Numerous bands have created albums based around their own ideas that take insight from creative writing, but few bands will dedicate the entire span of a release to the relevant interpretation of the belief With the emergence and escalation of the novel and notorious tendency. While some excellent, unique band attempting to sell their flavor of the month band to potential listeners, there are some that simply exist outside of pre-existing molds and take a few years to realize their full potential and thusly grasp the imaginations of many who are fortunate enough to witness their evolve talent. Shadowy, death worshipping Polish veterans Cultum Interitum's predecessor offerings are cut above the rest. Spawning from the depths of Occultism, Chaos, Knowledge, Esoteric Literature, anti-religious orthodox Polish black metal Cultum Interitum married the ritualistic fury of esoteric, occult black metal with a creeping dose of mystical, ominous, sinister madness. Let's talk with the founder member E about Cultum Interitum and his other projects too.
1. Hello E, how are you doing today? Warm greetings from India.
E : Hi, thx for the interview opportunity! Not bad at all.
2. Since black metal is in your forte, So Can you give me a brief history of your previous and how can you manage extreme bands together? When you first started the lyrical concept of the band was more leaned towards the Death, Destruction, Chaos, Misanthropy, Occultism, Darkness, Symbolism then it evolved to a more spiritual, esoteric concept along with aforementioned all things. Had you been in any bands or musical apparition before the aforementioned all bands?
E : First of all the aforementioned lyrical themes as death, destruction, chaos, nihilism, and misanthropy are still very present in our message. From my point of view, it has not got that much of an occult or esoteric vibe. I had some previous experiences with previous bands but sincerely saying from a matter of time they were just a big waste of time for me and nothing positive came from these amateur projects.
3. What bands inspired the direction that took and motivated you? Writers? Visual artists? Movies? Books? What were your main inspirations when you began and what are your main influences now? What written works helped to draw predecessor released EP, Demo, and Single into form?
E : I will not hide my big inspirations with bands like Ritual Death, 13th Moon, Mare and generally the nidrosian black metal scene. These bands have the essence in their music, what they do is sincere and every single thing is done with great devotion. The next thing that inspires our current direction is my interest in the Death aspect. It is a really a personal matter and yet very individual to interpret. The previous interests, to be honest, we're really an amateur vision for the topics that I used on demo. I realized that I would not write lyrics or create the concept I had like 2/3 years ago.
4. There are two basic ways of looking at music. In the first, there is a mechanism for the arrangement of certain tones, musical style.in the second, a narration occurs where a story is told or a poetic function completed. In your view of compositions, which is more important? Where were you when you first thought the project had the longterm potential for you?
E : Both of the ways you mentioned are for me equally important. I must have the general idea of what I want to create first and after that, the “narration” comes naturally. I treated this project seriously from the very beginning, to be honest, but it became more obvious for me that I need to push this forward after the release of Temple of Triumphant Death EP.
5. What for you is the significance of your band's name "Cultum Interitum"?
E : It means a cult of destruction, a cult of death. Its strictly connected to the lyrical aspect that is touched in our music. Moreover, it is a really personal meaning for me.
6. If you could tour with other bands in metal, who would you pick if you were looking for bands similar to your acts?
E : It is a really difficult question cause there are several bands I would love to tour with someday…
First 3 bands that come to my mind: Darvaza, Ritual Death and 13th Moon.
7. If I choose "Cultum Interitum" Since starting year Cultum Interitum released unblemished EP, Demo, Single and shaped the style of music. How do you maintain this consistency yet keep developing with each release? How do you write your riffs, songs? What is the most difficult part of composing songs as you do? Many of the mysteries that Cultum Interitum allude to appear rooted in occultism, knowledge, darkness. Is this a fair assessment? If not, would you care to distinguish for me the avenue of esotericism that Cultum Interitum currently pursues? As well kindly give a brief for your other projects too.
E : Each of the aforementioned releases had a different background behind. Now basically I need to have negative emotions in me to write music, I want it to be as sincere as possible -also the lyrics. It is something that comes suddenly. I can not just sit beeing in a positive mood and start jamming on the guitar. It is not the way I prefer my music to be created. The most difficult part for me is when you have a few ideas to finish the track and you don’t know which way is the best and you need to choose… To be honest I can not call myself occultist as well as say that I use occultism in my lyrics.
