interview with Plutonian Shore
What made you to be baptized to just "Plutonian Shore"? Prokingu: “….Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, ‘Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,’ I said, ‘art sure no craven, Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore— Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!’ Quoth the Raven ‘Nevermore.’” – “The Raven”, Edgar Allan Poe.
Where are you from? Prokingu: Plutonian Shore originated in San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
How did you meet? Prokingu: I met my bandmates about three years ago at a show they were playing, and after several lineup changes, I joined in summer of 2012.
What is your name?/Who plays what?/How old are you? Prokingu: Prokingu, aged 23, bass and vocals when needed.
Explain to those who have not heard you, how does your music? Prokingu: Traditional black metal; the antithesis of swoop-haired, pink-album-covered, indie-rock-in-disguise hipster bullshit that has infected the U.S. as of late. Musical influences: Rotting Christ, Dissection, Horna, Averse Sefira, Watain, Absu, Emperor, Immortal, etc.
Each was led first gig?/Where were off last gig? Prokingu: I played my first show with Plutonian Shore on July 13th, 2012. I also assisted in guest backing vocals from October 15th, 2011 onward. As of the time of this writing, our last show was with Morbosidad, Thy Antichrist, Bahimiron, and Hod at the Limelight in San Antonio, Texas.
Who writes the songs?/Who does the music? Prokingu: Zvs composes all of the music while Amethyst Moon writes all lyrics. For the new album, I assist with writing patterns for the vocals when called for.
What you drive for music style? Prokingu: Atmosphere. Violence. Speed. Ritual.
Do you own songs or covers? Prokingu: Plutonian Shore focuses on originals, as we have three albums worth of material (including one album in the making) and several splits, although we have covered Rotting Christ’s “The Fifth Illusion” and another song that is kept secret for certain live rituals. We have also rehearsed covers of Satyricon and Immortal that have not made it to the live stage.
Have you released any album or single?/What are they called so, and what years they were released? Prokingu: To date: Albums: “Ave Mysterium” (2010), “Lunar Rites” (2012), “Sphere of Geburah” (To be released 2014). Splits: “Nocturnal Tyrants” (2011) with Satanized/Framferd/Katari, “Oaths ov Stygian Dusk” (2011) with Humut Tabal, “Alchemical Manifestations” (2012) with A Transylvanian Funeral. There was also a split DVD in 2012 released by the Dread Lair with Humut Tabal, Spectral Manifest, and The Nephilim Terror. An eponymous demo was released in 2010.
What do you sell for merchandise gadgets? Prokingu: Shirts, patches, recordings, and the occasional incense packet.
Have you done any music videos? Prokingu: There was one that ultimately was not released.
How has your music evolved since you began playing music together? Prokingu: It has become much faster and more violent. Since I joined there has also been greater emphasis on dual-lead vocal patterns, greatly influenced by Absu and Averse Sefira (on my part, at least). The bass playing has also been taken to the next level of intensity, as I have switched from finger-style to using a pick.
What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Prokingu: Probably the fact that I am based out of a different city than my bandmates, which can make playing weekday shows a challenge to coordinate. But even if I have to drive back and work a few hours after the show, it is no issue – I do this for metal.
Describe your show, visual and musically Prokingu: Atmospheric (NOT SYMPHONIC) Black Metal Assault.
How is it this time of year to get out on the gig? Prokingu: We are always playing live, there is not one particular time of year that we wait for. That said, I personally prefer winter or fall shows as it is simply too damned hot in this state for most of the summer, haha.
What are your two big favorite songs you done? Prokingu: In terms of my favorite songs to play of released material: “Eye of Thoth” (however rarely it is played) and “A Thousand Eyes”, once sped up to a faster tempo that we play live. Vocally: “Chain of Being” (from the to-be-released “Sphere of Geburah”) and “Scrying the Night Shadows”.
What have you participated in the past?/Have you had any previous bands? Prokingu: I have played bass in Austin death metal band Morgengrau since 2010. I also played bass for Austin black metal band Humut Tabal from 2011-2012. I am also in the process of getting a Bathory-ish death/thrash metal band off the ground named Vulse, as we are in the middle of recording some sample material. That is all I will mention for now.
