For over two decades, Bestemmia Aeternalis has been crafting a dark and blasphemous sound in the blackened death metal scene. Joe, Pablo, and Hector reflect on the band's origins, their philosophical underpinnings, and their latest album, Forbearance In Opposition, a statement against organized religion and a testament to their unwavering dedication to extreme metal.
Serial Metalbums: Bestemmia Aeternalis has been around for over two decades. Can you take us back to the beginning? What were the early visions and motivations that led to the band's formation in 1999?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: When we started we were two bands that wanted to make something more creative, dark, and artistic in the future of our underground scene. Pablos band was a black metal band and Hector and Joe's band was a death metal one. Both going in different directions that eventually came to a crossroads that was inevitable. We wanted to create something different and diverse from what other bands had sounded like, something that was unequivocally our sound and our feeling.
Serial Metalbums: The band's name itself carries a strong and blasphemous connotation. What does Bestemmia Aeternalis represent to you, and how does it tie into your philosophy as a band?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: This band represents death. It represents hatred and above all it represents metal and its way of life. It's the way life and religion have made our struggle for survival and all we endure while on this abysmal world.
Serial Metalbums: From Veil of Sins (2001) to Embracing Hell (2005), and now to Forbearance In Opposition, how do you feel the band's sound has evolved over the years? Have your influences or songwriting approaches changed significantly?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: I think Bestemmias sound has improved through the years. We feel it still represents our philosophy of hell and darkness and of the real world. As with all our previous material, we write what we feel during that time. It has undoubtedly been a progression, both musically and philosophically. The songwriting process has ultimately been the same process with the added inspiration here and there.
Bestemmia Aeternalis: I think the guitar work and overall music process sets us apart from other bands and their sound. When u listen to one of our songs you know it's our sound. We dont over engineer the tracks so that they are as raw as when we play them live. The balance between the melodies, riffs, and blast beats becomes a roller coaster ride with its ups, downs, and sideways turns. Again, it's what we are feeling in that particular time. We quite literally put our hate and feeling into every song.
Serial Metalbums: Your latest album, Forbearance In Opposition, is a statement of defiance in its title alone. What concept or message underpins this release? How did the creative and recording process unfold? Did you approach this album differently compared to your previous works?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: Walking the left hand path and opposing the norm has always been our philosophy. The concept of organized religion infecting the masses, no matter what religion that may be, is a vision we must continue to oppose and its the feeling behind this album.
The overall musical process went a lot smoother this time around since we started our own recording studio. Our expression of sound and recording, along with working together as not only a band , but as brothers made this release a statement. Our approach was more calm and less hurried. We had more time to really listen and either change or accept what we had.
Serial Metalbums: The atmosphere in Forbearance In Opposition is dense and suffocating. What techniques—whether lyrical, instrumental, or production-wise—did you use to achieve such an overwhelming sound?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: Each one of us has a different take on music. We all like different metal styles but we all know what we want for this band. The music moves us in the direction it wants and I think that that's why it sounds the way it does. We are more open to the process of creating what we want rather than following a trend and i think that kind of thinking is what gave us this darker atmosphere. It's also the first time we as a band recorded and produced the material on our own.
Serial Metalbums: Your early releases, Veil of Sins (2001) and Embracing Hell (2005), helped define your sound. Looking back, how do you feel about those EPs today? With over 20 years of history, have you ever considered re-recording or re-releasing any of your older material for a new generation of fans?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: We've toyed around with re-recording the first demo, Into Eternal Damnation. at the time in 2000 We were eager to have something and recorded at a studio with a friend and engineer who was used to recording other types of music. Now that we have our own studio we have been thinking about re-releasing it. And maybe do the same with the Reign of Plagues album. The Veil of sins and Embracing Hell albums to me are what we wanted them to be. We went through such turmoil as a band and every time I hear it I remember the punches that were thrown or the physical fights we had with one another. Those two albums are what defined us and made us stronger.
Serial Metalbums: Bestemmia Aeternalis has existed through multiple eras of extreme metal. How do you feel the black/death metal scene has changed since you first started? What are your thoughts on the underground versus the more mainstream aspects of extreme metal? Do you believe the genre has lost or gained something over time?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: In some ways the scene has stayed the same. But in many ways it has changed for the better. There used to be so many creative bands and so many copycat bands in the late 80s and through the 90s. And yet we see the same still holds true today. There's still many bands that sound like a cut and paste, but for every 5 bands that do that there is 1 that has an defining sound. The more popular death and black metal bands out there have lost thier "edge". Most are riding the old album glory days. They are keeping metal in the spotlight and allowing smaller bands to get noticed. As a metal community we have gained so much and have had our voices heard but we must ask ourselves, was it worth the cost. I know some will agree and some will disagree but I don't think there is one right answer. One thing is certain and that's that the metal scene is stronger and more visible now.
Serial Metalbums: With Forbearance In Opposition now released, what’s next for Bestemmia Aeternalis? Are there any plans for tours, new material, or other projects in the near future?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: After many years with Bestemmia, our music continues. New music is always in the works. The plans to tour are always a possibility but as with everything things change and promoters always have the last word to book who they want. Touring is different nowadays especially during this political climate. Our music grows in strength. It's in our hearts and lives and we live it everyday no matter what.
Serial Metalbums: What would you like to say to your fans—both those who have followed you since the beginning and those just discovering Bestemmia Aeternalis?
Bestemmia Aeternalis: To our fans from the beginning we would like to let you know how much we appreciate you all. You have all shown up to our shows and listened to our lives through our music. To the new fans we want to let you know that we hope you enjoy our journey from here and encourage you to visit our past albums. It's a ride we hope makes you think and raise your horns. Stay true to yourself and to the underground. If you want us to play in your city let your local promoters know. We'll see you soon and hails to all.
