1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Well, we've just recently released a four song EP entitled 'The Scourge of Ages' and are promoting it as much as we can. Enough songs are ready for a full length too, which we hope to record late 2016, early 2017.
2.So far you have released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
Just for the record, we've already released a 7 inch in 2014 called 'Imperial Summoning', so the EP isn't our first effort. The new EP further elaborates on the work that was presented on the 7 inch, which I would describe as death metal with the natural sound qualities of 70's classic rock and prog bands, including a narrative songwriting approach, conveniently summarized as organic dissident death metal.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Lyrical themes often deal with the spiritual or philosophical side of existence and more specifically the aspect of decay, to which everything we know in this universe is subject. Sources of inspiration range from everyday events to the merciless laws of nature.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Moss Upon The Skull'?
We found a mention of the phrase in a recipe for a 17th century healing potion, derived from this moss that grew on the skulls of unburied men. It suits the obscure, decay oriented, yet natural, organic approach that we apply in the music we make.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Most notable are the performances we did opening for Incantation in Deinze and Stargazer in Antwerp. Our stage performance can above all be described as no nonsense; no ornamental stage props, no visuals, it's all about the music.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We love to play live but no shows are planned in the immediate future, as we are facing some line-up issues and are currently down to a three piece. However, we are thinking about all potential solutions to cope with the situation in the short term, in order to start playing live shows again.
7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Several labels were contacted, but no success for now. We hope to release The Scourge of Ages on a physical medium at some point, but without the support of a label it is unlikely that we will release something physical as long as we cannot promote it with live shows. That's another reason why we want to get back on stage as soon as possible.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of progressive death metal?
Overall pretty good actually, we are sending out promo mails and mostly get positive feedback, like from you, so that's gratifying of course, since we put a lot of time and effort into this band. We're not specifically aiming towards fans of progressive metal; we believe all fans of metal in general will find something to like in our music.
9.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Jef (guitar) and Jense (drums) are involved with a funeral doom project called Dwaellicht, which draws from the Finnish/British doom tradition, but I was also greatly inspired by Mournful Congregation from Australia when I started this project. You can find us on the usual social media. I would like to release some new material late 2016, early 2017.
10.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
There is enough material written already for a full length, which we hope to record late 2016. I think that the approach to writing will remain the same, but hope to improve still on the level of songwriting and production. We try to capture a natural, live feel, while maintaining a certain obscurity and aggressiveness.
11.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?
Classic rock, prog rock and heavy metal from the 70's have had a huge influence on our sound and songwriting. But also early 90's black and death metal have made their mark on our music. Bands ranging from Rainbow to Suffocation, or Magma to Ved Buens Ende.
Currently, I'm listening to a lot of 70's electronics like Eno and Fripp or Jean Michel Jarre, Burzum gets constant rotation, a lot of Abigor lately as well as early Gorguts.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Several people in the band have a family which of course takes up much of their spare time. Personally, in the few moments where I am not working on music or working my day job, I like to work in the garden and grow herbs and vegetables, I like to catch up on reading and I play some classic video games on a very modest level just to relax.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the interview and your support! Only death is real!
Well, we've just recently released a four song EP entitled 'The Scourge of Ages' and are promoting it as much as we can. Enough songs are ready for a full length too, which we hope to record late 2016, early 2017.
2.So far you have released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
Just for the record, we've already released a 7 inch in 2014 called 'Imperial Summoning', so the EP isn't our first effort. The new EP further elaborates on the work that was presented on the 7 inch, which I would describe as death metal with the natural sound qualities of 70's classic rock and prog bands, including a narrative songwriting approach, conveniently summarized as organic dissident death metal.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Lyrical themes often deal with the spiritual or philosophical side of existence and more specifically the aspect of decay, to which everything we know in this universe is subject. Sources of inspiration range from everyday events to the merciless laws of nature.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Moss Upon The Skull'?
We found a mention of the phrase in a recipe for a 17th century healing potion, derived from this moss that grew on the skulls of unburied men. It suits the obscure, decay oriented, yet natural, organic approach that we apply in the music we make.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Most notable are the performances we did opening for Incantation in Deinze and Stargazer in Antwerp. Our stage performance can above all be described as no nonsense; no ornamental stage props, no visuals, it's all about the music.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We love to play live but no shows are planned in the immediate future, as we are facing some line-up issues and are currently down to a three piece. However, we are thinking about all potential solutions to cope with the situation in the short term, in order to start playing live shows again.
7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Several labels were contacted, but no success for now. We hope to release The Scourge of Ages on a physical medium at some point, but without the support of a label it is unlikely that we will release something physical as long as we cannot promote it with live shows. That's another reason why we want to get back on stage as soon as possible.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of progressive death metal?
Overall pretty good actually, we are sending out promo mails and mostly get positive feedback, like from you, so that's gratifying of course, since we put a lot of time and effort into this band. We're not specifically aiming towards fans of progressive metal; we believe all fans of metal in general will find something to like in our music.
9.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Jef (guitar) and Jense (drums) are involved with a funeral doom project called Dwaellicht, which draws from the Finnish/British doom tradition, but I was also greatly inspired by Mournful Congregation from Australia when I started this project. You can find us on the usual social media. I would like to release some new material late 2016, early 2017.
10.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
There is enough material written already for a full length, which we hope to record late 2016. I think that the approach to writing will remain the same, but hope to improve still on the level of songwriting and production. We try to capture a natural, live feel, while maintaining a certain obscurity and aggressiveness.
11.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?
Classic rock, prog rock and heavy metal from the 70's have had a huge influence on our sound and songwriting. But also early 90's black and death metal have made their mark on our music. Bands ranging from Rainbow to Suffocation, or Magma to Ved Buens Ende.
Currently, I'm listening to a lot of 70's electronics like Eno and Fripp or Jean Michel Jarre, Burzum gets constant rotation, a lot of Abigor lately as well as early Gorguts.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Several people in the band have a family which of course takes up much of their spare time. Personally, in the few moments where I am not working on music or working my day job, I like to work in the garden and grow herbs and vegetables, I like to catch up on reading and I play some classic video games on a very modest level just to relax.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the interview and your support! Only death is real!
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