For me, one of the greatest discoveries of 2023 was a new “unblack” metal project out of the Nordic country of Finland, Trébuchet SDG.
I’m happy to welcome to the site, the subject of our very first interview, Josam, the man behind the music of Trébuchet SDG. The brilliance of his “neoclassical” brand of metal is easily discernable, but I hope this interview reveals to the listening audience a bit more of the amount of time and the unfathomable depth of thought put into the production, lyrics, and music that he has shared with the world. Clearly though, it comes not only as a product of the mind, but of the heart and soul, leveraging God-given faith, strength, and vast talent that stretches beyond just the music itself.
TPD: Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and how you came to love music and to be a musician.
I have played different instruments my whole life, and later started to compose my own things. My family has lots of musicians: there are singers and pianists, etc., mainly people who play classical or folk music. So music has always been a big part of my life.
TPD: Tell us about some of your most important musical influences.
I grew up listening to classical music so that has always been there in the background. I believe you can hear it in some of the Trébuchet melodies.
I listen to lots of different kinds of music but since I’m making extreme metal that is closest to black metal the main influences come from within that genre. I also listen to lots of melodeath, folk metal, doom, shoegaze, movie scores, medieval and Celtic music, ambient music, hardcore punk, etc.
TPD: How did you arrive at unblack metal as your genre of choice for Trébuchet SDG?
When it comes to the sound and style, black metal is my favourite kind of extreme metal and it felt most natural to me. It’s a perfect tool to craft the sound I wanted to achieve.
TPD: Tell us about how you became a Christian.
Through a long process and comparing different things I found out this is the right and the only path. My pride was stripped away and I realized I am nothing on my own. I am the opposite of gold but I have a new character now, and a hope like I had never before. This life is like a game but I don't know how to play it right. That's why I need Christ. Don't have to face the storms on my own. The best decision ever. The only kind of light that can pierce through the darkness around us.
TPD: The common conception among non-believers (and many believers) is that there can be art, and there can be Christianity and its message to the world, but the two cannot be intermingled because that ends up diluting both. I have been one of those skeptics from the believing side of the coin and still am to some extent. But, in my opinion, you have successfully overcome this conundrum in a way that few other bands have. Other than God-given talent, what would you say are some of the keys to this success?
Thanks, man. First I have to say I would never apologize for my faith and values just to please people around me. Faith reflects everything in my life and, therefore, it shows in my music, too. People either accept it or they don't. I don’t want to compare myself to any of these great composers ('cause I am just a nobody) but people like J.S. Bach, et al. dedicated their amazing music to God, too. I wanted to walk my own path and find a way to create something that would sound medieval or epic, at least in my opinion, while keeping things heavy. Combining the elements of beauty and chaos. I tried to find a way to make the kind of music I would love to find if it would have been made by someone else.
TPD: In your own words, what is art?
First of all it is a tool to express yourself through skillful means while trying to influence others around you somehow. A tool to bring beauty into this world, a way of escapism as well. It is also an essential part of being human. Nowadays, many things are called art, which I don't think deserve the title of art, because I think the word "art" is associated with a certain kind of dignity and skill. Of course people have different opinions but the bar gets lower all the time. So I guess my view of art is pretty conservative. So, is Trébuchet SDG art then? Let it be up to everyone to decide. I don’t really care.
TPD: Tell us about your first full length, Through the Dark Ages, and the process of bringing that album to life.
It is just me behind all the music, vocals, mixing, and artwork so it took lots of time. Mastering was done by Erwin Weber who did a great job! I also studied mixing extreme metal for the last 2–3 years before I wanted to release anything, even though I started this project a few years ago. I am my own worst critic [laughs]. I had close to 30 songs recorded so I needed to choose my favourites that would fit this album well. But I had this vision of the album in my mind for a long time. The artwork is also done by me, originally in 2019, but I liked it so much that I wanted to use it as my album cover. I can also say that my next release is also having this same character on its cover.
TPD: Talk about some of the major themes running through the album.
It talks a lot about the history of Christians in the medieval times, also known as the Dark Ages, and the opposition and persecution, as well (like the songs Sola Scriptura and Gallows). Some songs have things directly from the Bible like In Omni Tempore which is actually the Psalm 34. Historical events like the Paris Blood Wedding. Songs about some end-time prophecies like the title track and songs about spiritual warfare with medieval references. Some things are sung in Latin because I feel it has a strong connection to the Middle Ages and helps to create the medieval feeling. Gloria Dei is actually based on three different renaissance-era Easter hymns. Also, the importance of the Scriptures and the five solas of Reformation are highlighted in the album lyrics.
TPD: As a vinyl collector, I must ask: have you considered the possibility of physical releases of this or future albums?
Since the release of my album I have gotten lots of messages asking the same question. So my answer is yes, the physical releases are coming.
TPD: What prompted you to do Lux Mundi, an EP of Christmas songs?
Lux mundi means “the light of the world” in Latin. We celebrate Christ who is the Light of the world on Christmas so that explains the title. I like the texts and melodies of some very old Christmas carols so I just wanted to try what some of my favourite carols would sound like with the Trébuchet sound. I love different languages, too, so that explains the multilingual content.
TPD: What's the scene like there for you in your home country of Finland? Is there an appetite for unblack metal there? What's the reception been like for your music locally and beyond?
To be honest I don’t really know or even follow the scene that much. I’m kind of a hermit who walks his own path [laughs]. I like to go to some concerts sometimes though, mainly metal and classical music. People have received the album well, and I have been very surprised because of that. Folks have sent me lots of messages, too, and they have been mainly positive. Of course some people haven’t liked some of the texts but it was to be expected and I am happy for that, too, because this music causes different emotions.
TPD: What do you like to do with your free time apart from your music?
I do graphics, lift weights, travel to historical places, read history, and study languages. I study the Scriptures a lot, like to build things with my hands, and enjoy the beauty of nature and old architecture.
TPD: What's next for Trébuchet SDG?
I just released a lyric video last week for the song Through the Dark Ages and I might make another one, too, for some other song if people want. But new releases are coming at some point and I am recording new music all the time, last time before this interview [laughs]. I don't know yet if the next one will be an EP or a full length. I also work with other metal artists as well, mainly vocals.
TPD: Thanks for honoring This Present Darkness as the site's first interviewee! Is there anything else you'd like to share with the audience?
Thank you, good sir. It was my pleasure. Work hard, trust God, and don’t worry! Soli Deo gloria.