A soul may often resist the urge to heed the call of its deep-seated desires, to remove the twain-minded mask and let the face assume the image of what resides beneath the flesh. Yet there may exist a sliver of time in which every negative facet is permitted to dictate the course of consciousness through total submission. For it is like one who drinks from a wolf’s footprint left in the mud, letting the water touch the lips and rend the skin of weakness, until what remains is a feral and carnal beast yearning to taste freedom.
Kvlt of Odium becomes the creature that festers within the fires of man, a fire churned into sound. The interview you are about to read took place approximately two years ago and should have seen the light of day much sooner, but due to challenges of my own, it never did. For that delay, I apologize and take responsibility. But it is unearthed now, and perhaps its force may stoke the ember that resides within. May these words ignite the craving, and may the sounds that follow satiate it.
Wulfgar, can you divulge to the readers on how the band was formed, from its very infancy in the thought process to it being birthed into a physical entity? In addition to this, what spurred you to imbue onto this vessel the spirit of Black Metal?
Howls! WOW, well, what a journey it’s been, but Kvlt of Odium began in 2019 with the founding members being I, Kaos (drums) and Abysmal Dread (ex-guitars). Later recruiting Lord Attera (ex-vocalist), which completed the first era in which was the foundation of our first 3 releases, including our most recent full-length ‘End of Light’. We started this band hoping to bring back the old Finland-style Satanic Warmaster/Sargeist Black Metal with our twist of USBM.
In regards to Kvlt of Odium as an entity, what is the objective of this beast? What is the message it wishes to spread with its spirit? How would you define its philosophy?
Kvlt of Odium represents the hatred of the mainstream cookie-cutter music of today, but also the hatred towards Christianity and hipsters that are poisoning this world with their filth. With the Kvlt being us, and the Odium being our hatred. With that, we chose the main image of all our artwork and the face of our campaign being a Black Metal Werewolf. The wolf has always been an entity that would feast upon the sheep as we are the wolves that feast upon the posers and fakes being the sheep scum.
You recently unveiled your first full-length album, ‘End of Light’, would you mind walking us through the creation of it? From the moment it was envisioned to the recording process?
End of Light was the accumulation of incantations that were born after our ex-guitar player (Abysmal Dread) had left the band, forcing us to create new songs along with a new setlist. These songs were a representation and a result of the changes that the band had to take. In that said, the songs had an extreme amount of emotions but were definitely instrumental in shaping the sound of that classic Kvlt of Odium sound. I feel it definitely defined our name and our message as this would be our first official full-length. The songs were created during the pandemic, so I feel our creativity spurred a new level as there were no shows going on at this time due to venues being closed. But what we were lacking in live performances, we definitely made up for in writing and branching out our campaign around the world through merch sales and spreading of our music digitally and physically. Due to the help of our wolves being our fans, we were lucky enough to record at Trench Studios, which was our first time ever being able to record in an actual legit studio. Without our fans, we would not have had that amazing experience. Definitely gave those songs a more legit feel, but also they understood and helped us keep the raw spirit that is our sound.
Every artist has a philosophy that they hope to evoke with their work, what would you say the core meaning behind ‘End of Light’ represents? Also, what is the experience you hope the listener gains from your album?
The concept of this album was metaphorically a representation of the battle we faced towards the scene and the struggles we faced to keep the band afloat. It was also a representation of the Black Metal Werewolf conquering his enemy, being the sheep, and bringing forth the End of Light and the battle against the enemy sheep. As the true always prevail, sticking to your guns and never stop fighting till the last bullet.
The title track ‘End of Light’ and ‘Desolation’ are some of my favourites and highlights on the album, can you divulge which tracks resonated more with you as well as the connection when conceiving them?
Those are really good tracks for sure. For me, it would have to be ‘Death and Transformation’ and ‘Enslaved Reality’. Both have a metaphorical meaning in representing a spiritual and mental journey of one’s self in life. In life there will always be Death and Transformation with one’s own character and mental state of being. But also the song represents the transformation of a man into his beast for being the Werewolf. ‘Enslaved Reality’ depicts the struggle of one’s own battles in living day by day in a painful reality that is life, facing the good and bad but sometimes feeling trapped with no way out of the situation you’re in.
A common DNA that has carried over from the demo to the EPs and now the album is your sound, for it has a spirit akin to Finnish Black Metal bands especially Sargeist and Satanic Warmaster. Could you expand on this as well as choosing this aura to represent Kvlt of Odium?
I, as the guitar and main riff writer of the songs, can honestly say from my very infancy of creating music that my main influences behind writing my songs were always STW and Sargeist. Something about that sound always resonated with me and I felt that it was my duty to carry on this sound to our lands and scene. It always had so much more emotion and feels to me. The chords that are created and how they bring such an atmosphere in its progressions to the compositions. I feel very proud to carry the torch into USBM territory. I feel that it will always be my main formula because it is very deep-rooted within the confines of my musical soul.
