1. Teratum was formed in 2024. Why did you decide to create the band? Why did you choose the name Teratum, and what does it refer to?
DTH and PWL were part of the Black Thrash band Beastiality and after the last two gigs in march of 2024 it became clear that the band had run its course. Since DTH and PWL shared a common visión, the decisión to form a new band to keep on carrying the torch was made. It was decided very early on that we wanted to have DMH of Die Hard (Swedish Thrash band) infamy on vocals/guitar, and he agreed, thus the core of Teratum was formed. We were after a name that was original and that we could fill with its own meaning and power instead of opting for a more commonly used word/name. The meaning is personal.
2. Despite being active for a short time, the members of Teratum have extensive experience in Swedish extreme metal bands. How do you balance working in these different bands with Teratum, and most importantly, how do you find the time and motivation to embark on a new project? Is it difficult to set boundaries between your different projects? In other words, do you have a clear idea of how each one should sound?
Teratum is for all intended purpuses the bandmembers main priority, the idea to créate the band was spawned the moment the demise of Beastiality became evident. Of course being active in several bands as well as just being alive demands time management, no one is in this because its easy, its a calling. The process of shaping the songs for the minialbum showed us what Teratum was meant to be and has since become even clearer as to what Teratum is, and thus what ideas to work with in that framework.
3. Teratum seems destined for a career firmly rooted in the underground, starting with the release of a demo and now taking a significant step forward with their first EP. What are your expectations for Teratum? How did you approach the songwriting and recording process for “Ordnance of Spiritual Warfare”? What differences can we expect compared to the sound of last year's demo? What brands of instruments did you use during the process?
There is no recording difference comparing the promo tape and minialbum, except that the promo tape had 2 songs and the MLP has 4 and a major upgrade in sound and especially packaging with the LP and CD editions. The promo tape was made as a limited edition for us to sell at our first live show so that the old school bangers could check out some of our songs in an underground way. The songs that shape the minialbum was already written when the band was formed, but draped in a new cloak under the new banner of Teratum. Teratum abuses BC Rich exclusively!
4. The sound of “Ordnance of Spiritual Warfare” maintains a balance between black metal, primitive thrash, and classic influences, always preserving its inherent violence and aggression. How would you describe the sound of this EP to someone who hasn't heard it yet? What inspired you to compose and record “Ordnance of Spiritual Warfare”?
Teratum dwells within the Black/Thrash genre. Though we add additional poison from our nordic Black Metal bloodline, the chaos of South Americas Metal Extremo and some madness of the Ross Bay Cult. The minialbum is the result of a fire that must burn!
5. You also maintain a fairly recognizable style in your lyrical themes: death, occultism, and Satanism, among others. Do you consider that a style like 80s-style black/thrash lends itself to these themes? Furthermore, are the themes inextricably linked to this style? What inspired you to write the lyrics for the EP? Do the lyrics adapt to the music, or vice versa?
The lyrics are extensions of who we are. We write what we feel must come out and be channeled through the audio violence at hand. You cant play the devils music without the devil.
6. There isn't much information about the recording, mixing, and mastering process for the album. Did you do it yourselves, or did you record in a studio?
The recording was mainy done by PWL in the bands own studio facilities to preserve complete creative freedom while shaping the sound and in that way the foundation of the band and direction of work to come. Anders Eriksson of Offbeat Studio (also active in the band Vananidr) handled the mastering.
7. It seems that Dying Victims Productions has become the perfect haven for bands of a specific style—that is, bands with a retro and underground feel where black metal merges with thrash or speed metal elements. Beyond that, how did the opportunity to work together on the release of "Ordnance of Spiritual Warfare" arise?
We thought that they would be a suitable working partner based on their reléase history, so we reached out and a deal was made. The LP edition of the minialbum came out very good and no expense was spared in that part, so we are happy with that.
8. The cover doesn't quite capture the more traditional metal feel; it seems to convey a more occult character. Who designed this cover, and how does it relate to the EP's content?
You are right, it heralds the coming of Teratum as a destructive forcé. All accompaning artwork for the minialbum was made specificly for Teratum to fit with the message and lyrics of the band. In essence we are more of a Black Metal band so the illustrations depicts what we feel the band represent more then trying to fit into something “retro traditional”. The artwork was made by Mörkestöl a skilled tattooer based in Stockholm, who among others have worked with Ofermod and our old band Beastiality. The layout was handled by M.A of Ultra Silvam.
9. Another noteworthy aspect is your creation of a couple of music videos to promote the EP. How did the idea for these videos come about, and how were they filmed? What do you think they might contribute to your promotion?
We saw it as a natural way to promote the band and spread the plague. Like the production of the minialbum we handled the process ourselves including filming and editing of the videos to have complete creative freedom. Leviathan Rise and Total Void were the natural choices from the minialbum to do videos for.
10. How do you see the state of Swedish extreme metal since you've been active in your various projects? How did the opportunity to collaborate with SET, from the Italian band Feralia, come about?
When the recording of Ordnance Of Spiritual Warfare was finished we started to get offers to play live and thus needed one more guitar player to bring the live attack into fruition. Set lived in Stockholm, Sweden at the moment and was looking for a band to join and we needed a guitar player.
11. What are your plans for concerts to present the new EP? What can your fans expect from one of your shows?
The reléase of Ordnance Of Spiritual Warfare was celebrated in Uppsala with a performance, then Umeå was desecrated when we participated in the Outbreak Of Evil festival on the 10th of October together with Gates Of Ishtar, Voodus and Svederna, then there was the return to Stockholm on the 30th of October for a headline show. The congregating masses should expect a bestial onslaught of Metal and Death, Blood and Bones, Fire and Faith!
12. 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?
This would be quite comprehensive if going deep into it. But lets say that the bigger bands that are more easily accessable showed the path into the abyss of the undergroud step by step. Once the music speaks to your soul and you understand that you have the creative drive, there is no turning back. Never stop the madness!
13. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What are your latest albums?
Some bands that may be relevant to understand the path of Teratum are: Dissection, Bathory, Venom, Nifelheim, Merciless, Blasphemy, Sarcofago, Funeral Mist and Malign. Of course you cant escape the greatness of 80s Metallica and Slayer as well. One should always check out something that is released by Norma Evangelium Diaboli, Sepulchral Voice Records and Invictus Productions, regarding newer albums.
14. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Teratum fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
Thank you for the interest in the band. Those who are tired of wimps and posers may enter the hall of Teratum!
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