Albums of Purgatory interview Execrandus

Firstly, whats the band up right now ?

Etienne : At the present time, we are preparing two shows in France in Paris ( June ) and in Nanterre ( July ) and also the new demo which will be available in September.

Thomas : Execrandus is also composing a lot, at the moment.

Erwan : The band is in a full-evolution period.

How would you describe the Execrandus sound ?

Erwan : The Execrandus sound is not defined very well yet, everyone brings something from a different music style and the whole is not perfect yet.

Thomas : To my mind, the band is still researching himself.

Etienne : It is quite original though still imperfect for the voices.

How did you get involved with the band ?

Etienne / Erwan : We met on the web and we founded the band in May 2001.

Thomas : I met them on the web also.

Can you remember your first gig (how did it go) ?

Etienne : It was a springboard in Viry-Chatillon in January 2003 with 3 bands : 1 rap band, us then a funk-band. The contrast of the different styles has surprised a lot because when we came on stage, we had the « total-black-metal » look with the making-up…

Thomas : This first gig was hard because the keyboard parts were not well defined and the sound on stage was apocalyptic, all was done with feeling !

Erwan : The first gig was so-so, I keep a good memory, there was a good atmosphere.

Are you involved in any other projects and if so how do they compare to Execrandus ?

Etienne : I have lots of musical projects from different styles because my aim is to diversify the most my experiences. Execrandus is the band where I have the greatest fun musically because metal is what I prefer playing. But I like also my hardcore band where I play bass.

Cédric : I play in another black-metal band (Lunacy) totally different from Execrandus because it is a rawer and more direct black-metal. I need those two extremes.

Thomas : I have other side-projects : I am at the moment recording an album with Insomny, and another one with Emmanuel Ollivier (Insomny bass player).

Erwan : I also play in a death band (Homicide) but it’s not as serious as Execrandus.

What are your favourite Execrandus tracks ?

Erwan : I like all the tracks, with a preference for the rawest.

Etienne : I have no preference, I like all of them.

Thomas : I will now it when they will be finished !

What are your favourite all time songs ?

Erwan : « Desperate cry » by Sepultura, « Curse you all men » by Emperor, some tracks by Dimmu Borgir, especially black metal songs, in fact.

Cédric : « I am the black Wizards » by Emperor, « Battles in the North » by Immortal…

What is the first record you ever bought ?

Thomas : I think it was « Synthétiseur vol 1 » (Keyboard volume 1)

Cédric : « A real live one » by Iron Maiden.

Etienne : It was « Bleach » by Nirvana.

Erwan : I don’t remember.

Which album was it that got you into metal and can you explain why ?

Etienne : The awakening came with « Master of Puppets » by Metallica, it changes my life, it was totally crazy ! It took me in the trash, and then death, and finally black.

Thomas : I don’t remember if it was an album of Iron Maiden or Metallica.

Cédric / Erwan : « Chaos A.D » by Sepultura.

Whats the last album you purchased and what did you think of it ?

Thomas : The last one is « Black Utopia » by Derek Sherinian. A few years ago, I liked a lot guitar-heroes. Nowadays, I can’t stand it, especially when it’s Malmsteen. Though, it’s a very good album !

Etienne : It’s « Seti » by The Kovenant. I love this album : everything is clean : the look of the members which evolves constantly, their music, the design of the sleeve… I find their sound electro-indus and interesting.

Cédric : « Sheol » by Naglfar and « Farthest from the sun » by Apotheosis. These two bands are excellent in different fields.

Erwan : « Damnation and a day » by Cradle of Filth, very good album with some heavy passage, one of the greatest of the band.

What would be your dream band line-up ?

Etienne : The line-up of my dreams would be Hellhammer (drums), Dave Mustaine (Guitar), David Ellefson (Bass), Me (Guitar), Phil Anselmo (Vocals), but also with Execrandus members, i can’t really complain about it.

Thomas : The line-up of my dreams should make an album in a few months… I hope so… It’s the next Greg Howe with Dennis Chambers and Victor Wooten.

Erwan : To my mind, Dimmu Borgir is the best line-up ever made.

If you could do a cover for a tribute album to any band, which song of which band would you pick and why ?

Cédric : I would take a track from « In the Nigthside Eclipse » by Emperor but I wouldn’t be able to choose one song because I am a great fan of this band. I would choose Emperor because they have truely created the symphonic black metal.

What do you think of the position of metal and music in general today ?

Thomas : If they want to emerge, ¾ of the bands are not able to do something original ; nowadays, it’s better to reheat something with a nice gift-wrap. Unfortunately, when you take off all the accesories like electronic sounds or changed voices, you have nothing. Too many people think that flinging a riff with a high distorsion and a screaming guy is enough. They forget melody. The Majors in the metal wants to make money and business, at first, which is totally legitime, like with the Nu metal today. There is a new black metal wave prepared by Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir but only copy will emerge. What a shame !

Etienne : Concerning the metal, it’s often the Nu that is successful because it’s very accessible but this movement contributed to create some bands in a commercial goal, not musical. We’ll see what future reserves to metal… Concerning the music in general, there is good like there is bad…

Erwan : I hate commercial metal (Nu), the true metal is well represented. The music is at the moment represented by money, a few artist have talent but they don’t last a lot.

Which over bands stand for you at the moment ?

Cédric : I would say Mork Gryning which have not the recognition they should have, and also Naglfar…

Do you have any funny stories about the band you can share with us ?

Execrandus : No, sorry.

And finally, what do you see in the future for Execrandus ?

Execrandus : We hope lots of good things…

Thanks again for the interview and good luck for the future.

Execrandus : We thank you also, and good luck for you too.