SOURCE – Firstly, congratulations on Lux, it’s and incredible album! Tell us a little bit about the album and how the production and recording went for this?
Grant Netzorg (Guitars, Vocals) – Thanks! We’re glad that it’s generally being well-received. We recorded this album over seven days in August of 2019 at Flatline Audio in Denver with Dave Otero. This was our first recording as a 3-piece, and it was also the first time I’ve recorded with Ben Pitts (Nightwraith, False Cathedrals) and JP Damron (Vermin Womb, Bleakheart, Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire). They are both insanely talented musicians, and it’s been a pleasure to play with them and have them in this band.
SOURCE – It can be difficult to hold on to a sound you’ve become known for while also trying to explore new musical areas?
Grant Netzorg (Guitars, Vocals) – I don’t feel like we owe any allegiance to whatever we’ve done on previous recordings, so not really. That being said, it’s still me writing the music, so it will still always have things in common with our previous work. Nonetheless, part of the fun for me is seeing how we grow and develop, so I’m always open to seeing where we can take things musically.
SOURCE – Fan reaction, as is often the case, seems to have been mixed if the Internet reaction is any indication. Have you gone online much, if at all, to read some of the responses that fans have had to the new album?
Grant Netzorg (Guitars, Vocals) – So far, everything I’ve read has been largely positive. I try not to worry to much about how our work is received, but its nonetheless nice when people seem to be into it.
SOURCE – Are making videos a pain? Or do you approach them as an extension of what the band do instead of merely promotional certainties?
Grant Netzorg (Guitars, Vocals) – We haven’t really done much video aside from having some of our live shows recorded, so it has been relatively painless in that respect. Last year we played a show that had live visuals being done by an artist who goes by Mothpowder Light Show, and we have since reached out to him to create footage which would be projected against us while we perform. With the whole Covid-19 thing, however, all shows we had on the books are either postponed or cancelled, but I’m holding out hope that we’ll get to break out that performance with the visuals at some point.
SOURCE – Have you been doing any live-streamed concerts during COVID-19 or do you plan to? A lot of artists have been doing them, do you think it’s a challenge to make them original and interesting?
Grant Netzorg (Guitars, Vocals) – We considered trying to do a livestream of our record release performance (which, as of the time of this writing, would have been tonight) in a closed bar without an audience, but we weren’t able to make it work. Otherwise, we have no plans for livestreams at this stage, but we won’t rule it out.
SOURCE – What is the best way fans can support you financially right now? Buying vinyl and CDs, downloading and streaming your music, buying merch, supporting your Patreon page or other crowd sourcing platform (if you use one), or some other means? Is there a particularly cool piece of merch you’d like to highlight?
Grant Netzorg (Guitars, Vocals) – Buying anything from us directly through our bandcamp page is the best way to ensure we actually see your support. In particular, any sales of physical merch like shirts, CDs, and LPs are helpful, as we won’t have the opportunity to sell those items live for the foreseeable future.
https://inthecompanyofserpentsdoom.bandcamp.com/merch
SOURCE – Where do you see the state of doom/stoner metal? Do you ever believe there will be a band in the genre that could ascend to the level of popularity of Black Sabbath again in our lifetime-or will this always be a cult, niche-like appeal sub-genre?
Grant Netzorg (Guitars, Vocals) – It seems to be thriving and sustaining itself, although maybe not as much as 4-5 years ago, when it seemed like every other metal band coming out was named something like “Weed Goat Bong Lord”. I don’t know if anyone will ever reach the level of ascendancy that Sabbath achieved, but as long as there are people are out there making heavy, visceral music that comes from their gut, I’m cool with that.
SOURCE – What’s the band up to for the rest of the year?
Grant Netzorg (Guitars, Vocals) – We had been planning on touring the USA later this autumn, but have no idea if that will still be a possibility, given the prevailing plague winds of the moment.
Contact:
In The Company Of Serpents
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