1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
The band was established in 2019 as a side-project of four skilled and experienced musicians. The main music idea was to mix elements of different heavy metal subgenres (especially black and death metal) in an inventive cocktail and still remain comprehensible without falling into an experimental and eclectic approach. At this moment Renunciation has released 2 singles and one EP, the full-length album will be out in October. More on that below.
2. In October you have your first full length coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?
The album will be more technical, intensive and solid than our music was before. The EP was more experimental and now we are on the way to find our unique style.
3. According to the Facebook page you refer to your music as being 'Desecrative Black metal', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?
This refers to our lyric themes. We try to fight religious illusions in a broad sense in a more intelligent ways that it is usually done in extreme metal. As regards the term, we found the word 'desecrative' in a dictionary and decided that it sounds cool.
4. All of the band members are also in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Renunciation' that you are not able to do with your other groups?
Some bands that the members play in are more technical and progressive than Renunciation, some are more traditional. Renunciation is an attempt to be at the margin of perspicuity, so to say.
5. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
As we said before, main topic is intellectual criticism of religious and magic worldview. We don't sing about nuns masturbating with crucifix or obscurant occult things. Songs with Russian lyrics are mostly about fate and personal choice.
6. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Renunciation'?
Band name is related to the main lyric concept: renunciation of dogmas, illusions and invalid constructs that spoil human consciousness.
7. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The cover art isn't just a strange feast. It shows symbols of main religions in state of decay and destruction: rotting fish (christianity), crescent piece of moldy cheese (islam), broken menorah (judaism), faded lotuses (hinduism and buddhism). They are situated in art over earth regions which are usually associated with the corresponding religion. Spilled wine of course symbolizes the blood of mankind.
8. Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?
We never played live but definitely age going to. Renunciation was a side project for everyone involved but now becomes the main band for some of us. So live shows are highly expected in 1-2 years.
9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
The reaction was very positive but limited of course. We have only one EP released but hope that the album will consolidate this success.
10. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
We have distributed our EP via Portuguese label Brutal Cave Productions, the album will be released via Russian label Sound Age. We are open to other proposals but realize that we don't live in 80's and no one will provide us with a tour bus full of whores and cocaine just for good music. Let us become more than just another underground band from "the rest of the world" and then we will see...
11. What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that the band members are a part of?
Alexey (guitar) and Vadim (bass) play together in technical/progressive death metal band Humaniac, which released a new album this August. Insane stuff (without too much modesty we say), but not for all. Our vocalist Demether has three own projects: Zmey Gorynich (slavonic folk deathcore), Bes (heathen black metal), Grailight (symphonic epic metal) and also sings in many other death metal and sympho-black metal bands. Polina (drums) is also playing in all-female extreme metal band Blackthorn and melodic death metal band Instorm, both bands are preparing new LP's.
12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
It depends on reaction to the album, we want to analyze the feedback we will get. But Renunciation definitely won't be more primitive or lighter.
13.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?
Main influences are technical death and black metal classics, however, we don't ignore modern tendencies and sometimes incorporate them in our music. As regards our music tastes, we still mostly listen to black and death metal in all variations but also like less extreme types of metal and non-metal music too: post-rock, folk, classical music, darkwave etc.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for your interest and not cliched questions. Check out our new album in October, there's a lot interesting to hear.