Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
In the winter of 2008, Black Pestilence was formed in Calgary, Canada by bassist/vocalist Valax. Initially, Black Pestilence started as a one-man studio project, but years afterwards, evolved into a three-piece band. Over the years, Black Pestilence has been known for their unique sound by combining black metal, punk rock, thrash, and noise. There have been a number of lineup changes over the years but the most recent one consists of Valax (bass/vocals), Daniel Toews (guitar), and Davey Hellfire (drums). This is the first lineup to be featured on the upcoming album, "Hail the Flesh".
How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
It is a combination of black metal, punk rock, thrash, and noise. Many different bands influence us from Toxic Holocaust, Marduk, to Atari Teenage Riot.
Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
We are offering something unique, sonically and visually.
What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
Current releases include:
Vice (2009)
Tradition is Obsolete (2011)
In Defiance (2013)
Cyber Disarray (Split - 2014)
Outsiders (2015)
Carry On the Black Flame (EP - 2016)
Urban Hell Rhythmics (2018)
Upon the first release of "Vice", it was generally favoured well by the underground black metal community. However, some found it too chaotic and dismissed it right away. It could have been due to using a drum machine on that album and utilizing it in inhuman ways. By the time "In Defiance" was released, Black Pestilence was no longer a one-man studio project and was playing live regularly. We started to gain local/regional traction and the public and media started to really take note of us. By 2016 with the release of "Carry on the Black Flame", we had started to tour internationally.
Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far?
We try to play a select amount within our region but do plan for more large scale tours in the future once this virus passes.
What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
Our music is different. Regardless if you like it or not, it is a unique combination of black metal, thrash, punk, and noise. There are not many other bands out there that are doing something like that along with a visual theme.
What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
We had a number of tours planned for 2020 after our release of "Hail the Flesh", but of course like all other tours, have been cancelled as a result of the pandemic. We will now be focusing on more online content including livestream/recorded performances.
Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
https://blackpestilence.bandcamp.com/
March 2020