Cornelius interview(Castrum, Encomium zine, ex-Chamos, ex-Vulvulator)

1. Hello, Cornelius! As this is your first interview for Sadistik Witchfukk, introduce yourself to the readers of the zine!

- Hail to all the dedicated readers of Sadistik Witchfukk and thank you, Sorin, for your interest. Since 1994 I play guitar for the Transcarpathian Death Metal horde Castrum, since 1998 I am the editor of Encomium ‘zine, organized a hell of a bunch of gigs for the “underground” masses in Uzhgorod.

2. How did you got into metal? Can you describe your "rock/metal" journey until you formed Castrum? And if you can describe the metal scene at that time in your country?

- I was eleven when I got my first cassettes with bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Krokus, Magnum and stuff like that. I’ve been trading tapes and records with my school-mates at that time and shortly after I discovered the genres of Thrash & Death Metal, such bands as Destruction, Kreator, Sodom, Testament, Slayer, Exodus, Sadus, Death, Obituary, Deicide and Morbid Angel just to name a few. But the real impel to form my own band was caused by the Swedish Death Metal movement around 1991-1992. We’ve massively dived in with my friends into the first releases by Entombed, Dismember, Grave, Unleashed, etc. It was magical back then. The metal scene was pretty variegated at that time as being a deathrasher I hung out with fans of glam rock, heavy metal or other less extreme subgenres of rock & metal, but it was just amazing. If there was a gig with any kind of local rock/metal act, not mentioning the possibility to go and watch the show of some band from abroad, most probably everybody was there, huge crowd and family-like atmospheres. It was also a good reason to meet other metal fans (from other regions) and do some trades of tapes, posters, magazines, etc.

3. In 1994 Castrum came into being. Can you summarize your biography so far?

- Yeah, sure. Castrum was founded in 1994. The early days marked three demo releases on the band’s account: “Burial of the Affection”, “Flames by Impiety” & “Pleasure in the Deeds of Horror”, all of them came out in 1996. In 1999 the band signed a deal with Ukrainian underground label Metal Force Records. The first result of this alliance was an MC release of the above mentioned demos unleashed under the banner of “The Leading Spirit of Medieval Tortures”, which was followed by the band’s debut album “Hatenourisher” in the fall of 2000. Shortly after this tape release the band signed a deal with Canadian Bloodbucket Productions. Thus three full-length CDs were successfully spread into the underground masses, namely “Hatenourisher” in 2001, “Mysterious Yet Unwearied” in 2002 and “Phenomenonsense” in 2006. After a few member changes the line-up of Castrum finally became stable in 2012. It consists of the relentless forces of Cornelius (vocals/guitar), Victor (bass) & Eugene (drums). To celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary a compilation CD titled as “MediEvaluation” was released in 2014 by the band’s long-time label Bloodbucket Productions! The band’s fourth full-length album is still in process. It is going to be the fiercest and most sophisticated one! So watch out!!!

Castrum's line-up on their first demos(1996-1997), as well as the Chamos one. L-R: Georgius/Forneus(vocals), Cornelius/Kobal(guitars, bass, keyboards) and Werkoff/Valefar(drums).

4. You also did a demo under the name Chamos, with the same line-up as Castrum, back in 1997, called "Hellish Reveries". Do you see it as a separate release from Castrum? Will it ever be re-released?

- It was a separate release by all means. I was pretty productive back then and I’ve got some riffs that I didn’t imagine in the repertory of Castrum, so we started this side-project. We did that 2-song demo in 1997 and that’s it. Will it be ever released officially I can’t say it as of yet, but never say never, right? So time shall tell us…

5. Back to Castrum. I know that you recorded a follow-up to "Phenomenonsense", but it never saw the light of the day. Can you enlighten us about it and if any progress in this direction has been done lately? Will it include the Possessed cover ("Death Metal"-ed)?

- Yes, all the instruments have been recorded quite a while for our 4^th studio album, we’ve recorded 11 songs in total, I even did some raw pre-production mixes, but unfortunately I couldn’t proceed with the recordings of the vocals parts thence. Somehow I always felt not ready to do it, my bad, I know. The Possessed cover was something exceptional, we did it pretty fast, even if I am not happy with how my vocals turned out there, but I really wanted to make it happen. That song is available exclusively on the “Seven Burning Churches” a tribute to Possessed CD.

6. As far as I remember, Castrum was about to play in Bucharest, Romania, in 2011, as an opening-act for the Impaled Nazarene concert. However, the ImpNaz tour was cancelled and Castrum didn't got to play. How were you chosen to be one of those opening bands and why you did not got to play or to postpone it? Have you received any other offers to play here?

- Right, that gig was announced exactly for 1^st of February, 2010. We’ve been on tour with our Polish friends from Underdark and I clearly remember that we did our first show in Lviv and we were on our way to Debrecen (Hungary) when I received an sms from the promoter that Impaled Nazarene had to cancel their appearance, so the whole event was just cancelled immediately. Due to Coro of Axa Valaha Productions we’ve got the opportunity, but it didn’t happen in the end. I knew Coro for a long time, we’ve been in contact from time to time, so I suppose it just felt right to bring us once there, he is a hard worker and true supporter of the underground movement. We’ve got other invites as well, but somehow I always had to refuse them, sometimes because of bad timing and other times just because of my health issues.

Castrum live in Uzhgorod/Ungvár, anno 2016

7. According to Encyclopaedia Metallum, you also played guitar in Vulvulator and drums in ЙYЙ. Can you tell us about these collaborations?

- Yes, that’s right. I was a member of Vulvulator from 2006 to 2008. Played all the guitars & bass parts for the debut full-length “Obscenario” (2007) and for the “IV Way Split” (2008). Those were funny times, but had to quit, because the evolving musical path wasn’t mine any more. ЙYЙ was a band formed by local guys in 2016, they had 2 songs written, but they didn’t have a drummer at the time. I’ve been always fond of playing drums, so I offered them to try out myself in that position. In a short period of time we’ve completed around dozen songs and the same year the band had its only live show with me. Again, had to quit, due to the same old story, the music they wanted to play further wasn’t my cup of tea. Now they’re functioning as a studio project.

8. Apart of your metal activities, I know that you released an ambient album called "The Mindscape Seeker" under the name Kornel Kontros. Can you enlighten us about it? How was the feedback so far?

- You are very-well informed. I have a piano at home since ever, so I was always sitting and trying out myself creating different harmonies, moods, melodies and stuff like that. The time has come to record all those little pieces in 2015 when I finally borrowed a synthesizer for that purpose. The feedback I received was always positive and mostly from people close to me, and it is totally OK with me, as this release was meant personal. Its follow-up is in progress as well; it will be more medieval-like with the use of acoustic guitars in front.

9. Do you plan to perform it live?

- Good question. I really have plans in my mind to make those pieces happen to played live too, but still searching for the right musicians.

10. I can't help but realize that your instrumental material seems to be connected with the "Tears of Eternal Expiation" intro. Do you have any other tracks written in this style that will see the light of the day? Or, perhaps a follow-up to "The Mindscape Seeker"?

- Definitely good comparison. As you’ve already noticed I did quite a few instrumental tracks for the Castrum releases so far, but the ones which were selected for “The Mindscape Seeker” kind of didn’t fit with the new approach Castrum musically stands for, so I better published them under my name. The new tracks will be atmospheric- and ambient-like too, but with a touch of medievalism.

11. You also run the fanzine Encomium, which has become a webzine for some years. Can you tell us about it and if there will ever be any printed issues in the future? How was the reaction for the printed zine of the 4th issue?

- Encomium is one of the oldest English-written ‘zines out of the Ukraine. Totally dedicated to the extreme forms of underground music. The first 3 issues (1/98, 2/99 & 3/2001) were pro-printed on A4 format pages. After 2001 it turned to a webzine, but in August of 2017 the 4^th printed issue has finally seen the light of the day. The reactions to it were just positive so far. You can expect the fifth printed issue to be released soon, so watch out!

12. I know you organized some concerts in your hometown Uzhgorod/Ungvár such as Napalm Death (in 2009), the open-air festival UzhGoreRot, and also Total Cover Party, among others. Can you tell us how the Napalm Death concert actually happened? Will there be any upcoming editions of those festivals? Or any upcoming concerts in general?

- The Napalm Death show happened due to Obscure Promotion from the Czech Republic. They’ve contacted me regarding a possible show in Uzhgorod and I’ve agreed right away to make it happen for our small city! Until last year I was managing to organize all the mentioned events and series of the Death Metal Assault concerts, but as my health got worse I decided to stop all my activities until I fix it. So no festival or concert plans at all actually.

