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ALLAH
PIGS SHALL FEAST WITH YOUR FLESH
ALLAH
I CRUSH YOUR FRAGILE THRONE
ALLAH
I SPIT PLAGUE INTO YOUR GAPING WOUNDS
ALLAH
I SHALL NEVER KNEEL BEFORE YOU
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Those lyrics above, lifted from the title track of the album that we are premiering here today, might seem a little confronting to some. They shouldn’t, because this is black metal after all – but they might. Why? Because they are not the usual rhetoric espoused by the genre. What they are however, is the perfect summation of the defiance, vitriol and utter fucking hatred that roars like a searing unholy flame inside the black hearts of Finnish blasphemers CURSE UPON A PRAYER.
Over ten years that flame has burned with only greater intensity in every successive album, demo and EP as they create pure black art in their own image with unflinching vision, unwavering conviction and a savage intent to tear down the pillars that hold up our failing world. Organized religion is of course one of those pillars and on their apocalyptic third full-length Infidel they once again eschew the tired and easy target of Christianity, instead taking lethal aim at the Islamic faith in a torrent of scorn and rape so intense, so genuine that you can nigh on hear the holy texts of the Quran burning with every word uttered and every note played.
It’s an approach that has challenged many in the recent global social climate – but any cries of offense or resulting censorship attempts have only served to renew the band’s fervor and ferocity. Although Infidel sees them wield a more expansive and dynamic arsenal than previous works, the album also sees them at their most focused; as if every bleating protest has merely fueled their fire and steeled their resolve, resulting in a record greater than anything they’ve done before. From the opening ‘Call To Prayer’ through to the bottomless abyss waiting at the final layer of ‘Jahannam’, the entire thing just oozes both quality and vitriol… so what are you waiting for? Listen to our exclusive full stream (partnered again with Black Metal Promotion) below ahead of its April 10th release date via the great Saturnal Records, then read on for an interview with the nameless heretic warriors themselves.
Let it be known: with Infidel, Curse Upon A Prayer have created their masterwork. May the hordes of Allah tremble and wither, for the wolves have been set lose amongst them.
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Greetings Curse Upon A Prayer, it’s a pleasure to speak with you today for the streaming of your third full-length, Infidel. Now, your last release (the 2018 EP Three Woes) in particular was fucking superb, yet Infidel is a huge leap forward even from there. You’ve moved steadily further from a more “typical” black metal sound into something that can only be described as utterly massive; cataclysmic and vicious. How did this come about? Did you approach this album differently when compared to your previous works?
– Yes. I would say this is the album where we managed to perfect the art a bit more and took another step further. The vision for this album was very clear from the very start, which is always a good sign in the creating process and I do believe it manifested itself well on the record.
As has been the case before, the album is a savage attack on Islamic faith. I’m curious: why do you focus specifically on Islam? As we know, a large part of the anti-Christian themes prevalent in the second wave stemmed from the Black Circle being immersed in Christianity whilst growing up in Norway – what circumstances led to you developing such hatred for the Islamic ideology in particular?
– The previous EP had nothing to do with islam, actually. It’s important to remember that the very core of this band has never been about islam. If that would be the case, this band would serve a very hollow purpose.
Utilizing these islamic themes in an artistic manner is a summary of several things; It’s not just the slave mentality of the ideology itself but the way people tend to react when it comes to challenging islam. There are still, for example, a good amount of black metal bands out there who still choose to rely on those very overused christian themes, but run away like sheep when real resistance occurs. They want to be perceived as something “radical” but they want to do it within safe frames. And that’s a strange equation indeed. I’d say this whole question between christianity and islam is a good tool to separate the wolves from those sheep. There shouldn’t be any middle ground nor excuses. There’s no respect for a man who betrays his values when actual conflict occurs.
An immediately apparent development for Infidel is the inclusion of middle-eastern elements scattered throughout, such as the introductory piece ‘Call To Prayer’ – they are a fantastic addition to the record. Did you select these vocalizations and melodies because they hold any particular meaning to the Islamic faith?
– Thank you. Yes, those elements are there to adorn the totality of the album and provide the contrast between “the word of god” and the flagrant “Infidelity”, in which this album is based upon. It was only natural to add those elements because they do flatter the songs very well and the spirit of the album.
Another development is in the increasingly-dynamic throatwork: although you’ve utilised these techniques for a while now your vocals seem to delivered with more variety than ever before and are often layered multiple times, creating an unsettling effect that appears refined and perfected further than any previous works. What inspired this progression and the use of these techniques?
– These kinds of things occur if the song needs it. Of course you always want to achieve greater results, but in the end it’s the totality of the song you have to keep in mind when you make any decisions, be it vocals, drum fills or anything else.
The cover art is simple, yet intriguing; it appears to be a bastardisation of the star and crescent moon symbol of Islam and the Ottoman Empire. I can’t recall seeing this symbol used in this way, it almost seems akin to an inverted crucifix – what’s the story behind it, what does it mean?
– As you pretty much said, it is a sacrilegious reference to the symbol of islam. The desecration of false faith and thus a sign for the one(s) born in fire.
