1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
At the moment we are recording material for our second album. Most of the basis are done, but there are a couple of songs left to record and also most of the vocals. We have not set a date yet for the release but the goal is to have the album finished this year.
2.In 2020 you had released your first album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical styles that you went for on the recording?
We consider ourselves mainly a death metal band but have always had elements of other metal genres such as thrash, black and heavy. On the album we wanted to create a great mix of these ingredients to achieve variety and not become too repetitive.
3.The band has been around since 1998 but waited until 2020 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit bit more about the long wait?
From early 2000 until somewhere around 2010, the band wasn’t very active at all. The main reason was that during this time we lived in different parts of Sweden which made it impossible to rehearse on a steady basis. In 2010 this situation had changed, and the interest grew again, but it wasn’t until a couple of years later we really decided to go for it and set up a goal to release an album. From that point on we have been much more committed, and our creativity has steadily grow. This have resulted in a lot of material written, both for the present album and also future albums.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album?
Some lyrics are observations of the human being and its behavior in different situations and in different states of mind dealing with existential questions etc. It is however not a thematical album so there are other topics as well and most of the lyrics are possible to interpreter in different ways.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Cruentus'?
It is a Latin word meaning blood-stained or bloodthirsty. If I remember correctly I think I saw that word in a book just around the time the band first started, and I thought it would be a suiting name for a metal band.
6.Xan you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
It was drawn by William Persson Öberg of Obscenum Art. It’s not really clear what it is. That’s what makes it interesting, that it’s not really defined. It can be viewed as different things. To me it looks like a creature-like being in the process of melting…
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Since early 2000 the band have consisted of only two members. Before that it was three. In the early days we performed live, but since becoming a duo we have never played any shows. We’ll see in the future if this will change.
8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
We are currently unsigned. There has been some interest, but at the moment we have not made any deal.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black, death and thrash metal?
It has been very good actually. I don’t think we would have bothered that much if we would receive some criticism, but of course it’s always nice if people appreciate what you have created.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
I think we will always be somewhere around these parts within the metal sphere where we are now. Hopefully we will do everything a little bit better as we progress as a band and as songwriters etc. but genre-wise this is where we belong.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Our main musical references have always been the old school Scandinavian extreme metal. Bands such as Amorphis, Dismember, Entombed, Edge of Sanity, At The Gates to name a few, have been great inspiration to us, especially in the early days. But we have never tried to copy anything or tried to sound exactly the same as any particular band. To name a few more recent bands that we listen to is for example Vanhelgd, Tribulation, Sweven and Lik.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We hope people will enjoy our album. If they do, there is more metal from Cruentus coming probably within this year, so be sure to keep your eyes open. Thanks and greetings from Sweden.
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