13. One cannot overlook the situation in Eastern Ukraine. How did that affect the metal activity in your region?

- Our region is still quite poor, even if we are the closest of the cities to the European Union and the prices are much like in the EU, the wages over here just horrible, hard to make for living. Most of the citizens just surviving or go abroad to work and get better conditions for living there. It limits the possibilities for any normal behaved metal activities as well, just in terms of organizing a show, you mostly bump into minuses rather than pluses. So you can’t make it forever. The same goes for the local bands, they simply can’t survive and fade out quickly.

Castrum's current line-up. L-R: Cornelius(guitar/vocals), Eugene(drums), Viktor(bass). 2014

14. You also mixed/produced several albums of some local bands and Domhring's "Vicar of Satan" (Hungarian black metal band fronted by our mutual friend Georgius - ed). Can you tell us about this activity? Are you still doing it? If so, any releases we shall hear for ourselves?

- Oh, I did plenty of such work in the past. Mainly for local bands, as you noticed. Besides the Domhring material I also mixed demos & albums for Vulvulator, Rise of Cadia, The Symbioz, GAZ-66 Intrusion, etc. Now I stopped doing this, but still fond of the whole procedure. So sometime maybe I will return to this hobby again.

15. You also re-designed Archangel's Lantern logo (our mutual friend Georgius' webzine). Have you done any art that was used by other bands or that is simply available somewhere else?

- I was mostly doing poster designs in the past for my events and for others too. I always liked the graphical way of manipulation, learned a few tricks, but nothing special. I designed the old Castrum logo, by the way.

16. What are your hobbies?

- We already touched most of them above. My hobbies connected with music, but when not, I like to swim, play football or table tennis, walk the nature.

17. What albums do you deem as influential (those who changed your vision towards metal and music in general)?

- Oh, there’s really plenty of them. But if focus to a few, then I would definitely mention albums with Destruction, Death, Dissection, Hypocrisy, Sodom, Kreator, Morbid Angel, Dismember, Vader, Grave, Kataklysm, that list is just endless, ha-ha… Too many good and influential albums to mention, you know.

18. And about your local cuisine: what foods and drinks can you recommend us?

- Well, the Transcarpathian cuisine is strongly influenced by the Hungarian, which I adore very much. I really like “gulyásleves”, which is a Hungarian soup, made of beef, vegetables, ground paprika and other spices. Also “lecsó”, it is also a Hungarian thick vegetable stew. But my top favorite is “Bécsi szelet” that is “Wiener schnitzel” as in Austrian, is a type of schnitzel made of a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet. As for the drinks, even if I do not drink alcohol at all, I would definitely recommend some sorts of local wine and our local specialty, which is cognac.

19. Our interview is drawing to an end. Please tell us your future plans, and some words for the readers!

- Well, thank you so much Sorin for this in-depth interview and opportunity to be included at the webzine of Sadistik Witchfukk. Really great combination of questions, liked to answer them from the start till the end. Plan number one is to get fixed my health asap. Then to finally record my vocal parts for the 4^th album of Castrum. Afterwards, I will be definitely interested to have some journeys in the form of tours. I hope the readers enjoyed our conversation and found out something to check out or simply listen to. Keep supporting your local scene, listen to the music you love, buy records, visit shows and have fun!

Castrum's official website: http://www.castrum.com.ua/
Bandcamp: https://castrum.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/castrum
MySpace: https://myspace.com/castrum
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/castrum
VKontakte: https://vk.com/castrum
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/castrumofficial
Encomium: http://castrum.com.ua/encomium/
Encomium(Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/encomium.zine
DMA(Death Metal Assault): https://www.facebook.com/deathmetalassault/
UzhGoreRot festival: https://www.facebook.com/uzhgorerot/

interview by Necrotrooper

Heller - Heller (1989) + history

Heller is an extreme metal band formed in Belgrade, Yugoslavia(now Serbia) back in 1984. Their guitarist Attila played in a band called Dimenzija Smrti(Dimension of Death) before Heller. The band consisted, at the time of the 1st concert, of:
Zoća - vocals
Attila - guitar
Kole - guitar
Bičke - bass
Müller - drums

The material here will be reviewed chronologically rather than track-by-track. With history written by me with all the infos I have gathered so far(I appologize for the mistakes, where/if they're present!).




(From left to right: Müller, Deda, Attila and Kole. Heller in 1986(Attila was the vocalist back then))

"Inverzija"(Inversion) is more rooted in traditional metal, but a real headbanging track, its lyrics are dedicated to metal way of life: "Metal will never die/It will remain here to curse the people". I suppose it is the first track written, and the only one here to feature such lyrics. This track was called "Impossible(Metal is power)" on some bootlegs.

"Demonska devojka"(Demonic girl) was previously called "Innocent sacrifice for Sabbath" before it was translated in English.  This track is the most "worked" track on the album, as you can hear a variety of riffs and many tempo changes - if I should choose an anthem, this track must be it, even though all of them are strong.

"Armagedon" is a short track, but written in a similar manner as those mentioned above. It was called "Armageddon" before the translation as well.

"Dead or alive" is the only track that was never translated in Serbian. This track goes more into Teutonic territory, while mainting their own identity.
"Heller" is an instrumental track, but way faster than the rest of the tracks. If you ever get hold of their 1993 demo, there is a live version of this track from 1986. They played it even faster back then. The solo is a bit extended too, but it is missing the chainsaw-like ending part featured on LP.

"Krvava osveta"(Bloody revenge) starts with an acoustic intro, but don't be tricked by that as it soon turns into a monster. Žmegi's scream at the beginning of it is great, as it lasts around 12 seconds. This track was called "Black attack" before the translation.


At the same time, around 1987 I suppose, Kole and Deda left. Kole formed Amnesia, and later, Rapidforce. According to Metal-Archives, there were many people who joined and left the band, but by fall of 1987 the line-up was:
Žare - vocals
Attila - guitar
Dane - guitar
Čvora - bass
Müller - drums.
Žare's vocals were closer to the black/death metal. He had a very sinister voice, closer to what was happening in Brazilian circles rather than thrash/speed metal they were claiming to play.
Still, with Čvora's arrival, all the songs(except "Dead or Alive") underwent a translation process.
Žare, however, didn't stay much in the band, and at some point Žmegi became the new voice of Heller. So, let's continue

"Varvarska Horda"(Barbartic horde) has a slower tempo, but it is still a fast track. It is an interlude between their older tracks and the newer tracks, so to speak.

"Grob bez dna"(Bottomless grave) is a 2 minutes track, energetic and fun to listen to.

Inferno. Now we're talking. This track even goes on death metal territory...
Inkvizicija(Inquisition). ....and black metal...

Adam i Eva(Adam&Eve). ...and even grindcore.

Most of the tracks deal with lyrics such as death and all kind of macabre things, which were quite popular for that era.
As far as production goes, it is all very clear, the bass can be heard as well.
The artwork is quite original as well.



(From left to right: Dane, Čvora, Žmegi, Attila and Müller. Heller's line-up on the LP)

To sum up, you have your extreme metal history summed up in one LP. Highly recommended!

Review written by Necrotrooper

Necrophiliac(Esp) - Endless Death(1988)

Necrophiliac is a Spanish extreme metal band formed back in 1987, released several demos(this one being the first released), a compilation and a full-length LP, splited-up in 1993 and reformed recently. 

The material here is solid, actually it is up there with the big bands, IT IS THAT GOOD. It is a live recording(you can hear all the instruments).

There are 6 tracks clocked at approximately 21 minutes. First track is called "Necrofucken" and gives you a hint of what to expect here: demonic vocals and fast tempo(the band doesn't slow down for a second). Next track, "Nuclear Nightmare" follows in the same vein, but blast-beats are present here as well. After this you have "Slayed sunflower seeds" and "Demoniac Slaughter" which are the shortest tracks, some kind of attempts at grindcore(or death-core how it was called back then by some). "The omen" follows, which is, again, similar, and ends with a nice guitar solo. The last track is a Sodom cover(Bombenhagel), which is faster than original.

Overall, if you are into 80's extreme metal like Sarcofago, Sepultura, Necrodeath, Napalm Death to name a few, you must give it a listen. It was re-released recently on the compilation "Maze of Forking Paths".

Necromancy(Gre) - Visions of Lunacy(1989) review

Necromancy is a Greek death/thrash band formed around 1986 under the name R.O.T.(Reek of Terror), but changed the name to the actual one around 1988. "Visions of Lunacy" is their first demo, released in 1989. This band is also notable for presence of Giorgos Zaharopoulos, who later left to focus on Necromantia(and because of that many think this is a pre-Necromantia band, WHICH IS NOT).

The material here is quite solid, actually you'd think you listen to a forgotten demo of one of the "necro bands" from the middle of the 1980's, IT IS THAT GOOD. Production is top-notch; you can hear all the instruments perfectly. Moreover, the bass at times is louder than instruments.

