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As Vampiric Shades and Belial Winds (Bra)
Gorgon (Fra)
Grand Belial's Key (USA)
Lethal Curse (Bra)
Nocturn (Fin)
Silentium (Fin)
AS VAMPIRIC SHADES AND BELIAL WINDS (Bra) download HERE
Questions Tommi Hakonen / answered by Goryshnackh
The following interview had sent to the Brazilian band Miasthenia and was meant to be a part of my 6 th issue… After several months it finally came back in May 2000, just too late for my #6. Because the guy who got the questions didn't play in Miasthenia anymore, he had decided to change the questions a little bit and gave it to another Brazilian band, As Vampiric Shades and Belial Winds, and so this interview was answered by Goryshnackh… This is an old interview now but I think it's worth publishing and I must say that many things may have changed so don't order anything before checking the address etc.
VAMPIRISM SEEM TO BE ONE OF YOUR MAIN THEMES IN LYRICS, WHY DOES VAMPIRISM INTEREST YOU, AND DO YOU ACTUALLY PRACTISE SOME VAMPIRIC RITES?
-Vampirism means a lot for us, not that gothic shit way, but the very ancient vampirism… When I see all that hollywoodian shit about vampirism, my heart breaks… All that false history about Dracula hate me too much. Vladd Tepes was as a hero and leader for his country and he had a great sense of justice in Romania… His country fighted for Christianity against people of the east and after all the Christians betrayed him, so all his hate and wrath was spawned to the Jehovas sons of bitch!!! My interest in vampirism begun when I watched ”Nosferatu” in '86, after that I started research for this theme. Our rehearsals and gigs are as vampiric rites, we are the blood-worshipping cult!!!
OTHER SUBJECTS IN YOUR LYRICS DEAL WITH ANCIENT SOUTHERN CULTURES, HYPER MYTHOLOGY OF SUPREME WISDOM, ETC., BUT WHERE IS THE HATE TOWARDS CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS?
-Christianity and other religions have invaded our proud southern land in the 16 th century with its false morality, hypocrisy and ignorance. They destroyed our pagan cults for it was a great threat to them, but it continues in our day-by-day. Monotheistic religions as our enemies it's to me like an endless pleasure. We live in the faustian way without dogmas, rules or religions laws to follow and just extreme hate to them is real!!! Fuck the ways of Christ!!! Regarding our southern culture, the Inca and Maia people, they were very much advanced in medicine, astrology, arts and magic many times before the Europeans and we are here to propagate our supreme wisdom of southern pride. Hail to us!!!
THIS IS THE QUOTATION FROM YOUR BIO; ”THERE IS BLOOD RUNNING THROUGH THE MIST OF SILENCE, EMINENT SILENCE THAT SINGS RITES OF DEAD AND TRAGIC POETRY, TO THE DAWN OF OUR FEELINGS. THERE IS THE VAMPIRIC MUSIC IN THE MIST AND THERE ARE VAMPIRES SINGING THOSE SONGS… TO ENTHRONE THE RACE OF CAIN!!! VAMPIRIC BLACK METAL, GREY AND DARK, HEAVY AS THE STORM WINDS, DELIGHTFULL AS HECATE AND FAST AS HELL… MUSIC TO MURDER THE WORLD!!!” HOW IS THE MASSACRE PROCEEDING?
-It's directed to the false ones infiltrated in our underground scene, people that don't feel the true aura of scene and be here just to get famous and rich. Nowadays thousands of people sell products without authorization of bands and I hate that. Our massacre has just begun, so if anyone feel bothered we are here to decide anything, my pistol 380 needs to be used!!! Fuck trends.
AS VAMPIRIC SHADES AND BELIAL WINDS DON'T SUPPORT THE POSER ATTITUDE IN THE BLACK METAL SCENE AND STATE THAT THE BLACK METAL FEELING IS SOMETHING THAT IS FOR ELITE WARRIORS… COULD YOU THEN TELL ME, WHAT IS THE DESCRIPTION OF ELITE WARRIOR…? I'M VERY CURIOUS TO KNOW IT!
-Elite warrior in the scene have intelligent attitudes, be honest in what you do, don't care about childish polemics, act with responsibility and mainly is extreme headbanger for black/death/doom metal is not for normal trivial people, so childish assholes in the scene, be sure we will hunt you till death!!! Radicalism is more a state of spirit than a doctrine!!!
YOU SURELY PLAY PRIMITIVE BLACK METAL, EVEN SO PRIMITIVE AND CHAOTIC THAT I WONDER WHY YOUR BIO STATES THAT ”FAUSTIAN SONS OF HATE” DEMO CONTAINS THREE WELL STRUCTURED SONGS AND EVEN WITH MELODY AND CREATIVITY. ACCORDING TO MY OWN OPINION, THIS DEMO HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MELODY AND CREATIVITY, JUST PURE BLACK METAL HATE… BUT MAYBE I MISSED SOMETHING, SO EXPLAIN AGAIN PLEASE!
-Well, if it hasn't melody and creativity, then I don't know what it has. I agree when you talk that it's pure fuckin' black metal, but there are well structured songs there, generally the people have different of each one. We don't care if you like or not, your opinion doesn't mean anything to us.
SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE IDEA OF ÜBERMENSCH / SUPERMAN, AM I RIGHT? HOW DID YOU END UP IN THIS KIND OF THINKING, EXPLAIN!
-It's explained in the ”Elite Warrior”-question.
YOU HAVE SAID THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN EUROPE DON'T SUPPORT THE BRAZILIAN SCENE DUE TO YOUR NATIONALITY… COULD IT BE THAT BRAZILIAN BANDS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH COMPARED WITH THE EUROPEAN BANDS AND THEREFORE PEOPLE RATHER BUY AND SUPPORT EUROPEAN BANDS, INSTEAD OF SENDING MONEY TO BRAZIL WHICH POSTAL SYSTEM ISN'T THE MOST RELIABLE? EVERYONE KNOWS SEPULTURA, SARCOFAGO AND MYSTIFIER DUE TO THEIR ”SUCCESS” AND GOOD PROMOTION, BUT MAYBE YOU COULD INTRODUCE US SOME BANDS WHICH WOULD DESERVE MORE ATTENTION?
-Not everybody, but the most of European deny to know bands of South America and we don't give a fuck if they like or not, fuck off!!! Bands that I can bear from here that deserve attention are the ones whom do part of our ”Extreme Vampires Dominium” such as SPELL FOREST, CRUCIAL, MYTHOLOGICAL COLD TOWERS, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEMPLUM, EMBALMED SOULS, us, WALPURGIS, Medical Genocide magazine and Vampire Lord magazine.
HAVE YOU PLAYED ANY GIGS AFTER THE FIRST ONE IN GOIANIA? WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN BRAZIL, IS IT EASY TO ARRANGE GIGS ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK METAL BANDS?
-Our first gig was done in the 6 th of February '99 at ”II Meeting of the Black Hordes” beside our bloodbrothers of SPELL FOREST and CRUCIAL which was a very extreme event… Also we had the opportunity in open to KRISIUN band, but due some problems it was cancelled. It's not difficult to arrange gigs to play over here, some bands whom will play in Brazil soon are DIMMU BORGIR and the mighty VARATHRON.
DEALING WITH THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, CAN YOU REHEARSE AND PERFORM YOUR MUSIC WITHOUT ANY ATTEMPTS TO STOP YOU…? I MEAN, ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS A STRONG STATUS IN BRAZIL, AND I WONDER IF THERE AREN'T ANY ORGANIZATION AND GROUPS WHICH TRY TO STOP SUCH ”EVIL” ACTIVITIES…
-We live in total democracy in Brazil and none kind of attempt bother us, our scene is so big that any organization have no courage to stop our evil culture. No problems… Sometimes the government organizes festival of several music styles and metal have its space there too.
NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO ASK ME SOMETHING… GO AHEAD!
-It seems that there's a kind of hostility between Finnish and Norwegian bands. What about that? Since already I agree with any fight against Norway for there's just childish attitudes there. Fuck Northern bullshit, hail Southern supremacy.
-(Tommi): Hostility? Maybe a decade ago but nothing really going on right now… I think. I told to many Norway-freaks years ago that not all the Norwegian bands are so fucking supremely excellent, extreme and true as they think. Look at the situation now, I think I was right but it was easy to say so when one is so fanatic about something… Live and learn!
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW… I THANK YOU FOR THIS INTERVIEW AND HOPE ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR FUTURE! TAKE CARE!
-Buy our merchandise: Demo tape for $5, AS VAMPIRIC SHADES AND BELIAL WINDS t-shirt for $15. Tommi, great questions and great personality, you are the true one!!! Readers, support the ones whom bring good attitudes and watch for the acts of our circle ”Extreme Vampires Dominium”. Hail and Kill!!!
GORGON (Fra) download HERE
Yosuke Konishi made this interview for Dark Moon #7. Those of you who have read the 'zine since the beginning, know that Gorgon has been featured in Dark Moon also earlier, actually two times as the main interview was published in issue 2 in '94 and the article in issue 3 in '96… So this is the 3 rd time but I think Gorgon is worth it even if I haven't been in contact with Chris for ages and I didn't even know if the band was still alive… obviously they still kick some ass with their evil art. For those who haven't read the previous (old) issues, here are some parts of the interview, so you can see what was happening back then. Here we go….
