1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Greetings. We are Lacrau from Portugal, a band that was formed in 2019 by Nekruss (Carma, Everto Signum) and Gabriel, both living in the mountainous region of Serra da Estrela.
2. You have a new album coming out in September, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
Our musical style came out naturally during the writing process as we strived to combine melancholic music with traditional Black Metal riffage.
3. Some of the band members are a part of 'Everto Signum' and 'Carma', what is it that you bring into the music of 'Lacrau' that you are not able to do with your other groups?
We treat each musical project as an independent entity with its own unique sound. Everto Signum is melodic Black Metal with fast tempos and progressive elements. Carma is epic and funeral-paced Doom Metal. The music of Lacrau stays somewhere in the middle, being a mix of Black and Doom Metal with depressive and atmospheric characteristics.
4. The lyrics on the new recording are also a concept album, can you tell us a little bit more about the story that you had covered with this release?
The lyrical narrative of our debut "Axioma" album is inspired by the Scandinavian senicide ritual. The legend tells that it consisted in elderly people throwing themselves, or being thrown, from precipices after becoming unable to take care of themselves or perform everyday tasks. "Axioma" is a story about an old man who undergoes this ritual describing various aspects of his rite of passage, such as the realization of the burden, the journey to the cliff, the induced feelings and the acceptance of the fate. It is a heavy and depressing subject, if you think about it.
5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Lacrau'?
"Lacrau" means "scorpion" in Portuguese. The behavior of a scorpion is reflected in our music – sometimes calm, sometimes aggressive, but always venomous in its essence.
6. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The cover art of "Axioma" depicts the main character of the story – a man covered in roots of old age and with an empty gaze. The CD digipak edition includes a folded insert with six additional illustrations, one for each track. These abstract and symbolic drawings were crafted by Gabriel and the layout was made by Infected Minds.
7. Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?
We haven't played any live shows and have no intention to do so. Lacrau's music is personal and introspective, it is intended to be heard in a more discreet setting.
8. The new album is going to be released on 'Monumental Rex', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Monumental Rex is a label focusing on Extreme Metal with the main purpose of releasing the music created by our small artistic collective that includes members of Carma, Everto Signum and now Lacrau. It is managed by Nekruss who participates in all those projects.
9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of depressive black and doom metal?
We don't really know about that yet, as the entity of Lacrau was unknown to the world until the album announcement in late July this year. Let's see how things evolve after "Axioma" is out on September 22nd.
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?
The other projects are alive and kicking. Carma have released a new album in March this year. Everto Signum are working on the new album as well, which is set to be released in 2024. A brand new project is also in the making, more details to be revealed in due time.
11. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We intend to drive the musical style of Lacrau towards the same direction of Depressive Black/Doom Metal, at least the new riffs and ideas we have written indicate that. And we will most likely keep it as a studio project, too.
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?
In Lacrau, the creative process consists in picking up a guitar and translate one's current feelings and moods into musical notes, when the proper inspiration comes. Therefore, it's really hard to point out specific references or influences. Atmosphere and riff-wise, we'd say "Axioma" has certain similarities with Carma and the 93-96 era of Burzum.
13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Ceci n'est pas une pipe.
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