1. Hi, Sacerdos Magus. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording and release of the new album?
Sacerdos Magus - Hi, John. Great to be part of Thy Occult Black Metal Zine, brother! Well... since the release of the "Toxic Waste" album, we've been working on a new original album, that's "The Garden of Earthly Delights", that will be the successor of "Toxic Waste", next year and that's almost written and ready to go to studio, but we've made a pause on this record, because we will record 1st, a tribute album, only with classics of death metal, that will be, "Into the Realms of Death (Tribute Album)", with cover songs of great names of the Death Metal scene, only. Besides that, we've released a few days ago, another ambiental/folk Ep, that's, "Patria Antiqua II" and these are the presents days of Antiquus Scriptum.
2. In 2025, you have released a great amount of material, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction you went for with the newer albums?
Sacerdos Magus - Yes, since 2022, we've changed a little our musical direction, due some health problems that I have (tendonitis) and as I had to stop playing the guitar and all the instruments to write and record the songs, I started to invite guest musicians to record the musical work and I have stayed only on the lyrical and vocal part of the job. The music we make, actually, has been changing, as well, from work to work, from the distant pagan black metal, from the past, to a more thrash metal, hardcore and even death metal styles influence, but that's no worry for us, we like the actual sound a lot!
3. The new album was more of an 80's thrash metal/crossover style and all the other material I have listened to over the years had more of a black metal direction. Can you tell us a little bit more about going into a different direction, musically?
Sacerdos Magus - Yes, we used to make black metal, for over 20 years, between 1998 & 2019, but, to be honest, I'm a little tired of the whole black metal scene and I think the black metal has entered into a deep decadence, nowadays and it's no more, what it was in the golden 90's era... I'm very pround of the 1st 6 records of the project, sounding pagan black metal/folk, but I decided to change the course of the band to another prespective, just like, perhaps, bands like Darkthrone, did, moving from traditional black metal sound, into punk, thrash & death metal, with the passing years. Like I said, already, it's not me whom's making the music, in the presente days, for the project and that’s another think that influence the whole change on musicality.
4. On the new album, you also incorporated a lot of elements that where never to be found on an 80's thrash metal album. Where you working on updating the genre for the modern era and take thrash metal into a different direction?
Sacerdos Magus - Yes, despite of playing now with lots of thrash metal influences, from the 80's, actually, it's not only thrash metal that's present in the actual sonority of the project, but other genres, as well, as hardcore, death metal, or even deathcore and trap metal, a new metal genre, very industrial and heavy, that mixes metal with electronic music, rap and all that stuff, that recently came abord and I decided to use in the new works. Of course that it brings a new shape, to the sound of the project and yes, it would be never possible to hear it in a thrash metal album from the 80's, but I don't pretend to play thrash metal, exclusively, in the actual works of my band. Was not a change, from black metal, to thrash metal, or nothing like that... we're influenced by many metal genres, in the actual sound.
5. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the new album?
Sacerdos Magus - Lyrics has changed, significantly, as well, in the new works and changed from a more "pagan" vein, with ancient history, mithology and ancient tales, from the black metal from the past, into a new lyricist domain, with more "modern" themes, as existence, itself, in this planet, the Human condition, inner struggles, wars, religion, social issues, politics, corruption, lies, hypocrisy and all that stuff, more related to thrash metal and hardcore. The lyric aspect had to be changed, with the new sonority, that's why I now write about most modern matters.
6. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Sacerdos Magus - The "Toxic Waste" cover art, it's all about what can be found inside the record and I'm very glad with it! It appear to be an thrash metal/hardcore cover, from the 80's, that are the main influences, now, for our music. It stands, itself, for modern problems that haunt the actual societies, as death, pollution, corruprion, greed, or fear... It fits just fine for this record, in my opinion.
7. On the new album you also did a S.O.D. and a D.R.I. covers. What was the decision behind doing your own version of their songs?
Sacerdos Magus - Well, this album, "Toxic Waste", has many old hardcore/crossover influences in it, it is the most hardcore work that we made, since the beginning and makes all the sense to cover S.O.D. & D.R.I., because that maybe the most important bands (Institutions) of this genres, in all history! Beside that, I really like S.O.D. & D.R.I. and was a pleasure for me to cover their songs, as an homage to them.
8. The new album was self released. Are you open to working with another label again in the future?
Sacerdos Magus - I really don't know, mate... It can happen, more for a re-release of an old album, or so, more than a new work, for sure... In the present times, I made the decision of only release my works in digital format, because of some issues with the physical works, but I don't mind at all to release only digital and I'm fine with that. Maybe a re-edition, or so, maybe... I don't know...
9. On a worldwide level, how have fans reacted to your new musical direction?
Sacerdos Magus - Well, there was a couple of folks, of course, somehow disappointed with the new musical direction of the project, but the majority, reacted fine, because it's not the 1st time that a band changes its musical course, I gave you the example of Darkthrone, but there are many more... I think, what's funny about music, is do whatever we want and create different spectres of musicality, during the years we are into it... I don't condemn bands as Manowar, Iron Maiden, or Saxon, or Judas Priest, for example, that are faithful to the sound they made in the beginning of their bands, until today, if they want to do it, fine, but, most of the times, in major part of the times, we see bands change their musical course for different spectres of musicality, during the years and that's is fine, I think...
10. Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician, during the future?
Sacerdos Magus - Well... with the tendonitis, I can't play again any instrument, but since I have voice and imagination to write, I will continue, of course, because I have the great support of my friend and producer, Paulo Vieira (Paulão), that gives me all the support I need to handle the project alive. Other friends, too, of course, but until I work with Paulão, all will be fine, for many years, yet!... My will to make music, is inexhaustible, there's no doubt about that, since I have health and the conditions to hold on, will do it, of course!
11. What are some of the bands, or musical styles, you are currently listening to nowadays?
Sacerdos Magus - I listen many things, always... Now, I'm listening more old death metal, from the late 80's, early 90's, because of the death metal tribute we are recording, but I still listening much black metal, as always, especially old stuff, as well... many thrash metal, being old, or even new, I like it, as well... and other days, I like to hear ambiental music, folklore and ethnic music, Gregorian chants, whatever... and sometimes, I'm more inclined to listen to some pop/rock of the 80's & 90's, that I like much, as well… I don't know... Classical music, electronic music, or punk & hardcore, I like so many things... I'm very open minded, musically and I can hear so many things, in just one week.
12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Sacerdos Magus - Yes, I would like to ask all those whom are reading this interview and that like metal, to be united and don't arm or injure anyone and to be kind and affable with all the others. Hate and disrespect, will only bring poison to our minds, so, be serene, relating the others and respect your fellow man, as you like to be respected! Help out the bands you like, as well and keep fighting to heavy metal never dies! Thank to you, John, for more this opportunity and all the readers of Occult Black Metal Zine. Best regards and please Keep Metal Alive!!! Cheers!
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