Interview: Wrok

Black metal terror cult WROK formed in the Netherlands in the 90s. So far, they have put out some excellent releases of supreme black metal filth that will appeal to devotees of Barathrum, Bestial Summoning, Funeral Winds, etc. To gain some insight into this fraternity of evil, we reached out to vocalist/guitarist Azaghus.
 
1. Hails! For those unfamiliar with your band, can you please tell us what WROK is all about and which bands influenced your unholy sound?
 
Azaghus: The band was founded late 1995. We listened to bands like Bestial Summoning, Funeral winds, Countess, Apator, Bhaobhan Sidhe, and we felt the urge to make some real filth ourselves. Primitive, sloppy, raw and straight from the heart. To celebrate the vile rotten darkness that lives inside you. To wrench out all those things a psychologist would contact the authorities for. And for all to see.
 
2. The band was inactive for years, then you resurrected it and recorded a full-length album in 2017 called "De onheilsbode" - what prompted the decision to record new material under the banner of WROK?
 

Azaghus: We quit the band around 2001 when I felt there was not enough darkness in me any more to make honest new songs. A decade and a half later Heidens Hart records had been banging at our door to release the ´Ontgravenis´ demo on vinyl. At first I was not interested at all but after some time due to some personal rather shit circumstances I realised the darkness had returned. Mictian the drummer and I had always stayed in touch and we thought it would be a better idea to release some of the later and less wide spread songs and that simply pressing some demo and rehearsal material on vinyl with such varying levels of quality would be a cheap mess, so we decided to record most songs made after the first demo anew. We met at a rehearsal studio in Amsterdam and it was as if we never quit. We rehearsed every song once or twice and then recorded it to keep it spontaneous and in style with our 90ties vibe. One microphone on the drums, one on the guitar. And I added the bass after at home. And we knew that Wrok was awakened from its coma.
 
3. The sound of WROK is rather primitive and raw. Would a clean sounding production go against the idea of what Wrok represents musically? What do you think of black metal bands with a super polished production as if they're doing a commercial for Pepsi?
 
Azaghus: I think the INTENTION is the most important part of black metal. Sure, a filthy sound does help to make your point, but it is not really important as long as you manage to capture the right message and emotion. There are many bands who pollute the genre with a vegan, social or environmental message that may sound a little like black metal but are NOT black metal.
 

4. You are a pretty prolific musician with a history of playing in other Dutch bands like Chainsaw and Swampcult - do you consider music and recording as an artistic outlet and what inspires you to be so musically productive?
 
Azaghus: It is a way to stay sane I suppose. I immerse myself in musical projects to keep my mind occupied. When I create a base for a new song or album I listen to it all week or month on headphones and it drowns all other thoughts. I never look forward to playing live, but it does make me focus on something in a rather intensive way.
 
5. The first demo by WROK was released in 1996 - how was it perceived at the time and do you have any anecdotes to share regarding the early phase of the band?
 
Azaghus: Well back then if someone ordered your demo tape and hated it, they usually would not take the trouble to write you a letter to tell you so. I did however see a flyer that we photocopied in vast quantities and taped to the walls of every venue we went to that said: ´Wrok is the end of the human race, changed into ´Wrok is the end of the human hearing system´ It was after an infamous show we did in the nineties where the venue cut the power on stage while we were at it for about 15 minutes because of our unwholesome slide-show presentation with a variety of victims of violence. Deathcamps, Gulfwar deaths, soccer hooligan deaths and so on. And that in combination with blood, needles, dead rodents and untuned instruments was too much for them. We kept playing of course.

 
6. Whatever happened to your first vocalist Hakeldama?
 
Azaghus: Funny story. Where I stopped temporarily because I had a lack of darkness, Wrok got him really confused. He became a Buddhist and disappeared from the radar.
 
7. Is there particular reason why you sing in Dutch as opposed to English? Does it enable you to express yourself better?
 
