It may not be the most accessible Black Metal niche genre, nor is much of it really worthwhile, but occasionally something pops up that sparks my fascination with the more electronically-inclined Black Metal. Although Blackstream was formed back in 2005, the band actually only came on my radar a few years ago – in my defense, the band has been on a break between 2010 and 2020. The synthetic Black Metal bordering on Black/Noise from these two Italians exemplifies the intriguing clash between Black Metal aesthetics and inimitable and downright weird electronics. With the enjoyable ‘666 Swords… In Your Skull!’ 7” EP from 2023 and the brand new split cassette tape with Coven Of Impurity (on Narbentage Produktionen) under the arm, I asked the twosome a few questions with this short but sweet result…
Hey guys, welcome, welcome. Let’s start with going back in time a bit… Somewhere around the mid 00’s you have dramatically changed your musical direction. From a band that you can say played “just” Black Metal to a well-versed Black/Noise band with Industrial touches. What caused the change of plans?
We started as a black/thrash project, moving towards an aggressive black metal style like Profanatica, Perdition Hearse and Von, with a four-piece lineup. After the “06” demo and some rehearsals, we were left as just two: Mephisto and Occultus Rex, the two founding members. We began experimenting with various rotten synths to create a kind of raw black metal, but “synthetic”. Moreover, being from a rather desolate and rural area, finding new dedicated members was absolutely impossible at the time. But perhaps this was our “luck”, as it gave us the opportunity to explore new solutions.
It’s safe to state that there’s two phases of the band. First one was before the break-up/hiatus in 2010 and the second/current one started when Blackstream returned in 2020. If you’re looking back at that now, how would you describe the main differences between the two incarnations of the band?
At the time, we were essentially teenagers, but with an artistic vision always outside the box and without preconceptions. We have always worked with decidedly “low-budget” means, a stylistic choice that has always accompanied us throughout the project.
During the first “incarnation” of the band, we can say that we were certainly more naive in some ways; now, after the hiatus, we can say we have gained more maturity in various areas (artistic-musical-imaginary) and objective experience related to our growth.
A common thread linking the different periods of the band has been the choice to work in a homemade using basic and simple tools, which push us to harness all our creativity to achieve results that satisfy us… what raw black metal would it be if it were recorded in polished studios?!
You have cited that Beherit (‘Messe Des Morts’), second era Havohej, Diabolos Rising and Mysticum haven been your most important musical inspiration. Can you tell about what these bands mean to you and how you think their spirit is translated to your music?
We appreciate what Beherit has done in terms of experimentation, going from a raw and minimal black/death style to breaking the rules in a “provocative” and disorienting way. We can say the same about Mysticum, with their incorporation of industrial elements into their black metal. The second-era Havohej are definitely the project that has inspired us the most among these.
Personally I can’t remember the last time someone said he (or she) actually liked Diabolos Rising (or the following-up Raism). But not too long ago some of these records were reissued on vinyl and I can be wrong, but it think I see a slightly growing interest in the Black/Noise/Industrial genre(s). Am I mistaken? How do you look at this matter?
Perhaps many have grown tired of the preconceived notions and trends that have been imposed since the mid-90’s through the entire 2000’s (essentially a poor imitation of the Norwegian black metal school). Therefore, introducing various influences has brought a breath of fresh air and a renewed interest in extreme music. Finally, we are seeing new “provocations” because black metal was born to provoke, not to conform with stupid elitist rhetoric.
Now we have compared the “old” Blackstream and the one from today and some of your musical influences, I am wondering how the process of creation of a Blackstream looks like. I can imagine that replacing (almost) all guitars for synths and other electronics was quite a challenge. How, on an operational level, did things change for you as musicians? How does the shaping of your music look like?
Occultus Rex: Creating the musical foundations for the project is a spontaneous process for me; I follow the inspiration/mood. When I have an image in my head, I try to translate it into music using synths and the drum machine. I am usually inspired by readings, images, films, or mental trips I take with Mephisto. Once I have a base ready, I send it to Mephisto, and he molds his various malevolent timbres to create the most unhealthy atmosphere possible, which is the BlackStream trademark.