Chris in 1994:
”Since 1989 I played black metal and when I have seen a lot of guys who liked our songs, I have decided to continue in a more professional way.”
”The fact we were the 1 st French black metal band causes us now some problems because we are accused of being trendy band whereas we were formed in 1991 and the trend has appeared since the late '92 and '93. We did exist before the trend but some guys don't know that!”
”Norwegian guys like our style and I have some friends in Carpathian Fullmoon and Gorgoroth, for example. I respect their ideology when they want to protect the scene from trendy bands but not all their acts. They know that a band appeared in '92 or '93 is taken less seriously, those which are pioneers in their country when the trend will pass they will see all these new bands disappear. Moreover, Mayhem plays black metal different from Emperor or from Burzum and that proves this style is rich and it's a good way to stay out of money.”
”Venom, Hellhammer, Samael, Bathory, etc. are black metal bands and the new ones (you know, all those who pretend to be the most evil and unholy and are formed within a year or so) are ”true” black metal bands. Maybe to be true you must copy Venom, Bathory,… and play less interesting or be in a band formed during the trend, I don't know… Gorgon has nothing to prove contrary to all those new bands which must say: 'We are true' to be taken seriously.”
Can you start this interview by introducing the current members of Gorgon?
-Gorgon is actually Cyril (bass), Vanessa (keyboards), Chris (guitar/vocals), Eddy (drums).
A respectable individual in the metal underground has stated that a real musician should not make a living from his music. I think his logistics went something like this: ”If you are making enough money to support yourself from your music, then it probably means that you are on a major label. Most major record labels are only interested in the bottom line – Money, therefore they will try to persuade you to make music that sells. In the end, you trade in your integrity for a chance to make money.” Can you comment on this statement?
-We don't think to such a thing. We play what we wanna play, and we don't care if we sell or not. We play ”brutal music” since 1991 more or less without the support of a label, so if the money was our priority, we'll change our style. Nevertheless I agree with what you have noted: the labels try to convince the bands to play the music which sells. I consider it's normal because the labels are here (in the majority) to make money, so as they pay, they give a kind of order. If you want to keep your integrity you must proove that your style sell enough to propose what you want. To conclude, the fact the labels try to impose you a way to compose, don't mean you must follow this way.
I guess this question is related to the one above. What do Gorgon members do when they are not desecrating graves at night? Do you hold a college degree? (Peter from Abigor holds an Engineering degree!)
-The bass and keyboards players work both at the swimming-pool of our town. They are the trainers of a lot of sportsmen. The drummer work for a food factory. Personally, I have a ”B.T.S.” (2 years after the college degree I think) and I read a lot of books about supernatural and the French people in the world war 2. I am not interested by the other countries of this period, just my compatriots.
Gorgon has been around for a long time now, but you guys haven't received that much coverage in zines. Was it a conscious decision by the members to stay underground or did it just happen that way?
-We are appeared on (more or less) 150 different zines/mags and of course sometime on different issues from the same name; which make something like 200 articles/interviews of us. As you know, it's easy to appear on a zine; you send a tape (or CD) and you'll have at least a review and an interview in a lot of cases. I could do it, but what is the interest to spend money on big promotion where as our album is not distributed everywhere. The audience see the good review, want to buy the CD at his local store but as we are not, buy another stuff. Rare are the guys who order CDs contrary to what we think. Moreover, a lot of zines release only 1 issue sold at 30 copies and disappear after. I prefer to keep my money, my time and energy for our recording or our live appearances. It's more concret according to me.
I'm sure you've been offered numerous offers from labels, how come you haven't takem any of them?
-They weren't enough interested at the time we release the albums. I remember a label from England as exemple, which proposes us less than $1600 to release our album. With this money we can only record 5/6 songs here. The last album cost me $6000 to show you the difference. The few labels which have Gorgon on their products are those who have made compilation CDs with us, two rip-off labels from Malaysia and Slovakia which have released our two first albums on tape, and Wounded Love Records from Italy which have sold our E.P. ”Immortal Horde” in 1993.
From listening to your newest album, I have noticed more melodies included in the songs. Some of the songs even reminded me of At The Gates. Can you comment on this?
-I have listened one album from the band mentioned few years ago, so I can't judge the style. ”The Jackal Pact”, the last album you have, is the best of what Gorgon could proposed in 1998, 7 years after its creation so it's normal that we are better musicians, and we have more melodic ideas to include. Nevertheless, I consider that the melodies come also from the fact that 2 guitarists played in the band at this period. Since September 1998, I play (and compose) all the songs and guitars parts, as the second guy is kicked out. The new album recorded (and totally mixed today) shows Gorgon on a new aspect as during the rehearsals one guitar was present.
I'm sure you have noticed the trends over the years, in the early 90's death metal was the biggest trend, and now black metal is even bigger. Bands like Cradle of Filth and Dummy Burger dresses up in vampire costumes and sells thousands of CDs. Why do you think black metal is so popular now? Where does Gorgon stand as a band on commercialization of black metal?
- Black metal is decreasing according to me as too much shit products are out since a lot of time and the audience is saturated. As a normal result, the bands you have mentioned sell more CDs as they have more money to have a good sound in studio, nice booklet, promotion, big live shows. Gorgon sell less CDs than these bands but we play what we like, we have the image we like, and we stay honest towards our fans. I prefer 1000 persons who are proud to like us than 10000 who jump in another stream in some months.
Gorgon resides in France, a country that's produced some of the most vile and raw black metal hordes such as Vlad Tepes, Count Nosferatu, Torgeist, Belketre, Antaeus, Hirilorn and Mutiilation to name a few. It is also the home to some of the best underground labels like Drakker, End All Life, Spike Kult and others. What is your thought on the current black metal scene in France? Can you comment on the bands mentioned above?
-There is no French black metal scene as there is no support between the bands. Only few bands on their side. We haven't a special sound as the Greek one or the Swedish scene. No, really, excepted few bands what we have to propose is without interest. Hirilorn is (with Gorgon of course) the best black metal band I have seen on stage. They have splitted now as Mutiilation and some of the bands you have noted. Count Nosferatu is also a good band on stage and I have seen them three or four times. I have also organized a gig for them. Antaeus starts to be appreciated but I have never listened as the rest (even if I know them all by name contrary to the people here for whom they are absolutely unknowns).
Another trend these days is to be Nazi or National Socialist. Many bands in Poland, Germany and even France are starting to lean towards this ideology. What is your opinion on NS black metal? Where does Gorgon stand politically?
-Gorgon don't care about politic. Gorgon makes music, not politic. Black metal is metal with occult/satanic image/topics that is why N.S.B.M. is a bad name as it's metal with N.S. lyrics and screaming vocals, but not black metal at all. A lot of bands from the previous question are concerned by what you N.S.B.M.
Over the years Gorgon has played shows with a lot of different bands like Samael, Sadist, etc. Is there a show that you remember more vividly that others? What can we expect at a normal Gorgon show?
-Gorgon's show is really powerfull!!! As each gig is different from the last one, which is a thing we pay attention, it's easy to remember one date. I'll choose a gig in 1996 (few days before our second CD be out) where we play at a ”music fest” (open air) with rock bands and Agressor in front of 500 people. We have played 18 minutes before to be stopped during a song by the organizer. Indeed, the audience was too crazy for us, our second guitarist was covered by blood, the keyboards used make up, and we was required by the authorities to stop when the mayor is enter in the place, he was scared. Despite the audience was not happy at all, without electricity we couldn't continue. In 18 minutes we buried Agressor and the rest of the bands which played after and have received polite applauses. Nice gig!
Ok, here's a question directed at you Chris. Your vocal style is very hoarse and emotional like a person screaming and riding into battle. It sort of reminds me of Burzum or even the hardcore band Acme from Germany. What state of mind do you have to be in, in order to produce such unholy sounds from your vocal chord?
-Suffering is an art. I take the sound which fits perfectly to what I have to say and then I ”live” the song.
Are you familiar with the band Gorgon from Japan? What do you think about them having the same name when your band has been around longer?
-I have written them one time to listen but they never answer to me. I consider it's sad to have take the same name than ours as it exists a lot of name to use for a band. I think they have split now.
You said you were fascinated with WWII... Can you expand on this? What exactly is it about this war that attracts your attention?
-I'm only interested by the French soldiers who have fight on the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1945. Nevertheless, it's rare to find things on them as they were only 20000 (more or less). I am not interrested by the other fronts neither others armies.
Is a person in the scene that you'd like to see dead?
-I don't know, but if you want a name, let's say the guy who runs the rip-off label SEASON OF MIST from France. A pure impostor;
Can you briefly give me your opinion on the following topics?
-American Culture: a thing I'm totally against, I'm agaisnt the American imperialism
-French black metal VS. Polish black metal: Both scene has good bands even if I prefer the French one.
-The Simpsons (the best TV show): I have never see a complete show as I don't feel concerned, but here it's a show rather popular in FRANCE and among black metal fans too.
-Death VS. Life: The frontier is really small, but both has interesting parts.
