DEVOURING VOID is a promising up and coming Black Metal trio hailing from the blackest depths of Canada whose music is synonymous with misanthropy and darkness. The following interview was done with vocalist/guitarist A.R.
Greetings
A.R.! Tell us a little bit about the formation of Devouring Void and
how its evil seed came into being.
AR:
It began as a brain child of mine in mid 2015. I was in another band
(which I won't name) and knew it wasn't going to last so I decided to
start planning a new band out. I was writing riffs for this project
as early as 2013-2014 before I had the name, "Devouring Void",
which came to me in 2015. As much as I did write many riffs for this
band years and years ago (which will be on upcoming releases), it was
always kept on the backburner because I was too busy with other
projects. Then in 2019, I teamed up with KB one day. KB had always
been a good friend of mine for years, and listened to all the right
stuff to be in a project like Devouring Void. One day we decided to
do something productive when we hung out and perhaps jam riff ideas
together. It ended up turning into us working on full songs within
that first little meet up. In the summer of 2019, our soon to be
drummer K.H. was doing a big move, ended up moving into the
downstairs of the house I lived in at the time. This guy like KB, had
all the right tastes and influences when it came to
black
metal, and knew his shit completely when writing his own drum parts.
Having K.H compelete this black metal trio made this entity go from a
project to a legitamate and productive band. We are three guys who
get along perfectly, have all the right aligning tastes and
influences and have prior experience in being in a band.
What
are your main influences and how would you describe your sound?
AR:
We are three dudes who play black metal in the vein of Darkthrone,
Beastcraft, Katharsis, with a little bit of Australian black thrash
sprinkled
in. We also worship 80's speed and all the first wave bands. Our main
priority as a band is the quality of riffs, hooks and overall
songwriting.
We
love to playing at ripping fast tempos but every so often, switching
shit up to a mid paced gallop, like the ones that can be heard on the
"Blood Fire Death" album by Bathory.
Do
you see playing this type of music as an outlet that prevents you
from going on a killing spree?
AR:
Yes that, or some sort of self destruction. It's what keeps us sane.
All three of us are lifers in what we do in terms of playing music,
having gotten into true metal at very young ages.
Tell
us about your debut EP ‘’Septic Fluid Dripping From the Open
Wounds of Gaia’’ and what inspired the title? Is it based on a
concept? Also, how long were you working on the material?
AR:
Many bands think of ways they can blasphemize a certain deity as a
form of lyrical themes. We as Devouring Void decided not to touch
religion at all, so for this title, I Just wanted to have something
over the top, but attacking something very real. Gaia, whos is the
greek goddess of the Earth felt natural to go after. This band is all
about total negativity, and ending of all life. The earth is what
gives us life on a collective basis. Consider the general themes of
this band as self destruction, and then destruction of all,
simultaneously. Desecration of the collective consciousness.
The
first track on the EP opens with an audio sample from the Jonestown
massacre. Why did you include this particular sample? Also, what’s
your stance on the whole incident and cult leaders like Jim Jones?
AR:
Because it's vile, horrific and 100% real. You very much are hearing
approximately 900 people kill themselves, or being forced into
suicide, also as a bonus... royalty free! What better way to open a
misanthropic black metal EP, than to hear the sound of 900 dying? My
stance on the situation? It's an event of human atrocity like any
other. A man corrupted by his own paranoias and position of
authority. If I'm not mistaken, Jones' paranoias of the US government
was further amplified by his abuse of prescription
medications.
What
are some of your interests outside of playing music?
AR:
Horror games, martial arts, weird history, animals, nature.
Are
there any labels in particular that you would like to work with in
the future?
AR:
preferably a good mid-tier label. Definitely could not see this
project working with any major label.
What
are 10 albums in the realm of Black and Death Metal you can’t live
without?
AR:
Darkthrone-
under a funeral moon
Katharsis-
666
Possessed-
7 churches
Excoriate-
On Pestilent Winds
Beastcraft-
Baptized In Blood And Goatsemen
Bathory-
The Return
Merciless-
The Awakening
Bestial
Warlust- Blood & Valor
Sarcofago-
INRI
Autopsy-
Severed Survival
How
do you see your sound progress on future recordings? What can we
expect?
AR:
a way more evolved Devouring Void, but consistent
with the original sound and concept of the band. Same old school vein
riffs, just executed with more hooks, more interesting song
structure, and more dynamics.
If
your music was a weapon, what would it resemble?
AR:
A giant portal in the sky that swallowing and crushing all life as a
whole.
What
are some of your favourite albums from 2019-2021?
AR:
That Hexorcist demo that came out this year blew my head off. Also
Diabolic Night's debut full length is fantastic. Amazing to hear
those songs with real drums. Cannot wait for Hexorcist's debut album.
Also
Terrestrial Hospice's "Indian Summer Brought Mushroom Clouds"
is masterfully executed second wave worship black metal. Oath of
Cruelty's debut album most certainly deserves a mention as well,
amazing guitar work and guitar tone.
Your
thoughts on the current state of the underground?
AR:
It's fantastic if you're looking in all the right places?
Lastly,
what are your future plans for Devouring Void and when can we expect
new material? Thanks for your time.
AR:
We're in the process of tightening up the new songs for our upcoming
full length. We are hoping to have something out by the end of this
year or early 2022.
Thank
you for this interview, have an excellent day!
