Today, Lachryma Christi brings you an interview with a band already interviewed on here before in 2019, Argesk from the UK. At that time, they had only released the demo Liberari in Tenebrae, it was very difficult to find them online even. In the meantime, more precisely in 2020, they released their first album called Realm of Eternal Night, where you can hear their melodic Black Metal music in all its splendor. So, currently things are different, things evolved, Argesk are a lot more well known within the Black Metal community in UK and outside UK, so here we are, with another interview with Matt, to see how it is all going.
Since last time we spoke in 2019, I believe a lot of stuff changed for Argesk. For example, you released your first album in 2020, Realm of Eternal Night. How has the reception to this album been?
Hi Luísa, thanks for taking the time to interview us again. So much has changed since 2019!
The reception to 'Realm' was generally really positive. It was well received by the UK black metal community and made its way overseas thanks to the tireless promotional efforts of Clobber Records and Imperative PR. We've posted copies to Australia, Japan, Israel, the US, Canada... it honestly boggles my mind.
Reviews were generally positive, with some reviewers really enamoured with the album, giving us 9/10 and similar. Not bad for a first proper release!
We did get a fair amount of negative reviews, some of which were pretty vitriolic, which surprised me. My personal favourite was an Austrian site which described us as 'like a Cradle of Filth demo put through a cement mixer'! That gets points for sheer creative hilarity. We've all got thick skins, plus genuine constructive criticism is helpful, and creatively scathing reviews are entertaining.
Overall, I'm glad we seem to elicit a reaction, whether positive or negative. I'm happy for us to be a 'marmite' band. Those who like it *really* like it. I'd say that overall, the consensus is that 'Realm' is a solid symphonic/ melodic black metal release.
Three years later, is here any other release on the works?
Yes, we've been working on the follow up to Realm for some time now. Things are progressing steadily; we've been home recording demos which have been turning out very well. We have most of an album ready to record, and have been playing new songs 'Tempest' and 'Servant of Fire' live, along with a new instrumental intro which will appear on the album.
I would describe the new material as a logical progression of the sound developed on Realm. We're experimenting more and being bolder with this one; the songwriting is better, the compositions and lyrics are more intricate. There's plenty of the melodic hooks and extreme vocals that we had on Realm, but it's more fleshed out. I think those who liked Realm will love it, but I think it has elements that may also attract new fans.
You also had a lineup change. Would you like to talk a bit about that?
Sure. For those not aware, we parted ways with longtime bassist Dillon back near the end of 2022, and welcomed new bassist Roscoe to the fold. There's no bad blood between us and Dillon - we wish him well and we know the feeling is mutual.
Roscoe has been doing brilliantly since joining last October. He's a talented and professional bassist with a unique stage presence, and has been taking an active role in contributing creatively to album 2. Since myself and Leth have been mates with Roscoe for years - all three of us met at Lancaster University - he's been a great fit, and we were familiar with his work in Andracca and various solo projects.
(Photo by Veronika Bru, taken from Argesk's Facebook page)
It's good to finally find more info about Argesk online, since last time it quite difficult! Do you consider the internet helps or gets on the way of your progress as a band?
I bet it was - we only had the Liberari demo out back then, along with whatever live recordings you could find on YouTube!
The internet has definitely helped us a lot. Considering our debut came out in April 2020, when the first lockdown was in full force, it's hard to imagine that we would have had much, if any success in promoting it without the help of the internet. Social media such as Instagram and Facebook are integral to our communication with fans. In addition, platforms such as Bandcamp and Spotify expose our music to audiences that would be much harder to reach if we relied only on touring and print media.
The Internet also helps a lot in terms of the songwriting process, too, and helped us to share what we were working on over the pandemic. It's also really helpful for a band like ours where we all have day jobs, and getting us all in a room for a songwriting session can be difficult at times.
The Internet also helps a lot with dialogue with promoters, labels, artists... you name it. For example, we've commissioned an Indonesian artist to produce the artwork for the upcoming release. I only know of him because of obscure black metal artists I found through Spotify! Seeing the beautiful album art he did for those artists showed me that his art was exactly the aesthetic I wanted for this Argesk release. All shall be revealed in time...
Some of the members of Argesk have parallel projects. How is it to reconcile everything?
All members of Argesk have other projects! I have Tyrant and have been helping out my old band Steel Forge on guitar - I was also doing the aggrotech project Visible Sin, which is on hold for the moment. Bob has Gospelheim, Leth has his solo synthpop project of the same name, and Roscoe has various solo projects on the go.
