Bliss Of Flesh
One of the latest bombs revealed by the French extreme Metal underground is back in business with the long awaited album called "Emaciated Deity"! Bliss Of Flesh try to change a little bit the visual of the local scene with this brand new album, released through Twilight Vertrieb from Germany although Osmose seems to be a very good label and a French one too! In the following roars you will see what all is about with this band, with its latest material and some other interesting subjects that could help you to understand the whole universe in which this band floats!
Arcana Noctis: Hello and all my kind regards to everyone out there! How are you? And what's up new in your camp now that you released the new opus called "Emaciated Deity" on the German label Twilight Vertrieb Records?
Sikkardinal: The news is great. To be signed on Twilight Vertrieb allows us to have a wider distribution of the album as well as more concert opportunities. We are preparing for several gigs at the end of the year and we start the composition of our second album.
Arcana Noctis: It will be very nice if you could try to introduce us your band past, starting with the very beginning back in the winter between 1999/2000!
Sikkardinal: Bliss Of Flesh has been created by Fleshstigma (drums) and me in 1999, but the band was then called Labdacides. We have known each other for years and we already had a band in common before Bliss Of Flesh.
Arcana Noctis: You decided to name this band Labdacides; but what will be the meaning of this word and what did it represented for you at that time?
Sikkardinal: This is a reference to the curse of a Greek family called Labdacides. Back then we considered this distinctive name especially to stay away from the inevitable Black Metal cliché. We soon realized it was crap and that we were not in this band to be intellectual wankers nor to refer to mythology. When Insane, J. Poizon and then Terrorizt arrived, we felt it was time to start anew. Bliss Of Flesh appeared to us like an evidence of our motto.
Arcana Noctis: Although you were just 2 persons involved in this project, Sikkardinal (g) and Fleshstigma (d), you managed to play a few gigs! What is all about, and who were the persons around you concerning the live acts I mentioned above?
Sikkardinal: We did our first gigs with 3 members, (Fleshstigma, Insane and I). But quickly after J. Poizon and Terrorizt joined us so our real live experience started with a full line-up. Then Terrorizt got replaced by Necurat and Insane left to give way to several session guitarists.
Arcana Noctis: When you started to play and to work on your songs, you were mainly influenced by the Swedish Death Metal combined with Thrash elements, although band's musical approach was to Black Metal! What could you tell us about the musical influences that you had at the time, and how did you were influenced in the working process?
Sikkardinal: If it's undeniably true that we never wanted to play traditional Black Metal, I don't have the feeling to have been especially under the influence of Swedish Death Metal. Since the beginning, we simply play according to what sounds better to our ears, to our guts feeling. My musical culture being quite restricted, I don't have any band of reference. Since I have started to compose, I never reconsider or avoid playing some riffs because they didn't sound hateful or brutal enough.
Arcana Noctis: Very soon you had some line-up changes and you were joined by Insane (g)! A few months later you have been joined by: J. Poizon (b) and Terrorizt on vocals; and immediately after you changed band's name into Bliss Of Flesh! What can you tell us about these line-up changes and about the past of your new members? Also, don't forget to tell us why did you decided to change the name of your band into Bliss Of Flesh and what exactly does it represents for you?
Sikkardinal: As I mentioned above, the name Bliss Of Flesh is the best representation of the flesh and soul paradox that lies between the need of spirituality and materiality. This name is the most adequate for our convictions. Our lyrics explain it better than I do.
Arcana Noctis: You decided to record a rehearsal tape, lately recorded on Akedia Rekordz! As far as I know this is/was Terrorizt's label! What is all about and what was the general opinion on it?
Sikkardinal: This tape was "Frozen Ashes – Prelude To Bestial Annihilation", in 1999. We had to content ourselves to make do with a rehearsal tape as it was financially impossible for us to record. The opinions about it was mixed, some didn't appreciate the bad sound quality – which I understand. At that time it was frustrating not to successfully recreate what we wanted, however this step was necessary.
Arcana Noctis: In this period you played a few shows together with Vader and Antaeus to name but a few; and you started to work on your future demo called "Lethal Ceremonies" released on the same label, in 2004, as your previous material! How it was playing with the 2 bands that I mentioned above; and what can you tell us about this second release of Bliss Of Flesh?
