Interview: Cmÿter (Slovakia)
8–12 minutes
The Nwothm
Bratislava’s Cmÿter are a young band already stirring interest with their stark blend of heavy metal, occult atmosphere, and unmistakably Central European character. Formed in 2024, they’ve arrived with a clear sense of identity and a debut EP that hints at something far darker and more considered than their short history might suggest.
In this interview, Gregor offers a glimpse into the ideas, places, and creative impulses shaping Cmÿter’s world—without stripping away the mystery that makes the band so compelling.
Interview
TheNwothm: For readers discovering you for the first time, how would you introduce Cmÿter and the world you’re building through your music?
Gregor: Cmÿter is is heavy metal that deals with blasphemy, mysticism, and the Inquisition, strongly inspired by the perspective—the vision—of artist and writer Josef Váchal. I am beginning to perceive that the lyrics also touch on existential nihilism. This is probably due to what I read and the values I represent, but it is not surprising in music with this theme. It should be noted that I am not the sole author of all the lyrics; other members of Cmÿter have also contributed to the songs. In fact, one unreleased song has lyrics that were written with the participation of an author outside our band.
Musically, I have probably the greatest authorship. I strongly emphasize the influences of Swedish bands such as Gotham City, Mindless Sinner, Heavy Load, and In Solitude.Of course, it’s not limited to Swedish bands, but also bands such as Thin Lizzy, Saxon, Judas Priest, and Tublatanka.
From reviews and from people, bands such as Mercyful Fate, Bathory, Manilla Road, Stormwitch, and Metalinda are also mentioned in connection with us.
TheNwothm: Cmÿter formed in 2024. What brought each of you together at that particular moment, and when did it become clear that this collaboration should become a band?
Gregor: It was after an Eisenhand concert at Weranda in Bratislava sometime back in 2023. We got pretty drunk, and Palo mentioned something about a band and heavy metal. Since this genre is a way of life for me, the next day, in addition to a headache, I had news about what would happen with our band, haha.
TheNwothm: You’re based in Bratislava. What aspects of the city’s atmosphere or character feel most connected to the spirit of the band?
Gregor: When we were starting the band, I often visited a cemetery called “Cintorín na Kozej bráne” (Goat Gate Cemetery). I used to go there often to read books, drink coffee, or just walk around. I don’t do it as often anymore, but I always enjoy it when I get the chance. I think that the band’s identity is quite influenced by this place.
It is important to note that the first promotional photo is not from this cemetery but from another one – “Ondrejský Cemetery.”
TheNwothm: Slovakia has a rich mix of folklore, history, and darker spiritual traditions. Which parts of Slovak culture have naturally found their way into your music or lyrics?
Gregor: I would say that thematically, not at all, since we take inspiration from Josef Váchal or from our own view of the world of blasphemy, etc., and this gives the whole band a Czechoslovak character. It’s more about the accent and style of language where we come from. I don’t sing with an accent like Malokarpatan, for example, even though I’m very fond of that style. In fact, the original name of the band was supposed to be “Cinter,” which is much closer to us, but in the end we chose “Cmÿter” precisely so that we wouldn’t be imitating the aforementioned band Malokarpatan. Anyway, what I mean is that I don’t sing in standard Slovak, but here and there I use the Bratislava accent, for example.
TheNwothm: Bratislava has its own artistic personality (I enjoyed my visit to the Slovak pub especially!) How has living and creating there shaped the themes or mood of Cmÿter?
Gregor: That’s a very good question. Personally, I can’t imagine Cmÿter changing its base and operating somewhere outside this city, for example in Prague. On my mother’s side, I am a fourth-generation native of Bratislava (maybe even more) and I personally have a very close and specific relationship with this city. This certainly influences the direction of the band and how it functions.
I used to feel quite sorry for what the city went through during communism, especially in the 1960s. Today, I see it a little differently… The brutalist part of the city’s identity is really interesting and appealing to me, as is the more historical part.
Fortunately, we no longer have communism, but we are suffering from aggressive development and the pursuit of profit. For example, the “Fuga” club has closed, the “Garáže” is under threat, and the forest parks in the Danube area surrounding Bratislava are also in the developers’ sights. Even the place where we have our rehearsal space is now threatened by developers.
It sounds terribly sad and catastrophic, but the resistance of citizens is considerable… so there is still some chance of preservation.
So, the band is clearly influenced by the identity of the city and the problems associated with it.
The pubs here can be really nice, which definitely contributes to the band’s formation, haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfxwonYKfH0&list=RDzfxwonYKfH0&start_radio=1
TheNwothm: Your themes reference mysticism, blasphemy, and the works of Josef Váchal. What first connected you to these ideas, and how do they influence your writing process?
Gregor: I studied fine arts and during my studies I got to know Josef Váchal. I believe that this can have a huge impact and contribution to metal. Josef Váchal had his own vision of occultism and mysticism, which differed quite a bit from the Western one, or rather from what Western occultists worked with.
So far, lyrics dealing with Váchal’s themes have only appeared in two songs. I am also often influenced by philosophical or academic texts dealing with the Inquisition and similar topics, or simply by my—our own creative intuition.
TheNwothm: Your debut EP Ave Lucifer arrived in 2025. What was the earliest spark that led to this release?
Gregor: We definitely wanted to establish the band’s existence through recordings rather than live performances at first. The complex riffs and vocals are not as simple as they may seem to some. It was simply the first step in the existence of our band.
TheNwothm: When you look back at the creation of “Gróf Reisenstein,” what stands out to you about how that track came together?
Gregor: The band In Solitude and the book “Krvavý román” (Bloody Novel). Before we had anything composed, the band played cover versions of songs by the aforementioned band. We also played something by Saxon, but that was right at the beginning. “Gróf Reisenstein” is our very first song.
TheNwothm: The title track “Ave Lucifer” has a striking name. What was the starting point for developing that piece?
Gregor: In August, actor Karel Heřmánek committed suicide. He played Lucifer in the fairy tale “S čerty nejsou žerty” (Give the Devil His Due) The lyrics of the song are quite satanic, but it is also my tribute to him.
We also wanted to make a faster and more bestial song so that the EP wouldn’t be all about some strange blasphemic melancholy. In the song, I also sing “Peklo peklom bude,” (Hell will be hell – A hell is hell) which always reminds me of the Belgian band Acid, which also contributed to this song.
TheNwothm: “Čierny Dom” closes the EP. What can you share about the process of writing or assembling that song?
Gregor: The basic riff is quite old… I composed it sometime in 2017-2019. Of course, its original form was simpler – less technical and in a different key. Lyrically, it differs most from the previous two in terms of theme. Blasphemy still appears here, but more in the realm of the aforementioned existentialist nihilism.
TheNwothm: What was that experience like for you as a new band navigating your first official release?
Gregor: The recording and production were independent – an internal matter for the band. In any case, our label, Tapes of Terror, had already been agreed upon during the recording of the EP. The label just allowed us to release the EP on the internet (Bandcamp and NWOTHM Full Albums) before it comes out on cassette.
As a band, we felt that after a year of existence, we were finally going to release something that would take us further.
TheNwothm: If Cmÿter were represented by an object found in an old Slovak cemetery, what would each of you choose and why?
Gregor: Hmm… a fence? Haha, I don’t really know how to answer that. Cmÿter represents the cemetery as a whole and everything associated with it, including intangible things, not just one object. But let’s say any ornament found in old cemeteries.
TheNwothm: Now that your debut EP is out, what direction are you exploring for your next musical steps? Are you already working on a follow up?
Gregor: We are mainly working on a high-quality, lively set list. This is also connected with preparations for the studio. So, apart from playing concerts, the next big step is to enter the studio again. This time, we won’t be doing it on our own. Personally, I would like to release a single this year that will be a precursor to the release of our debut album… I don’t really know if we’ll manage it because we have to get the finances ready for it.
TheNwothm: Are there regions or countries you’re especially excited to bring Cmÿter to in the future? What shows do you have booked of the rest of the year?
Gregor: Of course, we would like to play in Poland, Germany, Sweden, and basically anywhere in Europe where people want to see us. At the moment, I don’t see Cmÿter going outside Europe in the foreseeable future, although we are not ruling out this possibility in the future.
Our next show will be at Heavy Metal Thunder in Písek on March the 20th, 2026. Then we’ll probably show up again in April in Bratislava, where we’ll perform with a Chilean heavy metal band, but I won’t reveal any more than that. We already had the opportunity to play in Poland, but it fell through because of the long distance, which would have cost the organiser a lot of money—maybe it will work out some other time.
TheNwothm: How can our readers buy your music and merch?
Gregor: The cassette on the Tapes of Terror website and our merch—so far we only have T-shirts available at concerts, or if there are any left, you can message us on Instagram or email us, because our edition of hand-printed T-shirts is limited.
TheNwothm: Where can fans follow you online?
Gregor: Instagram, Facebook and Bandcamp.
TheNwothm: Anything else you would like to mention?
Gregor: I have nothing to add except to say thank you very much for the interview and your support. I think what you are doing is amazing.
See you at the shows!
Gregor from Cmÿter.
#AveLucifer #Cmÿter #HeavyMetal #NewEP #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM #SlovakianHeavyMetal #TapesOfTerror #thenwothmCom