You’ve played in numerous underground shows with a plethora of other Black Metal acts, can you tell me in your own words what constitutes a perfect live ritual? In regards to the crowd, the venue and the energy, but most importantly the atmosphere.
I believe that there is no such thing as a perfect live ritual. But definitely a memorable one that can truly bring out the entity and spirit of your music. For me, sound and venue would always be key. Because with having a good venue it allows you to have a comfortable battleground in which we can unleash our pillage in all its glory. And most importantly, sound, because without good sound your songs don’t get the proper listening they deserve. You see it in every live video you watch. Black Metal needs a certain venue and certain sound quality in order for it to take hold of your spirit and release the fires that burn within both the player and listener.
As far as crowd goes, sometimes you’ll have a lot of people and other times not so many. It’s always good to play with bands that share the similar passion though because a lot of the times we are bands supporting bands along with friends of the bands as well. So it always feels good to have our friends there with the same vision as us representing this Beautifully Chaotic genre called Black Metal.
You’ve had a shift up in the ranks where you’ve got a new vocalist, Lord Apophis, and you’ve also performed live with him on the Headbanger’s Brawl 4 show at Oakland, could you speak upon this? How has the response been to the new vocalist, but also, how has the dynamic been with him being integrated into your sound?
Lord Apophis, who is actually in another great USBM band called ‘Pagan Ritual’, was brought to us by our bass player. The response has definitely been a good one as he is a great and talented vocalist as well as overall musician. I feel he brings the energy and power that we feel the spot entitles. He fits in with the pack both personality-wise and musicianship. Couldn’t ask for a better warrior in the front lines of battle.
Everything you all have crafted, from the sound and the promotion you have taken a DIY approach, which is rather commendable! From your point of view, what would you describe the underground ethos as opposed to a band in the mainstream light?
I’ve always believed that the underground carries more spirit and power. Mainstream, unfortunately, I feel is the death of anything. It is a sickness that many artists fall to. Black Metal in particular is not meant to be in the mainstream and has no place there. This genre was always made to be in the shadows, in the caves where only those of the sunlight dwell. It was born in DIY as the early originators of the genre have done it. Although we live in modern times, we like to carry on the legacy of DIY and preserve the purity of the spirit. Black Metal is not and should not be for everyone. It does not belong in the light and on the surface. The more Black Metal we have in mainstream, the more it will blend in with modern society and sheep that it was a rebellion against in the beginning.
Regarding your artwork, you’ve adopted the ‘wolf’ motif and various renditions of it appearing from the demos to the EPs and now the album, what does it signify and what was the reasoning with adopting this?
The wolf to us represents rebellion, freedom, the anti-hero, the antagonist, if you will. The wolf is a symbol of strength in our spirit’s primal form. Throughout time, within cultures, wolves have always been used to strike fear into those of opposition. We feel that Wolves and Black Metal go hand in hand. When we started this band, we chose to keep it as part of our identity. It is our Beast against the sheep. Against the mainstream. Without the wolf, Kvlt of Odium would be just like every other generic Black Metal band out there.
I’d like to shift the focus to the genre of Black Metal, what exactly about this art form appeals to you? And how would you speak on it as an artist? How would you define its philosophy and the meaning to you?
Black Metal to us is one of the most obscure art forms. It is a platform we share a deep love for. Since growing up discovering the genre, dwelling deeper and deeper into the underground world of it is never-ending. It speaks to a dark source of life. Making way for freedom of expression. Since its early rising, Black Metal has always been something to be feared. Something that was meant for only a select few. We are not here to please everyone. We are here for the wolves. To represent a time and energy that has long been lost in the genre, but we are bringing it back. True Black Metal needs to be awakened and we are here to be its bell.
Seeing as you’ve played with some underground bands in the genre, who from this scene would you recommend to the readers?
Luckily there are a few right now in our side of the Black Metal spectrum that have definitely shown promise in the ranks. I’d say Pagan Ritual, Sacrificial Altar, Suzerain, Endless Solitude, Hellmoon, Bezaliel, Hateful Winds, and Withermoon.
In terms of the future for Kvlt of Odium, what do you envision for this creature? Are there any plans for new material and shows? Also, would you ever bring the demo and EPs onto physical format?
We plan on trying to conquer new territory by playing more out-of-state shows. Gaining new wolves to our pack and strengthen our numbers. Possibly do some collaborations or splits. Definitely one day try to gather the EPs and demos and release it as a compilation of our works.
I would like to express my gratitude for you taking the time in answering these questions. I’ll leave the last few words to you, any words you’d like to depart onto the readers?
The honour and gratitude is ours. We thank you tremendously for this opportunity to engage with you and be part of your work as well as you with ours.
As for the readers, thank you for all the support and dedication. Without our warriors there is no pack.
And lastly, forever hail True Black Metal.
Death to Sheep, Death to Posers!
Black Metal is not for everyone, it does not belong in the mainstream!
Howls from the Los Angeles Werewolves of Black Metal!