Sikkardinal: We keep good memories of them. They indeed corresponded to the release of "Lethal Ceremonies", professional recording we could afford this time. The studio experience was formative and enhanced our level of demand. "Lethal Ceremonies" was a real turning point for us.
Arcana Noctis: What were the reactions on it and what will be the main differences between this one and your previous material?
Sikkardinal: We benefited from a true studio sound and also the compositions were more accomplished. This tape was an important step for us. We were really satisfied which was justified by the feedbacks we received.
Arcana Noctis: Immediately you started to work on new materials, and you played a few interesting gigs with bands such as Enthroned, Antaeus, Hell Militia, Shining, Satanic Warmaster, Lugubre and to many to be mentioned in here! Tell us a few words about the working process on this material, and don't forget to mention about the live "statements" you did with the bands I mentioned above!
Sikkardinal: We played a few dates in France as well as in Europe but only gigs that appealed to us. It was then that we composed the tracks featuring the EP "Todtentanz" and the split with Bloodhammer.
Arcana Noctis: 3 years ago (in 2006) Terrorizt leaves Bliss Of Flesh and you have been joined by Necurat at the vocal score! Ex. Latrodectus, still playing in Fist 69, Necurat started to work with you on band's first opus! Could you tell us why did he choose this nick, thinking that it has a very close relation with the old Romanian language (it represent another name of Satan)? And for me, as a Romanian which leaves near Paris since 2006, it seems quite strange to see such a nick to a French musician!!!
Sikkardinal: You're right; Necurat is a term which belongs to Romanian mythology. He's an unspeakable daemon who represents all human filth and using it as a nick is in perfect adequacy with the personality of our singer. More over, it changes from all the Nordic mythology we find usually.
Arcana Noctis: One year ago (2008) Insane leaves Bliss Of Flesh and it was replaced by Eyhze from Lost Era/Vingdar on guitar! Why did you part ways with your old guitarist, and how did you meet the new one?
Sikkardinal: Insane didn't have enough time to devote to playing live. But due to new expectations, we realized he could not keep up and we had to find another session guitarist. Eyzhe replaced him for 2 concerts but his lack of professionalism, charisma and integrity became an issue. For now we play live with Niklaus, a much more experienced guitarist, and we shall see about the future.
Arcana Noctis: As far as I know, Insane took part on the recording process of "Emaciated Deity" until the end! But what interests me is the missing link of your activity, 2006 to 2009; besides the changes I mentioned above and the working process on your new opus! So what is all about briefly?
Sikkardinal: I have worked so many years with Insane that I would find it difficult to have such complicity with someone else. We continue in this way for the composition of the second album. When Necurat arrived in the band between 2006 and 2009, we had to re-work our set essentially to focus on our first album. We compose at a slow pace and moreover we wanted to polish up our arrangements, not to leave anything to chance. Nonetheless a split with Annihilation 666 came out in 2008 on W.T.C. as to confirm our collaboration with Necurat.
Arcana Noctis: You released "Emaciated Deity" on Twilight Vertrieb Records from Germany this year! Please try to present us this material with all its technical details, and a short story of each track if you don't mind!
Sikkardinal: "Emaciated Deity" is our first full length realization. It features 9 tracks and was recorded as well as masterized in the Midnight Studio. To this day this album is our most accomplished realization, namely the meticulous work on sound or even the process of composition. The artwork is created by Nagash, and is killer art.
Arcana Noctis: What will be the main difference between this material and your previous records, and what does it brings new at the musical and lyrical chapter?
Sikkardinal: The main difference with our precedent realizations lays on the fact that we perceived this album as an indivisible whole and not as a simple aggregate of tracks. Until now we sought only raw brutality throughout our short length releases without any coherence. But now we spread 40 minutes of pure & radical sadism.
Arcana Noctis: Tell us a few words about the feedback that you received on it, and don't forget to mention about the promotional process of your label on "Emaciated Deity"?
Sikkardinal: Twilight has done a very good promotional work, and the feedbacks are excellent. It was important for us to pull out all the stops with this first album, as well as broadcast our band to a bigger scale. We just now need to hammer it in.
Arcana Noctis: What was your live activity after the recording process of "Emaciated Deity"; and tell us if you played on Boa Metal Open Air and Barther Open Air, both in Germany, this year?