The demo starts with "Thrashifixion", a 2:15 instrumetal track, which shows the band's intentions for this demo: fast deathrash, with a necro production, that makes you craving for more.

The next track, "Shattered Bodies", starts with a bass guitar, and some beats reminding me of Mercyful Fate, then goes into something similar to Sodom's "Persecution Mania". Sodom I said? Well, the next track is a Sodom cover, "Outbreak of Evil", which is the best cover of the afforementioned Sodom song(at times you'd wonder whether you listen to the original or not). 

The 4th track, "Forbidden Rites" picks up from where the previous track ends(it also has a nice guitar solo in the beginning), then explodes into a deathrash monster. The middle of the song is where Hell actually breaks loose.

The 5th track, "Nocturnal Cry", is an outro, but it seems that this idea was later used in Necromantia(its beginning actually reminds me of "Last song for Valdezie")

Overall, this band really had potential, but unfortunately didn't went that far due to Living Dead(guitar)'s death. But if you like your metal played fast and with a "necro" production, then this is for you.

Necrotrooper

Sadistikus - Sadistikus(2014) review

Sadistikus is a new band from Israel, even though they are new, the music sounds as if it was recorded in 1985/86. So, let's think of it as a 1986 release:

After playing for some time in a thrash band called Eshet Lot, Ostry decided to play faster and heavier. What's the result? 3 tracks clocked at 9 minutes, but very well written tracks. Music is very good, well, what you can expect from bands nowadays: hellish vocals, fast guitar riffs(unlike what will be played in 6-7 years from now on). He uses a drum-machine, but that does not irritate your ears(remember that Sepultura didn't even tuned their guitars for Morbid Visions?). Even though it is a demo, you can hear all the instruments without any problems. Atmosphere? Yes, it is evil, this guy was truly dedicated to it

Unfortunately, we are in 2016... If this stuff would be released in 1986, pretty sure it would be hailed by many, and the band cited as influence. Now, I can only say that this is something that is missing at the moment. If you like bands like Sepultura, Kreator, Bestial Death and early Salem check it out. If you want to get a headache... check out the other bands around in the zine!

Necrotrooper

Lamentations(French death metal)

Lamentations was a band from France, who released a demo tape in 1993. Stuff that is really death metal and not commercial shit consumed by the masses.

This post is a tribute to the drummer Christophe Mourrieres who passed away. Rest in Peace

The entire Lamentations demo can be heard here:
http://youtu.be/-T7b-YxMb3I
http://youtu.be/RDwQzGHve78
http://youtu.be/0D_bszkZPgc
http://youtu.be/QOrPZ8OZe44

And a Facebook page(tribute, of course) :
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lamentations/743967632344644

Interview w/ Ostry(Sadistikus, Eshet Lot)

1.Infernal hailz! Since you are completely unknown to the S.W. readers, please tell us more about you and how did you started the band!
My name is Ostry and I'm from Kibbutz Metzer, Israel. Well, after two years of activity as Eshet Lot I felt satisfied of the materials, riffs and lyrics. After a month of working on new materials, "Bloody Eon" was ready, but it was different than my previous material. It was more death metal-ish and I loved this new direction, so I decided to start a new project named "Sadistikus"(Kus means Kunt).
Sadistikus is morbid and evil as death metal used to be. Same as in Eshet Lot it's a one-man project with no other players. I love working alone and thinking alone. Of course I would like to play in a band, but my own material stays at the one-man project, where they belong to.

2.Your first project, Eshet Lot, also had a demo release... do you plan to re-record those songs with a full-line-up? And who is responsible for its artwork?
First I need to find the right players to take the recording part in "Age of Slaughter" demo. But since "Age of Slaughter", tracks like "Puschtakk", "Timrot Ashan" and "Missionaries from the Abyss" were released, and I really love them, So I think that if will be a re-release of some of Eshet Lot materials, it will be a small compilation of these two active years, and not only the tracks from "Age of Slaughter". "Age of Slaughter" artwork was created by myself.


3.Is Eshet Lot still active?
Eshet Lot is less active now, but there are still tracks from the past that I want to finish and release, so it will be always alive and working.


4.Now about Sadistikus. How did you got the idea to form it, and if there was anyone else involved in it?
The idea was to form a new oldschool project in the new direction of my new material, morbid death metal. Same as in my past works, music and lyrics by me.


5.Tell us about the recordings! How did you recorded them? Are you satisfied with the demos? How was the response for the demos so far?
Recordings were in two locations: first was the kibbutz's cowshed, second My room for other finishes. The responses were few but positive, but expectations for a future recordings with full-line-up are still in the works. And same as in Eshet Lot – when I'll find the right players, the re-recording will be in process. I am satisfied with the demo and really enjoyed working on it as always.

6.Now about the scene in IsraHell: how is the scene in your opinion? What bands can you recommend us from the scene?
I hate most of the bands here, only few here playing oldschool and not modern shit. Same with crowd here, only few are waiting for the oldschool concerts which aren’t comes often.
Bands I recommend from the cuntry:
Promiscuity
Sonne Adam
Tangorodrim
Har
Kever
(not specific order)

7.Do you like any bands from Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova? If so, name some of them!
Well, Tormentor is one of my favorites in the black metal subgenre. Pure evil and insanity with killer riffs and solos.

8.Your top 10 all-time favourite albums are...?

• Sarcofago – INRI
• Sodom – In The Sign Of Evil
• Poison – Into the Abyss
• Possessed – Seven Churches
• Hellhammer – Triumph of Death
• Bestial Death – Suicide of the Immortal
• Bathory – The Return
• Necrovore - Divus de Mortuus
• Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales
• Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny

(not specific order)


9.What foods, drinks and such can you recommend us from your area?
Foods – Bamba is the best local munch, cheap and you can buy it anywhere.
Drinks – TUBI 60, Nesher, Bavaria 86 (not an Israhelli drink, but lovely beer) and Prigat.


10.Tell us about your future plans!(re-release some demos, perhaps signing with a label)
I can only say I am always working on new stuff non-stop and will stay creative anytime. As I said before about re-releases: when the right time will come & the right players will be found.


11.Some wise words for the ending!
PANTERA SUKKS


Some links:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sadistikus/1520791554838899 (Sadistikus on Fukkbook)
https://sadistikus.bandcamp.com/ (Sadistikus demo can be heard here)

http://eshetlot.bandcamp.com/ (Eshet Lot songs can be heard here)
https://www.facebook.com/eshetlot1 (Eshet Lot's Fukkbook page)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuufs2NZZlOnnjrsVwPOkmw (Eshet Lot songs on YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMGEQRkd2A3PGYVErdkfpyA (Sadistikus songs on YouTube)

Sadistikus(death metal)

Coming out of IsraHELL, this band is playing death metal
The band formed recently
Not many infos about them, but this is one of those bands that deserve a mention here
1985-87-like death metal is what you get

"Bloody Eon":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDKcoJksPOA

...and guess who has returned??

This is not about Sadistik Witchfukk though
Yes, we were on hold lately(as both Georgius and me) are busy with another things.

Lethal Outcome released the long-awaited L.P.(they were announcing it since 2010, when I discovered them from the first time)...

And now it's ready, entitled "Generation of Apocalypse"(which will be reviewed someday)

Here you can listen to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO3CwcTeqq4

Necrotrooper

Interview Bony(Spinecrusher, ex-Snapjaw)

1.Hailz, Bony! Because this is the first interview for Sadistik Witchfukk, please tell us some infos about you!
Hail, Sorin! I'm former Snapjaw vocalist, the current Spinecrusher vocalist.

2.Which was your first band?(In case it is not Snapjaw, give some details about the band/bands where you sang.)
The first bands with which I sang was MG42 before having this name, at the 2nd and the last edition of a jam session.
The idea back then was that only the vocalist to be changed by the genre of the songs.
I sang with them 4 songs: "Witching Hour", "Ace of Spades", "Symphony of Destruction" and "Motorbreath".

3.How did you started to collaborate with Snapjaw, and what can you tell about the band(I guess that lots of people who read S.W. do not know about Snapjaw)
The collaboration with Snapjaw began some weeks after the jam-sessions I told you earlier. Cata(rhythm guitar) was in the crowd in that evening, searching for a
vocalist for the band he wanted to form. We didn't spoke back then, because I left immediately after the jam, but we met by mistake at a video show Pantera - "Watch it go",
where he asked me to be the vocalist. The band had no name back then, so I came up with the name Snapjaw.

