1.Tell us the story behind the name of your band?
Demoniaque: Well Dagon and myself came up with the
name quite some time ago, he and I were both working
in different projects and wanted to start a band
together, so we started looking for names. Benighted
seemed to fit what we were wanting to do quite well.
It means to be overcome by night or darkness.
2. Did you expect such response for your demo "The
Firey Blood Moon"?
Demoniaque: No not at all, it had really poor
production (an old 4-track porta studio). I suppose a
lot of folks looked past that and saw the promise in
the material.
3. Tell us about the lyrics behind your first demo.
What inspired the lyrics
and who wrote them? What about the music?
Demoniaque: I write the vast majority of the lyrics,
I suppose it’s more or less part of my responsibility
as the vocalist, though Zacathus does perform vocally
and did write lyrics for one of our songs that will
appear on our upcoming album. The lyrics thus far
have been focusing mostly on spiritual warfare and
inner struggles put through the perspective of
different characters, things of that nature.
4. I know you have a side project called Cernunnos!
Any other members have current side projects?
Demoniaque: Yes I myself have other projects other
than Cernunnos! As well, I believe Zacathus and Dagon
have projects they are working with as well though I
can't really speak on them just yet for I don't know
exactly what they have planned for them.
5.What's the story behind "Harbingers of the Victorium
Aeturnus"? How did you come up with such a title and what does it represent
for you and the album itself?
Demoniaque: "Harbingers.." is about a warrior king
who discovers the secrets of the universe and becomes
power mad, he develops an army of elite warriors to
destroy all of his enemies only to die and to rule in
the heavens as a god-like entity. The title simply
means more or less; messengers of the eternal victory.
6. Have you played any live shows? What feelings are
aroused while playing live? What was your best show? Where would you like to play live?
Demoniaque: Yes we've played quite a few live shows.
Performing live is quite a rush, it’s probably the only
way you can truly experience your music. Despite all
the bullshit one has to go through to put on a live
show such as ours it is well worth it in the end,
better than sex or being intoxicated.
7. Do you all consider yourselves pagan? What is
paganism to you?
Demoniaque: Yes I'm pretty sure everyone in Benighted
considers themselves pagan, I myself definitely do.
Paganism to me is anything that is ignorant towards
Christianity and the likes of any organized religion,
any feelings you have spiritual or emotional derive
directly from within and not from something you are
told.
8. What ghouls do you have for Benighted?
Demoniaque: Ghouls? I assume you mean goals, ha. Our
main priority write now is getting this next album
out. Then perhaps performing in some places away from
the east coast.
(Lucifera: yes that was a type o, shows you where my mind is. Ha ha)
9. What is it like being an American black metal band
in North Carolina, USA?
Demoniaque: Boring and interesting at the same time.
Here in NC the primary scene is hardcore. Being a
black metal band is looked at as being a novelty of
sorts. Quite honestly I could care less where I am
located because one can always travel where they are
appreciated.
10. What is your opinion of the current American Black
Metal bands? Is there
a movement behind the music? What is the significance
of black metal to you?
Demoniaque: I have different thoughts on the current
U.S. Black metal scene, I find a lot of the bands
focus more on being "Evil Death Metal" than being
fluent black metal, not that there is anything wrong
with that, it’s just not what I consider to be black
metal, I feel not all black metal should be about
"Satan This, Satan That, Christians Suck" not to say
ALL bands are like that, there are a few that keep the
flame burning. Black Metal to me is the core of
darkness, the darkest form of music, it is the
ultimate outlet for things that, to most, are better
left unspoken, it is an ultimate expression of the
soul.
11. How do you feel about women in the metal scene?
Do you get many going to your show and how does that
make you feel?
Demoniaque: I by all means welcome the thought of
women into the metal scene, we have a female in our
band, Adina. I will say there can be the "wrong"
women that corrode the scene (Those that have the
"Backstreet Boys" mentality) that just go to shows
because "Oh that guy is so hot" or "Oh he looks cool"
that shit is not welcome. But there are definitely
women in the scene that do the name of metal proud. I
am by no means saying that there are not men who also
have the same sort of mentality or what I like to call
"comic book mentality" who buy albums just to have them
because they are ultra rare and don't even listen to
the material on the record or go to shows just to get
autographs so they can be cool.
12. Any last demonik words?
Demoniaque: Hails Endemoniada! Hail Metal!
