Hauras’ Answer: We are Antithetic, a melodic black metal band from Rochester, New York. Our sound is grounded in cold atmospheres, sharp melodies, and aggressive black metal intensity, drawing inspiration from bands such as Dissection, Horna, Lamp of Murmuur, Stormkeep, and Moonlight Sorcery.
One of the things that makes Antithetic unique is our use of three languages: English, Russian, and Finnish. Each language adds a distinct emotional weight and atmosphere to our music, helping us create a broader, more ritualistic sound.
Thematically, we do not focus on the typical anti-Christian themes often associated with black metal. Instead, our work explores chthonic gods, paganism, dark magic, ancient forces, and the spiritual darkness beyond conventional religious conflict. Antithetic is built around contradiction, atmosphere, and the pursuit of something older, colder, and more unknown than the modern world.
Question 2: So far you have released a demo and a full length, musically how do they both differ from each other?
Hauras’ Answer: I wouldn't really call the earlier release a demo, since it was released as a single rather than a demo album. However, the difference between that first single and the full-length album Kadath is considerable, both musically and technically.
Our first single was recorded with Andrew Dewar on drums, and at that stage, we handled the mixing and mastering ourselves. It represented the earliest version of our sound: rawer, less refined, and more direct. It was an important first step for the band, but we were still discovering how Antithetic should sound in a full production context.
For Kadath, we recorded the drums with Onidaiko, which significantly altered the music's energy and scope. His performance added a different level of intensity, precision, and atmosphere to the album. The songs also became more cohesive, more developed, and more connected to the larger narrative concept.
The full-length album was mixed and mastered by Mike Amrayev and Will Seastrand. During this process, Dr. Stephen Roessner, a professor in the audio engineering department, also offered advice and helped with certain adjustments, which influenced the final sound of the record.
Will Seastrand later remastered the single “I” for inclusion on the album to better match the overall production and atmosphere of Kadath. Because of this, the album feels much more unified than the original single release. It is not just a collection of tracks, but a complete work with a stronger sound, clearer direction, and a more developed identity.
Question 3: All of the band members are also in other bands, what is it that you being into the music of 'Antithetic' that you have not been able to do with your other groups?
Hauras’ Answer: What appeals to me most about Antithetic is the creative freedom and lack of limitations. It has been a long time since I felt I could fully experiment with rhythm, melody, atmosphere, lyrical complexity, and even simplicity without trying to conform to someone else’s expectations.
With Antithetic, I have given myself complete freedom. I can use synthesizers, acoustic guitars, clean guitar passages, layered melodies, and more unusual structures without feeling that these elements are out of place. The project provides space to explore both aggression and beauty, rawness and atmosphere.
That’s something I have not always been able to accomplish in other bands. Antithetic is not just another black metal band, not just another raw project, and not simply a Dissection clone. Of course, our influences are evident, but we’re not trying to copy anyone directly.
We aim to create our own identity that combines melodic black metal, medieval darkness, pagan and chthonic themes, and a more personal sense of spiritual resistance. For us, Antithetic is a place where we can build our own world rather than follow a set formula.
Question 4: Your lyrics are written in a mixture of English, Russian and Finnish, what was the decision behind adding 3 different languages into the songwriting?
Hauras’ Answer: The use of three languages comes naturally to who we are as people. I was born into a Russian-speaking family in Kazakhstan, Surma is Finnish, and English is the common language we use to communicate and reach a broader audience. We wanted Antithetic to stand out not only in our imagery, melodies, atmosphere, and concepts but also in the language itself.
Each language carries its own emotional weight. Russian lends the lyrics a darker, more severe feeling; Finnish adds a cold, ancient, ritualistic edge, while English makes the narrative more accessible to listeners worldwide. It also helps us connect more deeply with different parts of our audience. Someone may see themselves in the English lyrics, someone else may feel the weight of the Russian sections, and Finnish listeners may connect with Surma’s choruses in a more personal way.
Trilingual black metal bands are rare, and for us, this is one of the things that makes Antithetic unique. We don't use different languages just for aesthetic effect; we do so because they reflect our backgrounds, our way of communicating, and the band's different spiritual layers.
Question 5: A lot of your lyrics cover Occult themes, which aspect of this topic have you covered with the music so far?
Hauras’ Answer: In tracks I, II, and III, we delve into humanity's humiliation, weakness, and insignificance in the face of nature and the ancient gods. The occult aspect is not merely presented as ritual imagery or aesthetic darkness; it represents a confrontation with forces that are far older and greater than humanity.
The central theme is that humanity constantly takes what does not rightfully belong to it. We consume, destroy, and claim ownership over a world that was never truly ours. As a result, we deserve punishment from the ancient gods who created both us and the world around us.
For us, the chthonic gods and the natural environment they shaped are central to this theme. Nature is not passive or harmless; it is sacred, hostile, and alive with forces that humanity cannot control. In contrast, human beings appear as parasites, surviving on the earth's gifts while forgetting their own fragility and dependence.