Sikkardinal: We played quite few gigs in France as well as at the Barther Open Air. We were also supposed to perform at the BMOA, but as you already know, this date got cancelled because of financial issues. We are looking forward from going soon to Germany as we keep good memories of playing live there.
Arcana Noctis: Since now you played important fests such as: Verloren Fest IV and Torture Fest IV and you featured important shows with bands such as Cirith Gorgor, Handful Of Hate, Behighted, Anima Damnate and too many to be mentioned in here! But you played a mini-tour in France last year, in October 2008, in 5 locations! How was is and what are your feelings in front of your fans and your public?
Sikkardinal: Everything went fine despite the difficulty we had to find a second guitarist to bring along with us for those gigs. Our will to excel became stronger after all. Playing live is a very important dimension to us because it is a moment of truth. You can cheat the audience.
Arcana Noctis: What are your relations with Terrorizt; are you going to release something on his label from now on?
Sikkardinal: We barely see each other, but things are not strained between us for all that. I don't think we will release on Akedia Rekordz because Terrorizt is busy enough with Merrimack anyway.
Arcana Noctis: Because we are at this subject, what is all about with the relation that you have with Eerie Art Records from Italy? Did you ever record those vinyl versions that you talked about?
Sikkardinal: Eerie Art Records was one of the first reliable labels to contact us concerning our recording "Emaciated Deity". We follow with its releases, even if Eering Art is more oriented towards Ambient Black than Black Death at the moment. Vinyl versions stay a project I keep in mind closely but not for really soon.
Arcana Noctis: I know that some of you are still playing in different bands, such as Deviant Surgeons and Fist 69, besides Bliss Of Flesh! What can you tell us about your parallel projects and what should we expect from you in the future?
Sikkardinal: To play in other musical groups is enrichment. Deviant Surgeons, whose leader Pandemic helped us out live several times, released its first album this year too. And the Black'n'Roll band Fist 69 would be next to release its first opus too. Saying this, Bliss Of Flesh is our absolute priority.
Arcana Noctis: In the end, tell us what will be the future of your band and what news do you have concerning the live activity?
Sikkardinal: We are composing our second album and we are going to play several dates during the following months. I don't know what the future will be, but what I know is that our devotion to the band is steadfast. We'll take advantage of everything, merciless.
Arcana Noctis: That's all for now Sikkardinal! Thank you very much for this intie, and here you have the last word to conclude the interview!
Sikkardinal: Humiliation Suffering Climax.
Arcana Noctis: Hello and all my kind regards to everyone out there! How are you? And what's up new in your camp now that you released the new opus called "Emaciated Deity" on the German label Twilight Vertrieb Records?
Sikkardinal: The news is great. To be signed on Twilight Vertrieb allows us to have a wider distribution of the album as well as more concert opportunities. We are preparing for several gigs at the end of the year and we start the composition of our second album.Arcana Noctis: It will be very nice if you could try to introduce us your band past, starting with the very beginning back in the winter between 1999/2000!
Sikkardinal: Bliss Of Flesh has been created by Fleshstigma (drums) and me in 1999, but the band was then called Labdacides. We have known each other for years and we already had a band in common before Bliss Of Flesh.
Arcana Noctis: You decided to name this band Labdacides; but what will be the meaning of this word and what did it represented for you at that time?
Sikkardinal: This is a reference to the curse of a Greek family called Labdacides. Back then we considered this distinctive name especially to stay away from the inevitable Black Metal cliché. We soon realized it was crap and that we were not in this band to be intellectual wankers nor to refer to mythology. When Insane, J. Poizon and then Terrorizt arrived, we felt it was time to start anew. Bliss Of Flesh appeared to us like an evidence of our motto.
Arcana Noctis: Although you were just 2 persons involved in this project, Sikkardinal (g) and Fleshstigma (d), you managed to play a few gigs! What is all about, and who were the persons around you concerning the live acts I mentioned above?
Sikkardinal: We did our first gigs with 3 members, (Fleshstigma, Insane and I). But quickly after J. Poizon and Terrorizt joined us so our real live experience started with a full line-up. Then Terrorizt got replaced by Necurat and Insane left to give way to several session guitarists.
Arcana Noctis: When you started to play and to work on your songs, you were mainly influenced by the Swedish Death Metal combined with Thrash elements, although band's musical approach was to Black Metal! What could you tell us about the musical influences that you had at the time, and how did you were influenced in the working process?
