1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
We are Spectral Darkwave, harvesters of pain across time and space - in tribute to gods most dark. We collect the suffering in vessels made of death doom metal ornamented by orchestras and the tragic events themselves. They are pulsing exhibits to the terror of existence.
2.In October you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The new album 'At Outer Dark' furthers the collection of suffering first put together in 'Last First Contact', but with a great leap in the production values. Musically, it is thicker in tone and slightly more complex in it's arrangements, to offer deeper immersion in the scenes we capture.
3.This is also your first full length since 2015, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
The first record was very much a proof of concept that stories could be told, this then allowed us to recruit The Gunner on bass and perfect our live show, considering every possible angle. This culminated in our invitation to Bloodstock 2021. Our lord Cthulu has clearly recognized our work.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the newer release and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
The song lyrics focus on setting the scene in the wants, needs and desires of the human suffering on offer at a point in space time. For example, the lead single '731' focusses on the emotional turmoil of surgery on live victims in the name of Japanese patriotism. The March Of Saes focuses on the exhilaration and fear of Elephant riders in ancient Persia. The album culminates in the song 'At Outer Dark' - a paean to our quest as a crew to join with our lord Cthulu as he passed through the material realm and it's... consequences.
5.On one of your singles you also cover Norse Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
Our interest is only in the amount of pain that could be harvested from the shores of Lindisfarne in AD 793. It's essence ages well in our vaults.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Spectral Darkwave'?
The good ship Darkwave is the ship in which we as a crew travel through time and space. We emerge, take the horror available, sometimes milk the situation for a little more, then disappear as quickly as we came - but not entirely without trace.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The artwork captures our encounter with our Lord Cthulu beyond the furthest spiral arm of this galaxy. We sought to join with him, sampling but a fraction of his power. This moment of misadventure can be heard in the epic, final song of the album 'At Outer Dark'.
8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We offer, theatre, spectacle and immersion. As a result, we have been lucky to play more than few performances where the energy of band and crowd has crackled with devotion to the dark - the shared catharsis of looking into the abyss and having it stare back in musical form. Clearly, the highlight for was this year's Bloodstock performance.
9.The new album is coming out on 'Occidental Records'. can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Sadly, in more mundane matters, to release records these days has become the responsibility of the artist. Investment, promotion, distribution and monetization - all of it. With the digitization of music came the simple fact that there is a huge supply of music and the ability to record it. Supply has outstripped demand. In the capitalist system, the monetary value is low, yet the artistic value is higher than ever. So, it is our label, named after an industrial disaster and the power of empire - it reminds us making sure we do the right things to keep the good ship Darkwave afloat.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of underground metal?
We genuinely believe we have an experience of high quality with which to engage audiences - but there is an awful lot of noise out there that our signal must penetrate. When people see us we are remembered, we've already had pre-orders for people from half a decade ago. However, we feel that perhaps with the length of time between albums, that this for many will be the first time - and they will hear us at our most potent.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Well, it would seem that after nearly 2 dozen tales of human suffering and our final encounter with HIM on the new record, that the consequences of our meeting will play out in the narrative of the next record. Musically, we will always seek to pulse, doom and terrify with arrangements that bring a grand scale to our tracks.
12.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?
It started as early some of the darkest theme tunes from 80's video games, TV shows and films. We seek to chase that sense of scale and adventure. Metal is the only genre that sense of infinite power other than the darker orchestrations of Gorecki or the choral work of Tallis. Yet we cannot say we do not admire the work of artists such as Septic Flesh, Draconian or the Vision Bleak where they too seek a sense of scale. But we seek the narrative moments themselves.
13.Does occultism play any role in your music?
Indirectly. Our obsession with the dark gods of the universe, a reaching out to the infinite, the unknowable other beyond human perception interests us deeply. You might say it is the thoughts of historical occultism illuminated by scientific insights that more than ever declare 'there is more out there than we can ever know'.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. May this be the first step upon your conversion.
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