Whilst on the topic of cover art – historically, the artwork of anti-Christian albums has often utilized images of Jesus Christ, angels or some other holy figure portrayed in various stages of mutilation or being raped by demons, etc. As far as I am aware your album art has surprisingly not yet featured an image of Muhammad in any way – something that I’d imagine would be quite a powerful statement, and one that I imagine you’d be not at all afraid of making. Have you ever considered doing this?
– I’m not a fan of such art. It’s tasteless, inelegant and dull. There’s a difference between trying to be as blasphemous as possible just for the sake of being blasphemous, and actually having an artistic vision. I’d like to think we represent the latter.
Infidel is a very oppositional, outwardly hostile album; as black metal should be. But on the other side of that coin, what are the personal and internal spiritual beliefs of the members of Curse Upon A Prayer?
– Personal things are indeed personal. But as mentioned before, the very essence of this band has never been about islam.
In a 2014 interview you were quoted as saying the scene was full of “fat, drunken, black metal elitists who still over use the same irrelevant subjects that don’t even cause any turbulence”. Given that statement was made six years ago, how do you feel the situation is now? Has black metal become even less dangerous?
– Well, despite being just a teenager back then, I’m certainly not apologizing for that statement because it still holds some truth to this day! Haha!
But funnily enough, because of the current times we’re living in, black metal seems to be a surprisingly sharp thorn in the flesh of the mainstream world at the moment. And it’s a pitiful thing to see when some bands start making compromises with their art because of it. In a sense it’s also a good thing because the actual stars tend to shine much brighter and stronger among all that shit.
I believe you have garnered quite a reputation for desecrating the Quran during your live shows. Have you ever faced any protests or show cancellations due to backlash from this?
– Yes, of course. There have been some incidents along the way but it is something you can very well expect in these modern times. Even the government of Pakistan made a complaint about one of our videos on YouTube, so we’re doing well!
I personally don’t understand bands who choose to flirt with radical ideas and then start bitching when one of their shows gets cancelled, because it is what you can expect and you should be aware about it rather than making bullshit excuses on social media.
Following on from that, in the current age and climate it’s incredibly easy to find yourself tarred with the “nazi” or “racist” brush for being against a religious faith. A quick internet search even reveals an Islamophobia Definition stating that “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”. I personally loathe the Abrahamic religions and what they can do/have done to the world and its people, yet have very little against everyday folk of any creed who practice a form of them passively – including my mother, who is Christian. Hating the ideology doth not equal hating the man unless the man is utilising his faith to justify atrocities. I’m sure you’ve had to explain this many times, so I apologise, but once again: what is your take and personal stance on this? Are you racists?
– There’s a relatively famous quote about islamophobia; A word created by fascists and used by cowards to manipulate morons.
It is just a pathetic way to strive above any criticism. And trying to call us racists, just because we refuse to kneel before all the fear islam has managed to sow globally, is a weak move to pull. Usually done by equally idiotic cowards who still don’t seem to understand that the beliefs you choose to hold, and the race you were born into, are very separate things. As an artist you shouldn’t be afraid to pursue your vision even though there could be that risk of misjudgement. There will always be someone opposing you when/if you decide to stand up for your own values and artistic freedom. If we’ve crossed the line, feel free to fuck off because it surely hasn’t been our line.
And of course, feeling yourself supreme because of the pigment of your skin, is just another example of this sheep-like herd mentality where the average man finds comfort. True supremacy drives from other, more divine sources. And it is something that must be created and it certainly demands way more than just flesh and blood.
The original first track that premiered for the album was ‘Al-masih ad-Dajjal’, which has an intriguing title. Could you explain the meaning behind the title and what the song itself is about?
– Al-Masih ad-Dajjal is a figure in islamic belief and can be translated as “The Lying Messiah”. The song itself became one of the key points on this album and deals with the very essence of its concept: The fiery will of an “Infidel” to become his innermost self by manifesting the ruthless nature of an untamed god through pain, arrogant desecration and revenge. Giving the death penalty for a petty existence without repentance and pissing on its grave.
Infidel is currently being released on CD and digital through the great Saturnal Records. An excellent label, but why did you make the switch from Inverse Records (who released Rotten Tongues and Three Woes)?
– Actually, The Three Woes was released by Saturnal Records as well. (My mistake! Apologies – Dex)
With Saturnal Records we haven’t had to make any compromises with our choice of themes or art in general. They seem to be very aware of what we are doing and that was pretty much what sealed the deal for us for The Three Woes and this latest full-length album.
Are there any plans in the works for the album to be released on other formats?
-Yes. It will be on vinyl as well! In due time.
What lies in the future for Curse Upon A Prayer? Any shows or new material on the horizon that we should know about?
– There are shows coming this year. Some of them had to be postponed to a later date because of this well-deserved scourge of the human race, better known as the coronavirus. So we shall rejoice for this blessing first and then we carry on with the shows.
Also, the follow-up for Infidel has started to take its form already. But obviously it’s still way too early to comment further on that at this point!
And finally, I’ll ask your opinion: the world has a long and storied history with religion. Where do you envisage us all heading in years to come? Will we ever be free of it?
– It remains to be seen. It might just take a slightly different form because it is rooted in the human nature after all.
Sincerest thanks once again for your time, Curse Upon A Prayer. Any parting words or wisdom for us all?
– Hasten to prayer, all ye Infidels!
Infidel releases 10th April via Saturnal Records.
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Pre-order Infidel on CD from the Saturnal Records webstore HERE.
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