A Dirty Dozen with JAMES LEGION of CULTUS BLACK – July 2019

According to a recent press release: “Cultus Black is an aggressive hard-hitting band that identifies its self as a cult. Their music is unapologetic and intense, yet it is often marked with mesmerizing melodies that could draw in even the most cynical listener. Cultus Black is also identified by their strange appearance. The front man who simply calls him self “L” stalks stages in ritualist body paint as other cult members surround him in plain white masks meant to signify their cult status. Cultus Black is set to record their debut album with Producer James Paul Wisner (Underoath, Hands Like Houses, Paramore) in September 2019.” We get James Legion to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only die-hard fans might find?

We are calling this first release an “Anti-Single”. I think when people hear it they will see why. We wanted to come out of the gate with something aggressive. We want the world to know that we’re pissed off and we are a force to be reckoned with.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I consider my self more of an artist than a musician. To me, there is a pretty substantial divide in these ways of thinking. That being said, While I was still very young I learned that there was a particular sort of power in music. You see, I was picked on as a child up until I found that being different could be a strength. Once I discovered how afraid others truly were of the different and the unknown, I knew what I needed to do.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

My first exposure to Nine Inch Nails The Downward Spiral really opened my eyes and sent me down a path from which I have never returned.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Tool, and Deftones

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would call Trent Reznor. I feel we would do wonderful things together.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would say, this isn’t music… and we are not a band, we are a cult. I would compare us to the grind-house films of the 70’s with a side of fava beans.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Making people look beyond the obvious.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

We are not exactly a break out the acoustic guitar lets sing “Cumbaya” by the fireside sort of group. Just try and imagine what a cult releasing a new track called “You Make Me Sick” might do by a raging fire in the woods… yeah, all that crazy shit running through your head. That is us… join us.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I met a homeless man recently in the streets of New York city. He was, of course, one of many but I was struck by his demeanor… in-spite of his seemingly broken lot in life he was really rather upbeat.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

A rodeo clown.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I believe that everything happens for a reason. The universe has led me to where I am for a reason. Who am I to question that?

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for anyone record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would not want to travel into the past. I would much rather travel forward in time to my own Cultus Black recording sessions. We are all very ready to get this war machine on the road.

CULTUS BLACK LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

Category: Interviews