- Hi Kornel and thank you so much for your kind words and support for the album! It means a lot to me to hear that people connect with "Deadly Gleams of Blood, Steel and Fire" on such a profound level. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from those who appreciate atmospheric and experimental elements in black metal. Many listeners have commented on the cinematic and immersive qualities of the album, which was exactly the kind of experience I hoped to create. Satisfaction as an artist is always a complex thing. While I'm proud of what we've accomplished with the album, there's always that lingering feeling of wanting to push boundaries further and refine the craft. This isn't out of dissatisfaction but rather a natural desire to evolve and grow. Each album is a steppingstone, and while I'm pleased with how this one turned out, I see it as part of a larger journey. I used "WE" because even if Insepultus is a one-man band, I believe that the result is the one of a team that includes all the ones involved in the material.

- The ideas for this album started forming a long time ago, and they grew slowly over the years; some of the initial musical sketches go back nearly a decade. I believe 3 main points influenced my willingness to record one new material: the first influential point was the Colectiv Club fire from 30th of October 2015, where some of my friends died during and after the fire (rehearsal room colleagues, childhood friends, underground mates) – this inspired me to start thinking over each individual reaction in front of death. The second point was the Pandemic Period when we changed our way of life and that allowed me more time home to try to record the first test songs, and the third point was the War in Ukraine which inspired me to make the connection between the reaction in front of death for a soldier who got his family back home, he sees the horror of the war and mainly he knows what is the end. The imagery of blood, steel, and fire was ever-present in my mind, but the lyrics are adapted after WWI poets who were first line on the front. I believe that using the poems written by the soldiers (poets) from the front provides a more real point of view than what I can write. As a timeline, when everything was prepared, in a maximum of 5-6 months everything was ready, but the work done before starting the recordings was much longer, considering I had no reason to hurry up the things than the normal.

- I've always been drawn to music that transports the listener to another world, and that was a driving force behind the creative decisions on this record. I firmly believe that the atmosphere in a black metal album must not only exist but also be defined for the entire work. Each track, while distinct in its own way, was crafted to paint a vivid picture that captures its individual essence. This is why the tracks differ so much from one another—each represents a unique scene or emotion—but together, they create a cohesive atmosphere that the listener can feel throughout the album. The experimental overtones emerged as I explored ways to enhance the songs' dynamics and textures. While writing, I often found myself adding layers and elements that didn't strictly fit the traditional black metal mold—whether it was unconventional chord progressions, odd time signatures, or unexpected ambient passages. In the studio, these ideas were refined further to ensure they complemented the atmosphere of the album without overshadowing its essence. I aimed to balance the monumental with the intimate, creating an emotional journey that resonates from start to finish.

- Costin Chioreanu is an incredible artist, and it was an honor to collaborate with him on this project. His ability to translate abstract ideas into visually stunning artwork is unparalleled. When we first began discussing the cover and illustrations for the booklet, I provided him with a broad outline of the themes and imagery present in the lyrics and pictures from WWI that define the ideas of each song. However, I didn't want to stifle his creativity by being too prescriptive. Costin has a unique way of interpreting concepts, and I trusted him to bring his own vision to the table. The result was even more powerful than I could have imagined. His artwork captures the essence of the album perfectly and adds another layer of depth to the overall experience. Seeing the final product was a deeply satisfying moment.

- The partnership with Loud Rage Music came after the discussions between Coro of Axa Valaha Productions and Adrian of Loud Rage Music. I had been aware of their work with other Romanian metal acts, and I admired their dedication to supporting underground music. When they heard some of the early material from "Deadly Gleams of Blood, Steel and Fire", they expressed their enthusiasm for the project. Their passion and professionalism made them the perfect fit for this release. As for the physical release, the album was published on professional factory-made CD, 400 normal copies and 100 with slipcase. While I don't have exact sales figures on hand at the moment, I know there were around 300 units being sold/traded in the first 6 months, so I can say that the response has been encouraging, especially given the niche nature of this kind of music. Loud Rage Music and Axa Valaha have done a fantastic job of helping the album reach listeners around the world, and I'm grateful for their support. The first t-shirts we printed were sold-out fast, in a matter of days.

- It's true, listeners won't have to wait as long for the second album! The debut took quite some time because it was such a personal and ambitious project, but now that the groundwork has been laid, I'm eager to build on it. I've already started working on new material, and the ideas are flowing more freely this time around. The second album will continue the musical lineage of "Deadly Gleams of Blood, Steel and Fire", but I'm also keen on exploring new territory. There will likely be some surprises in store, as I don't believe in repeating myself. The goal is to stay true to the spirit of Insepultus while pushing the boundaries even further.

- "The Sound of War as You Will Know It" was an experiment in a different kind of storytelling. I've always had an interest in dungeon synth and dark ambient music because of their ability to evoke powerful emotions and images without relying on traditional song structures. This composition was an opportunity to explore those possibilities. I've worked on these as an Intro & Outro for the Live performances. The inspiration came from imagining the psychological and emotional impact of war—its chaos, despair, and moments of eerie stillness. Instead of describing these feelings with lyrics, I wanted to convey them purely through sound. The process was liberating, as it allowed me to work with textures and atmospheres in a way that's quite different from black metal.

- If the opportunity arises and it feels right, I will consider bringing the music to the stage. It would be a challenge but also a chance to reimagine these songs in a live context and share them with fans in a more direct way. At this moment I'm still working on the show; firstly, we imagined a show that looks far over what we can have regarding the logistics, but now we consider a less complex show, but with the same amount of war spirit.

- Mihai "Coro" Caraveteanu has been a steadfast supporter of Insepultus and a true friend. We first crossed paths years ago, brought together by our mutual love of extreme metal and underground culture, and we used to play together in a band called Irkalla, built in our local city. Years passed and when I told him about the demo songs recorded, he was the first one supporting me in working further on the recordings. His involvement in the material was more than a producer and manager for the project, considering we advised on 99% of the stuff related to the album and the next steps. From the very beginning, he believed in the potential of this project and offered his guidance and support in numerous ways. As the executive producer of the album, Coro played a crucial role in helping it come to fruition. His experience in the music industry and his understanding of artistic integrity were invaluable to me, considering I do not have the experience. I'm grateful for his contributions, and I look forward to working with him on the next Insepultus projects.

- Thank you Kornel for allowing me to share my thoughts and experiences. To all who have supported Insepultus and connected with the music: I am deeply grateful. This project is more than just music—it's a journey through darkness, strength, and transformation. May the gleams of blood, steel, and fire join you on your paths. \m/