-Vietnam War: The Americans have prefered Staline and the communists during the second world war to be allied with. Bad choice, few years after they have paid their choice by the fall of Saigon.
-Venom VS. Bathory: Venom is more cult but both should have stopped a long time ago that make average albums.
How often do you guys play live? Can we expect Gorgon to tour the U.S. in the future (I would love to see that!)?
-We have played 30 times so far with SAMAEL, AGRESSOR, OPERA IX, EXULCERATION, SADIST, MERCYLESS,…. but I don't think that we'll play one time in your country. Without a serious label such thing is impossible.
What bands have you been influenced by? I noticed that you were wearing an Exploited T-Shirt... Is punk rock a major influence in Gorgon?
-I deeply like THE EXPLOITED and the French punk rock for the powerful of the music. Inspite of that I consider that we are no more influenced by bands since a lot of years. I mean, when I compose, I know immediatly if the riff is good or not for GORGON? At the begining, I appreciated CELTIC FROST for the cults riffs easy to remember, IMPALED NAZARENE for the attitude, VENOM and BATHORY for the atmosphere, SAMAEL for the mix of slow and fast parts in their black metal.
Gorgon's Playlist?
-SAMAEL "Ceremony of opposites"
THE EXPLOITED "Beat the bastards"
SODOM "Agent orange"
IMPALED NAZARENE's first album
DARK FUNERAL "Dark Funeral"
VENOM "Calm before the storm"
BATHORY "Blood, fire, death"
CELTIC FROST "Morbid tales"
SARCOFAGO "I.N.R.I."
CARNIVORE "Retaliation"
I haven't noted French punk rock bands that no one know world wide. The keyboards player doesn't listen metal except GORGON. The bass player like WUMPSCUT, THE EXPLOITED, IGGY POP, THE SEX PISTOLS, TYPE O'NEGATIVE's first stuffs, BATHORY "Hammerheart", CUBANATE. The ex-drummer liked metal in general and SEB (now in Gorgon again) appreciate KREATOR, 2 firsts NAPALM DEATH, SARCOFAGO, THE EXPLOITED.
When can we expect the next release?
-I think that the new cd will out during the second week of October'00. It will be of course available to my address. It represent perfectly what is GORGON today.
Any last comments? Please let us know what's available for mailorder. Thanks.
-A news that you are the first zine to know as it's rather recent: SEB, the drummer of our 3 firsts album is back in GORGON as official drummer. He has left the band at the end of 1997 after the recording of his parts. The guy who is come after and has recorded the last cd is kicked out the band.
GRAND BELIAL'S KEY (USA) download HERE
For years Grand Belial's Key have been vomiting forth foul and wicked hymns upon the pharisaic underground scene, total abnegation of celestial ideologies and pious holy doctrines written in their agenda. Without ever compromising their unholy vision, not one iota, they have been revered by impious minds alike but on the other hand defamed by the poltroon patrons and the synagogue forces of the underground. Jewish schemes notwithstanding, there is no stopping for these holocaust trumpeters. Grand Belial's Key are one of the very few bands today who, in my opinion, could be dubbed as cult. As futile as it sounds.
by Sir Holm
So, Gelal, Grand Belial's Key were formed nearly a decade ago now. Care to elaborate a bit? Back in the day you started out the American Black Metal scene was close to non-existent so how do you look upon the development and growth of it during the years and do you take pride in being one of the pioneering US Black Metal acts?
-I don't see a black metal scene today, in fact I don't see any scene. Back then, the death metal scene was strong, and this is the best scene, pure death metal. I don't even know why the scenes have to be separate, I mean true death metal and black metal have the same idea in the long run. Death metal has much more aggression and violence than fucking black metal. The black metal scene in the world is weak, full of clowns posing in front of cameras, pretending to be vampires and ghouls, running around screaming high pitched screams like gays... Totally pathetic. Death metal has no image, it is just like you see it; we prefer this type of scene or the old ‘80's US hard core scene, if we had to choose.
I dare say your brand of Black Metal is and has always been, in single word, unique. How conscious of it you were back in the day you were putting out the debut demo “Goat of a Thousand Young”? I mean, did you particularly strive for creating something totally original and distinctively G.B.K or did it all happen perfectly naturally?
-No, I made it a point to create my own style, while admiring the unique and identifying sound that some bands had made for themselves; for example in ‘92, ROTTING CHRIST had their distinct sound, same with BLASPHEMY, MASTER'S HAMMER, or UNHOLY.Nobody could confuse these bands as their style were totally different yet all played a type of black metal. GRAND BELIAL'S KEY was destined to develop it's own identifying sound as well. I believe we've not only achieved developing our own sound and style but also acquiring our own identifying image and art.
Your music has a lot of elements that remind me of traditional Heavy Metal. Yet, you always have that certain dark, eerie and haunting atmosphere to them... Do you intentionally refrain from incorporating too blatant trad Metal elements to your music? As in, do you always want to preserve the sort of filthy black necro-Metal character and feeling to it?
-I don't know why our music reminds people of traditional heavy metal, I don't even listen to that and certainly don't try to emulate it. I do think, though, that our music appeals to metal fans of all styles, regardless of their musical inclination. This is why I was so disappointed at the time that we didn't get the promotion we deserved with our first LP. It was so diversified in sound, tempo, and style, that I know metal heads from all over would enjoy it. I always want our songs to be disgusting in some way, to have much aggression yet have a disturbing melody.
Those days, when the “Goat of...” demo was released the Norwegian Black Metal scene was flourishing and besides maybe the Swedes and the Greeks hardly anybody else were, as immensely moronic as it was, considered to be allowed to create and perform Black Metal, ho, ho... How was the response to a band like Grand Belial's Key in the beginning?
-I'm not sure about the response, although I reckon it was quite big for quite a few labels offered us deals back then. I remember seeing hundreds of letters lying around our rehearsal place. I had left Lord Rastafarian in charge of handling the correspondence, so he is the one who knows what the response really was. Note that I gave him this responsibility because it was the least he could do to contribute, being that I masterminded the entire operation, recorded the whole fucking demo on my own and was at the time editing SINISTRARI magazine with 57 interviews in 4 languages. I didn't feel as if I had to take over this responsibility as well. He, on the other hand, ripped of numerous bands as he never did release his magazine, eventhough tons of bands sent him free shit. All I know is that years later when I had to take over the correspondence I found myself with boxes full of unanswered letters and missing money. He did more to damage the band then to help it, ultimately. I fucking hate little drug infested faggots like that. Fuck him and FUCK ANCIENT and every asshole that listens to that lame excuse for metal.
You went on and released the “Triumph of the Hordes” demo. I am under the impression you are not personally very fond of this release? If so, is it because of the tension inside the band you had to endure? Eventually Lord Fag Pussyferian was kicked out of the band, I know you are sick and tired of speaking about the whole thing but, for the sake of this interview, I have to ask you to reveal some reasons which ushered his not so amicable departure...
-NO, I'm not fond of this release at all. This showed Lord Homo's true ways and his hidden desires to be a fucking poser. The lyrics hinted at some vampire shit and the whole idea of being mistaken for a fucking gothic vampire Nordic black metal band sickens me to this day. Yeah., I'm totally sick of talking about it, GBK has been a force since 1996 since I recruited The Black Lourde of Crucifixion to sit on Belial's throne and do justice to our band. We have no ties to that queer from ANCIENT, or his little followers. I detest any fantasy, I don't believe in ghosts, and I'm not a fucking hypocrite. I don't accept the existence of that bastard GOD and I don't believe in the divinities of his supposed son JEWSUS CHRIST, why would I believe in witches and devils? The second demo was not entirely written by me. Not only that, but the sound was awful, and Lord Fag inserted this slut's voice over one of the songs without our approval. He was fascinated with this image. He is a lonely person with a trapped desire to be someone special, he needed the feedback from the underground to boost his ego and develop a little embryo of a personality.
Still, might Gelal have been at least a little grateful for Fag's efforts to keep the band alive while he himself left the band temporarily? Rhetoric question, but such a delighting answer...
-No, I'm not fucking grateful for anything. He stole money, mistreated people who supported us, fucked up half a dozen deals with labels, and started fights with other people he could not win. I remember distinctly one occasion where he had insulted in a letter some guy from MASOCHIST. The humorous thing was that they encountered each other at some metal fest, but the guy from MASOCHIST being twice as big as Lord Gay, felt guilty for beating up such a little weak dwarf, so he didn't hurt him. But I assure you, Lord Sissy turned white as snow from fear and then red as the pussy between his legs from embarrassment. I quit the band with the intention of it dying. I did not know he tried to continue with it after I left, besides, I didn't really care. Later on, when I spoke to him I prohibited him from using my songs and ideas. He tried very hard to replace me and go on, but it was a failure. You cannot replicate GBK by inserting another member.
There was quite a huge gap between the “T.o.t.H” demo and it's successor “A Witness to the Regicide” 7". After losing the vocalist and drummer did you put the band on ice for a while or were you merely composing new material in silence, hoping to find additions to the line-up? Was it also a case of concentrating on preparing the debut album instead of putting out demos just for the sake of keeping the name out?
-It was a difficult time for me to gather the troops again for another chapter of profanity. I thoguht hard about who had the motivation, determination, and talent to bond with me in this unholy battle. Members of ARGHOSLENT helped out during this time. I invoked The Black Lourde of Crucifixion from Pennsylvania's CRUCIFIER for the position. I wrote him a long letter expressing my disgust for the scene and my urge to release a truly underground black metal LP. I knew he was the right person for the mission, however, I doubted he'd be interested due to lack of time or something. It turned out that he was honoured to be a part of the hordes and his commitment GRAND BELIAL'S KEY has been nothing but admirable. He strengthened the band with his musical input, the brutality of his drum playing, and the disgusting vocals that made this band the dirty shit that it is today. I didn't want to release another demo, the scene was well aware of who we were. It was time for vinyl, and with vinyl we dispersed our material to the true underground. This 7" was sold out from the label in a matter of weeks with no advertising or anything. we recorded this on a 4-track to keep it underground and intense.
Your partner in crime since the “A Witness...” 7", Cazz “The Black Lourde of Crucifixion” Grant, has quite many irons in the fire at the moment. Some of his bands predate his involvement in G.B.K so what does he consider to be his main priority? Crucifier, I presume? How does his numerous musical activities affect his work with G.B.K then? How about your involvement in other musical entities besides G.B.K?
-Crucifier and The Crucifier Brotherhood will always be his reasons for existence. He lives and probably he'll die for CRUCIFIER, one of the greatest Satanic black/death metal bands of all time!!! However, he has also dedicated his strength to GBK, and I couldn't ask for more from him. Never, has any of his projects affected GBK negatively in any way. He'll make time for GBK rehearsal even when under pressure from annoyed neighbours and the police trying to fine us for disturbing the peace.
I do not think many people are aware of the fact that before you eventually closed the deal for your debut album you were about to sign on Cacophonous Records but it fell through. What happened?
-Yeah, if we had signed with Cacophonous Records, the whole world would have known us already. But, this guy refused to promise a vinyl version of our debut, so I refused to speak to him any longer. He had actually contacted us back in ‘94, and sent us a 30-page contract or some shit. We needed a lawyer to read that fucing thing. To me, that wasn't underground, I prefer 2-page contracts written in bad English; that's underground. Anyhow, Lord Queerruined our deal with him in ‘94 over some other shit. Later on, he realized GBK wasn't dead when I contacted him directly. He had dealt only with Lord Cocksucker in the past but now I was the contact. When I told him that Lord Rave Dancer was out of the band and The Black Lourde was in, he hesitated. He asked for an advance tape and all sorts of shit. His true intentions wee obvious; hewanted to do something with him, not us. Later on we were sure we had made the right decision not to work with Cacophonous, when he stabbed us in the back and released the THOKK CD, featuring Lord Rastafarian. We opted for the smallest label in Europe, negating offers from the other ones (and I assure you there were plenty!). I believe that the boycott was a type of revenge against us from all the other labels who were pissed-off that we didn't sign with them. Our decision was illogical, hence, brilliant.
You signed on Wood-Nymph Records anyway. The deal included the earlier mentioned 7" as well and soon after your debut full onslaught of war “Mocking the Philanthropist” was unleashed upon the masses...
-Oh, yeah, Wood-Nymph records (R.I.P) was fucking great. Totally cool people and totally dedicated to our band and cause. The LP was released in a double vinyl gatefold, full colour cover, and so fucking professional. I think that even Cacophonous, with all his profits, wouldn't have ever released such a fine piece of vinyl. Then, the CD version was printed in full colour, silver ink on the lyrics, 12 page booklet, and included not only a sticker but also a sew-on cloth patch with our logo. Damn, I'm still amzaed at the work they put into it. My greetings to Filip Elsen and Raf V. (and EXCESS OF CRUELTY) for true brotherhood, and soccer hooligan friendship (hail ANDERLECHT and KON STADE LEUVEN “G.A.S”).
Everything should have been fine and Hammerheart was the official Wood-Nymph Records distributor. That did not last long, though... Hammerheart broke the deal with Wood-Nymph and thus the distribution of "Mocking The Philanthropist" became non-existent. This was based on charges made by Rough Trade (a major German distributor) that the album was far too offensive to distribute in Germany. They presented an ultimatum which demanded that a new booklet with bar codes should be printed to ensure the ditribution. Talk us through the whole episode in detail...
-Unfortunately, Wood-Nymph Records had teamed up with some people who were not willing to risk everything for the sake of GRAND BELIAL'S KEY. Hammerheart Records failed to finish the job they had intended to do and chose to comply with the request of Rough Trade in order to salvage their label's future dealings with them. Hammerheart, in a way, were coerced into complying with this demand since Rough Trade threatened not to distribute any more of their releases. So, Hammerheart returned the CD's to Belgium that came from Germany, but not all of them. To this day, Hammerheart still owes a shitload of money to Wood-Nymph Records. All those who doubt me, get in touch with Wood-Nymph immediately and find out for yourselves. Wood-Nymph didn't even have a distro, so it was almost impossible to deal with the hundreds of returned CD's. They couldn't even trade because they had no way of getting rid of the material. Rough Trade demanded that a new booklet be printed, and Wood-Nymph said “FUCK YOU!!! We'd rather die than compromise”, and they did indeed die. This is extreme underground. Not only that, but Rough Trade were the ones that had initially requested a fucking bar code to be printed on the CD.
I only have the vinyl version of the album so what on earth was so abominable in the booklet? Somebody once said something about the photos...
-The CD version was totally different than the LP version. There were more band photos including Der Sturmer and Lilith. Apparently, the Rough Trade distro found Der Sturmer's BOUND FOR GLORY T-shirt offensive enough to reject it. Plus, he had a shaved head and an offensive band war name, which too, could have had certain legal implications down the line. I am wearing a SPEAR OF LONGINUS shirt on this photo as well, something that is obviously too taboo in the plastic scene. Being hassled over band photos is ludicrous, especially when you read our lyrics and find nothing noncompliant with laws or regulations. The majority of the underground who followed in Rough Trade's conspiracy dissected our CD down the last detail. They even went as fars as to say that our thank list included individuals that were not compatible with them. Nevertheless, we never intended to use these particular photographs on the CD layout, it was Wood-Nymph's decision. We actually had warned them about a possible problem with certain photos but they insisted that they wanted to use them. I submitted 4 or 5 photos of each of us to use, but I suppose they felt no photographs should be too offensive for something we call “the underground”, right? Unfortunately, the idea of an extreme underground is a hoax. I don't fucking care anymore because the CD is still available from some places and it will soon be re- released by Opyros and Barbarian Wrath in Germany (under a different title; “Castrate the Redeemer”). Remember, only 1000 copies of “Mocking the Philanthropist” were ever pressed.
If your album had received the distribution it so richly deserved, I can imagine it could have been boycotted on later stages anyway. Had it been available through major distributors and chain stores, who knows, maybe some some sort of “parental advisories” or other similar denominations (what-fucking-ever) had picked upon it? You know, for the “corrupting influence and explicit contents”. You have anyway gained a lot of notoriety among the underground for the boycott hassle and everything so I was wondering have you personally received any complaints or protests from the pious, politically correct bastards involved in the underground scene? Any direct actions towards you?
-No, the CD had nothing offensive enough to boycott. I still look at it today and wonder what the fuck is so wrong with it. There is nothing there to cause any trouble or potential trouble under any law. The truth is that there was and there is a general dislike for our band in Europe for various reasons. One, is the fact that we belong to no organzation, sect or alliance with any band in the world other than with bands in THE CRUCIFIER BROTHERHOOD. Two we sound like nobody else, and look like no other black metal band. Three, many people feel that Lord Pussyferian was truly GRAND BELIAL'S KEY (a common mistake made from an uneducated assumption!). Four, we are an American band, and there is a fucking prejudice against American bands in Europe. Five, we embarrass all the clone bands and threaten their scene with our music which is superior to the 15 thousand bands that sound identical to IMMORTAL, MAYHEM, and BURZUM.
Looking at the controversy issue from another angle; somebody says the band photos in the CD booklet of your first album are offensive. I, however, would say the way you have portrayed yourself in the band photo of the vinyl version is rather, err, controversial, in terms of the unwritten laws, “evil” posture and general humourlessness of the Black Metal scene. Ha. I really like the presumptuousness displayed in it but I doubt many have seen the irony of it all?
-Sure. The Black Lourde of Crucifixion is playing American Football with a skull in a cemetary and I'm just standing with some soccer posters around me. Fuck, all the black glam rock metal bands, zines, and supporters thought that they had purchased the wrong album. Our photos didn't frighten anynone! Who fucking cares about the fucking photos anyhow, it's the music that matters.
Those who possess a copy of the vinyl version know then what is obviously one of your main interests besides music... During the years ‘99 and ‘00 you spent a considerable period of time outside the USA. Your absence from the country was related to this passion of yours so tell us what you were actually doing...
