Thursday, September 6, 2018

Witch King Interview

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

Ethan: We are a Rhode Island extreme metal band formed in 2008 while the members were still in high school. Over the years we've spent our time writing music and performing on the local live circuit; as well as a few demo recordings here and there.

2.In September your first full length will be released, what are some of the things you feel you have done different musically with this album that you where not able to do with your previous demo's, ep and split?

Ethan: The production quality is much higher, and the musicianship has improved over the years.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with your music?

Ethan: The lyrics to the first album were mostly written in my younger years, and deal with my personal path in life, a rejection of Judeo-Christianity influenced by Luciferian Gnosticism, with a dash of Lovecraftian cosmic horror thrown in just for fun.

4.You have a lot of blasphemous topics in the songwriting, do the band members also have any interest in any left hand path philosophies?

Ethan: I cultivate an interest in Gnosticism and Luciferian thought, which comes through in a primitive, formative way on this album.  Future releases will explore this more in depth.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Witch King'?

Ethan: It is taken from The Lord of the Rings, an early life influence on the members of the band.

 6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?

Ethan: It's a visual representation of the title track, depicting a call to confront and absorb the horrific and morbid aspects of life, that are hidden behind the shallow plastic mask of modern day life.
Sean: The album cover was done by Warhead Art. A totally sick artist out of the Ukraine .

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Ethan: We have a pretty bare bones stage show, rejecting costumes, props, or stage banter.  We prefer to let the music speak for itself. Personally my favorite show we've played was opening for DEMONCY on their Providence date, easily the greatest USBM band and a powerful live force.
Sean: The Morbosidad show in Brooklyn this year was insane. Blaspherian and Hellfire Deathcult also played.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the album is released?

Ethan: We will hopefully debut our album September 22 at Dusk, the local metal bar (which is quite the high quality venue and has been very good to us over the years). Further plans remain to be seen.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?

Ethan: The album has yet to be released to the public, so we shall see.
Sean: Aside from the US, a lot of our sales for the Conjuration ep went to Sough American and Australia.

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

Ethan:We plan to continue to keep it loud and old school.
Sean: Faster, heavier, and a fucking ton more chaotic.

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?

Ethan: The band is heavily influenced by ARCHGOAT, BLASPHEMY, INCANTATION, IMMOLATION, BLACK WITCHERY, SARCOFAGO, and BEHERIT. I personally take vocal inspiration from Craig Pillar of INCANTATION, Dead from MAYHEM, and Fucked-Up Mad Max of WORSHIP.

I've recently enjoyed the music of PERVERTED CEREMONY and MOENEN OF XEZBETH.

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

Ethan: Never blow out the Eastern candle, never cross the dead, and DON'T BREAK THE OATH!

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