Tony: I had a jam session with some guys from my hometown. They are cool guys, but we differed in our approaches to music. I wanted to play fast shit, they wanted groovier chugga chugga shit. The guy who played bass on our demo, Kelly Bogus, was one of the dudes I jammed with. He mentioned Jay and told me Jay was into weight lifting and bands more in my preferred style. He made a call and Jay showed up at my house moments later, and we hit it off. I think that day or possibly some days after I was showing Jay the Goatchrist/Embrace of Thorns split (repeated listening of “Concubine of Antichrist”). We discussed playing a similar style in the vein of Conqueror, Blasphemy, Deiphago, Nuclearhammer, Proclamation, and classic Florida Death Metal. "Decimate Legions" was the first song written specifically for Trench Warfare but I decided to also use "Blood Cleansing," which I initially wrote for Plague Swarm (old solo project), to be used on our 2015 demo. "Evil Shall Triumph" was the final addition for the unholy trinity of songs to appear on that demo. About a decade and a half prior to Trench Warfare, I played drums in a local punk rock band. I think it was called Federal Silence. I was also a fill-in drummer for another band, Uncle Spooge, when their drummer got arrested. I played two shows with each band. After my short lived drumming career, there was a long period of musical masturbation (solo jamming) until the release of the 2015 demo.
Jay: When Bogus invited me that day, I could see Tony's expression of disgust with their direction. I was curious about what he was into. As soon as he mentioned Blasphemy and Beherit, I asked him if he wanted to start a band in that vein. The seed was planted. It's been black magical ever since. While I agree with Tony about Bogus being a great guy, the other guy from that day is a complete degenerate. But with that said, he was involved in a self-defense situation with a psychotic girl that led him to shoot a part of her hand off. haha That amused me, anyway. I’m sure she felt differently. But I digress… I played in several bands in the past, most notably in the West Texas region was the metal/hardcore band Kanye East.
How would you describe your music to those who haven't heard it before and which bands would you cite as influences? Personally, I like to think of your music as “Militant Death Metal.”
Tony: Militant Death Metal! I like the sound of that. I generally describe Trench Warfare as a Bestial War Metal band with Florida Death Metal influence or vice versa. I have a plethora of influences, some of which aren’t event metal. I once wrote a song to the ghastly whirling noise of a pumpjack ("Astral Projection"). As for direct influence: Conqueror! Ryan Forster and James Read created something I don’t think can ever be replicated. The most violent monstrosity to exist! I'd have to say they are the biggest influence for me. Other direct influences are Deiphago, Nuclearhammer, Proclamation, Blasphemy, Beherit, Angelcorpse, Morbid Angel, Diabolic, Deicide. There are many more influences, both legendary bands and some newer bands.
Jay: I describe us as a black/death metal band with war metal roots and inspiration. We started as a war metal band, if a label is necessary. And there ain't nothing wrong with psychotic war metal.
Some say that in order to play extreme metal, you have to be an extreme person yourself. Having said that, do you think of yourselves as "extreme" people or is playing this kind of music more of an outlet?
Tony: To a degree, yes. Those extremes can vary from person to person. The average person isn’t drawn to this shit. Personally, I don’t know what it was, but this instantly clicked for me. Most other things bored me, but this drew my undivided attention. I don’t consider myself extreme. I'm quite boring, truth be told. haha Then again, to the average person (normie), I could be considered “extreme.” “I CANT UNDERSTAND THE WORDS!” This is definitely an outlet for me and has been ever since I picked up guitar back around '94.
Jay: I don't think it's mandatory for one to be "extreme" as a prerequisite to play extreme music. But with that said, I would describe Tony and myself as being fairly extreme and intense, relatively speaking. I think we are driven and ambitious, and kind of nuts. I don't think we are always the easiest people to deal with. I think all of that is evident within our music. This music is the ultimate outlet as well. I channel certain kinds of negativity and rage through Trench Warfare. It is ritualistic in that sense, whether it's writing, practicing or performing.
Do you feel that Trench Warfare has its own sound? Is having your own musical identity important for you or not?
Tony: I think our mesh of influences give us a unique sound but I'm not sure we can say that we have developed our own sound as of yet. We are striving to better ourselves and develop the Trench Warfare sound.
Jay: I think we sound distinct, and I’m proud to say that we are definitely improving with each step that we take.
What albums have you been listening to lately? Any highlights from this year so far? In your opinion, has this been a good year for metal or not? Here lately I have been listening to a lot of Black Feast/Witchcraft.
Tony: I really don’t keep up with releases year to year. I loved the Abysmal Lord EP, "Cathedral," that came out a few months ago! "Warcult Supremacy" is always on constant rotation. I recently came across an EP, Thanks to Tino from Satanik Goat Ritual. The band is called Whore and they released a 3 song cassette called “Whore Tape.” The name comes off generic and I was a bit off-put by it, but man, was I blown away by it once I gave it a listen. It was like a mix of Necrovore and Repulsion.
Jay: It’s almost always a good year for metal. You just have to keep digging for it. The Abysmal Lord release that Tony mentioned is killer, and I’ve enjoyed new releases from Exaugurate, Nexul, Omegavortex, Sacrocurse, and Boris with Merzbow in recent times.
Do you feel like some people might wrongfully pigeonhole you as “war metal,” or are you okay with that? What is your association with War Metal? In your opinion, is it an actual genre?
Tony: I would be fine with “war metal” as a description but most who have heard us say we are a mix of war metal and death metal, which I believe is the better description. Yes, I believe war metal is an actual genre. Lots of people refer to it as black/death metal, but bands like Myrkskog, and later Cadaver, come to mind for me. Unlike black/death metal, War Metal/Bestial War metal has a distinct sound that sets it apart from other death metal or black metal bands.
Jay: War metal is amazing! I'm more than fine with people describing us as such. There is a raw, vile spirit at its core, and there's a blend of black, death and grindcore. That's a winning formula. Themes of war are touched upon on our album, evident from the cover itself, and that will continue as we progress.
Can you give us some details about your lyrics and the theme behind your album title, “Hatred Prayer”? Also, can you explain to us what songs like "Axioms," "Behead Muhammed" and "Blood Cleansing" are about?
Tony: Jay writes the majority of lyrics. I wrote "Blood Cleansing." "Blood Cleansing" is about eating and/or fucking bloody pussy because I'm a nasty bastard like that and like that nasty sort of thing.
Jay: Lyrics for future music have been coming to me sporadically over time, but the bulk of the album came together with a notepad one evening when I was drunk, angry, hateful and listening to music in my car. I had to isolate myself from everyone under the sun. The album title was derived from the song of the same name.
"Hatred Prayer" is about unleashing flames of rage, justice, revenge and self preservation. It's not a game. It's a legitimate prayer and curse all in one.
"Axioms" is about the snakelike nature of mankind and expressing contempt for it. But it's more than that. It's also about the idea that there's a fine line between persuasion and manipulation, and that meaning can be managed and defined with an arbitrary approach. I suppose there's some pondering and pontificating about rhetorical notions at hand.
"Behead Muhammed" is, not surprisingly, an attack upon Islam. All organized religion is ridiculous, and Islam is no different. It's for the weak. Freedom and truth await once people are ready to break the shackles. The first steps involves the awareness and acknowledgment that the shackles are even there.
Why did you guys decide to use your real names for the band instead of opting for something 'trve' like Necro Beast of 7 String Holocaust Invoker?
Tony: Hahaha Great question. I just present myself as I am. That is pretty much it, short and simple. I am just a perverted guitar player, and I speak through my riffs. SANGUINE CHASM DEVOURER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jay: Our names are what they actually are. We aren’t overly obsessed with surface level aesthetics, either. The spirit of Trench Warfare flows through our veins. We aren’t here to play dress up.
What's your opinion on the current climate of censorship that has become such a widespread phenomenon? A lot of the “kvlt” black metallers on social media appear to be in favour of it (making redundant assertions like, 'Black metal was never meant for everyone.') whereas some people are against it. I mean, it must suck pretty hard for someone getting their label shut down just because they sold a few Burzum albums, right?
Tony: I am against the PC censorship. With regard to kvlt black metal, “Black metal is not for everyone,” that is more discernment than it is censorship. We were subjected to the censorship when the SJW types, in their infinite wisdom, attempted to shut down a show we played in Denver, Colorado, about this time last year as a matter of fact. LMAO
Jay: Like Tony said, Antifa degenerates targeted us and tried to shut down a fest at which we played. We have tremendous respect for Derek in Denver for sticking to his guns and ensuring that the show went on! But yes, people should be free to express their ideas and art. We won't always see eye to eye on things, but all of these notions and philosophies need to play out in the marketplace of ideas. The best ideas will rise in time, and that which is deemed inferior will be washed away into the sea. And heavy metal, of all things, needs to remain a wild beast.
What are 10 albums you can't live without?
Tony: These are hard for me to list, because my top ten changes from time to time. "Hell Awaits," and "Warcult Supremacy" always make the list. The remaining eight, this time around would be "Mentally Murdered," "Legion," "The Return," "Messiah of Darkness" and "Impurity," "Exaltation of the Infernal," "Black Thrash Attack," "Obsessed by Cruelty" (European Version), and "The Inexorable." There are a plethora of great releases!
Jay: They fluctuate for me as well, and I find these kinds of questions impossible, so the best I can do is offer selections that are truly meaningful to me. In no particular order:
2. Blasphemy - “Fallen Angel of Doom….”
3. Emperor - “In The Nightside Eclipse”
4. Brutal Truth - “Sounds of the Animal Kingdom”
5. Mayhem - “De Mysteriis Dom. Sathanas”
6. Sepultura - “Morbid Visions /
Bestial Devastation”
7. Pantera - “Vulgar Display of Power”
8. Napalm Death - “Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism”
9. Impaled Nazarene - “Ugra-Karma”
10. Morbid Angel - “Formulas Fatal to the Flesh”
I may be wrong, but I could swear I heard a hardcore punk influence in the track "Young Lord." Are any of you guys fans of hardcore punk? If so, what are some of your favourites? Which do you prefer – American or UK hardcore punk?
Tony: That song, "Young Lord," is actually a Poison Idea song that came from their demo days/early days album. I am a big fan of hardcore punk. As far as my favorites, obviously Poison Idea. lol Add Broken Bones, Discharge, Legion of Parasites, early DRI, Confuse. I'd have to say I prefer the UK hardcore punk. There was a certain roughness to it that really appeals to me.
Jay: Hardcore punk has definitely had an impact upon us. I like it from various decades, but I suppose Tony and I have common ground regarding eighties material. With respect to the American and English bands, hardcore, like metal, has flourished well beyond the aforementioned geographical parameters. Lärm was a fantastic band from the Netherlands, for example. And I’m partial to Japanese bands like GISM and Gauze.
Jay: Transcending Obscurity Records had a webzine component up until a few years ago. They interviewed us, and we kept in touch with them. Another label asked us to write a full-length for them since they were excited by our demo, but that was prior to their unintended downsizing of sorts. At that point, the album was ready and we were speaking with a few labels. Transcending Obscurity made the best offer, so we signed a contract with them. They have been fantastic to us on multiple fronts. We will be recording our next full-length album with them as well.
What is your preference in regard to music formats, and what do you think of sentiments like, "Only vinyl is real"? Does one have to collect vinyl in order to be "true"?
Tony: It depends on the band. Usually for established legendary bands I'll purchase either CD or vinyl. If it’s a newer band, I'll usually purchase the digital version, and if I really like them, I'll buy CD or vinyl. I prefer physical copies. It’s a toss up between CD or vinyl. I have only a handful of cassettes, most notably the "Antichrist Superiority" demo!!!!!
Jay, tell me about your vocal approach and style? When did you first start growling? Do you have any particular influences? Personally, I think you sound a bit like John Tardy, but with a more hardcore edge. Your vocals are powerful and fierce though.
Jay: I appreciate the kind words, sir. I started singing melodically. I was even in choir as a kid for a while, but I started growling along to music as I was discovering bands. It began with singing along to heavy artists: Ozzy, Peter Steele, Glenn Danzig, Layne Staley, Mike Patton, etc. The singing led to screaming along to Phil Anselmo of Pantera. The screaming led to growling, starting with Max Cavalera from Sepultura, then Barney Greenway of Napalm Death and Kevin Sharp of Brutal Truth. And yes, sir! You’ve done well to spot out the John Tardy influence. I think it’s obvious. It’s not that I try to mimic any one singer. I have just sung along to their music for so long that the emulation is inevitable. Pestilence’s Martin van Drunen (also of Asphyx) and Patrick Mameli share qualities with Tardy as well, and I’ve definitely enjoyed singing along to them. You’re also correct in spotting out the hardcore aspect. It’s definitely prominent. As far as pin-pointing specific singers, Jon Gula from Turmoil and Lou Koller from Sick of It All come to mind. Nocturnal Grave Desecrator and Black Winds from the mighty Blasphemy has made his mark as well, and strikes me in the same way that many hardcore vocalists do with a very punchy and aggressive delivery.
A lot of bands sing about war, whereas your guitarist has actually been to war. Do you think that sets you guys apart from other bands, or is it irrelevant?
Your opinion on the following:
* Greek Metal
Tony: I haven’t heard a lot.
Jay: Rotting Christ, Varathron, Necromantia, Inveracity.
* Teutonic Thrash
Tony:
"Obsessed by Cruelty" and "Satan’s Gift/Riders of Doom."
Jay: Sodom,
Destruction, Kreator. And I’ll
throw Tankard into the trashcan.
* Dictatorship:
Tony: Bad
business.
Jay: I’m an outspoken proponent of liberty, but I
can see the appeal for some people who want or need to be led and controlled.
On the flip-side, I can see the appeal for those in power once they understand
how simple it can be to manage the psyche of the masses.
* Organized Religion:
Tony: I don’t care for it.
Jay: Spirituality is valuable, but organized
religion is just nauseating.
Tony: hahahahaha
Definitely not the loving "inclusive" bunch they say to be. That’s a story for a different day, or Jay might
key you in on that.
Jay: haha Tony and I went to a beer garden and eatery that was right across a rehearsal studio we were using in Austin for a while. As we were sipping our drinks and awaiting our pizza, I could overhear a group of nondescript twentysomething Austinites criticizing Trump and racism. Once our food was ready, Tony and I sat down fairly close to them because they were near the only available seats. The pompous elitists stood up and walked away instantly. I think we were too dark for their liking. haha The situation just underscores the lack of self-awareness and hypocrisy of “woke” people. We had a good laugh at them for their absurdity and existence.
What's the last album you bought?
Tony: Goat Vulva discography 12”
Jay: Roy Orbison
- “Mystery Girl”
Lastly, what does the future hold in store for Trench Warfare, and where can maniacs get hold of your merchandise? Thanks for your time. The last words are yours.
Tony: I am in the process of writing the next Trench Warfare album. You can grab "Hatred Prayer" from the Transcending Obscurity Website or our Bandcamp page. We have a handful of the demos left, so you can purchase that through the Trench Warfare Facebook page. I appreciate you taking interest in Trench Warfare and we are honored to do this interview. Cheers!!!!!
Jay: Our demo is also available via Nuclear War Now Productions! (https://shop.nwnprod.com/products/22286?_pos=1&_sid=ce0d4df67&_ss=r), and it’s available digitally (https://trenchwarfaretx.bandcamp.com/album/perversion-warfare).
People can contact us on Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/trenchwarfaretexas) regarding our “Demonic
Christ” shirt, and “Hatred Prayer” is available via our Bandcamp (https://trenchwarfaremetal.bandcamp.com/album/hatred-prayer-black-death-metal).
More music and more madness awaits. We aren’t going anywhere. Hide your daughters. Hide your wives.