{"id":594269,"date":"2026-05-20T12:12:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/594269\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T12:12:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:12:10","slug":"anything-can-be-black-metal-its-so-much-broader-than-just-corpsepaint-and-tremolo-picking-mysterious-underground-extreme-metallers-qasu-have-no-interest-in-playing-by-the-genres-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/594269\/","title":{"rendered":"“Anything can be black metal. It’s so much broader than just corpsepaint and tremolo picking.” Mysterious underground extreme metallers Qasu have no interest in playing by the genre’s rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAnything can be \u2018black metal\u2019,\u201d proclaims Aldous Daniken, enigmatic leader and songwriter-in-chief behind UK-US extremists Qasu. \u201cAs a concept, it\u2019s so much broader than just corpsepaint and tremolo picking. Mayhem<\/a>, Immortal<\/a>, Darkthrone<\/a> and Emperor, they\u2019ve all released amazing music already, so why ask the world to appreciate a second-rate facsimile?\u201d<\/p>\n

Working remotely with bandmates Rahsaan Sagan (vocals, synths, beats) and Nikhil Talwalkar (drums), Aldous has set about formulating a delirious sonic yin and yang where antediluvian primitivism pairs with hyper-advanced tech-culture. It is an unholy union of the ages, one which challenges the narrow-mindedness of the \u2018trve kvlt\u2019 forest dwellers and which the band themselves have dubbed \u2018ancient future black metal\u2019.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Aldous elaborates on the term: \u201cIt is formed of two separate sound-worlds \u2013 black metal\u2019s obsession with ancient civilisations and electronic music\u2019s nod to future worlds. Qasu looks to the terrors of the ancient world \u2013 whether spiritual, mythological, or real \u2013 to speculate on how future terrors might look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Latest Videos From Louder<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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Why ask the world to appreciate a second-rate facsimile?<\/p>\n

Aldous Daniken<\/p>\n

But the future, it would seem, is already here. The trio\u2019s debut album, A Bleak King Cometh, considers our current nightmarish existence, mirroring in its diabolic psychedelic nexus \u2013 where techno beats ricochet like wildfire amid chaotic guitars and ritualistic incantations veer from the wretched to an autotuned lullaby \u2013 a world in prurient retrograde, crawling on its knees through a cesspit of avarice and savagery.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2018bleak king\u2019 is the personification of the populist, racist, sexist politics we see profiting from the rise of social media and the degradation of critical thinking,\u201d explains Aldous, reflecting on the album title. \u201cThe brutal and irrational are being deified to the top of the pile. As the sun sets on reason and fairness, the king sits at the peak.\u201d<\/p>\n

SOUNDS LIKE: Vitriolic industrial desolation
FOR FANS OF: An Axis Of Perdition, Godflesh, Blut Aus Nord
LISTEN TO: Death Dreams<\/p>\n

A Bleak King Cometh is out now via Phantom Limb\/Apocalyptic Witchcraft<\/p>\n

Sign up below to get the latest from Metal Hammer, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n

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