Snapjaw playing live. From left to right: Cata Psycho, Bony, Mishu and Cristi

4.In 2010, Snapjaw splited-up. Why?
There were lots of reasons, I do not even know where to begin. The age difference I can say was one of the reasons, the rest of the members had a different point of view than mine,
towards the band and its style; they wanted a more modern(and updated sound?) that can sell; big demands regarding concerts and rehearsal places; line-up changing, that went to
the replacement of the older songs, but the biggest reason, at least for me, was the last of money. The others being much older, had jobs and they could afford paying monthly for the
rehearsal place. I couldn't afford so I proposed them that we should get on hold until I will find a job to pay for the rehearsal place. Of course that break was for forever,
because the band wanted to change the style, something pop-rock with another vocalist.

5.Between 2010 and 2012, as far as I know you didn't sang in any band. Did you left the metal scene in this time, or you were still in it but doing something else(besides Necrogore Productions)?
I left the metal scene for forever, because back then a group of people "owned" the scene, to say like this, had a plan to help bands who paid money or praised them,
something typically romanian unfortunately, and I did not wanted to take part. Actually, without money and without them, you have no chance to raise as a band or to
survive in the scene. Many venues where metal concerts were held closed the door, and chances to find new people for this style to form a new band, were very small,
almost impossible.

6.Since 2012 you are the vocalist of Spinecrusher. What can you say about this band? Did you influenced the band in any way?
I can say that Spinecrusher are reaching the level I wanted to reach with Snapjaw, they are much closer to the style I wanted to play. My influence on the band, was the
same I had also on the scene, that is about the image on stage. When I started to sing, many of the bands looked the same, they wore the same street-clothes on the stage,
and everything seemed unoriginal and dull. I left those concerts disappointed, and I felt that they did not deserved the money, so I wanted to do something that I wanted to see
at the other bands; the crowd to see a show as well, not just to listen the music(that you can do as well at home, being relaxed in your lounge).

7. Also, you released a demo with Spinecrusher. What can you tell us about it(recodings, who produced it, who wrote the music, the lyrics)?
The demo was recorded at my place, self-produced in the most DIY style to reduce the costs. The songs and the lyrics were written before I joined the band. It's a
3-songs demo, that tells a story.

8.What about Spinecrusher's future plans(signing with a label, perhaps an album)?
We plan to release a 10-songs album, hopefully to be released next year. I don't know if we'll sign with a label too soon, because our style it's not a sell-out on, like the core bands or
pagan/folk/avant-garde/experimental/bla-bla-manelo-subacvatic black metal that are the fashion bands.




9.Also, Spinecrusher opened for many bands such as Blasphemophagher, Sodomizer, Hellkommander, better said, Romanian Thrash Metal Club's events. What do you think about RTMC.
And how did they influenced Spinecrusher's activity?
They had a big role in the band's development, besides the mentioned concerts, "Hellthrash" would not even exist without their help. RTMC is one of the reasons that made me
to return in the metal scene and showed me that there is a chance for the genre I play. If they would form before, or if Snapjaw would resist a little bit, maybe that band would still be alive.

Spinecrusher

10.Besides the activity in these bands, I know that you collaborated with Necrogore Production as well. Do you still collaborate with them? What can you tell me about Necrogore
and some of its events.
The collaboration with Necrogore Production does not exist for some time. I only did some flyers for events, and when they organized a concert, I helped them staying at the entrance.
Because I had no band and I no longer wanted to have anything to do with metal, I thought it was a waste of time, and I had nothing to gain or to learn from it, I thought
I had not enough artistic freedom. After the organizer learnt how to use Photoshop(or Corel?) it was no need of my help. I can only wish them good luck for the future.

11.What do you think about the Romanian metal scene?
I have a very bad opinion, at least before joining Spinecrusher. The scene itself was one of the reasons I left the metal scene.
As I said before, a big part of it is seems to be a big "circlejerk", many people from "the previous generation" only help between themselves, praising themselves even
for the smallest achievements/releases, most of them being inexistent. Some people who only exploit the scene for personal profit, who openly lament for how hard is what they do
and that is the crowd's fault for their failures, because they cannot appreciate what is good. I know a lot of people who agree with me, but do not express openly because they're
afraid of those whom they depend on more or less. I see the metal scene as a music of revolt where you can express your ideas openly, and also your personally vision towards the
world. Although many things are in my detriment, I can not stop to openly express my honest opinion towards some persons and things that happened in our scene. In this way I know
exactly that every next event will be deserved, not for those who pay or give praisings to. I don't like that many things released in the metal press regarding some cancellations or
line-up changings are hidden. But nothing is lost though, luckily there appears in a new wave of bands, a new generation with big potential that I hope will bury the outdated mentalities.

12.Are you satisfied with Snapjaw and Spinecrusher's releases? Would you change something at them?
I can't say that I am satisfied regarding Snapjaw, actually, they are not that excellent. Regarding the EP, I am not proud at all; it would be better if it wouldn't exist,
if I'd knew that will end this way. I gained some experience since, and this is only a good thing, but mostly, I think that I wasted some good dieas. I would liked a LP instead of that EP,
that was only released because "that's how it is done&it is demanded".
I would like those releases to be recorded in another place, at someone with ideas and much more knowledge about metal and I would like to draw that artwork myself, which was in my opinion,
a waste of money just to look "actual". Mostly, I think that were taken lots of decisions that I didn't agreed with and maybe we will not be that known in this way.
I think we all have a favourite band, that changed the style into something not that good and you'd wish that band to split before this to happen, or at least to change the name.
Spinecrusher is at another level, it is just how I wished Snapjaw to be and I am more happy with its musical direction.

13.Speaking of Snapjaw, some of the songs were never released. Would you like to reform the band? Or, those songs to be part of Spinecrusher's setlist?
I would like to reform the band, but it's not mine and I think it will never happen. I lost lots of good songs that I liked a lot, but nobody remembers them and there are only
some bad-quality live recordings. A big part of Snapjaw's songs cannot be part of Spinecrusher's setlist, songs like "Waking up the vampire" that is too
melodic for Spinecrusher's style. Maybe "Back from the Grave" I would like to sing, but unfortunately, there is not any recorded version. It is the only song I liked a lot and I am sorry for it.
I would like to sing with Spinecrusher, but I didn't wrote it; so this is the situation. It would be cool to release an album with all the songs we have and to do a farewell tour, but these wishes will never achieve.

14.What romanian bands do you recommend(or from abroad)?
From Romania I don't know what to recommend, I rarely listen to romanian bands, this because of the lyrics, many times these lyrics are written in romanian language,
thing that I don't like, but actually it is good. Romanian bands that I mostly listen to are Cap de Craniu, The 13th Sun, The Nuggers, First Division, Raizing Hell,
Psycho Symphony, Crossbone and Code Red. From abroad I recommend Usurpress, Bombs of Hades, Tribulation, The Black Dahlia Murder, Blood Freak, Ghoul, Tormented, Repugnant,
Splatterhouse, After the Bombs, Skeletal Remains, Acid Witch, The Cramps, Kap Bambino, Pistamashina, Daikaiju, Guantanamo Baywatch, Dr. Living Dead, Gallhammer, Hellkommander
and Sodomizer. There are bands that influenced me, but many of them are already known

15.Your top 10 all-favourite albums...?
Tankard - Beast of Bourbon
Faith No More - Angel Dust
Mercyful Fate - Don't break the Oath
Motörhead - Bomber
Misfits - Earth A.D.
D.R.I. - Thrash Zone
Possessed - Beyond the Gates
Hellhammer - Triumph of Death
Black Sabbath - Sabotage
Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance

16.The last words are yours!
Support the bands with their own songs, not the tribute bands who does only exploit the scene.

Necrochakal interview

Ungod - guitars, bass

Bestial Invocator - vocals and lyrics

1.Hailz and hellcome to Sadistik Witchfukk zine. Because this is the first interview with you, tell us more about your band!
1)Hello, Sorin!! Yes, it is the first interview with the zine indeed!!! Necrochakal started as an idea in 2010 by me, Manos(Revenge) and Ungod(Slaughtered Priest, Sad, Necrohell, Kvele)!! We wanted from the beginning of this idea to play something like old school deathrash!!!!

2.Did you played in other bands before Necrochakal?
Some unknown bands just for fun!! In 2005: Non Obedience and Unholy Vengeance then!!! Not important!!! This the first important that I take part in!!!

3.How did you joined Necrochakal?
As I told you in the 1st question, it begun as an idea with Me and Manos firstly to play old scohool deathrash music!!! I was totally agree and so we decided I would be the vocalist.

4.I see that you recorded a song called "Baptised in Excrucating Lashes", which ended on a split with Slaughtered Priest through Fistbang Records. How did you came in contact with Fistbang?
Yes!! Fistbang is like a friend with us and so came the deal with his label and Hells Fire distro too!!

5.Who write the music and who the lyrics for Necrochakal?
Music is written exclusively by Ungod(except the first song in which drums were played by Maelstrom) and I write the lyrics!