Sikkardinal: If it's undeniably true that we never wanted to play traditional Black Metal, I don't have the feeling to have been especially under the influence of Swedish Death Metal. Since the beginning, we simply play according to what sounds better to our ears, to our guts feeling. My musical culture being quite restricted, I don't have any band of reference. Since I have started to compose, I never reconsider or avoid playing some riffs because they didn't sound hateful or brutal enough.
Arcana Noctis: Very soon you had some line-up changes and you were joined by Insane (g)! A few months later you have been joined by: J. Poizon (b) and Terrorizt on vocals; and immediately after you changed band's name into Bliss Of Flesh! What can you tell us about these line-up changes and about the past of your new members? Also, don't forget to tell us why did you decided to change the name of your band into Bliss Of Flesh and what exactly does it represents for you?
Sikkardinal: As I mentioned above, the name Bliss Of Flesh is the best representation of the flesh and soul paradox that lies between the need of spirituality and materiality. This name is the most adequate for our convictions. Our lyrics explain it better than I do.
Arcana Noctis: You decided to record a rehearsal tape, lately recorded on Akedia Rekordz! As far as I know this is/was Terrorizt's label! What is all about and what was the general opinion on it?
Sikkardinal: This tape was "Frozen Ashes – Prelude To Bestial Annihilation", in 1999. We had to content ourselves to make do with a rehearsal tape as it was financially impossible for us to record. The opinions about it was mixed, some didn't appreciate the bad sound quality – which I understand. At that time it was frustrating not to successfully recreate what we wanted, however this step was necessary.
Arcana Noctis: In this period you played a few shows together with Vader and Antaeus to name but a few; and you started to work on your future demo called "Lethal Ceremonies" released on the same label, in 2004, as your previous material! How it was playing with the 2 bands that I mentioned above; and what can you tell us about this second release of Bliss Of Flesh?
Sikkardinal: We keep good memories of them. They indeed corresponded to the release of "Lethal Ceremonies", professional recording we could afford this time. The studio experience was formative and enhanced our level of demand. "Lethal Ceremonies" was a real turning point for us.
Arcana Noctis: What were the reactions on it and what will be the main differences between this one and your previous material?
Sikkardinal: We benefited from a true studio sound and also the compositions were more accomplished. This tape was an important step for us. We were really satisfied which was justified by the feedbacks we received.
Arcana Noctis: Immediately you started to work on new materials, and you played a few interesting gigs with bands such as Enthroned, Antaeus, Hell Militia, Shining, Satanic Warmaster, Lugubre and to many to be mentioned in here! Tell us a few words about the working process on this material, and don't forget to mention about the live "statements" you did with the bands I mentioned above!
Sikkardinal: We played a few dates in France as well as in Europe but only gigs that appealed to us. It was then that we composed the tracks featuring the EP "Todtentanz" and the split with Bloodhammer.
Arcana Noctis: 3 years ago (in 2006) Terrorizt leaves Bliss Of Flesh and you have been joined by Necurat at the vocal score! Ex. Latrodectus, still playing in Fist 69, Necurat started to work with you on band's first opus! Could you tell us why did he choose this nick, thinking that it has a very close relation with the old Romanian language (it represent another name of Satan)? And for me, as a Romanian which leaves near Paris since 2006, it seems quite strange to see such a nick to a French musician!!!
Sikkardinal: You're right; Necurat is a term which belongs to Romanian mythology. He's an unspeakable daemon who represents all human filth and using it as a nick is in perfect adequacy with the personality of our singer. More over, it changes from all the Nordic mythology we find usually.
Arcana Noctis: One year ago (2008) Insane leaves Bliss Of Flesh and it was replaced by Eyhze from Lost Era/Vingdar on guitar! Why did you part ways with your old guitarist, and how did you meet the new one?
Sikkardinal: Insane didn't have enough time to devote to playing live. But due to new expectations, we realized he could not keep up and we had to find another session guitarist. Eyzhe replaced him for 2 concerts but his lack of professionalism, charisma and integrity became an issue. For now we play live with Niklaus, a much more experienced guitarist, and we shall see about the future.
Arcana Noctis: As far as I know, Insane took part on the recording process of "Emaciated Deity" until the end! But what interests me is the missing link of your activity, 2006 to 2009; besides the changes I mentioned above and the working process on your new opus! So what is all about briefly?
