Exquisite Ending Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Exquisite Ending are a three piece black metal group from the United Kingdom. We seek to take the many diverse sides of the Black Metal genre, and seek to combine them into one darkened sound that emanates the influences of old while embracing the new. While conveying an introspective self-loathing catastrophe of melodic movement and unrelenting rawness, combined with occult and ritualistic ideologies of "Misanthropism".

2.You have a new ep coming out in 2015, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from your previous material?

"The Rite Of Misanthropism Psalms I-IV" is the first part of a long running conceptual work between us, based around the cult of "Misanthropism" which we practice.
It is a hate filled record, and 'audible tome' if you like to our misanthropic practices. They are the hymns of which we preach, towards the hatred of ourselves and mankind as a whole.

It differs significantly from "The Pain Of Passing I embrace" (our first record) as that album focuses much more deeply on self hated, suicide and depression. While "The Rite Of Misanthropism" is entirely extroverted hated, and a true awakening to the worthlessness of humanity.

Our music is equally as important as our message, we take great lengths to cultivate and refine our sound. We wish to take inspiration from the black metal groups that came before, but rather then imitate, we seek to add our own alterations. We are versed in musical theory, and use that to create our calculated dissonance and tension, coupled with technical ability in order to better convey this dark message we have set out to broadcast.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Our lyrical themes all stem from hatred, depression and isolation. However from our first record we have evolved, and the Misanthropism took hold of us, and now that hatred is turned outwards towards civilisation, and occult and ritualistic practices.

4.On the album cover you had quite a few occult symbols, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

As I have said, we are creating the foundations for the cult of "Misanthropism", which is a paradoxical religion that preaches the hatred and eradication of mankind. Like most religions we take influence from others, Thelema, Satanism, Solomon's works, while all being inherently human, and flawed, have important aspects that we wished to incorporate into Misanthropism.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name  "Exquisite  Ending'?

The name, like the band, has evolved. It began as a relishing in ones own demise, a beauty found in suicide. However it now has taken on a new form, in the appreciation of death as a whole, how Exquisite the Ending of ones life can be, be it our own or others. Because we will all return to the void eventually, and that will truly be exquisite.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Every performance is valuable, because it gains experience for us. And we are able to preach to a new group of people. The most recent show we undertook with Black Shoals in Worthing was extremely rewarding for us, as we had the pleasure to witness a very talented group and be able to express our creativity and message to a lot of willing people.

We wish our stage show to be striking, we have an old television playing clips that I have selected from various films/documentaries/snuff/etc. In an attempt to open up the audiences aural and visual pathways to achieve a higher understanding of the complete worthlessness and emptiness that is felt by all.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

For shows we have a few big ones coming up; Eradication festival in April, Sermon of Underground Brutality in October. As well as other shows we cannot sadly announce yet. In terms of tours we have a few potential plans on the horizon, but nothing has been planned as of yet.

8.A few months back you where a part of a split with Written In Torment, what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the album?

We admire the creative works of Written In Torment. It was good to collaborate on a release with him, and feedback on the various artwork ideas.

9.The band is signed to Hibernacula Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Hibernacula Records is a UK record label run by Danny Page. They wish to be a dwelling for artists to create and grow, as opposed to a harsh corporate system. They don't deal in contracts, and practice complete transparency with their artists. We find the label works well for us because they are artists themselves, and understand both the creative and business sides needed to help musicians grow. While the bands grow, the label grows, and visa versa, We're all together for the same common goal.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

We have had positive feedback from the UK black metal scene, being that its our place of residence, we have also had a lot of positive praise from a black metal collective in Russia, Indonesia, and of course the Norwegian masters.

11.Are any of the band members involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

We are involved in other projects, however as to why we have chosen to go by other names, we also wish to not let those projects be judged unfairly or out of context with Exquisite Ending.

12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Darker, more complex, potentially more avant garde. We wish to let the void grip us, and we mould it to whatever shape we wish.

13.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?

I cannot speak for the others, but personally I listen to a large variety of music. In terms of black metal bands I have listened to the obvious choices. But I also indulge in the more outlandish bands. Urfaust, Acherontas, Satanic Warmaster, Taake, Blut Aus Nord, Shining etc.

In terms of other genres I indulge in, they are far too vast to list. I love jazz, classical music, the multitude of subgenres in metal music. Anything that has been created for a purpose.

14.What are some of your non musical interests?

Photography, particularly trees. I read very regularly, primarily occult literature, but also factual and fiction depending on where the mood takes me. Other then that I devote most of my life to music.

15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

We hope this has been informative to anyone seeking answers, and that they wish to explore our music and our message. We are all worthless, and in that we are equal. We hope you die exquisitely.

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