Interview: Inherits The Void
French artist Inherits The Void recently released their 2nd album titled The Impending Fall of the Stars, an all-out melodic black metal gem. For listeners new to the artist’s work, this is a pleasant surprise, particularly when you realize how under-the-radar they have been up until now. That is bound to change, as their sound is sure to please many fans of this sub-genre. As of now, they are making quality music that needs to be shared with a wider audience. This is not abnormal for many talented artists under the black metal canopy, as there are many talented acts out there who have limited reach. Yet, this is definitely one of the most talented and intriguing artists who have yet to be discovered by a wide audience.
We recently had the privilege of interviewing Inherits the Void to ask them questions about their music, what drives their creative process, and what lies behind the artist’s inspirations.
Thanks so much for agreeing to do an interview with Blacforje! I’m honored to have you as a featured guest. You live in France, correct? What part exactly?
Thanks a lot to Blacforje for this opportunity! It’s always a pleasure to answer questions about Inherits The Void. Yes, that’s it, I live in France, and more precisely in the center of France in a state named Auvergne. It's a mountainous region full of different kinds of natural landscapes and still preserved from the abusive urbanization of large metropolises. I like it, and I appreciate being able to quickly leave the city to get lost in the surrounding countryside.
Monts du Forez in Auvergne (©Antoine S.)
Are you originally from France? What is the black metal scene like where you are?
Yes, I’m originally from France. The French Black Metal scene (as the Death Metal scene) is very inspiring and interesting to my mind. However, it's sometimes necessary to be vigilant in order to dismiss NSBM bands (fuck them!).
Since the 90s, many bands have succeeded in proposing and exporting their vision of style. I think for the first one to Deathspell Omega or Blut Aus Nord but also to Regarde Les Hommes Tomber, Céleste, Déluge, Alcest, and many others. Each of them have added some subtle and eclectic influences (from sludge, post-hardcore, shoegaze) to their black metal roots.
And even the bands that officiate in a more traditional style – I think of Seth, Aorlhac, Belenos, Darkenhold, Pénitence Onirique, Merrimack, etc. (the list is quite long!) - offer albums in which subtle elements that set them apart within the European Black metal scene. But it is not the prerogative of France since bands with similar purposes exist all over the world, each of them inspired by their own culture.
Your most recent album titled The Impending Fall of the Stars is an absolute masterpiece in atmospheric/melodic black metal. The first time I heard it blew me away. What inspired this record?
Wow, thanks a lot for your words about The Impending Fall of the Stars! It’s always a pleasure when I receive such compliments, and it means a lot for me. In fact, the album is inspired by my oldest original influences. After some "post" experimentation with the previous album, Monolith of Light, I wanted to turn back to songs that expose my strongest tastes and influences in terms of metal music. I'm a huge fan of the 90s Scandinavian scene, both black metal and death metal with which I have forged my musical culture. What stands out with this album are my original influences, which I crossed with my French approach to black metal and its post-black metal vision. I hope people feel this crossover and enjoy the music. In a few words, I would say that The Impending Fall of the Stars is a melodic black metal album with raging melodies and ethereal keys. But people will probably define Inherits The Void’s music differently through their own standards, I guess. That's a good thing, because the main thing is that people can be touched by their own perspective and emotions.
Avantgarde Music (layouts)
Does faith, spirituality, or a philosophical worldview drive you as both a human and an artist? If so, can you share about that with us?
No particular beliefs except a humanist and ecological reflection which is always part of my lyrics. When I compose, what inspires me the most is nature and wild landscapes. As I said, I live in a mountainous region in France where I can easily enjoy this nature. But international geopolitical news and national politics also influence my work, especially when I begin to write lyrics. In short, I wanted Inherits The Void to create an outlet for my own perception of our current societies. The objective being to combine rage and melodies in a mutual coordination. With Inherits The Void, I wanted to transcribe my fears, my disgust, but also my hopes in a music that wants to be "extreme" through a melancholic side of the emotions. “Man is a wolf to man”, as Hobbes said, and every day we witness acts of intolerance, rejection, authoritarianism, and a certain form of humanist and humanitarian despair in France, as elsewhere in the world.
Do you have plans to play your music live anytime soon? Any thoughts of coming to the United States for live shows?
Inherits The Void has been conceived as a studio project, while 2 years ago my first child was born. The “one-man-band” allowed me to keep playing and making music while taking care of my family. Before that, I was in a band for many years – LYRSIDE for melodic death metal lovers – and it takes a lot of time and energy playing and touring with a real band. But the actual situation of Inherits The Void is not fixed. More and more I’m thinking about playing live. Maybe it will change in the next few months or years. I don’t know. For the moment, I want to keep the balance and preserve my family life.
What artists and bands have influenced your work for Inherits The Void?
Definitely I’d say Vinterland, Sacramentum, Emperor, In Flames (first era), and Dissection. These are my main influences.
Indeed, I have a particular weakness for the black metal (and related) scene of the 90s (Vinterland, Mork Gryning, Sacramentum, Dissection, Noctes) or the melodic death metal scene of the same decade (In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Gates Of Ishtar, Unanimated, etc.). If these are my main orientations, I also have many others: Katatonia, Morbid Angel, Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Regarde Les Hommes Tomber, Misery Index, Textures... I try not to compartmentalize myself, even if I have my classics.
The last and most important question: Do you folks in France actually like éclairs, or is that just something us silly Americans think is a French thing, but it’s really not? For clarity, I love those things.
Haha! You mean the pastry, right? Yes, French people like that. It’s something very popular here - not very expensive at all - and you can find them in each bakery in every town, but I didn’t know that you guys in the U.S. thought it was a purely French thing. You should try the “mille feuilles” or the “Paris-Brest” which are other kinds of pastries (as goods as the first one!).
