Interview: INCANTATION

Incantation released a brand new album called Sect of Vile Divinities. Also, the band released an amazing video for “Entrails of the Hag Queen”, directed by visual artist, Nader Sadek. Talking about the album more detailed, here you can read an interview I had with John and Chuck, who took the time to answer my interview.

Greetings John and Chuck, is my pleasure having this interview with you. First I wanna say congrats for the new release. It’s so great, brutal. Tell me, what is the musical direction you went through Sect Of Vile Divinities?
Chuck: Many thanks for your words, pleased you like it. In comparison to the previous album Profane Nexus I feel our direction was more aggressive in this one, but feel free to interpret it as you will. Doom elements conjure more of that dark atmosphere, while the fast and more ripping songs on the album really step up the technique and playability of all involved.

Luke (Shively) is the newest member that joined Incantation. What was his contribution on the new album?
Chuck: Indeed, very glad to have him as an official member. It was a smooth transition seeing as he has been doing live session bass on my behalf for the past five years. For “Sect…” the solos on ”Unborn Ambrosia” and ”Seige Hive” are flames of what will become an inferno now that Luke is with us.

And Chuck (Sherwood) wrote the lyrics, correct?
Chuck: Guilty as charged. I drew upon my typical muses, but adding topics unfamiliar to myself. A way to research interests, and explore my subconscious with death metal as a catalyst. Folklore, mythology, history, occultism and my dreams are within, like everything I’ve ever contributed. Conceptually, the entities and deities mentioned in the album are assembled in a sort of forgotten temple as a common “sect”. As the cover portrays. All of them sharing the same “vile” nature against opposing religions (or religious ethics) and humanity’s failure.

Any reason you stopped writing lyrics?
John: Yes, I never really liked writing lyrics. It was more of a chore for me to do. It would be dumb for me to write uninspired lyrics when Chuck is all in and does an amazing job and is passionate about it.

I like the cover artwork too! I like the colours used…
“Entrails Of The Hag Queen” turned out to be a kick a** video. Definitely, Nader Sadek did a hell of amazing job with your video, how was is to work with Nader?
Chuck: We agree it was executed amazingly. I have to commend Eliran for bringing it to reality. A professional through and through. It was a meticulous tandem effort to be sure for Sect of Vile Divinities. The vision in my head was too elaborate. Attempting to convey every aspect of each song. Wasn’t an easy task to be sure, mock-ups, file trading, reference material, tons of correspondence, edits and drafts. We in the band all remain seriously impressed by his translation of the concept. He is an amazing artist and person to work with. Understanding and open to suggestions. He excels where we come short in the nature of his median.

Chuck: Working with Nader was an amazing experience, so understanding. He was inspired just as much as we were to have it released. After a brief introduction through a Zoom meeting he had tirelessly created a script in a matter of days. The extremely short timeline posed issues and concerns and he persevered to everyone’s appreciation.

Do you consider working with Nader in the future, again?
Chuck: It’d be a pleasure, without a doubt.

If we make an estimation, Incantation hit 30 years of activity. When you released the debut, I was not even born yet, I was born one year after Upon The Throne... How do you see all these years?
John: It’s crazy, we never expected to be doing Incantation 30 years from when we started. But it’s become our life’s work. The band has never been better. We are extremely inspired and really enjoy working together. For me it has been a great ride, I have had so many great experiences and the way things look now I don’t see us stopping anytime soon.

Which Incantation album do you think turned out the best (your favorite one)?
John:  That is impossible to say. They are all the best they could have been at the time and circumstances that we were in at the time. I feel we have a very strong catalog of music and that is something to be proud of.
John: Thanks so much for the interview. Visit www.incantation.com, also look for us in our social media pages! Hail the goat!