1. Hello Guys, how are you doing today? Warm greetings from India
Sivad: Thank you for the chance to interview with you. We know you are a true supporter of underground music and are glad to speak with you.
2. Sivad was formed in 2013. So, can you give me a brief history of how the
band formed? Had you been in any bands or musical apparition before Sivad?
Sivad: We all have years of experience performing in obscure bands, but Sivad is the first time each of us have felt like a "real band". The band started with Vocem and Wolf, who then met Manus, Principivm, and Simon around the same time. We found that we have a special chemistry, we work very well together, and that's why we have been able to stay together for seven years and going strong.
3. What bands inspired the direction that Sivad took and motivated you? Writers? Visual artists? Movies? Books?
Sivad: Bands that have inspired us, to name just a few, are Beherit, Bathory and VON. Influential artists: Alice Cooper, Arthur Brown, "visual" Dali. Movies Dario Argento and Jess Franco. Books: Joris-Karl Huysman.
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 long-term potential
for you?
Sivad: That's true and we believe
that both are equally important. Music without a purpose or message is rather
pointless, and if you have a message or story to tell through music, the
musical composition and performance must also be interesting enough to support
that. We all agree on this, and when the five of us first came together it was
simply understood that we shared the same values. So we knew we had lasting
power amongst ourselves, with or without commercial success, and with or
without the approval of others.
5. According to you guys what is the significance of the name, “Sivad”?
Sivad: The
band originally derived its name from a local cult television personality in
Memphis named "Sivad", who hosted a show on cable which featured
obscure horror films. However, the bands name is also an acronym for the
members of the band: Simon, Incimit, Væcord, Angvis, Doebler.
Sivad: We don't care much if bands
we share the stage and the road with sound like us. What we care about is that
they possess the same focus, ferocity, and the goal of making each show
devastating and meaningful. If a band does that, we would be more likely to be
interested in working with them. Any band can make noise that sounds like black
metal, but that doesn't make it artful or truly dark by default. It must have a
certain spiritual potency, and if it does, then we are interested.
7. Since starting year Sivad released one demo and one split till date, 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 about composing songs as you do?
Sivad: Our main composer is Vocem
Incimit, as we start with riffs first, always. We have become somewhat more
technical over the years, crafting songs with more compositional depth which
demand more of us to perform technically, but we never have and never will
stray from our initial vision, which was and is to create aggressive and
haunting black metal. As long as we stay true to that focus – and we will – you
will hear and ever-evolving but consistent Sivad with each release.
8. Do you have a preference for type of equipment? In your mind, how important is equipment to the production of music?
Sivad: We are a band that is
accustomed to doing as much as possible with very limited resources, so
gear/equipment is not important to us, as long as we have the bare essentials
needed to do what we do.
9. In before you guys released 2 efforts which sounds extremely promising and rekindle my affection for black metal. When were these tracks written, and how does Sivad go about the writing process?
Sivad: We are glad to hear your inner flame was stoked by our music! As stated previously, Vocem Incimit is responsible for most of what becomes Sivad songs. Principivm Angvis writes some riffs and all members assist in producing the material to its finished state, and we work well in this way, so we will likely continue to do so. Those songs you are familiar with were written early in our existence, so you can expect the new material on our upcoming album to be an elevated version of that.
10. You guys are extremely potential. So, is there any good news regarding forthcoming studio effort? Can't wait to check out the first excerpt haha. My anticipation level getting high.
Sivad: You will be among the first to hear new material when it's properly recorded! But yes, much of our upcoming album is written and we hope others will be as eager for it as you! We are certainly ready to put out a full-length. The time is right.
11. I’ve categorized Sivad's significant genre. As well you have extends your talents far beyond mediocrity. So, how did you get into this style of music and explain about this music genre?
Sivad: We would all have to answer
individually to explain where we come from, musically. We have many influences
from within and outside of the genre we write in. While Sivad started as and is
primarily a black metal band, we do write material that doesn't fit neatly
within the confines of that genre. So, while we have a deep respect for black metal
and what it means to us, we are not afraid to create art that steps outside of
those boundaries. You can expect to hear a lot of material on the next album
that defies the "black metal" definition, but is true to the heart of
Sivad and dark, extreme underground music.
12. How would you describe the sound of Sivad to someone who hadn’t heard it, and what distinguishes your music from any other act in the same genre?
Sivad: We would describe our sound
as intensely aggressive and dark, first and foremost. If those two aspects are
absent, it is not Sivad. In addition to that, our priority is writing music
that speaks to the dark heart of black metal, while not necessarily blindly
adhering to the generally accepted technical prerequisites of black metal.
