If you go for classic epic doom metal, you probably already know young bands like Fvneral Fvkk from Germany or Elusive God from Croatia. But there is another outfit that you definitely should check out: For Centuries from Mexico. Today, we present to you an interview with their vocalist Ivan Bloodhunter. Have a good read!

Hi Ivan, thanks a lot for your time. How are you doing over there in Mexico? 

Ivan Bloodhunter: Hi André! We thank you for reaching out to us.

It’s a pleasure for us!

We are doing well while answering this interview. We hope you and everyone reading this is safe so far.

I’m fine, thanks! How are you dealing with the current situation? Did the pandemic destroy a lot of your plans with For Centuries? 

Indeed! Fuck this crap! We delayed the recording of our first full-length, planned for 2020, but on the other hand, we were able to launch a single called «Prometheus…and the lignum scientiae». At the same time, there was a video for this song, and we were able to make arrangements and we are ready to start the recordings pretty soon. We are just completing our last track for our first full-length. We are looking for a good recording label to launch and distribute it. 

Good news! I suppose that many readers don’t know For Centuries yet. Please tell us something about your founding history and your musical vision.

For Centuries was formed in 2017, with the single idea of creating a band that is a mixture between Candlemass and Mercyful Fate, also with the idea of me singing clean – I am a long-time death metal vocalist. With every musician who was added we evolved the band’s sound until we accomplished our own obscure, epic and classic based doom metal! Our music has many influences since we came from different backgrounds, including doom, death and even black metal which I think makes our music different to a lot of bands in the epic doom metal style. 

Yeah, that’s right, for sure! How would you describe the feedback you received after releasing your debut EP?

Amazing and unexpected, as I mentioned before, we have never been in a band like this. To get such a great feedback from friends, bands, old metalheads and underground media was killer! And still it is, with every step we take, our fan base – that we really appreciate – is growing. 

What do you think about Centuries of Black Fire? What’s your favourite track on it?

My personal favourite is «The Howling», the last track. It is slow and obscure as hell!!

Definitely, I love this one, too!

But in general, I like what we accomplished on the EP. We were creating something new to us. So I guess, looking back, we could improve a lot of things, haha. But it was a big first step towards what we are now. The new songs are better composed – we wouldn’t have reached this level if that EP wasn’t created before.

Who is responsible for the songwriting?

Mostly Hannibal (our lead guitar player) and myself, but everyone is involved when we make the arrangements. Regarding the lyrics and visual concept I would be the responsible one and this one should burn on the pyre, haha!

On our blog, we focus on epic metal and (epic) doom metal. How would you define the term «epic»?

Actually, I can tell you, as a matter of fact, that we (especially me) deny to classify our music as epic doom, since we believe our music is just doom metal, the way it used to be back in the 80s. There is nothing «epic» in this genre, only darkness and perdition, haha. But almost everyone told us we were epic doom metal until we accepted it and now we raise that flag high, haha!

What do you generally think about the Mexican metal scene? Are there any young Mexican metal bands that you would like to recommend to our readers?

There are plenty of great and amazing bands out there. Mexico is a big country with a lot of great death, black and doom metal bands like Black Hate, Mordskog, Hacavitz, my own blackened death metal band Black Torment, In Obscurity Revealed, Vexilla Regis Prodeunt, Necroccultus, Violet Magick or Ouroboros Solemn, just to mention a few. The only negative side of this story is that these bands don’t get enough support from the Mexican metal fans and big festival’s organizers. It is really difficult for Mexican bands to get proper support and recognition. 

What was the last record you listened to before answering my questions?

Obliteration – Perpetual decay EP, brutal!! 

What was your favourite album released in 2020?

Jupiterian – Protosapien, a real obscure masterpiece of doom death metal! Also Cirith Ungol‘s – Forever Black, it is a classic masterpiece!! 

What’s your opinion about social media platforms? I talked with a lot of young musicians and most of them stated that they are very important for them nowadays in order to reach a larger audience.

I am an old «’skull» metalhead, I totally hate social media, haha. But it is in fact a great tool nowadays for any band to spread their music, we need to evolve with the times without losing what makes us what we are and what took us to where we stand now! 

Last question: Candlemass or Solitude Aeturnus? 

Man, this is probably the hardest question so far, haha. Solitude is within my black heart, there is no doubt (they compare me a lot with Lowe‘s voice, and I wish I could sing like him, haha), but Candlemass man, they are the gods of doom! Simple as that!

Ivan, many thanks! I look forward to new For Centuries stuff. Stay safe!