Latest album: Wretch
Released: September 5th
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Australia
Label: Northern Silence Productions
Hey mates thanks heaps for joining me today, how are things going?
Terrible. But I like to focus on the negative aspects of the world and people in it so I suppose the world would be in a growing negative spin; which in my eyes, is a good thing.
How did Pestilential Shadows start back in the day?
In 2002, Azgorh (Who used the name Meririm in PS) from Drowning the Light, and myself wanted to create music that carried a message of hatred for humanity, and a wish for plague and destruction of the human race. We had separately been working on music and realised we had similar ideas in music and lyrics, so we decided to form Pestilential Shadows to convey those thoughts and convictions.
How has Pestilential Shadows changed since you guys started back then?
The message and themes have always stayed the same. Azgorh left to focus on Drowning the Light so I focused on PS. It hasn’t changed much, people have lumped us in with DSBM in the past but the aim was to never be depressive, that’s just how I’ve always written my songs, with a varying of sombre melancholy with evil infused.
What can fans expect from your new release in terms of sound/vibe?
We have delved deeper into melancholy, especially with the lyrics, and a more concentrated push into unsettling but melodic ambience. It still has rawness but everything is clear with atmosphere, whilst still brimming with Satanic aggression.
How do you guys balance staying authentic to the genre while pushing your creative boundaries with each new album?
We just didn’t want to copy anyone else. You hear a lot of it these days, bands just trying to sound like Burzum, Emperor or Mayhem but I have a certain writing style that I think is different to most bands out there. It’s always a good thing to seperate yourself from the vast amounts of bands releasing music these days.
Whats your take on the landscape of Australian black metal in 2025 and how do you think it plugs into the rest of the world nowadays?
We are (Australian Black Metal) quite seperated from the world, especially Northern Europe where Black Metal is everywhere. It makes it quite hard to venture over there unless you pay your own way. And from the opposite side of the world it makes it very hard to be seen. Most bands here are very underground so most Europeans don’t even know they exist. I think that also gives Australian Black Metal a kind of special grit; They still do it knowing that it will more than likely stay underground. There are some exceptional bands here (and in NZ) and proud to be a part of that scene.
What’s going on with Ordo Ater Anguis nowadays? Does any of that stuff still exist anymore or impact what you guys do? Or are you guys all just largely doing your own thing nowadays
Mostly doing our own thing. We still all talk and share occult knowledge and help each other with musical endeavours.
How have your guys’ shows been the past 12 months? Last time I caught you guys was the Ulcerate show in St.Kilda.
We have done a few choice shows, the last one supporting Spectral Wound in Sydney. With the new lineup we have been able to play more, the band now being a more cohesive unit.
What are your guys plans after the new album drops? Do you have much touring planned?
So the album (was) released on the 5th of September and we have planned an Australian/NZ tour in October through Sydney, Wellington, Auckland, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. We will also be heading to Europe mid 2026.
Thanks heaps for your time today guys, as a last question, have you guys been listening to anything cool lately you want to recommend?
New albums by Warmoon Lord, Horna, Teitanblood, Whoredom Rife, Cantique Lepreux, Horn, Manbryne. Also quite a few Australian bands about to release new material – Ardere, Hebephrenique, Graveir, Malignant Aura and more.
Purchase tickets for the Australia/New Zealand tour here:
Support Pestilential Shadows here:
https://pestilentialshadows-northernsilence.bandcamp.com/album/wretch
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