1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Mikael L: We formed in December 2021 after I connected with J. Gulick through an online ad he posted. Our interests really aligned and so we began slowly putting together the debut EP over the last year and a half. We live a considerable distance apart so all of the writing and recording gets done via file sharing. In terms of our music I’d call it Black Metal on the slightly melodic/atmospheric side. There’s some Doom and Prog stuff throughout as well, pretty eclectic mix.
2.Recently you have released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
Mikael L: With vocals I don’t really have a style I try to write for per se, I just write what I think best matches the feel of the track I'm working on. As you can see on some of our songs, I’m not afraid to throw clean singing in when it makes sense.
J. Gulick: In the past, I’ve been in and out of Metal bands so committing to writing full Black Metal was not just different - but refreshing. When I first really started delving into writing Black Metal music, it was in convergence with the Black/Death Metal band Void ov Nihility when we started as a session project back in 2014, but where we fused the two genres instead of writing straight Black Metal songs. With Profane Elegy, I took a big influence from a slew of 90’s 2nd Wave Black Metal bands like Emperor, Gorgoroth, Satyricon, Mayhem, Dawn, Dissection, etc. with more modern bands a la Blut Aus Nord, Whoredom Rife, Forteresse and Opeth. Stylistically I aimed for a more straightforward riff approach/atmosphere of the 90’s acts in influence of song execution, but also finding familiarity with some modern Doom and Prog.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?
Mikael L: The lyrics on this record are very philosophical in nature and something of a thesis statement on our worldview as a band. Death, religion, and the rotten core of humanity are recurring themes throughout.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Profane Elegy'?
Mikael L.: Coming from Latin and Greek, Profane Elegy essentially means “a godless lament”. We felt this really summed up the attitude and direction of our music.
J. Gulick: We agreed on the name together and found it to be very fitting.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?
Mikael L: The cover was designed by Vladimir Chebakov and is based on the lyrics of the title track. Death, the unknown, and transition are all present in the piece.
6.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?
Mikael L: We have not played live yet but are currently working to get ourselves out there in a few months.
J. Gulick: We’re aiming to play live within the next 2-3 months. Currently we’re looking for a drummer that fully aligns with our sound and can help push the music forward. Then we’ll look for a Bassist. I write the Guitars / Bass / Keyboards in this band, so it’ll be interesting working with a new Bassist and Drummer when the time comes.
7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Mikael L: Definitely looking for a label, haven’t hit on anything so far though.
J. Gulick: We’re using our time to make the right steps with careful planning. We sought out a couple labels but much to our avail. We decided we’ll stay independent for a bit at least until we get more movement via merchandise designs, potential physical copies and new material.
8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Mikael L: I’d say the response overall has been very positive. Very grateful for the good reception so far.
J. Gulick: I think the reaction from the EP has been well received. We’re very new, but we’ve gotten some great critiques.
9. Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Mikael L: none for me, Profane Elegy keeps me busy enough.
J. Gulick: Before I started writing up the rough drafts on Guitar in late 2021, I’ve been juggling a few projects within the extreme Metal spectrum. My first Black/Death Metal band Void ov Nihility formed as a session project during the winter of 2013-2014. Void ov Nihility has one full length album out titled ‘Above the Stars of God’ and was released on June 2nd of this year. I just recently joined the NY Black/Death outfit Abyzouth during May of 2022 as well as a Death-Grind band called Internalizer I’ve been involved with since 2019.
10. When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Mikael L: A full length is planned for release at the end of Q1 2024. We are currently writing with plans to get the first single or two out by the end of the year.
J. Gulick: Currently in writing mode for Full Length 1 / Album 2. Aiming to get all the rough foundation of these songs finished by late this year. As of right now, the rough guitar tracks are shaping into some very interesting sounds – and the tempos on a couple songs are kicked up a notch from the songs found on the EP. Stylistically, it’s too hard to exactly describe how the Full Length will sound, but I can say that there may be a slight shift in sound, but not significant. I’m a big fan of experimentation, but I also believe in keeping the cohesive integral unity of the music intact, so experimenting too much isn’t always the best thing. Totally depends on who you ask though. Stylistically, I’m still approaching a lot of these songs in a similar vein albeit the 90’s 2nd wave Black Metal influences with some of the more modern Melodic/Atmospheric acts - and of course Doom with hints of Prog thrown in there. I try to find a balance between these definitions, but also keeping the ‘rawness’ intact as I feel the human element needs to be displayed. I think if anything, the style of Black Metal moving forward might just be more prevalent in the speed department – pushing that slightly upward but keeping the cohesion of the riffs intact. There might be a slight push in technicality as well, but too hard to tell yet. I’m writing everything via ‘stream of conscious’ and just trial and erroring what works the best towards pushing this style to the next familiar - yet extreme level. The songs for Album 2 are still very new yet, so maybe I’ve said too much. Minimalism is also very important.
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?
Mikael L: As a fan of Black/Blackened Death and Doom Metal I have been heavily influenced by bands like Gorgoroth, Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, Septicflesh, Hate, Swallow the Sun, Woods of Ypres etc. so I’m sure some of that comes out in what I write. As far as what I’m listening to now, Batushka (both versions), Altars of Grief, and Spectral Wound have all been in my rotation a lot.
J. Gulick: I’m into a lot of different music, so it’s hard to necessarily just cite a few influences – but for this particular band I took a big influence from Black Metal / Doom – with a bit of Progressive Metal. 2nd Wave Black Metal acts, Doom bands like Esoteric and Ahab, modern Prog Metal like Opeth, etc. I also took an influence from bands like Abigor, Armagedda, early Arcturus, Aeternus, Avenger, early Borknagar, Bathory, The Cure, Havukrunnu, early In Flames, Leviathan, Spectral Wound, etc. Too many bands to name, really. Mikael and I have found a unity in the style we make including several influences in our music as well.
12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Mikael L: Thanks for the opportunity to share our music. We hope everyone reading this will take a minute to give us a listen, we’re on all platforms so not hard to find.
J. Gulick: Thank you tremendously for including us in your interview. Looking forward to reading the interview in print! Feel free to give the album a listen and if there’s any new bands you could suggest us to listen to, absolutely send them our way. Thanks for the opportunity.
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Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ProfaneElegy666
BandCamp:
https://profaneelegy.bandcamp.com/
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/68ATD5yRmlH8jtbdZQzVFy?si=wpQ1lLd4QvW0nVxRAzUAxA
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProfaneElegy-23/featured
Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/profane-elegy/1687009599
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