Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Void Ritual was first “created” in 2013 and I’ve always been the only person in it. I had a very specific sound I was after, which was second wave black metal. Being just one person makes it pretty easy to just decide to do something and then do it. So, I recorded Holodomor, which was eventually released by Tridroid on cassette (now sold out). Shortly after that I was lucky enough to get to share a split with Barshasketh which came out in early 2015 on Broken Limbs Recordings. And now after recording, and re-recording and so on, I’ve finally got the upcoming full length, Heretical Wisdom, coming out on August 18th through Throats Productions on CD and Tridroid Records on cassette. 
 
How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
As I mentioned earlier, it’s pretty by-the-book second wave black metal. It’s very blastbeat-centric. As far as specific bands, the one everyone tends to catch is Satyricon, specifically the album Nemesis Divina. I don’t have any of those symphonic elements, but the guitar work on that album is a huge influence. The same goes for Ulver’s two black metal album, but especially Nattens Madrigal. A couple of reviews have mentioned some recent Sargeist or Mgla influence too.
 
Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
Ideally, because they like what they hear. With music as easily accessible as it is, no one should still be buying albums without it being an informed decision. If you buy the new album, it should be because the music speaks to you in some way.
 
What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
Holodomor and the split with Barshasketh are still available digitally after the cassettes sold out and they’ve both been received pretty well by fans and press alike. I’ve been lucky to have been covered by bigger sites like Metal Injection, MetalSucks, CvltNation, Invisible Oranges, and so on. But I’m grateful to anyone who will give my music the time of day, whether it’s a site with a million facebook followers or a blog with 20 readers.
 
Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far?
No, not yet. Being that I’m just one guy, and that I have a family, kids, and a full time job, it’s going to be tough to make something like that ever happen. I definitely miss doing live shows, but sometimes you have to give up things you love for people you love more.
 
What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
For labels: I’m always going to work as hard as I can to make sure labels get a return on their investment. That probably sounds too business-y for a style and culture as anti-commerce as black metal, but if someone is going to put up money to get my music out and into the world, I want to do everything I can to make sure they at least get that money back.
For zines: Never hesitate to contact me whichever way you’d like, if you’re looking to talk about my music, or really even other music. I’m happy to talk to anyone about what I do, or help in some other way if I can.
 
What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
That’s still an open question. As I’ve had more time to sit with the album is completed, I feel like I may have polished things a bit too much. With Holodomor, it was harsh and stripped down more so than Heretical Wisdom is. I’ve been feeling a really strong urge return to that sound. As much as I love the album and stand behind my work on it, I think I may revisit some of the songs from the past to have them fit with my original vision for what Void Ritual would be. So, don’t be surprised if I come out with something sooner or later that sounds closer to Holodomor in the future.
 
Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
The new album at release will be available digitally through Throats Production’s bandcamp page: https://throatsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/heretical-wisdom
The cassette version of the album will include an exclusive art print inspired by the album art and lyrics, and that will be available through Tridroid Records: http://tridroidrecords.storenvy.com/collections/245717-all-products/products/20105504-void-ritual-heretical-wisdom-mc-art-print
My previous material is available through my own bandcamp: https://voidritual.bandcamp.com/
Thank you for giving me your space and platform to talk a bit about Void Ritual. I hope everyone who checks it out gets something out of it!

July 2017