(1) Could you tell our readers about your band BELLE MORTE ? – What kind of music do you perform, when was it established, etc.?
Belle Morte is a dark symphonic metal project originating from Belarus, currently based in Poland, blending gothic and progressive elements. Our debut EP, Game On, came out in 2018, and in 2021 we signed with the Italian label Wormholedeath to release our conceptual full-length album Crime of Passion. Inspired by John Fowles’s The Collector, the record tells a continuous story of obsession, stalking, and a descent into tragedy, narrated both from the murderer’s and the victim’s perspectives.
Our second album, Pearl Hunting, marks a significant evolution. We incorporated 23 ethnic instruments from around the world, each track represents a different region and music tradition. The album features collaborations with musicians from 12 different countries and includes instruments such as the Ukrainian bandura, Japanese shamisen, Celtic bouzouki, Mongolian morin khuur, and many more. Some tracks stay close to familiar symphonic/folk combinations, while others venture into more experimental territories with Armenian duduk, Indonesian suling, and gamelan.
At the heart of Belle Morte’s identity lies the exploration of contrasts and dualities. We search for beauty in the unsettling, and for shadows beneath the seemingly beautiful.
(2)Which bands or artists inspired you to play music?
Belle: My influences are very diverse. My earliest musical obsession was Roxette, their melodies shaped a lot of how I perceive songwriting. Later, heavier bands like Guano Apes, Slipknot, Rotting Christ, and Behemoth left a huge mark on me. Oh, and if you wish to dig deeper into personal preferences of each band member – we all have dedicated Spotify playlists, with the most favorite stuff cherry picked by each of us 🙂
Sergey: My list is extremely long and chaotic. Classical music, especially Beethoven, Musorgski, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, Albenis, Rodrigo and many more; Queen, Rainbow, Scorpions, Andrew Lloyd Weber (especially Jesus Christ Superstar and Phantom of the Opera), David Arkenston, Loreena McKennit, Secret Garden, d’Artagnan, Helloween, Kamelot, Ayreon, Avantasia, Leprous.
(3)Who came up with the cover art for the album Pearl Haunting?
For Pearl Hunting, we once again worked with Stefan Heilemann (@heilemania), the artist behind the cover of Crime of Passion. We wanted both albums to feel visually connected, like parts of the same collection.
Heile suggested using a female figure as the focus, this time dressed in a patchwork garment symbolizing the many collaborations on the album. The wire-and-pearl crown echoes the barbed-wire crown from the previous record, while the background filled with multicultural symbols ties into the global spirit of the project.
(4) Who wrote the lyrics for your new album Pearl Haunting, how did they come to be?
With the exception of Krew, all lyrics were written by Belle. Krew was special because it features three languages: Belarusian by Brat K., Polish by Ada Rusinkiewicz, and English by Alex Pilkevich.
Lyrically, we’re always drawn to dark, emotional storytelling. Sometimes the songs are sparked by regional mythology (like Jorōgumo), sometimes by a single object (Willow), sometimes by personal experiences, or even by events happening around us. Each track had its own creative path.
(5)Who created the logo for the band, and who takes care of the graphics and the website?
Our logo was designed by a good friend of ours, and we handle the website ourselves 🙂
(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?
Unfortunately, timing wasn’t on our side. Just as Belle Morte finally formed a full live lineup, COVID hit, followed by the events of 2020 in Belarus, which left our members scattered across three countries.
But now that we’re together again, we’re open to every opportunity. We generally prefer smaller venues, where the atmosphere is intimate and the connection with the audience feels immediate and personal.
(7)What is your songwriting process?
We usually begin as a duo – Belle and Sergey sketch the first version of the arrangement and define the direction. Then we bring the draft to the rest of the band and refine it together until everyone feels the song has reached its best form. This workflow keeps the early stages focused and avoids chaos.
For guest musicians, we provide references and guidance, but we always leave space for interpretation. Hearing how they transform the ideas and enrich the music has been one of the highlights of making Pearl Hunting.
(8) How would you describe your band’s unique sound?
Our most distinctive feature is balancing between genres, augmenting symphonic metal with different elements, such as progressive, industrial, black, rock opera, Celtic music, Argentinian tango – whatever we feel is appropriate for a particular track. We are not really bonded by any genre’s strict rules; we focus on “music first” and see where inspiration takes us. Besides, we combine catchy and easy-to-remember melodies and complex multi-layered orchestral arrangements.
(9)What are the main themes or messages in your lyrics?
It depends on the album.
Crime of Passion was a conceptual, almost operatic work – built as a single narrative with recurring motifs and interludes that tied everything together.
Pearl Hunting, on the other hand, is a collection of standalone stories. Each track was built around the emotional character of a particular ethnic instrument, allowing it to become the centerpiece. We wanted each “pearl” to shine individually rather than be bound to one overarching storyline.
In general, we use a lot of allegories, so that it’s easier for different people to relate to different things. When it comes to our EP, for instance, you might think of the “Child of Night” track as a shapeshifter fairytale, or, figuratively, as a story about an individual who failed to become a part of society, an outcast.
(10)Do you have endorsements that you want to talk about or share?
Not really, not at the moment.
(11) Would you like to share any shows or festivals coming up?
Nothing we can officially announce yet, but keep an eye on our 2026 updates as we are actively working on it!
(12) How and where can your fans contact you? What about you and social networks?
We’re active on all major platforms, so fans can reach us wherever it’s most convenient:
All in one: linktr.ee/bellemorte
- Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/bellemortemusic
- Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/bellemorteofficial
- Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpgzB7LdE8HZMjesQWr3iTw
- X https://x.com/bellemortemusic
- Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@bellemortemusic
- Bandcamphttps://bellemorte.bandcamp.com/
- Website https://bellemortemusic.com/
- Email: bellemortemusic@gmail.com
