1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording of the new album?
Kardec: Since recording Sanguine Ascension, things have been moving forward for Funerarium. One of the biggest developments has been signing with Adipocere Records, a label that has had a significant influence on my musical journey. Having this album released by Adipocere is a real honor for me.
At the moment, I am focusing on promoting the album and preparing for its release in November 2026. I am very proud of this new album and hope it will reach new listeners and introduce them to the world of Funerarium.
2.You have a new album coming out in November, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Kardec: In the early days of Funerarium, my lyrical themes were primarily focused on parapsychology, poltergeist phenomena, and the question of whether the soul survives after death. These subjects have always fascinated me, as they explore the mysteries that lie beyond our perception of reality and the boundaries between life and death.
However, there has always been another passion burning deep within me: the world of vampires. This dark and fascinating universe has captivated me since my youth, and I eventually felt the need to step away from familiar paths and explore it through my music.
In 2025, I released Vampirizare Eterna, my first album entirely dedicated to vampiric themes. This experience was a turning point for Funerarium. It allowed me to fully embrace this universe and realize just how much creative inspiration I could draw from it.
With Sanguine Ascension, I continue to explore this path, delving deeper into the darkness, the mythology, and the eternal fascination surrounding vampires. For me, it is more than a simple change of lyrical direction; it is the discovery of another part of my inner world, one that has always been there, waiting to find its expression through music. I believe this evolution gives Funerarium a new dimension while remaining faithful to the dark atmosphere and spirit that have always defined the project.
3.Since 2018 you have released a great amount of material, do you spend a lot of time writing and creating music?
Kardec: Yes, absolutely. Music is a very important part of my life, and I spend a great deal of time composing and developing new ideas. Since the creation of Funerarium in 2018, I have released a large amount of material, as I have always felt a strong need to create and express myself through music.
I compose everything myself, from the guitar riffs and melodies to the atmospheres that shape each release. I also play all the instruments, apart from the programmed drums. For me, composing is a very personal process. Ideas can come to me at any moment, and when inspiration strikes, I feel the need to capture it and give it life.
Funerarium is more than just a musical project; it is a way of expressing my inner world, my passions, and the things that fascinate me. I don't want to force creativity, but music has always been a constant presence in my life. As long as I have something to express, I will keep creating.
4.On the new album you cover the Malkavians and Vampirism, can you tell us a little bit more about the research you put into the lyrics and the songwriting for the new recording?
Kardec: My inspiration for the Malkavian clan comes from the Vampire role-playing game, which I played extensively. What has always fascinated me about this clan is its extreme unpredictability. They are among the most bloodthirsty and dangerous vampires, but what makes them truly terrifying is their unstable and uncontrollable nature.
A Malkavian could be your best friend, your partner, or even your employee, someone you trust and consider part of your everyday life. Then, without warning, everything can change. They can suddenly descend into madness and spill blood. You never really know what goes on inside their minds or what might trigger their next outburst of violence.
I took this original concept and developed it into my own fictional narrative, setting it in Eastern Europe during the eighteenth century. Against this historical backdrop, the Malkavian clans begin to emerge from the shadows and decimate the surrounding human populations, spreading terror and bloodshed throughout the region.
I wanted to transpose the disturbing nature of these vampires into a darker historical setting, drawing on the atmosphere of that period and the mysterious lands of Eastern Europe. This allowed me to transform my initial inspiration from the role-playing game into a universe of my own, which I could bring to life through the lyrics and musical atmosphere of Sanguine Ascension.
5.On previous albums you covered ancient astronauts, parapsychology, paranormal phenomena and spiritism, how would you describe your interest in these topics?
Kardec: I have always been deeply fascinated by everything that lies beyond our understanding of reality. I am naturally curious about the unexplained, the mysteries of human existence, and the possibility that there are things in this world that we cannot fully comprehend.
My interest in parapsychology, paranormal phenomena, and spiritism comes from my desire to explore these questions and look beyond what we perceive in our everyday lives. The idea that consciousness might survive after death, the existence of unexplained phenomena, or the possibility that humanity's origins are different from what we imagine are subjects that have always stimulated my imagination.
I am not necessarily looking for definitive answers. What fascinates me most is the mystery itself, the questions that remain unanswered, and the countless possibilities that lie beyond our knowledge. These subjects give me a great deal of inspiration for my lyrics and musical atmospheres, because they allow me to explore the darker, more mysterious side of existence.
For me, black metal is a particularly powerful medium for expressing these ideas. Its atmosphere and intensity allow me to give musical form to things that are difficult to explain with words alone.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Funerarium'?
Kardec: The name Funerarium is closely connected to the world of death, funerary rituals, and the mysteries surrounding what may lie beyond it. I wanted a name that would immediately evoke a dark atmosphere, something solemn and unsettling, but also deeply connected to the themes I explore through my music.
For me, death is not simply an end. It also raises questions about what comes after, about the possibility of an existence beyond our physical world, and about the boundary between the living and the dead. These ideas have been an important part of Funerarium since its beginnings.
I also liked the sound and the visual impact of the word itself. It has a solemn, almost ritualistic quality that fits naturally with the atmosphere I want to create. Funerarium is a name that brings together death, mystery, darkness, and the unknown, which are all essential elements of my musical universe.
7.an you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Kardec: For the first time since the creation of Funerarium, I decided to feature myself on an album cover. I felt it was the right moment to reveal the person behind the music, to give a face to the project while preserving the mystery that has always surrounded its universe.
The fact that I appear alone is also a deliberate nod to the one-man band aspect of Funerarium. I walk this path alone, just as I create the music on my own, following my own vision without compromise.
