Voidthrone Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

We wanted to create a band that makes the listener feel uncomfortable and curious.  We found our best way of writing is to make noise and play whatever we feel until we feel something recognizable and weird comes out.  Eventually the riffs, themes, and rhythms reveal themselves and become parts of songs. 

2.On Halloween you had released your first album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

Raw, dark, and dissonant black death.  The recording also revealed some sort of strange and haunting atmosphere that we were not expecting.  We did everything ourselves – the recording, mixing, mastering, and the art.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

The album is centered around the themes of exile, spiritual isolation, desolation, and revenge.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Voidthrone'?

We wanted a relatively short name that best described our sound. Something we could build our image from. And of course one that wasn't already taken. The name materialized after a night of listening to our music.  It speaks to the greatness of emptiness.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We probably had the most fun at a house show in Tacoma and a dive bar that we recently played in Seattle. Both had great energy and were up close and personal. Our best performance was at the Highline Bar in Seattle, a great venue for live music in the area. We played our asses off to a virtually empty room. Hah, the perks of being unknown! We're still trying to figure out our band’s live aesthetic and we are still experimenting with our on-stage persona.  If nothing else, we are energetic on stage.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

No touring plans yet.  We've talked about doing a trip along the west coast eventually but nothing is in the works officially. But for now we're just cutting our teeth on the local scene and improving our live performance.

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

We would love to be signed with the right label.  Right now though we are just working hard on new material and doing everything DIY.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death metal?

People genuinely seem to like it! It’s so cool to have people from other countries message us saying how much they enjoy Voidthrone’s music. We think the amount of positive feedback caught us off guard a bit to be honest. The internet is such a cool thing. We can reach our musical tendrils out to the rest of the world and share our art with people we would never come in contact with otherwise.  Considering the fact that our musical style will never appeal to the mainstream, it’s good to have the ability to reach beyond our local scene to weirdos and metalheads worldwide.

9.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

Our bassist, Austin. He's actually in a local funk band called Topless Pit. Talented little fella he is!

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We are going to be delving into a darker realm. Our new material is coming out much more dynamic and intense. We're super excited to be writing as a whole band this time around. But beyond this current stretch of new material, we're not sure what will happen musically. We are a very "in the moment" band in terms of writing. As far as our current direction we would say the listener will not feel comfortable taking in the new material, and that's a good thing in our opinion!

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

 Deathspell Omega and Gorguts are obvious influences, but each member brings something unique.  Austin the bassist just started listening to metal recently and knows a lot about jazz, blues, and funk.  Dan the vocalist is a black metal zealot.  Ron (guitar) and Josh (drummer) have a bit more of a death metal and hardcore background.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Band meetings in the hot tub under the starry Pacific Northwest night sky.  We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to enjoy a cold Rainier beer in hot, hot tub the first practice after playing a show.  All band meetings should be this way.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

 Death to all but metal.

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