What do you do besides the band and the music? Prokingu: Nothing relevant. Anything outside music is just killing time.
What would you do if the music does not fans?/How important are your fans? Prokingu: The supporters of this band are very important to us – they are some of the most loyal one could imagine. We have utmost respect for the people who enjoy our music and support this group – be hailed brothers and sisters! You know who you are…
What is the best band you live way? Prokingu: The best black metal band I have ever seen: Antaeus. Death metal: Bolt Thrower. Thrash metal: Morbid Saint. Absu’s concert in Dallas of May 2013 is also one of the best I have ever seen.
How old were you at your first concert you saw?/How old were you at your first gig?
Prokingu: 16 for the first concert I saw. The first real show I played was when I was 20.
What is your goal with your music? Prokingu: “Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon.” – Rorschach.
How old were you when you were on a stage for the first time? Prokingu: 16, but did not play what I would call a “real show” until 20.
Besides your music style you play what do you like the music still enjoy listening to? Prokingu: Outside of black metal, I worship death and thrash metal in roughly equal measures, and I hold a great appreciation for doom and classic heavy metal as well. Outside of metal I will listen to punk when the mood calls for it, tending to favor the faster, more violent kind including Danzig-era Misfits (the only real era in my opinion) and GG Allin and his various backing bands. Before I was introduced to metal I was also raised on classic rock, and I still enjoy the hard rock of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s along with progressive rock of that era. Outside of that I can appreciate chaotic noise/industrial/ambient on occasion, but for the most part my musical diet is metal – to the death.
What things are you most afraid of? Prokingu: Nothing that cannot be conquered.
What are you afraid will happen to you in the future? Prokingu: No point being enslaved by fear of what may happen – take charge of your own life and any fears will fall by the wayside.
What is the biggest fear when you go onstage? Prokingu: None, although the possibility of equipment failure can be an annoyance in the back of my mind sometimes.
What drives a band that is not very well known and live on it to continue to play? Prokingu: Metal itself: Metal is in my blood – thoughts of fame and money are irrelevant. I would be playing this music if I never made a dime and continually played to an empty room. That said, it’s great playing to a full room of supporters that are passionate about your band.
When did you start off band? Prokingu: I joined the band in July of 2012, initially as a session member who shortly made the commitment to a full-fledged member of the Plutonian Shore Coven about a month or so later.
Where have you played from 2010 to 2014? Prokingu: San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas, the Valley, Corpus Christi, and we are preparing to fly to Denver, Colorado to play a show there.
Do you always the same songs live or vary it? Prokingu: We have several staples of the setlist but try to throw in a variety overall. Our most-played songs are “Scrying the Night Shadows”, “Behold…The Great Arckanum”, and (since their introduction in the setlist) “Chain of Being” and “Sphere of Geburah”. Our least-played ones are “Eye of Thoth” (that I believe we only played once or twice) and over the last year or so, most of the material from our debut, “Ave Mysterium”.
What countries have you played in? Prokingu: Currently only the United States.
How do you up for a gig? Prokingu: Re-string if necessary, replace any failing electronics, warm up. On the drive to the show I usually listen to Bathory or Venom to get myself appropriately energized, and a few servings of black coffee don’t hurt either.
What is your pre-show ritual? Prokingu: Adorn ourselves in paint and prepare for all hell to break loose.
What are your favorite and least favorite venues you up on the wood? Prokingu: The worst shall go unmentioned, but as for the best, I do enjoy Zombies and The Korova in San Antonio. Austin has Beerland and Headhunters, and Dallas never fails to treat us well. Houston’s Super Happy Fun Land, curious moniker aside, is always a blast as the venue is esoteric and the audience always supports.
Have you had to set up a concert? Prokingu: Not in recent memory, but I do like to get the word out once the show has been confirmed to make sure that the show is a success.
