Botswana’s Raven In Flesh have completed the recording sessions for their debut album after years of work, rehearsals and live performances. Guitarist and co-founder Lordmantus Sodomizer talks about the intense five-day session in Cape Town, the role of engineer Jethro Harris and the community that helped the band reach this point.
The debut album has now been fully recorded. When did the sessions begin, and how did the material change between the first rehearsals and the final takes?
The recording sessions took place between 9 and 14 June 2026. Most of the songs had already been refined through years of rehearsals and live performances, so there were no major changes. However, working with audio engineer Jethro Harris allowed us to experiment with some ideas and arrangements that added a new dimension to the songs while retaining the core Raven In Flesh sound. Jethro became like a sixth member during the recording sessions, and his input helped elevate the entire process.
“Jethro harris became like a sixth member during the recording sessions, and his input helped elevate the entire process”
Ash Plays Bass, Vulvodynia, Overthrust and Hilliker Slamz all pointed you towards Jethro Harris. What convinced you that he understood what Raven In Flesh wanted from the record?
Ashish of Mithras Crowned, along with our brothers in Vulvodynia, Overthrust and Hilliker, all pointed us towards Jethro Harris when we started looking for someone to record our debut album. This was a major milestone for Raven In Flesh, so we wanted someone experienced, trustworthy and capable of understanding our vision. I first spoke to Jethro last year about the possibility of working together, and we met in person earlier this year during his visit to Overthrust. We had extensive discussions about the album, the Tswanian black metal sound and our goals for the record. His professionalism, experience and understanding of what we were trying to achieve gave us confidence that he was the right person for the job. There was also mutual respect between us and a shared desire to work together. Despite his busy schedule, we secured a recording session in June, which felt fitting for recording an album in the heart of winter.
You described the sessions as “a brotherhood forged in steel”. What was the working atmosphere like in the studio, and which moments had the greatest effect on the finished album?
Jethro is based on the south coast of Cape Town, and before the sessions he helped us settle in and get into the right mindset, including spending time by the Indian Ocean at the edge of Africa. The winter atmosphere in Cape Town, combined with the extreme cold and isolation, really shaped the energy we took into the studio. Once recording began, we worked intensely from around 10 am until 2 am the following day for five consecutive days. It was a demanding process that pushed everyone beyond their limits, which was exactly what we wanted for this album. The atmosphere in the studio was serious but deeply collaborative. By the end of the sessions, it felt less like a formal recording process and more like a brotherhood forged in steel. Those moments of intensity and shared focus had the greatest effect on the finished album.
“every member had to confront their own demons to deliver the best possible performance for the record”
How did you approach the guitar, bass, drum and vocal sounds for the record, and which details took the longest to capture properly?
The drums took the longest because they are the foundation of the music. We spent about a day and a half tracking all the drum parts before moving on to guitars, then bass and finally vocals. Each stage came with its own challenges, and everyone was pushed beyond their limits during the process. It was an intense but rewarding experience, and every member had to confront their own demons to deliver the best possible performance for the record.
The album was supported by people who bought merchandise, attended the exclusive show, provided equipment and offered their skills. Which parts of the recording process became possible because of that support?
The support from the metal community played an important role during this crucial period. While we are not a band that relies on charity, we recognise the practical challenges involved in organising an international recording session, including travel, accommodation and basic logistics. It was a financially demanding process. We received different forms of assistance that helped keep everything running smoothly. Matthew Cox of Constellatia gifted us drumsticks and guitar strings, which was greatly appreciated. The Tswanian Black Metal Legion, both at home and internationally, filled our inboxes with messages of encouragement and solidarity throughout the process. The exclusive show was especially meaningful because it brought together musicians, former band members and supporters from the Cape Town scene, creating a strong sense of unity. People also bought our merchandise. Overall, it was a humbling experience that reinforced the strength of the community around us. We are grateful for the respect and support shown throughout the journey.
“We are excited to finally share the Tswanian black metal sound with everyone”
With recording complete and mixing and mastering still ahead, what are you listening for in the next stage, and when do you expect to reveal the album title, tracklist and first music?
At this stage, I prefer not to go into too much detail. The music has been recorded and edited, and the remaining steps are mixing and mastering. We already have internal plans and release timelines in place. In due course, the album title, tracklist and first music will be revealed. It has been a long journey, with people asking for around ten years when the album would finally arrive, and we are now at the final stage. On behalf of the band, we are grateful for the patience and continued support Raven In Flesh has always received. We are excited to finally share the Tswanian black metal sound with everyone.
Originally published in the July 2026 issue of AFRICA.ROCKS Digital Magazine.
