Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Pagan Ulver Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?


1. Since the release of our debut album Obsidian Flame of Thy Offering, we’ve been focusing on promoting it through live shows and spreading our music to new audiences. And this month (September 20th) we’re honored to open for Katatonia and Gorod — another step that gives us the chance to bring Moroccan black metal to a wider stage


2.Recently you have released a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?


2. Musically, this album represents our blend of symphonic and melodic black metal. We wanted to create something grand, theatrical, and emotional while keeping the raw spirit 

of black metal intact. The orchestration plays a key role in building the atmosphere. We also went flirting with many elements from various genres such as progressive, post-black metal, and even using acoustics and classical music.



3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?


3. Our lyrics dive into themes of fantasy, tragedy, misanthropy, and self-destruction, with Obsidian Flame of Thy Offering in particular telling the story of a historical vampire. We 

explore both historical and personal darkness through a dramatic lens.


4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Pagan Ulver'?


. The name Pagan Ulver is directly tied to nature. “Pagan” reflects the untamed, outside-ofstructure essence we identify with, while “Ulver” — wolves in Norwegian — symbolizes the wilderness, solitude, and raw beauty of the natural world. Together, the name embodies our connection to nature’s darkness and mystery, which are central to our music.


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


The album artwork was created to mirror the music’s atmosphere — dark, tragic, and majestic, which was made by the talented artist & producer Hicham Hamzi 

(@hhich.design). It portrays the eternal struggle between light and shadow, humanity and monstrosity, which ties directly into the narrative of the vampire that I already mentioned in question 3.


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


6. The most important show we’ve played so far was Mosh’kill in February, where we appeared in our true identity for the first time, performing with black metal elements such 

as corpse paint. It was a turning point for us, which marks a new step in our journey. On stage, we aim to deliver a theatrical and intense performance that brings our music fully to life


7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?


7. We are currently planning more shows in Morocco to promote the album, and we are also exploring opportunities abroad. Touring is definitely one of our next objectives.



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


. As you said, we are currently unsigned, but we don’t see that as a limitation. Nowadays, many bands are able to successfully promote themselves without the backing of a label, 

and we take inspiration from that. Bands like Blackbraid have shown how far an independent path can go. For us, what matters most is staying true to our vision and finding 

the right opportunities, whether independently or eventually with a label that truly understands our music.



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


The reaction worldwide has been very encouraging since the beginning. We were humbled by the feature in Metal Hammer last year, and the support from international fans is 

continued since then. It shows us that black metal has no borders. With the release of our album, we expanded the borders to more far regions across the globe, which shows that we can raise our voices even from a small town we live in across the whole globe


10.How would you describe the extreme metal scene in your home country of Morocco?


The extreme metal scene in Morocco is still underground but growing stronger. There’s a dedicated community of musicians and fans who keep the flame alive despite the internal and external challenges. We’re proud to be part of this evolution, yet we are aiming for what’s more beyond the borders, and explore the unexplored.


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


 Musically, we see ourselves diving even deeper into the aspects of our sound while keeping the raw black metal energy intact. We want to push the contrast between grandeur and aggression even further, and show that there’s no limitations.


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


. Various, we listen to various musical genres, not necessarily just black metal. It could anything that fits the mood of each member, from black metal to classical, folk, indie and 

even ambient music. This diversity is the key that shapes the identity of the artist, it shapes also the sound and provide more various ideas.



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


Thank you once again for the interview and the support. To the readers — we invite you to listen to Obsidian Flame of Thy Offering and join us on this journey. The future of metal 

is rising in unexpected places, and we’re honored to be part of that story. May your hearts be free of sin


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