1. Currently Funeral Ash has a demo on its Bandcamp site, entitled "Enshrined in Darkness". Tell us about the recording of this demo and why these three songs were chosen for this release.
Occultus: The demo was recorded in early 2013 not long after we formed the band in November of 2012. The songs were chosen out of pure necessity as we had no other material to speak of at the time the sessions were put in place to record. We were still searching to find ourselves and the path had yet to be laid.
2. Funeral Ash began as a three-piece, added a fourth member for a short time, and is currently back to being a three-piece band. Do you feel as if the “power trio” is the best arrangement for Funeral Ash moving forward, or would you consider adding additional members in the future?
Interesting question as this has been a topic of discussion within the coven as of late. Originally we did start out as a three piece with myself Occultus on drums, Malfeitor on Guitar/Vocals and Lord Slaughter on bass but after some time decided it was time to try to incorporate a new drummer as I was also contributing guitar & lyrics to the songs and felt the need to add a second guitar to the live attack. We played several shows as a four-piece but ultimately decided to keep to three.
We have entertained the idea of bringing in a new member again to "feel it out" but ultimately we will continue as a three piece as it is the best representation of the sounds we create in ritual. when the three of us enter a room together and start to play something other-wordly seems to happen, disrupting the flow between the three angles doesn't work in our case.
3. If you could condense Funeral Ash's "mission statement" as a band to three words, what would they be?
Spread Satan's message.
4. For a newer entity in black metal history, the members of Funeral Ash seem to be very well-versed in blackened artists of the past judging by your music and presentation. What would be some of the band’s main musical influences?
Celtic Frost, Venom, Von(satanic blood angel), Mercyful Fate, Darkthrone, Bathory, Dissection, Absu, Watain, Early Mayhem, Proclamation, Motorhead.
5. Funeral Ash recently played a show where paint was donned for the first time (to my knowledge, feel free to correct me). What brought about the decision to begin utilizing paint, and does it evoke a different energy in yourself while on stage than without?
Yes you're correct as that was the first time donning war paint for us in a live setting(Boozerz in Corpus Christi w/Spectral Manifest & Humut Tabal). The discussion of paint has been around since the bands inception but was never fully realized until recently.
We had always considered using it as a tool to further our rituals & now is in place and fully realized for the path laid before us.
6. I hear that there will be a new Funeral Ash release this year, would you be able to provide any details on the nature of that release? Go into as much detail as you would like, or feel free to shroud the release in secrecy until the proper time.
We are currently in the (slow)process of recording it ourselves in our rehearsal space, keeping true to the DIY ethos that we have placed within the band and pushing to finish it and have it out by spring-time/early summer through Southern Decay Media.
7. Forgive me if there is any overlap with a previous question, but the U.S. has a number of respected black metal bands who have produced quality metal (there’s plenty of shit too but we’ll just ignore those bands, hehe). What are some of your favorite blackened bands from the U.S.?
Absu, VON, Profantica, Grand Belials Key, Craft, Krieg, Averse Seferia(RIP), Nightbringer, Kult ov Azazel, Black Witchery, Thornspawn(RIP), Judas Iscariot, Ritual Decay, just to name a few. Alot of people tend to hate on the USBM scene but it is still strong and will never die with the seekers of truth.
8. Again, excuse any overlap, but as the focus of Under the Sign of the Lone Star is on Texan bands, what are some of your favorite bands from this state, black metal or otherwise?
Plutonian Shore, HOD, Absu, Spectral Manifest, Averse Seferia, Skan, Humut Tabal, Satanik Goat Ritual, Judas Goat, Thornspawn, Imprecation, Oath of cruelty, Obeisance, Blaspherian, Morgengrau, Whore of Bethelehem, Rigor Mortis, ZZ Top. I could keep goin' but we'll stop there.
9. For our viewers who have never witnessed a live Funeral Ash performance, what is a typical show for your band like?
Intense, raw occult black metal. All for the glory and majesty. Ave Satanas!
10. Funeral Ash has incorporated covers of Celtic Frost (OUGH!) and Immortal into its live set. Are there any other cover songs the band would like to put their stamp on in the future (live or recorded)?
Watain by the USBM band VON has been jammed in the practice space on occasion but probably won't ever get to be played live. Cover songs for us are something that we incorporate in special instances where it is appropiate.
11. Any final words for the readers of Under the Sign of the Lone Star?
Thank you for featuring us here, check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp & most importantly LIVE! Ave!
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