Azaghus: Not necessarily. But Dutch is a much harsher language than English so better suited for black metal. 
  
8. How has the response been so far for your albums? I really like your last album "De Dood Roept".
 
Azaghus: People either love it or hate it it seems, and that is great because black metal is supposed to be extreme metal. When people who call Dimmu Borgir or other pop acts black metal enjoy your work you have done something terribly wrong. 

9. What's 10 albums you can't live without?
 
Azaghus: Nastrond - Toteslaut
Mutiilation - Vampires of black imperial blood
Cultes des Ghoules - Haxan
Impaled Nazarene - Ugra karma
Beherit - Engram
Bhaobhan Sidhe - Gas chamber music
Funeral winds - Screaming for grace
 
Those would be the essentials.
 
10. You are also a painter. Can you tell us how long you've been doing artwork and which bands you've worked with? Do you ever get any requests or get paid?
 
Azaghus: Nah, I do put paint on canvas, but do not see myself as a painter. I once said to a friend that his album covers looked like shit and he said: Well why don´t you paint the next one then? That was the only time I did a cover for another band haha. I got a case of beer and a bottle of whiskey. So it was definitely worth my time. The other efforts are for my own bands. And generally I just use painting much like the music to channel thoughts or to silence them.
 
11. What can you tell us about the lyrics of WROK? Do you feel like anti-Christian lyrics have become a cliché in Black Metal?
 
Azaghus: Wrok has always been about suicide and the darkness inside. The things you think about doing to the person sitting next to you on the bus but restrain from doing. But about Christianity... I think anti-Christian lyrics are an easy score yes. Sure there are people who will have a personal experience that will justify the anti-Christianity theme. And we also do have one or two songs about it, but at least where I live they do not force you to submit to their religion at gun or knife point, or even force you socially. That is a thing of the past. But I can tell you who are doing just that. And you may say: hey but YOU are preaching about death and killing and genocide yourselves and THEY are doing just that!  But think about it, they are procreating like flies on shit and for every person they kill they spawn 3 new mongrels to spread THEIR dogma. So if you really want to stand up to religious tyranny aim your arrows at Islam, if you are not a pussy that is. It is as simple as that. Christianity is not a threat like Islam is.

12. Lastly, what's next for WROK, including your other bands?
 
Azaghus: Well Chainsaw has been in a coma for many years now and will not likely recover. For Swampcult I have recorded the drums for a new album but it may take some time for the rest to be finished. With my band SPITZ, a doom band that focusses on a doctor who experimented on babies to see if they could live without affection (they could not) we are currently recording a new thing.
 
Wrok is most active at the moment. After ´De dood roept´ we recorded three songs for a compilation LP that has yet to be announced and I am working on new material. Also we have our annual two Wrok live performances planned. Both in the Netherlands in the coming months. So the future will be bloody and bleak.
 
Bedankt voor je tijd!
 
Geen probleem maat

Interview: Vastum

Having been active for over 15 years now, San Francisco’s VASTUM have never failed to captivate audiences with their devastating brand of sonically-twisted Death Metal. Their latest opus “Inward to Gethsemane” was hands down one of the best albums of 2023 and has only further cemented the quality of their output. Unkle Superion (Singapore) and I worked together to prepare the following questions, which were answered by founding member Leila Abdul-Rauf (vocalist, guitarist, lyricist) who was more than happy to share her insights.
 
1. What has the band been up to since the release of your excellent album “Inward to Gethsemane”? In hindsight, are you happy with the end result?

L: We’ve been busy working on our other projects (Mortuous, Necrot, my solo project) both touring and working on mew releases. I’ve also been auditioning new guitarists for Vastum since Shelby left the band right after recording Inward to Gethsemane. Overall I’m happy with how the album came out but I would do some things differently if given the chance. The track sequence was a compromise for all of us and I think the album would have benefited from a different sequence as well as the inclusion and exclusion of different songs we had available. But it’s all something to learn from.
 
