The Warlock: We've been staying busy with our individual projects.
Alucarda Bellows: Yes, pretty much we’ve just been working on other music and for me I’ve been trying to get my new record label going (HEXECOVEN RECORDS) and working on books. My first release through my own publishing company (Vexed Vamp Pubs) will be Nekromantikal Screams – a “bookzine” dedicated to horror and exploitation films, underground art/artists, the occult, horror/cult books, and music.
Your new album is going to be released on Halloween, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The Warlock: I feel like the music got a little more technical on this album with lengthier songs and more complex riffs.
Alucarda Bellows: The new album isn’t much different, but maybe stands head and shoulders above the first album mainly because the first album was more or less assembled. There were songs written before the band really came together. For example, I wrote the song “Manifest at Midnight” for what was supposed to be the third WOODEN STAKE album. As for “Light the Candle…” everything was brand new and exclusively written for VAULTWRAITH.
3. A lot of your lyrics deal with Satanism and Occultism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?
Alucarda Bellows: I’ve always been drawn to and inspired by extreme, darker forms of art no matter what the medium. I also grew up in Western Kentucky so there was always that need to rebel against Christianity and religion so that’s a factor in how I tend to gravitate toward these things. From an early age I started reading any book I could get my hands on about witchcraft, folklore, Satanism, Voodoo, the occult, etc. and of course watching movies and documentaries on these subjects. Still to this day I look to these topics as inspiration for lyrics, reviews, story ideas, etc.
4. You also have some lyrics influenced by horror literature and films, can you tell us a little bit more about those influences?
Alucarda Bellows: My earliest memories include watching The Shining, Children of the Corn, A Nightmare on Elm Street and I saw The Gates of Hell when I was five or six years old. Horror movies have always been in my life thanks to my dad whose mother also loved horror movies, horror books, and serial killer documentaries. The older I grew, the more I discovered my own path with horror – one of inspiration you could say.
5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Vaultwraith'?
Alucarda Bellows: The words “vault” and “wraith” were top choices on my “words to use” list and I remember the words just coming together into one name. Sounds a bit cheesy but…
6. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Alucarda Bellows: Once again we summoned Mario Lopez to paint an amazing cover to sum up the essence of the album. Basically, one of the visual inspirations was the Italian poster for the 1978 Italian movie Death in Venice. From that came the boat with the dead woman and the presence of water. Also, I remember wanting a burning castle in homage to the fiery painting in Rosemary’s Baby. These two things and the ever-present Vaultwraith character all help compose the image. It all comes together quite nicely I think.
7. According the the facebook page, you refer to your music as being 'devilcraft metal',can you tell us a little bit more about this term?
The Warlock: It's a reference to the song "Devilcraft" from the first album and it sounds cool!
Alucarda Bellows: It’s a play on the word “witchcraft” but replacing “witch” with “devil”
8. Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?
The Warlock: We haven't played a live show to date. We would be open to it, but the chances are very slim with everyone's schedules and the distance between members.
Alucarda Bellows: No, we’ve never played live and unfortunately we never will
9. One of the band members also owns 'Razorback Records', what is going on with that label these days?
Alucarda Bellows: Yes, I’m no longer involved in Razorback so it’s just Esteban now who runs it. From what I understand at the moment it’s just a mailorder.
10. In 2018 you were also a part of a split with 'Nunslaughter', what where your thoughts on sharing a recording with that legendary band?
The Warlock: It was an absolute honor to share vinyl with such a legendary band! We are humbled and very grateful for the opportunity.
Alucarda Bellows: It was quite an honor to do a split with a band who was one of our biggest inspirations from the beginning with VAULTWRAITH. Don and company are great guys so the split was easy to assemble. Plus, Jim Konya’s influence is ever-present in what we’ve done especially on the new album with the song titled “Nächtober Necromancy”. Jim had expressed how he wanted to work with me on a project one day and the word “Nächtober” came out of his mouth and it stuck with me. I’m not sure if that’s what he wanted to call the band or not, but either way that conversation stuck with me and I used the word because I was so inspired by it.
11. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and extreme metal?
The Warlock: From what I have seen the reaction seems to be favorable for the most part.
Alucarda Bellows: The reaction has been amazing and I always love hearing from those who really dig the music. Recently I released my second album with my black metal band CAULDRON BURIAL and it seems like people who like CAULDRON BURIAL also reach out to me about VAULTWRAITH. I think it has enough black metal touches it connects with black metal fans but there’s also just a general extreme nature to what we do and it attracts a vast audience which I love.
12. What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
The Warlock: I am currently playing guitar and recording with a local (Springfield, MO.) band called MISERY STAIRS.
Alucarda Bellows: I just released the second album “Amanti d’oltretomba” from my black metal band CAULDRON BURIAL. The next thing I would love to work on is a new WOODEN STAKE album but right now I’m focused on getting some books and zines published.
13. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
The Warlock: I would like to expand upon the foundation we have already set with the first two albums, getting more creative with instrumentation and production.
14. 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?
The Warlock: KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, CANDLEMASS, BATHORY, CELTIC FROST, JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH, The Big 4, MORBID ANGEL, DEATH, POSSESSED, PUBLIC ASSASSIN and many others in the metal genre. I also love a lot of punk, post punk, synthpop, modern synthwave, ambient and goth music. I really dig ROTTEN U.K. (also on Hell's Headbangers), and LYCIA.
Alucarda Bellows: I’ve been listening to a lot of Greek black metal like ROTTING CHRIST, NECROMANTIA, and VARATHRON. I’ve also been listening to the usual faves like NECROPHAGIA, DARKTHRONE, MORBID, BURZUM, CARCASS, DEATH, MORBID ANGEL and AUTOPSY. My listening has been all over the place though because I’ve been writing album reviews for my first bookzine and I’ve tried to have a variety in the music. One album in particular I’ve been playing a lot is GRAVELAND’s “Carpathian Wolves”. Say what you want about the band and the one member’s ideology but the music is spectacular and inspiring and even the flaws are welcome. Other than all I’ve listed, I have more music I could list but I’ll leave it at this.
15. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
The Warlock: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us and thanks to anyone who has picked up either of the albums. We truly appreciate it!
Alucarda Bellows: There’s more to come from me in the way of books and music so give me a like, follow, friend request, etc (Vanessa Alucarda/Alucarda Bellows) and that will keep you up to date on what I’ll be releasing. I have a lot planned and will be making official announcements soon. Thanks for letting us spill our guts, and thanks to those who have shown support with the new album. I love hearing from you guys so keep the messages and comments coming!
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