Q. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
A. We're a metal band from the Pacific Northwest United States. The band was initially formed in 2019. The band has spent a lot of time in isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Q. Recently you have released your first full length. Musically, how does it differ from past work?
A. Having experienced a few line up changes, and having plenty of time and live performances to refine the sound, we feel this work is more direct and aggressive.
Q. The earlier material had more symphonic elements which are absent from the new recording. Can you tell us a little bit more about the decision behind going in this musical direction?
A. The first work was written and recorded with Devi on the keyboards. Due to health issues, they had to take absence from the band. We had to change our focus and our sound as a result of their leaving.
Q. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far?
A. The lyrical content deals with the dark side of life and human interaction. Isolation. Depression. The beauty of Oregon nature. Being alone in a crowded place. In civilization. Very few things in life don't involve predation in some way. It's fascinating and scary. You can't not play the game. We sing about hate, fear, and longing.
Q. What is the meaning behind and inspiration behind the name Redivivus?
A. The band comes from the ashes of Smutek. It means rebirth or reborn. A rebirth of the burning flame that was Smutek. Redivivus.
Q. Can you tell us a little more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
A. It is painted on the back of an old mirror by our close friend and musical associate Jordan Mustill. Jordan understands the monstrous nature of trying to describe the things we all try to say with our art. We trust him. He showed us a flaming series of pedestals with a lot of chaos and we said "hell yeah". The original piece is on Abraxas' couch right now and it looks great.
Q. What are some of the best shows the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
A. Obviously shows with more established bands are cool for us because of the larger crowds. Mortiferum, Uada, Eight Bells, Ascended Dead just to name a few. Honestly some of the coolest shows are just ripping with people from our hometown. We did one right after lockdown lifted. Everybody was so hungry. There are different ways to kill it. Every time we have a really good show it brings us closer to our goals.
Q. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
A. Currently we have some Northwest shows booked to test the waters with our sound. We feel it's something unique. Something different. In our local community this is working. Fiadh Productions is kind to do a tape release for us to be heard by different listeners. By people who feel like we do. Shows are good for that too of course, whatever town you're in.We would like to tour as much as we can. It's not getting any easier sadly.
Q. So far you have done Smutek and Katatonia covers. What was the decision behind doing your own versions of their songs?
A. THE KATATONIA!
Q. On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
A. Globally? We are uncertain. We've noted listeners from other countries on this new release. We hope to rip them up in person as soon as possible.
Q. What's going on with some of the other bands or musical projects that some of the band members are a part of?
A. Of course we all have other projects. Underground metal musicians generally do. Austin, Abraxas and Robin have Flatulent Sermon. A brutal death metal band very different from Redivivus. Jeremy has a blackened thrash band called Bad at Life that focuses on fast tempos and neo-classical leads mixed with lo-fi black metal. Robin also plays with Aequorea, bringing the sledgehammer to the bardo dim. Damian's project Dark Entrails ferments in shadow.
Q. Where do you see the band heading in the future?
A. Looking ahead, we see ourselves creatively becoming more poisonous and explicit. Removing and refining.
Q. Does Occultism play any role in your music?
A. The answer is yes.
Q. 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?
A. We listen hard. We listen to everything. We're listening to Wino Willy right now coming off Marduk. We listen hard to our friends around here who all play in amazing bands. Occult Blood. Boltcutter. Egotones. Gamma Knife. Toxic Witch. We get our doors blown off regularly.
Q. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
A. Abraxas' parents were drug addled bikers. Tracy passed away when he was 15 from an overdose. His dad Paul passed the same way 30 years later. Abraxas' brother J died in 2015 from suicide. Rest to all. Sometimes suffering and longing can make us stronger. Loneliness. Jeremy spent a very long time alone and isolated. Damian has been deeply grieving for his younger brother that recently passed. Indications of other planes of existence, in our lives and in our music, are always heavy. Who isn't weirded out? Who isn't afraid? Gratitude to Occult Black Metal and Fiadh Productions.
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