1. Hails please introduce yourself to the readers?
I am Dale, founding member, and guitarist of Serene Dark.
2. When did you first discover black and death metal and who were some of the first bands you listened to? Are there any current bands that have caught your attention?
I started listening to metal and death metal as early as 2000 but what got me into black metal and more extreme metal was Behemoths 2007 “The Apostasy” and Niles 2007 “Ithyphallic”. I walked into a local record shop and picked up those 2 albums and my music taste was forever changed.
3. When did you first get the idea to start Serene Dark and are satisfied with how things have progressed with the band so far? How did you choose Serene Dark as the band name?
I started the band in 2005 under the name Endemise. We played under that name for a little over a decade then decided a change was needed. Members had come and gone and the current line up we have now stayed stagnant since 2011 so we decided to start a new. Serene Dark is a name that I find defines the music as a whole. It can be melodic and almost soothing at times, but 66.6% of the time it's heavy, brutal, and dark. The name comes from an old song title of ours when we were Endemise and the change felt like the natural, right thing to do.
4. What is the current line-up of the band? For the readers who have never heard the band's music how would you best describe the band's musical style? Who would you say are the band's biggest influences?
The current line-up is a 5 piece, 4/5 of us have been together for the past decade and we recently back in 2019 introduced a new drummer to the lineup. I would describe it as a mix between black / death / symphonic with a touch of melodic, more simply put “Blackened Death Metal. Some of our biggest influences and Septicflesh, Rotting Christ, Behemoth, etc. etc. the list goes on. We like anything dark and heavy.
5. I believe Enantiodromia is self-released by the band would you like to find a label to work with or do you prefer to self-release the band's music?
Yes, the album is self-released and we feel in today's music scene that is a very do-able option. In saying that we would love to partner with a label, what they can bring to the table, marketing-wise, etc. is still a very resourceful service.
6. Enantiodromia is the bands newest release how long did it take the band to write the music for the new release? How long does it usually take the band to complete one song?
The entire process from writing to finished product took us roughly 4 years. Our writing process is similar to building a building. We start out with a foundation, things change and evolve when needed and once it all comes together we get the finished product. We began the recording sessions back in late 2018 and only finished some final parts in March of this year.
7. Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the music and what are some subjects you wrote about on the new release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
Our vocalist/lyricist handles all of the lyrics for the songs. For this album, the lyrics explore the confrontation between the shadow aspect of the personality and the integration of it into the self to create wholeness. Influenced by philosophy, stoicism, hermeticism, and the occult. The album, lyrically, is a journey towards individuation by the exploration of human darkness and transforming that pain into something tangible and meaningful. In essence- to lose one’s self entirely to reach perfection.
8. Besides the Enantiodromia release are the band's previous releases still available for the readers to purchase? Other then physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently available if yes what is available and where can the readers purchase it?
Yes, the Remastered version of our 2013 album “Far from The Light” and our 2016 release “Anathema” are both available on all digital streaming and purchasing platforms. You can find those links on our website as well www.serenedark.com.
9. Has Serene Dark had the opportunity to play very many live shows over the years or do you prefer working in the studio? Who are some bands you have had the opportunity to share the stage with?
We have played a lot of shows over our 15-year career. Some of the bands we have shared the stage with are Dark Funeral, Belphegor, Hate, Incantation, Vale of Pnath, Abigail Williams, Cattle Decapitation, Beyond Creation, Falluja, Eluveitie, Wolfheart, SETH, Battlecross, Cryptopsy, Taakke, Arkaik, Panzerfaust, Erimah, Kronos, Necronomicon and many many more.
10. When bands are able to play live again are their any plans to tour or play shows in support of the new release?
When we are able to, 100%. We had a couple of small tours lined up before all this COVID-19 stuff and we plan on getting those re-scheduled when the world is a safer, less shitty place.
11. What does Black Metal mean to you?
To me, all music is an art form, an expression of emotion, etc. I feel this style of music encapsulates my feelings and emotions in the form of art I can express through music.
12. Serene Dark comes out of Canada's blackened death metal scene what is your opinion of the scene in Canada over the years?
Canada has a lot of really great extreme metal bands and it has continued to grow over the years. Only fitting to make frosty, cold, dark music in the great north.
13. Who are your all-time favorite Canadian bands and are their any new bands you could recommend to the readers?
My #1 favorite Canadian metal artist is Devon Townsend (Strapping young lad), but we have a ton of great metal artists, both national and international success.
14. Besides working in Serene Dark do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers about them?
I play bass for death metal band Dissentient, our drummer Nick plays in a number of death metal bands, A Scar For The Wicked, Misshapen, (also the drummer of Dissentient), Project Gothenburg, our guitarist is the Vocalist/Guitarist of Death Metal band Ominous Eclipse and fills in occasionally for Montreal’s metal band Messora and our vocalist, although no longer with the band, release a record for black/death metal band Eclipser early 2019.
15. When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
PS4, World of Warcraft, Golf, Reading, Discovering new music and campfires with beer.
16. Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Enantiodromia is out July 17th on all digital platforms and vinyl / CD pre-orders available at www.serenedark.com
Band Contacts
https://www.serenedark.com/
https://serenedark.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Serenedark/
