1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
Hi, I’m Kval. Thank you for the interview. Morte France is my personal project. I handle the vocals and guitars, while my two brothers, Taur and Ghmur, play bass and drums. It started in 2021, and our first EP, Sola Fide, was released in 2022 via Archaic Sound. One year later, Souveraineté Radiale, our first full-length, was released on Antiq Label. Our next album, Hesperia, will be out on December 15th, once again via Antiq.
Through Morte France, I explore a wide range of themes, from exile from my beloved Europe to Christianity, anti-modernity, and spiritual war. I like to say that Morte France is a project dedicated to the long European memory—its mythos, its heroes, its landscapes, its people. And as a European myself, it also serves as a personal exploration, a reminder of where I come from and a form of poetry dedicated to my ancestors. Sadly, many Europeans have lost this precious treasure that lies all around them—and even within them. Morte France seeks to reveal this treasure to those who have grown blind to it. As Nicolás Gómez Dávila once wrote: “Violence is not necessary to destroy a civilization. Each civilization dies from indifference toward the unique values that created it.”
2.In December you have a new album coming out, musically hoe does it differ from your previous full length and ep?
Hesperia will indeed be released on December 15th via the great Antiq Label, whom I thank once again for their amazing support. This album is far more melodic than the previous ones. The riffing is still brutal at times, in the vein of Hate Forest, but we put a lot of work into the lead guitars, and people will be surprised by the magic that came out of it. It shines with a sacred light while the tumultuous drums and terrifying bass lines drive the tempo.
My vocals are also much more diverse—I explored my entire range and had a lot of fun performing this album. I’m extremely proud of Hesperia, musically, lyrically, and production-wise. It sounds incredible: aggressive yet beautiful. There is something unique about the sound we crafted for this one.
3.A lot of your music covers European Paganism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
As a kid, I always felt a special connection to mountains and forests. I often sensed a sacred presence while walking through the woods or climbing mountains. I would look for elves in the forest, dwarves in secret mountain passages. So, my soul has always been drawn to pagan mythos. And as I explore the European soul, I must also sing about its pagan roots.
Souveraineté Radiale, our first album, was dedicated to the ancient vision of the Cyclical Ages. It was, in many ways, a pagan album—solar and full of vitality.
It’s funny because some people reject Morte France due to our Catholic imagery, but they fail to understand that my work is, by nature, broader than that. Because I dig into the heart of Europe, I sing about both paganism and Christianity. But some people will always tell you you’re too much of one thing or not enough of another. That makes no sense to me.
Hesperia is very interesting in that regard: it celebrates the primal magic of European paganism alongside the beauty and truth of Christianity. Personally, I strive for a reconciliation between these two foundational pillars of European identity—something the great European writer Tolkien achieved through his fiction.
Europe has always been a continent full of diverse beliefs and local folklores—something the Church understood perfectly when planting its roots here. This is why, in a small French village, you might hear about a saint who lived in a lake or in a cave. Nothing is more beautiful than that magical imagery where the poetic pagan view of nature merges with the devotion and sacredness of Christianity.
4.Lyrically you are also inspired by a lot of western philosophy, can you tell us a little bit more about which philosophers have had the most impact on your songwriting and views?
Thank you for this great question. I appreciate when people understand that Morte France aims to elevate the soul and the mind—not just entertain. These days, many Black Metal bands rely on idiotic concepts for the sake of it, and don’t get me started on all the projects that don’t bother writing meaningful lyrics.
With Morte France, I like to approach each album as a synthesis of important readings. Many thinkers have shaped my being, my mentality, and my way of life—because, let’s be honest, philosophy, spirituality, and theology mean nothing if they don’t push you toward a greater version of yourself.
Let’s begin with the obvious: the teachings of Christ and great theologians like Meister Eckhart have been essential in my development. I’ve always been interested in Stoicism through Marcus Aurelius, but also in the great novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.
Julius Evola had a major impact on my life—more than René Guénon, even if Guénon remains impressive for the scope of his knowledge. Evola’s idea of “riding the tiger” deeply influenced me. I am also a big admirer of Jacques Ellul and his criticism of the megamachine, the modern world, ultra capitalism and technology.