Sikkardinal: I have worked so many years with Insane that I would find it difficult to have such complicity with someone else. We continue in this way for the composition of the second album. When Necurat arrived in the band between 2006 and 2009, we had to re-work our set essentially to focus on our first album. We compose at a slow pace and moreover we wanted to polish up our arrangements, not to leave anything to chance. Nonetheless a split with Annihilation 666 came out in 2008 on W.T.C. as to confirm our collaboration with Necurat.
Arcana Noctis: You released "Emaciated Deity" on Twilight Vertrieb Records from Germany this year! Please try to present us this material with all its technical details, and a short story of each track if you don't mind!
Sikkardinal: "Emaciated Deity" is our first full length realization. It features 9 tracks and was recorded as well as masterized in the Midnight Studio. To this day this album is our most accomplished realization, namely the meticulous work on sound or even the process of composition. The artwork is created by Nagash, and is killer art.
Arcana Noctis: What will be the main difference between this material and your previous records, and what does it brings new at the musical and lyrical chapter?
Sikkardinal: The main difference with our precedent realizations lays on the fact that we perceived this album as an indivisible whole and not as a simple aggregate of tracks. Until now we sought only raw brutality throughout our short length releases without any coherence. But now we spread 40 minutes of pure & radical sadism.
Arcana Noctis: Tell us a few words about the feedback that you received on it, and don't forget to mention about the promotional process of your label on "Emaciated Deity"?
Sikkardinal: Twilight has done a very good promotional work, and the feedbacks are excellent. It was important for us to pull out all the stops with this first album, as well as broadcast our band to a bigger scale. We just now need to hammer it in.
Arcana Noctis: What was your live activity after the recording process of "Emaciated Deity"; and tell us if you played on Boa Metal Open Air and Barther Open Air, both in Germany, this year?
Sikkardinal: We played quite few gigs in France as well as at the Barther Open Air. We were also supposed to perform at the BMOA, but as you already know, this date got cancelled because of financial issues. We are looking forward from going soon to Germany as we keep good memories of playing live there.
Arcana Noctis: Since now you played important fests such as: Verloren Fest IV and Torture Fest IV and you featured important shows with bands such as Cirith Gorgor, Handful Of Hate, Behighted, Anima Damnate and too many to be mentioned in here! But you played a mini-tour in France last year, in October 2008, in 5 locations! How was is and what are your feelings in front of your fans and your public?
Sikkardinal: Everything went fine despite the difficulty we had to find a second guitarist to bring along with us for those gigs. Our will to excel became stronger after all. Playing live is a very important dimension to us because it is a moment of truth. You can cheat the audience.
Arcana Noctis: What are your relations with Terrorizt; are you going to release something on his label from now on?
Sikkardinal: We barely see each other, but things are not strained between us for all that. I don't think we will release on Akedia Rekordz because Terrorizt is busy enough with Merrimack anyway.
Arcana Noctis: Because we are at this subject, what is all about with the relation that you have with Eerie Art Records from Italy? Did you ever record those vinyl versions that you talked about?
Sikkardinal: Eerie Art Records was one of the first reliable labels to contact us concerning our recording "Emaciated Deity". We follow with its releases, even if Eering Art is more oriented towards Ambient Black than Black Death at the moment. Vinyl versions stay a project I keep in mind closely but not for really soon.
Arcana Noctis: I know that some of you are still playing in different bands, such as Deviant Surgeons and Fist 69, besides Bliss Of Flesh! What can you tell us about your parallel projects and what should we expect from you in the future?
Sikkardinal: To play in other musical groups is enrichment. Deviant Surgeons, whose leader Pandemic helped us out live several times, released its first album this year too. And the Black'n'Roll band Fist 69 would be next to release its first opus too. Saying this, Bliss Of Flesh is our absolute priority.
Arcana Noctis: In the end, tell us what will be the future of your band and what news do you have concerning the live activity?
Sikkardinal: We are composing our second album and we are going to play several dates during the following months. I don't know what the future will be, but what I know is that our devotion to the band is steadfast. We'll take advantage of everything, merciless.
Arcana Noctis: That's all for now Sikkardinal! Thank you very much for this intie, and here you have the last word to conclude the interview!
Sikkardinal: Humiliation Suffering Climax.