With members who have played in such bands as MPO, Spitfight, and Providence, please welcome Pyrecult to the website.
The group formed in Paris, France in 2013, bringing forth a blackened hardcore sound along the way. Though they've endured several lineup changes and an extended hiatus during that time, Pyrecult is now in fighting shape with drummer Quentin and guitarist Baptiste coming on board, and guitarist Benoit joining the fold after touring globally in Hexis.
Last month, Pyrecult dropped their third EP, Voluntary Serfdom, a 6-track aural pummeling. Vocalist Cédric shared some thoughts on the influences that went into their songwriting.
"We draw our main inspiration from '90s/'00s metallic hardcore and crossover bands like Kickback, All Out War, Arkangel, Reprisal, Denied NYC, and Integrity, as well as more contemporary acts such as All Pigs Must Die, Young and In the Way, Pulling Teeth, Withdrawal, Xibalba, Nails, and Queensway."
Cédric also wanted to show some love for the other side of their songwriting style. "As for black metal, we’re heavily influenced by Scandinavian bands from the second wave of black metal, including Immortal, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Watain, and Aborym."
Cédric talked a bit about the making of the new EP. "Ilhan (bass) and I began writing Voluntary Serfdom at the end of 2022, just the two of us, as the band was on hiatus. Our goal was to retain the fundamental soul of the band but lean more toward hardcore than black metal this time. Voluntary Serfdom is a transitional EP that allows to further and more deeply explore themes initiated during the writing of our previous release, Obedience.
"It is a concept EP focusing on the theme of voluntary servitude (or 'freely consented slavery'). The record deals with the core concept of voluntary servitude. It illustrates our tendency to position ourselves simultaneously as both martyrs and oppressors (through lethargy or complacency), leading us down the path of our own decline."
No Echo always likes to get a scene report from our interview subjects. "After some challenging years, when it was hard to gather people at shows we organized, and despite the fact that we’ve been witnessing the closing of many venues, the Parisian scene is more alive and dynamic than ever. Shows happen a lot, people are showing, and high-quality bands keep emerging.
"We can’t help but promote our friends in Parisian bands like Calcine, Take It In Blood, Cold Decay, Sorcerer, Corruption Pact, Headbussa, Moldy, Worst Doubt, Cavalerie, Glassbone, Reclaimed, and Deviant.
"If you want deep further and capture the essence of this new French scene, we highly recommend the video documentary, Flame Still Burns by Clara Griot. It documents the recent rebirth of this scene, and how things are going nowadays."
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Voluntary Serfdom is out now via Knives Out Records (order on CD).
Pyrecult on social media: Facebook | X| Instagram
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