Interview: Cursed Altar

I have an early Christmas present for you all: it's an interview with one of my favorite new bands, Cursed Altar!

How did the band get started? Where did the name Cursed Altar come from?

Well, I have always been into Black Metal, but not to the point where I wanted to play it. In September of 2011, I was introduced to Deafheaven. I remember the first time I listened to ‘Roads to Judah.’ I was blown away and wanted nothing more than to play music like that. Basically, I wanted to play Black Metal, but I wanted to do something different with it, which I am still trying to figure out along the way.

The name Cursed Altar was something that just happened to pop up in my head one day. I used to have a meaning for it, but I cannot remember it for the life of me.

What are your main musical influences?

For Cursed Altar, there are a lot of influences. I’m influenced by Black Metal like Deafheaven, Xasthur, Leviathan, Darkthrone, etc. I’m also influenced by other genres like Doom (Evoken, Saint Vitus, Argentinum Astrum), Drone (SUNN, Earth, OM), Sludge (EyeHateGod, Black Sheep Wall) Stoner Metal (Sleep, Pressor, Electric Wizard). I’m also influenced by Post-rock/metal like ISIS, Neurosis, Cult of Luna, Envy, Explosions in the Sky, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, etc. Let’s just say I’m influenced by a shit ton of music.   

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it yet?

…I could never answer that question, to be honest. I would just tell them that if they like Black Metal, they should give it a listen.

How has living in North Carolina influenced your music?

Surprisingly, I’m not all too knowledgeable about the traditional music of North Carolina. I’d really like to be. I love what Panopticon did with ‘Kentucky’. I’d really like to something like in the future.   

The local music here in NC where I live has had a huge influence on me, though. 

Just a quick promotion of some really awesome NC bands:

Barrow

Bare The Traveler

Heron 

Desiderium

Barren

  

Are you a full-time musician or do you have a day job that pays the bills?

I’m actually in college right now. I’m trying to find a full time job, but that’s not going very well.

When I saw the title of As The World Survives We Will Die Off As A Moment In Time, I was reminded of Verwustung's tendency of using really long album titles. Are you a fan of Verwustung, by any chance?

I’ve never heard of them, but I will certainly give them a listen!

You use a wide array of elements in your black metal such as drone, ambient effects, post rock guitars, and even clean vocals. Most black metal bands never stray beyond the Norwegian formula. Why do you think so many black metal bands are afraid to experiment? Are they afraid they may look “unkvlt” or some other equally silly reason?

Honestly, I love the Norwegian traditional style Black Metal, but this whole argument over who is “kvlt” and who is not, that whole thing is bullshit to me. I’m not trying to be “kvlt” or play a certain way because it’s cool or it’s popular with the underground music crowd. That’s stupid high school bullshit and I refuse to be a part of it. I play music under the Black Metal genre and I want to experiment with it. I think people have lost sight of the idea of experimentation.

I promise I’m not a raging asshole. Haha!

Unlike most black metal bands that just scream about death and Satan and other cliché themes, your lyrics deal with a lot of mature philosophical concepts, as can be seen by the album The Darkest Place On Earth Is The Mind Of Man. This makes me wonder, do you do a lot of reading, and if so, who are your favorite authors?

I actually do love to read! I have not read a good book in a long time, though. My favorite authors would have to be Cormac McCarthy, Chuck Palahniuk, Charles Bukowski, and Henry Rollins (I’m a HUGE Black Flag fan).

Favorite books would have to be Child Of God, Walden, and The People Look Like Flowers At Last.

As The World Survives... talks about how nature will continue on after humanity dies off. Do you believe there's any way to stop mankind's march towards self-destruction?

I feel like there are a few ways that we can stop our own self destruction, but, the fact that so many people don’t care about doing so makes me feel like there is no hope. There are those people that do care, though.  

I've noticed that Bandcamp has made it easier for bands to get their music to potential listeners. They no longer need to pass through a record label in order to get their music to the masses. Are you hopeful that more metal bands will use Bandcamp in the next few years?

Oh, of course! Bandcamp is probably one of the most outstanding websites that has been created, from the musician’s point of view. I’ve found a lot of great bands on their (Pressor being one of those bands [http://pressor.bandcamp.com/]). It’s helped me out tremendously! I recommend the site for any starting artist or band.

Have any final words for the fans?

Each and every one of you are awesome and I cannot thank you all enough for the support you have given me. This year, for Cursed Altar, has been an incredible first year of existence. I have no one to thank but you guys. I’ll try my best to do more for you all in the future.