1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the release of the new album?
Hail, well a lot of things! We get ready to take part in a mini-tour with Handful of Hate (It) and Stahlsarg (UK) at the beginning of February. We also plan a tour through some European countries for the end of this year. Meanwhile, we already work on the third album and some songs which are intented for a split with an other band of Brothers as Excruciate 666 is used to.
2.Recently you have released a new album can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it has taken and also how would you describe your progress as musicians over the years?
“Rites of Torturers” is different to “Riding Fires of Hate” and the previous prod’. Actually the song are more slower, lood and brutal but you can always find epic and black metal riffs with Heavy Metal consonnances as we are used to do. Our music is more thrash and warrior than early but you always find the soul of Excruciate 666.
Our style sharpened along 20 years of existence. Line-up has changed a little for this time but Blasphemort and me, are here since the origin and even if we evolved musically, we always wanted to preserve our identity.
3.The band has been around since 1996 and while there has been plenty of material released this is only the second full length, what was the cause of it?
Yes indeed. We were never very fast in the composition Ahaha! And we have so many brothers-in-arms that we were often taken on of other one projects. I think you understood that we like a lot the split album concept. It’s a pure underground idea. Now, I think we passed less time between two full lengths...We’ll try.
4.The lyrics cover Paganism, War and History, can you tell us a little bit more about your interests in these topics?
As for me, I always was fascinated by History but more particulary by the history of our heathen ancestors. I always found their way of thinking was big and honorary. We are not followers of whatever heathen religions, but we are proud of our origins and we like to approach highly-rated glorious of our history. Excruciate 666 allows us to tell this great story!
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Excruciate 666, and also do you have an interest in Satanism?
Torture has always fascinated us. And because we are interested in the obscured practises of midle ages, we have thought Excruciate was a good name for a black-metal band. After to have kept this name for a litle time, we have discovered an other band with the same name. It was the Death metal band from Sweden. Originally, we were interested in Satanism, chaos and we wanted to play Black Metal. We thus have to add “666” to mark down . Now we aged and we became more down-to-earth. We believe rather than in the strength of the self-made-man and survivalism. We think that we shall soon be brought to fight because a new era warrior arrives. And we get ready!
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Our better memories are the Maniac Metal Fest in 2009 with a lot of bands of friends like LORD, PHOBOS, DAWN OF CRUCIFIXION, INKISITOR and more, the Maniac Metal Fest III in 2011 with MANIAC BUTCHER and INFERNO, the good gig with INQUISITION in 2010 and recently the No Compromise Metal Fest with ATTIC, SLAUGHTER MESSIAH, HORACLE and many more was a very good gig in Belgium. Thrash, Black, Death and Heavy ar mixed and it has created a very old school atmosphere.
Excruciate 666’s shows are very dark, violent and bestial and sometimes epic. And a particular little gift, we impaled heads of pigs on the stage as made it the barbarians to frighten the ennemy! ...it’s our trademark!
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Yes, as I tell on the first question, we plan to be on tour for the end of the year with 2 other bands. We should play in Holland, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Meanwhile, we maybe shall have the oppotunity to play in England...There are a lot of plans...
8.The band has a long history, what is it that motivates you to release some of the heaviest black/war metal, after all of these years?
We want to glorify the war! It’s it which created History. And for that, Excruciate 666 is a formidable weapon! We have forged our style in using all our influences and our know-how to create true war hymns.
9.Over the years the band has been a part of a lot splits, out of all the band you have worked with on these splits, which one did you enjoy the most?
Yes, as I said it before, we like this principle. All those bands are or were very good friends and we enjoy all of its. And it’s far from being the last one!
10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and war metal?
Strangely, It’s not in France where we have the most recognition...Maybe because we are so old and we seem has-been in our country. French people like fashion and I think we can hear here a new generation of extreme metal which I don’t like. I think Excruciate 666 is more estimated in countries of True Metal like countries of South America or now in Asian countries. But maybe you can tell me it?
11.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
I think we evolved and that the important changes of line-up are going to open us new doors. The soul of Excruciate 666 will continue for ever but it’s highly likely that our songs are enriched and worked more in a more professional way. We think of incorporating elements of different styles as “Swedish Death Metal” for example...I think it’s going to give something really good.
12.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Now we have our own style, but many bands which we listen to for many years belong to closely or remotely of our influences. I can quote you Morbid Angel, Venom, Bathory, Impiety, old graveland, Dissection, Impaled Nazarene, Slayer, Kreator, Possessed, Satyricon, Darkthrone, Morbid, Mayhem And many more!!!!
Recently, I have listened to Nocturnal, Grave Desecrator, Slaughter Messiah, Arkona, Desaster and old Massacra (one of my favorite band since the beginning of my metal life)!
13.outside of music what are some of your interests?
As for me, I get a big interest in History but we have a lot of occupation with our own job. For some of us we have parallel musical project.
14.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanx a lot for this interview! Spread our art and get ready for war!
.jpg)
.jpg)
