The Total Sound Of The Undergound

Lelahel Metal

Formed in 2024, Cult of Alcaeus merges thrash, death, and groove metal. Founders share their musical journey, influences, and the making of their debut single, "Forged By Rage."

1.  Cult of Alcaeus was formed in 2024, but your members have a lot of experience in the underground metal scene. Can you tell us about your musical backgrounds and how you came together to form this band?

PH - Cult Of Alcaeus was born from jamming sessions. We were jamming thrash and death metal from our favorite 80's and 90's bands for the past years. It all started when BP and PH who initially were rehearsing with D-VOID former member of Reaktor from Nuclear Blast ( Reaktor - Zero Order ) for DVoid's project ( Once Upon a Grind ), but due to the pandemic and other professional issues UOG got into pause state. BP and PH continued jamming on their favorite San Francisco Thrash, Florida Death and NWOBHM tunes, joining later VC on bass and next AB to put on some voice. With all this in shape Cult Of Alcaeus was born, when recently someone gave a suggestion, lets "work on some original and see what happens' ', we did it, record it, and where we are, still unsigned and seeking a label partner to join the iron rebellion!.

VC - Most of the elements started listening to metal around 87/88, except AB ( Still a little Kid , laughs ), we catched the metal global boom: Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura to name only a few. In the 90s PH and I started some projects all in different styles that helped cement the band's current sound, BP and AB started a little later but also with some notorious releases.

BP - I started at a very young age, with bands like deep purple, scorpions and black sabbath, then moving on to Iron Maiden, Accept, Judas Priest, Manowar and heavy metal in general and then discovering thrash metal, death metal and black metal, including some of them being at the moment my favorite band: Metallica. Testament,. Carcass, Death, Grave, Immortal, Satyricon among many others are also in the preferences.

Having 2 projects other than Cult Of Alcaeus (OUG, DARKKEN ) where activity is not at its peak, I took this opening, taking use of some ideas that were not compatible with the other projects, and with PH, VC and BP , and we decided this year to release some originals. Creating Cult Of Alcaeus.

2.  Your debut single, "Forged By Rage," is set to release in August 2024. What can listeners expect from this track, and how does it represent the sound and vision of Cult of Alcaeus?

AB - "Forged By Rage" is a high-energy debut single from Cult of Alcaeus that embodies the raw power and intensity of our sound. Listeners can expect a blend of aggressive riffs, fast drumming, and powerful vocals that channel the essence of classic death metal and modern metal influences. The track features intricate guitar solos and dynamic shifts that keep the listener engaged from start to finish.

Thematically, "Forged By Rage" delves into themes of inner turmoil and the struggle for personal liberation. The lyrics are designed to resonate with anyone who has faced adversity and emerged stronger. This single sets the tone for Cult of Alcaeus by highlighting our dedication to combining technical power with melody.

BP - Overall, "Forged By Rage" represents our vision of creating music that is both thought-provoking and viscerally exciting, and it serves as a powerful introduction to what listeners can expect from Cult of Alcaeus in the future.

3. You blend death metal, thrash metal, and groove metal in your music. How do you balance these different styles, and what influences do you draw from each genre?

PH - By carefully blending the aggressive speed of thrash, the technical brutality of death metal, and the rhythmic catchiness of groove metal, we create a sound that is both unique and powerful. Drawing from the strengths of each genre allows us to craft music that is dynamic, engaging, and true to the diverse influences that inspire us.

 Thrash metal influences our fast tempos, aggressive riffing.

 We draw from death metal’s technical complexity, dark and brutal themes, and intricate riffing. The guttural vocals and blast beats are also key elements we incorporate.

  Groove metal contributes to our rhythmic, groove-oriented riffs and powerful, anthemic choruses. The emphasis on syncopation and groove ensures that our music is both heavy, aggressive and accessible.

 Strategic arrangement choices, such as alternating sections dominated by different styles or blending them within the same section, help maintain a seamless and cohesive sound.

VC - We like to mix several types of sounds and we don't limit ourselves to playing just one style. It's clear that these styles are the most predominant for us today.

BP - Simple, we enter the rehearsal room and start jamming, exchanging ideas. Because we have several influences from bands and styles, the brainstormed heavy riffs work well together and thus form the songs in such a way that we all like. And expect the listener does also experience the same way we do.

