1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
A.C.: We recorded it back in spring, mixed it in early summer and the rest was spent on the visuals and working things out for the release, which is where we are now. On the live front, we played a good amount of club shows and festivals across Europe as well as Bogotá Subterranea in Colombia. We try and keep busy.
2.In 2026 you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
A.C.: We tried to broaden our approach and not just push the same vectors we did for the first LP, but harder. There was a lot of meditation on how the album should sound. In fact, that was probably more intense than the actual writing process. The idea was that the music should come spontaneously after the idea behind each song presented itself instead of just patterning the music after a specific influence or song archetype. Different instruments crept in, and the music ended up covering much more ground than the first album, sound-wise, let alone the demo.
3.In the beginning the band played more of a traditional death metal style while the newer music goes for a mixture of black and death metal, what was the decision behind going into this direction?
A.C.: No specific decision. We play the METAL OF DEATH; we never sit down and think what that means in terms of sticking to a certain musical style. As long as it fits that mantle, it’s appropriate for us, and that’s related to the way the music feels between the lines more so than any musical cues.
4.A lot of your lyrics cover Occultism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?
A.C.: The lyrics are an exploration. I write them with a certain impulse in mind – usually, it’s a small event, a very specific nook somewhere in nature, a personal experience, anything really. After they’re done, I observe what kind of effect they have on me when we play the song. From that point on, the reader or listener can just as well claim ownership of them. In that sense, it’s almost alchemical in nature, this change from impulse to performance.For this album, the lyrics all ended up revolving around the female form. Sometimes that meant something specific, like an amalgamation of Kali, Ereshkigal and Lilith for one song, at other times, it was broader or more personal. In the end though, the album is still about staring into death’s raging currents; we just decided to look at it through a different lens culturally.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ensanguinate'?
A.C.: To imbue with blood; BLOOD, FIRE, DEATH not as stasis, but as chaos flowing through our veins.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
A.C.: I feel would be disingenuous to put words into the artist’s mouth, so you’d have to ask Dávid Glomba about what he put into it personally. That said, he did an unbelievable job of capturing the title of the album. “Death Saturnalia” to us is ceremonial, and that feeling is certainly present. We invite everyone to dive into it, find the symbols they're looking for and what they mean to them personally.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
A.C.: There’s been a lot of good ones. Colombia in August… Our last stop in Augsburg was absolutely savage. We got to play with Sabathan there, which was a great meeting of kindred spirits, as was playing with Hellbutcher in Basel at the amazing Rites of Destruction in November 2024. Sarajevo was a pleasant surprise, probably our wildest show next to the one we played with Sacrifizer and Heinous in Switzerland two years ago.We are chaos, incense and grave dust.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
A.C.: Yes, there’s a tour being booked in support of the album, as well as a release show in the works. So far, the only thing we can reveal is Death and Damnation in September, in Germany.
9.The new album is going to be released on 'Soulseller Records', how would you compare working with them to your previous label 'Emanzipation Records'?
A.C.: So far, it’s been a smooth ride with Soulseller. Jorn, the label boss, immediately drew parallels between us and Repugnant and he’s invested in his bands, so that personal touch is indeed very welcome.
10.On a worlwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
A.C.: It feels good when like-minded individuals reach out and offer their support. When I see that someone is on a similar wavelength and voices appreciation, I feel like there’s a strong connection there. Luckily, that has been happening quite a lot lately now that we’ve released the first single from the upcoming album.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
A.C.: It’s too early to tell exactly but musically, there are no limitations, nor will there ever be any. We’ll go deeper and broader.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
A.C.: I can only speak for myself. So far this week it’s been Dead Can Dance, Jex Thoth and Pentagram.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
DEATH SATURNALIA – COME TO SPLENDOUR
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