Interview with HECATE ENTHRONED (2/2)

With “The Corpse of a Titan, a Lament Long Buried,” the English black metal pioneers Hecate Enthroned present a complex piece of work. Some call their unique style symphonic black metal; others, extreme gothic metal. Singer Joe Stamp doesn’t really care either way; above all, he wants to provide his fans with meaningful entertainment, as he makes clear in our two-part interview. Did you miss the first part? No problem— you can read it here.

Sociable

Sometimes the most beautiful things happen by chance. In any case, the video captures the atmosphere and fits well with the song and the band, which can be described as “theatrical” in the best sense of the word. “I definitely agree with you there. The story-driven lyrics, the artwork, and our overall aesthetic are strongly reminiscent of theater. We’re also trying to incorporate this aspect more effectively into our live shows. Even though we’ve been around for a long time, we’re still looking for ways to connect more deeply with the audience and let our fans be part of what’s happening on stage.”

Moving Pictures

And the frontman has very specific ideas about this, which unfortunately are out of reach given the current budget. “I dream of a moving backdrop featuring a dark forest landscape, on which various images and sequences could be displayed to match the songs. It would then move to different spots on stage during the concert. Something like that is used in modern theaters, but unfortunately it’s out of our reach.” The British band has been performing live sparingly lately; last year they played just two shows in England. “That’s right—we definitely want to perform more again with the new album. We’ve got a few things in the works, so keep an eye out for new dates.” Given the strong impression “The Corpse of a Titan, a Lament Long Buried” has left, we’ll certainly be doing just that.

Marc Halupczok

Lineup:
Joe Stamps – vocals
Nigel Dennan – guitar
Andy Milnes – guitar
Dylan Hughes – bass
Matt Holmes – drums
Pete White – keyboard

Listen to Hecate Enthroned on our “Current Issue” playlist on Spotify:

You can also find Hecate Enthroned in our July/August issue: