INTERVIEW: Morgul Blade

Philadelphia Blackened-Heavy Metallers MORGUL BLADE took some time to talk with me about their wicked “Fell Sorcery Abounds” LP (read my review here), among other things!

1. Greetings, MORGUL BLADE, firstly I must congratulate you on your superb debut LP. So please, let’s start in the here and now. How is the response and release reception so far?

Hey thanks for having me, so yeah the response has been incredible. I initially started this project to keep me from playing too much video games and watching too much TV, so I really never thought it would be received to the point that it has been and continues to be even almost 6 months after release.

2. Now to go back in time, let us dissect the molten Metal origins of your sound. Which bands provide the strongest fires of influence upon MORGUL BLADE. I detect a healthy dose of Epic Heavy Metal such as Warlord, Manilla Road, Brocas Helm, Stormwitch, and Cirith Ungol but also some more extreme touches akin to Bathory, Celtic Frost and even some Norwegian Black Metal like Darkthrone. Please shed some light on the ingredients of the witches brew that concocted your music.

All of my writing is just worship to what I grew up listening to. Bathory, Warlord, are definitely huge influences, I also gravitate towards FWOSHM like heavy load, parasite and Gotham city, also German steel like Whetstone. That in tandem with my love for Scandinavian Black metal like Windir, and some Hellenic stuff like Varathron makes up the majority of my inspiration for the riffs and vocals. Hell, you can even hear some early Ensiferum in the riffs if you listen close enough. I know this will perplex a lot of readers but I don’t actually listen to much US epic stuff. Manilla Road, Brocas Helm are great bands but they don’t frequent my playlists nowadays. 

3. It is fair to say your EP garnered a very favourable response. Did you know MORGUL BLADE was destined for grandiosity and conquest or was this a surprise to the band just how much favour it received? Furthermore, do you think this stepping stone serves as a wise introduction / starting point before voyaging into the adventures of the LP?

Yeah! People were very stoked on the Demo “Harbingers of Power,” again I was shocked that I had people trying to buy the demo from us overseas. I figured only my mom would wana listen to it! And maybe not even her. I still get asked almost weekly for extra copies of the demo tape. THEY’RE ALL GONE! 

4. You are in the hands of No Remorse Records, not only are they from Greece which is fair to say has a healthy fanbase for more traditional Heavy Metal (biggest understatement of the century) but are also widely respected as one of the most important labels in providing true Heavy Metal maniacs with the traditional gems. How has the working relationship been thus far and are you totally satisfied with their work up until now? And will you be staying with them for the long haul?

No Remorse is the greatest underground heavy metal label on earth and we’re glad to be a part of that. We’re signed on for 2 more records with them exclusively.

5. With your thematic direction being epic, alongside the bands aesthetics (with both covers being totally stunning) and a sharp logo to match, it is clear you have a fantastical vision that is important to the music. Which sagas, legends, tales and truths inspire the ponderings and incantations of MORUGL BLADE?

“I am a huge history fan, I am a huge paranormal fan, I am a huge folklore fan, but most of all I’m a fan of epic fantasy. I pull lyrics from all these realms, and non canon stories which take place in middle earth (see The Morgul Blade first track on FSA) and craft my tales around them. That isn’t going to change anytime soon. Regular day to day life is fucking boring and crushing, I’ve taken it upon myself to provide an outlet for escapism in an auditory format.

6. From what I gather, you are yet to take your quest to the stage. Is this fated or are you to remain an album-only entity? Of course there is plenty of validity in either option, as long as it does you justice. So if you do plan on taking to the live arenas, what can we expect? And if you are not, please elaborate on your reasons as there can be many befitting such a choice. 

Initially, yes this was never supposed to be a live project, but the demand was too great, and who am I to deny the Legions of Mordor a chance to slake their thirst!? We actually played our first show a week before doing this interview. There will be many more to come.

7. To say there has been a huge boom in bands playing old school variants of Metal, from traditional Heavy Metal revivalism, to the old school Death Metal and more regressive Black Metal movements (all of the above being hugely appealing to myself, as a massive fan of all 3), do you find this a valuable asset in the immortal legacy of Metal music, or merely trying to market nostalgia?

I think that is entirely dependent upon the intentions of the writer of said music. There are plenty of examples of both sides. I can listen to one track off of any given album and probably tell you what the purpose of writing it was. I think the marketing of nostalgia generally reflects people who don’t believe in their own music. Heavy Metal without Hubris is nothing. 

8. Building on the previous question, which bands (of any Metal genre) do you think are carrying the brightest flame in this day and age? Which allies do you want to shed some light on or do you find inspiring to share your journey with?

I’m very glad you asked me because I love giving people new bands to listen to. Without a doubt my favorite “new” band is Malokarpatan, what they accomplish with worldbuilding and lore in tandem with riffs and aesthetic is in my humble opinion, unparalleled. I also love the new Vèhemence record that just came out, the French always make top top top tier black metal. This particular one is of the medieval variety. Coming back to the US a band called Baazlvaat from Michigan came out with one of the albums of the year last year. Thin Lizzy meets psychedelic black metal, and very much worth a listen. Other than that I really dig Hällas, Stangarigel, and ALL of Erech Leleths projects are worth a listen. I have some very good friends in the Band Devil Master who are coming out with their new album in April. 

9. Finally, I suppose it is too soon to ask about new music, but I always like to ask one standard question which is what can we expect next? I think it important for bands to be able to prepare us for their next steps in their own words, so all statements of intent are welcome here. Allow these closing words to conjure a sort of scrying bowl for our readers.

Well as far as what’s coming next, we’re going on tour in May culminating in a spot on stage at Legions of Metal in Chicago. More than half the second record is already finished, and we will likely be recording it this fall. We will be very busy and active throughout the summer months and are hoping to get to Europe for a tour sometime soon. Hopefully you guys will have us! Thanks for the interview, really enjoyed it. Cheers.