6.I know you will also release a split with mighty US band Terrorist. How have you been in contact with them? Which label will release it?
I am in contact with their guitarist Edgar since some months!! I really like their old-school maniac and I suggested to those maniax a 7" split release!! And they accepted of course. The 7" Split with Terrorist will be released in the mid of September by Ungod's label "Metal Throne"

7.I recently have seen that Maelstrom is no longer a member of the band. How this happened? Did you found any replacement or you still search?
No! As I told you the whole music is played by Ungod and lyrics-vocals by me!! So we still continue as 2 members band!! No fight of course with Maelsstrom!! He is friend of course and he is session member for some upcoming concerts.

8.I also like the artworks for both of your splits. Who did them?
Ungod has done both of the artworks!!!

9.How was the media response so far?
The friends and some guys that heard the stuff were very satisfied about the result!! We still have to keep on!! We're still in the beginning.

10.Now about live shows. Did you played live so far? If yes, (tell us the most important concerts and the crowd reaction).
No, we haven't played yet!! But we have dealed some live shows in the end of May in Paraguay with cult bands from there such as Master of Cruelty, Ekron Cult etc.. And of course in Mexico City supporting Nausea R'Lyeh and Sadistic Intent!! That's gonna be a great experience to play with those cult bands and to a crowd like South US Maniax!! I have to say that Necrochakal doesn't do or will do live shows in Greece!

11.What bands can you recommend us from Greece? Or from the rest of the world? Do you know any bands from Ukraine, Hungary, Romania and Moldova?
From Hungary I know Tormentor(old cult band), and to be honest from Romania I know Negură Bunget!!! To be honest I'm not so much into those countries!!! From Greece there are countless bands that play but if you want my opinion, a few of them are worthy!! Surely, I would recommend you Revenge and Slaughtered Priest!

12.Your top 10 all-time favourite albums are...?
Difficult question, but OK, I'll answer what comes to my mind now. Surely:
1.Iron Maiden - Killers
2.Destruction - Infernal Overkill
3.Sodom - Obsessed by Cruelty + Persecution Mania
4.Kreator - Pleasure to Kill
5.Sarcofago - INRI
6.Sepultura - Schizophrenia + Morbid Visions
7.Darkthrone - A blaze in the Northern Sky
8.Deicide - Deicide
9.Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness
10.Razor - Executioner's Song
11.Mutilator - Immortal Force

13.What hobbies do you have besides music?
Watching sports with my friends and especially fotball!! We are supportes of the biggest greek team here called Olympiakos!! Also travelling when I can or seeing movies!

14.What foods, drinks, cigars, tobaccoes can you recommend us from your area?
The most known food here is Souvlaki!! Total traditional greek food!! About drinks Ouzo, Raki and Tsipouro are well known also and very strong drinks! About cigars I smoke Karelia this time! I used to smoke Prince and Winston!!! The most here according the crisis in Greece now smoke tobacco!!! It's cheaper for them.

15.What about your future plans as a band?(live shows, full-length etc.)
In some days has to be released a tape featuring 3 songs(3 of them are and will be included in 7" split releases) by Metal Throne!!! In the mid of September as you've been told a split release will be going to be released with Terrorist! About November hopefully comes the Full-Length and another split 7" release in the end of 2013 or beginning 2014 with Argentinian maniax Vomit of Doom, too!

16.And the interview is near its ending. The last curses are yours!
Necrochakal is a band that was created to spread Blasphemies all around to this which is called religion, conservatism and those nowadays shitty principles!! Do not belong and will never belong in any kind of scene especially here in Greece!! Death and Hate go to christians and all religious or trendy faggots!! Thanx a lot for the interview, Sorin, and good luck to your zine!! Support the Underground Maniac Forces!

Interview taken by Necrotrooper

Interview with Tobias Fongelius(Jormundgand)

1. Hail Tobbe! Because this is the first intie with you, please give us a short bio regarding your band!
Hail! Well, we are JORMUNDGAND from Sweden. We have been lurking in the underground since 2004. The first demo "Satanic Attack" was recorded between 2008/2009, and at that time Hellbutcher from the mighty NIFELHEIM helped us a lot! He was with us in the studio and he even put some vocals to the song "Satanic Attack". He painted the cover for the demo and t-shirts, took all our promo pictures with his camera and more. In 2010 we recorded our single "The Eleven Path". I (Tobbe F) started my own record label "Burning Eye Productions" and the plan was to release the single on a 7" vinyl through Burning... But the dream hasn´t been transformed to reality yet because of different reasons.... In 2012 we decided to record our first full length-album. It is now finally finished and ready to be unleashed upon the surface of the world, to spread the poison of the mighty black dragon of the abysmal ocean of chaos!

2.How you got introduced into metal, and did you played in any bands before Jormundgand?
It came quite natural to me, I guess. I was around 6 or 7 years old and I heard Guns'n'Roses on the radio! It was "Paradise City" and I felt like totally blown away by the music! Then on the very same radio show they played "Poison" with Alice Cooper, and then I was trapped forever! Very soon after that I started to listen to more hard music like Metallica and Iron Maiden. When I was at the age of 14 I started my first band. We named it "Confused" and we played some kind of Swedish straight edge hardcore! Haha, the music really sucked! hahaha! We played live one time and splited-up shortly after that! When I was around 16 years old, I came in contact with Black Metal for the first time... And I can still remember the feeling of coming home, that I have finally found my musical way in life!

3.You are working on your first LP. Can you tell us all about it?(stuff such as recording process and so on). Did you signed with a label to promote it, or it is self-released?
Yeah, this will be our first fullength album! The thing is that it´s only two "new" songs on that recording! Those are "Malice Striker" and " Beyond the Bound". The rest of the songs were written between 2010 and 2012. I felt that we had too much un-recorded material to move on forward with the other new songs that will be on our next release. We have taped all our earlier material on a tape recorder. And everything has been recorded live in the studio. But this time we did a lot more time in the studio. We recorded all  the instruments in separated steps, beginning with the drums, then bass, then guitar...... It was more time-consuming than I could ever imagine! And money-eating! That's why it took us more than one year to record the album! All my money has been pumped in this record, so I can´t release it by my own label, through "Burning Eye Productions". Not just because of the money, but because of all the time it took away from the music and creation of music. To make Black metal you need a very strong connection with your inner self. If you don't find that state of mind, then you will loose all the true spirit of your creation, especially now when we play live as well.

4.Are there any guests on the album? ( Hellbutcher or other ones?)
I had plans to invite Hellbutcher to the studio again, and to ask Oscar from RAM to put some heavy metal song to one of the tracks, but, it never felt like the right thing to do! So, no guests on this album!

5.You shared the stage with Necrocurse on 5th of April in Gonthenburg. How was Your concert?
Ah! It was fucking great! We feel more hunger now than ever before! We did a gig in Trollhättan 4 weeks after the Gothenburg gig, and it was fucking awsome as well! Hail Satan!

6.What is the situation regarding your new shows? have you decided to tour Europe, or it will be just in Sweden (or Scandinavia)?
We will play as much as we can. I feel that we have a great potential to be a killer band on stage!

7.How are the things going with Burning Eye Productions?
Well, I am a little bit unsure about the future of Burning Eye Productions, at least with the Jormundgand thing. But I will have the label active in one or another way. Maybe releasing other bands' material and organizing concerts and tours. Time will tell!

8.What is JORMUNDGAND's current line-up and if the members of the band take part in other projects?
It's me Tobias Fongelius on bestial vomit and guitar! And Ingo on drums. Erik K on guitar. He is active in a few other bands as well, like Vornth, Autokrat and Xul. Tobbe P has been involved in everything we have done so far, all the recordings and our two first live shows, but not anymore. He wants to give his main band "RAM" all his focus, I believe. So it's a fucking shit situation right now to be honest. But I understand and respect his decision. All hails to the mighty masters of "Heavy Metal Tyranny" - RAM!

9.Your top 10 all-time favourite albums are...?
Shit! Haha, what a question! Ok.... Starting from 1.

1. Storm of the Light´s Bane
2. The Somberlain
3. Reinkaos
4. Servants of Darkness
5. Lawless Darkness
6. Blood Fire Death
7. Altars of Madness
8. De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
9. Morbid Visions
10. Again Shall Be

Well, I will probably change my mind tomorrow, but what the fuck: all this albums are fucking killer!

10.Do you know any bands from Hungary, Ukraine, Romania and Moldova?
It's funny that you're asking me that, because when I was down to "Halmstad" in Sweden last month to bang my head to Nifelheim, Vulcano and The Stone, it was something unexpected that happened on the stage! As you maybe know, Tamás from the Hungarian band Tormentor is now a member in Nifelheim. And in the middle of the show, Hellbutcher went of from the stage and Attila Csihar came up instead and they started to play the intro to the "Anno Domini" record, and then they played "Tormentor" with Attila on vox! That was fucking legendary! But besides Tormentor, Domhring, Castrum and Chamos my knowledge about your bands is very thin I'm afraid.

11.What bands can you recommend us from Sweden (and also from the rest of the world)?
Well, Vornth(swedish speed metal), Xul (swedish black metal), Necrocurse (Swedish Death Metal), Mordant (Swedish Black Metal), Trial (Swedish Heavy Metal), In Solitude ( Swedish Heavy Metal). And of course, RAM (Swedish Heavy Metal).

12.Now regarding your local cuisine: what foods, drinks, cigars, tobaccoes can you recommend?
Hmm, Sweden is very famous for our great KebabPizza! So if you come to Sweden, just order Kebab! We have something called "Systembolaget" in Sweden. And that's the only store where you can buy your alcohol. It's forbidden to sell alcohol in foodshops etc. Quite shitty if you ask me, but it have one big +. Every "Systembolaget" store have like 100 different beers, and maybe 100 different whiskeys and like 1000 different wines! So we have a lot of different brands to pick from! Personally i like scotch whiskey and irish dark stoutbeer!

13. I was very pleased to find out that Jon Nödtveidt (Rest and Reign in Chaos) is your hero as well as mine. From your letters, I've got to know that you didn't know Jon personally, but what do you think of Him as a person and musician?
Because i have a lot of friends that knew Jon personally, I know that he was a great person and musician! He was like a never ending source of musical energy and inspiration and the guitar riffs just sprayed out of his fingers into his guitar! He is, and will always remain, my greatest inspiration both musically and spiritually! Hail the bloodline of fire!
Hail Jon Nödtveidt!
Might his legacy never be forgotten.

14.Tack så mycket, Tobias and Jormundgand! Hail to Northern Dragon of Chaos! Your message to readers of Sadistik Witchfukk..?
Varsågod min vän! I hope to meet you in the mighty Carpathians soon!
Hail Satan!

You can listen to the music here: http://www.myspace.com/jormundgand666
And the link to Burning Eye Productions: http://www.myspace.com/burningeyeproductions

Interview taken by Georgius and Necrotrooper

Interview with Roel(owner of Vic Records)

1. Hail Roel and Vic records! please tell to our readers about the beginning!
Hail brother! Well, it all started when I did Mortician Mag in the early 90's...Interviewed many bands, we wrote tons of reviews, etc.....One of those bands was Katatonia and they asked me if I knew a label to release their demo on CD. So I said: give me a week and I will try to do it myself. I borrowed some money, found a pressing plant, and released the demo on CD, Vic001 it was...

2. Your first release is Katatonia's 1992 demo "Jhva Elohim Meth". Why a band from Sweden and not one from Netherlands?
Yep, well, I was totally into Swedish death metal, went to Stockholm each summer to meet my friends in Entombed, Therion, Carbonized, Afflicted etc etc..So it was obvious a Swedish band would be number 1:)  Haha, no, it wasn't intentioanlly a Swedish one....Of course I knew many great Dutch death metal bands.. Went watching Sinister, Gorefest ect in their demos days each weekend...But somehow my first 4 releases were Swedish. Trying to cacth up Ducth releases now with Weapons to Hunt, Polluted Inheritance, The Gatherng, Phlebotomized, Swazafix ect, haha. And more to come, like Obtruncation (re-issue of the debut and a brand new one!!), Eternal Solstice debut re-issue,and some more!!

3. When did you started, what genres did you wanted to focus on?
I was deeply into death metal in the end of the 80's / early 90's...But it wasn't necessarily to release death metal only.. The scene was fresh and exciting back then.... New subgenres coming up like Gothenburg sound, black metal and all sort of mixes..... Early Katatonia wasn't death metal, nor black metal, nor doom, a perfect blend of it al, right?! I was into extreme underground metal, not a particular style. Always loved Iron Maiden as well of course....

4. Please share some infos about Your artists and last releases!
Latest releases are the Johansson & Speckmann 'Sulphur Skies 'album, 2 death metal cult figures joined forces. The unrelased Master album 'Unknown Soldier, from 1985. Swazafix featuring Theo Loomans (RIP!), Phlebotomized demo and mini on 1 album. Upcoming reelease will be the Grai debut album release (now available outside of Russia for the first time, plus bonus video), and some realy exciting things coming up featuring Dutch death metal veterans... Can't say much yet, but keep an eye on our website/facebook page for more news! You will love it, I am sure about that, haha

5. What is Your opinion about music industry today and free downloading?
Illegal (I call it illegal instead of free:) kills our business. Ilegal downloading 'fans 'dont realize  someone has to pay for recordings, mix, mastering, artwork ect BEFORE it could be downloaded....AND by downloading illegally, no one can recoupe their costs, nor make any cash. Needless to say, you cant earn any money to invest in the next release...But hey, its like that..Internet has many positive sides, and some negative. When you check out your bands illegally / for free on the internet and whe you like it you pay for it, OK to me:) Cant change it...So its a fact we have to deal with...

6. Would You be so kind to recommend us some Dutch bands?
Of couse, haha... First of all the bands we all know: Sinister, Asphyx, Thanatos, Hail of Bullets, Bodyfarm, Houwitser....Phlebotomized will do some live shows and might return, Weapons to Hunt did a nice abum;). Pentacle is great and are still around. And the early 90's we had MANY great bands like Polluted Inheritance, Swazafix, Bluuurgh, Dissect, Mourning, Eternal Solstice, Threnody, Burial, Judgement Day, Dead End ect etc...And as said, Obtruncation will do a new album soon! Do you know their demo 2 from 1992? One of the most heavy, brutal intense deathmetal ever emerged from the Netherlands!!!!!

7. Were you in contact with bands from Hungary, Ukraine, Romania or Moldova?
YES! We have released several Hungarian bands, Sin of Kain, Archaic, Bornholm and Sear Bliss. András
 from Sear Bliss is a long time friend. No releases from the other areas you mentioned. Ukraine has a great scene though!

8. What are Your favourite releases from last year (including Vic-records ones)?
Listening to Bodyfarm a lot these days, great album on a great label. All Asphyx works are great, Johansson & Speckmann is a real great old school album (out in June)...Also in a Greek metal trip these days, old Rotting Christ, Varathron, Necromantia and Thou Art Lord are extremely great!

9. Could You recommend us some foods, drinks from The Netherland, especially from Your area?
Not sure if my area, Utrecht, has any specialities actually..... Good piece of meat will do it for me! As for drink, we have some nice beers, but the Belgium ones reign supreme of course...

10. Apart working at Vic records do You have another job? Do You have any hobbies apart music?
Vic records is my full time job. Luckily my wife works too:). Not in the music business of course, haha... Music is also my main hobby....Also can enjoy sports, football especially...

11. Have you organized any concerts?
Nope:) Running the label, meaning releasing music and all it takes all my time.......

12. What can you tell about your future plans?
Some Dutch underground pearls re-issues of course! Also some great German re-issues are coming up: Torchure and Ashorted Heap!! Remember those bands?

13. Bedankt/Thanks for the interview. The last (blasphemic) words are yours!
THANK you, Georg! Keep on supporting metal! Much appreciated!

Interview taken by Georgius and Necrotrooper


Also, if you need any help for your band, the label can be contacted here:
http://www.vicrecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vic-Records/321130546025
https://twitter.com/vicrecords
http://www.youtube.com/user/vicrecords
http://www.last.fm/label/Vic+Records
http://www.myspace.com/vicrecords

Chamos

As you've read(or not hehehe) the interview with Georgius(the first one done for S.W.), he said that then 1995-1997 Castrum line-up had also a project entitled Chamos.
Well, what is Chamos?
Georgius gave a description: "Cornelius had 2 tracks which didn’t fit too much to Castrum conception in 1996 and we decided to start a blackened death/thrash project, called Chamos. We chose demon-pseudonames and recorded these two songs in our rehearsal room in 1997. At our live Castrum-shows we played a few times these ones but never will be recorded in studio… "

And now, they are uploaded on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKSecQUw5Mg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ubJykTBap4

As you can see, the lyrics cover historical themes.
And the 2nd track is NOT A NS TRACK!!!

Enjoy!

Interview with Erik Sprooten(Ancient Rites, ex-Inquisitor)

                           

1.Hailz Erik, and hellcome to our webzine. Because this is the first intie with you, please give us some infos about you!

Most people who read this interview probably know me best as Dutch guitarist of Black Metal band Ancient Rites, and some also might remember that I was guitarist of the Extreme Thrash Metal band Inquisitor. What is less known, is that I'm also guitarist for a Hardrockcoverband called Plusminus. I'm also involved in a foundation called “Noord Geldersch Metaal” which organises metal gigs in my hometown Harderwijk. During the daytime I have an office job at the planning department of a local company in my hometown.