Also, we have never been and will never be a band that implements any filler
whatsoever or relies on bland, atmospheric elements. Sivad is hate, death,
darkness, blasphemy, and conflict. This is our legacy and what is truly in our
hearts, so our music is a reflection of that.
13. Who came up with the predecessor released cover artwork? I personally cherish every released artwork because those are truly indelible, remarkable, appreciable and meaningful too.
Sivad: The artist responsible for our previous artworks goes by the name of Worthless Endeavors. He will likely not be involved with Sivad moving forward, but he has created some excellent art for us in the past. We are in talks with other artists for future releases, and you can trust that the standard we have set for our artwork will be met. In fact, the bar will be raised.
14. 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?
Sivad: We don't get out much. We support bands that we believe in and are associated with, but most of them are in other countries or other states, so we haven't been to any noteworthy shows lately other than ones we performed at. We could go on about the many great experiences we've had performing live, but perhaps it would be best if you and your readers come and see us yourself! As for the first shows we ever attended, that would of course be a different answer for each of us, but to put it simply, we have roots in trash, death, and black metal collectively, so you can imagine what kind of shows we would attend.
15. In before you guys had performed a lot of gigs so, which show was the most memorable to you so far? Do you get a good crowd response? Did you get offers to play in other countries or anything like that?
Sivad: Every show this band has ever done has had a more than great crowd response. Sivad is a very good live band, both sound and visually. We've been fortunate in our still short span to play with great bands from around the world, But if I were to choose specifically I'd say our recent San Antonio show with Morbosidad was outstanding, because we were not able to prepare as much as we normally would, and we had guts to open with a new song we had not honestly played enough, and we were co headliners to boot. But all went extremely well.
16. Do you study other bands music to come up with ideas? There are satanic imagery with your lyrics, theme, Sigil. Is this just an image or something you believe in?
Sivad: Sure, we listen to other
bands and there is some influence or inspiration taken from artists we enjoy,
consciously or otherwise. But actually, we take more influence from seeing
bands doing things we disapprove of. We learn from others mistakes and
missteps, and try to do better. As for the Satanic/religious
imagery and themes of our music and artwork, we certainly do believe in
everything we present. We each have our own spiritual path and they intertwine
with one another in vital ways, but as a matter of principle, it is important
that we are all our own persons and have beliefs that are specific and personal
to each of us. Basically, to answer your question, not only do we believe in
what we write about, but what you see and hear in Sivad is only the tip of the
iceberg when it comes to our devotion to the devil and to darkness. Even music,
as powerful as it is, cannot capture all of what that means to us.
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?
Sivad: We prepare for any performance, live or in studio, with certain personal rituals. We can not reveal too much in that regard because it is very personal by nature. To speak of that would devalue it. However, we do appreciate you inquiring about it, because it means you understand how important that kind of thing can be.
18. You guys are from United States. So, how much have you discovered about the extreme metal scene and how much of it were you aware of before the band started?
Sivad: We have always been very
fond and fervent supporters of the U.S. black and death metal scenes (for the
most part...). Many legendary bands, past and present, hail from our country –
Von, Masochist, & Grand Belial's Key to name a few. We have always been
aware of it and continue to proudly wave the banner of USBM.
19. What do you do as individual band members to relax, when not working on music? Do you have jobs or business?
Sivad: We each have jobs, but they
are only a means to an end, and the end is SIVAD. We have lives outside of the
band, but everything we do is in favor and support of the band. It may never
bring us commercial or financial success, but we are so devoted to our goals
and vision that it really does not matter in the least.
20. What albums are you listening to lately or just the bands and albums, in general, you're really digging right now and tell me about your anticipated album of this year?
Sivad: For this one, we will answer
individually, as we all have our own taste which comes into play regarding what
influences us in life and in music:
DOEBLER: Unholy Vampiric Slaughter Sect, Aries
Kingdom, Goatpsalm
ANGVIS: Incubus - "Beyond the Unknown",
Diabolic - "Vengeance Ascending", and Hexekration Rites - "Demo
MMXVIII"
VÆCORD: Thy Darkened Shade - "Liber
Lucifer", Satyricon - "Volcano", Opeth - "Ghost
Reveries"
INCIMIT: Thy Darkened Shade, Magoth, Morgal
SIMON: Mortem - "Deinos Nekromantis", Vomitor - "The Escalation", Incantation - "Blasphemy in Brazil"
21. 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?
Sivad: Future plans are to keep
writing and making music our way, and we will continue to never waiver or
apologize for what we do. Tour plans are always open to the right offers.
22. 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? Always welcome to India. We are keen to see you play in live. If I forgot anything, please insert it in here.
Sivad: We would certainly accept an
invitation to India some day! Thank you for your support and for asking
excellent questions.
Interviewer: Souvik Basu. Published on 19/08/2020.