2. Which bands influenced the sound of Vastum and where do you draw inspiration from on a musical level?

L: Too many to list all of them, but Dan and Kyle were a big influence when we started Vastum and got me into the Finnish bands like Convulse, Slugathor, Rippikoulou as well as a lot of death doom like Anathema, Paradise Lost (but Candlemass will always by favorite doom band).  But  musically I always draw from a wide array of artists from many genres, artists like Diamanda Galas and Lori Bravo (especially lyrically), Igor Stravinsky, Death, Morbid Angel, Chris Barnes-era Cannibal Corpse for riffs.

 
3. Have you ever received ‘feedback' that your style of death metal (musically and aesthetically) is too artsy and literate for the actual old-school crowd?

L: Not really. Quite the opposite actually, at least musically speaking. But some people struggle with the lyrics. Seems musically we’re more criticized for keeping within our formula and that we’re not “forward thinking” enough which I kind of agree with and kind of don’t, especially since we want to take the band in a more innovative direction on the next album and this was hinted at with Inward. OveralI, I think we appeal to more of the traditional death metal crowd who just want to be pummelled by the music and not fuse their death metal with other genres.
 
4. What are the main non-musical sources or influences (visual art, literature, philosophy, etc.) that inform the songs and music of Vastum?

L: Religion (Christianity for Dan; I was raised Muslim), psychoanalysis, philosophy. Lyrically for this album Dan drew from philosophers like George Bataille and Lev Shestov, anti-theologian Thomas Altizer and bands like Dystopia. My lyrical inspiration mostly comes from personal experience, dreams, psychedelics and my own depraved imagination.

5. Can you tell us about the audience demographic at your shows, and if you know about the kind of people who buy your records? In Southeast Asia where I’m from (Singapore, specifically), a death or extreme metal show is still largely a male affair and they want their metal anthems to chant/growl along to.

L: It’s more diverse here for sure, but still overall male-dominant, mostly in the 25-40 age range, but that’s most metal bands I guess. More racially diverse in California where we live than other parts of the U.S. and Europe.
 
6. Obviously there’s more to death metal than just gore lyrics and blast beats, which seems to be a common misconception among some people – do you think death metal is also an ideal outlet to express deeper philosophies/spiritual thoughts? Do you consider yourself spiritual in any sense?

L: Absolutely. If you’re creative enough, you can express a full range of emotions in just about any genre, especially death metal. When people say they’re “spiritual” it’s usually spoken about in vague terms, but for me, spiritually is always something to reflect on, question, battle with, expand and redefine as necessary. That said, I do believe in the powers of magic and ritual.
 
7. Does Vastum have a ‘career path’ mapped out?  Do you work towards a bigger breakthrough or breakout record that would elavate the band to the ‘next level’ i.e. bigger venues and festivals?

L: We’ve been a band for almost 15 years with many member changes. Most of us are not young and are we’re not concerned with being the next big thing in metal. We’ve already played several bigger venues and many festivals. For me, it’s more important that we realize an authentic creative vision, to create something evocative and compelling. If that results in a bigger breakthrough for us, that’s great, but it’s never the driving force for me in doing a band.

 
8. Do you have a personal favourite Vastum record? (One that you personally enjoyed making the most or playing the songs live.)

L: I do love all of our albums in different ways. They’re all very different to me. We always play at least one or two songs from every record live. As far as which record was most enjoyable to make, our debut Carnal Law was a lot of fun to record because it all felt very fresh and unpredictable starting with a new project and not knowing how it would be received so there weren’t any expectations loaded on us. It’s also the album with my favorite artwork by Dan. I also enjoyed recording Hole Below and Orificial Purge; those albums almost seemed to write themselves.
 