-Sure, I was hanging out with soccer hooligans in Argentina. The team we were supporting was in “D” division at the time but managed to go up two divisions to “B” division in one year; this was reason enough to stick around and cause trouble. There is no more uncivilized and barbaric place to witness soccer like in Argentina. These guys threw fucking urine balloons at the opposing players, spat on the linesmen, destroyed kiosks, spray painted opposing teams stadiums and neighbourhoods, stole opposing fans flags and jerseys, and even carried handguns. We had stones thrown at us, riot police firing rubber bullets at us, and hundreds of people step all over us after the team scored and the fans avalanched forwards down the terraces. Soccer fanaticism is priority over everything in my life; even whores and music. Never have I drank so much wine and eaten so much beef in my life as I did during ‘99-‘00. This year that I was away from the hordes helped me focus on “Judeobeast Assasination” as I composed the whole album during that time.
Before everything went to hell and Wood-Nymph bankrupted, you had plans or at least hoped for the possibility to tour Europe. Is it still a desire? Has there been any contemplation upon it since, do you consider it a serious prospect at the moment?
-Fuck, we had planned to play shows in Germany, Holland, and Belgium (possibly France), but everything turned to shit and people started labelling us a hate band and shit like this. Besides, Hammerheart was going to do most of the funding, I believe, but how could we trust them? They did the same things that Cacophonous did, and arranged for an ANCIENT tour! This is a total stab in the back, if you know what I mean. We still have that desire to play some shows, we're not a political band, we just want to play offensive and disgusting metal, abd hopefully, 2001 will welcome us there. Drakkar Productions / End All Life, our new label, has already mentioned something about playing some dates after we release our LP. However, we'd like to play with real death metal bands than with fake black metal bands whose only goal is trying to be more evil than the other bands.
You have been accused of being a “nazi” band or what-fucking-ever, which I personally find amusing and silly. It is no secret that you have somewhat fascistic outlook on life but you do not exactly embrace any political ideologies per se. I cannot fathom why it is so hard for people to distinguish the difference between the two...
-Yes, it is silly, there is no concept of that in our CD/LP imagery, lyrics, or concerts. Black metal to me is paganism, and paganism is neo-fascism, and neo-fascism is anti-christian, and anti-christianity is black metal. it is a circle that cannot be altered for everything fits in perfectly. Our outlook on life is our personality, but the band has its own personality. The problem is that the underground scene is not composed of extreme people, rather, it's constituted by neo-hippies with social agendas and left-wing attitudes. Can you imagine a death metal show in benefit of something positive? What the fuck is this? Since when is death/black metal something positive? It is total negativity, misanthropic, destructive, suicidal... Just because we say fuck this, and fuck that, and fuck you, people believe we're going to impose a certain political belief onto them. I hate politics more than I hate Lord Fag Pussyferian.
When it comes to Black and Death Metal I would say employing fascist aesthetics and principles in the imagery and lyrics should be rather natural, especially for the bands whose main focus is on Satanism, as they share certain obvious ideological and aesthetic similarities. But capitalizing on strictly political issues... Well, I know it is a thin line between politics and ideology (f. ex. a concept utilizing these mentioned similarities based on real life may seem politically oriented without any purpose) but as such politics just do not fit into the picture, to put it shortly. So, what do you think about this deplorable trend of mixing politics with Black Metal in general?
-Exactly, politics have nothing to do with it. The connection comes from true pagan anti-christian ideals. National Socialism digs up pagan values and heroes and since pagan values and heroes also compose black metal ideology, the two end up being related. However, black metal does not condone any party over the other, because in the end, we all know that all parties are hypocritical. Besides, I believe that black metal bands that use these kinds of symbols are merely trying to to offend people, and it works. NS people don't even accept black metal as a form of music, some even hate it, and don't even understand the relationship between paganism and black metal. To them, black metal means worshipping the devil or something; very few NS people understand the metaphors and symbolism in the occult ways.
After the debut album catastrophe you returned to the fore with another seven incher; “Tricifixion of the Swine” on End All Life. The process was not entirely uncomplicated this time either. It was delayed like hell and you switched labels a couple of times... I heard it was initially supposed to be released on Opyros' (he of N.E.P fame) new label Bestial Wrath but according to the wildest rumours Opyros decided to concentrate on releasing CD-R's and whatever else...
-The problem was that Opyros (Barbarian Wrath) had gotten himself into some trouble (as usual) with the German government over taxes and some other shit concerning his partner in N.E.P. You can learn more details in his web page. Prior to me leaving the country, the hordes recorded this music on a 4-track for him to release. Due to his problems he was unable to do it himself, so he offered it to Spikekult Records / End All Life Productions. They did a fantastic job, just like our first 7"EP. Perhaps, not enough copies of it were made (only 300), we usually stick to 666 copies, like our next vinyl will be. EAL told me that they had gotten rid of the 7"EP's in one week. There is not truth to Opyros not wanting to release the 7"EP, actually, he's re-releasing our debut CD in 2001.
Well, now you are on the verge of releasing your second onslaught of war, as you like to refer to it. What can we expect from it?
-I believe this LP will be more focused on our anti-christian attitude and disgust for all the Talmudic lexicons of the world. There is also more of a sexual theme in the lyrics as we accuse Jesus Christ and his apostles of being homosexuals child molesters, his mother a rusty hooker, and his town a land of crooks. Our new songs include; “Pimps of Gennesaret”, “Satanicunt”, “Lamb of God Slain Will Be”, Doves of War”, “The Tenderhearted's Manifesto”, “Fecal Parturition”, and “The Shitagogue”. The length of the LP will be considerably less than our debut as well, in order to fit onto one piece of vinyl. Music wise, I don't tend to change so it shall remain in the same vein as our previous work.
Alright, I will let you return to the concentration camp tower...
-All metalheads will appreciate our efforts to play music GBK style, no imitations, no charades no costumes, just our mysterious and unique metal. All bands willing to trade demos (we have a cassette version of “A Witness to Regicide” with color cover) just send yours for it. We are not rock stars, so all bands Death/Black/Gore/Thrash are welcome.
LETHAL CURSE (Bra) download HERE
Questions Tommi Hakonen / answered by Alex
Brasilian ”dark metal” next… Lethal Curse! Their debut CD ”Rape the Innocence” was released in summer'98 and after I got this album, I wanted to feature them in Dark Moon, because I think they have the ability to become better known worldwide, not as the 2 nd Sepultura but great band with originality. I don't really know what is happening in Lethal Curse-camp today but I hope their 2 nd album will offer even better death/black, or as they put it; ”dark metal”! Here is the interview, answered by Alex…
You told me in August'00 that you will record a new promo, are you looking for a new label perhaps?
-The main goal of the recordings is the pre production for our next release, find the best shape for the songs and musical production. About the label it isn't a reject possibility yet.
You have had a deal with Brazilian Cogumelo label… is it the best thing to do or could you sign e.g. to European label? I think at least Mystifier had some problems with Osmose in the past… have you any knowledge about bands (Brazilian) having problems with European labels?
-For sure for our first album it was the best thing we do, they are closer to us and know our way in the Brazilian underground, I don't know if a foreigner label on this age will give us the same importance that Cogumelo give us. For now it could be a different story depending on what could be offered to us as a deal for a Europeam label for example. These problems you talk about really happened in the past but in the 80's ... I just remember besides Mystifier, problems with Wild Rags/US (Lullaby project) and Molon lave/GR (Hellspawn now As the shadows fall). At the present I don't see any problems with the new Brazilian bands under a deal with European label such as Krisiun, Reballiun. I don't belive it will happen again nowdays ... a good part of the Brazilian bands become more professional and mature.
What you think about Cogumelo's work with Brazilian metal… are they same as Brazilian metal?!
-They are still metal but now not exclusively metal, as often some European labels do. They work with another styles of music as Hardcore, New Metal (Cangoroo metal!) and Rock and it doesn't matter for us once they still supporting good LETHAL CURSE...
Do you know how many copies ”Rape…” CD has sold so far? What kind of reviews you have got?
-Not exactly. I assume about 5000 or 6000 copies worldwide with any advertising. The reviews really surprise me once our music isn't the way of music that are being done nowdays. Look, we compose this songs between 92/95... of course some people really don't understand what we are doing and we really have some fun in up set some trendie or narrow-mind people this way, but fortunatelly they are the smaller part of the people. We have really very encouraging and hot reviews from Ablaze, Rock Hard, Rock Brigade and many others like this talking about our very uncommon and interesting way to do metal music.
You call your music ”dark metal”… but you also say that this has nothing to do with what is often called dark metal in Europe… And I totally agree but when you say that you call yourself dark metal because this word resume your main characteristic: to have a dark feeling, I wonder that isn't that dark feeling the essence in every band which plays death/black metal? I mean, are you even darker somehow… do you think dark thoughts all the time, don't smile at all, and what is the most important thing of all; think of committing suicide every night and day? I need some explanation!
-Our label call us innitially this way and we just agree with it when looking at the things they point at our music to reach this conclusion. I think at this point of view we could be called Dark Metal ON OUR WAY TO PLAY THIS and is incredible how people has a resistance to enjoy something different from what they are used to hear until someone comes and say: Uh! it's fucking great! We don't sound equal because we are not equal to the others. Anyway it really doesn't matter to us, we don't waste energy with it, people can call us any shit they want. No problem. Of course each Death or Black Metal band has some dark feeling. The point here is that are different levels on it, talking about Death Metal for example it's clear that Cannibal Corpse has some dark feeling in some way but how much is it when you listen to any Sarcofago album? (and I'm not including lyrics on it). Here I guess is where LETHAL CURSE... is dark band, for us our music carry a higher and strong level of dark feeling, maybe it will turn clearer with our next album. I'm not into this thing of invent labels if you know what I mean... I'm just a musician... Committing suicide is a thing for weaks.
Why did you cover Bathory's ”13 Candles”… was it meant to be a tribute to them or just to make a different version? I didn't like your version but have you got positive response about your version?
-Probably the reason you didn't like was the same that most of the people appreciate a lot. It's great to check that some people still thinking different... We do our own version to the song, and it's all. Is a mistake to try sound like Bathory cause they are completelly own, it's like calligraphy, each one has a own style to write and on this case play and for sure Bathory is a band like this. So our version sounds rawer, more banging, with double bass and little clear than the original, this was the LETHAL CURSE... way to do it and yes, like a tribute, me and Jhair are great and long time fans of this band. The idea just came on the studio, we have some free short time to record something more for the album and I really had enjoyed what Unleashed do for "Countess Bathory" about this age, and we decide to do something more or less on this way.
You told me that if everything goes ok, your ”Rape…” CD will be out as a double-CD including a Sarcofago tribute-CD… is the DCD out already and which songs you played for the tribute?
-We do a medley including "Rotting" from the self titled album and "Screeches from the Silence" from The Laws of Scourge, again it's shit try to sound like they. This special project for the Double album isn't available yet. All the interested people could get in contact with us to be into a mailing list to be sended in the right time, when all informations about it comes out.
You had ”Rape…” tour, was it around the Brazil only or also abroad? Did you support better known bands or just played together with other UG bands?
-Just in Brazil, but it's huge, it's so long as a European tour. For "Rape..." we support Rotting Christ in the main tour (June) and after it we still playing with our friends into the Brazilian underground with more time between each dates.
You did support Rotting Christ in '98 on their ”A Dead Poem” tour and also Anathema on their tour… what was it like, and do you have any bad experiences with foreign bands you have played with… what kind of experiences?
-Was extremely good for us, first for playing to bigger audiences and so we learn to manage the stress around it, second for the plenty trade of experience into it. With Anathema was something too fast, and I don't have so much to say, With Rotting Christ was great, they are incredible persons and I can say that we really grow a lot after this tour. An excellent experience.
What is it like to play live in Brazil… are Brazilian metalheads banging and stagediving like maniacs or is it something else? Are people drunk on gigs…?
-It's strange but people react different here when the show is from a Brazilian band or a foreign one. In the second case people fell free a little, there are some stage dives and banging non stop, but commonly stage dives is something poser here... appears that it isn't so much welcome. Shows from the Brazilian bands there are people supportive for sure, but there are people just dying for something wrong happen when you are playing... it's crazy man and depends on where you are playing. The city that we come from (SP) is the one that has the most closed audience. Drinks? ... A LOT and in the both cases.
What is it like to be a Brazilian band in metal underground? Do you face ignorance and intolerance a lot or are e.g. European people interested in you as well as any other bands in the scene?
-Really very difficult, I don't think in intolerance from the society besides they don't look good for headbangers connecting metal with teenagers, drugs and foreigner influence over our own culture, the bigger problem is financial, headbangers has always very low money, and there's not a good underground structure of clubs, radios... otherhand people here loves metal till death. I can say that people from another countries are looking currently to our scene with another eyes, giving a bigger importance, it's impossible can't see that we have a great metal tradition and nobody can deny it... But they always look for his own tail first and I even could understand it.
”Thanx to the Brazilian deathsquadrones. Keep up the maliciousness.” This text can be found in Darkthrone's ”Under a Funeral Moon” album… what you think about this statement?
-Darkthone is one of the only Northern bands that I have some appreciation for. I just can say that the guy that write it, knows the Brazilian power and just recognize it, is the kind of person that I refer on the 5th question. Also Impaled N. vocalist. Some people that make people look different to us.
Most of the European bm/dm bands say they are influenced by the 80s masters like Celtic Frost, Destruction, Kreator, Sodom,… Are you influenced by 80s masters too, but the Brazilian ones like Sarcofago, Vulcano, Sepultura,…?
-We has a average age of 26 years old, this was the kind of music that we listen through years and years. We love all this refered bands between others. Celtic Frost they are always our bigger influence on metal.
I have no knowledge about the circumstances to record material in Brazil, so could you tell me what is it like… any good studios etc.?
-Yes, there are very good studios in so many different Brazilian states. But not to much good metal sound enginners really into extreme metal in my opinion.
I've asked this from other Brazilian bands too, but does the ”strong” church make any harm to bands like you in Brazil? What is the ”climate” like, can you walk the streets looking like bm-warrior without any problems?
-The strong church is bankrupt here. It's only on the paper, it's just a mask. People on Brazil has a root on another way of religion. The church vision about bands is so old... the last bands they talk that make a covenant with the devil is Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne... If you wish like this all that might happen is people look at a calendar to see it's time for Carnival or if are going to some fantasie party, maybe someone ask you if you know who stole all the nails from his home construction... you will not to be threwn into the jail due to the fact.
One often heard phrase is that bands which come from countries like Brazil can't perform real bm because Brazil is all sunshine, beaches and half naked women… what you think about such comments?
-There are stupids everywere, really god wasn't generous with everybody... by now I can't hear it for a long time. I think it's stupid because Brazil has since the very old times excellent bands into Death and Black metal and earlier than A LOT of European countries, so what can I talk more to add something new about it? People that are truly on metal knows.
Are you inspired by the devil… or where you get the inspiration?
-Not just by the devil, we all live in a duality so we are inspired by god too in some way... For this first album our inspiration comes from some books, our personnal influences, dark fantasy and things like that.
What would happen if a Norwegian priest met a: Nagash, b: satan himself or c: you?
-A- Son, where do you buy this clothings? Had the store address?
B- Son, you remind me my forefathers...Hey son what's about take a shower?
C- Son, my woman really would like.... I say, I know so many women that really would like to have a tan skin... and so on.
If one of your songs became a hit in radio or even in charts, would that be a bad Lethal Curse song?
-Probably, Did you already listen to any really good music on it? Was it what's happen with Children of Bodom in your country? I have heard something about it.
”In Bed with Madonna” was kind a tour-movie but if the same director wanted to make a tour movie about you, what would it be like? And would the name be ”In Bed with Alex”?
-I don't know if it could be more interesting that the original movie..., a video track looks more interesting to us. It 's almost sure that I'm able to find a really better name instead of it!
Is Christianity the worst thing ever happened to mankind?
-No, the Roman Catholic Church is the winner of all merits. The thing is that almost no one knows something more than the customised surface from most of things in this world including here religion. The catholic church is just faith bussiness...
Any knowledge about Finnish metal…?
-Of course that Impaled N., Children of Bodom, And Oceans, Gloomy Grim, Amorphis, Silentium and I just heard about some others but don't listen to yet. Nighwish comes to play here not so long, but they sound shit a little... but some people like. Suomi Finland Perkele!
Do you have any kind of further co-operation between bands, arranging gigs etc., or does every band just try to make things work all alone?
-There are so many different circles, some of then support each other and some don't. So both things happen here and we passed through all of the cases.
What is the best Brazilian album of the year 2000? What about a foreign one?
-I really don't know, Maybe one between Mystifier, Krisiun or Headhunter DC new albums. Most of the bands that I like don't release in 2000 but the new from Morbid Angel and Rotting Christ are good stuff.
What kind of changes can be heard in new Lethal Curse material when new stuff will be released?
-Great music improvement, a own, powerfull, gloomy, and mature material created with identity for a band that make music from the hearth, being real metal but sounding fresh. We are always becoming superior with the years and certainly that material will surprise a lot people into well crafted metal.
What are your plans and goals in the future…?
-Release the next album, having a longer reach into metal underground scene, make our music more popular all over the world and touring abroad if possible.
Anything you want to ask me, go ahead?!
-How do you think that could be the receptance at us coming to play on Finland?
-(Tommi): Well… honestly I think that you alone would not gain big interest but if you supported e.g. some bigger and better known band(s), I think more people would realize that you really deserve more attention. You are ug-band and as you don't have a cult-status here in Finland, I think metalheads would not be interested in you. Anyway, I would come…
Final messages and greetings, thank you for the interview!
-Thanx a lot DARK MOON for this opportunity, you are fucking metal like us, so that's all. Also thanx for whom spent time reading it. To all interested people just get in touch to know more about us. If possible check out our sound, if you don't find it on stores it's easy to order directly from us with low price. Dark Brazilian Greetings.
NOCTURN (Fin) download HERE
Questions Tommi Hakonen / answered by Johannes
Next band hails from my old home town Tampere, and even if my friends and the band know Nocturn isn't my favourite Finnish band, I still support them and I thought Dark Moon #7 is a good place for some Nocturn-propaganda… Johannes answered…
I saw you for the first time in a local band competition in '97 or '98. If that performance was a starting point and the goal is 100m from the start, where is Nocturn now?
-It was '97 when the competition took place. The band was formed in '95 by me and Joona, and if we compare our story to a 100 meter dash I hope we are not too near the goal!! We have released three CDs now, so maybe somewhere between 30-35 meters?
What's the current line-up?
-Ipe (vocals), Kristian & Teemu (guitars), Antti (synths), Joona (drums) and me (bass/vocals).
Why did you choose Ipe as your new vocalist? I mean, he is very homophobic person and I think he has some difficulties to be natural with such cute guys like you… has Ipe come out from the closet yet?
-As you know he used to sing in Withered Garden and when I got know the band for the first time I was really impressed by his voice. He can sing = scream/growl low and high, depends his mood… Anyway he has amazing voice.
I thought you have known Ipe longer than us, so if he has been in some kind of closet, he must have come out way time ago!
Did your self-financed CD raise any further attention, did you get any deal-proposals? What about reviews… how did the metal press react to it?
-”Grim Blessed” gave us the name, and probably good laughs to many who listened it… These two promo CDs (released 2000) have got much better response. Any deal proposals? Not yet. I've discussed with S.Tenetz about the subject but let me understand that this kind of metal don't sell anymore! Well, at least I'm listening the same bands that five years ago, and I think that the situation is almost the same with you. But we're going to send this new material to labels in near future, lets hope for the best.
If I should describe your music with one adjective, the word would be boring… You are not the only band I would call boring but do you have any idea why I chose that word?
-If you told us! I mean if I considered our music boring it wouldn't be this kind of anymore. You have too low tolerance to metal nowadays.
Earlier you sounded more black metal, nowadays it's rather death metal… any reason for the change, or is it just natural development?
-Well, ”Grim Blessed” was the 7 first songs we've ever made. So the change has been quite natural, developing as composers/arrangers/ musicians. I myself don't feel that we're playing black nor death metal, this is something between.
You are quite young guys, so which bands you could call your paragons or/and influences? Somehow I have a feeling that when you started, you were influenced by 90s (black) metal bands but after some years in the scene, you have also found the older bands and this also reflects on your music… am I right?
-Yes we're younger than you paps! Well, for me at least Thy Serpent, Paradise Lost, Dark Funeral and Metallica have been the most greatest influences. During the time when we were writing material for our debut I listened lot of their stuff. Of course there are lot of other bands I like too but these may be the most important ones. By older bands you mean what? I really admire old legends such as Rainbow, Black Sabbath, etc. but this early BM-scene hasn't affected me too much except a few exceptions.
What are the Nocturn lyrics like? Could it be possible to make a concept album one day and what would the theme be?
-Our lyrics are about humanity, sorrow, dying and other merry things. They describe more human, not pic-nic trips to nature or wars in heaven or hell. Of course we use figures of speech too but the theme is agony. To concept album I can't say anything. It's really hard to find one so strong subject that whole record would base on it.
Your debut CD has track called ”Vittu on Talvi”, why is it ”vittu”, why not ”kyrpä” or ”perse”?
-What a philosophic topic to discuss about! Whole idea to that song created under so called ”wet” circumstances if you know what I mean! Let's change the topic, shall we.
Could you make a song called ”I Survived from Bar Rusty Angel”? What would it be like?
-Hmm, to a record no… but for a live material perhaps. It would be mid-tempo with lot of distortion and lyrics about Mr. Balaam & Satanachia!
If your song became a hit in the radio or even on charts, would it be a bad Nocturn song?
-Not. It would mean that radiostations would have given-up the play-lists, and got lot of fine listeners. It's really hypocritic to speak that one really hopes their records not to sell well. If so, these ”non-commercial records” shouldn't be released at all. If I wanted our records not to be listened and bought, I would listen them alone at home with a Walkman.
As you, Johannes, look like an aryan warrior with your long blond hair, what is your opinion about nazi black metal? Can black man play and make real black metal?
-I really don't like this nazi/aryan thing, it's just another mass-movement among others. What becomes to idea about black man playing black- metal, it seems odd and strange. People in Asia and South-America are really die-hard maniacs with satan stuff, and it's their own business, don't mind it.
Can black metal exist without a dominant religion like Islam or Christianity?
-Black metal is music style which I consider much more powerful thing that religions. Although it's more than music too. It has its own idea and philosophy and that's the main reason why it still exists, and will exist from now on too!
Are you inspired by the devil… or what is the source of inspiration for you?
-Mr.Evil hasn't contacted me I think! The inspiration comes from feelings, it's quite hard to explain. I get one or two riffs by pure intuition and then just compose the rest of the song. Nothing too magical. Everyone has their own style of making songs and that's mine.
What would happen if a Norwegian priest met a: Nagash, b: satan himself and c: you?
-A: Priest would congratulate Nagash for winning the Norwegian ”Grammy”, maybe they would also play a ghess game…
B: Satan would fulfill all of his prophesies, first tear that poor priest apart and then conquer the world.
C: He could offer me some blood of Jesus, wine.
Is alcohol required for the best possible live performance or/ and when going to a gig?
-Reasonable amount yes. Too much is too much in this case too. Before our gig I usually drink approx. 6 pints of beer and other gigs are different cases… If I really want to concentrate to listening 2x sixpack is absolute max. Otherwise it doesn't matter.
What you think when I say that many people wonder why I wanted to interview Nocturn in my 'zine… that you are not worth it? How does this feel?
-Fortunately you are the one who makes decisions who you interview… these ”many people” can perhaps write to me and tell why, address is NOCTURN@iobox.com.
What is the best Finnish album of the year 2000? What about the foreign one? What are you listening to when you answer these questions, by the way?
-Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus: ”Itku Pitkästä Ilosta”. Old Man's Child: ”Revelation 666”, at the present moment I'm listening Tristania.
Do you collect albums, demos, etc. and do you collect everything you can get or just the stuff you really like?
-All demos or albums which I own are music which I find good in a way or another. I don't won that kind of stuff just for the pleasure of owning.
Do you know who is Klaus Lehtevä?
-No, I just tried to call you and ask who he is…
Can you imagine anything more menacing than a slightly fat, long haired man walking a black dog and wearing a Bathory long-sleeve shirt, black leather trousers and black leather jacket … can you?
-You are talking about yourself! (I suppose) Just go for it!
What you think if someone says you look funny… is it an insult for your image?
-No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Doh. Häh? Silly question!
If Robert Zemeckis, the director of Forrest Gump, wanted to make a sequel but this time about Nocturn, would it be called ”Retarded Musicians Conquer the World”? Who would you like to play your role, Tom Hanks perhaps?
-You are a wanker… No, no, no Tom Hanks! I prefer Doug Bradley, and the movie would be called ”Piss in the coffee machine”.
Is it irritating that unofficial black metal football club is actually called ”FC Kommunisti”? And not only the name, but all the other teams are beating us with scores like 1-15 and 0-10… is it too much for Nocturn, is this devastating experience killing the band?
-The name is… …odd, but let it be a tribute to our captain, you know. Football has nothing to do with Nocturn. And thanks for the great passes.
Can we expect new Nocturn material during 2001?
-I guess so. We released new material in January and November 2000 so I think that there is material coming out this year too. And hopefully through a label.
Anything you want to ask me, go ahead!
-Where do you get your questions, from internet's 'zine editors generator?
-(Tommi): Actually I got all these questions from my old typewriter which is levitating under my table and this typewriter, called Antti-Pekka Kuolemanjoutsen, sometimes vomits some papers and surprisingly those papers usually have some really great questions for the bands like Nocturn. Isn't this simple, actually all credits should go to Antti-Pekka….
What is the meaning of the beast? And What is that ”beast”?
-Beast and its meaning. Song is about evilness of a man, everyone of us can crack-up, kill someone or something (I just killed an ant, did I crack-up? –ed.), that's the beast in this case.
Thanks for your time… Final messages and greetings. Take care!
-Thank you, and everyone who thinks that we're worth this interview and other ”trophys”. We see next summer on the field, don't we Tommi?
SILENTIUM (Fin) download HERE
Questions Janne Valtonen / answered by Sami Boman
Well, to start this up, letґs go into your line-up and stuff like that, so introduce to us bandmembers. When, why and where Silentium was formed, would you?
- Silentium was formed in the beginning of the year 1996 by me and Matti Lesonen, the bassist/singer of the band. Our last band Funeral, which was kind of death metal, was just laid to rest 'cause the guitarists didn't have interests to play anymore. Besides of seeking new guitarists we decided to do something quite different and start all over from the beginning. My Dying Brides Angel and the dark river was just released then and we were really fond of that as we were the former Bride records also. So we decided to play Bride covers and we made it clear that we had to have a violinist with us. We knew one violinist who had played keyboards in a local band called Skirmish, and we asked him if he'd be interested and so Jani Laaksonen joined the band. Then Toni Lahtinen, my classmate at that time and a good friend heard me and Matti talk about the new band and offered his skills as a guitarist and so he joined in. A bit after that we asked Jari Ojala to play the drums and he accepted. Now we had the line-up that we were thinking of to be the band, but then it was maybe the second or the third rehearsal when Juha Lehtioksa, also my good friend, gave me and Matti a lift there. He had his guitar with him in the car, so we asked him to come play with us and so was our original line-up completed. Despite our plans we did not play Bride covers at all, but own songs came in the picture immediately. With this line-up we continued to early 1998 when Tiina Lehvonen, the female vocalist joined the band. We were looking for a woman singer and I heard Tiina, as being my girlfriend, sing at home and I asked her to come try with the band. It worked and our search was over. The second line-up change occurred in the beginning of 1999 when we had to change the drummer. Jari, for understandable reasons ( a long distance relationship ), didn't have the time we wanted for the band so we asked Janne Ojala, the drummer of our good old Funeral, to join in and he did. So that's the story of our band to this day.
Have you gone through any significant line-up changes? If yes, why? Any greater conflicts inside the band, musical or non musical?
- Lineup changes and the reasons for them you can see from the previous answer, but conflicts, well not anything bad. We are a seven person band so there are many different kind of people.We have had our little arguments now and then (and my and Tiinas little family conflicts) but never anything serious. We haven't had any musical conflicts ever, and that really means ever, not even one. The arguments usually concern financial or some other practical problems. And every argument has always ended to some kind of mutual understanding. So I quess we have got off pretty easily.
You have released two demos and your debut album came out last year through Spinefarm but still I think youґre quite an unknown band. Have you got any clue why? Are you maybe too lazy doing promotion, flyers, interviews and stuff?
- We aren't lazy doing Interviews and that stuff, but we are really too lazy doing promotion. It's a bit poor thing, but that's just how it is and how it has always been. I don't know why we haven't took ourselves by the balls and done something for that fault, but maybe for some sick reason it just doesn't concern us as much as it should, who knows. Maybe we need some outsider to take care of that.
Has there been any interest from ґzines towards Silentium? Name some ґzines that have featured your band. What about other mail, do you get lots of mail from around the world or mainly from Finland?
- Yes there has been a lot of mags interested in us. I'm really poor in names but I remember something like Sue, Aorta (isn't that a webzine) and of course Suomi Finland Perkele. We receive a lot of E-mail from all over the world. It's nice to know that our music is liked in places like Argentina and Israel.
How did you get your deal with Spine, the usual ”we send demo and they became interested” or something more interesting? How long is the deal, fair contions etc.? How has your CD sold?
- We had sent both of our demos to Spinefarm, but they didn't have any interests. Demo tapes ended up somehow in the hands of Sami Tenetz and he liked what he heard. He was also selling records in Judgement Night IV in Lahti and he saw our gig in there and liked it too. So when Spinefarm created Spikefarm records and placed Tenetz in charge he called me and asked if we wanted to do a record and of course we accepted for it had been our dream since we started the band.
Then to the topic that everybody hyped for about a year, The Millennium shit, so how was it? Do you think anything changed? I mean many Christian and the other Fundamentalists claimed that the Armageddon would come, but as we see, it didnґt, so what now? And the most important question, do you remember anything about ”the great moment”? Or were you ”relaxing” too hard?
- Yes I remember the moment and I don't think anything changed. I was really drunk at the last minutes of 1999 and I was equally drunk in the first of 2000. I was satisfied with my condition.
Moving deeper to the personal area (heh-heh)! Do you still go to church every Sunday, like every good Christian, like you should or have I misunderstood something here?
- Yes of course I visit church every Sunday and make a good deed every day like a good boyscout should (heh-heh).
Now, itґs about time to move to the musical aspects of this interview, so how would you gategorize your music? I think your music captures strong emotions, and creates feelings of great sorrow, loss and a yearning for something out of reach, so what forces you to do this kind of stuff? Any musical paragons?
- I don't have the smallest clue how to categorize our music I'll just leave it to those who want to do it. That picturising you did for our music was really the thing that I hope our music would be. Of course that's not necessarily the thing our music has to be. It can be different to different people. I hope it brings up feelings in everybody, what those feelings are is totally up to the listeners. I write this kind of music because in me it wakens up a lot stronger feelings than some happy and full of joy music. That's just it. To me there are of course many paragons. Maybe the greatest are Aaron of My Dying Bride and Ihsahn of Emperor.
How do you make your songs? Do you have one strong person who makes your songs or do you all contribute to the songs? Everyone bringing their ideas and riffs to rehearsals or what?
- The songs are mainly composed by one person with a computer. When a song is ready we take it to rehearsals, teach it to everybody and then they are free to make any changes that fits the song. So the last minute arrangements are made by everybody with their own instruments. Our songs also change quite lot during the playing. Some song we have recorded and made years ago may sound quite different today. If someone wants to bring his ideas to rehearsals others will be open for them. That just hasn't happened a lot.
How has you music evolved through the years? If you think there are greater differences between your earlier and newer songs, why? I think your music has evolved into a more diverse style, both heavier and softer parts and your music sounds somehow more majestic. What do you think?
- It has evolved maybe to somehow more interesting direction due to that diverse style you talked about. But I think we can still evolve in that part. At least I think we are still able to write stuff with much more dynamic differences and that way make the music even more interesting for the listener. And that majestic part you mentioned has allways been one goal for us. But there is also an opportunity to develop. We're doing pretty fine, but we are not yet as majestic as one could be. I think the next record will bring much these improvements. Time will tell.
Then weґll move to the lyrical side of Silentium. So, what do your lyrics deal with? Who makes your lyrics? Do the lyrics hold any deeper meaning(s) or are they just made to sound good and dark and dismal?
- This is an area of Matti. He writes all of our lyrics. I can comment them as good as anyone who has read them.
-(Matti): I do the lyrics. They usually deal with my personal life and thoughts. I have a deeper meaning for every one of them, but everybody sees these things differently, that's the whole point. To make as many people as possible think/doubt for themselves.
Some of your lyrics have been in other languages than English, at least Latin has been used, so why not all in English? Will we perhaps hear some more Latin lyrics in the future or maybe even Finnish?
- (Matti): There's references in latin and there will be even more in the near future. Latin in there 'cause I'm a history freak and, as thought it to be in the medieval: "It's the language of angels and demons (beside enochian)". There's one old demo song in sõpmi tribal language ("Mõttarõhku" in Illacrimу demo -96). My mothers side of the kin has used it up until the 1970's. I would not say nay offhand about using finnish, but at least not yet.
What kind of topics are out of question when writing a Silentium lyrics? Who or what band has written the greatest lyric of all time? What kind of lyrics do you take as being totally ridiculous, any bands?
-(Matti): With Silentium, I would not bring forth the topics of happiness, joy, resurrection, Jehova's witnessing, or that kinday shite. Techno/dance lyrics are usually ridiculous. And I hate these "lederhosen metal" -lyrics too (Blind Guardian, Strato, Yngvie Malmsteen...). The wee cunts rip their lyrics even out of "The lord of the rings"???!!! The book is excellent but hey, what about some own ideas for a change???
Favourite lyrics? Depends a lot how the chemistry of the melody's mood corresponds to the text and how it is presented. My Dying Bride has excellent lyrics, and excellent way of expressing them. Pink Floyd has huge amount of mister Waters personal angst within the vocals of "The Wall". Peter Steele has an outstanding voice for letting out these "gimme some cunt" moanings. But I wouldn't mix Roger Waters wining and Type O' Negative lyrics to a MDB melody. You know what I mean?
Give me some more good tips, so I can make some fucking awesome lyrics to your next album, Please! (heh-heh)
- Let's think about that sometime by a tankard of beer In Rusty Angel ( a free commercial, heh ).
Have you had many gigs so far? How have they been? Normally this kind of slow and emotional music, with violin and stuff don't sound too good live, but may I say: You kick ass! I firstly came interested in your stuff after seeing you live so…
- We have had a few gigs (about one per month) but we'd like to do them a hell lot more. We like the situation up on the stage, 'cause that kind of feeling and energy doesn't just exist anywhere else. Thanks for the complement there. We have always tried to sound good in live performances 'cause they are the true thing where we are with those people to whom, besides ourselves, we write this music. And yeah, maybe we do sound good, 'cause one time after a gig in Lahti one drunkard even came and said that during the gig his black heart cried frozen tears.
I heard that you were in studio to make some new songs, are they for a new album or what? What can we expect from your new songs? Which studio was it? Did you have a decent studio budget, enough time etc.? What kind of experience was it this time?
- The studio was the old familiar Studio Watercastle in Jyväskylä. Budget was really decent and we had all the time we wanted. I have always liked of being in studio. It's fun but it's also surprisingly hard work especially now when I've somewhat produced all of the songs, so I've been in studio almost all of the autumn. But when you hear the ready work it's always very rewarding.
Ok, the end is nearing, and I take liberty to plagiarize the Dark Moon concept of: interviewee asking the interviewer something, so anything? Anna palaa!
-How in the hell you didn't like the gig of Niskalaukaus? (heh heh)
-(Janne): Well, for the first thing, it was, and they allways are, mighty boring. Secondly I think music should arouse some emotions in the listener, the only emotion Niskalaukaus creates for me is boredom. Thirdly Niskalaukaus is just plain and simple sucks!! Fourthly, maybe I wasn't drunk enough?? Then again this is just my opinion so... Who cares????
The gate is now closing so if you have anything to add, feel free. Yeah and great many thanks for your time, Iґll buy you a bear sometime ok?
- HARK ! But yes, I shall most certainly redeem that beer from thou.