Interview: Denouncement Pyre

This is the Interview with Decaylust vocal and guitar of Denouncement Pyre.

1.- Let´s start, could you describe the meaning of Denouncement Pyre and tell us a little bit about your history?
-We chose DENOUNCEMENT PYRE to represent the band because it is both a unique name and also relevant to the philosophy we engender. It aligns with ideals of the left-hand path, destruction and eradication of all that we are against and desecration of all poisoned white light dogma that has long threatened the blood of the strong and tainted the blood of the weak.
Our roots go back to a little earlier than 2003 when Eradicator & I began rehearsing under a different name. To cut a long story short we became Denouncement Pyre in late 2003 once recruiting some more heathens to the line up. From there we recorded The Storm to End All Wars (demo 2004), Barbaric Vengeance (live tape 2005), Under the Aegis of Damnation (7” 2006), Hells Infantry (mCD 2006), later these tracks were released on vinyl as Chaos Rising (split LP 2008), and lastly Circle of the Black Flame (7” 2008). There has been several line-up changes throughput this time but we venture on, for the cycle is not yet complete.

2.- How would you describe Denouncement Pyre´s sound?
-For me it is determined by our own interpretation of what real Black & Death Metal is. We have labeled our music Heathen Hell Metal which I think speaks for itself. I don’t really ponder this kind of thing too much. More importantly the atmosphere that one is able to experience through the music determines its worth, not whatever label is attached to it. So you can call it whatever you like, for me BLACK DEATH is suitable enough.

3.- When did you start writing your own songs? Was it easy for you to come up with own stuff?
-We began writing the material that would become the first demo as soon as the band formed. We never played covers because even at the commencement of the band we had a very clear and determined idea of what we wanted to produce. I guess it was rather natural to write this style. Although I listen to many different genres of music, it has always been extreme metal that has held a deeper meaning for me. I cannot pin point exactly why that is but I’m sure others who understand the dark atmosphere and energy that this music can create within will know what I mean.




4.- After your first demo, you recorded a live album "Barbaric Vengeance", with who worked for the album and how was the contact?
-I wouldn’t call this an album but more a live demo. There was a lot of interest in the band after the first demo was released and whilst we were working on new material (for the 7”) we decided to spread another tape so those who were interested could hear some more material from the band. This was recorded at a live show we performed in Melbourne. The sound was rather chaotic and was a worthy representation of what a live DENOUNCEMENT PYRE show was like, so we decided to spread some tapes around. That was about the extent of that release as we quickly moved on from there.

5.- I have to say Hell´s Infantry is a really good EP, could you talk about "Ancient Remnants" lyrics?
-For a long time now I’ve had an interest in ancient history and how it ties in with some of the mysterious monuments and artifacts that exist on this planet. This interest is fueled by both historical and occult studies. This particular song explores that concept. It was inspired by a certain monument/monolith that is very well known (and rightly so) throughout the world. It’s more questioning the modern world’s concept of advancement when we cannot even explain the things that have outlived our stage of civilization yet are right under our noses. These could perhaps teach us more about ourselves than what we will ever know through technology or so called science. To move forward we must look back to a time when civilization was in many ways far advanced to what we know. Yet the geniuses of today remain dumbfounded by these ancient remnants. I am interested in the spiritual or ‘internal’ causes/explanations of such mysteries, for their creation points to the universe which is buried deep in the subconscious, but who holds the key to unlock such wisdom? Look back in order to move forward.

6.- Do you remember how was your first gig?
-The first show was in November 2004. There were some local black/death metal bands; the show was headlined by Dawn of Azazel (NZ). We received a good response, the demo had already been circulating for a few months so some maniacs already knew the songs. I think there were about 120 or so people there that night, which is fairly common for local gigs around here. Whilst we went on to perform far better than on this occasion, it went well for a first gig.

7.- When i talk about Australian Extreme Metal, i remeber bands like Slaughter Lord, Sadistik Exekution, Destroyer 666, Corpse Molestation, this bands influenced in your music? Or what bands are your influences?
-Whilst we worship all these old bands from our underground, I think they are about as much of an influence on us as they have been on any Black/Death Metal band. We do not set out to imitate these bands nor do we aim to be original for originality’s sake. We play the style which speaks truth to us regardless of what others are doing or have done.
I don’t have much to do with the scene here. For the last few years it has slowly died and the way outsiders tend to perceive it as being a very active or great scene is very inaccurate.
We listen to many of the classic Black Death Metal bands that most who play this style are familiar with. There is no need to list them all as they would come as no surprise and we have all heard the names a million times over. More importantly the real inspiration to perform this music does not come from the metal scene or metal culture but something entirely separate. A certain energy & lifeforce that when summoned is more powerful than any LP, band patch or scene attitude.




8.- How was the contact to do the Split with the crazy Metalheads Diocletian?
-We had been in contact since their demo. They came to Australia to perform a couple of shows, one of which we played at also. From there we asked if they were interested, they accepted and thus the concept for Chaos Rising came to life. Nothing really out of the ordinary, the end result speaks for itself and the response to it has been killer.

9.- Who produced and engineered "Circle of the Black Flame"?
-The songs were produced by us as has all material to date. We recorded it in an unknown local studio which whilst small was still professional enough to cater for our needs. The recording was engineered by a guy who built the studio. He had limited experience with extreme bands but we controlled the recording so it didn’t really have an impact. What you hear on this release however is not a correct representation of what we recorded and mastered. The pressing plant fucked up our master (what we sent over was 100% correct) but when it was pressed the sound came back very muddy and distorted. We will have these tracks re-released at some stage because we are not satisfied with the pressing. The original masters are a lot clearer and represent the release the way it was intended to be.

10.- In a live situation, do you concentrate for the most part on the songs of your latest album or do you also play much old stuff?
-We have only performed live 7 times now. I have never considered DP to be a regular live band and cannot say at this point in time if we will ever play live again. We played mostly the material that was relevant at the time, mainly from the first 7” and mini-album. We haven’t really played live since then (only once) so the set list was mostly the same.



11.- Do you have plans for recording a Full Length album soon?
.The full length is titled World Cremation. I will begin rehearsing with a new drummer early 2009 for the album. There are 8 new songs, all of which are much darker than previous material. It will follow on from the Circle of the Black Flame 7”, however the material is a little more varied with some slower/mid-paced parts amongst the crushing/blasting sections. Some new tracks include Black Womb of Magdalene, The Flesh of thy Master, Purification, Engulfed Temples, plus more.

12.- Plans for this 2009?
-As per the previous question, it has always been the ultimate goal to record this full length. I am confident that this will be the strongest recording yet and will be the ultimate statement of what the band is about.

13.- Anything to say?
-Thanks for the interview, all heathens contact decaylust@hotmail for merch & more info. Also the mini-album, split LP and latest 7” are available through Forgotten Wisdom Productions (France).
Await the full-length LP/CD World Cremation… the final storm at the end of days…

You can check this guys on:
www.myspace.com/denouncementpyre