Interview with EXORCISED
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
The last time we spoke was about five and a half years ago, regarding your previous band, MADSHER. That chapter has now come to an end, and a new one has begun with the creation of EXORCISED. Tell us a few things about this new band, and, if you’d like, also about the end of MADSHER.
Hailz, this is Joe Kuznik, guitars and vocals. After our 2023 Spanish tour with Madsher, personal issues within the band left the project completely devastated. While I was trying out different musicians and line-ups, the music I was writing became increasingly heavier and darker. By the time we had the final Madsher line-up in place and Fire & Sulfur was ready, we realized it made no sense to release it under the Madsher name. It would have been misleading to the fans, as the music had evolved into something completely different. We also wanted a stronger visual identity, a more aggressive logo, and a more serious and professional image. That’s how Exorcised was born.
You have recently released your debut album “Fire & Sulfur”. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Everyone says it sounds like fucking Hell itself—which is exactly how it must be. We’ve received a very positive response from both fans and the press. At live shows, people often tell us we’re like the new Deicide. Musically we’re clearly different, but I think people find similarities in how compact, relentless, and crushing our sound is.
The cover artwork has a very dark and intense atmosphere. Could you tell us more about the concept behind it?
Originally, we wanted an artist to paint a vision of Hell based on our directions and incorporating elements from the songs on the album. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough budget for that. Then we discovered an 18th-century painting that already possessed many of the characteristics we were looking for. The final result turned out absolutely devastating and perfectly captured the spirit of the album.
What themes and ideas are explored in your lyrics?
Violence, Hell, depression, torture, rituals, evil… darkness in all its forms.
How did your cooperation with Cruel Gates Records occur? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
I’ve known Mikel for many years. He used to play in Nuclear Revenge and we shared the stage several times in the past. He knew I had a finished album and was looking for a label, so he asked to hear it. The record fit perfectly with the vision of his new label, and everything moved naturally from there. Unlike some of my previous experiences with labels during the Madsher days, working with Cruel Gates Records has been excellent in every aspect. We’ve also collaborated with Witches Brew for the CD edition. As for DIY versus labels, I’d definitely choose a label—as long as it’s the right one.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
I recorded all the vocals on the album while being completely hoarse. At times it was pure torture.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Personally, I love vinyl and cassette formats. Apart from their sound, there’s something special about having the artwork and inserts in a large physical format. It feels much more immersive and meaningful than simply clicking on a file.
Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
For this album, I was heavily influenced by bands such as Deicide, Possessed, Morbid Angel, Angelcorpse, Devastation, Morbid Saint, and many others from the classic extreme metal scene.
In your opinion, what does a band need to sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you made any personal sacrifices for the band?
You have to sacrifice a huge amount of time and money. You give up vacations, hobbies, comforts, and many other things in order to pay for recordings, rehearsals, tours, and studio sessions. You also dedicate countless hours to writing songs, refining arrangements, rehearsing, and promoting the band. And after all that, some idiot will still tell you your music is garbage. Hahaha.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
The ideal show would be on a massive outdoor festival stage or in a stadium, with a double-bass drum kit and a wall of Marshall and Ampeg cabinets covering the entire backline. A sound engineer who doesn’t limit your stage volume and actually knows what he’s doing, combined with spectacular lights, torture machines and dense fog. With Exorcised we’ve been fortunate enough to avoid bad experiences so far, but naturally we’ve been playing on a much smaller scale.
What is your opinion on the rise of AI in music production?
If people are relying on AI to create their music, it’s usually because they lack the knowledge, creativity, or skills to do it themselves. In that case, maybe they should reconsider why they’re making music in the first place.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Define your musical direction from the beginning. Don’t create strange mixtures just for the sake of being different. Clearly establish the role of each member and decide who will be the primary songwriter. Invest in a good logo, rehearse relentlessly, and don’t be afraid to remove members who aren’t contributing to the band’s goals.
What does Metal mean to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal means freedom of the soul. It is savagery, catharsis, expression, excess, and a way of channeling darkness into something positive. Ten albums that run through my veins:
Deicide – Legion
Abhorration – Demonolatry
Sadistic Intent – Resurrection
Corpus Offal – Corpus Offal
Angelcorpse – Hammer of Gods
Morbid Angel – Domination
Morbid Saint – Spectrum of Death
Mortual – Evil Incarnation
Ascended Dead – Evenfall of the Apocalypse
Possessed – Seven Churches
What are your future plans?
Our main goal is to finish the second album, which is already around 75% complete, and record it this year so it can be released as soon as possible. We also want to keep expanding our live activity and perform at festivals that fit our style, such as Tones of Decay, SWR Barroselas Metalfest, Maryland Deathfest, Prague Death Mass, Steel Fest, Extremely Rotten Death Fest, Brutal Assault, Kill-Town Death Fest, Wretched Rites, and many others.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Support the underground or watch it rot. Go to shows. Buy physical releases. Keep it real. Fire & Sulfur is out now. Hatred, invocation, and metal without absolution. See you in the flames.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
EXORCISED CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/EXORCISEDdeaththrash
https://www.instagram.com/exorcised_official
https://soundcloud.com/exorcised-music
https://cruelgatesrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fire-sulfur
https://witchesbrewthrashes.bandcamp.com/album/fire-sulfur