For nearly four decades, Swiss doom metal pioneers EXCRUCIATION have been trailblazers in the metal scene, constantly evolving while staying true to their roots. Their upcoming fifth album, [P]Ain, is set to release on September 20th and promises to be their most personal and darkest work yet. Blending elements of doom, death metal, dark wave, and crust, the album reflects the band’s journey through loss, grief, and the harsh realities of life. Known for their raw and powerful sound, EXCRUCIATION have carved a unique niche in the world of metal.
The band’s latest single “God” gives listeners a glimpse into the album’s thematic depth, questioning faith, suffering, and the very concept of divinity. Coupled with a mesmerizing cover of Roxy Music’s “In Every Dream Home A Heartache”, EXCRUCIATION continues to challenge the boundaries of doom metal. Their distinct ability to merge the heavy with the introspective is highlighted not only in their music but also in their collaborations with talented artists like Aaron (October_Midnight), who provided the chilling artwork for the single.
As EXCRUCIATION prepares for the album’s release, we sat down with Eugenio Meccariello, the band’s vocalist, to explore the creative processes behind [P]Ain, the emotional weight of the new material, and how the band continues to evolve after decades in the metal scene.
INFRARED MAG: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the new single “God” and how it fits into the overall theme of your upcoming album [P]Ain?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: Thank you for having us!
I was born into an Italian Catholic family, especially my mother and her family were very strict believers. When we were composing the song, a scene from my childhood came to my mind, when I was 10 or 11 years old, where my aunt followed a procession on her knees until her knees bled, and she did that because she saw her impaired son as a punishment from God, a punishment for her sins, to do penance. That was the first time I wondered what kind of God it is that demands such a thing, that destroys families and causes pain instead of bringing love. And why my aunt trusted that her faith was in him and that he would solve her problems for her, was beyond me. That was incomprehensible to me and my first step into atheism.
Musically, “God” is just a taste of what’s to come. The album, although predominantly downtempo, is much more than just doom.
INFRARED MAG: Your cover of Roxy Music’s “In Every Dream Home A Heartache” is quite intriguing. What drew you to this particular song, and how did you approach making it your own?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: I would describe it exactly as you did. When I first heard the song, I found it fascinating. I hadn’t paid much attention to Roxy Music before as I only knew their later stuff, but when I got interested in Brian Eno and his ambient music, I came across their early work and fell in love with “In Every Dream Home A Heartache” in particular. This song screams doom.
As always, it’s best to interpret a song when not all the musicians know the song. You just need someone to find the right notes and someone to keep the mood and arrangement in mind. If everyone knew the song by heart, they would copy it, but if they don’t know it, they will automatically play it as if it were an Excruciation song. And to be honest, there’s nothing more boring from an artist’s point of view than doing a cover and trying to sound exactly like the original.
INFRARED MAG: The upcoming album [P]Ain is described as your darkest work to date. What elements did you incorporate to achieve this tone, both musically and lyrically?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: Well, it’s hard to say, it just seems that when we write music together, it takes on this general dark tone, the older we get, the more so. The same goes for the lyrics, we’ve reached an age where loss and grief are part of life. Usually we write the music first, and then I write the lyrics, and of course then we try to match the music to the words if necessary.
INFRARED MAG: The single “God” features a visually striking cover by Aaron (October_Midnight). How does the artwork tie into the themes explored in the music?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: I think this fits very well with “God”, a dissolving idea of something that is not really clear. The general idea of God is that God is everything. Then God is also chaos, God is terrifying, God builds and dissolves, because God is nothing without man. That is what this image expresses for me.
And Aaron is an extraordinarily and talented artist! And a very nice person! Check him out on Instagram.
INFRARED MAG: “Afterglow” is a previously unreleased song included on the CD version. Can you tell us more about the creation of this track and why you decided to release it now?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: That was a kind of experiment. We wanted to make a song with a post-apocalyptic vibe, with very mechanical drums. But in the end, it didn’t fit on the album. And we decided to release it as a goodie for those who buy the “God” EP. We won’t release it on streaming platforms, apart from Bandcamp, it’s for those who support us directly.
INFRARED MAG: Recording at Liquid Aether with Mario Dahmen must have been an interesting experience. How did his involvement influence the final sound of the single?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: Mario from Liquid Aether has a similar musical background to us. He understands what we do and why something must sound exactly the way it does. So, you don’t need many words while working because there is a connection and trust. He was almost an extra member during the recordings.
INFRARED MAG: Your music is often celebrated for its doom metal elements. How do you ensure that you remain true to this genre while also pushing its boundaries?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: Well, we were given the name doom metal, and of course we took it because it’s the closest to what we do, but really, we just try to write music that incorporates all influences, from crust and post-punk to death and black metal and even early synth-pop.
INFRARED MAG: Excruciation has been a part of the Swiss metal scene since 1984. How has the scene evolved over the years, and how have you adapted to these changes?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: It amazes me how such a small country keeps coming up with innovative bands, and not just in metal. Of course there are a lot of traditional metal bands, but every now and then something really unique pops up. On the other hand, there are too many bands trying to get on the map and too many people trying to do too many projects. That’s why it’s best to stay true to yourself, I think.
INFRARED MAG: With a career spanning decades, what has been the most significant change in the music industry that you’ve witnessed, and how has it impacted your approach to making music?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: The most important thing is, that you’re no longer dependent on record companies, but that you can have control over everything you do if you want to. You no longer have to cede the rights to your recording to anyone, which we never did on principle, you no longer have to go on tour just because the label tells you to. That’s the freedom of art today. On the other hand, if you look at the thousands of records that are released every month, a small pre-selection wouldn’t be bad, would it?
INFRARED MAG: The release show for [P]Ain is set for September 27, 2024, in Zurich with SCHAMMASCH and OATH OF CRANES. What can fans expect from this performance?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: This will be the first and last time we will play the entire album. In a smaller club with a maximum of 200 people it will certainly be an intense experience for us and hopefully for the people as well. And we are very happy that our brothers from Oath of Cranes (with ex-Celtic Frost members) are playing, I think it’s their third gig and the first in their hometown. I’m really looking forward to seeing them. And it’s also great to have our friends Schammasch with us, who I really like since their first album. They don’t usually play in such small venues anymore, so it’s going to be an intimate and extreme event for sure.
INFRARED MAG: Can you share some memorable moments or stories from the recording sessions of *[P]Ain?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: Some things should stay in the circle…., haha.
INFRARED MAG: You’ve toured extensively across Europe. How does the European metal scene differ from other regions you’ve performed in?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: As we only played in Europe, that’s difficult to answer. We did have offers from overseas, but they usually fell through due to timing or financial reasons.
But even in Europe it can be very different, especially back in the 80s. While in Germany there were more normal metal heads at the shows, in Italy, for example, it was much more mixed, with everything from metalheads to punks and goths.
INFRARED MAG: Your music is heavily influenced by bands like Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride. How do you incorporate these influences while maintaining your unique sound?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: Is that the case? I really like their early work, but I don’t think they influenced us much. I understand why people might think that, but actually I think we were influenced by similar bands like Venom, Amebix, Saint Vitus, but also bands like Christian Death, Sisters of Mercy etc… and that led to us sounding similar. Some of our releases in the 80’s are now referred to as proto-doom-death, which in retrospect I agree with, so it was just the evolution of our music that makes us sound the way we do.
INFRARED MAG: How do you approach songwriting as a band? Is it a collaborative process, or does one member take the lead?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: We don’t try to force it. Usually someone comes up with a riff and then we start to build on it. And if most of the song isn’t finished in an hour or two, of course there’s a bit of reworking later, then it’s usually discarded. But it’s more or less a collaboration. I usually take a little bit of the lead on the arrangement and the general vibe.
INFRARED MAG: The themes in your music often explore deep and dark aspects of the human condition. How do you find inspiration for your lyrics?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: The inspiration, especially from my point of view as a singer and lyricist, is a way of expressing my thoughts. All the songs on the album are about things that are on my mind, sometimes sad, sometimes aggressive. But it’s always about me, about what I was feeling or thinking at a certain time and what the music triggered in me. I’ve had a tough time with my family in recent years, death and illness have been our companions, so that was pretty much an inspiration I wasn’t looking for. But also, the world is getting darker by the day, so when I need new ideas, I just look around.
INFRARED MAG: How do you balance the technical aspects of your music with the emotional and thematic elements?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: In my opinion, the technical aspect is not as important as the emotional aspect. But that’s just the way I am. I’d rather listen to punk with two chords or raw metal demos, than perfectly played but soulless thrash metal. But I know that most musicians see it differently.
INFRARED MAG: What role do live performances play in the development and refinement of your music?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: I love it, sometimes I forget everything around me and just lose myself in the music. But I don’t want to play too often, I don’t want to go on tour or play every weekend. I love it because it’s a special moment and I don’t want to lose that feeling by overdo it.
INFRARED MAG: The metal community is known for its passionate fans. How do you maintain a strong connection with your audience?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: Talk to them. Go into the crowd after the show. Treat them the way you would like to be treated by the artists you like.
INFRARED MAG: Finally, what message would you like to share with your fans and supporters as you release [P]Ain and prepare for your upcoming shows?
EUGENIO MECCARIELLO: Of course I could say something like “You wanted it darker; you got it black! Darkness descends on September 20, 2024.” But hey, thanks to you for the interview, thanks to all who support us since forever or from now on! Enjoy [P]Ain, enjoy life!
With [P]Ain, EXCRUCIATION continues to push the limits of doom metal, creating a deeply emotional and dark album that resonates with fans of the genre. The combination of heavy, downtempo melodies with intricate lyricism results in a sound that is both haunting and introspective. The themes explored in the album, particularly through songs like “God” and “Afterglow”, speak to the human condition in a way that is raw and authentic.
As EXCRUCIATION prepares for the album release show in Zurich on September 27th, alongside SCHAMMASCH and OATH OF CRANES, fans can expect a truly intense and unforgettable performance. With decades of experience and a strong sense of musical identity, EXCRUCIATION proves once again that they are not only legends in the Swiss metal scene but continue to evolve with each release, offering fans a unique and powerful experience that stands the test of time.
More info can be found on EXCRUCIATION at:
www.Excruciation.net
www.Facebook.com/ExcruciationOfficial
www.Instagram.com/Excruciation_Official
www.Spotify.com/Artist/Excruciation
