1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
1. Hails death and black freaks. Goet Euryn and I have actually been working on new material. We have 7 new tracks written which have taken what we did on Psalter to another level. We’re in the process of demo’ing them and expect that they’ll be ready within the next 6 months.
2.You have a new album coming out in August, what are some of the things you feel you have done differently with the newer music that you where not able to do with your previous material?
2. On Psalter we have gone back to what is our core inspiration and influences. 80’s and 90’s black, death and thrash. A new element we’ve introduced on Psalter is synths and we are really happy with how they sound. They are that perfect type of synth, one that adds depth to the guitars but in no way lessen the impact of them.
3.This is going to be your first release since 2018, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
3. Yes The Sins Of Aquarius was released in 2012 and we took a bit of a break. We had some line up changes and quickly realised that Goet and I work best as a studio duo. So we began work on Psalter and when we had the guitars written we enlisted our current drummer Wretch.
4.Your music is mostly rooted in a blackened thrash metal style, what was it that made you want to go into this musical direction and also what do you feel you add to the genre?
4. It’s definitely what we relate to the most. We are riff orientated and that’s what attracted us to metal when we were kids and it still rings true today. It’s a cliche but it’s substance over style for us. We aren’t really interested in the leather jacket and hood scene.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores on the newer album and also how would you describe your progress as a song writer over the years?
5. The new album centres around the primordial Dragon and its role in mans psyche as well as other meditations on the universe. my process is quite simple, I find something I find interesting, explore it and adapt it in to lyrical form.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the cover artwork on the new album?
6. We are very happy with how the cover art turned out. David Thierre was the legend behind that. It’s the mighty Dragon I spoke of earlier tearing the heart out of a lion. As we know, the Christian god has been referred to asa lion so I will leave the interpretation of that up to readers.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
7. We haven’t played in some time as we feel fairly distant from the scene these days. Anyway our best shows were always with fellow bangers like Innsmouth and Gospel of the horns. Nights of big riffs and sore necks.
8.What are some of the touring or show plans that you have for the remaining of 2018?
8. So I touched on this in the last question but I’ll elaborate. We feel like we get much more out of writing and recording than playing live so for the time being no shows are planned. We don’t really associate with anyone in whatever scene is present here at the moment and have no desire to do so.
9.Most of your material so far has been released on 'Hell's Headbangers', do you feel this label is perfect for the blackened thrash metal style that you play?
9. HHB have been really good to us. Chase took a punt on us back in 2011 and we are now doing our third release with them. I'm not much of a label enthusiast but yes I think there are some bands on the roster that share a similar outlook to us.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your recordings by fans of black and thrash metal?
10. We are pretty happy with the response from fans, particularly with the new material. It's always cool when you see that someone has an album, shirt etc of your band and they are on the other side of the world.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically on future releases?
11. As I mentioned early we are well and truly on the way to a third album. It's building on the stuff we started on psalter but pushing it further. Black and thrash parts but also lots of heavy metal. We will always be 80's and 90's warriors. We've demo'd a few tracks and they sound unreal.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that you have been listening to lately and have you also found other musical inspirations over the years?
12. Lately I have cranked the new Angantyr and Darkenhold. I find lots of little new gems here and there but quite often go digging back in the old bands to see what I missed. I've always liked dark ambient/traditional folk stuff like Arcana, Dargaard and Elend etc. A newer one to mention is The moon and the nightspirit from Hungary.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
13. Psalter of the Royal dragon court is out August 3rd maniacs so get it and blast it!
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