Interview with PYRE

!!!BLACK METAL FROM PHILIPPINES!!!

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about PYRE (Members, Starting Year etc).
INFERNATOR: Hails and thank you for having us! PYRE is a project conceived by OSCURA SADOMASOCHIST (Vocals) after the disbandment of her previous project, it took a while as there were a few hurdles that she had to overcome and at the beginning of annum MMXXIV, the idea came and crawled back from the depths of her mind and she discussed it with me, INFERNATOR (Guitars / Bass). From there we recruited a previous member along with BLASTRIDER (Drums) and with him he took and enlisted DIRGE (Guitars) as well.

You are going to release your EP ''Inexorable Prepotence (including DEMO 2024)''. What can you share with us about this project?
INFERNATOR: This EP is an opus that’s more mature and tighter than our initial demo, we had a few months to work on this as we were still trying to find our own sound and how we could sonically attack our listeners, and we believe that we have achieved what we are trying to do collectively.

The cover artwork has a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
INFERNATOR: The artwork for this was done by me under my other artist name, VE. OSCURA and I discussed how we could convey the lyrics through another medium and this is what we have conjured. I’ve also incorporated the Kris Dagger to symbolize and pay homage to where we came from and where we are.

And what about the lyrics?
INFERNATOR: Our lyrics are a culmination of our beliefs, daily rituals and the evocation of the strongest emotion we have, anger. Initial ideas would come from any of our brethren within this coven and we would work the words out on how it would fit the specific song that we are forging.

How did your cooperation with Black Flame Rebellion occur? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
INFERNATOR: In all honesty, we were simply scrolling through social media and found a promotional post for SVLFVR’s Diabolic Ritual of Steel and we saw that Black Flame Rebellion was tagged by the page. We checked it out further and saw that the majority of his releases aligned with our vision and sound, so we took a shot and sent BFR an email, then this unholy alliance began. Both having a Label backing your releases and doing it DIY have it’s ups from our point-of-view, being with a label means it could reach more people and could help further the band’s growth. Doing things in the DIY sense could also be the same but it would take much more time, majority of our promotional stuff are done in-house and by our own hands and we have experienced doing the same process in our previous projects

Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
OSCURA: We usually have this ritual process for our ancient mountain deities whenever INFERNATOR and I are tracking vocals. There was this one session during the vocal recording for INEXORABLE PREPOTENCE where we finished our initial offering to the deities and we weren’t finished with the tracking. So he and I decided to crack a couple of light beers open just to finish the remaining songs. I wasn’t even drunk or buzzed, then suddenly, I spewed vomit all- over out of nowhere! We were both in shock as this DOES NOT HAPPEN TO US! We thought that the deities must have just disliked the beers! HAHAHA!

What are the differences between ''Demo 2024'' and ''Inexorable Prepotence''?
INFERNATOR: For starters, we started this project initially as a five-piece, the initial demo in itself is us testing the waters and trying to form our own sound whilst the new EP is a somewhat more matured and tighter version of us with me now doing six strings work as well.

Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
INFERNATOR: I guess I could speak for us as a whole on preferring the ownership of something tangible and physical. We’d much rather release physical copies than simply upload them on the internet and call it a day. There’s the ease of use and portability of releasing things on digital format but it lacks essence for us.

OSCURA: I personally prefer Vinyl, there’s this certain warmth and purity that couldn’t be replicated with any other format and it’s classic.

Your music style is Black Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
DIRGE: For me, personally, Cannibal Corpse, Dark Funeral, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Emperor, Morbid Angel, Necrophagia, Pat O’ Brian and Jeff Loomis.

OSCURA: Bathory, Venom, Blasphemy, D666 & Sarcofago.

Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
OSCURA: Time and effort, there shouldn’t be any excuses since this is our PASSION. I’ve sacrificed multiple opportunities (in the mainstream) just to continue doing what I am passionate about, because I don’t fit and belong in that kind of sphere.

INFERNATOR: Agreeing with what OSCURA said. We’ve sacrificed a lot of our time, effort and finances just to keep on continuing doing this, and we’ll sacrifice more to further spread our agenda!

Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
INFERNATOR: We’ve opened for the mighty DEIPHAGO last time they were here in the Philippines in our area, there was a whole debacle and controversy around that since there were these dumb fucking religious groups trying to stop the show from happening but we still managed and pushed it through. I think that’s ideal enough for me as it involved Black Metal and controversy! Hahaha!

OSCURA: We would love to play alongside the great legends of the ROSS BAY CULT. Hopefully that happens in the near future!

What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
OSCURA: AI shouldn’t be involved in anything artistic and it shouldn’t be considered as art!

INFERNATOR: Music is about projecting emotions to those who are listening, AI shouldn’t have anything to do with it since it lacks emotion! Even in visual arts, there should be less or no involvement of AI as well, all these other productions and conglomerates using AI as a tool to “create” something that resembles art is sickening.

What attributes do you think that a new Black Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
OSCURA: They should stick to their personal beliefs and strengthen their roots.

Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Black Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
OSCURA: In some way, yes. We still do traditional promotions like handing out flyers and sending out physical promos, having this personal connection to your listener feels somehow better.

From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new black metal band to avoid or what to do?
DIRGE: Avoid engaging with clout-chasing wanna-be “trve kvlt black metal” bands.

INFERNATOR: Imagery and aesthetic should be second priority. Write songs and learn to express through aural assault!

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Philippines (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
OSCURA: There are less and less metal bands showing up and the majority of the youth here plays shoegaze.

INFERNATOR: The “underground” is somewhat dying with everyone trying to chase clout and be internet-”famous”. But there are still those clinging on to the old-school DIY way, the likes of EXITUS, SACROSANCT, ISKARIOT, EHEXIR, DARK THEORY and other bands down south of the archipelago in Cebu and Davao, those who are still recording and releasing original songs in physical media, not necessarily the “New Underground” but still worth the mention. The last physical fanzine I’ve laid hands on was more than half a decade ago, it was DEMONIAKAL POSSESSION, fanzines in the metal scene here may be a dead media now since most prefer the convenience of using social media.

What does Black Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
OSCURA: Black Metal for me is more blaspheming against organized religion, against Christianity.
● Destroyer 666 - Phoenix Rising
● Sarcofago - The Laws of Scourge
● Goatpenis - Live in Brazilian Ritual (Third Attack)
● Coldworld - Isolation
● Blasphemy - Fallen Angel of Doom….
● Archgoat - The Luciferian Crown
● Antichrist - Sacrament of Blood
● Bathory - Under the Sign of the Black Mark
● Urgehal - Goatcraft Torment
● Nortt - Galgenfrist

INFERNATOR: Black Metal is non-conformity against any secular and organized religions. It is the expression of hatred towards the disgusting filth that is humanity.
● Dissection - Storm of the Light's Bane
● Dissection - The Somberlain
● Goatpenis - Decapitation Philosophy
● Deiphago - Satan Alpha Omega
● Marduk - Those of the Unlight
● Desaster - Divine Blasphemy
● Blasphemy - Fallen Angel of Doom….
● Xasthur - Telepathic with the Deceased
● Mgla - Exercises in Futility
● Imperial Triumphant - Alphaville

DIRGE:
● Satyricon - Volcano
● Emperor - Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise
● Samael - Ceremony of Opposites
● Immortal - Sons of the northern darkness
● Zyklon - Aeon
● Gorgoroth - Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt
● Cradle of Filth - Midian
● Dimmu Borgir - Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia
● Darkthrone - Panzerfaust
● Arkhon Infaustus - Perdition Insanabilis
● Dissection - Storm of the Light’s Bane

Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
OSCURA: I’ve followed one of the earliest all-female black metal group, ASTARTE. Aside from that, not much.

INFERNATOR: I know of VARATHRON and ROTTING CHRIST and heard that they played in Davao last year.

What are your future plans?
OSCURA: More opportunities to tour internationally and to continue making more albums.

DIRGE: Record more albums and do a European and Asian tour.

Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Salutes and thank you for this interview! We’d like to further give our salutes to Kris of BLACK FLAME REBELLION (PL), Arrif of HUTAN MATI RECORDS (MY) and Chaps of THRESTHOLD RECORDS (PH).

By Steve the Filthy Dog.

PYRE CONTACT:

https://www.facebook.com/pyreblackmetal

https://www.instagram.com/pyreblackmetal/

https://pyreblackmetal.bandcamp.com/music