Dark Descent Artist-Crypt Sermon Interview Up
1.I keep reading about Crypt Sermon being Epic doom. Though I hear doom in some of the riffing of bands like Solitude Aternus or Trouble .The speed and progression is more a mix of Classic Power metal,Thrash and Heavy metal in a way bands like Blind guardian, Slough Feg, Leatherwolf, Armored Saint really shine through for me. What bands influenced you ?
Brooks: The breadth of our influences cant be understated. Everyone in Crypt Sermon is a fan of a huge variety of heavy metal, even the more extreme varieties. Apart from the previously mentioned Candlemass and Solitude Saturn is, our other most notable influences are the very obvious Black Sabbath, but also Mercyful Fate and Bathory. Still, while these are probably some of the most obvious reference points, we are influenced by so much more.
2. What the scene like in Phillie in 2019? What bands are impressing you locally currently?
Brooks: We have only played about two live shows in as many years, and only one in Philly. That is more because we have prioritized working on the album. I will always highlight the punk/metal band Plague Dogs as a notable Philly band. They've been around a long time.
Enrique: We also have very tight knit friendships with Horrendous - an excellent death metal band.
3. You have released both albums on Dark Descent what keeps the partnership alive and what are you looking for from a label like Dark Descent?
Enrique: Our relationship with Dark Descent is great, and we find this one to be mutually beneficial for both parties. Being the only trad metal and doom band on the label really helps us in a way, as we stand out from the otherwise extreme death and black metal Dark Descent is known for. We are appreciative of Matt Calvert taking a risk in signing and releasing our band’s albums.
4.Is the a story or theme on The Ruins of fading light?
Brooks: "The Ruins of Fading Light" is a collection of existential meditations set to the backdrop of looming, apocryphal vestiges from a lost dark age. The lyrics explore the limits of faith and family, life and loss, strength and pride. Between thundering riffs and plaintive moments of acoustics, the music explores new territories on the landscape of epic doom and heavy metal. Still, one message echos as Crypt Sermon march onward, "We're doomed."
5. I love the clean vocals they remind me of Leatherwolf, Warrior Soul and Warrel Dane of Nevermore. How did this very classic Power/ Heavy metal vocal style come be with Crypt Sermon?
Brooks: simply put, I sing in the way I think best suits the music and to the best of my ability. If I were to sing some other way our music would be some other genre of music. We'd sound pretty stupid with growls or something!
6. I have to ask the lyrics have a very Christian feel to them or am I mistaken?
Brooks: I write lyrics that both fit the music and are things I can sing with conviction. The first album had a lot of christian and biblical themes, and while those are present on the new album, we have moved beyond them.
7. In 5 words how does Crypt Sermon sound if someone was going to listen for 1st time after your description?
Brooks: dangerous, triumphant epic doom metal.
8. If you could make a proper video for any some on The Ruins of fading light. Which track and why?
Brooks: as a band we are pretty divided on music videos. Regardless, if we were to do one it would definitely be a live performance video. Our shows are high energy and somewhat theatrical. There is a lot of energy shared between us and the audience. Any song would be good for that, but we've had a lot of enthusiasm when playing live for our old song Byzantium, and more recently Christ is Dead. We have no plans for a music video in any other sense. We would rather our aesthetic be communicated through album art, music and live performances.
9. I read you did a Mayhem cover is that true how did it come about and what made this the cover song chosen?
Enrique: Mayhem, especially during their early years, is a point of interest for us collectively, both in terms of the band’s history and tragic narrative, as well as their musical output. That said, we had kicked around the idea of covering an extreme metal song in our styling. Discussions with some mutual friends, one of whom was T.T. from Abigor, actually led to the idea that we should cover “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” by Mayhem. If you listen to the track, the lyrics in latin are actually sung by T.T.
10. Image vs Truth what is one many misconception on Crypt Sermon you would like to dismiss?
Brooks: there are misconceptions about the band, but none that we are interested in dismissing. We have made a point to allow our listeners and fans to get the message or value that they need out of our music. Once it is recorded it's no longer ours.
11.Lyrics or Music which comes 1st and how is the recording process working best at the production on new album is stellar.
Brooks: we always write music first. I have a selection of lyric ideas that I pull from once I hear some of the music. We recorded both albums with Arthur Rizk, and really took our time on it.
12. what is a live performance like ( raw, presentation, theatrical etc)
Brooks: To elaborate on what was already mentioned above, we take very seriously our live performances. While there is a dramatic element to our shows, we really focus on connecting with and sharing a communion with the audience. Our shows have always been very high energy, and the more the audience responds, the harder we are going to play.
13. Do the members of Crypt Sermon have other projects you like to tell my readers about?
Brooks: Steve, Enrique and Frank are all in the black thrash band Daeva. James is the mastermind behind Ancient Flame. I do a bunch of rock and goth stuff under a variety of names.
14. If the band was to end today what do you want Crypt sermon to be remember for?
Brooks: I believe our music is memorable and exciting. I hope that others will find that it is something both unique yet familiar, something they will want to return for repeat listens in an already small genre.
15. Digital age how has things like Bandcamp, Youtube, Twitter, Soundcloud changed the underground for extreme music?
Enrique: This question has a very involved answer, however I can basically sum it by saying that ever-evolving technology has the same pro and con simultaneously: it allows for a significant ease of access to create, record, and release music. This is both great and terrible; we have all heard enough demo material to understand why!
16. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here.
Thank you for your time!
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