Born from frustration and a desire for true creative expression, Stench of Sorcery is the dark vision of a single musician forging epic, battle-hardened death metal. With influences ranging from Bolt Thrower to Blind Guardian and themes drawn from fantasy and personal struggle, this project stands as both a sonic and lyrical testament to perseverance. I spoke with Jaume Roca the mastermind behind Stench of Sorcery to uncover the journey, inspirations, and evolution leading to Spellcaster—a powerful follow-up to Unseen Battles.
Serial Metalbums: The dark winds of fate rarely summon a band into existence without purpose. How did the arcane forces align to bring forth Stench of Sorcery? What were the events, inspirations, or shared visions that forged this brotherhood of death?
Jaume Roca: The truth is that what led me to create Stench of Sorcery was the boredom, fatigue, and frustration of having been in a band for too long where I really didn't belong. I practically had no say, and nothing I did was appreciated. It's true that the style was very different, and I never really fit in there. I spent a long time tolerating a situation that was neither favorable nor comfortable for me, and eventually, I stopped caring about people who stopped caring about me. So one day, they simply told me not to come back, and that’s exactly what I did. It was the best favor they could have done for me—kicking me out of a place I didn’t want to be. On the other hand, they moved in circles that didn’t interest me and led lifestyles that were too harmful for my way of seeing life.
Stench of Sorcery was born out of the need to make the music I wanted and to express what I've had inside after being unable to express myself in any way for too long. To this day, I know nothing about them, and I'm happy that way.
Serial Metalbums: Every battalion of sound wields its own weapons—tell us about the warriors behind Stench of Sorcery. Who are the members, and what infernal energy does each bring to the battlefield of your music?
Jaume Roca: As of today, and since I created Stench Of Sorcery, I am the only member of the project. I handle all the music and lyrics for the material that has been released. It is true that it can be limiting, especially when it comes to finances and the possibility of doing live shows, which is currently impossible.
However, I don't close the door to the possibility of others joining in the future, as long as they share the same exact vision as I do. I will not make the same mistake of getting together with undesirable people again.
Serial Metalbums: Your sound, while steeped in the primal chaos of death metal, carries an air of epic grandeur. What entities—whether bands, composers, or even non-musical forces—have shaped your sonic incantations?
Jaume Roca: The truth is there’s a long list of things that have inspired me. From bands like Bolt Thrower, Deicide, Wormwitch or Memoriam, to bands like Rhapsody, Heavenly, Blind Guardian, and even things much more chill and unrelated to metal, such as Still Corners or Emma Ruth Rundle. Of course, aside from music, there’s a lot of fantasy literature that serves as a great inspiration. Terry Pratchett, Tolkien, Dan Abnett, William King, Terry Goodkind and franchises like Warhammer or D&D... Even illustrators like John Blanche or Ian Miller (who, by the way, is the artist behind the "Spellcaster" cover).
Serial Metalbums: What forbidden tomes and eldritch wisdom inspire the tales you weave through your music? Are your narratives purely fantasy, or do they hold a mirror to some grim truths of reality?
Jaume Roca: The songs of Stench Of Sorcery, though filled with epic fantasy, are nothing more than metaphors for the constant struggles in life. One of my ideas when creating this project was to show people who are facing an illness like depression that they are not alone. It’s a condition I’ve been suffering from for over 11 years, and I know there are many people who need to face it in some way. While it may not be of great help, I just hope that it can at least provide some relief. My lyrics speak of perseverance, internal struggle, and overcoming. At first glance, they might sometimes seem defeatist, but they carry a powerful message of triumph.
While the world might be fantastical, the emotions and struggles are deeply personal.
In fact, the main character of the story told in Unseen Battles, and its continuation in Spellcaster, is someone who has been condemned to wander a world devoid of hope, but decides to continue in order to reclaim what was once his healed land. Even though his strength is drained, he does not hesitate or doubt in his fight.