If someone sees occultism in it, ok I will not forbid anybody to understand the lyrics and all other stuff in their own way. What I can tell is that I would not seek much of occultism in Cultum. I believe in humanity as a kind of a demigod who is responsible for his own life and all decisions. If someone hurts you, don’t show your second chin, strike harder and don’t let anybody destroy you. I guess the people who have just read the 2 last short sentences will know what I mostly believe in.
8. Do you have a preference for the type of equipment? In your mind, how important is equipment for the production of music?
E : For every release, the concept of the equipment is a bit different. But for sure the equipment has to be set up properly to sound as good as possible.
9. Well, now I’m going to the main point. Already in predecessor year, Cultum Interitum released a few efforts So is there any new official video coming near future? More generally, do you see black metal as different ways of communicating the same thing or do you see them as more distinct entities?
E : It depends on what do you mean by “official video”. If we speak about the music video, I guess in that matter I would not like Cultum to release music video. If you mean a lyrics song or just a single track with few animations I think something may happen sooner or later. Generally black metal over all these years has evolved very much and some of the bands basically have nothing in common with the essence of the message that should be delivered with this music. I will not point us the names o the bands that for me make total cringe actions nowadays, cause I guess every person who listens to black metal for some longer time will surely know the drama bands I have now in my mind.
10. What's going on as far as lyrical themes on release and if you are potential, there an overarching theme to every release? Among all of your projects is there any new opus coming near the future? If yes please unleash the forthcoming incantation name of your projects?
E : Since Temple of Triumphant Death release, the main subject in CI will be Death and it will not change. There are plenty of other topics that are presented in this music but I will let the listeners seek them on their own. What I can tell is that you can expect some materials from Cultum Interitum at some time. About my other projects, time will show, the seeds have been sown, the time for fruit harvest will come…
11. I’ve categorized all of your project's significant and signature style. The elaborate, assiduously balanced orchestration of your compositions is suggestive of a great amount of discipline. Are these particular qualities as both an entity and a collective actively endeavor to hone? So, How did you get into this style of music and explain about this music genre?
E : My answer for that question would be really long and complicated so I d better not write essay hahaha :D
12. Haha ok. Well, how would you describe the sound of your project to someone who had not heard it, and what distinguishes your music from any other act in the same genre?
E : It’s raw, disgusting and rather not complicated. You know, the music we are doing now is really nothing new to the scene, I think I would rather ask someone else for this question.
13. Do you have any playthrough videos coming out soon?
E : I do not plan to post any playthrough videos of our music. For me personally, it is too mainstream for such a band as we are.
14. Who came up with the releases cover? I personally cherish every released artwork because those are truly indelible, remarkable, appreciable and meaningful too. Kindly explain about this as well the outfit is meant to have a spiritual significance or is it meant only for a visual impact?
E : Our demo’s artwork is Gustave Dore’s art. I used it because it was fitting the vision for the overall lyric concept of the Sorgspell. For Temple of Triumphant Death the artwork was designed by K.M. from Ars Magna Umbrae, he delivered minimalistic yet blunt sound with that. Basically, the outfit has to be connected with the message that each release has to deliver. Every artwork has been thought out about the message connected strictly with each release and also the appearance issue.
15. Let's talk about your early memories. What's the first gig you ever went to? Have you been to any killer live shows lately?
E : The first gig that I ever went to was polish death metal band, Vader, at those times they played quite ok. The very killer gig I went to see lately was Darvaza in Poznań. It was probably the most authentic concert I have ever seen.
16. Do you study other band's music to come up with ideas? I want to know why you turn to such esoteric and occult themes for Cultum Interitum music? Do you think there’s a risk of being seen as engaging in pure escapism?
