(1) Can you tell our readers how Enthroned was formed?
Enthroned was not “formed” in the conventional sense, it manifested 32 years ago.
It began the moment former member Cernunnos understood that some things in life
cannot be spoken, they must be summoned. In those early days there was no blueprint,
only a feeling of profound unrest and an urgency to transform it into something fierce
and undeniable. The band rose from that necessity, not from ambition, but from a need
to create a voice for the convictions he carried inside. And once that voice appeared, it
refused to be silenced.
(2) Which bands or artists inspired you to play music?
It wasn’t a band that inspired me as much as a calling. But if we speak of catalysts, then
certainly Bathory, Venom, Sodom, and early Mayhem played a role, not as musical
influences in the conventional sense, but as embodiments of an uncompromising spirit
that awakened something in me. Their work was not entertainment; it was a threshold.
Ironically, it wasn’t just music that stirred that calling. Certain books had an equally
powerful impact. The Nightside of Eden by Kenneth Grant, The Secret Teachings of All
Ages by Manly P. Hall, and other esoteric works shaped my understanding of what
artistic expression could truly be: a vehicle for transcendence and transformation. And
then there is the classical realm, composers such as Dvořák, Saint-Saëns, and
Berlioz—whose works channel raw emotion and spiritual magnitude in a way that
resonates deeply with the essence of what I seek to create.
(3) Who came up with the cover art for the album Ashspawn?
The cover was created by José Gabriel Alegría Sabogal. We approached him because
his work operates in that rare space where art becomes a ritual instrument. His
background in religious iconography, forbidden imagery, and comparative esotericism
made him the logical choice to manifest the concept behind Ashspawn.
We provided him with the symbolic and spiritual framework: the stages of sublimation,
the Sethurian coordinates, the architecture of the Edom Belial current. He understood
immediately. What you see on the cover reflects the inner landscape of the album. It
had to be him.
(4) Who wrote the lyrics for your new album, how did they come to be?
The lyrics were written by myself, in direct alignment with the conceptual and ritualistic
spine of the album. They were not constructed as poetry or narrative in the traditional
sense, but received, emerging through a process of immersion. They are literally an
auto biography of a certain period of my existence; thus, they mean a lot to me. Gilles
de Laval also contributed to the ritualistic aspects and the creation of certain sigils and
invocations tied to the text, but every word is anchored in my own experience, my
spiritual practice, and the transformative cycle that gave birth to Ashspawn. They are
not mere commentary or observation. They are operative, they function as keys, as
formulae, meant to be activated through sound. Each track was built around the texts,
not the other way around. The music is the vessel & the lyrics are the fire it carries.
(5) Who created the logo for the band, and who takes care of the graphics and the
website?
The logo was drawn 32 years ago by Christophe Szpajdel who also designed logos for
Emperor, Blut Aus Nord and Borknagar amongst others. I take care of the graphics and
most of the visual aspects of Enthroned.
(6) How many shows have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer,
whether (Venues or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as
the best?
Over a thousand shows. I have always preferred indoor venues; the control of
atmosphere is essential. Open-air shows are rare, and only after sunset, black metal
under daylight is absurd, and we do not intend to repeat it. As for a single “best”
performance, there is none. Each show exists on its own terms; some resonate longer
than others, but none defines the whole.
(7) Can you tell us about the name Ashspawn? What the Inspiration behind it?
The lyrics and concept dictated the name, obviously. I wanted a single word that
embodied the impact, the clenched fist, the force that struck this phase of my existence.
It had to symbolize the process of rising from the depths to the highest summit, the
Phoenix allegory was unavoidable, but also the imagery of cremation and rebirth from
flames. Living in Norway at the time influenced the way I constructed the word; from
several elements, “Ashspawn” emerged as a compact, powerful emblem of that
transformation. There is a lot of personal meanings and symbolism in that word.
(8) Would you like to share any shows or festivals coming up?
Yes, we have several shows lined up at the end of this year and into 2026:
Oct 31 – Spain, Barcelona – Sala Lennon
Nov 1 – Spain, Valencia – Zulu Klub
Nov 2 – Spain, Madrid – Sala Silikona
Apr 5, 2026 – Germany, Munich – Backstage (Dark Easter Metal Meeting)
Aug 6, 2026 – Belgium, Kortrijk – Alcatraz Metal Fest 2
Sep 19, 2026 – Norway, Notodden – Telerock (limited tickets)
