For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Hail.
Schmerz here (guitarist)
Embraced by Darkness is a Dutch black metal band that started in 2013, when a few musicians that were already active in other metal bands, decided to form a black metal band.
2.Recently you have released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
The band plays an aggressive yet melodic form of black metal with some death metal influences. We want to play black metal without any constraints. So it doesn’t really matter whether the songs have a more traditional or more modern black metal feeling, or if doom or death influences are incoorporated.
The band has been around since 2013 but waited until 2022 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait?
As it is often the case with bands, we searched a long time for a solid line-up. Due to long-term absences, dismissals, and such, it took forever to find a solid line-up. Since a few years we have crafted a line-up that is solid, so it was time to record and release music. But then came corona, which also caused delays. Apart from that, some of us are active in other bands and projects as well (which also consumes time).
A lot of your lyrics cover satanic and occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?
There have been a lot of false prophets throughout our history, and all of them had the urge to enslave the masses. When you look at the history of the biblical tales, the so-called God didn’t want the people to be free; he demands people to serve under his command. Lucifer rejected this enslavement, and told God “Non Serviam”. It’s better to rule in Hell, than to serve in Heaven. This sort of defiance is something that strongly appeals to me.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Embraced By Darkness'?
We are all surrounded by Darkness, Accept the fact we are dark by nature, instead of playing to a so called God that isn’t true.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new ep cover?
For our “MMXXII” EP we wanted the artwork to represent a feeling of mourning and emptiness. To me the artwork looks really cold, and that was what we were aiming for.
7.Has the band done any live shows or have any plans for gigs in the future?
Yes, we done several live shows, and are also planning new live shows. We think our live rituals will strengthen the darkness of our music. Our next album is scheduled for later this year, and for promotional purposes, live shows are key. We hope to visit a lot of venues throughout Europe (and beyond).
On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Since the release of “MMXXII” we received a lot of positive reactions from the Black Metal community.
What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Me and Schrat are, among other things, still active in Winter of Sin. Al lot of songs have been written, and we are working on the arrangements so we can record a new album, hopefully later also this year. Due to illnesses and other unforeseen circumstances, we have had to put this on hold for a while, but we will be back.
10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Our new album will be out in autumn this year. We are now working on shows in Sweden. Our new label is also working to arrange live shows. Venues can book us directly as well. Musically, we expect to gradually phase out the death metal influences a bit, and maybe even shift a bit in the DSBM direction. Things will get darker as time progresses.
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?
We have a wide spectrum of bands we like. I personally have over 4000 albums. Most of us are really into black metal, others have a preference for doom and DSBM or death metal.
Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for this interview (and great review)!
To the Black Metal fans, support the scene, visit live shows, and buy music and merchandise.
Schmerz.
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