1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
We are working hard on various aspects of the band, from promotion (including written and radio interviews and reviews) to rehearsals as we finalise a one-hour live set. Alongside this some ideas are borning for a next material, thus we are busy but very motivated with the revival of Möhrkvlth!
2.You have a new album coming out in May, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
We took all the time we needed from composing, recording to mastering. Gwenojennoù An Ankounac'h is built with longer songs and a strong work on atmospheres, with more harmonies between the two guitars, a lo-fi and big sound at the same time. There are more contrasts and melodies, we go deeper in creation. The general musical spectrum is more intense and massive on the new album.
3.This is also going to be your first album since 2018, can you tell us a little bit more about the 8 year wait in between releases?
We played live until May 2019 and then some musicians became unavailable going abroad, for life choices for other one, big health problems for me and another one... When I felt better I asked to old friends who live near home and played in other black metal bands to join me for the second album that I composed (rythm guitars mostly). As soon as it was ok for them we started to record it in 2024 and 2025.
4.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the new release and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
We use the breton language in our songs except for “Pour Une Couronne de Chrysanthèmes” and “Aux Songes De L’Hiver”. For the first album it was our previous singer Hiron who wrote the lyrics. Now it is Mathieu the new singer who does this job. So for this second album Mathieu wrote about the past wars and battles that Bretons suffered to help France. There are references to World War I and previous battles. Despite that we too develop some lyrics about melancholy and the dark beauty, mysteries of our mystical and dark Brittany. The song “Va C’heriadenn” (My Village) was written in 1967 by Añjela Duval (1905-1981), a breton poetess who sees sadly year after year modernity transforming her village, her neighbours leaving Brittany, her farm animals disappearing, machines replacing humans...
5.Some of your lyrics have also covered Celtic and Breton Paganism, Legend sand History, how would you describe your interest in these topics?
Paganism and legends were mostly evocated for the first album. With “Gwenojennoù An Ankounac’h” we have moved to a next level, from some druidism on the first album to calvaries now, which represent nearest days but similarities in their meanings not only talking about faith (milestones, beacons...).
The historic dimension is the essence of everything. Brittany existed before France and has endured several painful chapters in its history. It’s a massive topic, we could write volumes about it, and we’ll continue to do it!
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Möhrkvlth'? l
We pronounce it like if it was written “Mort Culte” (Death Cult). I wanted it to be hard to read, difficult to remember visually as Black Metal can be hard to listen at first glance. If people remember how we write and pronounce it then it will mean that the band has finally made their mark!
7.How would you describe the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Galaad the new drummer painted it when we almost finished the mixing and mastering of the album. So he painted his feelings about the music and lyrics. He is the one who speaks breton in the band. “Gwenojennoù An Ankounac’h” could be the name of this incredible paint. This title means “The Paths Of Oblivion” and that’s what is represented here in the artwork like in the lyrics : a melancholic breton landscape without humans but with something they built (the calvary and a small barrier) and must make us remember who came there before and why, and why we are here now...
8.Out of all the shows and tours the band has done so far, which one stands out the most?
Playing with Délétère from Québec in my basement in Plougonven for the release of the first album on July 2nd 2018! But I have excellent memories of some festivals like Motocultor Festival, Cernunnos Pagan Fest, Samain Fest, Les Feux De Beltane, Rockmetalcamp Fest... Each concert was an incredible experience...
9.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
The first official concert will be a medieval festival in Center Brittany (Rostrenen, where Antiq Label has its shop) in June 20. We have other plans for the rest of the year and already for 2027 but we wait to announce it as the organizers can’t reveal it immediately.
10.The new album is going to be released on 'Antiq Records'. how would you compare working with this label to 'Asgard Hass Productions'?
I wanted to work with a local and solid label. It is important for me to have musicians near home and to work with a label that I can meet physically. It is natural and logical in the concept of Möhrkvlth. Antiq Records works hard for us, communicates often on medias, makes good promotion, it is one of the most reputable label in the black metal scene. The release includes a digipack CD, a vinyl and a t-shirt. It is a higher step for Möhrkvlth in the underground.
11.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
When the first autoproduct demo was released in 2016, I sold out in some weeks the 100 numbered copies, and I did 100 more that were too sold oud some weeks after that. From the beginning Möhrkvlth has a fan base in Brittany that became bigger as soon as we broadcast our material on the internet and won interest in every continent. Paolo Bruno the founder of Thy Light who is like a brother for me gave us some publicity since the beginning. Between 2018 and now some fans asked regularly when Möhrkvlth would release something new, and since we broadcast songs of the new album their reactions are incredible. It seems that we are expected...
12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We will continue to play some true/atmospheric/epic/melancholic/melodic/pagan black metal. Each element will be present, sometimes more in a true vein, sometimes more in a melancholic side... The most important for me is to keep the essence of black metal without sounding like another band, without sounding modern, without copying anyone. Möhrkvlth entity will keep the black metal flame with its personality.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
We still listen to the black metal legends of the 80-90's, the local scene like Belenos, to some heavy metal, to Breton and Celtic music, to some DSBM, métal noir québecois, Finnish and black metal from Eastern Europe, and medieval songs.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for this great interview and for the excellent review of “Gwenojennoù An Ankounac’h”. To all readers, listen to the album with headphones in the dark and let yourself be transported into the mysterious depths of Brittany. Enjoy the journey, bon voyage !
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