In terms of reconciling these projects, I'd say it's a case of time management and prioritisation. Band activity often comes in peaks and troughs... what may be a quiet period for one project is a busy period for another. For example, Tyrant is a studio-only project (for now), and therefore isn't very demanding of my time. Having various creative outlets is fulfilling, as you don't feel that you have to put all of your ideas into the one project, which may not fit together. No trance sections in Argesk for now - although, never say never...
(Photo by Veronika Bru, taken from Argesk's Facebook page)
How did it go for Argesk during pandemic restrictions? Did you manage to rehearse and so on, or did you have to wait for all of it to calm down a little?
The pandemic was a nightmare for us as a band, and really slowed us down. As I'm sure you know, the UK was hit very hard by Covid, and our dear government's woeful response did not help matters. For much of 2020 and 2021, rehearsal spaces were closed, and the laws against meeting indoors, combined with members suffering health difficulties, created an impossible situation. We were unable to rehearse as a full band for over a year.
The only positives for the band during that time period were the release of our debut album, and the fact that we had so much free time to work on writing music. A number of the riffs I wrote over the pandemic will feature on album 2.
Since we last spoke, Brexit happened also. Once you are in the UK, how do you see the Black Metal industry since? Do you consider it interfered with shows and selling merchandise, for example?
(This is the question people know more or less things are messed up, but it's alway good to have the testimony from someone from UK).
Yes, very true. I am not in favour of Brexit. I didn't vote for it, and my opinion of it is probably even lower now than it was in 2016. Now that it has happened, I think all but the staunchest and most blinkered of Leave voters would argue that it has been anything other than an unmitigated disaster.
More and more bands are leaving the UK off European tours. Gig ticket prices are sky high; merch prices for non-UK bands are insane - not helped by the fact that many venues insist on taking a cut of merch sales. We don't support this practice.
Ironically, I think that the black metal scene's underground nature is its best defense against the scourges of Brexit and the cost of living crisis. Since the gigs are generally in small, underground venues and merch is mostly made on a DIY basis, costs can generally be kept fairly low. The fans of this genre are also some of the most dedicated I've ever come across; there's a camaraderie and sense of mutual support between the bands and fans. The fans want to spend their disposible income supporting the bands they love.
Myself and many others feel that the UKBM scene is at the best it's ever been, with so many amazing bands, promoters and a rabid fanbase. Far too many to name - seek and ye shall find!
(Photo by Veronika Bru, taken from Argesk's Facebook page)
What are Argesk's plans for Summer? Do you have shows arranged that you would like to see shared on here?
Recording as much as we can is top priority at the moment. It's now been 3 years since we released Realm, and it's fair to say that we've gone through a lot of changes since that time. Fans are hungry for new material and we're eager to give it to them.
What else can we expect from Argesk in a near future?
Once we've finished recording album 2, the plan is to gig far and wide and showcase the new material to as wide an audience as possible. Playing overseas is a particular ambition of mine, and I'm hopeful that this will happen within the next couple of years.
You Matt, shared an unofficial tutorial about how to do a Black Metal voice, with the growling and all the other bits, including various techniques. Since it was quite informative, is that something you are considering doing more often?
Possibly. The tutorial certainly had a great response, and there seemed to be an audience for videos on the topic. If people would like me to do more, I will! I'm glad you found it informative.
What advice do you have to give to people starting a Black Metal band right now?
Don't fucking do it! Haha, just kidding. It's a hard question to answer, really, as it's the sort of thing you learn as you go. I'm still always learning! So I think that would be my number one piece of advice - never stop learning, and if you think you know everything, you definitely don't.
I would also say to younger folks starting black metal bands, and just bands in general - there are people out there who will try to take advantage of you and are only out for themselves. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If it doesn't feel right, don't go with it.
Beware of political extremists, there are a fair few of them within black metal, sadly. Stand up for yourself, set boundaries and stick to them, treat people with respect and you'll get it in return. The black metal image and mystique is part of its appeal, but don't be too much of an edgelord, especially on social media. Promoters, labels and other people in the music industry look at it.
Remember to have fun and enjoy yourself. Black metal should be played because you love it - if you're forcing it, it'll be obvious.
Thanks for your support as always!
(Photo by Veronika Bru, taken from Argesk's Facebook page)
Read more about Argesk and listen to them here:
