Interview: Akiavel

Recently, DutchMetalManiac was proud to give you the exclusive Dutch premiere of Akiavel’s video for Frozen Beauties, coming off their upcoming album Væ Victis, out April 23rd, here. Now, DutchMetalManiac’s Tim van Velthuysen also interviewed Akiavel’s guitarist Chris and vocalist Auré.

Hey, how are you?

Chris: Fine, thank you.

Auré: Hi! I’m fine too! What about you?

Can you tell us something about the history of Akiavel?

Chris: Akiavel is a French death metal band formed in 2018. At a barbecue party, after a few beers, the idea popped up between Jay (bass), Auré (vocals) and myself to create a new death metal band that would be different from all types of bands one was used to see and hear around: we wanted a genuine melting pot of all our musical influences, we wanted to remove all the boundaries that existed between all the types of metal we love. The idea of Akiavel was born, and we quickly recorded a self-titled EP. Butch (drums) joined us a few months later to begin the writing process of our first album, V, released in February 2020.

For people not knowing Akiavel (yet), how would you describe your music yourself?

Auré: The music of Akiavel is a mix of all the metal styles the 4 of us love: thrash, death metal and even hardcore. We all come from very different musical backgrounds, all linked to metal at some point, so we have a lot of different references in mind when it comes to writing new songs. This is why our music is difficult to label, it is a kind of mix of a lot of influences that brings, at least to our opinion, our own style. Let’s say it is a mix between Arch Enemy and Hatebreed, with some Testament and Benighted notes (laugh).

When someone doesn’t know Akiavel yet and you can choose one of your songs to present yourself, which song would that be?

Auré: I would say The Witness, the opening song of our first album. This is also the first music video we shot, I think it represents 100% our style. And the video itself is also crazy, the atmosphere from the place where we shot is just perfect.

What makes Akiavel unique?

Chris: The passion we put into it (laugh).

Auré: I’d say that the mixing of all the kinds of metal we like is really unique. We wouldn’t say we are innovative at all, but only that we don’t follow any given or mainstream path or trend. Moreover, since we have our own record company (Akia Records) and we are our own producers, we have the absolute freedom of doing, playing or saying anything we want. This is something important in the process of writing our music of course, but also when it comes to people we want to work with, to artistic choices with our music videos, etc..

Any future plans you can already tell us something about?

Chris: We released our second album, Vae Victis, on the 23rd of April. The first music video for this album (Frozen Beauties) was also released in April. We are currently promoting this album and a second video was shot a couple of weeks ago and should be released in June. 

Auré: We are also getting ready and rehearsing to come back on stage as soon as possible, since we have concerts scheduled for the last quarter of this year. If things do not come back to normal by then, we will think of other ways to share and spread our music, probably with livestream concerts…

Any upcoming gigs for Akiavel? Maybe coming to The Netherlands?

Chris: Yes, concerts for the end of 2021 are mainly scheduled in France, and probably Belgium, but we will be more than happy to come over to The Netherlands! We will be happy to be invited to do so (laugh).

Auré: It’s our dream and goal to travel Europe, and then the world, to play music live! 

How do you think your life would be without music?

Chris: Life without music is not worth living, music is everywhere and at every comment of my life!

Auré: I’d rather not imagine it… That would be so sad! But why are you asking such a silly and creepy question? (laugh) 

What advice would you give to young and starting bands?

Chris: If someone tells you you won’t succeed, do not trust him/her! 

Auré: Working hard on your instrument, or your voice, is clearly necessary. Finding the ideal bandmates is the actual key (laugh).

Thanks for your answers! Is there anything you want to say to DutchMetalManiac’s readers?

Chris: Thank you for your interest in us, do not hesitate to discover our music and videos on all usual platforms as well as on our website! 

Auré: We are so happy to be listened to in your beautiful country! I hope we can soon meet and play our music live! 

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