Anagnorisis come straight from America’s heartland, the midwest. Louisville, Kentucky isn’t historically a hotbed for black metal. It lacks the crime-ridden grime of Chicago, the brittle, artistic bent Brooklyn’s become famous for, and it certainly isn’t known for the expansive sun-scorched rage of Southern California. But if you follow Anagnorisis and listen to the blistering experience that their music is, you’ll realize that context and locale are irrelevant to their craft. They’re aiming to disregard your expectations anyways, and do so on their terms.

A staunchly independent group, Anagnorisis have poured themselves into what they do. The black metal the listener hears is undoubtedly a labor of love, everything from the music to the final physical products has been carefully fashioned by them. This hands on approach is indicative of the dedication they execute their message with. Their black metal is savage, passionate and carved from a collective hatred towards religion, and a desire to affirm the individual. Christianity is the primary offender, and it’s with ferocity and precision that vocalist / lyricist Zachary Kerr accuses.

Their second full length “Beyond All Light” is a towering album that seethes with a determined power. Zach of course leads the charge with his coarse, powerful delivery, and I was fortunate enough to be able to ask him about what it is that has pushed him and Anagnorisis onwards, as well as what he sees is their role within (and outside of) black metal.

Western Lamb: Anagnorisis has seen its star rise exponentially since the release of Beyond All Light. After 11 years of the band existing (in various incarnations) was this something you anticipated or could have seen coming? And how has the growth of the band affected you on a personal level?

Zach: Not to dismiss the attention that Beyond All Light has gotten, but Anagnorisis has always been an overlooked band. To be honest, we never really expected to play this album live and it was written accordingly. We didn’t expect anyone to care about it, we wrote it for ourselves. We wanted to have a better sense of understanding as where we all stood together musically, and the direction we all wanted to in. So any “growth” the band has undergone, due to the “success” of Beyond All Light, has always been there. I personally have not been affected positively or negatively by it. I’m still not completely sold that anyone cares more or less about us than 10 months ago.

WL: What do you think is responsible for the rapid growth of American black metal in more recent years? Anagnorisis is obviously no newcomer to the game, and after more than a decade of honing what you do, is there a sense of camaraderie with any other black metal bands, or despite the communal nature of touring bands; is there a feeling of seclusion?

Zach: The rapid growth of American black metal is due to more bands forming, plain and simple. If you only have a handful of individuals in the late 90’s early 2000’s creating music as one man projects, it’s much harder to get a more general group of listeners to subscribe to these classic USBM albums. I’m sure most of these individuals feel contempt for the resurgence of popularity and imitation, yet as more bands emerge, more people want to be a part of it. Ironically, as for camaraderie, we have a few bands that we feel akin to, however, with such little pieces of success to be passed around in this subculture, we are all somewhat isolated or guarded to protect our art. In fact one of my personal favorite aforementioned early USBM artists came to see us, unsolicited, on this last tour and walked out on us within 15 minutes. Moments like that absolutely remind me how isolating this all can be.

WL: You took over the role of vocals and lyric-writing in 2013, everyone’s first taste of your abilities (shows aside) was the band’s second full length album. You haven’t minced any words about your contempt for religion, but what was it about religion that made it important enough for you to center your whole first album as the ‘frontman’ around it? The lyric “Shedding this christian skin, to be reborn in blackest sin” seems to imply you’ve experienced it firsthand.

Zach: My first appearance on vocals was actually our two song EP “Ghosts of Our Fathers” that came out a year and a half ago. Beyond All Light was my first opportunity to work on a full length lyrically, and felt that the approach to such an honest album was honest lyrics. To label it as just an anti-religious work is far from correct. This album was much more anti-life. It is a personal journal of a time that I can never seem to let go of. So it was more of a goodbye to memories that haunt me constantly. I was given away by my parents in my early teens to live in a religiously based boys rehabilitation camp in Western Samoa; that’s where the religious overtones fall into play, but “shedding this christian skin, to be reborn in blackest sin” is about death. It’s about the time spent ending my personal oppressions. The more important lyric in that song is “doing what must be done, through self annihilation”. That’s what Beyond All Light is about, my personal destruction or at least in the eyes of those that are so blinded by right and wrong, not being afraid to walk away from the “guided path”.