This is where the phrase I identify with this project comes from: "If you need to fight the darkness within, the stench of sorcery has the magick for it."
Serial Metalbums: Should the fates grant you the power to conjure any musician or band, living or deceased, into your coven for a collaboration, who would stand beside you in the studio or on the battlefield of the stage? And what kind of unholy composition would emerge from such an alliance?
Jaume Roca: The truth is that this is a very difficult question. There are so many musicians I admire. But without a doubt, one of the first that comes to mind is the late drummer Martin Kearns, may he rest in peace. I believe he would have found the perfect key for this.
Serial Metalbums: Spellcaster stands as your latest incantation, a tome of raw yet melodic death metal. How did the process of writing and recording this EP unfold compared to your first effort, Unseen Battles? Did you approach it as a direct continuation, or did new visions and methodologies guide your hand?
Jaume Roca: "Spellcaster" definitely feels like a step forward from "Unseen Battles. I believe there is a clear, organic evolution from one album to the other, and it doesn’t feel forced.
The writing process was more fluid and intuitive. I allowed myself to explore new sounds and experiment with different rhythms and melodies, creating a more layered and atmospheric experience. It’s still brutal, but there’s a sense of evolution in the music. There’s more space, more breathing room within the heaviness.
I’m not really a fan of modern metal, or almost anything from it, but I’m not closed off to mixing death metal with something a bit more alternative or industrial. It’s yet to be seen. For now, I don’t think I’m off track.
Serial Metalbums: The very essence of death metal lies in its intensity and authenticity. How do you balance the raw, unfiltered aggression of the genre with the more intricate, epic and melodic atmospheres that permeate your sound?
Jaume Roca: I always imagine an epic setting, like the peak of a mountain—huge and threatening, yet so elegant and unattainable. I try to create a good mix of an epic groove that is also crushing and tells a good story. It’s a response that’s hard for me to give because it comes from within me without me really thinking about it too much. I enjoy Power Metal, Death Metal, Black Metal... I guess that’s the key here. And again, I draw from many different types of music, even commercial music. Sometimes, the results you can discover are surprising!
Death metal is all about emotion—there’s a rawness and aggression that comes from the music, but there’s also a beauty to it. I try to weave the brutal, chaotic parts with moments of melody and atmosphere, creating contrasts that add depth and make the music more engaging. It’s about finding the right balance between aggression and beauty, chaos and harmony.
Serial Metalbums: The present is but a fleeting shadow—what grand designs lie ahead for Stench of Sorcery? Is there a full-length album brewing in the abyss? Tours, rituals, or ventures into unknown sonic territories?
Jaume Roca: The truth is: I’m working on releasing an LP. Although I doubt it will be out this year, I’m hopeful for 2026. I will put all my effort into it. As for live shows, it's currently not very feasible since I'm working alone, but here's a little spoiler in this story. I’m working with some people to make a first performance at a local festival possible. Stench Of Sorcery live? I hope this will be the first of many times.
For now, the initial path is difficult, but I hope it will be a big step for the project and open other doors.
Serial Metalbums: As torchbearers of a freshly ignited flame, what do you believe is the role of new bands in shaping the evolution of death metal? Should they honor tradition, carve new paths, or merge the two into something yet unseen?
Jaume Roca: I think it's important to be clear about where everything comes from. As I said before, I'm not a big fan of modern metal, deathcore, and all that stuff... Though it's fine if people make it, there has to be something for everyone.
What I mean by this is that, while we should keep in mind where our music comes from, it enriches a lot to add other influences. I'm also not one of those who think it's necessary to create something completely original. As long as the music resonates with you, it's fine whether it's new or not.
Music evolves, and we must accept that time passes, and it is something completely inexorable. Let every band do what they want, and everyone listen to whatever they feel like.
Thank you so much for this interview! It’s always a pleasure to invest my time in something I love so much and to see that people are also interested in it. It fills me with joy. Thanks again and stay safe!