Some writings by Paul Valéry on Europe had a strong impact on Hesperia, as did the poetry of Pierre Drieu la Rochelle. These days, someone like David Engels has influenced me a lot—Hesperia even takes its title from his concept of “hesperialism.” It is his definition of what a true European patriotism should be if the European Union and its repulsive administrators were finally dismantled.
I also love reading Guillaume Faye, whose ideas are extremely innovative, and the essays of Julien Rochedy, one of our greatest contemporary French thinkers.
5.You also cover the tensions between Christianity, Patriotism and Inner Exile, how would you describe your research into these historical topics?
You did your research—and I respect that. Thank you.
Your question is great because, at first sight, one might believe these poles are in tension. But when you explore them through research and meditation, they are not. I am a Christian and a European patriot, and my faith obliges me to exile myself from the world—a concept that Rod Dreher explored in The Benedict Option (Le pari bénédictin).
In Christianity, we must separate ourselves from the world when it enters a state of decadence. Dreher speaks clearly about spiritual enclaves, like the monks of old Europe living in reclusion. The concept is close to Evola’s “riding the tiger”: you must live according to your values, waiting for the modern world to collapse so that something new can be built afterward.
Some people use the metaphor of “surfing the Kali Yuga”—it means essentially the same thing.
As for patriotism, it aligns perfectly with my faith, because Europe is the land of Catholicism—a magnificent fusion of paganism and Christianity that gave birth to the splendid Middle Ages, full of light, beauty, and heroism.
6,Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The artwork was created by Veneden, a Russian artist who specializes in fairy tale illustrations. I discovered her when she designed the cover for Passéisme, a great band on Antiq Label. Her style is mesmerizing—full of detail, epic yet magical and mysterious. These three adjectives perfectly describe Hesperia.
I asked her to synthesize two visions I had in mind. One came from an illustration I saw in an old book on chivalry: three knights shining a supernatural cross upon heathens in a foreign land. The second was the famous engraving Knight, Death and the Devil by Dürer—which is also the title of one of the songs on Hesperia.
The result is spectacular: knights fiercely charging through demons, holding the Morte France banner, and a shining cross cutting through the cover with its sacred light.
7.The band members live in both France and Canada, what impact does this long distance has on the musical style that you play?
Not that much, since I write all the songs and let my comrades write their own parts freely. It allows each of us to be creative and take our time.
8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
I feel like Morte France is gaining more fans, and I’d like to thank everyone who supports my work. I’m not sure about “worldwide” in the strict sense—for example, the American market is different and sometimes reluctant toward French Black Metal sung in French. But in Europe, I know we have strong support.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Hesperia is more melodic than the previous releases, and I experimented with elements outside traditional Black Metal. In the future, Morte France will continue exploring epic atmospheres, strong melodies, and unusual experimentations. My goal is to write music so epic and beautiful that it makes you cry.
10.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects?
I can’t answer that, my friend—they like to keep a bit of anonymity.
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?
For Morte France, the bands that inspire me are Blut Aus Nord, Misþyrming, Hate Forest, Windir, and Dissection. But I listen to a lot of different things, from Post-Punk to Techno.
Some bands have had a deep impact on me, such as Burzum, Gojira, Blut Aus Nord, Pink Floyd, and Amenra. I admire their dedication, creativity, concepts, and the art surrounding their work.
Lately, I’ve been listening to the latest Blut Aus Nord album—it’s beautiful and reminds me of the Memoria Vetusta saga, which is a major inspiration for Morte France. The latest Deafheaven album is also great. And I’ve been listening to a lot of Twin Tribes. I might write a Post-Punk/New Wave song one day.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for this interview. It was a pleasure answering your questions, especially because you clearly researched my project—something rare in this scene.
I salute Hyver from Antiq Label: his label is fantastic, and he is full of passion and support. Without him, Morte France wouldn’t be where it is today.
And of course, thank you to all Morte France fans who share our music, preorder, buy merch, and spread the word. Supporting an artist and a label is precious.
Please listen to Hesperia on December 15th—it is a beast of an album, and I am proud of it. And follow us, because 2026 will be full of surprises.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment