Racing the european roads since 2011, Beyond The Styx is inspired by a dark and violent musical universe.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Émile / vocals (former member)

Adrien / drums (former member)

David / rhythm guitar / back vocals

Yoann / bass guitar

Arnaud / lead guitar / back vocals

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Beyond The Styx? 

Émile ➡️ John Merrick / Breath After Coma

Adrien ➡️ Breath After Coma

David ➡️ Caverneux

Yoann ➡️ Tremoria / Sachta

Arnaud ➡️ Disruptors

How long has the band been around?

Active since June 2011.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

We’ve got only one name band despite some line-up changes. This is not the first (nor the last) time that someone asked us this question.

It is not a nostalgic mythological or paganism delirium like many people tend to believe ... It's more a kind of philosophy: "Who are we? Where we stand on the border of the two worlds that split the river Styx? Are we dying people waiting for the living or the living waiting to die?"

A whole lot of questions related to what makes the essence of our beings: life and death.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

I am.

It’s a special process; we’re working together in rehearsal to try some new riffs… Sometimes it’s a really fast and easy process. But it can be tough, because we’re five guys with their own musical influences. After all, I’m writing lyrics. Music guides my inspiration. 

"STIIGMA" (last album) addresses various crucial issues in this dark period of our history, such as: the weapon race, the animal cause, the migration crisis, the media trap, the hypocrisy of international politics, the dystopia ...

So many topics that continue to animate the insatiable flow of this torrent of energy!

Stiigma's lyrics are less metaphorical than Leviathanima's. Time has come to stop hiding behind images.

These topics will evolve over time not fundamentally change.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

It’s a difficult question because we have a lot of different influences in BTSTYX. Maybe bands like: Terror, Sworn Enemy, Nasty, Sepultura & Hatebreed.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Probably Slipknot and Sepultura, when I was a teenager.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

Concentration, stretching and breathing exercises and lots of hydration too.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Without a doubt the opening for Terror at le Ferailleur (Nantes / FR).  A band humanely sympathetic and artistically living up to its reputation. 

All in unbearable heat but for an unforgettable memory.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Most likely bands such as Sepultura, Hatebreed or Terror, with whom we feel artistically close and with whom we probably share similar values.  Since turning together also means sharing together.  It’s not just about music ... 

I would also like to tour with bands like Converge, Meshuggah, Power Trip, Nasty or Jesus Piece...

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for your interview and your interest into the underground scene.

Support the difference & the different forms of artistic expressions.

Don’t be subdued by the medias.

Open your mind. Support your local scene.

Hardcore is more than just music. Together we can do everything!

See you soon on tour!