Our country have a lot of freedoms in terms of beliefs, music, political views, etc. So it has never been a problem for us.

20. AM: Where can those interested find your music?

Omenfilth: We never really “advertise” our music very much. We assume those who seeks for our music are informed individuals who have a need for this kind of music. Those individuals can always do a search for the labels who have released our music such as Moon Records (Poland), Eternal-Death (USA), Metal Throne Records (Greece), Espiritus Inmundos (Peru), and a few more whose names, I can’t remember right now.

21. AM: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you would like to add?

Omenfilth: Darkest hails to you, Vladislav for this very interesting interview. Things are underway for the recording of our upcoming album, which will be recorded sometime next year. We will just need to write a few more songs to complete the materials for it. All maniacs into devilish and morbid underground can contact us though our email: [email protected]

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December 2024

Interview for Articulo Mortis

Articulo Mortis: Interview with Narbeleth (Cuba/Spain) (ENG)

Country: Cuba (early), Spain (later)

From: Pontevedra, Galicia

Genre: Black Metal

1. AM: Tell us about the initial period of the band's existence. How and under what circumstances was it formed? What were your motives back then?

Narbeleth: Was the year of 2008, and back then I was playing guitar in what was my first band. We were making a sort of Black/Thrash, and sometimes I came up with riffs that didn´t fit on the concept; so one day I decided to put together all this and create a solo project. Thus, “Dark Primitive Cult” was recorded and with it, NARBELETH.

2. AM: What was it like to release your first demo?

Narbeleth: After I recorded these 3 songs, I contacted a small label from Bolivia called Intifernal Records, as we worked together with my previous band; and he agreed to release the demo in tape. Some months after this, a label from France contacted me offering to release the demo in CD. At the moment, that was exactly what I was looking for, as the demo was meant to be a kind of “presentation card” of NARBELETH as new born project.

3. AM: What are the main differences between Black Metal in Cuba and Black Metal in Spain that first come to mind?

Narbeleth: The scene is much, much bigger here. There are quite a few concerts in general. In terms of the technical aspect, which is very significant, it is very easy to access good conditions for recording, rehearsing, and playing live. And of course, the ease of moving around Europe opens up a world of possibilities.

4. AM: How would you describe your musical evolution through the prism of six full-length albums?

Narbeleth: I think it is normal and good for a band to evolve, as long as the concept around which everything revolves remains stable. And that is precisely what, in my opinion, has happened with NARBELETH over the years. We go through many experiences in our lives, and this is undoubtedly reflected in the art. Additionally, in my case, the technical aspect, with access to better resources for recording and playing since I moved to Spain.

5. AM: Has your approach to creating music changed throughout the history of the band?

Narbeleth: As said before, is normal that our points of view change over the years, and we can get inspiration and motivation from new sources. But one thing still my main goal and motivation: create Black Metal the way I enjoy and feel more pure, inspired in the 90´s classics.

6. AM: How does the concept of an album usually emerge? What comes first, the music, the lyrics or the images that you later use to design your works?

Narbeleth: I always compose music first. Sometimes a song can emerge completely in a couple of hours, sometimes it can be finished within months. When I have 7 songs, I give this to my drummer so he can learn it and start rehearsing for recording. In the meanwhile, I write the lyrics according to what I feel the songs ask for.

7. AM: Do you have any plans to collaborate with other bands? You don't have a single split album in your discography, what is the reason for this?

Narbeleth: There isn't an specific reason for that. If the opportunity arises at any point, I would be happy to do it. However, it is true that I prefer to work on a complete album rather than one or two songs for a split. But yes, I would do it if it is offered to me or comes up and I feel comfortable with it.

8. AM: At the same time, I can note the excellent choice of songs that you covered: Judas Iscariot, Arckanum, Darkthrone, Satyricon, NettleCarrier, Urgehal. There is a tradition to end each album with a cover.

Narbeleth: Exactly. Is my humble way to pay tribute to bands that have influenced and inspired me when creating Black Metal over the years.

9. AM: I think this can perfectly describe both you and the audience that listens to you. By the way, what can you say about the quality of the listeners, has it changed in the last ten to fifteen years?

Narbeleth: It is comforting to know that your music reaches the right ears; and I feel satisfaction when I receive positive feedback about what I do from my followers. It is very rewarding when people connect their experiences with the music you create, and it helps and accompanies them in their lives. NARBELETH has managed to have a small but loyal fan base over the years, and I am very grateful for their support.

10. AM: What do you consider your greatest achievement as Narbeleth?

Narbeleth: Playing at Under the Black Sun in 2014, and still active as band after these years.

11. AM: Are you currently working on a new album? What are your plans for the future?

Narbeleth: I do have recorded some riffs, and written some notes for lyrics, and I do expect to release new music in 2025/26. We have also planned some shows for 2025 that I will announce very soon.

12. AM: Has your worldview changed since the foundation of Narbeleth? If so, what changes would you note?

Narbeleth: Yes, of course. We are constantly evolving, and this is good and necessary. I have changed in many ways since I moved to Europe, and I think it’s normal with such a change. Now, when we talk about NARBELETH, the concept has remained intact since day one, although I have found new sources of inspiration. But in the end, it all comes down to two words: Black Metal.

13.  AM: You have been releasing on Folter Records for 10 years now. Tell us how this long-term collaboration began.

Narbeleth: During the recording of my second album, 'A Hatred Manifesto', I was looking for a label with the aim of releasing it in a somewhat larger quantity than the first album (100 copies if I remember correctly). Folter Records showed great interest in the demo I sent them and offered to release the album on CD, as well as invite NARBELETH to Under the Black Sun 2014. From that moment on, we have worked together and cultivated a good friendship. I am satisfied with what they offer as a record label, and I always appreciate their support and trust.

14. AM: Folter Records does not release or distribute cassette versions of albums, only CDs and vinyl. Do you share this view? As far as I know, only the debut demo and the first full-length album of Narbeleth exist on tapes.

Narbeleth: Exactly, so far only those two releases have been available in tape format. As I mentioned earlier, I am satisfied with the work of Folter Records and we understand each other very well. That doesn’t mean that at some point, if the opportunity arises, I could release an album on tape.

15. AM: Thank you for the interview. Last words?

Narbeleth: Thank you very much for your interest in NARBELETH, and as always, thanks to all NARBELETH supporters around the world. Keep Black Metal underground!

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December 2024

Interview for Articulo Mortis

Обновление каталога дистро 04/12/2024

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Blasphemaniac - Live at Brazilian Harmageddon - 2024