Occasvs – Dark Manifestations
Monday, 9th October 2017
In the works for what amounts to eons (really, 12 years), Occasvs’s Nocturnal Majestic Mysteria is the result of re-working, re-tooling and replacing band members. Such is life for an extreme band in Chile, one, who based on Nocturnal Majestic Mysteria, is one to be reckoned with. Combining the nihilistic tones of black metal with murky, abyss-like death metal, Occasvs have carved out an indelible, highly-orchestrated niche for themselves. With the album’s release now in view, we sent the band some Q’s. Here’s how one (uncredited) member responded:
Dead Rhetoric: You originally formed in 2002, but have only a demo and now a full-length to your name. Is there any reason why the band has taken so long to release new material?
Several reasons: Nocturnal Majestic Mysteria was recorded three separate times. We discarded the master of the first version because we replaced the keyboard with another guitar, in order to give greater weight and reinforce melodic themes that were lost by the use of keys. In the next version we had the departure of our previous drummer, and in the middle of that recording, Sinn Hayek joined the cult and we made the decision to re-record, this time a definitive version. In all that time, several musicians passed by that in one way or another, ended up delaying the completion of the LP.
Dead Rhetoric: Can you compare the Chilean metal scene of today to when you started in 2002?
I don’t think I’m the right voice to talk about the supposed metal scene in Chile, because I’ve never been too involved in it, mainly because I live far away. Despite this, I believe that today it is much more professional than in those years, because with the arrival of better technology and the internet, Chilean musicians have also been more exposed to the world, with more tools available and greater means to achieve quality work.
Dead Rhetoric: We may know the answer to this already, but, is it difficult to maintain a metal band in Chile?
Today I think that it’s not so difficult, even though you spend resources and invaluable time. Somehow, when you have enough internal fire to do what you want, you stop caring about how ungrateful it can be many times.
Dead Rhetoric: As for the present, how did you end up signing with Unspeakable Axe?
Contacting them through their networks. At first we sent a press kit and a link to listen one track from the LP. Eric was interested and asked for more material, until he finally offered us a pact.
Dead Rhetoric: How long did it take to put Nocturnal Majestic Mysteria together?
Nocturnal … was devised around 2005-2006, the way it is today. There is a hidden version of this material from that time and the tracks are in the same order that we played them live in those years. This new definitive version has several improvements in terms of audio, but we jealously take care not to touch its essence, so in a way, for us it is a time capsule.
Dead Rhetoric: We cannot discuss the album without starting with Andante nocturno Op.7. What led you to putting it first on the album?
Nocturnal Majestic Mysteria revolves around an initiatic / mysteric journey and each piece that composes it has an order within this logic. “Andante Nocturno Op.7” is the representation of the beginning of that journey, in a way that you can close your eyes and perceive it as a sonic painting. It could have been another song, like “Union” for example, that also was composed on keyboard; but this way, “Andante …” forces you to step back and perceive Nocturnal … as a whole in the way we want to reveal it, for those who have ears to hear and are able to understand. It is in itself an “initiation” to the LP, the first part of this, which leaves you willing to reach the next stage.
Dead Rhetoric: Nocturnal Majestic Mysteria is quite the blend of extreme black metal with atmospheric elements. However, you often disregard normal songwriting conventions. Are you the type of band that plays off “feel” above anything else?
Nocturnal Majestic Mysteria is a conceptual, sensorial and organic record. Even though in general terms we could say that it is Black Metal, Occasvs is not based on the norms of any particular style, flowing at will within its own parameters, invoking mental images and transmitting certain concepts about our Chthonic cult. The music of Occasvs is eclectic and cryptic. Creating it is a response to a deep internal artistic motivation.
Dead Rhetoric: Are live shows ever an option for the band?
We’re preparing some manifestations for when the stars are favorable to us and all the necessary elements are correctly invoked.
Dead Rhetoric: Finally, what’s on your agenda for the rest of 2017?
To keep creating the spells for the next album that continues the procession of our torches to the entrails of the earth…