Best/worst performed gig? Prokingu: The worst need not have time spent on it; some of the best include opening for Marduk and Teratism (these were two separate shows) in 2013, playing with Sardonic Witchery in San Antonio (which was an especially excellent show), opening for Morbosidad recently, and any time we share the stage with our brothers in Hod, Runes of the Evening, and many more comrades who will be named later in this interview.
Have you toured somewhat over the years 2010 to 2014? Prokingu: No tours other than a four-day mini-tour with Runes of the Evening in the summer of 2013. It would be great to go on longer excursions, nuisances of mundane daily life permitting.
Where do you sleep when you're going on tour? Prokingu: The same place we sleep when playing any out-of-town show: Wherever we can find.
How many people usually come to your gig? Prokingu: It depends on a variety of factors, namely the cost, day of the week, and other bands on the bill. Turnout has been very good lately, though, with every show having people watching and supporting even if it isn’t necessarily a packed house.
How would you describe your sound in one sentence? Prokingu: Atmospheric black metal assault.
What image do you think your music conveys? Prokingu: The aesthetic of Plutonian Shore conveys the ideology of the band: It is not a marketing gimmick, but an important reflection of the music itself – and thus, a reflection of ourselves.
What are your role models before? Prokingu: In the context of Plutonian Shore: Cronos of Venom, Quorthon (R.I.P.) of Bathory, Wrath of Averse Sefira, our comrades in Hod, the late Mike Scaccia (R.I.P.) of Rigor Mortis (for picking speed), and Chris Gamble (a.k.a. Mezzadurus) of Goreaphobia and Blood Storm, who is another major influence. Ihsahn and Samoth of Emperor as well for their compositional talent, especially on “In The Nightside Eclipse”.
What inspires you? Prokingu: Venom, Slayer, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, Sarcofago, Sodom, Sepultura, Mayhem, Mercyful Fate, Emperor, Absu, Averse Sefira, Immortal, Rotting Christ, Blasphemy, Dissection, Sadistik Exekution, Abhorer, Order from Chaos, Watain, Morbosidad, Conqueror, Archgoat, Morbid Angel, Impaled Nazarene, Kreator, Necromantia, Slaughter (Can.), Rigor Mortis, Dolmen, Poison (Ger.), Voor.
Is it easier to draw inspiration from older bands than the bands that are active today? Prokingu: I would say yes, for me personally. My entry into metal was through the metal masterpieces of the ‘70’s, ‘80’s, and early ‘90’s so I hold a bias towards these albums that I was exposed to in my nascent stages. There are, however, plenty of excellent active bands of this era, especially in Texas, from veterans to newer blood who can be inspirational in their conviction and the quality of their music. Of bands playing currently in Texas in particular, we support Imprecation, Bahimiron, Blaspherian, Hod, War Master, Birth A.D., Hexlust, VBT, Spectral Manifest, Maiestas, Vex, Morbosidad (who are based out of Texas now), Absu, The Black Moriah, Cleric, Id, Feral Rex, Widower, Khringe, Church ov Melkarth, Oath of Cruelty, Runes of the Evening, The Blood Royale, Goatcraft, and Satanik Goat Ritual. Non-Texan active artists I’ve been listening to include Amputator, Angist, Intemperator, Morbid Yell, Cult of Fire, Vomikaust, Cthe’ilist, Black Fucking Cancer, Beyond, and Sect Pig to name a few.
Where is most common that you play? Prokingu: San Antonio, Texas.
What are your plans for the future? Prokingu: To continue to perform live rituals, release new albums, and arrogantly move forward in the face of opposition.
What are the main obstacles for the band? Prokingu: Nothing that cannot be overcome through strength and will.
What advice would you give to other bands? Prokingu: One major thing: Don’t steal an established metal band’s name. If I hear a band that formed this year with a name ripped off from one of the old gods I don’t even waste my time with them (and fuck off to a certain few in recent years who have had the audacity to think they could get away with it). Besides that, be serious with your music and respect the legacies of the older bands. Anyone hopping on a trend can look elsewhere – this music is for life.
Do you have anything to add? Prokingu: To the death!