Interview by Angela Croudace
Dark fantasy rockers Blackbriar are known for weaving rich, cinematic soundscapes and fairytale-inspired tales into their music, and their new album A Thousand Little Deaths is no exception. Vocalist Zora Cock and guitarist René Boxem sat down to reflect on the band’s creative process, the emotional depth behind the music, and hopes to finally reach fans Down Under.
Zora, who pens all the lyrics before music is composed, shared that inspiration often comes from folklore, history, and personal metaphor. “I usually see visuals in my head very quickly after writing the lyrics,” she said, highlighting the band’s filmic aesthetic. Their music video for Harpy, hand-drawn frame by frame by their own creative team, reflects this commitment to authenticity, just pure, painstaking artistry.
The band remains deeply grounded despite their viral success with Until Eternity. “It took months before anything happened,” René recalled, “then suddenly it skyrocketed. It changed everything.”
Their bond with fans is a cornerstone of their identity, from Discord chats to cherished fan gifts like a sword engraved with song lyrics and even a rare turtle coin (literally a medallion emblazoned with a turtle that I definitely want to do more research on). “We keep everything,” Zora laughed. “It really means a lot.”
Australia is very much on their radar. A planned tour fell through due to the pressure of filling venues, but the dream is alive. “We’d love to come—maybe as a support act or for a festival first,” said René.
As for A Thousand Little Deaths, Zora hopes listeners feel the same shivers she did on first listen. “Some songs brought me to tears. It’s deeply personal. I just hope it makes people feel something.”
And for Australian fans? Keep your ears open and your turtle coins ready…

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