Interview: Cut

 

For those unfamiliar with CUT, they are essentially China’s gift to war metal, and with the release of their excellent debut album “Vanquish the Weak” in 2022, the band has certainly carved a name for themselves as a notorious force to be reckoned with in the underground. If bands like Archgoat, Nuclearhammer and Blasphemy fit into your crude musical palate, then certainly give this band a go.

Special thanks to Jianqi (JQ) for the submission. All questions were answered by founding members Ironthorn and Zon.  
 

JQ: It's a pleasure to have the opportunity to interview CUT, a relatively new but already prominent black death metal band in China, on the occasion of the River Metempsychosis Festival! Can you greet our readers first?
 

Ironthorn: Hello.
Zon: Hello.
 

JQ: Your album 'Vanquish the Weak' released in August last year, gained significant attention both domestically and internationally. Dyingflames considers this album to be one of the top three in the history of Chinese black death metal, while Axekutioner even regards it as the foremost official black death metal album in his mind. How were you all influenced by Satan, and how did you come to know each other and decide to start this band? What led you to decide to base your sinister creative work on Satan as its source?
 

Ironthorn: In 2018, Zon and I met at the Apocalypse Extreme Metal Music Festival in Taiyuan. I think that's when we started discussing the concept of evil art, and we even came up with the band's name at that time. However, due to some damn obstacles, we didn't start creating music until last year (2022). After composing the instrumental parts, Shika and I called back Zon. We all agreed that black metal must be rooted in Satanism. For both me and Zon, I believe it's in our nature.
 
Zon: Before joining the band, I told Ironthorn that I just wanted to express my thoughts through Satan's mouth instead of using my brain to think. In other words, we were ready to surrender our minds to him as well. Due to the alignment in themes and ideologies, we could all act on our instincts.
 

JQ: In Axekutioner's interview with you both mentioned being influenced by Blasphemy. Besides them, who else has had such a significant impact on you? Have your feelings towards this type of music changed before and after forming the band?
 

Ironthorn: CUT's songs haven't been too influenced by the Ross Bay war metal scene, although Blasphemy's first demo holds a special place in our hearts. However, many early Scandinavian black metal and death metal bands did leave a profound mark on us.
 
Zon: Blasphemy's first demo accompanied me through my tumultuous adolescence, but personally, I haven't delved too deeply into listening to this style of music. In reality, for me, the functionality of this music is far greater than its musicality, much like a church choir – we just praise a different god. Before and after the band, we were all blind believers in what this music was saying.

JQ: Why are you referred to as "Bestial Black Metal" in your introduction rather than something else? Does it hold any special significance?
 

Ironthorn: We play black death metal. I don't agree with equating black death metal to bestial metal or war metal. Black death metal is a broad category within black metal.
After the emergence of the Brazilian monsters, Blasphemy and Beherit created chaotic sounds almost simultaneously, Archgoat had a completely different temperament, Bestial Warlust stirred a frenzy in Australia. Demoncy from the United States expressed another obscure, arrogant, and evil musical texture. Fans categorize them as "black death metal," but their listening experiences are different. You can observe that after 2000, many bands created extremely profound black death music, such as Mefitic. For CUT, I can't determine which atmosphere influences us. But we always exist within the darkness, and I am forever a sincere listener of this dark atmosphere. All warriors are praising it in their own way, and it's an addictive thing.
 
Zon: Between Ironthorn and me, we don't discuss things imposed on us by others because it's a waste of time.

JQ: Can you reveal your upcoming plans for composition and release?
 

Ironthorn: CUT will be completing a demo and a second full-length album this year.

JQ: I noticed your album covers are quite unique. Who designed them, and what was the thought process behind choosing the artist and the cover artwork?
 

Ironthorn: We have strict requirements for artists and their imagination. Sickness666, the artist for the full-length album cover, is someone I highly respect. He is very patient and handles details well. The visual sense we wanted aligned perfectly with him. He and Chris Moyen are benchmark artists in this style. But I have never been able to appreciate those stereotypical sheep.

JQ: I believe many readers are curious about this: Do you experience different feelings during your creative process or performances compared to usual? For example, intense anger or a strong desire to attack.
 

Ironthorn: During the creative process, yes. But for me the state of being on stage is solemn. It's a solemn altar to showcase the band's complete essence.
 
Zon: Anger and aggressiveness are instinctual in animals; learning to coexist with such emotions is a human prerequisite.

JQ: I know that many black metal/metal fans sometimes engage in aggressive behaviour during band performances, including but not limited to attacking the band. Have you encountered such situations during your performances? What kind of fan behavior do you dislike the most?
 

Ironthorn: We've come across some special idiots, but Zon and I don't feel the need to understand individual perspectives.
 

JQ: I remember you were initially a duo; when did drummer Shika join the band? Is he currently involved in the creative process?
 

Ironthorn: Shika is an old friend of mine and has been a founding member. During the creative process, I express the desired drum patterns verbally, and our understanding allows us to smoothly complete compositions even when communicating online. I think his interest in intense drumming surpasses the content of black metal itself, but he is always my partner.
 

JQ: Besides black metal, what other types of music do you usually listen to?

Ironthorn: Zon enjoys listening to jazz and engages in some noise engineering. Shika likes hardcore and thrash metal; I've heard he's currently learning drum techniques in jazz. Besides extreme metal, I like listening to classical guitar solos and concertos. However, I can't stand jazz.
 
Zon: Primarily contemporary classical, avant-garde jazz (the kind with proper notation, like Anthony Braxton), experimental music, some serialism, and Japanese Gagaku. I don't reject any music that helps with compositional needs and requires mental engagement.

JQ: Have you encountered any difficulties during performances or rehearsals?
 
Ironthorn: We don't rehearse much. The uncertainty of the live guitarist is a significant challenge for us.
 

JQ: What expectations do you have for the Guangzhou and Shenzhen performances? If given the chance, where would you like to perform?
 
Ironthorn: Personally, I'm looking forward to having a drink with Bloodfire after these two gigs. Most importantly: coercing him to organize Hellward again. Saint Vitus Bar is on our radar; we're working on it.
 

JQ: Finally, one more word to our readers, Hail Satan!
Zon: "I am viewed primarily as the Satan of modern music." --Schoenberg