Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release?
Auré (vocals): We are very proud to release our second full-length album, Vae Victis, on the 23rd of April this year. Our first album was released one year ago, in February 2020, just before lockdown. We used this period and the cancelation of our spring and autumn tours to write and record this second album. That was fast and really cool! 
Jay (bass): We are really happy with the result of this album, its sound is raw and powerful as we wanted it to be. 10 tracks of pure aggressive energy. Since we all knew each other, and each other’s style of playing, way better at the time of the writing of this album, the writing was a lot more quick and efficient.

How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sound like anything we might have heard before?
Jay: The music of Akiavel is a mix of all the metal styles the 4 of us love: Thrash, Death Metal and even Hardcore. We all come from very different musical backgrounds, all linked to metal at some point, so we have a lot of different references in mind when it comes to writing new songs. This is why our music is difficult to label, it is a kind of mix of a lot of influences that brings, at least to our opinion, our own style. Let’s say it is a mix between Arch Enemy and Hatebreed, with some Testament and Benighted notes (laugh).

Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
Auré: We recorded it at the Artmusic Studio, South of France, as for our first album, V. The mastering was made by Kohlekeller Studio (Aborted etc.) in Germany.
Jay: The recording and mixing process lasted 5 weeks. For all of us, it was fairly easy since it was exactly the same place and team as for the first album, we were in a pretty familiar and easy environment.
Auré: One funny part of the recording was when our kids came over at the studio to record the backing vocals on the track Comrad. It was funny to have them sing along on our recording. At the beginning, they actually tried to sing with a very low voice, like if they wanted to imitate Death Metal vocals. They were kind of impressed and wanted to do as good as possible by singing “Death Metalish”. So we had to train them and convince them to sing as neutral and natural as possible, with their “real” kid’s voice, even on this very aggressive song. Which they eventually did perfectly at the end of the day, and we are really happy with the result! (laugh)

What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics?
Auré: The lyrics of this album tell the story of 10 different, and well-known, serial killers that have lived over the past century. Each song is about one of them. The cover artwork, by Raf the Might, who also did the cover of our first album, is absolutely linked to this subject.
Basically, it represents the time who flies, as you can guess from the huge hourglass in the middle of the cover. The album is about serial killers, but the main killer is actually, for all humans, time. This is symbolized by the two scythes. On the top of the cover, you can see the word “Deus”, God in Latin, who is always above everything: humans, death and time.
The left sentence is in French, and taken from the bible. It may translate as “Remember me when it’s time for your reign”. And on the right, a latin sentence states “Forgive them, they do not know what they are doing”. You also have references to the phases of the moon as another symbol of passing time, and to the snake, because it is the first of all human sins.
Jay: As you can see, it is a very cool and complete artwork cover (laugh)

What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band's aims at the moment?
Jay: We would like to gain some new fans all around the world. We are lucky enough to have very positive feedback on our music and music videos from all over the world, we feel that our music finds its public quite easily as long as it actually reaches new persons and territories. So we hope we can spread ever and ever again. Also thanks to interviews like yours (laugh)
Auré: Social networks have been of great help on this aspect of the spreading of our music. It is just crazy for such a new band like us to get to be listened to in Mexico, US, Canada or even Indonesia, which are places where we have never been or played as a band!
Jay: So we want to use this somewhat new and complex period to be active and productive (with this album, the music videos etc.), to gain new fans all around the world, so that we may tour as many countries as possible once all this shit is over (laugh)

Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
Auré: our album will be available in digipack CD, and of course may be downloaded on all digital platforms.
Jay: In addition to that, we have issued 2 limited edition vinyls, one of which is signed and limited to 50 copies.

Where and how will you promote this new release?
Auré: We would have loved to answer “on stage” and “on tour”, but this is not the case yet… We have some festivals and concerts scheduled from September 2021, but we don’t know how and if they will happen...
Jay: In the meantime, we have shot 2 music videos for this album, and are due to shoot a third one shortly. These music videos come in addition to the 4 videos already released with the first album (and to our live appearance on the February edition of the Slay at Home on line Festival, organized by Metal Injection).  

Where can we order it from? 
Jay: You can order our new album in its Digipack format on Season of Mist’s website, as well as our first album and our merchandising. All information and links may be found on our website, www.akiavel.com, where you will also find our vinyl limited editions.
Auré: Yes, one single address to keep in mind: www.Akiavel.com! 

March 2021