2.Tell us, first, how were you introduced into metal?
I slowly grew into listening metal, ever since I was exposed to KISS in 1979 when they had huge hits. Only after listening a lot to their compilation album “Double Platinum”, I started developing a taste for hard rock music. An older brother of a friend of mine introduced me to other hardrock bands like Van Halen and Status Quo. Only a few years later I discovered metal by checking out albums of  Iron Maiden and Saxon. Around the year 1985, I started to appreciate Metallica and not much later also thrash metal like Slayer and Sacred Reich. At the end of the 80's, I started to appreciate death metal. And in the 90's I became interested in Black metal. Nowadays I still listen to a lot of metal but I also listen to what is nowadays called Classic Rock. Generally speaking, you could say that my collection of music ranges roughly from Southern Rock to Black Metal.

3.Did you played in other bands before Inquisitor?

It's hardly worth mentioning but yes, I played in only one band before Inquisitor, which was called Menticide. Menticide was short-lived and never played live or released any demo. The very first line-up started in 1989 and was with Alex Bakker and Wim v/d Valk. For me and Wim it was actually our first experience of being in a band. Alex already had band experience before. Wim and Alex didn't stay long in Menticide and joined an extreme thrash metal band called Desultory. When Wim and Alex left Desultory in 1991, I joined forces with them again, and Inquisitor was born early 1992. My first live gig was with Inquisitor in 1992.

4. What can you tell about the Inquisitor days? Are you satisfied now with its works?

Inquisitor existed roughly from early 1992 till the end of 1996 and was in a way a continuation of the extreme thrash metal style Desultory did, which was a style we liked a lot, but we felt that we could improve it to a higher level. Our main influences were (extreme) thrash metal bands such as Sadus, Kreator, Dark Angel and Sabbat but we were also influenced by death metal and other styles of metal. The first line-up recorded the demo's “Blasphemous Accusations”  (1992) and “Your Pain will be Exquisite” (1993) and consisted of: Alex Wesdijk on vocals, Erik Sprooten on guitar, Alex Bakker on bass and Wim VanderValk on Drums. With this line-up we did several gigs in The Netherlands, and we even did three gigs in Belgium. At one of those gigs in Holland we were even support-act for a certain band called Ancient Rites. In 1993 some local churches searched contact with the organisation of an outdoor festival in our hometown to get our gig cancelled because they were very concerned with our “not so christian-friendly” lyrics. An article about this matter appeared in a local paper a few days after our gig, and the result of this was, that we gained even more attention in the metal scene. In 1995, the second line-up with Hans Pos on bass as replacement for Alex Bakker, recorded “Walpurgis – Sabbath of Lust”, which was released in 1996 by Shiver Records. With this line-up we did several gigs in Holland of course, and also three gigs in Germany. I'm still satisfied with the recordings and the music of Inquisitor. And I'm still proud of what I did with Inquisitor. I do enjoy reading reviews about Inquisitor on the internet. And without Inquisitor, I probably wouldn't be in Ancient Rites. 

5. I know that you re-released the LP "Walpurgis-Sabbath of Lust". Tell us more about this (the format cd/dvd/lp and if contains any additional stuff such as additional tracks or a booklet in it too)!

The original CD is hard to find for quite some time now, and last year I saw someone selling it on Ebay for a huge amount of money. Also last year, a friend of mine notified me about a split-CD with Inquisitor on  it, which I didn't know existed. Apparently someone released this split-CD a few years ago, which wasn't an official release. So I guess if someone else is releasing Inquisitor un-officially, then it must be interesting enough to do a proper re-release.  And it seems this is going to happen, 'cause at the moment I have a verbal agreement with a record company for a re-release. This re-release will probably contain the demo's too and may possibly also be released on vinyl. No release date is known yet.

6. Are you still in contact with Inquisitor members? Have you ever thought of a reunion-show?

I'm still in contact with most Inquisitor members. Alex Bakker, the bass-player who can be heard on the Inquisitor demos, is also a member of my hardrockcoverband Plusminus, so I see him quite often. I sometimes meet our ex-singer Alex Wesdijk. And recently I got into contact with Wim again. I met Hans, pure coincidentally, a few years ago on a small open air festival. Nowadays he plays bass-guitar in a band called “After The Silence”.

I'm certainly not against a reunion, but I have my doubts if that will ever happen. Only the future will tell. 

7. What do you think about Centurian? What do you think about their latest album?

Centurian is one of the best and brutal death metal bands ever to emerge from The Netherlands, and was founded by ex-Inquisitor drummer Wim. Their music is quite intense. Once in a while I enjoy listening to their albums. And so far, I only have heard one song of their new album, which definetely sounds like Centurian, although it is without Wim on drums.

8. Now about Ancient Rites: when and how did you joined? Was it during the supporting tour of "Blasfemia Eternal" or afterwards?

During the “Blasfemia Eternal” tour in 1996, when I was still in Inquisitor, I was a session-guitarist, and I had a great time on that tour! It was definetely a tour with a good vibe between all the bands. That tour also helped Inquisitor getting some exposure in Germany. It was also during that tour, that Gunther and Walter already had plans to have two guitarists again in Ancient Rites. So when Inquisitor was struggling with internal problems later that year, the idea of me joining Ancient Rites as second guitarist was born. So I contacted Gunther and since someone else was also interested, an audition was organized. I was chosen, and became second guitarist of Ancient Rites, the first gig was in January 1997. The other guitarist back then was Raf Jansen. Later in 1997 Jan Yrlund replaced Raf.

9. On the albums you played with Ancient Rites there was lot of melody. What were your influences on those albums? Are you interested into history too, like Gunther?

Throughout the years I've become a more melodic and versatile guitarplayer, which especially culminated on the album “Rubicon”.  Although a lot of melody is present on the albums I take part in, some of my thrash metal influenced riffs were also used in several songs. Fast melodic riffs like the ones which can be heard in “Mother Europe” and “Invictus” are definetely influences I brought into Ancient Rites. I also add my skills on guitar to the music of Ancient Rites but without comprising the music. On the “Rubicon” album there's for example one melodic/lead guitar which I play in the Harmonic minor scale (instead of the regular minor scale), which sound a little bit (so-called) Neo-classical, which I created just to make a little difference musically. Furthermore, I think that my guitarsolo's are an influence too.

I am interested in history but I don't absorb myself that much into that as Gunther does. He knows much more about history than I do.

10. How was the Ancient Rites show in Rotterdam? Did it everything went well? What can you tell about the crowd?

I think we delivered a good show in Rotterdam.The reaction of the crowd was really good and quite a lot of them were banging and singing along. The sound on stage was good and  really comfortable to play. Although I was a little bit struggling with my floorboard, I'm in general very satisfied with the gig.

11. As I know You wanted to play live and in rehearsals a kvlt-track, Blasphemer from Sodom. Do You want to record then in studio also?

As far as I know, Ancient Rites has never performed songs from other bands live or in the studio, and probably never will. “Blasphemer” is definetely a kvlt track, and certainly one of my favourite songs from Sodom, but I don't have a real desire to perform or record this song with Ancient Rites. Last year during the rehearsals I sometimes just played the beginning of that kvlt song and Gunther simply reacted to that! It's something that just developed after Gunther and I listened to “In the Sign of Evil” from Sodom in my car after a rehearsal.

12. How it's goings the things with Your guitar-parts for the upcoming Ancient Rites album?

At home I have recorded some guitar-parts and ideas, of which most of them I intent to use for Ancient Rites. Everyone is doing their share in writing new material and I'm working on a few demo-songs for Ancient Rites too, which are almost ready but I'm still not yet satisfied enough with them. It'll take me some time expirementing with ideas but in the end I will get a satisfying result. Most important thing is, that the music has to feel right. Some of my guitar parts will only take shape during the actual recordings of the upcoming album.

Ancient Rites is definetely in writing-modus again and we already have written a few songs.

13. Your top 10 all-time favourite metal albums are...?

• Judas Priest – Unleashed in the East
• Dark Angel – Darkness Descends
• Kreator – Pleasure To Kill
• Holy Terror – Mind Wars
• Sadus – Illusions (aka Chemical Exposure)
• Slayer – Hell Awaits
• Massacra – Final Holocaust
• Iron Maiden – Live after Death
• Sathanas – Black Earth
• Metal Church – Metal Church

14. What are your hobbies besides the music?

In my freetime, everything I like doing is more or less music-related. But besides music, I like to take time to enjoy the beautiful nature in my area. There are plenty of beautiful forests and there is a lot of heath. 

15. Do you know any bands from Hungary, Ukraine, Romania and Moldova?

Not that much, but I know Sear Bliss and Negura Bunget, and thanks to you I know your old bands Castrum and Dohmring now. I also saw a few Romanian and Macedonian bands when Ancient Rites was on tour in the Balcan. 

