Pokuta Interview

 

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

Mateusz Jakubski: Hi, first of all, thanks for reaching out for this interview. Pokuta was formed in 2024 in Rzeszów, Poland. We’re a black metal project bringing together musicians with vastly different musical backgrounds. I had a lot of ideas beforehand, but it wasn’t until Adam joined that they started to take shape. After a while, we managed to recruit Kacper to play drums with us during sessions. After less than a year of playing together, we recorded material for our first EP.

2.You have an album coming out on Halloween, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

M.J: The entire EP follows a black metal convention. We wanted to create a kind of raw atmosphere, so there’s a lot of melody, harsh vocals, and synths in the background. Each one of us contributed something unique to the composition. You should really pay attention to the drums, which play a big role in our songs. It was made to be listened to in one go, so I recommend doing that for the full experience.

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

Adam Kanas: The lyrics are an indirect criticism of blind beliefs and false prophecies, mixed with a personal touch of emotions and life experiences. Out of respect, we’re not addressing any specific groups or religions, but that doesn’t take away from the message. In general, all the lyrics refer, in some way, to the changes in our value systems that have occurred recently.

4.I know that the bands name means atonement/expiation in English, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

M.J:  Atonement is an act of contrition and sorrow. In Christianity, the first step toward repentance is naming and addressing your sins. We see this as an attempt to cleanse ourselves by releasing whatever resides within us.

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

M.J: The figure on the cover is, in part, an embodiment of our inner selves.

The outstretched hands symbolize being torn between our own and imposed views. The white robes, in a way, conceal what lies within us.

The cover photo, like the others in the booklet, was taken by me using an old analog camera. I wanted to preserve the organic quality of the images that only film can provide.

6.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?

A.K: As of now, we haven’t played any gigs yet, but I’d personally love to perform our material in front of a live audience. We’re currently finalizing our concert lineup, so we hope you’ll be able to see us live soon.

7.So far very little is known about the band, do you prefer to keep a lower profile?

M.J: We’re just getting started, which is why there’s very little information available. However, we hope that this will change over time and that more people will learn what Pokuta is.

8.The album is coming out on 'Via Nocturna', how did you get in contact with this label?

M.J: We got in touch with the label thanks to Piotr from Solid Rock PR (whom we’d like to thank, by the way). He sent out our promo, and Via Nocturna took us under their wing.

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

M.J: We got in touch with the label thanks to Piotr from Solid Rock PR (whom we’d like to thank, by the way). He sent out our promo, and Via Nocturna took us under their wing.

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

M.J: In the near future, our main goal is to start playing live. Beyond that, we’re constantly working on new material. We’re currently arranging songs for our next album, and we still have a few lyrics to write. Time will tell how quickly we’ll get it done.

A.K: I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead. Exploring the boundaries of my vocals is something I’ll definitely be working on. I also can’t wait to start playing live shows.

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?

M.J: I don’t think we’re focused on just one style, which resulted in a rather interesting combination. Lately, I’ve been revisiting several great albums from the Polish black metal scene- the debuts of Hauntologist and Gołoledź, or the latest releases by Dom Zły and Königreichssaal.

A.K: For Metanoia, I was greatly inspired by the first wave of black metal and wanted to keep that raw and harsh style. As for what I listen to, I adore the classics, but I also like to explore and dig around. It may not be a new discovery, but I highly recommend checking out Helleruin and Regarde Les Hommes Tomber.

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

A.K: Well, I’d like to thank you for having us and giving us the opportunity to share a little bit of insight about us and our music. It was a pleasure, and I encourage everyone to check us out.

M.J: Thank you!

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

Mateusz Jakubski: Hi, first of all, thanks for reaching out for this interview. Pokuta was formed in 2024 in Rzeszów, Poland. We’re a black metal project bringing together musicians with vastly different musical backgrounds. I had a lot of ideas beforehand, but it wasn’t until Adam joined that they started to take shape. After a while, we managed to recruit Kacper to play drums with us during sessions. After less than a year of playing together, we recorded material for our first EP.

2.You have an album coming out on Halloween, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

M.J: The entire EP follows a black metal convention. We wanted to create a kind of raw atmosphere, so there’s a lot of melody, harsh vocals, and synths in the background. Each one of us contributed something unique to the composition. You should really pay attention to the drums, which play a big role in our songs. It was made to be listened to in one go, so I recommend doing that for the full experience.

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

Adam Kanas: The lyrics are an indirect criticism of blind beliefs and false prophecies, mixed with a personal touch of emotions and life experiences. Out of respect, we’re not addressing any specific groups or religions, but that doesn’t take away from the message. In general, all the lyrics refer, in some way, to the changes in our value systems that have occurred recently.

4.I know that the bands name means atonement/expiation in English, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

M.J:  Atonement is an act of contrition and sorrow. In Christianity, the first step toward repentance is naming and addressing your sins. We see this as an attempt to cleanse ourselves by releasing whatever resides within us.

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

M.J: The figure on the cover is, in part, an embodiment of our inner selves.

The outstretched hands symbolize being torn between our own and imposed views. The white robes, in a way, conceal what lies within us.

The cover photo, like the others in the booklet, was taken by me using an old analog camera. I wanted to preserve the organic quality of the images that only film can provide.

6.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?

A.K: As of now, we haven’t played any gigs yet, but I’d personally love to perform our material in front of a live audience. We’re currently finalizing our concert lineup, so we hope you’ll be able to see us live soon.

7.So far very little is known about the band, do you prefer to keep a lower profile?

M.J: We’re just getting started, which is why there’s very little information available. However, we hope that this will change over time and that more people will learn what Pokuta is.

8.The album is coming out on 'Via Nocturna', how did you get in contact with this label?

M.J: We got in touch with the label thanks to Piotr from Solid Rock PR (whom we’d like to thank, by the way). He sent out our promo, and Via Nocturna took us under their wing.

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

M.J: We got in touch with the label thanks to Piotr from Solid Rock PR (whom we’d like to thank, by the way). He sent out our promo, and Via Nocturna took us under their wing.

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

M.J: In the near future, our main goal is to start playing live. Beyond that, we’re constantly working on new material. We’re currently arranging songs for our next album, and we still have a few lyrics to write. Time will tell how quickly we’ll get it done.

A.K: I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead. Exploring the boundaries of my vocals is something I’ll definitely be working on. I also can’t wait to start playing live shows.

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?

M.J: I don’t think we’re focused on just one style, which resulted in a rather interesting combination. Lately, I’ve been revisiting several great albums from the Polish black metal scene- the debuts of Hauntologist and Gołoledź, or the latest releases by Dom Zły and Königreichssaal.

A.K: For Metanoia, I was greatly inspired by the first wave of black metal and wanted to keep that raw and harsh style. As for what I listen to, I adore the classics, but I also like to explore and dig around. It may not be a new discovery, but I highly recommend checking out Helleruin and Regarde Les Hommes Tomber.

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

A.K: Well, I’d like to thank you for having us and giving us the opportunity to share a little bit of insight about us and our music. It was a pleasure, and I encourage everyone to check us out.

M.J: Thank you!

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