Necro Ritual

Metal Mayhem: How long have you been playing black metal, and when did you start Necro Ritual?
Corseth: Necro Ritual has been going for 7 years now and is the first project I was involved in.

MM: What were your main musical influences?
Corseth: Impossible to say really, we've all brought something to it as individuals and it has taken its own form, shaped by all of the members past and present. Essentially Necro Ritual exists through hate, pride of heritage and Satan.

MM: What does black metal mean to you?
Corseth: Strength, Hatred, Satan. That's what it should mean.

MM: Who do you see as the most important and exciting UK BM bands?
Corseth: Iceni, Deamonolith and Skaldic Curse.

MM: Do you think there is a BM 'scene' in the UK?
Corseth: If by scene we are referring to a decent collective of bands, promoters and a solid base of people pushing things forward then yes I do. It isn't the lack of people who turn the wheel that is the problem, it's the vast amount of weak minded, spineless carrion that talk and talk and very little else that's the problem. Talkers.

MM: Black metal has never seemed to gain as much of a foothold in the UK as on the continent – why do you think that is?
Corseth: See above.

MM: Many black metal bands shun popularity – do you think this is keeping black metal under the radar in the UK, and would you like this to continue?
Corseth: Black Metal is not for everybody and never should/will be. For every band or individual trying to push Black Metal out into the open, there will always be a hundred more digging their heels further into the ground, keeping the true essence alive.

MM: How easy was it to find a label as a BM band in the UK?
Corseth: We were contacted by Basilisk via e-mail without pursuing anything ourselves. The label itself no longer signs Black Metal bands so we are looking for a new label at present.

MM: You are playing a number of gigs in the summer in London, but will you be coming to the North West?
Corseth: No plans as yet, we have been over before and no doubt will again.

MM: What do you predict in the future for Necro Ritual?
Corseth: Everything.

MM: What do you see on the horizon for the future of black metal a) in the UK and b) in general?
Corseth: a) More bands are emerging and it is sounding better and better all the time. More cohesion between the better projects will undoubtedly force the rest of the world to look to Albion with a little more respect. The weak, timid and anonymous will continue to hide behind their computer screens.
b) Black Metal will always exist, whatever new faces, latest fads or flavours of the month that rise and die through the years, the absolute essence has always and will always remain. This is what ascertains its survival.

MM: Do you think politics have a place in BM?
Corseth: Not really. Everyone has their own stances on politics but it doesn't fit in with what we are doing.

MM: What are your thoughts on tapes and tape trading, and why is it still prevalent in the BM scene when other genres have dropped it?
Corseth: Black Metal stays true to its roots. Tape trading still works and therefore there is no real need to drop it.

MM: Do you think the lack of headline-grabbing antics (like what happened in Norway in the early 90s) has been a factor in black metal not taking hold as much, and if so, is this a good thing?
Corseth: Hold of what? Black Metal is music for the elite. Not everyone. It's about fanaticism and total worship, not hype and media hysteria. For the people involved, it has already taken hold, and there will be more. For the few who are drawn to its flame.

Article by David Keane