Blackened Horde: Tell me how the band began? How long you been together?
Mike: Okay, anyways, Mendoz and Ceja started jamming out some ideas in early Feb. 99. They had an add out for a drummer, and I replied I think in April and tried out. Of course I made the band and for the first few months, until about the end of June, it was just us three. Working on new material and stuff.
Blackened Horde: Is the band still a three piece today?
Mike: No, in July, I was contacted by my former band, Bloodcoven. They needed a drummer to do the emperor show so I agreed to fill in. Well, I ended up staying in Ohio for a bit longer than expected and was helping another band. Meanwhile, Mendoz and Ceja were wondering where I was.
Blackened Horde: Then what?
Mike: Well, I ended up calling them back in about September when I returned, and they said they still wanted to jam, so we reformed we then proceeded to complete our lineup. Reformed with who in the band? Grave our vocalist/bassist I had been jamming with for about 2 1/2 years. Me , Mendoz, and Ceja and I asked him to join and Antarktis I met on IRC, he lives in Illinois, he came to try out one weekend, and the rest is history.
Blackened Horde: Okay so in your opinion describe your music?
Mike: Well, I would say it’s best described as melodic black metal. But I think we keep in the heaviness. So I it’s pretty strong, but at the same time melodic
Blackened Horde: Where did the band name come from? Are there any stories behind it?
Mike: Actually, my good friend Sarah helped us with the name. It is Latin for many things the poisoner, bringer of death and wizard or magician
Blackened Horde: Exactly how do you pronounce it?
Mike: ven e fu cum Uhmm, if that helps. It is derived from the word Veneficus.
Blackened Horde: How many demo’s/CD’s does the band have?
Mike: We just recorded our first promo in December of ’99. We are planning on having it pressed soon. We were duplicating them ourselves for a while, but it takes to long and is expensive. We plan on doing a full length shortly after the Milwaukee Metalfest, which we will be playing also.
Blackened Horde: Tell me about some of the songs on the promo?
Mike: Well, there are four tracks all together the first is an intro written by Antarktis. The three songs are the first we wrote I would say our newer stuff will be more technical, this stuff is a bit more straight forward the stuff on the CD I mean. A lot of keyboard, I’m not to pleased with the drum sound but overall, it was a good first recording.
Blackened Horde: who writes the music and lyrics?
Mike: Well, I would say Mendoz is the main contributor at the moment, but the other guys are starting to put stuff in too so I think our new stuff will sound a little different. We all have different influences we will keep it basically the same, I don’t see our band changing to any great extreme. I think we are going to strive for a darker sound on the newer stuff.
Blackened Horde: Who are your influences?
Mike: Me personally, I am very much influenced by Marduk, Dark Funeral, Niden Division, Emperor, Mayhem, Immortal, Satyricon, etc… I would say in general, most of the band has a lot of common influences.
Blackened Horde: Like who?
Mike: The bands I mentioned. Mostly black metal.
Blackened Horde: Have you guys ever played live?
Mike: Yep, the NJ metal meltdown just a few weeks ago, that was our first show. We also have shows booked for Chicago, PA. and St Louis.
Blackened Horde: Describe what you guys are like live?
Mike: Well, we have really mastered it yet, that was our first show the sound was kind of messed up, but I think we pulled it off well. We don’t really go to crazy with the stage gear, like spikes and corpse paint and stuff just go up and play.
Blackened Horde: Do you guys wear corpse paint at all? Our will you in the future?
Mike: Well, it’s up in the air right now, I think if we can think of something original yes, but for now, it is just to played out Besides, the music is number one, that comes first
Blackened Horde: In your opinion what is your meaning and image of black metal?
Mike: Well, I think it’s about stepping out of your shell and being an individual, not following people it has much power to it
Blackened Horde: Are you or anyone in your band into Satanism or Occultism?
Mike: No, Grave has read some stuff, but he is not practicing anything. I am personally against pretty much all organized religions. I say believe in yourself
Blackened Horde: What is your opinion on graveyard desecration’s?
Mike: Well, I am personally neither for it or against it, if it’s what people like to do, go ahead. I don’t think the people buried will mind.
Blackened Horde: What do you think of the Church Burnings over in Norway?
Mike: I think it is very good. I don’t like the fact that so much of northern Europe was destroyed with bullshit religions.
Blackened Horde: What is your opinion on the U.S. Black Metal Scene? What are some of your favorite bands?
Mike: I think it is getting very strong. I think bands like Blood Stained Dusk and Sarcophagus are very good. There are many, it will come out soon I think.
Blackened Horde: Okay and if there were a Florida Black Metal Fest would you guys want to come over and play?
Mike: Hell yes!!
Blackened Horde: Awesome!! What would be your dream show to play?
Mike: I would like to play one of these fests in Europe, that would be killer. A tour with Marduk and Dark Funeral would be great!
Blackened Horde: What does the future hold for the band?
Mike: Well, right now we are just concentrating on playing shows and working on material for the full length.
Blackened Horde: Any last words?
Mike: Yeah, stay metal! Fuck mainstream!!
Blackened Horde: Thank you for the interview.
Mike: Thank you too!!
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/VeneficumBand
https://www.facebook.com/VeneficumBand
