Corax B.M: 'Black Metal is heard by all ages.'

All this on the occasion of their latest record 'Spread The Occult', which is released under the stamp of Pagan Records (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

Today we welcome Corax B.M to Fuzzy Hound! What are your current feelings about the album "Spread The Occult"? Are you happy with this release? Did it achieve its purpose?

Corax: ‘First of all we'd like to thank you for your interest in the band and our recent release. Our feelings vary. Mostly we feel satisfaction, vindication for our efforts, and above all we try to remain equally humble. Now as for whether it succeeded… We received very good reviews and ratings. Beyond the numbers and all that, our purpose is to make music through which we express ourselves and of course also the people who choose to listen to us.'

Tell us a bit about this record and what prompted it. When did you compose the tracks and by what criteria did you choose them for the album? Also, where did the title 'Spread The Occult' come from? What is the mystery you want to spread with this record?

Mörker: 'I met Kostas in the summer of 2020. He saw a drum cover of mine on YouTube, and found a way to contact me directly. The whole thing was about a more Technical Death – Metalcore / Deathcore project (since that's mainly the style I play and listen to). The project didn't continue though, due to the circumstances with the pandemic. Later on that year, Kostas had the idea of starting a solo project centered mainly on Black Metal and asked for my help on the drums. It was hard at first, since the pandemic issue wasn't about to end. And somehow, in June 2021 we start recording our first EP. We had set the goal to write music using as many of our influences as we wanted, giving them a Black Metal character.'

'After the release of the 2 singles and a video clip, Peisithanatos (bassist of Drama Noir, ex-Endorphia, ex-Order Of The Black Jacket) and Enneajoined the project. A little later, a record contract from the Polish company Pagan Records became the occasion for our project to take the form of the band Corax B.M.'

'The title came from the general philosophy surrounding darkness. Occultism is something that draws our interest, at least on the skeptical side. We were never interested in the practical side. In occultism we observe symbols which we can find in almost all religions. The message we take from this is that nothing in life is absolute, everything is relative to each of our own viewpoints and what one feels.'

"Spread The Occult" has a pure Black Metal character. What is your view more broadly on the contemporary Metal scene in Greece?

Corax: ‘I'd like to be a bit more specific and make a clarification. I think our style is somewhat mixed. In Black Metal there are two main styles, the Scandinavian one (where it was born) and the Greek one. We try to honor our origins and the roots of our genre as much as we can, while at the same time using a punk aesthetic in our riffs.

The Metal scene in Greece has been and will remain strong. New bands keep coming out and each one has something to show you from its music. We have contacts with certain bands, such as Exilium Noctis, Synteleia, Aherusia, Yoth Iria and many others. They're all excellent musicians and people you enjoy talking to about anything.'

What are your influences in general? Which artists or bands do you "owe" the creation of "Spread The Occult" to? Also, recommend us 2-3 records that in your opinion we should listen to.

Mörker: ‘First of all we owe a large part of our EP to Magus (Necromantia, Yoth Iria, ex-Rotting Christ). We had the honor of having him do guest vocals on one of our songs, Aniliagos. Our main influences are Rotting Christ, Behemoth, Dark Funeral, Darkthrone, Mayhem. Personally, I owe the creation of the EP to Rotting Christ, who were the first Black Metal band I listened to. Septicflesh were a huge influence for me. Four years ago I would often watch videos of their drummer, Krimh, on YouTube, and thanks to him I decided to use my allowance as a teenager to buy my first drum set!

I'd recommend, for anyone who hasn't heard it yet, the new album Modern Primitive by Septicflesh. The album Hädanfärd by Night Crowned, a Black Metal band from Sweden. And the most recent EP …And I Return To Nothingness by Lorna Shore, an American Blackened Symphonic Deathcore band, as well as the 3 new singles from their upcoming album.'

Corax: ‘Since the topic of our main influences has been covered, I'll suggest listening to anything from the work of Athos Kerveros, the new record by Exilium Noctis, and the new album Eternal Hails by Darkthrone.‘

From a lyrical standpoint, tell us about the stories your songs describe. What was the inspiration that drove you to write these songs?

Corax: ‘Our songs narrate various dark and occult stories. There are various references to H.P. Lovecraft's stories and to civilizations such as the Sumerians. Many metaphors are used so that the listener can translate these "parables" in their own way.'

Do you follow any specific method when composing?

Corax: ‘As we said before, each of us has our own influences. Every idea is welcome, and we keep building on that idea with Black Metal as the main axis. So no, we don't have any specific method.'

What kind of reach do you have with the younger audience in Greece? Do young people listen fanatically to Black Metal, in your opinion?

Mörker: ‘Black Metal is heard, almost, by all ages. As for our own audience, it's too early to answer something like that.'

What does the name Corax B.M. mean and where did it come from?

Corax: ‘I chose the nickname Corax obviously from the Crow. It denotes something dark and I wanted to give it more of an ancient Greek character, hence its ending. Yannis and I agreed as founding members to name our project the same, since it was my idea. The B.M. denotes the genre we play, Black Metal.'

Is there a chance you'll perform live? Do you have plans for live shows in the immediate future, and in general?

Mörker: ‘We performed in April at Remedy Live Club, after the invitation we received from ΟΛΕΘΡΙΟ ΡΗΓΜΑ, together with SIRIUS. Next up is a live show at the 20th anniversary GOLDEN R. FESTIVAL, in Volos. It's a three-day festival, we're playing on the first day, September 8th, together with AHERUSIA, MEDEN AGAN, HUMAN GENOM, EPHEMERAL, INDUSTRIAL AREA. And it continues with a two-day stretch with many names, some of which are SEPTICFLESH, YOTH IRIA, NIGHTRAGE, SPITFIRE, CONVICTED and quite a lot of others.'

Even though it's quite early, are you working on anything else creatively at the moment?

Corax: ‘After the release of Spread the Occult, I finally found time to deal with recording the releases of another band of mine, Blossom Death, which will come out as a split together with my Thrash side project, IN BURIAL. I'm busy with those while we're also preparing for the live show in Volos, and after that comes preparation for a new Corax B.M single.'

Guys, thank you very much for being here and we wish you every success in whatever you do! Feel free to close our conversation however you like!

'Thank you for your time! We always wish good work, keep doing what you're doing, and Non f*ckn Serviam!’