1.Hails please introduce yourself to the readers?
We are Valle Crucis, black metal from South Carolina, USA. Our members include myself (Skullcrusher) on guitar/vocals and Ashriel on drums. We formed in April of 2016 and currently have two releases, a self-titled EP and a newly released full length album entitled “Iron & Blood”.
Band Contacts
https://vallecrucisblackmetal.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/ValleCrucisSC
https://www.facebook.com/ValleCrucisBlackMetal
2.When did you first start listening to black metal and who were the first bands you discovered?Who would you say are some of your current favorite bands?
My introduction to Black Metal was the original Stormblast record from Dimmu Borgir my senior year of high school. I really didn’t try to get more into it until a few years later when I started listening to Immortal and Satyricon. It took a bit to immerse myself in it because of my religious upbringing and this was during a time when I was breaking away from that. Some of my favorites now include Sargeist, Behexen, Hell Militia, Ondskapt, & Marduk.
3.When did you first meet the other member of the band?And was it long before you two decided to start Valle Crucis?How did you choose Valle Crucis as the name of the band does it have a special meaning?
I believe we met in 2014. During a extreme metal show here in South Carolina. We didn’t form the band until a couple years later after we both departed from previous bands. The name of the band comes from a legend of a hellhound haunting a church yard in a town in North Carolina. I wanted to incorporate some local (somewhat local) lore into the band.
4.I believe the band is two man band would you like add more members to make a full line-up or do you prefer to work as a two man band?
Negative. There are no plans to add another member. Working with people is draining and slightly annoying, so the less people we have involved, the easier it is to get things done and schedule shows, practice time, etc.
5.Who would you say are the bands biggest influences?And for the readers who have never heard Valle Crucis's music how would you best describe it?
Our influences come from bands like Sargeist, Behexen, Dark Funeral, Marduk, Satyricon & Merrimack. We’ve been described as a mix of Marduk & Mork Gryning,. Very dark, aggressive yet melodic passages.
6.Iron&Blood is the bands debut release how long did it take the band to write the music for the debut?Do you both work on writing the music or does one member usually write everything?
The music was written over the course of a year after our self-titled EP release.
7.Who usually takes care of writing the lyrics for the music?What are some topics you all wrote about on the debut release?
Myself. I’ve written about depression, hatred of religion, hate of the status quo in the United States of politics and society, anger towards several things, sex. There’s a wide array of topics that I’ll write about.
8.What does black metal mean to you two?
Black Metal to us is unapologetic, freedom, it is a vessel for expression. Not much more to say in that respect.
9.Valle Crucis comes out of the U.S black metal scene what is your opinion of the black metal scene in the U.S.A?
Lacking. And this is outside of the more well-known acts. It’s usually one a few things. Bands are trying “too hard” to be kvlt or true black metal and not being true to themselves. Second, there are the ones that have good sounding music, but the presence and attitude is missing. Third, some are just sellouts trying to be as popular as they can be, begging to get on shows or for people to hear their music. Not to say all the bands are like this, but a fair number seem to be.
10.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of the U.S black metal scene?Are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
Some of the ones I would say are top favorites are Burial Oath, Atrum Inritus, Judas Iscariot, Kult ov Azazel and Obsequiae. Some newer ones I’ve been keeping up with (and people may or may not already know them) are Imperialist, Von Nacht and Helleborus.
11.Besides working in Valle Crucis do either of the members currently play in any other bands or solo projects?
Neither of us are currently involved in any other full band projects. I, however, am working some solo Funeral Doom material that will likely be released early next year.
12.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
We thank the readers for taking time to read the interview and hope that they enjoy what they hear from us.
Band Contacts
https://vallecrucisblackmetal.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/ValleCrucisSC
https://www.facebook.com/ValleCrucisBlackMetal