Through these songs, we aim to portray the occult not just as darkness but as a form of judgment - a reminder that humanity exists beneath something greater, and that the world itself may eventually hold us accountable for everything we have taken from it.
Question 6: A lot of your lyrics are inspired by Lovecraftian Horror, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
Hauras’ Answer: I have always been drawn to medieval literature, science fiction, and fantasy. These worlds significantly shaped my imagination in my early years, but discovering H.P. Lovecraft introduced me to a different kind of darkness. His horror transcends ordinary monsters or simple fears; it centers on mystery, forbidden knowledge, and ancient, incomprehensible powers that the human mind can barely grasp.
What fascinates me most is that Lovecraftian horror feels like forbidden fruit: once you taste it, you become intoxicated. It presents not only fear but also the sensation of standing before something vast, ancient, and utterly indifferent to humanity.
Works such as The Call of Cthulhu, The Necronomicon, At the Mountains of Madness, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, and The Shadow over Innsmouth are more than just stories to me; I feel as if I have experienced them in some way. They evoke a primal terror, particularly “At the Mountains of Madness”, where fear arises not from violence but from the realization that something unimaginably old and powerful existed long before humanity and will persist long after we are gone.
This feeling strongly influences my work with Antithetic. We are interested in exploring the fear of the unknown, the collapse of human arrogance, and the presence of ancient forces that defy explanation or defeat. Lovecraftian horror provides us with a language to express that atmosphere through black metal.
Question 7: What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Antithetic'?
Hauras Answer: The name “Antithetic” was born of coincidence. I was reading a text assigned by one of my professors when the word “antithetical” appeared, meaning “opposite,” “contradictory,” or “in conflict with” the original argument. The word immediately caught my attention, and Surma suggested shortening it to “Antithetic.” From that point on, it felt like the right name for the band.
For us, Antithetic represents opposition - not only to mainstream music, but also to the predictable forms that metal can sometimes take. We do not create music to please everyone, follow trends, or demand that listeners love what we do. Our work exists on its own terms.
I see our music as a text to be studied, a book, or even something like the Necronomicon: strange, obscure, and open to interpretation. For some listeners, it may feel difficult, distant, or even boring. For others, it may become a source of inspiration and meaning.
That contradiction is exactly what the name embodies. Antithetic is the antithesis of conventional expectations about music, art, and accessibility. It is a statement of resistance, but also a reflection of how we create: through conflict, darkness, and opposition to the ordinary.
Question 8: Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Hauras’ Answer: The cover was created by Waldeger, formerly known as Thalmann, a Siberian artist who works in an engraving-inspired style. He is also deeply interested in Lovecraftian themes, making him a perfect fit for the visual world of Kadath.
I explained to him the atmosphere I wanted for the album, the books that inspired me, and the kind of ancient, chthonic presence I wanted the cover to convey. From that, he created an image of gods - chthonic deities inspired by Lovecraft, especially the mythology surrounding Kadath and Cthulhu.
The illustration shows these beings towering over the world, as if the earth itself were small and fragile in their hands. That was very important to us. The cover is not meant to show humanity as powerful or heroic. Instead, it presents mankind as insignificant before ancient forces that existed long before us and will continue to exist after us.
The waves, the shipwreck, the monstrous figures, and the medieval engraving style all serve the same idea: the world is ruled by something vast, dark, and incomprehensible. It visually reflects the album's main atmosphere - ancient gods, destruction, cosmic fear, and humanity's helplessness before the chthonic powers beneath and beyond the earth.
Question 9: Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?
Hauras’ Answer: Yes, Antithetic has already performed live. We are currently preparing a tour to promote Kadath. We plan to perform in Boston, Philadelphia, our hometown of Rochester, New York City, and Maryland. The tour will be announced soon.
For us, live performance is an important next step for the band. Kadath was created as a complete atmosphere and narrative, and bringing that energy to the stage allows us to present the album more directly and physically. We want the audience to feel the same darkness, intensity, and chthonic presence that exists in the recording.
Question 10: The physical version of the album was released on 'Dead Steppe Tapes', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Hauras’ Answer: The physical version of Kadath was released through Dead Steppe Tapes, a Kazakhstan-based label dedicated to cassette and CD releases, distribution, and support for the local underground scene. In many ways, it is one of the most important DIY operations in Central Asia for this kind of music.
The label is run by Timur, who has done a great deal to support local bands and bring more attention to extreme and underground music from the region. Dead Steppe Tapes focuses on physical formats, helps distribute releases, and creates opportunities for bands that might otherwise remain unheard beyond their own cities or countries.
Timur is also connected with MOLE!, also known as KROT!, a Central Asian label co-founded with Mike Amrayev. MOLE! showcases music from Central Asia and releases work by underground artists. Through this connection, Kadath was also supported and released under the MOLE! Label.