The path stretching ahead of me on the cover is symbolic of the journey I have undertaken with Funerarium since its beginnings in 2018. It represents the road I have travelled, the experiences that have shaped me, and the countless hours devoted to bringing this musical universe to life.
The mysterious forest surrounding the path is equally important. It represents the world of Funerarium itself: dark, enigmatic, and filled with things that remain hidden from view. The trees seem to enclose the path, creating a boundary between the familiar world and the unknown that lies beyond.
Ultimately, I wanted this artwork to be more than a simple portrait. It is an invitation to enter my world, to follow the path I have taken, and to discover the darkness that has always inspired my music. In a way, this cover is both a personal statement and a visual representation of the solitary journey that is Funerarium.
8.Over the years you have worked mostly as a solo artist, are you open to working with a full band or do you prefer working by yourself?
Kardec: Funerarium has always been a very personal project, and working alone allows me to maintain complete artistic freedom. I can develop my ideas at my own pace, follow my instincts, and bring my musical vision to life without having to compromise.
I did welcome a drummer into the project in 2023, and we worked together for a period of time. We eventually went our separate ways on good terms, and I felt the desire to return to the solitude that had defined Funerarium from the beginning.
For me, being a one-man band is not a limitation; it is a deliberate artistic choice. I enjoy being responsible for every aspect of the music and building my own universe from beginning to end. At this stage, I feel completely comfortable working alone, and I have no particular desire to turn Funerarium into a full band. I want to preserve the freedom and authenticity that have always been at the heart of the project.
9. Over the years you have also collaborated with other musicians on your recordings, what are some of the metal artists you have worked with on the releases?
Kardec: Over the years, I have enjoyed inviting other artists to contribute to some of Funerarium's releases. I appreciate these collaborations because each musician brings their own personality and artistic identity to the project.
On Neurasthenie, I collaborated with Maxime Taccardi, a French musician and visual artist known for his dark and disturbing artistic universe. On 1692, I worked with Chris, the vocalist and guitarist of Gorgon, a French black metal band with a long history in the underground scene. More recently, Stéphane Buriez, the vocalist and guitarist of Loudblast and a major figure in the French extreme metal scene, contributed to Ancient Astronauts.
These collaborations have been meaningful experiences for me, as they have allowed me to bring different artistic personalities into the world of Funerarium. However, Sanguine Ascension is a different experience: this time, I chose to handle the project on my own, staying true to the solitary nature of Funerarium.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Kardec: The reaction has been very encouraging, and I feel fortunate to see Funerarium reaching listeners beyond France. Thanks to the internet and platforms like YouTube, my music can reach people from different countries and backgrounds, which is something I truly appreciate.
Over the years, I have received many positive messages and comments from listeners who connect with the atmosphere, the themes, and the particular identity of Funerarium. The response to Vampirizare Eterna was especially meaningful to me, and the positive feedback I received was very encouraging.
For me, the most important thing is not the number of views or followers, but knowing that my music resonates with people somewhere in the world. Funerarium is a very personal project, so receiving messages from listeners who understand or appreciate what I am trying to express is extremely rewarding. It motivates me to continue creating music while remaining faithful to my own vision.
11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
Kardec: Looking to the future, my main goal is to continue developing Funerarium while remaining true to the artistic vision that has guided me since the beginning. I don't want to follow trends or compromise my identity to reach a wider audience. I want to keep creating music that reflects my passions, my imagination, and the dark universe that has always inspired me.
The release of Sanguine Ascension through Adipocere Records is an important milestone in my journey, and I hope it will help Funerarium reach new listeners and gain greater recognition within the international black metal scene.
I want to continue exploring the dark world of black metal and deepening the vampiric themes that have become such an important part of Funerarium. There are still many stories I want to tell and many facets of this fascinating universe that I wish to bring to life through my music.
Ultimately, I don't know exactly where this journey will take me, and I think that's part of the beauty of being a musician. As long as I have the passion and inspiration to create, I will continue moving forward at my own pace, staying true to black metal, to my fascination with vampires, and to the identity of Funerarium.
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?
Kardec: Some of the bands that have had the greatest influence on me are Evol, Diabolical Masquerade, Limbonic Art, Tristitia, and, of course, the early albums of Cradle of Filth. In particular, Dusk... and Her Embrace is, in my opinion, the very essence of Cradle of Filth. There is something truly unique about the atmosphere, the melodies, and the dark romanticism of that album that has always resonated deeply with me.
To be completely honest, I don't listen to many new bands nowadays. I have remained attached to the music that shaped me during the 1990s, and I think that influence can still be felt in Funerarium's music. Those years left a deep mark on me, both musically and atmospherically, and I still find a great deal of inspiration in that era.
That doesn't mean I'm closed-minded or opposed to discovering new bands. I'm sure there are many talented artists out there doing interesting things. It's simply that, in a way, I have remained in a time capsule, surrounded by the music that first made me feel something special. The 1990s left such a strong impression on me that I have never really felt the need to move away from that musical universe. In some ways, I think that staying connected to those influences is part of what gives Funerarium its own identity.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Kardec: First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has supported Funerarium over the years, whether through messages, comments, reviews, or simply by taking the time to listen to my music. Every bit of support means a great deal to me, especially because Funerarium is such a personal and solitary project.
I would also like to thank Adipocere Records for giving Sanguine Ascension a home. This album represents an important chapter in my musical journey, and I am proud to see it released by a label that has played such a significant role in the history of the underground metal scene.
Finally, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Occulte Black Metal Webzine for giving me the opportunity to talk about Funerarium and share a little more of my world with its readers. Your interest in my music and the underground black metal scene means a lot to me.
The journey continues, and I hope that those who have followed Funerarium so far will enjoy what is coming next. The darkness is far from over!
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