Dear readers, we are pleased to offer you in this article an interview with a German band with a Heavy Blues Rock sound with forays into Psychedelia and Doom and Occult atmospheres. Please welcome Athame.
Hi, how are you?
“Merry Meet! Weāre very well, thank you for the invitation to do this interview.“
How did the idea to create the band come about and what does the name Athame mean?
“The athame is a ceremonial dagger often used in Wicca rituals, and as a Wiccan group, it seemed like the perfect name for our band since we already used one in our practices. The athame carries deep symbolism for us, representing both ritual and personal transformation. We even incorporate it into our stage shows at times. The band itself formed as a creative outlet, a way to express emotions we couldn’t otherwise convey. As followers of Dianic Wicca, our focus is on honoring the Moon Goddess, the all- encompassing feminine divine, both in the universe and within ourselves.“
You play a Heavy Blues Rock sound with forays into Psychedelia and Doom and more, how did your passion for these sounds come about?
“Weāre drawn to the authenticity and expressiveness of early blues and blues rockāthereās something incredibly compelling about the raw, unfiltered emotion it conveys. Our music is also influenced by occult folk themes, reflecting our fascination with the occult and its connection to Wicca. Essentially, our sound is a natural extension of what we were already doing; it feels like it found us rather than us seeking it out. While some might mistakenly label us as a metal, stoner or doom band, weāre more aligned with the occult rock bands of the ’70s and see us as directly descending from that. We like to joke that weāre on the cusp of inventing āmetalā ourselves, but weāre not quite there. At our core, weāre a blues rock bandāsometimes heavy, sometimes softācreating a very unique style inspired by those early influences.“
The new album āMagick Of The Goddessā was released on August 15, 2024, how would you describe this new work?
“Our debut album is a true journey, inviting you to sit down and immerse yourself in its unfolding story. Each song offers a unique narrative, but itās the album as a whole that weaves a cohesive tapestryāmuch like a book that reveals its full depth when experienced in context. We feel deeply blessed to share this journey as a band. Each member brings their own distinct personality, enriching the collective sound. The album reflects our personal experiences and our shared journey as a Wiccan band, emphasizing the profound emotional bond weāve developed. The term “Magick” (with a ‘k’) signifies ritual magic in Wicca, and through our music, we celebrate and embody this magical connection that we share, be it the bright and/or the dark sides.“
The album was recorded live, can you tell us more about the creation and recording process of this work?
“Recording separately just doesnāt capture the same essence. We record in our rehearsal room, which is steeped in occult ambiance and adorned with arcane devotional items dedicated to the Goddess. It sets the perfect state of mind for us. We approach recording with the same intensity as a live performance, fully immersing ourselves in the moment. Although recording live sometimes means compromising on sound clarity, we believe this is the purest way to convey our music. The retro quality of the sound is actually a plus; it just sounds occult. Additionally, when we play together as
a band, we sometimes enter a trance-like state, synchronizing with the divine and with each other, expressing emotions that might otherwise remain hidden. We aim to recreate this live show experience while recording, capturing that immersive feel which we usually only get a at live shows.“
Both the instrumental and vocal parts are solid and intense, what themes do the lyrics deal with?
“The lyrics explore themes such as Wicca, feminism, personal struggles, and deep and oftentimes dark emotions. They also celebrate the beauty within these experiences and honor the Moon Goddess who binds all of this together. We delve into the profound connections we share, both as individuals and collectively. The lyrics range from deeply reflective and spiritual to occasionally pessimistic and forlorn. At times, they exude a defiant, rebellious rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Throughout, we maintain the female perspective, whether embodying the Goddess or reflecting our own selves.“
Long elaborate textures characterise your music, how does the creative process of your tracks take place?
“Our songwriting draws a lot from the ritualistic practices of Wicca, where chants are often exchanged between male and female voices, interacting in a fluid and dynamic way. This approach naturally flows into our music, giving it a progressive feel. Itās all about immersing ourselves in a particular mood, almost like a mantra, until we fully lose ourselves in it. Only then can the story truly unfold. Itās really a window into our souls. If you understand the lyrics together with the sound, you understand us, both as individuals and as a collective.“
Being a live recorded album, will there be a chance to hear you in concert in the near future?
“Absolutely, we have some exciting shows coming up! On November 22nd, weāll be performing at Kulturzentrum KUNO in Nuremberg, followed by a show at Ostpol in Dresden a week later on November 29th. As for next year, weāre still in the planning stages, but we have several dates lined up across Germany. Be sure to stay tuned to our Facebook page for all the announcements. Weād be thrilled to have as many people as possible join us for our musical ceremonies!“
Music is constantly evolving, how do you see today’s trail in your country and more generally in the Heavy Rock scene?
“The scene weāre in is relatively small, with bands that focus on doom, stoner, and psych rock. We find ourselves in a bit of a niche, straddling these styles but not fully fitting into any one category. Our particular focus on 70s-inspired occult rock is quite unique and not something you see often. We havenāt come across any other bands that approach it quite like we do. While this uniqueness is something we take pride in, it can also feel a bit isolating at times. If there are any other cool 70s revival occult rock bands from Germany, Europe, or beyond, weād love to hear from you. Perhaps we can arrange some shows or even tour together!“
What advice would you give to young artists approaching music in a more sophisticated genre such as yours?
“Our advice would be to connect with like-minded people and spend time together, enjoy each others companyāif there’s a vibe, things will flow naturally. This is similar to the magic we often talk and sing about. The true magic happens in the spaces between people, and expressing those deeper emotions confidently is key. When the energy and environment are right, songs almost realy write themselves. Itās all about the Magick, the Moon, the Goddes will guide you.“
As musicians you give a lot to your fans, what has music given and what does it give to you?
“Music is essentially the only way we know to express emotions purely and unfiltered. Itās a direct form of communication, allowing us to connect with others and help them understand us on a deeper level.“
Do you have any other activities or artistic passions outside of music?
“We engage in some ritualistic and occult practices that are, let’s just say, a bit too unconventional to fully describe here. Alongside that, weāre into more playful pursuits like Tarot and art. For example, our bass player is extraordinarily gifted at drawing, and our drummer is an empath with a deep understanding of esoterics and the emotional world, which is truly admirable. On top of it all, we all play multiple instruments.“
As a lover of Occutism myself, how did your interest in these doctrines come about?
“It’s not something you consciously choose we would say – it chooses you, and then it’s up to you to find a way to express it and to support bands and artists that already do it.“
I thank Athame for the interview and wish them all the best for the release of their new album and the continuation of their artistic career.
“Be sure to head over to our Bandcamp page and grab a cassette copy of our album āMAGICK OF THE GODDESSā at https://athame-occultrock.bandcamp.com/album/magick-of-the-goddess-live-album. Weāve chosen cassette as our main release medium because it perfectly captures that retro, occult vibeāboth in sound and feelāthat we love. Thereās something truly magical about spinning up a cassette in the dead of night, as if youāre embarking on a time-traveling journey, no distractions, just you, your friends and the music. It offers a deeper, more immersive listening experience, encouraging you to engage with the entire album as a cohesive whole. In contrast to today’s fragmented listening culture, where skipping tracks is common, a cassette invites you to appreciate the full context and flow of the album. If you want to fully experience the essence of ATHAME and the love weāve poured into our compositions, a cassette is the way to go. Itās how we intended the album to be enjoyed, providing the most authentic listening experience in both sound and feel.
Thank you, and blessed be. Praise to the Moon Goddess, our Dark Mother, and a special thanks to
everyone who took the time to read this interview.“
