One of the more remarkable black metal releases of late is Ritu by Belgian symphonic black metal outift Saille. Dewie caught up with guitarist Reinier Schenk and asked him all about the band’s latest album, playing with Melechesh, the Belgian metal scene and Reinier’s personal musical taste.

Congratulations on Ritu – a fantastic piece of work. It feels like there is a little more light and shade on this one than Irreversible Decay?

Thanks! I think it’s fair to say we’re all very glad with the result. The songs are heavier and the atmosphere is darker compared to our debut. We made faster songs, but slower ones as well. So you’re absolutely right: the new album is more varied.

How long did the writing process take and was it pretty much written before you entered the studio?

We got this thing started in February of this year. We didn’t have something really, just some bits and loose ends; not even enough for 1 song. Dries (keyboards) started making stuff and Jonathan and I added guitarparts, then Dries combined and puzzled some more and so forth. During the recording process we still were adjusting and adding ideas. We had 4 months before the recordings started, but we managed quite well!

Lyrically what inspires you these days? There is a heavy Lovecraft theme to this album, right?

The main theme throughout the entire album is ‘death rites from different cultures’. Our frontman Dennie took care of the lyrics and added some demonic issues. Here and there you might come across some Lovecraft passages, but mainly it’s a concept-album about different ways of dying in ancient rituals.

Saille was originally intended to be a studio project – what was it that made you want to bring it to the stage?

It started out as an ‘one-person, one-time project’ by Dries. During the recording process we somehow felt it would be a pity not bringing this live on stage. We searched for additional musicians and months later we did our very first gig.

Some of the stuff you’ve recorded is very technical – is it a challenge to recreate it live?

Well, at first it was, but we figured it out pretty soon. Meanwhile we’re used to it, so it’s no biggie anymore as long as we stay alert.

Have you enjoyed playing with Melechesh? Are they a band that has influenced you at all?

Of course, we always enjoy being on stage. No, we can’t say Melechesh is an influence, for it is an entirely other style they’re playing. I don’t know if we’ve been inspired by any particular band, but we all like bands like (older) Keep of Kalessin or Limbonic Art, for instance.

What sort of music do you tend to listen to when you have time away from the road and the studio?

I guess it’s fair to say most of us have a wide range of bands we’re listening to. Personally I’m enjoying death metal the most, but I enjoyed the latest Moonloop and Winterfylleth the past weeks.

Is the metal scene in Belgium thriving at the moment?

Well, we can’t complain, it have been worse. I have the feeling the metal genre is on the rise, things are happening again. We do have some pretty nice festivals in our small country which is a plus.

Any other projects you’re working on at the moment or is Saille keeping you very busy?

Not so much, at least not anymore. Besides our drummer Gert (also in In-Quest) most of us quit their other bands to focus mainly on Saille, it’s a busy band and there’s not much time left for escapades. But we’re quite happy about that, so no complaints.

Dewie

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