1. Hails please introduce yourselves to the readers?
My name is Balam from Australian band Pestilential Shadows.
2. When did you first discover black metal and metal in general and who were the first bands and artists you listened to? Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
I accidently discovered Black Metal in 1996 when I saw an album in a local record shop that caught my eye. It was Darkthrone’s ‘Under a Funeral Moon’. From then on I was introduced to the Black Metal genre and started collecting.
Current bands I have been listening to would include; Aara, Glaciation, Bȃ’a, Midnight Odyssey, Mare Cognitum, Selbst and classical artists such as Luke Howard, Antony Partos, Greg Haines.
3. Pestilential Shadows was started back in 2003 what gave you all the idea to start this band? Are you satisfied with how things have progressed with the band over the years?
Pestilential Shadows was formed in 2003 by Meririm (Azgorh) and myself.
Azgorh went on to form Drowning The Light while I kept writing material for PS. Other members came and went, helping write and record on the albums and performing as a live entity.
The concept of Pestilential Shadows has kept true to the original vision, the music has progressed without changing the core values and style.
4. What is the current line-up of the band?
The current line-up of the band is; Basilysk on drums, Somnus and Decay both on guitars, all that have been with the band since 2012. I do Guitar, bass and vocals.
5. For the readers who have never heard Pestilential Shadows' music how would you best describe it? Has the bands musical style changed very much over the years and releases?
Pestilential Shadows would be described as somber but aggressive Black Metal, some people would describe it as DSBM but we don’t believe it to be depressing music. I think our writing style would come more from classical or ambient style mixed with Black Metal from some of the originating bands of the genre.
The style hasn’t changed technically; the root of the melodies in the music has stayed true.
6. Revenant is the bands newest full length release 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?
Revenant was written over the course of around 3 years. It’s a long process with the members spread out (Somnus being 4000kms away).
The whole band writes the music, everyone plays guitar in the band so there is a lot of collaboration.
7. Where does the band draw influences for the lyrics and what are some subjects written about on the new release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
Most of the influence for writing the music actually comes from classical, modern classical and ambient music rather than other Black Metal bands. The music is always written before the lyrics. Some lyrical ideas are written down to shape the concept of the albums then after music is written, quite some time is used constructing the lyrics for each composition.
The concepts in Revenant are similar concepts used in previous albums, involving of course death, grief and heavy burden.
8. Besides the upcoming Revenant release are the bands previous releases or merchandise currently available for the readers to purchase? If yes what is available and where can the readers purchase it?
Séance Records does stock Pestilential Shadows releases and merchandise.
9. Has Pestilential Shadows played very many shows over the years or do you prefer working in the studio? What have been some of the bands most memorable shows? Who are some of your favorite bands that you have shared the stage with?
We don’t play too many shows, we believe playing too many shows lessens the message and impact of a band. Writing and recording albums has always been the drive behind the band.
As far as bands we’ve played with, 1349 was a standout, Alcest was quite strange for us being quite a different style of music, but it is always good playing with Australian bands such as Order of Orias, Erebus Enthroned, Corvus, Graveir, Crowned and others.
10. When bands are able to play live shows once again are there any plans for the band to play live in support of the new release? Has Pestilential Shadows ever had the opportunity to play outside of Australia? If yes what are some countries you have played and do you have a favorite country to play in?
There was talk of playing shows to show the new album but the Covid plague quickly put a stop to that.
We have had conversations with promoters to play overseas but the logistics of getting an Australian band overseas are quite difficult due to the distance and high airline prices.
11. What does Black Metal mean to you and how do you feel it has changed over the years?
Black Metal should be an uncompromising and unashamed attack on society, humanism, white light religions and moral values. Incorporating Mysticism, melancholy and a connection to the raw and destructive power of nature.
Modern Black metal is for the most part becoming a watered down shadow of it’s former self. It is becoming an edgy sub-culture commodity, less and less dangerous as time goes on.
12. Pestilential Shadows comes out of Australia's black metal scene what are your thoughts on the black metal scene in Australia over the years?
The scene here is very small. As Australia is connected more with consumerism and complacency, and less with determination and hard work, people are less interested in creating anything of value or commitment now. The other side to this double-edged blade is the fact that is shows which bands and individuals have commitment and the others are thrown by the way-side.
13. Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Australia and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
Krvna, Elysian Blaze, Spire, Ignis Gehenna, Order of Orias, Temple Nightside, Midnight Odyssey, Drowning The Light, Harvest just to name a few.
14. Besides working in Pestilential Shadows do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
Basilysk and myself are involved with ‘Nazxul’ – me since 2004. I’ve also been doing ‘Rift’ since around 2004 aswell. Last year during Covid lockdowns, myself and another entity name Greallach created a project called ‘Varw’.
Basilysk is also working with ‘Burden Man’, Decay has a project ‘Dust Devil’ and Somnus was part of ‘Advent Sorrow’ which since been disbanded.
15. Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Do not bow to mediocrity. It has stifled and killed most of what Black Metal used to be. Stay true to the original values of Black Metal or you will be transparent as a pane of weak glass.
Thank you for the interview. Keep the spirit alive! Band Contact https://www.facebook.com/PestilentialShadowsOfficial Label Contacts http://www.seancerecords.com/ https://seancerecords.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/seancerecs https://www.youtube.com/user/SeanceRecords
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