Interviews About Albums: Nekromatics - Place Of Indulgence (2025)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Portuguese Symphonic Black Metal/Death Metal band Nekromatics to ask questions about their album, "Place Of Indulgence".

1. What can you say about this new CD?

Place of Indulgence is the first public ritual of Nekromatics - a brutal, decadent offering that sets the tone for what we are and where we’re heading. It's a descent into corrupted cities, fragile minds, and cursed flames. Every track is like a haunted alleyway, a cracked mirror, or a whisper in the dark.

We wanted to step away from the traditional themes of symphonic black/death metal and dive into something more urban, grotesque, and psychologically unstable. There’s still mysticism in it, but it’s filtered through neon lights, mental decay, and the seductive voice of destruction.

Musically, it's rawer and more direct than what’s to come. Think of it as the sound of our resurrection, fresh out of the grave, blood still dripping, and eyes set on building something far more colossal. It’s a place of indulgence, yes, but also of madness and damnation.

2. What is the meaning of the CD name?

Place of Indulgence is both literal and symbolic. It represents a decaying sanctuary, a space where all restraints are abandoned, and the darkest urges are set free. It's the mental asylum, the alley soaked in blood, the shallow grave, the neon-lit boulevard where death dances in plain sight.

It’s about the places, physical or internal, where indulgence becomes destruction. Lust, violence, madness, delusion… they all coexist here. The name reflects the EP’s themes: a sick fascination with chaos, where pleasure and ruin blur into one.

This place isn’t just a city or a mental state; it’s also a reflection of the world we’re living in: detached, decayed, and burning from within. And we’re just here to scream over the flames.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD?

The composer behind Place of Indulgence is Melek Taus (Jorge Matos), our guitarist. He created the entire musical backbone of the EP, from the initial riffs to the full song structures, infusing every track with a visceral energy that bridges brutality and dark atmosphere. His approach is instinctive and uncompromising, riffs that cut like blades, melodies that haunt, and rhythms that pull you straight into the void.

Once the foundation was laid, I (Melkor aka José Marreiros) stepped in to handle the bass, the vocals, and the keyboards. The bass added weight and pulse to the songs, the vocals brought the narrative - raw, tormented, and ritualistic, while the keys gave breath to the spectral world we envisioned.

It was a true collaboration in the sense that Jorge brought the storm, and I added the fog around it. Together, we summoned this bleak soundscape, a place where melody and madness coexist.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

That’s a tough one... each track is a fragment of a decaying world we built, but if I had to choose, I’d say "Land of the Shallow Graves". That song captures the soul of Place of Indulgence: the doom, the weight of forgotten lives, the haunting beauty of a place where death is just another step in the cycle.

Musically, it blends everything we wanted to express - raw aggression, haunting melodies, and that oppressive atmosphere that feels like walking through fog with bones under your feet. Lyrically, it’s a funeral chant for the nameless, the discarded, the echoes that never left.

It’s not just a song, it’s a warning, and a welcome into the world of Nekromatics.

5. Is there a special message on this CD? If there is what it is?

Absolutely. Place of Indulgence is more than a collection of songs; it's a descent into the abyss of human decay, mental collapse, and the grotesque beauty of ruin. The message isn’t handed to you - it’s buried, rotting, whispering through the cracks.

It speaks of indulgence not as pleasure, but as surrender to violence, to delusion, to death. Each track explores a different facet of this decay: from corrupted love to burned cities, from spectral voices to the shallow graves we all dig, metaphorically or literally. There's no salvation here, only confrontation. With yourself, with what haunts you, with the things you hide.

If there's a message, it's this: you can dance with your demons, or you can be consumed by them, but either way, they’re already here.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

Definitely. One of the most intense moments for me lyrically is in "Land of the Shallow Graves." Here's a passage I find especially haunting:

“Nameless tombs, numbers only

Bones exposed, jewels rare

Empty eyes watch your step

Life cut short, fate’s cruel hand”

This passage captures the very essence of the EP. It's not just about death, it's about anonymity, the fleeting nature of life, and the cruelty of fate. The “nameless tombs” and “numbers only” refer to how we, as individuals, can easily fade into oblivion, forgotten in the grand scheme of time. The image of “bones exposed” symbolizes not just physical decay, but the raw vulnerability we all share, no matter how much we try to adorn ourselves with jewels or fame, beneath it all, we are nothing but flesh and bone.

The “empty eyes” watching your step speak of the lingering presence of death, it’s always there, watching, waiting for the moment when it claims us. But we keep walking, unaware or perhaps in denial, as our fate is already sealed.

The darkness in these lyrics isn’t just external, but internal too. It’s a reflection on how our actions, our lives, often seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and yet the cycle of death and rebirth keeps going, relentless.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Musically, Place of Indulgence is heavily influenced by the darker realms of Black Metal and Death Metal. Bands like Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Old Man's Child, and Moonspell were fundamental in shaping the sound of this album. The fusion of symphonic elements with raw, aggressive metal was a key inspiration. These bands know how to create vast, atmospheric soundscapes, but also maintain a ferocity and intensity that never lets go. Our intention was to capture that duality: something epic, but always grounded in darkness and brutality.

On a more personal level, our biggest inspiration comes from the constant struggle between creation and destruction. We can't help but draw from the chaos that often surrounds us; that tension is something we've lived through and channeled into the music. There are moments in life that break us, but also those that rebuild us, and that's what we wanted to reflect here: a cycle of pain, loss, and eventual transcendence.

We'd like to especially thank our guitarist, Jorge Matos (Melek Taus), for his vision and relentless work ethic. His guitar work and approach to songwriting brought incredible depth to this project. We also want to thank our families for their unwavering support and for never questioning the path we've chosen, even when it feels as dark as the night.

And, of course, a huge thank you to all the fans, their energy and feedback inspire us to keep pushing boundaries. Without them, none of this would feel as meaningful.

8. Something to add?

We’d like to mention that Place of Indulgence is just the beginning of what we plan to achieve. As we move forward, we’re actively searching for the right label to help us release our debut album physically. We believe that this album deserves to be experienced in its full, raw form, and a physical release would allow us to share it in a more immersive way with our fans.

If any label feels the urge to step forward and enter into an agreement with us, we assure you, you won’t regret it. We are a music-making factory, always working with immense care and attention to every detail. Our commitment to producing high-quality music that resonates deeply is unwavering, and we will continue to pour everything we have into each note, each word, and every sound.

At this stage, we’re more committed than ever to continuing our journey, constantly evolving and experimenting with our sound. There are still many dark paths to explore, and we’re excited to see where this journey leads. We also want to extend our thanks to everyone who’s supported us so far. Your energy has been crucial in keeping us motivated. The future is dark, but we’re ready to walk it with all of you. Stay with us, there’s much more to come.