Interview with Sicarius done on 3-1-20

Interview with Sicarius  done by Patrick

1.Hails how are things going in California this week?Please introduce yourself to the readers?
 Busy! We are Sicarius, black metal nihilists from southern California.

2.   When did you first discover black metal and who were some of the first bands you listened to? Are their any current bands that have caught your attention?
Karcass:  I was originally into punk rock, I didn't get into black metal until high school, around the age of 14 or so. The first bands I remember listening to and still love to this day are Darkthrone and   Carpathian Forest. I had a buddy that I met in freshman year and we'd burn each other CDs of bands we'd think the other guy would dig and it just took off from there. As for newer black metal bands I really like what Uada is doing and I'm also a fan of the blackened thrash sound that Midnight has going on.

3.Sicarius was started back in 2014 when did you all get the idea to start this band? How did you choose Sicarius as the name of the band and does it have a special meaning?
 Carnage: Well the band started because of a chance meeting. I  was at local Irish pub wearing an Emperor shirt that caught the attention of one of the bouncers there.  He later came to me with a beer and said, "I love your shirt" which led to a short conversation.About two days later I was at the same pub when he approached me again and asked if I play bass;  we had mutual friends at the pub that told him I did. Anyway he introduced himself ( Argyris ) and asked if I would be into playing music. The name Sicarius was something that Argyris already had   in mind and I felt it fit well with what we where doing as well so it stuck.

4.For the readers who have never heard the band's music how would you best describe it? And who would you say are the band's biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years?
 Karcass:  Violent, fast and riff heavy. Each person in the band has their own personal influences which is what helps us create our own style and sound but myself personally always found influence in bands such as Motorhead, GWAR,  GG Allin etc.

5.God Of Dead Roots is the band's second full-length how long did it take the band to write the music for the new release? Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
Karcass:  Each member has equal input for every song and we actually try and get everyone's opinionon lyrics, riffs and such for every track. Usually I write most of the lyrics but even then they are looked over and approved of by the band as a whole. We try not to leave anyone  out of the creative process to make this as organic and pure as possible.

6.Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the music and what are some subjects written about on the new release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
 Karcass:   I handle most of the lyrics but there are songs written by other members in the band such as "A Practiced Hand" which was written by Grimnir. I personally take a lot of influence from Lovecraftian horror, nature, and of course all the mythological tales that are found throughout
  human history. Usually we will come up with a riff and decide if it makes either a good chorus or verse and build off of that, then when the song is forming I'll get a feel for what I want it to be about or come up with a subject I feel fits the riff and go from there.

7.Besides the upcoming God Of Dead Roots are the bands previous releases still available for the readers to purchase? Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently available if yes what is available and where can the readers purchase it?
Carnage:  Aside from "God of Dead Roots", the "Serenade of Slitting Throats" album is still available through our record label M-Theory Audio. As for other merch,right now we are working on new shirts, sweatshirts and so on.  Most of it is sold at shows at this point but we will open up a web shop again once we have everything finalized.

8.Does Sicarius play live very often or do you prefer working in the studio? What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years?
Carnage: We play live as much as we can. There have been a lot of really kick ass shows we have been a part of.  One of my favorites was playing with1349 and Goatwhore in Vegas.  All the people involved were super relaxed and the show was a blast.

9.Are their any tours or shows planned in support of the upcoming God Of Dead Roots release?If yes where will the band be playing and who are some bands you will share the stage with?
 Carnage:  We have a handful of local shows set up right now and are working on a small run up the west coast to get things rolling this year.We are also working on pushing East soon as well.

10.What does Black Metal mean to you?
 Grimnir:  The definition of black metal varies from one experience to another.  When you consider the differences between black metal  philosophy and its music, the definition becomes even more diluted. In its origin, black metal was clearly about denial. Denial of the mainstream, denial of meaningless progress and its musical interpretation, denial of joy. Yet as all things grow and change, black metal has evolved to facilitate the needs of every  artist who chooses to use its moniker.

11.Sicarius  comes out of California's black metal scene what is your opinion of California's black metal scene?
 Carnage:  There are a lot of really good black metal bands rolling out of Southern California right now. I think it's great because there is a lot of fresh  music going around out here that's drawing in a whole new and growing BM fan base.

12.Besides working in Sicarius do any of the band members currently work with any other bands or solo projects?
 Carnage:  Yes, our drummer BZ is a mad man and is part of a few bands at this point including Sicarius.  Grimnir also has a personal  project and other bands he plays in as well.

13.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
  Karcass:   Yeah buy it! Haha! You can pre-order the God of Dead Roots album on CD, Vinyl or whatever digital platform you use at www.smarturl.it/sicarius but on a serious note this was a huge labor of love from everyone in the band. We all put massive amounts of time and effort into it
and we hope you all enjoy this vicious slab of sonic torture were about to unleash upon you all.
Band Contacts
https://www.facebook.com/sicariusblackmetal?ref=hl
https://sicariusblackmetal.bandcamp.com/releases
Label Contacts
https://www.m-theoryaudio.com/
https://m-theoryaudio.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/salemrosemusic/
https://twitter.com/MTheoryAudio