Interview with Achlycet, Guitarist and Vocalist of Verba Serpentis
by Mick Michaels
Cosmick View: Hello, and welcome to The Cosmick View. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.
Achlycet: Hello Mick, thanks for having us.
CV: Do you think modern Heavy Metal music has evolved past its origins? Or are things relatively still the same?
Achlycet: Obviously, things have evolved quite immensely. There are so many different sub-genres that emerged out of heavy metal that sound completely different to what metal or heavy metal once was. Even nowadays when you think you heard it all there comes something new around the corner.
CV: Does Metal still draw people to want to listen and engage the music while challenging the audience to imagine becoming a musician themselves?
Achlycet: I think in metal the engagement of the audience is still a big thing compared to other music genres because it is something you spend time on and connect yourself with.
Some for sure imagine being musicians themselves, until they see how the music industry works, haha.
CV: Many believe that success for a band relies on three major components; good distribution, good PR and good booking. In the new modern music industry, all of that is without a doubt achievable by the artist themselves. Do you feel more and more established acts will go the independent route and eliminate the middle man component?
Achlycet: Those components are for sure extremely important, but I would say nowadays as a new band it´s rather quite impossible to do everything on your own if you want to grow. It´s (at least from our experience) very hard to get a grip on booking or get into big magazines. So having the right contacts is for sure a game changer.
Once you reach a certain level and have the contacts it might be possible to do things more independently as a band but still you will need designated and motivated people for it. At least that is what I think.
CV: Do you feel that the idea of a band eliminating those second and third party partnerships; labels, management, bookers, etc., and doing things on their own, is a direct result of artists and bands being misled and taken advantage of for so long?
Achlycet: Sure, to some extent. But I think most bands don´t have a label or booker because they can´t afford it money-wise. You also must have quite some audience and get quite some sales to be interesting for them so it´s not really a choice of bands, they are simply not interesting for labels/bookers.
CV: Do you feel there is a need or want for artists of any style or genre to rise above the past and to do more musically…artistically? Or can a level of comfort be reached and maintained as a means to sustainability?
Achlycet: Progression and evolvement is always important. That’s how you stick out. But also if you have some influences you still create a new form of music by combining these. And also “old-school” music attracts more and more people so some newer bands return to an “older” style but adding their own “essence”, again creating something new.
CV: Many critics believe music is irrelevant today... just background noise. As a musician who is out there writing, releasing, and performing, from your perspective, do you still see music relevance in the world today? Is there a connection?
Achlycet: Yes, it surely is important. Background noise goes for mainstream music genres I would say. They often sound the same and do not really have something to say.
I think it’s a different thing in metal. Especially black metal is very influential and driving once you really get into it.
CV: Has music in general split into too many genres and sub-genre classifications in an effort just to please an indecisive audience in your opinion? Is it just more of a marketing ploy to funnel buyers to a specific brand?
Achlycet: Everyone can choose for themselves how they name things. I would say it just helps with finding what you like faster.
CV: What more can fans expect to see coming from you in 2025?
Achlycet: We just recently released a music video to the song “Monuments of Dust” that was part of our latest EP.
Right now we are finishing writing for the next EP, which we'll start to record by the end of September and which will be released in early 2026.
CV: Thanks again for taking the time to share with our readers. We wish you all the best and continued success.
Achlycet: Thanks for having us. Hopefully seeing you at a concert soon.
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, author, show host, big dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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