Formed in 2024, Cult of Alcaeus is a fierce new voice in the Portuguese metal underground. Drawing from death, thrash, groove, and industrial influences, the band channels raw energy and collective rebellion through a sound that feels both primal and forward-thinking. In this interview, the members reflect on their organic formation, the meaning behind their name, their creative process, and what the future holds as they craft their debut album.
Serial Metalbums: Cult of Alcaeus was formed in 2024, emerging from the ever-evolving Portuguese metal scene. Can you take us through the origins of the band? What sparked its formation, and were there particular motivations, frustrations, or shared visions that brought the members together at this point in time?
Vlad: Honestly, Cult of Alcaeus started casually. It all began with jam sessions between a bunch of good friends, just playing covers of bands we grew up loving as Sepultura, Slayer, Gojira, Obituary, you name it. At first, it was about having fun and reconnecting with that raw energy we all felt back then. But as we kept jamming, original riffs and ideas started to come naturally. There was no big plan, just this musical chemistry and the desire to create something new together. That’s how Cult of Alcaeus was born — organically, from the passion we all share.
Serial Metalbums: The name “Cult of Alcaeus” carries a strong mythological and ritualistic tone. What does this name represent for you? Is there a deeper symbolic or historical reference behind it, and how does it reflect the band’s identity, both musically and conceptually?
Vlad: The name Alcaeus comes from the Latinized form of an ancient Greek name meaning “strong.” It is derived from a word that means strength, skill, and prowess. To me, that symbolizes rebellion and the power of art as a weapon. Adding “Cult” to it gives this tribal, ritualistic feeling — like a group united by more than just music. *Cult of Alcaeus* is a metaphor for collective resistance through sound, reflecting cycles of struggle and awareness that we explore in our lyrics and concept.
Serial Metalbums: Could you introduce the current lineup and share each member’s musical background? How did you come together as a unit, and how do you function creatively — is there a collaborative dynamic, or does each member have a specific role in the songwriting and direction of the band?
Vlad: We are four guys who have all been part of the Portuguese underground metal scene for a while. Even though Cult of Alcaeus is new, we’ve known each other for years and crossed paths musically before. That history helped us click quickly when we finally decided to start this project.
- Ares Baal on vocals — he brings this raw, urgent intensity rooted in Death and Thrash metal.
- Pophíis Homega on guitar — he is all about riff-driven, aggressive playing with groove and detail.
- Myself on bass — I hold down the rhythm and tone, blending heaviness with precision.
- Brutus Pazuzu on drums — he drives our sound with a mix of blast beats and mid-tempo power.
When it comes to songwriting, we’re very collaborative. Usually someone brings a riff or an idea to rehearsal, and we jam on it, break it down, and rebuild until it feels right. Everyone contributes to arrangements, structures, and pushing the themes forward. There’s no ego here — just a shared goal to make the best music possible.
Serial Metalbums: Death/Thrash Metal is a genre with many faces — from technical chaos to raw aggression. How would you describe your own approach to this sound? What do you believe sets Cult of Alcaeus apart from the rest, especially as a new entity in an already crowded underground scene?
Vlad: Our approach is aggressive and relentless but also layered. We blend Death and Thrash with Groove and Industrial touches. We purposely avoid going too polished — I think there’s power in keeping things raw and organic. What makes us stand out? Maybe it’s how we mix different composition patterns, combining old-school energy with some modern grooves, without trying to copy anyone. We want our sound to feel real and honest.
Serial Metalbums: What bands, albums, or even eras have had the most significant impact on your sound and creative vision? Do you gravitate more towards the classic old-school energy, or do you find inspiration in more modern or hybrid forms of extreme metal?
Vlad: We definitely a child of the old-school wave — Sepultura, Slayer, Death, Obituary laid the foundations for us. But I also respect and draw inspiration from modern brutal and technical bands like Gojira, Decapitated, and even Meshuggah for their structural and atmospheric complexity. Still, we don’t want to just mimic — it’s about filtering all those influences through our own perspective.
Serial Metalbums: You’re currently working on your debut full-length. Could you walk us through the writing and recording process — how the songs are crafted, what themes or atmospheres you’re aiming to explore, and whether there’s a cohesive concept tying the tracks together? Are you handling the production and recording independently, or are you collaborating with a particular producer or studio? How has this impacted the sound and overall execution of the album?
Vlad: We’re still in the early stages with about 10 new tracks in the works. Nothing is finalized yet. Conceptually, we’ll probably built into themes from our *Doomed Cycles* trilogy — things like societal collapse, existential rage, and dystopia. Up to now, we’ve been managing writing and production ourselves, using traditional recording techniques to keep that gritty, authentic sound. Down the line, we might collaborate with trusted producers, but for now, we want to keep the music as raw and honest as possible.
Serial Metalbums: What’s your view on the current extreme metal scene in Portugal? Are there any bands, collectives, or venues you feel a strong connection with? Do you believe it’s still possible to build a solid local scene today?
Vlad: Portugal has a talented but somewhat underrated extreme metal scene. Exposure and resources can be limited, but there’s a strong spirit. We’re really connected with **Necro Algorithm**, especially after our split *Doomed Algorithms*. Bands here are supporting each other more now — sharing gigs, releases, and promos. I believe it’s still possible to build a solid scene, but it requires resilience, cooperation, and a strong DIY mindset. The passion is real, and that’s what counts.
Serial Metalbums: Is there a question no one ever asks you — but that you wish someone would? If so, what is it, and how would you answer it?
Vlad: Honestly, I can’t think of a question we’ve been waiting for. Cult of Alcaeus is so new — we’re still figuring things out. There are probably thousands of questions we haven’t considered yet. Right now, I’d just say we want to focus on building our identity and letting the music speak for itself. Maybe later, when we’ve grown more, we’ll have clearer answers.