In a world where black metal is often associated with darkness, despair, and rebellion, some artists emerge to bring light into the void. One of them is Crucifix, the creative force behind Eternal Throne — a raw, unrelenting one-man project blending the sonic brutality of black metal with the eternal message of hope and truth in Christ.
In this episode of The Rooster Show, host Rooster Jones sits down with Crucifix to talk about his debut EP From the Depths of Mortal Flesh, the spiritual war behind the music, and what it means to be a Christian artist in one of metal’s most extreme subgenres.
This isn’t just a conversation about riffs and growls — it’s a testimony from a man who’s been through the darkest valleys and found redemption in the name of Jesus.
Ryan (Motivic): O kurczę, przestraszyłeś mnie tam. Tu Ryan z Motivic, słuchacie The Rooster Show. Cześć, witajcie w The Rooster Show.
Rooster Jones: Cześć, dzisiaj mamy Crucifix z Eternal Throne. Jak się masz? Słyszysz mnie?
Crucifix: Całkiem dobrze, a ty?
Rooster Jones: Świetnie, słyszę cię.
Rooster Jones: Super, dzięki, że jesteś. Mam twoje EP "From the Depths of Mortal Flesh". Świetna robota, naprawdę dobrze zrobione. Dajesz czadu w tym materiale, co?
Ryan (Motivic): Oh man, you scared me there. This is Ryan from Motivic, you’re listening to The Rooster Show. Hello, welcome to The Rooster Show.
Rooster Jones: Hey, today we have Crucifix from Eternal Throne. How are you doing? Can you hear me?
Crucifix: Pretty good, how about you?
Rooster Jones: Excellent, I can hear you.
Rooster Jones: Cool, thanks for being here. I got your EP “From the Depths of Mortal Flesh.” Excellent work, really well done. You’re kicking some serious ass on this one, huh?
Crucifix: Thanks.
Rooster Jones: Of course. You’re obviously a Christian band, and I love that you have positive lyrics in metal.
Just to give you a quick heads-up before we dive in— I grew up loving Mortification, Vengeance Rising, Sacrament, Seventh Angel, all that good stuff from the 90s. I always had a fascination with metal, but didn’t like the lyrics in a lot of it.
So I got into Christian music, punk, and metal. Took a bit of a break, then came back, and there were tons more bands like Come to Pass, Broken Flesh, Bated Mass, Flesh.
There are so many bands I can’t even count them with my toes—and I had a lot of toenails pulled. So now it’s your turn, man. Tell me about Eternal Throne.
Crucifix: I formed Eternal Throne back in 2022. Right now it’s just me, a solo project. I hope to eventually have a full band one day.
But for now, it’s solo. I was heavily inspired by bands like Horde, Horder, Frost Like Ashes—all these Christian black metal or unblack metal bands, whatever you want to call it. I love Frost Like Ashes, they’re badass.
Rooster Jones: Amazing, man. I got heavy into them too. I love that raw, dark sound.
Crucifix: That’s what I’ve always aimed for, because as a Christian I’ve been through a lot of valleys, hard times, very deep darkness that I only got through by the power and grace of Jesus Christ. It’s in those valleys I saw the true darkness of life, and I don’t want to hide from that.
I don’t want to brush it under the rug and pretend life is all butterflies and easy. We’re soldiers of Christ.
Rooster Jones: Exactly.
Crucifix: Exactly. So I wanted to push that raw, aggressive sound more and more. It’s at my core, who I am.
I want to push truth through that sound and spread the message of Christ through my music. That’s Eternal Throne.
Rooster Jones: Okay, that’s the interview, thanks for showing up! Just kidding.
Crucifix: Haha, I know.
Rooster Jones: But isn’t it funny? Especially with me, I love the most aggressive punk rock and metal, but it has to have some positivity, some hope. The world really needs hope right now. It is lost.
It’s really sad. I’m not trying to bring people down, we all have our downfalls.
Crucifix: I know.
Rooster Jones: We’re having a few technical issues, huh?
Crucifix: Yeah, it happens sometimes. I think it’s because they moved the router.
Rooster Jones: I’ve been having internet problems for a couple weeks, after this interview I’ll talk to them, maybe get a Wi-Fi booster.
It’s funny you love aggressive music but it has to have hope because life is tough.
When I said be a soldier for Christ, I meant it seriously. There are really confused people out there hurting others.
Depression, suicide, not to mention all the gender stuff going on, identity crises, it’s sad. People need hope.
So the fact you have hope in your music, that’s brilliant. Have you ever had other members or has it always been solo? I’m a solo artist myself.
Crucifix: Always solo since founding in 2022. I don’t want it to be that way forever. I want to get out there and play shows. This music is my whole life and a gift from God. I want to share it.
For now solo, but Lord willing, it won’t stay that way.
Rooster Jones: Plenty of talented people who love the Lord probably will help you. Just find those who share your passion.
Many churches don’t believe in metal, think it’s a gateway to Satan.
Crucifix: It’s about keeping your heart and soul intact, having control. I’ve listened to some horrible stuff in life, even stuff saying they’re cooler than Jesus.
I listened to that in dance clubs, even danced to a song by My Life With A Thrill Of Gold.
I love that band, talk with them monthly. You have to be stronger because “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”
Rooster Jones: You’re talking a lot, but that’s what we’re here for.
How’s your music writing process? Being solo isn’t easy—you have to do every instrument, which is tedious but rewarding.
Crucifix: Usually ideas come all day at work, I have lots of time to think. I memorize or record them on my phone.
When I get home, I develop those ideas into songs.
Rooster Jones: You have a new project? This EP came out in March 2024, now a full album?
Crucifix: Yes, I’m recording a full album. Halfway done. Next week my producer and I start the second half. I’m proud of it but can’t share details yet.
Rooster Jones: I enjoy your stuff, it’s on my metal mix playlist on iTunes, I think I have 3,000 tracks.
Crucifix: Wow, that’s a lot.
Rooster Jones: I have Frost Like Ashes, Sacrament, all the classics.
Music is a powerful tool, healing, can express anger but mostly healing.
Crucifix: Yes, healing. I write from my heart, not to judge, but to promote God’s love beyond anything.
I deal with skinheads, punks, goths, club kids—different people but one love connects us.
Rooster Jones: How did you come to faith?
Crucifix: I wasn’t a Christian until I was 17, in 2007. I discovered Renaissance, a melodic Christian death metal band. That dark time I saw Jesus’ power through heavy music.
It was the best decision of my life, gave me a firm foundation.
Rooster Jones: Did you have a lot of anger?
Crucifix: I had confusion and sadness, no foundation or direction.
Jesus became the point, the way, the truth.
Rooster Jones: Do you play anything besides metal?
Crucifix: I’ve considered outlaw country, love Johnny Cash and Hank Williams III. Maybe in the future.
Rooster Jones: Is this your only release?
Crucifix: Yes, “From the Depths of Mortal Flesh.” I record guitars and bass, drums are programmed by my producer, who also helps with keys.
Rooster Jones: How long have you played guitar?
Crucifix: Started at 13, got decent at 14. I use a BC Rich Warlock for recording, my second guitar ever, love it.
Rooster Jones: How do you keep your music fresh?
Crucifix: Much has been done before, but I add organ and keys for freshness. If people hear Mayhem or Renaissance influence, that’s fine—I love those bands. The music is mine and sincere.
Rooster Jones: You’re from Texas, right? Is there a big metal scene?
Crucifix: It’s small, especially Christian metal. I feel alone sometimes, but I believe God will send soldiers.
Rooster Jones: I’m rooting for you! Your music proves even the most aggressive metal can carry hope. Thanks for chatting!
The interview was conducted as part of The Rooster Show.