Finnish death metal force Sepulchral Curse unveils their latest opus, Crimson Moon Evocations, via Dark Descent Records. We spoke with Kari about the album’s themes, influences, and their evolving sonic identity.
1. Crimson
Moon Evocations marks your debut with Dark Descent Records. What does this
partnership mean to you as a band, and how has it influenced the release of
this album?
KARI: I
would not say that it has influenced us in any particular way as the creative
process comes from within the band. Of course the chance to be part of bigger
label and much more fitting label for us breathes a lot of motivation and life
into us. Also the opportunities that rise with Dark Descent are exciting to say
the least.
What it
means to us to be part of Dark Descent Records family on the other hand means
quite a lot! Matt and Dark Descent Records host some of my favourite bands in
the scene today and a lot of our friends’ bands too. We feel very honoured to
be part of that roster and legacy, which we look up to. Bands like Lantern,
Gorephilia, Corpsessed, Krypts, Undergang, Strychnos etc. are some of the best
Death Metal out there today. I have known Matt for some time, but our paths
just never really entwined professionally before until now as the time was ripe!
2. The
album title, Crimson Moon Evocations, feels both ominous and
evocative. Can you elaborate on the concept behind the title and how it ties
into the themes of the album?
KARI: “Abhorrent
Dimensions” was a lot more angry, spiteful and furious album lyrical-wise as
“Crimson Moon Evocations” takes a bit of a step back from that and connects
more on the otherworldliness and worlds beyond. How ideas and influences flow
unto us on different levels and mould us. Much like the ominous moon above the
summoners shadowing all under its crimson glow, as depicted on the cover.
“Crimson Moon Evocations” was a title that had travelled with me for years and
I just never had the correct place for it until now. I think the majestic name
ties the album and its stories together splendidly. This time the overall theme
of the album is a lot looser than usually, more emphasis on poetry and tales. The
initial idea for the cover art was also in my mind, but we together brainstormed
it forward and Mark Erskine did incredible job once again bringing life to our
idea!
3.
"House of the Black Moon" is the first single from the album. What
made this track the ideal choice to introduce listeners to Crimson Moon
Evocations?
KARI: We instantly
knew that “House of the Black Moon” will be the music video track, but we were
not certain would it be the first single. It shows a bit more melodic side of
the band, yet being heavy and forceful. The song really shows the full spectrum
of what Sepulchral Curse is and can be, so in the end it worked out perfectly. The
feedback has been tremendously positive, so I guess it was the right choice!
4.
You’ve described the band’s sound as being rooted in death metal but open to
new inspirations and influences. Can you give us some examples of these
influences and how they shaped the songs on this album?
KARI: I
guess the most obvious one is Black Metal. There is sometimes rather fine line
if some riffs are more Black Metal or Death Metal, but I find it unnecessary to
label things on such level. It is overall picture that defines it. Some of the
dudes in the band are heavily into Black Metal, so it is only natural that you
can hear it in our sound. I have also heard people saying how that part was
clear Thrash Metal or how this was Traditional Metal part. Both are true as
those are also genres that are enjoyed within the band greatly. I think it is
most of all bringing your own influences into the table and make it flow
effortlessly with the rest of the music, as it is bringing spice into the
sound. I have also read how some critics have hard time naming what genre
Sepulchral Curse is, which is surprising to me, as I find us first and foremost,
now and forever as Death Metal. If I would name drop some bands, our influences
range from anything between Incantation, Darkthrone, Dismember, Dissection,
Aborted, Slayer, Running Wild, Sulphur Aeon etc.
5. Tomi
Uusitupa has been described as a crucial part of your creative process. What
makes him such an essential collaborator, and how did his input elevate Crimson
Moon Evocations?
KARI: Our
first contact was with him when he created the music video for our song “Dead
Stars Drawing Spirals” for our debut album “Only Ashes Remain”. That experience
was such a positive one and we felt a kindred spirit, that we wanted to try him
out for his recording process too. We went to Oxroad Studios to do “Deathbed
Sessions” EP and it was clear that this was the right guy for us. He has done
both “Abhorrent Dimensions” and “Crimson Moon Evocations” and will be doing all
our recording for as long as he breathes air. Tomi is the kind of studio wizard
who can create relaxed yet professional atmosphere and has the correct gear and
knowledge to make top notch recordings, but most of all it is the passion that
drives him (probably to lunacy at some point). It is not only him doing the
recording, but also working as producer at the same time. There are probably
not one or two things that he told us to try differently. You can feel that he puts
a lot of effort and heart into what he does. Most importantly he is utterly
cool dude to hang out with and within the darkness of countryside Marttila you
can only succeed on what you do. I mean the silence of the Finnish nature and warm
sauna? What kind of Finnish musician would not excel on that? Though he might
not be the most avid listener of Death Metal, but he goes to great lengths to
understand the music and mix the album so that it has something new and fresh,
yet stays heavy. He understands what the music needs and not just push his own
ambitions and views. I would recommend all musicians to keep Tomi Uusitupa and
Oxroad Studios on their mind. Tomi can record albums or do music videos and
probably much more. At least he understands our stupid humour and has a soft
spot in his heart for awful music which he is a bit too eager to share with
anyone who dares to enter his studio.