In You Face Riffs!

4.  The name Alcaeus means "strong" in Greek. How does this concept of strength influence your music and lyrical themes?

AB -both the band name and the lyrical themes were more influenced by our music than by each other. We have a natural tendency, through our diverse influences, to create strong, aggressive, and powerful music. This later reflected in the band's name, and consequently in the themes addressed in our lyrics.

We try to convey that there is strength within each of us, and that we must accept our individual responsibility to fight against the injustices of current day societies. We are the rebellion!

5. Your music is described as having a variety of atmospheric depths and boundless energy. Can you explain how you achieve this in your compositions and performances?

PH - Creating music with a variety of depths and energy involves a combination of compositional.                   

techniques, sound design, and performance practices. I think there is no need to get into theoretical philosophy, like diminished scales, dissonant chords, melodic and harmonic complexity, the important thing is to deliver the best experience to tape , streaming or live. And the best way to catch the experience is to hear it loud or go to our live performances.

6. What are some of the challenges you've faced in the heavy metal underground movement, and how have these experiences shaped Cult of Alcaeus?

PH - As everybody knows the underground movement, reality is not easy and that's the beauty of it.

Cult Of Alcaeus is just starting but experience we had in other projects gave us a real-world situation. If we compile Cult Of Alcaeus members journey we have around 10 demos and 6 Albums recorded, Hundreds of concerts, including opening acts with Testament, Vader, Dark Tranquility, Nevermore, Moonspell, Tarantula, RAMP among others adding Miles of Road.

This does not mean it is easy.

Exposure and Promotion, Social, Legal, Technological, Global, Internal and the most important Financial issues still here, the underground movement is done by artists that are true to their cause.

 We are aware that due to some restrictions it is difficult to give our fans the experience they deserve but we will continue to work for the best results, as all actors (including you )  in the underground scene.

These challenges require a combination of community support, innovative marketing strategies, and resilience on the part of the artists and their fans, and that is what we rely on at the moment.

7. With your debut single coming soon, what are your plans for future releases? Are you working on an album or more singles to follow "Forged By Rage"?

PH - At the moment we are engaging with your audience, building on momentum for your debut single and establishing a presence in the metal scene. And this year for shore, two more singles will be out. We already have several songs ready to go live and on tape, so with positive feedback, next year more noise will come from Cult Of Alcaeus.

VC - For now we will work on launching and promoting new singles. Not discarding the work of producing an LP. Labels send us some words.

8. How do you see the evolution of heavy metal, and what role do you hope Cult of Alcaeus will play in pushing the genre forward?

PH - The evolution of heavy metal has been marked by constant innovation and diversification, with the genre continually branching out into new subgenres and styles.

Though we are more focused into classic 90’s metal, we are influenced by Extreme Grind Core bands to Jazz, with lots of layers to add.

 By embracing this, Cult of Alcaeus can help push the boundaries of heavy metal, bringing fresh perspectives and new sounds to the genre. This approach not only respects the roots of heavy metal but also propels it into the future, ensuring its continued evolution and relevance.

BP - Heavy music is in good health and recommended!

We hope that our music contributes even more to this continuing!

There is increasingly a wide range of styles in heavy music with innovation and an old school spirit as well, as well as incorporating various styles outside the metal universe, which is healthy.

VC - We hope that our music will help bring new listeners to this more extreme style, as new people will always be interested.

9. For newcomers to your music, what message or feeling do you hope they take away from their first experience with Cult of Alcaeus?

AB - Cult of Alcaeus aims to offer a multi-dimensional powered aggressive experience that leaves a lasting impact on newcomers, making them eager to explore more and become part of our journey.

LINEUP :

AB - Ares Baal (Vocals )

BP - Brutus Pazuzu (Drums )

PH - Pophíis Homega ( Guitar )

VC - Vlad Cyanide ( Bass )

 

Hordes Of Death And Thrash Metal

Join the IRON REBELLION.

LINKS:

Forged By Rage | Cult Of Alcaeus (bandcamp.com) 

 Streamez de la musique Cult Of Alcaeus | Écoutez des chansons, des albums, des playlists gratuitement sur SoundCloud

(20) Cult Of Alcaeus - YouTube

Cult Of Alcaeus :: DEATH THRASH METAL

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