Interview with SEPULCHRAL RITES (Chile)

SEPULCHRAL RITES consists of a trio of metal goddesses from Santiago, Chile. An illustrators of the most traditional style of Black Death metal, sealed since the activation of 2017. They have ignited the spirit of the underground with raw demonstrations and have received the respect they deserve, following the single, split and the latest EP released in 2021 called "Death and Bloody Ritual" very convincing. The presentation of ancient cult elements that certainly have no influence of modernity makes it unique, based on a simple mystical touch that facilitates the digestion process for those who love dark music and mysterious atmosphere. If you're looking for the band that best carries the flag of true occult death metal in this era dominated by female metalheads, one of them, SEPULCHRAL RITES, is a great place to look. The atmosphere and texture of doom/primordial black /death metal is something that "Death and Bloody Ritual" almost captures. A bleak aura circulates everywhere, evoked by mid-tempo ties and haunting riffs that bear a resemblance to some old death metal legends as a follow-up.  SEPULCHRAL RITES don't achieve this versatility by hitting listeners over the head with obvious praise, but allowing their range to drift into a stable foundation. This group is led by : Satanic Lust (Bass/Vocals), Speedblast (Drums)  and Hellwitch (Guitar/Vocals).

Below is a little conversation with Satanic Lust...

MD - Could you summarize a bit of history for those who are not yet familiar with SEPULCHRAL RITES?

Satanic Lust: First of all, we appreciate the interest in the band and that they listen to our music from so far away lands, it's very motivating and we hope one day to be able to play there and get to know their ancestral culture.

 The band was formed by chance, since we have known each other for years with the drummer and we played together in a couple of projects that never came to fruition, but we had some unfinished ideas.  One day I met Hellwitch (guitarist and vocals) at a concert where I was playing with my previous band, we talked and she told me that she played guitar, I invited her to a rehearsal and there was an immediate affinity and that's how Sepulchral Rites was born, little by little we were giving shape and developing a concept that for us is the most important thing in a band.  At the time we decided to be just women, not for any particular reason, just because that was how things had happened and we thought it would be the best at that time, because everything was turning out very well between us.

 Immediately we met a vocalist, who was there for a very short time and recorded our "Promo Demo" with us and we began to play in some places in Santiago, but due to differences typical of a band, we decided that the best thing was to be a power trio and take guitar and bass the role of vocalists.  Although it was a challenge, for us it worked perfectly both in organization and composition.  It was at that time that we recorded our single "Demented Rites" to show the new line-up and what was to come in the Ep.

 Right now, we have a new drummer (male) who is rehearsing with us and preparing to record our next album in 2023, in which we will also be a power trio.

 

MD - Initially, were you influenced by any female band in the Black Death metal genre?

 Satanic Lust: Honestly, I don't know if we were influenced by any female band in its entirety, since we grew up listening to music in general made up of men, especially metal music, but of course when we immersed ourselves and got to know new bands, Great references began to appear such as Jo Bench from BOLT THROWER, MYTHIC, DERKETA, Dawn Crosby from Détente, GIRLSCHOOL, Wendy O'Williams The Plasmatics, Doro Pesch from WARLOCK, artists we admire a lot and are great references.

MD - What excites you about making songs, recording demos and then the latest EP?  Is it passion or hobby?

 Satanic Lust:  What is more exciting than song ideas that you have in your mind come to life with your bandmates and also later be able to record them and that they remain embodied forever.  For us the main thing is to record, more than playing live, since it is the only way you can maintain yourself over time, playing live is only a moment, which by the way fills you with adrenaline, but it's only a moment .

 All of this is passion, perhaps many people cannot understand why you choose this path, but who cares what others think, we love to make dark, dense and bone music, do not expect virtuosity from us, we are not looking for that.

MD - The response to the "Death and Bloody Ritual" EP and its merchandise has been overwhelming so far, what are your feedback?

 

Satanic Lust: We are proud of the result of our Ep, because it was the result of a great effort, long rehearsals, hours of creation, design, since everything is done by us, especially the cover, which is a painting that our guitarist and the drawings inside the booklet were made by me and the drummer.  We wanted to give that artistic touch and that apart from the music, it had something of each one and I think it worked, so it's great that they liked it as much as we did.

MD - I searched on your official FB that you are working on a new full length album... Do you have any specific goals and how it will look like, please give us details?

 

Satanic Lust: That's right, this year we are only in the process of writing the album, we are doing very well and as I mentioned before we are with a new drummer, therefore he has his personal stamp and the composition of the songs is similar, perhaps a lot more death metal than in our beginnings and with some extra elements to give it the right atmosphere, but the essence is the same, we don't intend to change it, it's not our style.

MD - How did you get a deal with the German label 'Dunkelheit Produktionen'?  Are there certain sealed regulations?

 

Satanic Lust: We wrote to different labels, some of which told us no, others said yes, but with restrictions that we didn't like, until we got to Dunkelheit and we really liked their proposal, we have a contract for several years, but that's not It has been no problem, for us it was the best to be able to have a high quality vinyl and cd in our hands. We hope that everything goes well and we can continue with them in 2023, which is clearly our idea for the album.

MD - In your honest opinion, as a female artist, is playing metal the easiest platform to become famous compared to men?  How do you think that?

 

 Satanic Lust: In our country, years ago it wasn't so easy to see a woman playing metal, it was quite difficult to find one and if you found one, it didn't last through time in the bands.  Now times have changed and although we are still very few women within the metal and underground scene, I don't think it is easier to be known than a man, perhaps it is striking because it is rare and you always have to show that the space is won and that you are not there just because you are a woman and that we are human beings, we are not aliens!  (hahaha)

MD - Haven't thought about adding more members or do you think the three are enough to rock the stage for now?

 

Satanic Lust: We have thought about it on some occasions, but we think that less people is better, it is easier to reach agreements, compose and be able to understand each other in general, sometimes it is difficult to get a band going, since everything is for the love of art without receive a lot of money, many people will think that we are crazy for that, they don't know what really fulfills us and that all that goes to the background.

MD - There are more occult and mystical ritual things in your lyrics.  Have you joined any paranormal event?  I mean achieve more feeling in your lyrical inspiration...

Satanic Lust: Personally, the paranormal has always caught my attention, everything inexplicable and unanswered, and well, it coincides that with my bandmates at that time we shared the same tastes and themes, therefore it was never difficult to have a concept and get inspired to create the lyrics  We first create the music and then when everything is ready we immerse ourselves in the theme of the lyrics and what provokes us.

MD - The overall image of the members, a tendency towards primitive nature, horror/mysticism through black/death metal music.  How are you involved in balancing the modern culture side now?

Satanic Lust: Yes, indeed our aesthetic is like that, since we seek a balance between lyrics, music and image, just as our lyrics deal with mysticism rather than South American shamanism and primal witchcraft and in this way we try to keep alive our roots that are part of our culture.

MD - Last but not least, good luck with your band. I hope to meet you one day on the Asian tour series, who knows!  What would be your last incantation?

 Thank you very much for this interview here from the end of the world to be able to tell a little more about us and our plans for the future and of course we would love to play on an Asian tour, we are always available to travel, meet new people and new cultures. Long live South American metal and Metal Distraction Zine!

https://sepulchralrites.bandcamp.com/album/death-and-bloody-ritual