At the time of recording, everything becomes a real ritual. We even spend entire days recording tracks, and together we decide how to package the final product after mixing. We almost exclusively use analog equipment for recording, a choice we made to maintain a “raw” and dark foundation, which would not be possible to achieve with digital.
Judging from the song titles it is rather clear that you are walking the Impaled Nazarene-like perverted Satanic path. Still, I am curious what the non-musical inspiration is to get into the Blackstream state-of-mind for writing lyrics and music…
Mephisto: My lyrics are about horrifying village stories, some of which are also taken from tales told by our elders, all seasoned with a satanic-bizarre flavor, influenced by acid trips and the viewing of B-grade horror films. The comparison with Impaled Nazarene is definitely fitting, as their lyrics are as crazy and insane as ours.
When looking at your back catalogue it is hard to miss that the majority of your output are demos. Your only two full-lengths are from 2006 and 2007. Although I can only applaud the releasing of short players, I am curious to learn about the idea behind it all. Please enlighten me…
The answer will be brief: being teenagers at the time and somewhat inexperienced, we relied on small labels run by people like us… who, although they were dedicated and believed in their project, didn’t have the means to ensure good promotion for us. Since our genre was very niche and not easily “marketable”, logically, finding someone interested in us at the time was not at all easy, especially in a period when black metal had become highly conformist and flattened by identical themes and music.
Slightly picking up on the previous two questions: when looking at your band photo’s, cover designs and current logo (you seem to change logo’s all the time), it is clear you are deeply rooted in the late 80’s Black Metal aesthetics. Can you take us with you on your philosophy on this particular subject?
Personally, we believe that the imagery of that era, as described in your question, is the most fitting for a sick and aggressive proposal like ours, because the origins of the genre lie in “DIY” and punk. We think our music is, in a way, “anarchic”, just as the philosophy of the black metal subculture was at its core.
In the short conversation we had in preparation for and leading up to this interview you spoke quite disparagingly about the current state of the Italian underground metal scene. Can you explain exactly how you look at this and what your feelings are about it? You have been around for some time, did you actually see things become different over time? What would you like to see change?
Mephisto: I think that in the current Italian black metal scene, as in any scene, there are things of quality and things that are not. But what our scene fails to do is… dare, or provoke. It often aligns too closely with simple, repetitive patterns that are now collapsing and, in our view, are neither interesting nor stimulating. For example, we are in touch with some guys from other foreign scenes that are more original and outside the usual standards. Not much has changed since the mid-2000’s… in fact, I haven’t seen many significant changes, except for some exceptions, with a continuous stagnation and repetition.
Both of you have quite a heavy resume with bands that you are or were active in. If you’re looking at both of your musical steps over the past two decades or so, how do you think they helped shape what Blackstream is now? And what did they mean for you as a musician in general? Is there any particular band or project that you would say had the biggest impact?
We have played in various black/speed/thrash projects over the past 20 years. Some were satisfying, others less so. But everything has been part of our musical life and death journey. So it’s fine like that.
You are about to release a split tape with Coven Of Impurity on Narbentage Produktionen. How exactly did this one come about? Can you maybe already give us a hint of what to expect?
We simply decided to create a totally underground and insane split. Order it and form your own opinion, and expect some good, satanic, psychotropic poison in music.
I am writing this in the last days of 2024, so then the question naturally arises as to what we can expect from you in 2025, in addition to the split discussed above. Are there exciting things in store?
We are working on new tracks that are increasingly sick and horrifying, which will slowly shape what will be a future full-length dedicated to satanic Z-movies… We can’t tell you more at the moment.
Alright, that’s it for now. Thanks a lot for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Any words to close off the interview?
Destroy yourself for the synthetic Zeitan!!!
