Emerging from the murky depths of shoegaze, goth rock, and blackened metal, heavy shoegazers vide return with decorated in spiderweb—a chilling new release that fuses ethereal ambience with industrial dread. Since their shadowy 2020 debut Hanging By The Bayou Light, vide has built a reputation for cathartic, genre-blurring soundscapes, bolstered by full-lengths Death Roll, The Parish, and their unholy split with BLOODNUN. On this latest release, the band channels dark wave, post-punk, and raw punk energy across four harrowing tracks, led by vocalist Nobody’s ghostly murmur and jarring rhythms. From the funereal sway of “The Waltz That Carried Me To The Grave” to the title track’s murky shoegaze textures, decorated in spiderweb cements vide’s place in the canon of modern-day gloom. We caught up with the band to talk sonic horror, their evolving sound, and what lies beneath the unholy.
In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that make a “good songwriter”?
I think mainly just knowing when enough is enough. Sometimes less is more.
What is the basis for writing attention-grabbing music in this day and age?
Let me know when you find out. I have no clue. For me, I just aim to write something that piques my interest. At that point, I figure if I don’t hate it, there’s a chance a few others may feel the same.
Can you pinpoint some specific songs and songwriters that changed the way you write music?
First thought goes to Trent Reznor. I appreciate how he has a vision, sees it through, and has amazing talent around him to bring it live.
Do you find it hard to be inspired by your peers? Can you name any new artists you find inspiring?
I don’t really listen to a lot of new modern stuff. I know I sound like ‘old man yells at cloud,’ but I go back to my favorites, like NIN, Joy Division, early Misfits, etc. A couple recent finds have been bands like Rabbit, Slowhole, and Vinterforfall.
For your new album, what inspired the lyrical content, album title, and overall vibe?
I have a note list on my phone for random ideas, song titles, themes, cover art ideas, etc. One I had in bold and highlight was Decorated in Spiderweb. I knew I wanted that to be a song and had a cover idea in my head. From there, I stuck with that which leaned in the same swampy themes I’ve used in the past.
Do you find that you ruminate over writing songs and hold on to them for a long time before including them on a record? Or do you prefer to write them, release them, and be done with them?
The latter. Once they are recorded and done, I’m ready to release same day. I hold back and set a game plan for release, but basically once done, I’m done with the music.
Do you ever re-visit old material to do a re-write or once it’s done it’s done?
Once it’s done, it’s done. I only revisit old material now for the purpose of learning or finding songs to do live with the live band.
Were there any lessons you learned in the writing and recording process for your current release that you will take with you into your next project?
We took a new direction and recorded live drums instead of programmed drums. We feel it complemented this release and hope to continue it.
https://blackvide.bandcamp.com/