Martin: Hi! Everything is fine when you’re drinking a beer! Raphael: Good! Things seem to start again for Inocculta, slowly but surely! François: Fine! It’s a long time we haven’t answered an interview!

François: Inocculta was formed in Brussels in Augustus 2001. In May 2002, we recorded our first demo “Destins Cathares”. In December 2002, Inocculta played on scene for the first time at the “Metal Heart Festival 2” organized by Metal Organisation in Brussels. We recorded a second demo “Fausseté et Démesure” in February 2003. This demo was given a good reception by European webzines and magazines, in particular by Metallian, famous French magazine. It enabled Inocculta to participate at several compilations and concerts, particularly in Brussels, Ghent and Huy. We entered at the beginning of July 2004 in the Arrogant Music studio at Uccle to record our third demo under the best possible conditions but also to mitigate the production problems encountered during the recording of the preceding demo. In March 2005, Inocculta had the privilege to be selected to take part in the great festival “Metal Blast” which took place at The Botanique (Brussels) in March 2005 and which was organized by Metal Organisation and the Botanique with the support of Court-Circuit and the French Community of Belgium. At the beginning of July 2005, we were in a great change and liked to turn over a new leaf of our old school period, include new influences in our music and vary the vocals, considered too monotonous by a good many people but also and above all by most of us.

François: The name of the band, Inocculta, comes from the combination of two Latin words: “in” and “occulta”, that is “in” and “darkness” or “through all occult and gloomy things”. As for the lyrics, they were inspired by the dark period of the Inquisition. Raphael: The name of the band can have several interpretations so that everyone can interpret it in a different way.

Martin: I think we can say that we play some kind of “Dark Metal”, inspired by bands like Opeth or Katatonia. But I’m personally influenced by singers like Fernando Ribeiro (Moonspell), Marilyn Manson, Bertrand Cantat (Noir Désir) or the great Jacques Brel. Raphael: I’m influenced by Opeth, Pink Floyd, Tool, In The Woods..., Dodheimsgard, The Doors and many other metal and rock bands (from yesterday and today). Guillaume: I'm personally influenced by a lot of bands. If I had to tell you just a few of them: Tiamat, Opeth, Katatonia, Sonic Youth, Jeff Buckley, Forbidden Site.

Martin: After having realised 3 demos a few years ago (“Destins cathares”, “Fausseté et Démesure” and “Apocryphe”), when we played black metal, we are going to record an album in August. We don’t know the name of this album yet. Raphael: This album won’t have a really precise style. The idea is above all to be open-minded with what everyone plays.

François: Yes we had. Guillaume Etievant (guitar), François Chung (drums), Raphaël Halbardier (bass guitar) and Atarioth (ex-guitar) formed the band in 2001. In February 2002, Spoliatorion joined the band on vocals, which made possible the recording of the first demo but after 2 months, tensions appeared between Atarioth and Inocculta, which forced him to leave the band. Therefore, Spoliatorion took the second guitar in addition to the singing. At the beginning of July 2005, Inocculta was in a great change. Indeed, by mutual agreement, Spoliatorion decided to leave Inocculta in order to answer the musical evolution liked by the majority of the band, essential to its current level. After many auditions, David Detienne joined the band on the guitar at the end of December 2005 and Martin Favresse on vocals one year later, in December 2006. Now David is not in the band anymore because he couldn’t devote time to the band anymore and we are looking for an additional guitarist. So Guillaume, François, Raphaël and Martin are the actual members of Inocculta!

Martin: I think it’s better to have only one band. I’ve got a job so it’s hard working and playing at the same time in several bands. I prefer to invest myself in Inocculta and to realise something great than playing shit in several bands. Raphael: Currently it’s my only band in which I try to invest myself as well as possible while having many other occupations. But, I have an industrial and experimental project which should be born in a few times. Guillaume: I have a project which is a tribute to the genius Varg Vikernes. Inocculta is of course my priority. François: Inocculta is my only band since I don’t have enough time with my studies. And actually, I prefer personally have only a band and be concentrated on it.

Martin: The metal scene is closed. There are too many bands playing the same kind of “popular metal” for spotty teenagers. Belgium is the kingdom of pop/rock music. Don’t forget that bands like Hooverphonic, Ghinzu, Zita Swoon, Krezip, Ozark Henry… come from Belgium! Raphael: I am not up to date any more on the Belgian scene. But, I think it’s difficult to become known with a metal band in Belgium. However, there are people motivated in organizing things. Guillaume: I like some bands like Aborted and Arkangel.

Martin: Muse! But it doesn’t match very well with our style. So I would say a band like Moonspell or more melodic like Dream Theater. Guillaume: Katatonia of course.

Martin: Concerts and recording of our new album.

Martin: We would be pleased to see you on tour. Please visit our official website www.inocculta.com or our MySpace page www.myspace.com/inocculta. Raphael: Any comment can be interesting. Guillaume: Thank you for the interview. François: Since we have a guestbook on our website and a MySpace, we would be glad to receive remarks/reviews/feelings about our music. And last but not least, thank you for the interview!