Sacrarium live and breathe black metal

French duo Sacrarium deserves congratulations! Recently they landed a label promotion with De Tenebrarum Principio, a renowned black metal artists’ label. Now, their debut album, ‘March to an Inviolable Death,’ can be unleashed upon the world so more and more listeners can get a chance to hear some beautiful blasphemy. I got a chance to talk about the band with both V.R.S. and A.m.K. about the musical philosophies behind Sacrarium and where they felt the band was headed in light of their new situation.

Hello there. Please introduce yourselves to our readers so they know who they are addressing.
V.R.S: Hailz. Sacrarium was created in 2001 by Nekrofoross on vocals and myself on guitar, joined shortly after by Frenekross on bass. Then at the end of 2003 I was alone and I give to Sacrarium a second life. Shortly after I met A.m.K with whom I have worked – for three texts only, the three others one come from Nekrofoross- so with this help we released our first demo called “ LAND OF FORGOTTEN SOULS”. In 2006 we released our second demo “ LOST BY YOUR BELIEF”, and in 2009 our first album “MARCH TO AN INVIOLABLE DEATH”.

So what can you tell us about the shift to re-releasing your debut, ‘March to An Inviolable Death,’ with De Tenebrarum Principio? Are you guys excited now that the music can be spread in a more ‘international fashion?’
V.R.S: I could only tell you that the album will be available very soon. DTP contacted me for a deal for two albums, including “March To An Inviolable Death”. We are very proud and honoured to sign with this label, not really for the international “propaganda,” but more for the support, we don’t want that this album fall into oblivion. There are so many releases and bands in the black metal scene –maybe too much- that it’s hard to have a decent place, especially for a band like Sacrarium, who doesn’t play live.

Was it difficult picking up the label, or are black metal acts very prevalent on De Tenebrarum? Would you recommend them to any of our readers who may be into black metal themselves and are struggling to find a label?
V.R.S: In fact, it’s DTP who contacted me. To be totally honest, we didn’t know this label before, I only knew ATMF. Now it’s a bit early for me to recommend it, but I think they are doing their work with passion, and for Sacrarium their work begin to be felt.

So what is the philosophy behind Sacrarium and the music on your debut album?
A.m.K: I couldn’t say that it is a real philosophy behind Sacrarium, My lyrics evolve in the same way that the music of V.R.S evolves, the two firsts demo’s were based on a reject of religion, the first album was about the annihilation of life on earth, and on the second album I will write about deviances, pathologies and vices, the essence of the human being. I try to write about subject that interest me and especially subject not really seen and new in this scene, but I don’t say that I am the first! I am bored to read lyrics about Satanism. The music evolves, the lyrics must evolves!
V.R.S: What kind of music? Black Metal! Dude! But not only that, except “March To An Inviolable Death” wich is ‘classical’ Black Metal, I am talking about the future compositions, I am currently working on the new album “MIASMIND”, it will be release in 2012, and I will try to offer something really different, it will still be pure Black Metal, but with more things.

What does the band do to try to defy the usual trends of black metal and make them stand out amongst other bands that may sound just the same?
V.R.S: I think the current Black Metal is heading toward a more avant-garde style. DHG (Dodheismgard), Code, Control Human Delete or Aborym are the best examples.

It is understood that the band is comprised of two members- one writes the lyrics and the other all the music. Do you find that balance much easier to work with or does it sometimes feel like more cross-work should be done? Which comes easier… the lyrics or the music?
V.R.S: If I decided to concentrate only on the music, it’s just because I am not a good lyricist, it’s not really made for me. Everyone work alone and at the end we show the work to the other and try to find some good ideas, I think it’s the better way for Sacrarium.

So why black metal of all things? Care to name any inspirations that made this genre the defining choice for Sacrarium?
V.R.S: It’s easy to explain. In ’96 when I discovered Black Metal, I immediately thought ‘wow that is what I want to do!’ In my childhood, I wasn’t very creative; I lived for over 15 years in a city were culture did not exist. So I really knew and appreciated ‘metal’ after I left this city! At this time, I discovered Marduk and “Heaven Shall Burn,” I was dazed! I told to myself that it was an inhuman music and I found it so insane! I honestly think that Marduk was the band who gave me the biggest slap in my face in ’96. When you move from techno to Marduk, it’s not without consequences!

In black metal itself and looking back on all its influences, from Bathory to Burzum to current bands like Satyricon and Xasthur, what do you think has become its strengths and weaknesses and how does Sacrarium’s music reflect the better half?
V.R.S: It’s hard to answer, so many things has changed. I think, at the beginning of this scene, people really created something they believed in, they did what they want. For now I ‘m not sure if a band like Satyricon record exactly what they really want, I was so disappointed of their performance at the Party San Open Air in 2009, I totally respect bands like Satyricon, but I am curious to see in which direction will go their next album. There is so many questions that I think all of us are asking, and this is the hardest one for currently bands, are we authentic or not? We can ask this question for old and new bands!

What is it about metal itself that drives the band itself? The energy of the music, the ‘loudness’ that will entice people to listen, the tendency to write controversial things poetically, etc?
V.R.S: I have time to lose (laughs). No it’s easier, I think that A.m.K and I are on the same wavelength. We have a passion and we work together to record the best thing we can do!

What is the ultimate goal behind the music? What do you want listeners to take away from the experience of hearing the music, be it a message or just to have the intensity of the music knock them flat on their backs?
V.R.S: We don’t have an ultimate goal. We just want to slap people in the face with our music!

So, considering there are only two of you, do you often have to find session members when going on tour or will Sacrarium remain a studio band?
V.R.S: I’ve already thought of it, but I think we make the right choice not to perform live. It’s simply a choice of A.m.K and I, and you know how hard it is to find good musicians, and it’s more difficult if you know where I live (laughs).

If you had the chance to tour anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
V.R.S: Quebec. Just because I don’t speak English, and communicating with them would be easier for me. And, of course, because I really want to visit that country!

Lastly, the fans. What do you like best about them? Has there been anything a fan has done that has really inspired or put the band in a certain direction, be it a mention that the music has changed their life or that you guys were so terrible it pushed you to work harder to prove them wrong, etc?
V.R.S: I don’t think we have fans. I don’t think that a band like Sacrarium, who doesn’t play live, and only recorded one album, could have fans. I am in contact with some guys of course, but I don’t think we could call them “fans”. You know we’ve got some criticisms (and it’s a good thing) but they will not change anything in the evolution of our music.

Where do you see metal going in the next five years? Will it keep diversifying or will everyone just fall into the same ‘trends?’
V.R.S: I think the metal genre will be more and more different from what we now know. But not necessarily in a good way, just listen to bands like BMTH, please tell me, is this a joke? Is it metal? This is a typical example of a style which diversifies itself… but not necessarily in a good way.

Again Sacrarium, thank you so much for sharing your philosophy and ideals about metal with BRUTALISM. Our readers are always interested in learning more about music from the band’s personal perspective.
V.R.S: Nothing to add, just want to thank you for this interview and for the support! STAY INSANE!