Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
D: Hahaha, good question to start with. I see myself primarily as a huge metalfan. For the largest part of my life I’ve been listening to metal of all sorts and likes. It is my starting point and when I try to understand other types of music, it has always been the music that I return to. As an artist, I somehow end up composing almost exclusively doomy songs, so from that Doomcult was born.
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
D: I have been active in the local scene for a long time, playing in a female fronted rock band, a thrash-metal band, an alternative rock band. It was in a time in between bands that I rediscovered some of my earlier doom-metal songs which I further elaborated and re-recorded. This resulted in the birth of Doomcult with the album End all Life (released in 2017) as the first record. Ever since this moment, Doomcult is active in the back of my mind and whenever I play my guitar I’m looking for some new Doomcult-ish ideas. Doomcult has been quite active in the time period 2017 – 2020. After that there was a somewhat longer pause because of my involvement with the band White Mare, which released their debut album in 2022, and because of the pandemic. As for composing my music: I always write my material on an acoustic guitar (if a riff works on an acoustic guitar, it must work with distortion). I am, however, currently thinking about changing this approach, because writing with huge amount of distortion will probably give some new inspiration.
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
D: Manowar. Next question.
No wait, there is probably some other bands…. Let me think… yes of course… the Peaceville three (Anathema, My Dying Bride, and Paradise Lost). These are very important bands to me and my music. When it comes to lyrics, I think that My Dying Bride is off the scale. I will never accomplish lyrics like that, but they do inspire me. Together with the lyrics is Manowar that is.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
D: Well, for me the most exciting times are the times when I’m composing. I really enjoy combining riffs, adding leads. I hope my inspiration will stay with me for some time.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
D: I released both a split-album (with Talsur) and a split single (with Noyde). Since, I really like both artists, I am very
proud that they were willing to do these splits.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
D: Yeah, there are huge amounts of music to be discovered and all artists want their stuff to be heard. It is challenging to get some attention. To make matters worse, Doomcult plays doom-metal, or should I say niche-metal. Metal people do not automatically like doom-stuff. And doomsters, which form a small niche are nowadays divided into all kinds of subgenres. So, taken together, I guess I should be very happy with your attention right now.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
D: Doomcult is available for shows. If a good opportunity comes by, we’ll probably take it.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
D: Online music platforms offer great opportunities to discover new artists and new music. I still prefer physical products because it makes me feel like I’m supporting the bands (and labels) more directly.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
D: There are many, many songs that I could name. Some because of the technical skills which I will never accomplish, some because of brilliant arrangements, some because they are pure beauty. So… let’s see… maybe I would choose ‘Death the only immortal’ from Asphyx. Ask me again tomorrow and it will be another song. Probably a song by My Dying Bride.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
D: There are many musicians wanting to make a career as an artist and as discussed it is hard to get noticed. Some people really feel connected and try to help out these artists. Other people see people that are somewhat desperate to get noticed 
and make use of this by selling services that will never get the artist anywhere. Sometimes it is not easy to see the difference between these parties.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
D: At present, I’m working on new material of White Mare and Doomcult. Recently, I joined a new death-metal act, so I’m also trying to write some material that is a bit more up-tempo.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
Doomcult | Facebook
Doomcult bandcamp: Music | doomcult (bandcamp.com)
CD & digital: Failure of Life | Doomcult | Kvlt und Kaos Productions (bandcamp.com)
Merch: Doomcult – Failure of life | KVLT und KAOS Productions (kvlt-und-kaos-productions.myspreadshop.at)
Doomcult links:
Band/Artist location – The Netherlands
Facebook – Bandcamp –
Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer –
Check our page for Doomcult