6. Mark
Erskine’s artwork for the album is stunning. How did you collaborate with him
to visually represent the themes and essence of the music?
KARI: As
stated before we had a pretty clear idea what we want. Initial idea was mine,
but we worked together inside the band on what we would want to represent us.
We actually even had some sketches done by ourselves to give the proper idea.
Mark really picked up quickly from what we wanted and put his own touch into
it, as we wanted to. Mark did the cover art for “Abhorrent Dimensions” and we
felt his style would fit perfectly to our idea on this one too. He really did outdo
himself this time!
7. The
tracklist features evocative titles like "The Locust Scar" and
"Beneath The Dismal Tides." Can you walk us through the narrative or
conceptual thread that ties the album together?
KARI: “Crimson Moon Evocations” is more of a story-oriented album. The songs can be read as their own tales, yet I write a lot of personal thoughts into the lyrics. For me the lyrics come to life from certain idea or feeling I have. For example “The Locust Scar” is a title that was with me for years, but it was only a title, no lyrics written. When I heard the song Jaakko had made, it connected automatically. “The Locust Scar” is about losing yourself into the hate that devours you. I try to write a certain kind of mysticism onto our songs, so that they would not be so clear, but reader will make their own interpretation what the song is about. Let the lyrics speak to the reader. “Beneath the Dismal Tides” was actually a song on our split with our bros in Ashen Tomb, but was reworked to be a much better song and I updated the lyrics too. This I would call more of a Cthulhu mythos song or more like inspired by Lovecraftian horrors. I love that kind of stuff!
8. Your
previous release, Abhorrent Dimensions, was praised as a
significant leap forward for the band. In what ways does Crimson Moon
Evocations build on that foundation, and how do you see it as a
further evolution of your sound?
KARI: If
“Abhorrent Dimensions” was the leap forward, “Crimson Moon Evocations” is the
fortress and crystallation what we sound and what we are. I would not say that
the step is that far from “Abhorrent Dimensions” but more solidifying. Before
on our records there would be a bit more change from record to record, but now
things have stabilized within the band with current (and final) line up so that
we can focus 100% on being us. We have also learned better tools of working
together, take our time to step back and look what is on the table and move
forward with that. Now we have found ourselves and now we will dig deeper to
our trademark sound yet bring boldly new breezes. Sepulchral Curse is not the
band that stands stagnant or idle, we move always forward and challenge
ourselves.
9.
Finland has a rich tradition of death and black metal, often marked by a unique
sense of atmosphere and “weirdness.” How does your music reflect or diverge
from these traditions?
KARI: Sepulchral
Curse really does fit into that category in my opinion. We do have a hefty does
of atmosphere, but not certain about that “weirdness” though. Even with the
Death Metal bands from the early 90’ were described with same words. Hard to
really tell where it stems from. I guess people always describe it with either
melancholy or that special kind of humour from Finland, which creates that
“Finnish sound”. If I would name two banner holders of atmospheric and weird
from current scene, they would be without a doubt Ghastly and Lantern. Both
bands are remarkable on what they do!
10. As
you prepare to release Crimson Moon Evocations, what do you hope
listeners take away from the album, and what does the future hold for
Sepulchral Curse?
KARI: I
hope listeners are ready for the onslaught to come. I feel damn proud of our 3rd
album. We did a lot of work for this one and it is the game opener for us with
Dark Descent Records. After the release we aim to play live as much as
possible. Our booking agent Ile of Kallo Agency has been staying busy and our
calendars look nicely full! In less than a month we will embark on a four date
tour in Germany with Chaver, so at least there you should come and catch us! We
already have material written for next full-length, but that one you need to
wait for a bit, but we do have couple of tricks up our sleeves about future
smaller releases…
28.2.2025. is the day when crimson moon begins its ascendancy, you have been forewarned! Stay cursed!
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