French blackened metal outfit USQUAM to release debut album »Ex Nihilo« on January 31st via Source Atone Records; watch music video for »Ego sum (qui sum)«!
French black/death/doom/post-metal outfit USQUAM is gearing up to release their debut album »Ex Nihilo« on January 31st, 2025 via Source Atone Records.
Watch a music video for USQUAM’s latest single »Ego sum (qui sum)« below!
Tracklist:
01. Altar Ego
02. Axis mundi
03. Athanor
04. Ego sum (qui sum)
05. Arcana nox
06. Egocide
07. The Mast
08. Symbol
09. Persévérance
Courtesy of NRV Promotion:
Since 2018, USQUAM has been crafting intense “blackened metal”, blending elements of black, death, doom, and post-metal. In this universe where violence meets melancholy, the band takes inspiration from the work of bands like Behemoth, Naglfar, Dark Funeral, and Anorexia Nervosa. Through lyrics in French, Latin, and English, they transcend linguistic barriers to delve into the depths of the human soul. Each word becomes a vessel for emotion, introspection, and even an existential quest.
After releasing their debut EP »Reborn« in 2021 through Wormholedeath Records, USQUAM is now preparing to unveil their new album, »Ex Nihilo«, set for release on January 31, 2025, via Source Atone Records. This album marks a turning point in their evolving composition and production, featuring writing that is both more diverse and unsettling. The addition of Jessy Christ on vocals also brings a new dimension to USQUAM’s universe. Her voice, rich with a thousand shades of rage and flawless mastery, takes listeners on an unreturnable journey into the depths and madness. Mixed by Frédéric Gervais at Studio Henosis, the album reflects USQUAM’s ambition to expand their horizons while staying true to their dark essence.
Photo credit: Elodie Diedrich
The central concept of »Ex Nihilo« is the “primordial tradition”—lyrics where notions of good and evil find no foundation. This music expresses both spirituality and philosophy. Griot, skald, or rhapsode… Humanity has always known how to convey, elevate, or create captivating legends. USQUAM positions itself as a modern storyteller. At a time when humanity clashes over totalitarian and uncompromising ideologies, »Ex Nihilo« chooses contemplation. Throughout the lyrics, the album relies on the concept of a primordial tradition, suggesting that different beliefs stem from a common core, where form ultimately varies more than substance. “Nothing is born from nothing”… “Ex nihilo nihil fit!”
The album also explores the concept of the Ego: complex and multifaceted, it lies at the heart of individual identity. While it shapes our self-awareness and self-representation, it’s high time to restore humanity to its rightful place – as an insignificant and fleeting particle, a mere link among many others in the infinite universe.
The band also emphasizes the cyclical nature of life: “For Hindus, it’s called reincarnation… In the Egyptian world, the phoenix, burned by fire, is reborn from its ashes… ‘For you are dust, and to dust you shall return’… In Genesis, there are numerous references to the notion of cycles,” the band explains.
As for the album cover, it depicts a figure from the past, seemingly a survivor of chaos caused by human ego. In a world reduced to dust and vast deserts, a statue emerges from the depths of the earth. Alwan, composer and bassist for USQUAM, has also designed the artwork: “I take an integrated approach to creation: music, photography, video – I create in different ways every day. AI adds another tool to my arsenal, allowing me to visually orchestrate my vision. The tool provides elements based on precise guidelines, and then I shape them. There’s no question of giving it free rein. Algorithms have neither sensitivity nor emotion. They are incapable of true creation – and thankfully so,” he explains.
Line-up:
Alain Nicolle alias Alwan – Concept & Bass
Jessy Vignolle alias Jessy Christ – Vocals
Jonathan Diedrich alias Draugr – Rhythm Guitar
Étienne Gonin alias Eithenn – Lead Guitar
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well