Interviews: LETHVM

In this new occasion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Doom/Sludge band LETHVM, from Belgium. Check out this band and give them a like on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Well, we are 4 members in the band, the regular configuration, we come from the 4 corners of Belgium and we like to play slow, heavy and dark music.

2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?

It is about 45 minutes of what we have in our guts. A mix of hope and crushing darkness.

Everything is in the emotion basically. We wanted the listener to go on a journey throughout the whole album, we’ve tried to be as smooth as possible between the songs.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

The lyrics of the album were written almost automatically. The will was to circumvent the censorship that our conscious forces us to reach an unconscious level. The difficulty is therefore to leave space for the unexpected and to accept that the texts do not tell the “story” in the conventional sense of things.

More concretely, the topics discussed revolve around the pain of body and soul, death, and relationships to others.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Lethvm'?

Lethvm comes from “letum” in Latin. It means lethal, death, but for us more in the erosion way, the erosion of the body, the mind, the soul, all the things around us, material, immaterial.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Playing live is the thing that drives us to make music.

We played on scenes of different sizes. What we like the most are cellars with heavy atmosphere where we play in direct contact with the public. Our desire during concerts is to infuse a movement, a swing. Shows are intense, we spend a lot of energy on stage.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

After the release on November 25th with Cult of Occult and Phantom Winters, we have several gigs that close the year. We had the chance to be selected by the LOUD court-circuit Program and to play on two beautiful venues: L’Entrepot à Arlon and the Botanique in Brussels. A tour is planned for May next year. It will go in Germany, France, Netherlands and will end in Belgium at Dunk Festival.

We are still looking for concerts and hope to have a busy 2018 as the last two years.

7.The new album was released on 'Deadlight Entertainment', are you happy with the support that they have given you so far?

Yes, it is a great honour for us to have been able to sign on this label. We received a lot of advices and help in promoting the album. We have great confidence in his way of working. 

Deadlight takes care of the CD release. For tapes, Indonesian label Dense(s) Record is in charge and Dunk! Records for the vinyl version.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge and doom metal?

The feedbacks are very good so far, it seems that the emotions we put through our music are echoed by the public and that’s a very good thing. We don’t really fit in the “Doom” category, of course we play heavy and loud but there’s something more I believe. We’ve been relayed by webzines from Spain, Danemark, USA, and Mexico. So, we’re reaching people I guess …

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

For now we are planning on writing new songs, we do not know yet in which direction it will turn but we give ourselves some time to experiment and doubt. Plus, few members have side and solo projects, it takes a lot of time also. But everybody in the band already wants to get back in studio.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

It is very wide of course, we all have different backgrounds, Vincent listens a lot of Classic, Mathieu used to be in the Belgian 90’s Hardcore scene, Ben is a pure Rock ‘n’ Roll-Heavy Metalhead.

And I think our personal roads crossed somewhere in Neurosis/Amenra/(early)Cult of Luna highways. Nowadays it is pretty much the same, Chelsea Wolf, Eglise, Meth Drinker, Oathbreaker, Celeste, Code Orange and more make our soundscape.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Photography takes a big part in Lethvm, we try to create our universe as much as possible by ourselves, videos, teaser, promotion, etc … But for “This Fall Shall Cease” we’ve asked David S. Connard to take care of the entire artwork. He made hell of a job !

12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

First, thank you very much for the interview and come see us live and have a beer together !

Cheers !