Interview: Trébuchet SDG
Image by Trébuchet SDG
The burgeoning “unblack” (aka – Christian Black Metal; aka – CBM) scene is going nowhere but rather growing at a rapid pace. For Christians fans of extreme metal, this will be greeted with joyous celebration! For black metal traditionalists, eyes will roll, and words may be uttered that we won’t utter here. Regardless of which side you may find yourself standing, it’s undeniable that many of the CBM bands and artists popping up across the globe are musically respectable and quite, quite good.
Within Thy Wounds, Fathomage, Daygraves, Marble Tomb, Jernlov, etc. The list is becoming longer than what once seemed like 5-10 CBM bands in the entire stratosphere. We can credit this growth to multiple things, likely including technological advancement. One such development is the tech that has given artists the ability to record and produce in their own “studio”, whether that be an actual studio or their parents’ basement. I would argue what is probably driving the subgenres growth so rapidly is likely streaming services. Artists may hate them, but let’s be real, everyone wants new music all the time. More people now than ever are being introduced to black metal, finding a love for the stylistic leanings while maybe not being so drawn to the “traditionalist”, dark lyrical content. In response, they’re creating something new, something…un-black.
Trébuchet SDG is quite possibly the best black metal artist to arrive in 2023. Note, I didn’t say “CBM artist”. Bold a statement as it may be, Trébuchet SDG rivals any other black metal act that has arrived this past year. The music is well-crafted, poignant, beautiful, and quite harsh all in unison. If anything, that’s a perfect description of a perfect black metal record. Fans of satanic black metal are writhing in pain as they read these words, no doubt.
I’m honored to have had the opportunity to ask Trébuchet SDG some questions about who they are as an artist, what inspired them to start making black metal music, and what we are allowed to know about them outside of black metal.
Thanks so much for joining Blacforje for a conversation! I’m very excited to dig deeper into who you are as an artist and a person, so glad to have you!
Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure!
First off, can you tell me where you’re from and what inspired you to start Trébuchet SDG?
I’m from Finland. What inspired me to start Trébuchet is that I had a plan to do a black metal project that would be very melodic and epic, and I wanted to find a way to combine Medieval and Neoclassical elements with my favorite type of metal. The name for the band, Trébuchet, meaning a certain type of a medieval catapult, I got when I was in Toledo, Spain some years ago, and there was this catapult museum that inspired me a lot.
You just released your first full-length album Through the Dark Ages. I say this with no insincerity: it’s fantastic! For a first album, it seems like you’ve been doing this for longer than, well, one album. How do you feel it has been received by listeners so far?
Thanks! Yes, it’s actually my first release ever. I have done music for my whole life though, but now was the right time for this. Before releasing anything, I spent about 2-3 years learning how to mix, because I wanted to learn that skill. I’ve been surprised by all the positive messages and comments about the album. Thanks to every one of you. I have also received requests for physical copies a lot so HEAR YE! HEAR YE! I will make it happen!
‘Through the Dark Ages’ by Trébuchet SDG
Why the Dark Ages for the theme of this album? What inspired that?
The name fits the medieval atmosphere of the music and the aesthetics of Trebuchet. Even though the medieval times weren’t completely dark (lots of great inventions happened, etc.), it was a very dark period, especially spiritually, and this is exactly what I wanted to handle in some of the songs. It’s also about spiritual warfare. The Dark Ages theme can also be adapted to the present day, for sure, and the future as the times get darker. The next album will continue with the same theme.
If you had to label your music (which I know no artist wants to do), how would you describe it?
I have no problem with these things. To me it is just a way to inform the listener what kind of sound to expect when they are going to check out your music for the first time. When it comes to the style of metal, it is closest to black metal. Very melodic and atmospheric, as well. It has this Medieval and Neoclassical feeling too. I grew up listening to classical music, so that is an important element to me. So, Medieval/Neoclassical black metal or extreme metal would be the closest [laughs].
Have you been into black metal for long, or is this a newfound style of metal that you wanted to explore as a musician?
Years ago when I discovered extreme metal, I tried to find what kind of sound and style would please me the most. My favorite metal bands come from that subgenre. In black metal I especially like its ability to combine beautiful atmospheric melodies with heaviness and rawness. To me, it’s like a perfect harmony between beauty and chaos, and there are so many ways to do it. I have also played other types of metal and hardcore punk, but black metal has been the most natural tool to me to achieve the sound I want.
You are a Christian, to my knowledge. Can you tell me a little bit about your faith and how that impacts your work as Trébuchet SDG?
I put it first in everything. It’s a 24/7 thing. A living relationship, not walking by sight. Following Christ, taking up my cross daily, crucifying my pride daily, knowing I’d fail in my own strength and wisdom. I’m a strict Sola Scriptura guy. The abbreviation SDG in the band’s name also means Soli Deo gloria – “Glory to God alone”, inspired by one of my favorite composers J.S. Bach who used it, as well. That’s why in this project the message and the music should have the main role, and the artist as a person only stays in a small, insignificant supporting role somewhere in the background.
Have you been able to connect with other artists in the “unblack” or “Christian black metal” underground? If so, are you considering any collaborations in the future?
Yes, I have. I did a spoken word part for a Marble Tomb song and vocals for four different songs on the new Jernlov album. Thank you, gentlemen, for inviting me on board! I make all the graphics for Trébuchet, but I have done artwork for other artists as well - recently some designs for my friend in Kärv. So, the answer is “yes” for different types of collaborations.
Even though I'm bad at networking, I take it very positively when people contact me, so there’s no reason to expect any rain of flaming arrows from here [laughs]. The scene has great folks, and I am happy to see how versatile it is.
Who are you outside of Trébuchet SDG?
I’m a history freak. I lift weights and swim, travel to historical places, and I enjoy the outdoors. I love old art and old architecture, especially gothic architecture.
I study the Scriptures a lot. And I have a hobby of studying different languages as well. I build Medieval inspired stuff from wood sometimes. I have a praying wife who’s the best person ever. And I may have seen The Lord of The Rings trilogy a couple of times [laughs].
Last question: Coffee or tea? There is a correct answer to this question.
Protein shake, which shows I’m not really THAT Medieval [laughs]. Cheers!
