1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Cursus Bellum, spawned in the vast black soil of Lundaslätten, Sweden, is consisting of Jocke - drums / vocals and Anders Nyander - guitars / bass. After decade long co-operation in constellations such as Sgt.Carnage, along with the mutual metal-vinyl & beer consumption of biblical proportions, the musical and creative direction of Cursus Bellum first took its perverted form in 2013. Originally as a three piece, the blackened death metal that represents Cursus Bellum is now the result of the creative work and madness of the featured duo. The first official unveiling of the band will be in form of the recording "Accusing The Dead", to be unleashed upon mankind early 2016 on Downfall Records.
2.How would you describe your musical sound?
As pretty fast-paced death metal with some wierd/dark harmonics. We have been listening to this genre since we were kids so there probably can be found a lot of different influences, from the thrash-, death- and black metal bands from the 80´s all the way up to the current scene. Reflected in our music is probably that we both have a passion for the brutality of grind-based American DM, preferably combined with Canadian dissonance and Scandinavian chaos and darkness. Let's say Immolation meets 1349 and Dead Congregation to mention something. Or what do you think?
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
The title-track for the EP is linked to the cover concept, which is taken from an old painting by Jean-Paul Laurens that illustrastes the "Synodus Horrenda", where the rotting corpse of the pope Formosos was exhumed and put on trial in 897 a.d. by his successors for various accusations. A fantastic and true story from the fascinating lunacy of religious history. Hence the "Accusing the Dead" theme and lyrics. But put into a broader perspective one may say that coming generations in the same way, figuratively speaking, will judge us for our deeds and the ongoing madness we surround us with.
You could actually say that the lyrics on the other tracks are based on similar, semi-misantropic if you like - thoughts, but projected onto different contexts. You can find some dark humour and some litterary/other cultural connections in some of the lyrics.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Cursus Bellum'?
Other than it sounds bad ass??? We had some different ideas for a band name, and it revolved somewhat around our interest in history as well as professionel skills in engineering. And the thought of manmade armageddon is a good theme for creating this kind of music. The name, which loosley translated from latin would mean ” Direction to war”, is maybe a pretty pessimistic view on how mankind (or rather nations/states/groups) is somehow leaning to hostility towards one another during frequent periods of time. You can get pretty depressed thinking or reading about that.
5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you prefer to remain a duo?
Yeah, we would like to play live so we are certainly thinking about having more musicians. I am no Chris Reifert, so we would need a singer, bassplayer and a second guitarist. We started as a three-piece though. We have already new material and are working on a new recording, as a duo this time as well.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the deal you have signed with 'Downfall Records'?
It´s a one off deal, and they will print CD:s, cassetes and have digital distribution. Real easy to work with, good cooperation!
7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
As a new outfit, and the record not fully being released, there have not been super much feed back yet, but every feed back so far has been super positive. Keep´em coming!
8.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Yeah, Jocke is drumming with Totenwelt, Ratad and Järnbörd. Anders is playing with some dudes in Malmö, more old school DM, but they have not named themselfves yet. Pretty prominent players from some different bands in that constellation.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
As stated above we already are in process of recording new material. It´s fast material, sticking to some of the formulas we have, a lot of blasts, and there are some really ”out there” riffs.
10.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?
We mentioned some of that above, but in my current rotation there is a lot of British DM like Lucifyre, Sarpantium as well as Rotting Christ – I have sort of re-discovered them and their later material. As always there is some oldies ranging from Judas Priest to Nuclear Assault, and some newer discoveries like Dim Mak. Anders listens to the same genres, but we somewhat different record collections, I know he is pretty content with the latest Hate eternal. I would guess he also listened to the first Deathrow and Vendetta records this week... He loves everything that NOISE put out in the 80`s.
11.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music?
Not really, but religon is an interesting theme from different angles.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
If you ask me it would be reading, travel, work -out, fishing and what not. If you asked Anders it would be cars (some racing and a lot of tinkering), craft beer and keep our rehearsal place safe from beeing flooded... He lives in the same building so you can say he´s pretty keen on keeping the water outside his property.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanx for the interview, be sure to play it loud MUTHAS!!!
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