1. Ethereal Rot started around 2019, initially as a personal project of Dan Train. Over the years, new members joined, eventually forming the current lineup of Dan, Duncan, Cody, Taylor, and Brett. How would you describe this process of the band's consolidation? Why did you choose the name Ethereal Rot, and what does it refer to?
Dan initially created the band after his longtime project Sawtopsy disbanded with close friend JP and prior Sawtopsy bassist Ryan who left the band in 2024 before JP shortly after in 2025. Various member changes were simply due to logistics and who was available to step up at the time. There were periods of time where the band went without a vocalist and second guitarist. We can confidently say after a few lineup changes we have found our core all star roster that we plan on keeping together for as long as possible.
2. After a couple of initial EPs, your first album, "Ethereal Rot," has finally been released. How important was having a stable lineup in making the album a reality? What was the songwriting and recording process like for this first album? What brands of instruments did you use?
The album was almost completed when Taylor joined Dan, Duncan, & Cody in 2024 however Taylor’s production expertise became a valuable resource as he took over the tracking and post production for the album shortly after joining. Unfortunately longtime guitarist JP had to leave in 2025 but Brett joined in December to quickly record the final guitar parts that Taylor used to finalize the production process. These songs have been worked on for several years so it feels amazing for them to finally come out. We play Legator, Ibanez, & LTD guitars/basses, PRS, Hartke, & Bugera Amps, alongside Tama Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, & Shure Microphones. Many of this gear was used during the recording process alongside cab sims for DI tracking and Roland E-drums for drum tracking.
3. “Ethereal Rot” offers a devastating sound that combines a core death metal sound, not without a certain technicality, with other styles such as blackened metal. The result is a destructive, dense, and violent album where both death and terror permeate the atmosphere. Beyond the recognizable elements of death metal, what other bands and styles influenced you when composing the album? How would you describe the album's sound to someone who hasn't heard it yet?
Our sound can be described as atmospheric while remaining technical within the realms of death metal to please a wide array of listeners. We love weird sounding elements of noise and try to incorporate unique flairs in our sound. The bands who influenced us the most for this particular album would be Ulcerate, Gorguts, Origin, Demon King, & Portal. While we love more orthodox blackened bands like Emperor, Mayhem, & Deafheaven we also enjoy every other band inside the death metal space. Thank you for the kind words regarding our music, it means a lot as we strive to create a sound that is original.
4. The lyrics cover a wide range of styles. On one hand, we have all that cosmic horror and Lovecraftian elements, and on the other, more personal ones. What specific themes do you address in your lyrics? How does the inspiration for them arise? Do the lyrics adapt to the music, or vice versa?
The lyrics basically vibe with whatever the mood might be for the day or whatever the specific song is calling for. Our themes cover various horror stories pertaining to corruption, greed, unearthly creations, apocalyptic ideals, and other dark themes we’ve grown accustomed to finding within metal music. Certain compositions will invoke various emotions given the BPM or diminished feel of a chord progression which can also trigger various lyrical patterns for new vocal styles as you could say that our lyrics certainly do adapt as the song progresses!
5. It seems you handled the entire recording, mixing, and mastering process of the album yourselves. When did you decide to take on this aspect yourselves, and how did the whole process unfold?
Where each band member has well over 15+ years of experience playing in bands and recording in professional studios we’ve learned that this is no cheap hobby. Taylor’s production skills with Granite Tomb Records over the years have continued to grow and evolve so when Taylor joined the band it only made sense for him to handle the mixing/mastering after Dan fully handled the production on the first two Ethereal Rot EPs.
6. Something similar happened with the physical and digital release of the album, which you also decided to do your own way. How did you make this decision? Did you receive any offers from record labels to release the new album?
We did talk to a few record labels before deciding to take the DIY route and making this an independent release. Instead of trying to sell our value to a label we figured it would be best to build our band as an independent exciting new entity first that will have immense value years from now in case the right label does want to work together down the line. We plan on staying independent otherwise for as long as possible as we prefer to retain full creative control, copyright, and management decisions in house.
