Formed in 2017, Voorhees has carved its place in the French underground with a raw death metal sound deeply rooted in horror cinema. To mark the release of their new album 4 via Fetzner Death Records, Chris looks back at the band’s origins, their major influences, their artistic evolution, and what fans can expect next.
Serial Metalbums: Could you take us back to the origins of Voorhees in 2017? What sparked the idea of creating a death metal band inspired by horror cinema?
Chris: I always wanted to create a death metal band connected to horror cinema. When I was a kid, I loved that kind of movie, as well as science fiction and fantasy. As my favorite character is Jason, I turned to his last name for the band’s name.
Serial Metalbums: Your music is deeply rooted in horror movie culture. Which films, directors, or specific horror aesthetics have shaped your sound and visual direction the most?
Chris: I mainly love Friday the 13th, Hellraiser, Evil Dead, and The Exorcist. When I started writing lyrics, I realized that one director kept coming back: Wes Craven. But I’m also a huge fan of John Carpenter.
Serial Metalbums: Your latest album, 4, released through Fetzner Death Records, marks an important step in your discography. What were your goals for this release, and how does it differ from your previous EPs and albums?
Chris: We always stick to the same death metal formula — music heavily influenced by late ’80s and early ’90s death metal, with a slight thrash edge. I’m a fan of old-school German thrash, but also Metallica and Exodus. We took more time to record this album, and with Paul joining on drums and Mitch on bass, the songs became more refined while still remaining straightforward. We also added a touch of blast beats this time. I’m very proud of this album and of the work the four of us put into it.
Serial Metalbums: How does the songwriting process unfold for Voorhees? Do you begin with a horror-themed concept, or does the music come first and the cinematic influence follow?
Chris: Everyone brings their riff ideas. Today, with the new technology, it’s quite easy to record at home. I gather everything and try to finalize a song based on the riffs I like. I add the lyrics afterward, but while creating the track, I already have the vocal lines in my head — I just need to put words to them. Then we fine-tune the musical parts during rehearsals.
Serial Metalbums: With three EPs and three albums released since 2017, how do you perceive the band’s evolution in terms of sound, identity, and artistic growth?
Chris: We take things as they come. Will (former guitar player) was in charge of Voorhees’ sound, and we trusted him. If people like it, that’s great for us. The band evolves at its own pace. It’s always a pleasure and a surprise for us to see that our music reaches more and more people with each release.
Serial Metalbums: The French death metal scene has been expanding significantly. Where do you see Voorhees within this scene, and how do you assess its current state?
Chris: We are a small band in the French underground, which has a lot of quality bands. I think for standing out, you mainly need to last over time, but also play everywhere in France and even in foreign countries to hope to make a name for yourself. I believe we’re starting to reap the rewards of eight years of work with Voorhees.
Serial Metalbums: Now that 4 is out, what are your upcoming plans? Can fans expect new concepts, collaborations, tours, or further horror-driven projects?
Chris: Play live, always play live, again & again !!. And the 10-year anniversary is coming in 2027, so we’re starting to think about something