What makes Dead Steppe Tapes special is its honest, no-nonsense DIY spirit. It is not built around trends or commercial expectations but around real support for the scene. Timur has received strong recognition not only from local musicians but also from international bands who send him their music for distribution. That shows how important this kind of work is: building bridges between Central Asia and the wider underground metal world.
Question 11: On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Hauras’ Answer: The reaction from black metal fans around the world has been very encouraging for us. We have already been featured or mentioned in places such as the Netherlands, South America, Russia, China, and other regions, which means a lot for a young band coming from the underground scene.
We have also received offers to exchange merchandise with labels such as Moribund Records, Zero Tolerance Productions, and Throllzorn, and we are currently in talks with AntiPropaganda Propaganda, which, as far as we know, is based in South Asia. For us, this kind of attention is a strong sign that the music is reaching people beyond our immediate local scene.
What matters most is not only the numbers but also the fact that musicians, labels, and listeners from different parts of the world are responding to Antithetic's atmosphere and identity. That support motivates us to keep pushing the band further.
According to our statistics, many of our listeners are from Helsinki, Finland. That is especially meaningful to us because Finland has such a strong black metal tradition. Receiving support from Finnish black metal fans is probably one of the things we are most proud of so far.
Question 12: What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Hauras’ Answer: The other members continue to follow their own musical paths, and I deeply respect that. We often perform together, support each other’s projects, and remain connected through the same underground scene.
I was also present with Mike Amrayev during the recording, mixing, and mastering of Fury Within’s material. I think Fury Within is excellent - musically, it has a certain resemblance to the spirit of Satanic Warmaster, but what makes the project especially interesting to me is its use of the Korean language.
To be honest, I had never really heard Korean black metal before, and that immediately gave Fury Within a sense of authenticity and uniqueness. It feels personal, distinct, and rooted in something different from the usual black metal formulas.
I wish them all the best. Every musician needs to develop their own vision, and I think these side projects only strengthen the scene.
Question 13: Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Hauras’ Answer: In the future, we want Antithetic to grow both musically and as a live force. Our goal is to bring the band to larger stages and festivals, including Download Festival, Wacken Open Air, Steelfest, and Maryland Deathfest. We also want to tour not only across the United States but eventually throughout Europe and other parts of the world.
Musically, I think our style will continue to become more ambitious, atmospheric, and powerful. We want to preserve the melodic black metal foundation of Kadath while expanding it with deeper arrangements, stronger live energy, and more fully developed spiritual and mythological concepts.
We would love to give people the chance to hear Antithetic in places such as Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Japan, Finland, and Turkey. Reaching Kazakhstan would be especially meaningful to me. At the same time, Finland would also hold great significance because of its deep connection to black metal and the influence it has had on us.
Our goal is to reach the widest possible audience without compromising the band's essence. Antithetic will continue to move forward through darkness, melody, ancient imagery, and opposition to the ordinary.
Question 14: 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?
Hauras’ Answer: Our music has been shaped by many bands and styles within black metal and melodic extreme metal. Some of the most important influences on Antithetic are Horna, Dissection, Stormkeep, Stormruler, Moonlight Sorcery, Inquisition, Satanic Warmaster, Zatemno, Nebokray, Drudkh, Lord Belial, Verletzen, Kannonenfieber, Batushka, and Mgła. These are not only bands that shaped our style but also artists I continue to listen to regularly.
Dissection gave us a strong sense of melody, darkness, and precision. Horna and Satanic Warmaster influenced the colder, more uncompromising side of our sound, while bands like Stormkeep, Stormruler, and Moonlight Sorcery helped shape the more epic and atmospheric elements.
Surma is especially connected to Finnish black metal. He listens to a lot of Horna, Satanic Warmaster, Sargeist, and Archgoat, and that influence became very important for Kadath. He brought a distinct Finnish atmosphere to the album, especially through his riffs, which form the core of many choruses, as well as through the Finnish lyrics.
Even though we sometimes have different ideas about how the music should sound, that contrast has become one of Antithetic's strengths. We found a way to combine our influences rather than choose only one direction. The result is music that carries melodic aggression, raw black metal energy, atmosphere, and several cultural and linguistic layers at once.
Question 15: Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Hauras’ Answer: We are truly happy to share the music we create. This vision has been with us for a long time, and only now have we been able to bring it fully to life through Antithetic. For us, this band is not just another project - it is a necessary creative outlet and a way to express everything that has been growing within us for years.
We also encourage people to support the local underground scene, not only Antithetic but also our friends and comrades in bands such as Fleshmass, Goat Piss, Winter Nights, Viserion, Lord of Horns, Jotunheim, Vampiric Crypt, Grandeur, Fury Within, and many others. We also want to recognize the work of underground organizers and labels such as Eternal Blasphemy Productions, who help keep this scene alive.
Underground music survives through real support. Listening to bands, sharing their music, buying merchandise, donating when possible, and attending shows all make a difference. These actions allow musicians to continue creating and help the scene become stronger, more united, and more visible.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Antithetic so far. We are only at the beginning of this path.
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