VISTERIA
- Metal Militia
- Aug 17, 2025
- 6 min read
// As far as new metal releases are concerned, I think VISTERIA’s debut demo tape is one for the books. It’s evil, mean, and downright dirty. A combination of speed metal and punk – colloquially known as ‘metalpunk,’ – this project is commandeered by a sole entity, conquering metal legions via Polish inquisition! I had the honor to speak with Hönorata, the mastermind behind VISTERIA. //
Hello! Could you start by telling us a bit about your project and your roles in it?
↪ Hi! VISTERIA was created by me, summer of 2024. I am in charge of pretty much everything – songwriting, lyrics, guitar, bass and all the vocals.
Back in October, you released “Die” as the single from your self-titled demo. What made you choose this as the single? Personally, I think it’s a killer song, but I feel like anything from this demo could have been a successful single.
↪ "Die" was the first fully finished song I had and I started showing it to my closest friends for feedback. At first, I didn't plan to release a single, but my friend Mleko from FRENATRON convinced me to do it, since he liked this song so much and thought it would be a good move. I think it was the best choice for a single – "The Devil in Miss Jones" is too weird, "Alcoholic Slut" too vulgar, and "Six Wolves" too slow. "Die" is a pretty basic speed song, but punk enough to establish the general tone of the demo.
Traditionally, most artists release their demos independently. However, you teamed up with Poland’s own Godz ov War Productions to release it on cassette and digital formats. What led you to partner with them?
↪ I wanted to release the demo with a label, mainly because I don't have the gear needed to copy tapes myself. Also, I wanted to make sure the quality of the tape itself will be the best possible and reach more audiences. Greg [Fijałkowski] responded positively to the demos I sent him, and I'm very thankful he believed in me and decided to release VISTERIA with Godz ov War.
The name VISTERIA itself is interesting to me, because I’m unsure of its meaning! The only thing I can think of is this purple flower-type plant called the wisteria. What does VISTERIA mean to you and what made you settle on that name?
↪ I needed a name that wouldn't be another 'Bonefukker' or 'Speedsukker' – I didn't want it to get lost in all those similar band names. I was having a conversation with an old friend, trying to figure out a one-word name, which would both sound and look good, with a feminine touch to it. Not many speed metal bands name themselves after a flower, so it's a unique origin on its own. In my old house, we used to grow wisteria in my mother's garden, and it grew so strong over the years that it broke our fence and bricked floor. Besides that, the wisteria flower has beautiful folklore in the East, about two women drowning themselves. There is also a short story from feminist literature called "The Giant Wistaria" from 1891 by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which I recommend reading – very inspiring and romantic. In the end, I had many reasons for choosing wisteria, I only decided to change W for V because it gives it the Polish pronunciation and looks cooler, hahah.
Since you’re credited with all vocals, guitars, and bass, who’s on drums? Is it a session player or is it just a really human-sounding drum machine?
↪ I get this question asked a lot. At first, I tried to find a session drummer to record it for me, but I quickly came to the conclusion that it's a lot of work and then the demo wouldn't be fully done by just me, would it? It's a solo project, so I decided to program the drums myself, and make them sound as realistic as possible.
I think you’ve chosen some unique subject matter when it comes to lyrics on this demo. The one that stands out most to me is "The Devil in Miss Jones," a song about the 1973 NC-17 film of the same name. What grabbed you about that film’s plot that made you want to write a song about it?
↪ When I first read about the plot of "The Devil in Miss Jones," I thought to myself, "Wow. That's so metal." I figured out the song could be a three-act story, about suicide, lust, and going to Hell. It resonates with me on a personal level, since society loves to hate and punish women for their sexuality, both being abstinent and liberated. The Madonna-whore complex is a very important matter to me. Then, it's the classic theme of being seduced by the Devil to sin. On top of that, it's just a very interesting and entertaining porno from the golden era to watch.
In relation to the last question, I think your vocals are just incredible and fit the lyrics so well. I know you’re a big admirer of people like Wendy O. Williams, but your voice also takes on this more distorted quality, similar to that of Lynda Simpson from SACRILEGE. What was your process for getting your vocals down, and did you try to replicate anyone?
↪ My first female vocal inspiration was Courtney Love. Especially the first HOLE album, "Pretty on the Inside" – it’s so raw, aggressive, chaotic, psychedelic even – it inspires me to this day. I've been singing since as long as I can remember. My family is still disappointed I chose to "waste" my voice on "screaming," but it's what I love the most. It took me about two years to not destroy my throat while doing it, and I'm pretty happy with the results. I don’t like when women do growling – I prefer when you can hear the actual tone of a female voice. Right now my biggest inspirations are Dawn Crosby, Leather Leone, Betsy Bitch, Lynda “Tam” Simpson, and Wendy O. Williams. Unfortunately, it's impossible to replicate any of these legends, so I'm just trying to use my voice the best I can.
I also know you’re a big fan of MEGADETH and Dave Mustaine. At times in the demo, especially when you’re soloing, I feel the same kind of unrestrained, raw energy that appears on their “Killing is My Business…” record. Was this an album that was influential to you as a musician? Do you have a favorite MEGADETH tune?
↪ Actually, "Killing is My Business…" was the last one of my favourite MEGADETH albums that I've listened to. It's not even my favourite. I have to say I'm extremely flattered, because I think I can't do solos for shit – but someone had to. I always preferred rhythm and it's what I feel the most comfortable playing. I wouldn't say that record was any more influential than the rest of MEGADETH's discography I listen to – after all, everything we listen to influences us. My favourite album is "Peace Sells…," but I wouldn't say there is much of it in VISTERIA.
You also play bass in a band called MELUZYNA, which describes itself as “Cemetery Bubblegum Punk.” How did you join this band, and how do your artistic interests in MELUZYNA differ from VISTERIA?
↪ I was friends with Mika, the vocalist, when MELUZYNA lost their bassist just before their first show. I was supposed to join that one time to fill in the line-up, but decided to stay, because I really liked working with them. It's a safe place for me to not be the frontwoman, and have a good time while playing catchy tunes and wearing silly stage outfits – nobody listens to bass live anyway. I really like that it's riot grrrl-oriented music, and we have four girls fronting the band. The music is more melodic, but still pretty dark and punky. We will be recording an EP early in 2025, so I'm very excited to work on our material and play live gigs because playing music with other people is what I love the most.
Since you hail from Poland, what are some of your favorite Polish bands and albums? I myself am a massive fan of TURBO’s “Ostatni wojownik” and WOLF SPIDER’s “Kingdom of Paranoia.”
↪ I'm not the biggest fan of the Polish scene in general, but if I had to choose, I would have to say KAT’s "Oddech wymarłych światów," and from more recent bands, SEXMAG’s "Sex Metal." I'm more of an American thrash and speed lady.
Now that your demo is out, what’s on the horizon for VISTERIA? If you were to tour, what role(s) would you fulfill live?
↪ VISTERIA will be debuting at the 2025 Black Silesia Open Air fest. I have a line-up, but it's a secret for now. I am currently working on more music, and new, unheard songs will be played in our live debut hopefully. On live shows I will do vocals, of course, and play lead guitar. Then, when enough material is ready, I want to release a full-length album, and just keep going.
Thanks for entertaining my questions! Any final words?
↪ Thanks for the interview. Fuck n’ roll.
Interviewed: December of 2024
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