Deus Sabaoth Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

While eagerly awaiting the release of ‘Cycle Of Death,’ we're deeply immersed in the creation of our second LP. The album will consist of seven tracks, and most of the material has already been composed. We've begun the recording process and are fine-tuning the details to ensure it captures the atmosphere and intensity we aim for.

2.You have your first full length coming out early in 2025, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

The early composed material for this album was strongly inspired by classical Baroque music. Later on, it evolved into black metal, though not conventional. The idea of combining these two genres excited me a lot. On one hand, they create a strong contrast, and on the other, both share a dark, tense atmosphere and tend to appeal not only to the emotional but to the intellectual part of our mind. The fact that Baroque music was often written for liturgies and church services, while black metal condemns religion at its core, adds even more polarity to the music.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover existential and religion themes, can you tell us a little bit more about the research you have put into the songwriting?

Most of the lyrics are based on personal experience and widely known religious teachings and texts, so they did not require any intentional research, unlike some of the tracks from our next album, which address particular characters or events. However, the song "Faceless Warrior," which in some sense draws a parallel between a rebel sentenced to death by religious authorities and a martyr who fanatically gives his life to win another fight for church domination, has been partially inspired by true historical figures, like Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Some insights were gained after reading through his letters, in which one can see his sick affection for violent death through being torn by wild animals in the arena, to acquire an eternal glory as a disciple of Christ.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Deus Sabaoth'?

The name 'Deus Sabaoth' comes from the Old Testament and translates from Latin as “God of armies” ('Yahweh Tsebaoth' in Hebrew). It’s associated with the times of armed conflicts. Modern theologians explain its meaning by referring to angelic hosts, sun and stars, avoiding any relation to violence and war. For me, it reflects the nature of Christianity with its dominance and violent historical impact, and the hypocrisy surrounding its central figure, which suits perfectly to mirror the concept of lyrics and the atmosphere of our music.  

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

The album cover originates from an artwork by Gustave Doré, a renowned 19th-century French artist whose illustrations of the Bible and Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy” became classics. This grim image conveys the atmosphere of the music and the context couldn’t suit the album’s themes more perfectly. There’s so much in the expressions on the faces, and of course, the central character - a figure that deeply resonates with the lyrics of this album.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Currently, Deus Sabaoth is a studio project, so we don’t perform live.

7.Do you have any touring and show plans for 2025?

No, I believe that at least for the next year nothing will change and we’ll continue working in studio format.

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

After the release of “Cycle Of Death”, I’m really inclined to find a label for the next album, since self-release turned out to be highly time-consuming and created stress when balancing quality and logistics. We are still in the early stages of working on the new material, but a label that aligns with our artistic vision would be an ideal fit for our next steps.

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

We’ve received a lot of positive feedback highlighting interesting musical concept, melodicity and adversity from the other bands.

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

Our new material goes deeper into black metal, decreasing the portion of piano and violins a bit, while still keeping Baroque influence. It gets darker and heavier in atmosphere without losing the contrasts we’ve created from the beginning. We will probably move further in this direction, incorporating more complex musical forms and expanding the boundaries of the genre.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

Ercld (drums): over the past few months, I've been listening to Oathbreaker, Slayer, and Mayhem the most

N-Exul (vocals): bands that are currently present in my playlist: Darkthrone, Kampfar, Behexen, Mgła, Whoredom Rife, Satyricon, Kanonenfieber, Urgehal, Sólstafir, Thron, Taake, Sacrilegious Impalement, Rotting Christ, Behemoth

Alyona Neith (music, lyrics, bass): lately I’ve been listening to Kriegsmachine, Anomalie, late Kampfar, Panzerfaust (last album)

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

We’d like to thank everyone who’s supported us so far. We’re really excited for the upcoming release of 'Cycle of Death' and can’t wait for you to hear the new material we’ve been working on. Make sure to follow us on our Instagram (@deus.sabaoth_band) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/deussabaothband) and check out our music on Bandcamp (https://deussabaoth.bandcamp.com). Stay tuned for more updates.