Wékeras Interview

 

1.For those who have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Vulgael: Wékeras is a four-piece black metal band, formed in 2022 and hailing from Stockholm. Musically, we play a mix of second-wave black metal with some 80s influences. Even if we are based in Sweden, we have international origins: French, Polish and German. 

Shortly after we started the band, we recorded our first demo, “Pochwała Cienia”. And just recently, a new album emerged under the Pagan Records banner: "Do wirów, do krzyków".

2.You have your first full length coming out towards the end of June, musically how does it differ from your previous demo?

Horreur: yes our first full album "Do wirów, do krzyków" came out on the 29th of June 2025.

It is a continuation of the demo, with more songs with different moods but still atmospheric. A mix of fast/mid tempo in the style of 1st and 2nd wave black metal with a pinch of thrash, one could say. 

Two songs from the demo have been re-recorded. The sound is sharper, still raw and cold, while the demo was maybe a bit more lowfi chaotic mostly due to the fact that it was recorded all at once together in our rehearsal tomb.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover primitive magic, demonology and Slavic Folklore, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

JRMR: Slavic folklore is something I was really into since my teenage years, when I was involved in historical reenactment groups. In the beginning, my focus was strongly on pre-christian and early Middle-Age, but I gradually evolved into more general interest about everyday life and beliefs. On this album I was taking inspirations from many sources: for example, lyrics in Bezdech describe a Slavic demon called Lady Midday, while Niedola was inspired by a XIXth century story about what happens after you hang yourself…

4.Lyrically you also cover horror topics, which aspects of this genre do you bring out with the songwriting?

JRMR: I tend to focus on themes like fear, madness, and borders of reality - and not so much gore or violence. I am interested in emotions and ideas that go deeper under the surface, and evoke the darker corners of the human mind.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Wékeras'?

JRMR: Modern European languages have the same origins for words like “evening” or  “west”, depending on the language group. Going deeper, “wekeras” could mean “evening” in Proto-Indo-European reconstruction. Literally, it can be translated as “towards the night”, which is both symbolic and mysterious. We found it really fitting, given our international background.

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

JRMR: The illustration is based on the lyrics, especially those talking about witchcraft: Urok and Ohyda. It is strongly connected to the other illustrations in the booklet: one, depicting a female nursing an adult human skull, and the other showing a hut on a hen’s leg. Who, or what is the main character, struggling with her burden up the hill, in the morbid light? A human, or a monster? I'll let you interpret it for yourself.

About the technique, they were really special pieces for me, as I have drawn them with my own blood. It is a very interesting, quite demanding medium that requires both patience and focus. 

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

Vulgael: Our shows focus on what matters the most to us in a live setting: the raw aggressivity of old school black metal.

We performed a lot last year, so it’s not easy to pick best shows, but one that definitely comes to mind is the blast we had in Berlin, Germany at Schwartz Metall für Schwärzeste Wälder. Great atmosphere, awesome crowd response.

Also one very memorable gig was held inside a bunker in the middle of a forest on the outskirts of Stockholm. The electricity was made by generators, and all the backline had to be carried up a mountain. The bunker itself was small, humid and dirty, and it was creating an oppressive atmosphere. We also had the chance to play at few open-air festivals, which were a lot of fun. But conveying the same raw energy as in clubs can be tougher, even though the open-air setting has its own magic.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

Vulgael: At the moment we are focusing on the new material. We plan performing and hitting the road again next year.

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

Vulgael: Our first demo, Pochwała Cienia, was well received. It was recorded live with a very raw production so international reception was not really a goal here, haha. That said, the first edition got sold out pretty quickly and was re-released by Nigredo Records. We also got interest from Asia, with a Malaysian label, Eastern Myth Records, releasing it on tape.

As of this interview, our debut album just came out, so it’s too soon to say how it’s being received overall, but the first reviews have been strong.

10.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?

Pitoperversor is busy with several bands right now, both recording and playing live.

JRMR’s other band, Trucizna, has just released another EP. Preparing new material as we speak.

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

Horreur: Music and riffs come differently depending on mood and mindset so we will see.

We do already have songs somewhat ready: we continue with similar music, still atmospheric and/or eerie, some more folkish, some faster and more violent. It basically goes as it comes, I do not want to be cornered to a particular sub genre: I prefer freedom of creation, as long as we all validate the result.

I also want to continue having synth or maybe ambient songs similar to Mogiła from the album (this song is only guitar + effects). Such tracks are a great way to illustrate further what our songs are about with a bit of mystery.

12.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?

Horreur: well nothing special for my side: I got fascinated by Bathory, Burzum, Emperor, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth and the like in the 2000s at first once I got access to internet (to put it simply: I am from the country side of France and had no access to such music before). So the mentioned bands really lit up a candle inside of me, and are a base for Wékeras music so far, like an homage, and also influenced how I compose and play now.  Later after that I discovered more bands from around the planet and from different times.

I am always on the look out for less known BM bands from the 90s. I recently discovered Finnish band Wanderer and I was hypnotized by their demo “Surrounded by these firs”.

Otherwise I can mention a few other bands I listen to right now: Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, Beherit, Tormentor, Maleficum Orgia, Mysteries, Katharsis.

When it comes to synth: Grausamkeit, Blod Besvimelse, Trollheim or Örnatorpet.

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

Horreur: respect Nature or what lies in your shadow might get you. 

Thanks to everyone supporting us.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wekeras.band
Bandcamp: https://wekeras.bandcamp.com