E : It’s nothing wrong to seek inspirations among other bands music- even from the completely different music genres. What matters is that you do not rip off the style from other bands in 100 %. If I hear in some band’s music inspiration in band X or Y it is nothing bad for me unless the riffs are 1:1 equally the same. I think the world doesn’t need another 32323 copies of Blasphemy, Archgoat or Mgła. For a lot of people it is much easier to copy-paste their idols bands, but what for? They are basically narrowing their minds and not seek for a personal view of music. That is why I guess people who are blindly copying their idols should not write the music for their bands and let others compose music.
17. How do you prepare yourself before the studio or especially for live performances? Did any band, in particular, inspire you in the shrieking department?
E : 3 words: “ practice, practice, practice” until you can play it naturally. I guess like 2/3 years ago I wanted to do similar vocal styles to Mortuus from Marduk/ Funeral Mist but after some time I thought it would be pointless to sound like someone else and the world does not need another copy of some musician who worked hard on his vocal style.
18. Is there a difference in the band’s sound as compared to the other projects you’ve released in the past?
E : For now it is too early to tell people that I am also involved in other projects when I will have some material released with some project, then I can tell that I am also involved in other projects.
19. You are from Poland, so how much have you discovered about the extreme metal scene and how much of it were you aware of before aforementioned all of your band started?
E : If I have to be sincere, well it is really common that polish extreme scene is full of dickheads and elitists cunts. But from what I have heard it is also common in other countries so I guess it is nothing new in this community. Before Cultum was started I was aware that we will be turned down by the community, but after some time I realized that there is no point to be aware. I just do what I want to (create music ) and that is what matters for me. I do not bow to some more recognizable polish musicians or lick someone's ass to get more recognition, it is not the way. If someone wants to be asslicker, sure go ahead but I do not care for such type of connections. If someone is doing something I enjoy I will be eager to speak with such a person and share my thoughts. On the other hand, there are still some nice and friendly people around polish scene that pay attention to you as an individual and do not care if you have connections in the scene. But they are a minority from what I observe.
20. There is some occult imagery with your lyrics, theme, Sigil. As well the symbol especially you have painted in your forehead, Is this just an image or something you believe in?
E : Like I said before, everyone has a different perception in case of the interpretation of the imagery about this band. The symbol that is painted in my forehead is greek symbol omega meaning “the end”. For me, it’s not just an image. It is something deeper. It’s not only just “end” for me, but it is also more like the beginning of a new path, If I die I make some room for other people on this planet, I will leave something in this world- whether it is my music, my art, my family. It is a really natural state of living – you are born from the mother's womb, you live your life, then you die and your flesh is consumed also by the womb of Mother Earth. It is like a never-ending cycle -only the person is getting changed, but the cycle is still the same and pushing forward.
Omega for me is also connected with the Memento Mori theme- like live your day as it would be your last, but not like you must fear of death, for me the vision of death I have in my mind is rather a motivator that makes me want to do as many things as I can and try different options in many areas. It is also the symbol of strength for me relating weaknesses and doubts. That is why I chose the omega sign for the mask.
21. What do you do as individual band members to relax, when not working on music? Do you have jobs or business?
E : At this moment I am working and also studying at the university, the other two guys have full-time jobs. I think everyone relaxes in a different way. I usually try to meet or speak with people online or just watch some horror movies and play some computer games.
22. What albums are you listening to lately or just the bands and albums, in general, you're digging right now and tell me about your anticipated album of this year?
E : Lately I have been mainly listening to some Jesper Kyds music from Hitman game. This composer is for me one of the modern geniuses in terms of music writing. From more extreme releases I am really into 13th Moon, Ritual Death, Grave Upheaval, Necroracle and Summon lately.
23. Last one question, what are your future band goals & tell us something about an upcoming tour. Lastly, lots of teenagers aim to be full-time musicians. Many of them might be without any proper guidance, any words of wisdom for them?
E : Our goal is to keep working on new music, on ourselves and to leave something in this world when we perish.
24. That's all I've got right now.best of luck for the future. Looking forward. Thanks a lot for enduring this torture haha. Any final thoughts, comments for the readers? If I forgot anything, please insert it here.
E : Thanks again for the interview Sir, honored for that.” Do not bow to anyone.”
The interview was done and published by Souvik Basu on 20/12/2019
