`First of all.. We would like to thank Imperial Conquest for taking the time to join us for this interview. Hailing from Tampa, Florida this band's music has been described in three words.. "EPIC AS FUCK!" As fans of all things Black Metal, we can't describe this band in any other way. They are indeed "Epic As Fuck!" Their debut EP "The Victorious Arise" has been threatening to destroy my speakers since the day I got it.. Yeah, Its that fucking good!
We caught up with them as they are preparing to record a highly anticipated second release "Omnipotence"

Read their words.. Listen to their music!


Submitted by AfterMath and Hate of ECBMA West Coast Admin (http://www.myspace.com/ecbmawestcoastchapter)

1) For those who are unfamiliar with Imperial Conquest; Please list the current band members, the instruments that they play, and any background on the members that you feel is relevant

Fernan Sanchez - vocals, keyboards

Eric Navarro - rhythm guitar

Bill Martin - lead guitar

Lukas Diaz-Ames - bass

Mad Dog - drums

Mad Dog played in Dark Disciple, Fernan played Bass and Keyboards in Perpetual (PR) and Eric played Bass in Tortura (PR).

2) How and when did Imperial Conquest start playing together?  How long have the current members been playing with Imperial Conquest?

The band came together in late 2008 through a little bit of networking and the shared interest of starting a black metal band. August 2009 saw Imperial Conquest playing our first show, after releasing our EP "The Victorious Arise". We have a stable lineup of brother-like members with only the drummer slot shifting around a bit. Mad dog, our latest drummer, has been in since December, and has made quite a fine fit into the band.

3) Explain, as best that you can, what is involved in your song writing process?   Is it a team - effort, or is there designated songwriter(s) within the band?

Our songs are a result of ideas being continuously bounced back and forth between all of us. We usually get a song kick started with either Eric or Bill coming up with some riffs. Then drum tracks are laid down with a drum machine and the songs slowly come together. Lukas, Fernan, and Mad Dog all put in their creative effort as well to help shape the songs. This, of course, is the general process, as we have written songs in the past based solely from keyboard riffs. Some songs come together seamlessly, such as the title track of our upcoming album "Omnipotence".

4) Were you satisfied artistically with the results of "The Victorious Arise", and how do you feel about how "Omnipotence" compares to the earlier EP?

We were thoroughly pleased with "The Victorious Arise", and we're extremely proud of it as a debut EP. The way we have been feeling lately feels very similar to the writing stages of "The Victorious Arise". You know. that tingly excited feeling you get, mixed with lots of beer and good times. We have a blast writing Imperial Conquest songs! "Omnipotence" definitely marks a change in direction for us though. While this album will still have that Imperial Conquest sound, we have brought the brutality of the music up quite a bit. The material on this album is also a lot more diverse than what can be found on "The Victorious Arise".

5) Do you bring in an outside producer to help with the your recordings? Or did you do all of that yourselves?  Private pro-studio or personal home studio?

With "The Victorious Arise", we self-recorded everything, considering that we have ample equipment. We still, however, sought to bring in a professional for the mixing and mastering stage, and for that album we brought in Juan "Punchy" Gonzalez, who has previously produced albums for Morbid Angel, Diabolic, Karl Sanders and others. We plan on doing pretty much the same with Omnipotence, except this time around we will be recording the guitars in the studio to try and obtain a better sound.

6) Overall, was the recording experience for "The Victorious Arise" and "Omnipotence" a positive one?

The recording experience for "The Victorious Arise" was one of the greatest experiences of our lives. We are really, really looking forward to recording "Omnipotence", and playing some of this material live!

7) Any thoughts or opinions that you can (or are willing to) share regarding bands that refer to themselves as "Christian Black Metal"?

We respect all music, and don't get caught up with genre definitions. Our view of black metal is purely a musical one, and we don't necessarily agree that "black metal" has to also be a lifestyle of wearing corpse paint and being satanic. But at the same time those who call themselves as "Christian Black Metal" are just the biggest hypocrites. How the hell are they pretending to be Black Metal if the essence of Black Metal is about dark emotions and evil sounding notes like for example the Devil's note (D). It just doesn't make any fucking sense. That's all.

8) Where do you stand on the issue of file sharing?

This is a tough one. All of us download music, as well as purchase it. I think file sharing is great for those hard to find bands, and also in terms of promotion. At the same time it has a huge impact on the larger bands. All I know is that file sharing came over a decade ago, and it's obviously here to stay. So the RIAA and bands had better learn how to adapt accordingly. There has definitely been an influx of touring bands the last few years, so perhaps that's how they are adapting?

9) Influences..? Musical and non--musical..real or imagined..?

The influences between our members range from Burzum, to Miles Davis, to Squarepusher, to Paganini, to Gorguts. But as far as where our music comes from, and what we all listen to collectively as a whole, I would say some major influences on the Imperial Conquest sound are bands like Dissection, Dark Tranquility, At the Gates, Borknagar, Abigor, Limbonic Art, etc. As far as the whole epic theme of the band, that probably comes from epic war movies like Gladiator & King Arthur and books from R.A. Salvatore & Tolkien!

10) Are you happy just playing music, or do you have other ambitions above and beyond the underground scene?

We are currently having a blast playing around Tampa and other areas of Florida. We're kind of just writing the best music possibly and playing shows and meeting other bands at the moment to learn the ropes of what it is to be a truly great band. We are definitely open for any future prospects though, but then again, nobody joins a black metal band to hit the mainstream.

11) Some would say that Black Metal from the US isn't legit or "pure" enough.. what are your thoughts on that?

All the genre definitions and ideals are childish and immature. It's human nature to mix things up and try to progress further, rather than sit in a stagnate state, as the pure black metal followers would suggest everyone do.

12) Black Metal is an art form that includes both music and aspects of theater. How do you bring that unseen aspect to your studio recorded offerings?

The whole theater part of it is so 90's and has nothing to do with the metal. We all enjoy it, but I wouldn't say it's necessarily a part of black metal. Anaal Nathrakh, for example, doesn't indulge in the theatrical aspects and they are one of the better black metal bands around today. Our music is epic melodic black metal, and we paint the Imperial Conquest picture using the music itself. I would say keyboards are a very important element to that on the albums.

13) What would you want to say about yourself and / or music that you feel has been misunderstood, unsaid, or misinterpreted?

Nothing really... We've been told our songs are too long. But, oh well!

14) How can fans contact you to buy CDs / Merch and / or just get a hold of you guys?

Our myspace is the best way. myspace.com/imperialconquestfl

15) What's next for Imperial Conquest?

Well, our upcoming album "Omnipotence" is going to be an Imperial Conquest milestone. Outside of the music itself, however, we'll be playing our first festival June 16th at the Michigan Death Fest. We'll also be playing our first out of country show in Puerto Rico May 29th. And last but not least, we'll be playing our first Jacksonville show April 30th, along with continuous streams of shows in the Tampa area. All of this information and more can be founded on our regularly updated myspace.

16) How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it?

An epic and melodic take on black metal.

17) When can we expect the release of "Omnipotence"?

We will be recording "Omnipotence" within April and should have actual CD's ready to be shipped around late May.