SUKKHU - ''Hope is not something this album is about”

Pragues Sukkhu have returned with their new album Self Exorcism. Raw, primordial black metal that is atmospheric and true to the very nature of darkness and the genre itself. Furious and aggressive Sukkhu has undergone quite the evolution, with new Vocalist Maania. It represents a new era.

Maania (Vocals): ,,Yes, you could call it a new era, the approach to the lyrics has changed, partly in the terms of the themes and of course the vocal performance itself. What also cannot be overlooked is the personality of each member, we may influence each other in subtle ways, we bring something of ourselves into the music, so the change of each member has an impact on the band.”

Necro (Bass): There's a certain duality. The band itself is an evolving mechanism and many of the new songs were naturally much more urgent and aggressive. I personally would say that the change of our singer was more of a catalyst rather than the cause for the shift, although it clearly led to us shedding the "witchy and conjuring" skin in terms of lyrical themes. Maania aligned perfectly with the direction we envisioned, allowing the new album to be as eerie and intense as possible.

Ego (Guitars): Yes, it is definitely a new era. The band's spirit remains preserved but it is a huge step forward.

Has this led to the ethos of your new Album Self -Exorcism? Is it a purge?

Maania: ,,By the time I joined the band, most of the music had already been written, I just wrote the lyrics. A few songs were created after I joined and they are generally wilder, but it's hard to say if the change of a single member had an impact on that. Concerning the live performance, the change is very noticeable, both in the show itself and the costumes.”

Ego: Yes.

How did Maania become a part of Sukkhu?

Necro: It was a rather simple and short hunt, we were looking for a female vocalist who was truly devoted to black metal and could also connect with us on a personal level. Shortly after publishing the ad and reaching out to several people we found Maania, she agreed and the rest is history.

Ego: I met her at several underground concerts, although our first talk occurred at the legendary Farářova Sluj venue. When I found out that she was musically active, I decided to ask her and see if it would work. We had more candidates, but Maania was the clear choice. When the former vocalist left us, I was very afraid we would not be able to find someone else (in Sukkhu there only has to be a female vocalist). So this is a little miracle to me.

It has also led to a style change?

Necro: I’d stick with my answer to the first question - our sound was already evolving to be more intense and, in some ways, more extreme. Sukkhu also underwent a major personal change two years ago when The Beast and I joined the band, which helped shape this new direction. The change of vocalist was another impulse to completely immerse ourselves into this new sound and identity.

Ego: I would not call it a style change, rather a correction of direction. And yes, it is more uncomp. and dynamic.

There are a lot more elements with the new album, was it important to diversify whilst remaining true to your black metal foundations?

Maania: ,,I think all of us simply create music the way we want, the way we enjoy it and the way we feel it. At least that's how I feel about it, being tied down to how music should sound according to some conventions is just counterproductive.”

Necro: Self-exorcism is an album where each one of us could explore their own vision. Personally, I prefer a raw sound so that's something quite prominent on the recordings - I make music the way I want to listen to it. To me music is something that goes beyond labels and rules, it's so diverse yet there are only 12 halftones to work with, that's the magic.

Ego: It still has to be true Black Metal, but with our own recognizable handwriting. My music composition has evolved since the release of our previous album - try listening to both albums. I am very satisfied with the new direction of our music. The other members are very creative in their playing and attitude, everyone plays their role perfectly.. The chemistry of the band is just exceptional.

There is notable lack of hope on this record – was that deliberate

Clamor Flammae and its hellish vocals and guitar, what is it revolting against?

Maania: ,,,,Hope is not something this album is about”

Ego: In this song the guitars are composed as rolling and pushing.

Necro: If someone was to really dig deep into the lyrics and analyse both the lyrical and musical themes, it would come clear that there was no hope to begin with. Regardless of that, this album is not about hope or the lack of it. It's self exorcism.

The atmosphere is stronger this time and explores the fragility of the human psyche?

Maania: ,,Yes, the human psyche is one of my inspirations. Rather than fragility, I am interested in the psyche in a state of collapse, the inner world of a person whose psyche is destroyed, perceives a different reality, and succumbs to madness.”

Is insanity an individual’s perception, rather than what society dictates?

Maania: ,,In my opinion, it is impossible to say what madness looks like, it is very individual, only few elements are repeated in the cases of several individuals. I would call madness a state in which you are not able to distinguish external reality from what is happening inside you and emotions are mixed up so much that you can no longer name or distinguish them.”

Necro: I perceive insanity as something that's not possible to be defined from an outside perspective. Society often depicts different ways of thinking as insane or crazy - we're so afraid of pop culture’s portrayal of frantic maniacs. As I see it, actual insanity is far from what the general public could imagine. It's like being tied to the passenger seat with your own psyche behind the wheel; unable to scream, unable to escape, forced to watch the crash.

Ego: It is very complex, but in a certain sense both.

What is a Mass of Negativity?

Maania: This is a progeny of death

these chants proclaim.

This is a progeny of pain

every soul receives.

This is a progeny of fate that

illuminates this flame.

This is a progeny of fear that

is reflected in tears.

How do you define extreme ? Is it a sound or the more you put yourself and your thoughts into it?

Maania: ,,To me, extreme is what the majority of society cannot tolerate. It's about pushing yourself beyond all limits and walking a path that most people wouldn't want to take. It's also exposing yourself to the judgment of a society that, at best, won't understand you, at worst, will hate you and try to break you. Personally I would say that going after your own thing, even at the risk of self destruction, is extreme.”

Necro: Extreme is pushing your mind and body to the edge of their limits: the furthest point possible.

Ego: Sometimes even to impossible.

Final thoughts?

Necro: Ave!

Maania: ,,Satan”

Ego: Insanity and frenzy!

Top 6 albums of all time?

Necro: It's always changing, but right now:

Uranfaust - Naurrakar,

With Hearts Towards None - Mgła,

Door 218 - Balance Interruption,

Melinoë - Akhlys,