It's a genuine pleasure to welcome the Austrian Black Metal force, Verba Serpentis, to this Q&A! As a massive fan who actively listens to and supports the band, it's always a thrill to connect with artists creating music that truly resonates. Your debut EP is a fantastic and commanding release, and I’m excited to dive into the themes, the sound, and the future plans of the band.

Thank you so much for taking the time to join me!

Tenebris:Thanks for having us!

Can you tell us about the origin and meaning of the band name Verba Serpentis, and how the initial brotherhood came together to form the band?

Tenebris: “Verba Serpentis” is Latin and means “the words of the snake”, referring to Satan or Lucifer. For me, it represents the concept of satanic traditions and the enlightenment one can achieve by walking the Left-Hand Path. Achlycet and I formed the band after several conversations, realizing that we shared similar interests and goals for our musical journey. To perform live, we naturally had to expand the lineup, and so Malphas and Somnifer, who play together with Achlycet in Draugr and Scion of Darkness, joined the ranks.

The powerful album cover for Ophidic Gnosis was initially what caught my attention. Can you tell us about the decision to use this specific artwork, and provide some background or insight into your collaboration with the artist?

Tenebris: We wanted something that would resonate with the concept behind the band, so we sketched out a few rough ideas to bring it to life. We then got in touch with Ivan Adi “Serpentchron” Prayoga, and the outcome turned out truly great. The red color you see is actually his own blood.

Every band has that foundational DNA. Who were the artists or bands you gents grew up listening to that you feel most directly shaped the Verba Serpentis sound, both in terms of your music and your darker, occult themes?

Tenebris: For me, the most important ones were Dissection, Watain, Naglfar, and Cradle of Filth, to name a few. Especially Dissection sparked my interest in the satanic arts.

I can imagine you are all incredibly happy and proud to have your finished debut EP in your hands. Can you share some of your fondest memories while recording the EP, and what were some of the key trials and tribulations the band had to overcome to bring this amazing first release to life?

Tenebris: As of today, the EP has already been out for a whole year, and we’re currently recording its follow-up. Looking back, it was definitely a proud moment, as it always is when you complete something you’ve worked on long and hard. Achlycet had the most work to do, since he recorded all the strings and vocals, but in hindsight the whole process went pretty smoothly. Working with Stefan Traunmüller for the mix and mastering was also a very good decision.

"Monuments of Dust" is my favorite track from the E.P. Could you walk us through the creative process of developing the music video, and what specifically made this song the undeniable choice to be the first track from the EP to receive a visual representation?

Tenebris: It’s also my favorite track, which made the decision to go with it quite easy. Since we have lots of ruins in our area, it was only natural to bring the song’s concept to life in a place like this. In this case, it’s the ruin of an old church, which felt very fitting.

I haven't been lucky enough to see you live yet, but from what I've seen online, your stage presence is incredible. What steps do you take with your overall presentation and stage setup to ensure that same dark atmosphere from your music translates effectively into the live environment?

Tenebris: Stage presence and ambiance are very important to us, that’s why we bring different banners and an incense bowl to our shows. Ideally, we also include fire, although that’s not always possible. And of course, the corpse paint serves as a kind of ritualistic act, a way to channel certain energies before we enter the stage.

When I listen to Verba Serpentis, I'm struck by the amazing punchy chord progressions that have that distinct melodic guitar splendor overlaying them. Could your guitarists and bassist share some details about the specific guitars, amps, and effect chains they use to bring this powerful sound to life? Also, what kit or specific elements does your drummer use to accomplish that sharp refined sound?

Tenebris: Achlycet and Malphas both play Solar guitars through a Line 6 Helix processor. Somnifer also plays a Solar bass and uses a Line 6 Pod Go. My drum kit is a Mapex Armory Studioease II equipped with ACD Phantom Pedals. The cymbals are a mix of Zildjian, Paiste, and Smyrna.

I was excited to see you are playing at Julfest 2026 with bands like Groza, Vorga, and Zørza! I'm gutted to miss it, as I won't be able to make it from the UK. Can you talk a little about your anticipation for this event and which of the bands on the bill you are most excited to share the stage with?

Tenebris: We’re definitely looking forward to playing for the first time in Enns and starting2026 with a banger. I don’t know most of the other bands there besides Groza, but I’m curious to see them live.

I understand you are currently recording new music. How has the writing process for this upcoming material compared to the creation of Ophidic Gnosis, and what is next for Verba Serpentis after the release?

Tenebris: Yes, Achlycet has already finished recording the guitars, and we aim to have therest done by the end of November. Some of the songs are already part of our live set, so not everything is completely “brand new.” When it comes to writing, Achlycet is constantly composing and has a huge backlog of songs waiting to be finished, so we won’t run out of material anytime soon, I guess.