16. What bands can you recommend us? (from Belgium and the Netherlands, and then from over the world)

In The Benelux we have known metal bands such as Heidevolk, Legion of the Damned, Aborted, Hail of Bullets, Asphyx, Epica etc..

From the lesser known bands I'd like to recommend Lord Volture, which is a great dutch Heavy/Power Metal band. For those who like Death Metal, I would recommend The Lucifer Principle, KhaoZ and Victimizer from The Netherlands. If you like hardrock, then I would recommend Vanderbuyst. From my own area I would like to recommend Thrash Metal band Portall. And last year I saw a promising heavy metal band from Sweden called Steelwing.

17. Now about your local cuisine: what foods, drinks, cigars and tobaccoes can you recommend?

A typical dutch food is Kale aka borecole, although I wouldn't consider this as Haute Cuisine, it does taste good in my opnion. It is mostly served in combination with a smoked sausage known as Gelderse Rookworst., which is a speciality from the province Gelderland where I live. When it comes to dutch beer, I would recommend Hertog Jan. A typical Dutch drink is a spirit called Jenever, which seems to be comparable to Gin. I don't smoke at all, so I can't and won't recommend cigars and other tobacco related stuff at all.

18. Dank je wel, Erik! The last (hateful) words are yours!

Thanks a lot for this interview and space in Sadistik Witchfukk! Keep supporting the metal scene and keep it alive! \m/

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INTERVIEW TAKEN BY GEORGIUS AND NECROTROOPER

interview with Eric Daniels(Grand Supreme Blood Court, Soulburn, ex-Asphyx)

                                 

1.Hail Eric, Grand Judge Daniels! How are you now? We 've checked out a video about Grand Supreme Blood Court-show at Turock, Essen. How was your concert?
Hi Georg and Sorin, I am doing fine, thank you! The concert at Turock was awesome, we had a great time overthere, and we also give our gratitude and thanks for the good time towards our fans visiting there.

2.Grand Supreme Blood Court's debut album, "Bow Down Before The Blood Court", is one of my favourite death/doom releases of the last year. What is your most-liked track from your debut? Did you started to write some new riffs for the new material?
First, thank you very much for you like our debut-album, that’s nice to hear. My personal track I like most is “Circus Of Mass Torment”, the fact was this track was composed as last and due to the fact the CD was becoming too short without this song makes it special also, the lyrics are killer-one, and the structure of the song is like continue and continue, the drive of the song is just great. Of course the other tracks are good as well, but this one I like most. Oh yes, ideas are always flowing around, Alwin and me already have some good material as riffs on the shell, we definitely gonna sort them out together and make a new song. But it’s on an easy going base, first we have to support the album as much we can.

3.Do You have any plans to make a videoclip for one of G.S.B.C.-tracks?
It sure crossed our minds to do a videoclip. We like to do a killer live-one. However still the ideas are there, maybe after the release for the second album, not sure about that, but we still like to do one for sure.

4.You put your killer guitar-riffs on a French death metal band called Affliction Gate's EP, "Shattered Ante Mortem Illusions", last year. Share with us, please, some info about this collaboration!
Yes that’s true. I was asked by Grief if I would like to do a guitar-solo in one of their songs. I like their material very much, it has the pure soul for real doom/death metal, and that’s what I like and did. I heared it back later at the EP, and we both are very happy with the result. It’s not the way I gonna do often to appear as guest-musician, if the atmosphere gets me from the songs I have the urge to do it, but consider it as an one-time activity. I wish AG succes and good luck with their new EP. Just check it out people I would say.

5.Last year you also did a guitar solo to one of bands of Rogga Johansson, Megascavenger, on the track "To Revel With Vermin". Would you be so kind tell about it?
Also correct, Rogga asked me a time ago if I would like to do a solo-part on one of his songs he made, and it was far before the recordings for the Blood Court, so I was thrilled to record it. I did the solo at home, and sended it to him, and he liked it very much. I heared it back later and it was damn cool.

6.Going back to the past you played death/doom for almost 25 years. Some other Netherlandese death metal bands such as Pestilence, God Dethroned, Gorefest to name a few, changed their style to something new. Would you like to try something new too?
Well, I realy don’t care what those other bands did or do concerning there playing style, that’s their decision, bit for me and I can say also us, we just play the real doom/death metal how it was and is mentioned to be. I realy cant understand why they will do that, maybe they felt bored of what they were playing, I don’t know, or it was trendy to play death metal. If style will change, believe me, the true soul will be gone. But I don’t speak and judge about other bands, what we know, we just do what we think are best in. We are no super musicians, but people don’t have to try to learn us how the right music is played with heart and soul. There are so much possibilities within our music, be creative, no style to change, or try something new. Its like, bands don’t have to think they are original nowadays, all kinds of metal is invented, the circle is closed. The challenge is how to bring it on an pure way.

7.You are one of my favourite guitarists of death metal and I'm always fascinated about your awesome sorrowful solos. From where do you get inspiration to create them?
Thank you very much for the kind and nice words, that makes my day! Well, back years ago around 1989 when I joined ASPHYX we were reharsing for the 2 songs 7” Mutilating Process, at the rehearsal I just played some long notes inside the song, it wasn’t hearable, but when we listened back the tape of the rehearsal, Bob called me and said, hey Eric what did you do there on the song..it sounds amazing. I was realy flattered about his words. I cant play fast soloing, only by tremolo, I like to abuse that thing to the core, but normal fast soloing I hate to play, so I decided just to play the solo’s very slow and doomy, it went super and it feels great to do. It gives more atmosphere. I play those solos only with a digital delay pedal, nothing special. It wasn’t planned, it just felt to play the solos this way. It are the base-riffs behind the solos which give me inspiration. When the right doom-riff comes up, the doom soloing is a perfect match for it. Not technical skills for that but I can say with all the feeling I have inside my body I play em.

8.Were you in contact with bands from Eastern Europe? Can you recommend us such bands from this area?
As you know I was off from the metal-scene a long time, almost 9 years, so I had to dig up in a short time now almost 3 years to hear good metal-bands again. Sorry, you have to fill me in here for the Eastern Europe-bands, cause its sometimes hard to find the right and good bands. I follow the stream of facebook and when I am curious about a youtube vid, I click it. I hardly listen to music from LP’s or CD’s, I use the internet a lot. That’s one of the progress matters since the last years. The digital period is nice to develop and follow. The band I realy like is: Coffins, the tank rolling sound, the voice, all the right and pure ingredients of death metal. We play with them on the Party San. Hope I can buy a shirt from em there, looking forward to that !!

9.Which are your all-time favourite albums?
I give you my all-time favourite top 5:

• Possessed - Seven Churches
• Venom - Welcome to hell
• Bathory - Hammerheart
  Riot - Fire down under
• Sacred Blade - Of The Sun + Moon

10.As we noticed You are into movies also. Which ones are all-time faves and what movies do you wait this year?
Owhh I have so many movies I like, this would be a very long list, but I give you also my top 5 favourite movies:

• Evil Dead (original)
• The Exorcist
• The Shining (original)
• Halloween part 1 and 2
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 1

I wait for Evil Dead the remake and the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Also the new Die Hard I like to watch too. All this movies I haven’t seen yet, but for those movies I take time to watch them.

11.Can you recommend us some kind of Dutch tobaccoes and coffee?
Well, I can only give you recommends about the things I like myself, it’s a personal taste, I like “van nelle export” tobacco, handrolling, I am not a cigaret-freak, I don’t like the filters on cigarets, and I like douwe egberts coffee fresh made, however I use my senseo coffee maker most of the time, in the morning strong tasting pads, to wake up better.

12.What recommendations do you have from Dutch cuisine?
Stew, kale with sausage, dutch winterfood I like most, however I am not an kitchen-prince, I like Italian food the most, pasta, pizza, ect, but since my heart-attack 2 years ago I managed to live more healthy, it’s something to face. I like lots of different food, not much I don’t like to say. A nice dinner, tasty, I can enjoy that very much.

13.Dank u wel, Eric, your message to the readers of Sadistik Witchfukk webzine/Hungarian Zenevilág?
Graag gedaan and good-luck with your webzine!! Your Dutch is great! To the GSBC readers of Sadistik Witchfukk i say, thanks for your support to the Blood Court..you RULE !!, and towards the GSBC-unknown readers I say…check the album out, we sentences you to…pure brutal Death Metal !! We hope to visit you all soon ! in the meantime..check our facebook-site : www.facebook.com/grandsupremebloodcourt

Facebook official: https://www.facebook.com/grandsupremebloodcourt

UPDATE: Soulburn is back
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/official.soulburn

INTERVIEW TAKEN BY GEORGIUS AND NECROTROOPER