7. The album cover clearly reflects the influence of Lovecraft's work. Who designed this cover? What does it represent, and how does it relate to the album's content?
Mark Erskine at Erskine Designs did our album artwork. He is a well known designer within the art and music communities for his notable artworks with bands like Inanimate Existence, Xenobiotic, Scordatura, & Monolith. Here is the general lore behind each track’s lyrics and how they pertain to the album’s artwork:
- The Beckoning Contagion: Earth cries out for death, having been abused by humanity for too long—she’s reached her breaking point. The Mother God calls on the Black Hole Covenant to destroy the corruption of Humanity, and their dying Earth with them.
- That Which Dwells: The arrival of the Black Hole Covenant, harbingers of the Anath’Rhul, the beginning of the end.
- Ophidian Womb: The impregnating of the Virgin Mary, under the light of the moon. The night from which forth humanity was led down the path of corruption as they separate from the divine order set forth by the Mother God.
- Festum Terrae: “The Feast of the Earth.” This track covers the Black Hole Covenant feasting upon humanity, the Earth, and finally the power found beyond the gate in our Temple of the Seven Flames.
- Into the Naught: A lamentation for humanity’s demise.
8. You've always emphasized the importance of the underground scene and for up-and-coming bands to gain exposure. How important is it for you to nurture this underground scene? What bands from your area would you recommend?
It’s crucial to manifest, collaborate, and cherish any local music community we can create no matter where we live. We’ve seen metal grow to its largest community yet in 2026 as it’s never been bigger than it is right now which gives us lots of hope. We are fortunate to have an incredible local metal community here in New England with almost too many shows happening daily to pick from. A few locals we’d recommend are: Stillborn Condition, The Burial Curse, Supplication, Fallen Monarch, Graveborn, Agenbite Misery, Epicenter, Graviton, My Missing Half, & Maidenhead.
9. Equally important to you is connecting with your fans and performing live. How has the live presentation of the new album been? What can your fans expect from one of your concerts?
While we aren’t playing out a ton right now due to hectic work schedules, families, and other home commitments; we have had an incredible response so far at our live shows this year to the new music! We are hoping to play out more this fall and into next year while branching out to new areas to help expand our fanbase across the states.
10. Will we have to wait another long time to enjoy new music from you, or are you already working on a follow-up to this first album?
We are already working on the follow up LP to our debut album. We currently have 4 songs written and will begin the tracking/pre-production process this winter when we slow down from playing shows. Winters in New England are usually best for writing and recording new music while the spring through fall months are much more suitable for live performances.
11. How did you get started in music? What were the first concerts you attended? What were the first albums you bought? What event in your lives inspired you to become musicians?
We’ve each been playing instruments for 15+ years and have all been listening to heavy music since our parents first let us access a radio or computer. Dan once saw Slipknot back in the late 90’s, a few of us got to attend early Ozzfests, New England Metalfests, and iconic tours like songs of the underground back in the early 2000’s. Some of the earliest albums we remember buying were from bands like Metallica, Mastodon, Opeth, Lamb of God, Meshuggah, many of the standard legacy bands most younger listeners start with. Summer Slaughter & New England Metalfest are definitely the most impactful events from our youth alongside Ozzfest & Mayhem Fest as the dream has always been to open up for one of those legendary events given their local impact over the years.
12. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What are the most recent albums you've bought?
Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk truly represents the highest level of black metal mastery. While Emperor’s albums before and after are equally as impressive, Anthems defines the genre in so much passion that we feel everyone needs to experience it. 2026 has been an excellent year for new releases as we’ve really been enjoying new Stormkeep, Tomarum, Worm, Panopticon, & Tabernakel albums. Other highly recommended recent purchases include new Demon King, Exhumed, & Immolation albums.
13. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Ethereal Rot fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us and for checking out our debut album. The kind words, support, and dedication to this wonderful genre we love so much mean everything to us!
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