1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Hepatomancy was born in late spring 2020. We are from Lombardy in northern Italy and we decided to start the band during the Covid-19 pandemic when in our area there were almost 500 deaths daily. Despite being in a restricted lockdown area, we kept on rehearsing illegally. Then in november 2020 we recorded our first EP entitled "De Tyrannide Daemonum".
2.So far you have released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you have went for on the recording?
Our first EP contains five songs for almost 20 minutes of old school Satanic Black Metal. It was recorded in eight hours and we're pretty satisfied by the final result, although it is not yet our definite sound. We aren't into experimentations, since we prefer a raw and primitive approach to Black Metal, namely: exploring the more violent and feral side of the genre. Our main goal is to play raw, minimalist, traditional, fast and brutal Black Metal. Some things that define our style are: fast tremolo riffs alternated with claustrophobic slow parts, high-pitched screams, heavily distorted guitars and furious blast beats. One thing that distinguishes Hepatomancy from other bands is the use of the gravity/freehand blasting technique that allows us to reach very high tempos.
3.A lot of your lyrics cover satanic and left hand path themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?
Both our imagery and lyrical concept are mainly based on Satanism. We're interested in Satanic philosophy and studies both on a social and a rationalistic point of view. We see Satan as a symbol of self-will, preservation, strength, individualism, nature and anti-conformism. The truth of reality against hipocrisy, common conventions, bigotry and false morality. We read the works of Przybyszewski, Crowley, Evola, Michael W.Ford and Lavey. We're also into european folklore, beliefs and traditions like vampyrism, witchery and lycanthropy, as well as being passionate of Etruscan and Graeco-Roman paganism and mythology.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hepatomancy'?
In Assyro-Babylonian, Roman, Etruscan and Greek religions Hepatomancy, also known as Haruspicy or Hepatoscopy, was a form of divination through the inspection of the entrails, especially the livers of sacrificed animals. It was a form of communication with the ancient gods. Such methods continued to be used into the Middle Ages, especially among pagans.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?
The front cover artwork was painted by the venezuelan artist Bryan Maita. The art is inspired by the Canto XXXIV of Dante's Inferno. The scene represents the centre of Hell, where Satan is trapped waist-deep in the ice.
6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
The band was formed by Tenebrius (guitars and vocals) and me, Eibon, on drums. We think that this is the best possible line up for Hepatomancy at the moment. If we were to consider adding a new member at some point in the future, we should consider recruiting a bassist, but not right now. We're a two piece band because it works.
7.You are also working with a variety of many different labels on the ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the labels that are helping you with this release?
After the recording session we started looking for a label interested in releasing it. We got some positive feedbacks and we agreed to release it in three formats. Narbentage Produktionen from Germany released it in 66 Tapes. We accepted the offer, because Narbentage Produktionen is a killer underground Black Metal label, known for releasing some killer and cult german bands like Grausamkeit, Birkabein etc. The CD version was released by the Polish label Under The Sign Of Garazel Productions in 300 copies. UTSOG is one of the best underground Black Metal label on the market, just think of their catalogue with bands such as: Cultes Des Ghoules, Lord Of Evil, Szron, Arkona, Dark Fury, Faustcoven, Mgla etc. In the next few months UTSOG will release also a vinyl version of "De Tyrannide Daemonum" as a Split 12" LP with Hell's Coronation, limited to 200 copies. It will be a split label release with another killer Polish Black Metal label called Black Death Productions.
8.So far very little is known about the band, are you planning on expanding your presence in the future or do you prefer to keep a low profile?
The band was born during the Covid-19 pandemic in northern Italy and unfortunately we haven't had yet the chance to play live. We hope to play some gigs in the upcoming time. Regarding instead the promotional presence, we love reading zines and webzines and trading with bands and labels. We haven't yet considered the possibility of opening any social media accounts. Handling social medias is pretty demanding and time-consuming, we honestly prefer to rehearse and to compose music. YouTube is ok, but we prefer to listen to physical albums. Facebook and Instagram are very inflated in the scene today. Maybe someday we'll open a Bandcamp page.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
We got many positive feedbacks and few bad ones. It's part of the game, not everyone can enjoy our music. We play a very orthodox, brutal and raw style of Black Metal, unrelated to those who are into polished and over produced bands.
10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We're actually working on our First full length album entitled "Ego Sum Radix Et Templum Luciferi". It will contain nine songs for almost 30-35 minutes of obscure, brutal and reactionary Satanic Black Metal. Bryan Maita will take care of the front cover artwork of this album too.
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?
Our main influences are: early Mayhem, Von, early Gorgoroth, Profanatica, Ildjarn, Beherit, Impurity, Black Witchery, early Impaled Nazarene, Havohej, Mütiilation, Blasphemy, Vlad Tepes, Black Funeral, Unholy Archangel and Bone Awl just to name a few. We're fans of extreme metal in general: old school Death Metal, Death/Thrash in the vein of Sarcofago, Doom and Funeral Doom. Nowadays I'm listening to Black Cilice, Acheron, Sathanas, Venom, Obskuritatem, Sulphuric Night, Candelabrum, Lampir, Perverted Ceremony, Witchcraft and Incantation among others.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for your time and your interesting questions. Keep alive the Satanic flame of traditional Black Metal with your sick webzine! Here you can get our first EP https://narbentage.bandcamp.com/album/de-tyrannide-daemonum
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