Hey Teran – welcome to Sentinel Daily! I’m not going to beat around the bush today – on with the questions! What was the best new album you heard in 2016? “Undoubtedly Numenorean‘s Home. I’m not overly into much of the new post black metal scene but these guys are a real exception. Though emotionally powerful they retain a strong sense of rhythm within the melody. Highly recommended”.

I’ll seek it out and have a listen. And what about old stuff – did any reissues grab your attention this year? “Not sure if it released this year or late last year but I recently picked up a copy of Exhumed‘s Necrospective compilation. That was a good score. Looking through some of the lists of reissues this year I did find out that Seasons of Mist is re-releasing Atheist‘s Piece of Time album. Being as I’ve been scouring used CD shops for years I will certainly be keeping eye out for that!”

That Exhumed album actually came out in early 2015, I think, but what’s a few months between friends? Moving away from the tunes of 2016, what was your non-musical highlight of the last twelve months?’ “Highlight would have to be our guitarist Matt (van Wezel) got engaged! The rest of us managed another year without bringing any children into the world. So things working out all around!”

Mervellous! And what have you found particularly disappointing about the wider world in 2016? “I think this question would be much more difficult to answer in other years but the world has made this one easy on us! I think it can easily be shown with the fact people tried to excuse a 65 year old man for saying he can “Grab her in the pussy”. Anyone care to leave the dark ages anytime soon?”

Poor old Donald. He’s not exactly covered himself in glory, has he? Let’s go back to a potentially more cheerful subject. Do you think the music scene – and our sort of music in particular – is in good shape at the minute? “Absolutely. Depending on the perspective it may not seem that way; if you look towards the larger bands and labels there doesn’t appear to be as many truly solid and classic albums being produced. Now of course there are many exceptions to this (Revocation!) but what I would urge is turn your eyes to the smaller scenes. I have been absolutely blown away with the talent I’ve experienced whether it be sharing the stage in our own scene or checking out links online. Some seriously good releases are going unnoticed!”

That’s a very good point. Did anything disappoint you musically in 2016? “Most noticeably, and it pains me to admit this, but In Flames and Opeth. Out of love I’ll spare them any further commentary…. but ouch!”

No need for the ouch… In Flames have been struggling for a while now – at least to my ears – and I guess Opeth become ever more an acquired taste for metalheads! Which practitioners of your own musical role impressed you most this year? “Dave Davidson of Revocation. Album after album of obscenely high quality music. I also learned this year he does lessons online with some guys I know. So not only as a guitarist/singer but also being a teacher professionally myself he’s a true inspiration. This guy really does put his heart and soul on the line for metal”.

And that’s something we should all give thanks for! Best live act you’ve seen this year? “Order of Chaos. Loud as Hell festival in Drumheller, Calgary Metalfest this year and countless times in the past. High energy eighties influenced heavy metal with two of the best guitarist going and fronted by the amazing Amanda Kiernan, also of Into Eternity. Unbelievable stage presence from a group of seriously talented musicians”.

You had me at ‘eighties influenced metal’! What does the next twelve months hold in prospect for you? “Releasing The Eyes of the Soulless was a long and arduous process; one that allowed plenty of time for working on material for what will become our second full length. So after the release on November 25th we will get out and start sharing …Soulless in as many places as we can get ourselves to. With the time at home we’ve already booked studio time in February to record a single to keep things active while we search for the right studio to get into and record again fully”.

Good luck with that! Which band, if any, do you think is primed to break out into the wider consciousness in 2017? “Eyes of Horus and Tylor Dory Trio out of Edmonton. Any level, no matter how high is too little for these incredibly under rated acts. I would compare Eyes of Horus to Nile and Belphegor – style death metal. Tylor Dory is more on the prog Porcupine Tree side of things. One would not regret the time they spend checking them out”.

We’re fast approaching the festive season – best night for a party – Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve? “New years eve without a doubt”.

That said, it’s only November so we’re not going to ask for a New Year’s Resolution – but what musical feat do you hope to attain next year? “I’ve often heard the sophomore album described as a new bands most difficult challenge. One we are going to take head on in the new year”.

Again, good luck! Anything else you’d like to say to the readers of Sentinel Daily? “Thanks for taking the time to check us out! It takes many people to keep this metal world alive and we are stoked to be a part of it”.

Thanks for taking the time to speak to us!

Krepitus release their new album, The Eyes of the Soulless, on November 25th. Have a listen to the title track below!