There is nothing better then finding new bands and labels that produce some quality releases. That is why I continue to talk to the individuals behind these projects. And here we have a promising new label from Belgium. Let’s get right into it…

CM: So let’s start with the basics, let us know who you are, where you live and when and how did you start your label?
Hails, I’m Y. from Belgium and August ’08 I started the label Dismal Cursings. It carries that name because that’s simply what each release should be: a curse… it should leave a mark that never vanishes.
Its primary focus will be the tape format: both demos and albums. It’s such an important format for demos; the ones that already show a good share of potential at least. Also tape albums because they’re easy to acquire for little money in days that postage rates are getting higher and higher. Surely not to be too restrictive but what I’d like to be occupied with mainly musically is traditional or melancholic Black Metal and also some Doom Metal or maybe acoustic music.

CM: Did you first have a distro and then decided to start making releases?
Well I started out as a label but it was also necessary to do small distribution because of trading. It was/is not my intention to build up a big distro.. All time, energy and accessible means will be used for doing quality releases.

CM: So what have you released?
There’s only one release so far: TRIST (Cze) - Zjitrená bolest. It’s a compilation of 3 previously unrevealed demo recordings from 2005-2006, on pro-tape (only few copies left). Trist has ended and it’s mainly intended for fans of this melancholic project. Some more Trist releases will happen though (by other labels), check his website for information on that. He’ll possibly do some live gigs in the future too! They’ll be announced on the myspace page.

CM: With the metal scene expanding so fast, and so many new bands coming up, how do you go about choosing who you work with?
It’s indeed hard to keep up with all new bands. I see little point in supporting music that’s between bad and mediocre… The term “potential” is often misused.
I prefer to contact bands myself instead of the other way around. When you’ve spoken with a band member for a while, it usually becomes clear whether it’s just something that they do in their free time or something they’re really convicted to.

CM: Do you feel that some metal bands will prefer to release their music online and distribute through mp3s/myspace, or do you think that presentation and the actual physical releases are here to stay?
Some bands will probably start doing this but I don’t think underground music will be affected a lot. I presume that most serious people prefer a physical copy including artwork. It wouldn’t surprise me if CD pressings would get smaller though.

CM: Any particular best or worst experiences dealing with bands or labels?
It was a pleasure dealing with Trist, Nordkult Rituals, Rusty Axe Records, Tour De Garde, Problem Child Records and many others. No bad experiences so far.

CM: Are there some grand plans for the years to come? Are you looking to expand the label?
There are several (pro printed) tape releases planned and possibly also a couple of CD releases. Info in due time.

CM: I am assuming as it’s the case with many others you have a job aside from the label? You think you would ever go with some bigger name bands that sell well just so you can do the label full time?
Yes, I work as a Software Engineer. I’d rather have a job so I have both certainty and the means to have a label anyway.

CM: So what are some of the releases that we should look forward to?

ABSOLUTUS (Bel) “Pugnare In Iis, Quae Obtinere Non Possis” Tape (soon)
ELYSIAN BLAZE (Aus) “Blood Geometry” 2Tape Box (2009)

Absolutus’ second album belongs to the best albums coming from Belgium (think Blut Aus Nord, Deathspell Omega, Warloghe,…). We’ll try to make something special of it. It’s currently in recording process!
Elysian Blaze is some of the most obscure Black/Doom I know and I think “Blood Geometry” is going to be just massive, having a 02:14:15 playing time!

Link: Dismal Cursings
Contact: dismalcursings[AT]gmail.com

Tags: Interview, label