1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
We would like to tell you that we are doing a lot of concerts, but the current circumstances do not allow it. Here in France everything is blocked for an indefinite time. We are polishing our set to defend it on stage in the best possible conditions. In parallel we are already composing new songs for our next release.
2.Recently you have released a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
We want to produce a raw Black Metal, without concession and very spontaneous. This is what we tried to develop during the recording. The idea being to go to the essential without artifice, we made our own sound recordings and let Karl Jonas Wijk from Studio Gustafsberg (Sweden) work his magic.
3.When I listened to the album I noticed you also mixed in a lot of influences from other underground musical genres but still managed to create a very dark and raw sound, do you feel it is important to try new things with your music instead of going for the same style throughout an album?
We didn't want to stay locked in one style, each track is different in its composition and reflects our various influences. We prefer to surprise the listener, even if it means surprising ourselves sometimes !
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
The title Roi-de-Rats is an allegory about the curse that some powerful people put in place to control the gullible masses. Vipubbaka is a French adaptation of one of the ten Asubãh prayers about the different stages of decomposition of a corpse. The texts in general take a disillusioned look at humanity which constantly repeats the same mistakes. Zero wrote the vast majority of the tracks on the album.
5.I know that the bands name means 'Rotten' in French, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?
Actually, the word "råtten" is of Norwegian origin and means putrid or rotten. This word represents well the musical style we want to propose, it is also present in all the lyrics of the album. We want to create a feeling of uneasiness in the listener...and in that sense it seems that we have achieved our goal.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Our visual is inspired by the theme of idolatry and the vanity of the human being. It represents a monolith placed in a desolate, rainy and sordid moor. The natural elements drown the space and crush the few worshippers prostrated at the feet of this decadent deity already forgotten. This is a graphite drawing that Kozlák made especially for the album.
7.Has the bands had any opportunities to do any live shows?
Unfortunately due to the Pandemic, several dates have been cancelled and some remain on hold if the situation does not improve. We are still looking for booking but for the moment we are giving appointments to the public on social networks, it's not the ideal but the best we can do at this time.
8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
We have had good feedback from our listeners, the reviews are positive and it's rewarding...we have to thank Jordi from Negra Nit Distro, Pau from Blood Fire Death and Janvier from Winter Sky Records (Canada) for the exposure they give to our first album.
9.Do any of the band members also have experience playing in other bands?
We are all musicians in different French bands and in different styles. Sid Negativv was part of the Death band "Djabah" as a singer, Kozlák is a guitarist in the Deathcore band "MeZəN" and Zero is also a guitarist in the Funeral Drone band "Deveikuth"
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
As mentioned above, we are already working on our next album. We are trying to schedule gigs as much as possible, but the situation is still very unstable...think about us here in Spain when your venues open !
11.What are you currently listening to nowadays?
Zero: "At the moment I'm listening to the talented French Black Metal band Hyrgal and I just discovered the German band Naxen".
Kozlák : "I really liked the last Ulcerate album, and I'm in my slow period with stoner -Lowrider- and sludge -(16)-"
Sid Negativv : "I recently discovered Iffernet, a French black metal band, I listen to Utzalu and a lot of punk crust.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for your interest. Thank you to all those who support us and who work to make Råtten recognized worldwide. We look forward to play Roi-De-Rats on stage.
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