1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
1. We’re a two piece black metal band from Oregon. We’ve been making music together for roughly three years and bonded over shared stylistic interests. “Grave Pilgrim” was formed out of a desire to play potent music that resonated with us both. This first album consists of songs written during that three year period.
2.Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
2. Stylistically speaking we wanted something raw yet melodic. These songs were written first on guitar with the aim of being interesting to play without losing themselves in complexity. The raw sound was captured by the natural reverb in my concrete basement and the stylings of A Crossley (to whom we owe much gratitude) in the production process.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
3. Thematically our music deals with societal disgust and personal triumph. Like many young men, I’ve been deeply influenced by the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and this is reflected in our lyrics and other aspects of our music as well. I’ve also been influenced by Peter Sloterdijk’s continuation of Nietzsche’s philosophy of overcoming. Themes related to their ideas are echoed in most of my lyrics. The battle against the last man must be won at all costs.
4.What is the meaning and i9nspiration behind the name 'Grave Pilgrim'?
4. We thought it was a cool name with an old school heavy metal sound to it. There’s an element of old fashioned Americana rooted in it, in the sense that we come from a nation founded by pilgrims.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
5. The man pictured in it was taken from Willem Drost’s “Portrait of an Officer in Harness”. This was embellished by a friend of mine who put it through a mechanical device which printed out the artwork you see with a different texture. Overall the warrior aesthetic is one we appreciate and respect.
6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
6. We will likely remain a duo. We work well together creatively and adding other members into this process would just muddy up our vision. We may recruit live musicians and vocalists in the future if we do take our band to a live setting.
7.The new was released on 'Death Prayer Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
7. Death Prayer Records is the result of a merger between Death Kvlt Productions and Goat Prayer Records. They have been a vital force in getting our band any traction at all and for that we are grateful. I was initially attracted to Death Kvlt due to their involvement with the stellar band, Lamp of Murmuur who hail from a town just north of us.
8.So far there is very little information about the musical project except for a bandcamp and metal archives page, do you prefer to keep a lower profile?
8. We do. Social media isn’t something I have an interest in participating in so our limited web presence is deliberate.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
9. I’ve been happy with all of the people who’ve engaged with it and had a positive response to what we’re doing. We owe Death Prayer Records for most of the visibility we’ve gotten outside of our social circle.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
10. We have the guitar and drums written out for our next release and will soon begin recording. These songs are a little bit faster paced and hopefully have a bit of swagger to them while remaining true to our initial sound.
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?
11. Early Peste Noire’s output had a Huge impact on my guitar playing and CM’s drumming style. Plague Commando was named as an homage to this and an acknowledgment of a creative debt. I’ve also been deeply influenced by Bolt Throwers pummeling approach to death metal and Leviathan’s intricate guitar work.
These days I’ve been listening to a lot of Revenant Marquis, Lingua Ignota’s new album, Bone Awl, and Invunche.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. Thanks to you and all those who make an effort to keep this musical form potent.
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