WL: What is it about black metal that has drawn everyone in the band to it and why is it the vehicle you’ve all chose to deliver your art and messages? Do you find that black metal has some intrinsic quality in it that lends itself better to certain people / ideals?

Zach: Black metal is a very broad title nowadays. If you looked at the “type” of black metal each individual member of Anagnorisis was into, you’d see why Beyond All Light has such a different sound from other albums of 2013. I can only speak for myself, but my interpretation of black metal is honest and raw. You know what you’re getting into when you put on a record, even if it’s over the top. This theory might not apply to every sub-genre, but at least to what I listen to. So my approach to Anagnorisis is honest and raw, both on stage and in personal representation of the band.

WL: Merely playing in a band seems like too simplistic an endgame for a band such as yourselves, is there any particular set of goals you hope for Anagnorisis to achieve, whether artistically or personally?

Zach: Anagnorisis is about personal discoveries, not really achievements. We’ve never toured outside of the states and have discussed many times the possibilities of doing so. I think at this point that is our biggest “goal”. Successful touring with bigger bands and seeing the world together. I’d like to believe we can spread a message of self-awareness, and godlessness in our path as well – that might just be wishful thinking, though. Also, trying to be successful as an independent is another high priority. The catch is, who wants a band not represented by a label stamp of approval, touring as direct support? This is the reality of DIY, and we hope to do for ourselves until it is obviously holding us back. I think everyone interested in self-awareness can understand re-evaluation and progression as the time/need comes.

WL: What do you think American black metal has in common with its European counterpart, and what do you think it does differently that has turned it into something of its own beast?

Zach: I don’t think there is a necessity to draw sides or lines. Black metal wouldn’t have started without Venom/Bathory/Candlemass and the lot of them, followed by the Norwegian scene, so why try and recreate an origin story for its American counterpart. USBM is as much it’s own thing as it’s European parent. I think both styles are going through a recreation process and taking the good and bad from all aspects.

WL: A lot of reviews made mention of Anagnorisis’ country of origin, do you feel this is indicative of a lazy attempt at grouping you into a convenient “scene” or do you think you’ve contributed in such a momentous way, that you have helped inform the world of what America is capable of in black metal?

Zach: I think reviewers/ critics and even skeptics, in the US have a sense of nationalism or pride to something they like, or appreciate, coming out of their home country. Those overseas are simply stating the fact that we are from the states. I’d hardly believe we are taking part in shaping the sound of what American black metal is capable of, or will turn into in the future. We have sold a lot of records overseas and I think just as American fans like hearing Scandinavian or broader European sounds, the same goes for fans looking for something different in their surroundings. Either way, we do really appreciate the push and support internationally that we’ve received.

WL: “USBM” of course has come riddled with pitfalls in the last few years; Deafheaven, Liturgy and Bosse-de-Nage have all been accused of ruining black metal in some way or another. You have taken an approach that shows a foundation much more firmly rooted in a traditional heavy metal, but still willing to go out on a limb musically and experiment. Do you think there’s any validity to trying to contain and define black metal? Is there any clear point to you at which an artist has strayed too far to be considered black metal any longer?

Zach: I’d rather listen to Deafheaven, Liturgy and Bosse-de-Nage any day over Cradle of Filth, so I believe it’s all interpretation and personal opinion. Take Krallice for instance; most people would lump them into the aforementioned “pitfalls”. I think they are brilliant and pushing boundaries, but who set these fucking boundaries anyways? Kids in Norway 20 years ago? Who cares what’s “true or cvlt” – It’s all bullshit. Art is not for the consumer, it’s about creation, and within music the recreation of “art” live, nightly, if you’re on tour. Maybe that’s why we’ve failed at renowned success, or maybe the music isn’t up to snuff, but we have always done it for us, with only us in mind. I’m sure if you asked enough people, we’re part of the “pitfall” too, which is fine. I’d rather be part of the problem than the solution when it comes to creativity and individuality.