Operatic black metal rising stars FOLTERKAMMER are now sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the band's Rococo "Fight Club" style music video for the song "Leck Mich!" The video was once again directed by FOLTERKAMMER drummer Brendan McGowan and produced by Vile Luxe Studios. Watch the making of "Leck Mich!" below.
The original video is 18th century class against 21st century crass; a bloody journey into the Rococo underground and its lustful ringleader, vocalist and frontwoman Andromeda Anarchia. The clip can be found HERE.
The song is taken from the band's sophomore full-length, 'Weibermacht,' which is due on April 19, 2024 via Century Media Records!
'Weibermacht' serves as a counterpart to the band's 2020 debut, 'Die Lederpredigt.' The new record is another searing blend of modern black metal and classical music elements, lending to its Avant Garde sound. The music itself is elevated by frontwoman and vocalist Andromeda Anarchia's dynamic vocal work as she juxtaposes her classical training as an opera singer with her hellfire screams, summoning a maelstrom of ethereal chaos. Pre-orders are now live HERE.
In addition, FOLTERKAMMER has recently announced their first ever U.S. tour! The rising powerhouse will be embarking on an East Coast headliner with support from WITCHING, which kicks off on March 22 in Baltimore and will circle back to the band's hometown of Brooklyn, NY on March 30. The full itinerary can be found below!
FOLTERKAMMER U.S. TOUR DATES (w/ WITCHING):
03/22: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
03/23: Richmond, VA @ Another Round
03/24: Columbus, OH @ The Summit
03/25: Chattanooga, TN @ Dark Roast
03/26: Nashville, TN @ The End
03/27: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle
03/28: Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge
03/29: Cleveland, OH @ No Class
03/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Kingsland
Founded in New York around 2018/2019, Folterkammer, or “Torture Chamber,” is the operatic black metal outfit that is redefining modern music. This ingenious band seamlessly fuses beauty with brutality. A combination of raw passion and technique contributes to the epic nature of Folterkammer’s dark art. Their work is both nostalgic and remarkably fresh. Yes, Folterkammer fuses various musical traditions and genres to craft an unparalleled experience.
Folterkammer is composed of Andromeda Anarchia on vocals, Zachary Ezrin on guitars, Darren Hanson on guitars, Laurent David on bass, and Brendan McGowan on drums. Both Anarchia, who hails from Switzerland, and David, who was born in Paris, divide their time between Europe and Brooklyn. Thus, even though the group can be described as international, Anarchia states: “It took New York to create Folterkammer.” Her project Andromeda Anarchia’s DARKMATTERS acted as the catalyst that brought her to the Big Apple, where she met Ezrin. Many metalheads already know that Anarchia has appeared as a guest on the three most recent albums by Ezrin’s brainchild Imperial Triumphant — a leading avant-garde band that marries extreme metal, jazz, classical components, etc. McGowan has also provided guest vocals for Imperial Triumphant, and Hanson lent his songwriting excellence to their 2012 instrumental track “Scaphism.”
Ezrin, McGowan, and Hanson have a wealth of shared history. These friends attended college together in California, where Hanson and Ezrin studied classical composition. Thus, much of Folterkammer’s orchestration is classically based. Hanson harbors a special love of Baroque music and knows precisely how to expertly wed it with his passion for black metal. Folterkammer was actually conceived when Ezrin proposed that Anarchia collaborate with him on some of Hanson’s material. Ezrin writes killer riffs and more for the band. McGowan was invited to join Folterkammer on Hanson’s wise suggestion. His drums are perhaps the heaviest element keeping one of Folterkammer’s limbs firmly anchored in traditional black metal. McGowan mines inspiration from different generations of acts: He names 1349 and old-school heroes like Blasphemy and Marduk. That said, black metal fans will also be pleased to hear the spirit of the second wave in the aggression of Folterkammer’s tremolo picking, for example.
The exceptionally skilled David, Folterkammer’s newest weapon, truly perfects the group with his golden touch on bass. Whereas the bass is not always as prominent as it could be in the content of many black metal groups, Folterkammer purposely allows David’s bass to shine through. Like his bandmates, David is an avid consumer of several forms of music, and thus creates delightfully eclectic art. He has received both classical and jazz training. This major talent has toured worldwide alongside musicians and bands such as Ibrahim Maalouf, Guillaume Perret & The Electric Epic, Yael Naim, and Shijin. David has done so both as a side man and as a band leader/producer. Anarchia and Ezrin already knew David before asking him to join Folterkammer. After all, David founded the “avant metal-jazz trio” Kilter of which Imperial Triumphant’s Kenny Grohowski is an essential part.
Lineup:
Andromeda Anarchia - Vocals
Zachary Ezrin - Guitars
Brendan McGowan - Drums
Darren Hanson - Guitars
Laurent David - Bass
Guest Harpsichord: Steve Blanco on "Anno Domina"
Album Credits:
Producer: Zachary Ezrin
Recording: Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios in NJ
Additional Recording: Laurent David and Antoine Delecroix
Mixing: Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves, in NY
Mastering: Fred Kevorkian
Cover Art: Eliran Kantor
Album Layout: Brendan McGowan
Photography: Alex Krauss
Logo Design: Mister Kams
Bio: Jillian Drachman
Photos: Alex Krauss
Follow: