INTRODUCING: Cvlt Ov The Svn

It’s a hard line to walk, the one between pop music and rock. While there are those that have achieved that balance, there’s something interesting in each act that attempts it. CVLT OV THE SVN is a musical outfit that doesn’t shy away from it’s darker sensibilities, but allows for melody and relatability to go unhindered and find a new form in thier music. We spoke with the enigmatic frontman, and the man behind the music, to understand how he has achieved the fusion of pop glamour and the darker ideas in rock.

When asked what exactly CVLT OV THE SVN represents, he notes that, “To me, CVLT OV THE SVN is a vision of a perfect rock band filled with danger, killer tunes and theatrics. It also represents the dark nature of mankind, without forgetting that this is art. I am a singer/songwriter from Finland, so this is somewhat a one-man band. I have talented musicians to join me on stage. I want to achieve the best of me in every aspect. And world domination, of course.”

For one man to have this vision, it’s evident that there had to be a discipline and a passion for it all to come together, a brilliant brooding melding of pop and rock. “I did pre-production for almost four years and I have loads of material,” he explains, “So the demos were quite there already. Sonicly, I wanted that this [to] lean more towards timeless rock ‘n roll sound than metal, even though the core of the music lies with metal. I played everything else in the studio by myself, except the drums. It came together quite effortlessly, for I knew precisely what I was doing.”

Having a Finnish background, it’s hard not to make associations to the black metal scene that dominates the area, and to wonder what influence that has on the music itself. ”Well, certainly,” he agrees, “The darkness here, that comes with the seasons, is quite overwhelming at times. Even for a native Finn. Then you add the liquor consumption in high volume to the equation, then there you have it. Melody-wise, it’s traditional to have melancholy mixed with beauty and hopeless longing.”

While there are nods to the tradition of black metal in CVLT OV THE SVN, the focus overall is softer, with more melancholy rock and pop overlaying that deeply pained and demonic soul that can run through Finnish music. CVLT OV THE SVN seems to work as both a human being, one person exploring themselves and what music can create, and a movement of that music once it reaches the listener. It’s a complex balance between being something personal to it’s creator, and what it becomes once in the hands of others. The nature of duality is almost inherent in CVLT OV THE SVN.

In a world where often the only way to be heard is to be unseen, many fans are aware of the haunting mask that CVLT OV THE SVN used in the very beginning of its inception. It’s evidently been a useful tool, one that captures imaginations and connects instantly with listeners. “Well, I just saw the image of it in my mind,” CVLT OV THE SVN explains, when questioned about its meaning and its use. “When I began composing the music, I thought that there should be a link between somewhat poppish melodies and intense lyrics. The Mask was the link. I unmask in the new video, which was a conscious step forwards. The Mask is now buried deep, and shall never again see the light of day.”

The journey of CVLT OV THE SVN, along with the metaphorical use and discarding of the mask are just as interesting as the music itself. While the man himself simply describes it as, “Intelligent, aggressive, polite and dangerous. And lovable,” it’s both just that, and more so. There’s a humble self-awareness to the music, all the while, it isn’t afraid to be bombastic and joyous, revelling in the light and the dark. To embrace duality is the progression towards being at peace with yourself.

CVLT OV THE SVN’s debut Luna In The Sky Forever released in late September, while on tour with ICE NINE KILLS. The band played their set in London, a show that was quite special. “It was an unforgettable experience to play London for the first time,” CVLT OV THE SVN goes on to say, “we pulled it off on stage, so I feel quite relieved at the moment. Enjoying it very much now, that the music is out there for people to listen. ICE NINE KILLS were polite people and hosted us extremely nicely. All the best for those guys.”

In terms of playing live, there’s a sense of magic and connection once the act starts to preform. “The energy and interaction between the band and the audience is the most important thing,” he agrees. “[It’s] most enjoyable to play when everything works smoothly and you can fully focus on what you do.” The experience on stage really captures the fusion of art, personal storytelling and worldwide connection. However, it appears that this is only a facet of what CVLT OV THE SVN is really about. “In a way, I am having fun with the lyrics and the riffs while writing the music. When delivering it live, my persona is way more intense and aggressive while writing. But there are similarities in the two, obviously.”

The record itself holds true to the tradition of telling stories, and each song has it’s own world and character that comes through both in the music and lyrics. No two songs have a complete link in theme, but overarching is a consistent sound that both delights and haunts. “It’s a mix of my life-story and imagination without boundaries. Horror themes are obviously there with Lovecraftian influence. It’s almost like every story is told by a different demonic entity.”

Overall, the music is not just a vessel for one man’s ideas. It’s much more an artistic expression of what’s inside and with some luck, a resonating link between souls. “It’s kind of therapy for me,” CVLT OV THE SVN puts it’s simply. “I think that it’s wiser to escape into the realm of art, than going out there and snap. I hope I can offer escapism to others, for life is quite a difficult journey to cope with.”

Luna in the Sky Forever is out now via OMN Label Services.

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