Interview with death metal band from Australia - PUSTILENCE.
Translated Duzl, thank you!
Questions prepared Jakub Asphyx.
Ave PUSTILENCE! On April 24, 2023, you will release your first long-play album „Beliefs of Dead Stargazers and Soothsayers“ with Memento Mori and Rotted Life Records. As the title suggests, it is a ride full of real death metal. When you left the studio, how did you feel? Please tell us, the fans, something about the new album.
G: We spent the better part of 2021/22 trying to concoct some madness we’d be happy with to unleash upon the masses, finally when October last year rolled around we were ready to dwell in the dungeon of Aphotic Mote ( Portal ) and lay down the foundations for this Album. We’re beyond thrilled how it all came together and can’t wait for everyone to hear it and take part in the journey that is the world of Pustilence.
You are a band composed of all experienced musicians who play mostly death metal. How did PUSTILENCE come into being? I'm guessing a good pub and a lot of beer. Who first came up with the idea to play death metal?
G: Pustilence was formed as a result of myself ( Golgoth ) and Wormcvlt ( Bass ) both leaving our respected bands at the time and wanting to start something more within the roots of our love for Death Metal. As we lived together it was easy to conjure the madness that was “The birth of the beginning before the inception the end” demo which in turn got us the attention of both Memento Mori and Rotted Life.
I'll admit, your news has me on my ass. What I really like about you guys is that you are not only orthodox and real, but you don't forget the cold and dark melodies. Who is the author of the music and how do you compose and create new PUSTILENCE songs?
G: It’s a group effort mostly, we’ll all bring individual songs and conspire together for others, just whatever flows really. We’ve all got different approaches but still within the realm that it’s hard for listeners to differentiate between who wrote what.
What I enjoy about the new album is the sound which is raw and “dusty”. Where did you record the album, mixed and who did the production?
G: That was definitely a sound we aimed for, we recorded through Aphotic Mote that I mentioned earlier, he’s one of the guitarists in Portal ( For those that are unfamiliar, they are horror incarnate ) in his personal studio. He also mixed and mastered everything, dude is a weapon and really great to work with.
I was intrigued by the album cover too. If I understand correctly, there's a demon on it killing his victim. The cover is simple, a bit mysterious, but it fits the music perfectly. What is this theme supposed to express? Who is author of the picture? How did you guys get together and why him?
G: It’s actually Judith with the Head of Holofernes, by Francesco del Cairo, cropped. I’m a huge fan of Baroque art, so when I came across it I knew it was perfect, the mystery and lack of reference leaves the viewer to their own imagination.
What are the lyrics on the new record about? What is the main theme and idea behind "Beliefs of Dead Stargazers and Soothsayers"? Who is the author and where did he draw inspiration from?
G: The album is broken into 3 chapters.
CAPITULUM CUPIDITAS
I. Aspirants of intemperance
II. Profound Assiduity
III. Concupiscence
CAPITULUM COGNITIO
IV. Iliad to the Contorted Apprehension
V. Outwith the Plains of Ultimatum
VI. Procured Propensities
VII. Pishogue Thaumaturge
CAPITULUM VICTORUM
VIII. An Ode to the Eyes That Are Yellow
IX. Demiurge Divertissement
X. Extirpated Conquest
XI. Testament of Disarry
Each chapter is a setting and story of Lust, Power and Destruction.
I’m the lyricist of the band and an avid reader of fantasy and sci-fi so I have created a universe of mind warping madness based upon those foundations.
I can't help but ask. You play a style of metal that is extreme. You live in Australia. How are death metal bands perceived by the general public? Do you have any problems with that? Do you get any space on TV, in newspapers? How is life in your country influenced by Christianity, religions in general?
G: I think in this day & age people are a lot more accepting of it. Death metal is a pretty seasoned genre so I’m sure most people either know someone or of someone that listen to/play it. Might get a few people turn their heads at a shirt or what not but nothing that’s worth noting. Tv and newspapers aren’t something that we personally seek to be involved in so can’t really comment on that.
Christianity and religion in general is just one of those things that’s pretty much everywhere, but I don’t know. Don’t really pay attention to any of it, not shoved down our throats or anything, people want to believe their mortal soul is safe, go for it. Still gonna be worm food at the end of the day.
PUSTILENCE have only been on the scene for a while. How far do you want to go? Big festivals, long tours? Are you just a project or a regular band that will work classically? After all, each of you have a lot of commitments in other bands.
G: We’re all definitely working towards taking this band as far as we can without losing our integrity, we’re not in it for fame and glory but definitely want to be a well known band that’s respected for our uncompromising approach of just doing shit our own way.
How are you doing with gigs? Do you like to play often? And do you prefer big festivals or small clubs? What about promoting the new album, are you planning a tour?
G: We’ve had a bit of a break starting this new year, but are in the works of organising a series of shows to unleash the album upon the masses. As for what we prefer, we’re just keen to play good shows to good crowds.
I feel that extreme styles are very popular in Australia. Especially death and black metal bands there are amazing! I receive a lot of new album for reviews, I do many interviews and I feel that your scene is very strong. But that is my point of view of a person who does not live in Australia. How do you feel about that? What about concerts, promoters, clubs, shops with extreme metal music?
G: We’ve definitely got quite an intense scene here, going back to the early bands like Sadistik Exekution & Damaged up to current maniacs like Vile Apparition & Gutless etc. With the risk of sounding biased I feel Australia has some really great contributions to the world of extreme music. Guess we’re all just pissed from the humidity, ha.
Due to Covid halting the world for a few years we lost a lot of our venues but in the last few months a few are surfacing and they seem to genuinely want to do right by the scene, same as Promoters, lost a few gained a few.
Anthony from Your Mate Booking is the current go to bloke that’s bringing a lot of killer bands here, Recently he brought over Skeletal Remains and later this year he’s got Exhumed making the rounds down under.
Thank you so much for the interview and I wish your album great selling, your concerts to be sold out. I am looking forward to see you at some concert. I wish you also luck in your personal life. Let the force guide you! PUSTILENCE FOREVER!
G: Cheers for the chat, hopefully we’ll make our way your way soon!
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