Beyond the Dark Horizon recently spoke with Necrol, the man behind the US black metal entity known as Secrets She Kept. The Florida based act is currently working on new material and ready to kick things up a notch.
Greetings Necrol, thanks for speaking with Beyond the Dark Horizon. How are things going in the Secrets She Kept camp?
Things are going well. The band is going back to basics. We were strayed for a little while and experimenting, but now were just going back to what made us who we are. Slowly but surely. Making sure each step is the right one.
Secrets She Kept began as a solo studio project before incorporating members. Tell us about the origins of how you got started in music.
Well, my personal origins started back when I was about 13 listening to Motley Crue and Skid Row. That made me want to play music. From there I learned the guitar and started playing in bands. I always kept searching for heavier and faster music, eventually finding black and death metal. Where I grew up, suitable musicians for extreme metal were non-existent at the time so I learned how to do everything myself. All instruments, recording, album art, etc. And from that Secrets She Kept was born with the first demo “Symphonies of Eternal Suffering and Damnation.”
When it comes to songwriting, is there an advantage to only having two members involved instead of the usual four or five member input?
Each individual/band is different… But for me I’d say yes there is an advantage. That being it gives me the chance to really focus individually on each instrument and effectively get out what I hear in my head. It also gives me the opportunity to move at my own pace, and while demoing, really focus on the song itself in a controlled environment. However, it does have its draw-backs too… Writing and creating each part can become extremely tedious and mind-numbing. It also takes away the aspect of jamming with the band and seeing what comes out. Also, being that I’m not a full-time drummer, or bass player, I lack the complete knowledge of the instruments. It’s really 50/50 I guess.
Considering that Secrets She Kept is based out of Florida, a state known for death metal, what is the scene like for a black metal act?
I get asked this question a lot. I’m never really sure how to answer it. In my opinion, there is no black metal “scene” in FL. There are black metal bands that do well but there is not really a true scene for it. The black and death metal genres are mixed here. I would say that the fans here just come to see a metal show. Be it black or death or both. And its usually both. I can’t really recall many straight black metal shows in FL.
The band name is hardly your usual extreme metal name. Why was it chosen?
To be absolutely different. I didn’t want the standard brutal or grim name. I wanted people to see the name in a group of extreme metal bands and be like “What the fuck is this??” Granted, the name sounds “emo”… But in my own defense, the name was meant to be more “gothic” at the time, and the term “emo” hadn’t even been made popular yet. If it even existed at all. The name also has more of a mass appeal. It gets peoples attention outside of the extreme metal scene. Which, unlike a lot of underground bands, I want to do. I’ve never seen the point in creating something and putting so much effort into something to only have it be experienced by a select few. If your really believe in what your doing and have something you want to say you should do more than just preach to the choir.
Musically and lyrically what are your inspirations? Black metal is associated with concepts of Satanism and anti-religion, what is your take?
SSK is not a satanic band. We have some satanic themes and what might be considered satanic imagery, but were not satanic. We are very much an anti-christian band. Christianity (especially in America) is an atrocity. It’s a mask used by the truly evil, and ignorant, to justify their ways and condemn what they don’t understand. SSK stands completely against that in every way. So, needless to say, this gives the band inspiration lyrically. As well as the things and events that takes place around us. Inspiration for lyrics is pulled from all over. Musical inspiration is a little different. That is something that is just felt. Regardless of what I see or do or hear, the metal just comes from me. I don’t need “inspiration” really. If I had to name one thing that musically inspires me I’d say its being around creative people. That always makes me want to pick up an instrument.
Would you say that Secrets She Kept is allied with Satanic ideology?
Haha. “Satanic ideology”… If I HAD to say yes or no to that I’d say yes. SSK does agree with some satanic ideology. But, I would never use those words. Satan is a product of christian propaganda. To rebel against Christians in the name of their own creation makes no sense. Most satanic ideology is merely the exact opposite thinking of Christian ideology. All its saying is “instead of doing the stupid thing, do the smart thing.” And does SSK agree with that? Fuck yes! But in the name of Satan? Haha…
The “La Fin Absolue Du Monde” album has had a year to settle in and soak up a reputation. What are your thoughts when you think of this album today?
“La Fin…” was a very experimental album for the band. We were trying out a whole lot of new things and new ideas and directions. We worked completely out of our element and everything was very new and weird. Songs like “Fucking Christ,” “The Messiah of Pus and Bleeding Excrement,” and the title track all came out great and we’re really proud of them. We had the opportunity to work with great people like James Murphy and Mike Heller (Malignancy), and had some awesome artwork from Lord Serpent of Ceremonial Castings. But overall I feel like the album was rushed. We should have taken more time with what we were attempting, considering so many new things were involved. But it was a learning lesson and were ready to apply all of that experience to the next release.
With a demo, two full-length albums out and working with noteworthy individuals along the way, what has the experience been like? Has your vision/outlook/goals for Secrets She Kept changed much?
SSK has been an amazing experience thus far and I would change none of it. Maybe only do some things differently. The bands vision is ever-changing. Something that needs to happen to keep a band going. The outlook on things may be a little different than when we first started out, but the goal has never changed… WORLD DOMINATION!!
Let’s talk about new material. You recently mentioned that the new Secrets She Kept songs are shaping up to be more “evil” sounding than ever. What makes these batch of songs unique in the Secrets She Kept discography?
The new stuff is some of the best the band has written so far, I think. The song writing is more in-depth than before. More use of leads and arpeggio work. The songs also are sounding more dissonant and eerie. They’re setting a mood, more like the first album “Requiems to Midnight, Woe” did. There’s an overall darkness that is just coming out. I never sit down and say “I’m gonna right something evil now.” I just play what comes out. And right now I’m projecting a darker energy than before.
What are your plans for the next Secrets She Kept release?
So far the only real plans are that the album is going to be an EP. But if the ideas keep flowing the way they are, that could change. But as for recording/release/touring plans… Its far too early for that just yet.
Secrets She Kept obviously possesses a DIY attitude, something that many bands lack today. What keeps you motivated?
Having a DIY attitude should be essential for bands. I HATE seeing bands that sit around waiting for something to happen TO them. The industry, no matter what genre, has changed. Not many bands get where they want to be just by sounding good anymore. You have to make shit happen for you. No matter what it is. I think one of the main things that keeps us motivated is results. Seeing that there is a demand and watching the name get more and more recognized is a great kick in the ass for me. And the over all passion for the music. Its an addiction. Creating something awesome and being able to enjoy it yourself is huge motivation. And being able to see others enjoy it, sometimes in ways you yourself don’t understand. That definitely keeps the machine going. And of course, the negativity will never end.. Its always going to be around. And SSK is the device for it
Thanks for speaking with us. Last words are yours.
You can check out Secrets She Kept at our various sites…
www.facebook.com/secretsshekept
www.gplus.to/secretsshekept
www.reverbnation.com/secretsshekept
www.secretsshekept.com
Our latest “La Fin Absolue du Monde” is available through Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, and all other major online distributors!
Regards !!
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