By Nicholas Jason Lopez
On Aug. 5, 2020, German black/death metal band Exitium Sui independently released their new EP, entitled ‘The Sinister Business Of Selling Hope.’
Band member/vocalist E.S. recorded and mixed the EP, while Simon Struthers at Forensic Audio handled the mastering.
According to E.S., the EP was inspired by horrific delusions he experienced over the last year due to repressed past traumas. As he read postwar literature around this time, he thought about the lasting effects of trauma on the human psyche and explored the idea that mini psychological wars also had similar consequences.
He sought to write something constructive to project his hatred over his sentiment that peace is just as dangerous as war, being that it is human nature to destroy and rebuild and that war was just used to “sell hope.”
Exitium Sui’s live lineup consists of E.S., guitarists TO and DL, bassist ML and drummer Ahephaim.
The Music Bugle had the opportunity to talk with E.S. about the new EP and more.
Music Bugle – How would you describe Germany to someone who has never been there before?
E.S. – It’s really like anywhere. The places where there are people can be a little aggravating, but if you get out of the cities, it is a beautiful place. I am originally from Australia. Australia hides under this pseudo-relaxed attitude, but in reality, it is a fairly tense place and I always felt uneasy there.
Music Bugle – What excites you the most about black/death metal?
E.S. – The art itself. I’ve always been into dark music more than heavy music. If it’s both, then that’s cool too. I love how detached it is from mundane life, making it easy to draw profound and outrageous criticism on societal conditions.
Music Bugle – How did you guys get your band name?
E.S. – Exitium Sui is simply Latin for “self destruction.” Nothing too complex here, but I wanted something bold for this band.
Music Bugle – What was it like putting together your new EP ‘The Sinister Business Of Selling Hope’?
E.S. – I finished the full-length album first and then worked backwards to make two EPs. ‘Nuclear Sundown’ was more doom like some of the album and ‘The Sinister Business of Selling Hope’ was more obscure like the other half of the record. These feelings conveyed in all the Exitium stuff are ones I have been harboring for a long time and waiting for the right vessel. It is all flowing like a first language.
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
E.S. – Not severely. I generally avoid leaving my house unless I’m on tour, so I just stay home and work on music, study, write literature or make art with my wife.
Music Bugle – What has been the most productive thing you’ve done while in quarantine?
E.S. – I got married. Seriously, this is the thing I hold the closest.
Music Bugle – What spawned the idea for the EP’s artwork?
E.S. – I was painting nightmares I was having. I’d only been painting for a few weeks. The artwork symbolizes a mutated human in a dystopian setting holding a human skull, not recognizing its own humanity in its hands.
Music Bugle – Are you working on any new music at the moment?
E.S. – Right now, I am working on stuff for my other band with my wife, Humanitas Error Est. There is a full-length for Exitium sitting here in a label queue that will come out in due time.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
E.S. – A lot of Leviathan right now and Dragged Into Sunlight.
Music Bugle – What do you miss the most about performing in front of a live crowd?
E.S. – I miss making the music come alive. It will happen again soon. Just gotta wait a little longer.