9. Can you share with us any anecdotes of some crazy/surreal experiences you’ve had playing live shows or from touring?

L: Not too many of these to talk about. Dan has a reputation of being a very active front person and knows how to work up a crowd, so there is never a dull moment. Dan has injured himself in all sorts of ways stage diving when we play live. I know someone in the crowd broke their collar bone at a fest we played, which is unfortunate, but they seemed unfazed. Some woman took her top off before jumping on stage. I also lost my voice on a European tour and Dan had to cover my vocals for a show, which was strange.
 
10. What have you been listening to lately? Do you have any personal favourite albums from the last year or 2024 so far?

L: Cruciamentum’s Obsidian Refractions, Excarnated Entity’s Mass Grave Horizon; and more recently discovered but which came out a few years ago, Staurophagia’s The Longest Dark has been an engrossing late night listen.

 
11. Can you tell us a bit about some of your other bands and how they differ musically and thematically from Vastum?

L: The other members of Vastum have Acephalix, Necrot, Mortuous who are all different varieties of death metal. I can’t speak to their themes, but since Dan also sings and writes all of the lyrics for Acephalix, thematically I’d say it’s within a similar vein to Vastum but they’re musically different enough that the two bands have distinct identities. I think I’m the only in Vastum whose other projects are not metal. My solo work, although I’d say it’s metal-adjacent in some ways, has historically appealed more to dark ambient fans, experimentalists and goths, even though the music is quite composed and musical, with lots of vocals. Ionophore is another long-time project of mine, an electronic, darkwave trio with 4 full-length releases, its members spread across California, New York and London. My contributions to both my solo work and Ionophore are mostly vocal-, trumpet- and synth-based. These elements have also worked their way into the last three Vastum albums and probably will continue to be.
 
12. Finally, what’s next for yourself and Vastum? Infernal thanks for your time!

L: Thank you! Vastum’s new lineup will likely be ready to go live by the spring. While doing some guest spots on a couple of releases, I’m also working on my fifth solo album which will have a bigger, more active and rhythmic sound than my previous work. I’ve also been playing special fly-out solo shows, with more to come later in the year as well.

Interview: Misanthropy Apotheosis

Greek death dealers Misanthropy Apotheosis recently released their superb second album “Crush the Mask of Virtue” on Repulsive Echo and have received some recognition from the underground for their crushing sound. Check them out if you enjoy murderous, hellish death metal! I got in touch with their vocalist Kydoimos to talk about their musical influences, themes, and even dogs.

1. Hails! You released your second album "Crush the Mask of Virtue" last year - how has it been perceived so far and are you satisfied with the feedback?

Hails man and thanks for your interest in Misanthropy Apotheosis. "Crush the Mask of Virtue" is our second album and has been perceived really well so far. The feedback is great and I believe it shocked those who enjoyed "Black Death Euphoria".

2. Can you tell us what the name Misanthropy Apotheosis stands for and how the connotations match your world view?

The name "Misanthropy Apotheosis" has a double meaning. It shows the way we, as individuals, feel about humanity as a whole. We don't like people. We don't like the human nature as it is today. We despise everything humanity stands for. Human race is a scum race. On the other hand, the band's name shows the true nature of humans. Just look around you. War, hate, crime, hypocrisy, cruelty, deceit, exploitation... You name it.

3. Can you elaborate a bit on the title and themes behind your last album? What is the Mask of Virtue?

The new album is about genocide, systematic elimination of the human kind through nuclear warfare, our views on how to exterminate child molesters, revenge, Chinese execution methods such as "death by a thousand cuts", the way war changes someone into an animal with primal instincts, hypocrisy of the Church/those who have power in their hands, ancient Greek war demons etc. The Mask of Virtue is the mask of hypocrisy, the mask of virtue signalling...humanity itself.

4. I liked your rendition of Bolt Thrower's The IVth Crusade from your debut album "Black Death Euphoria". How much of an impact did they have on your sound and which other bands influenced you?

We really like Bolt Thrower. They have this unique atmosphere. They are heavy, brutal yet melodic in an epic way. Warmaster & IVth Crusade are personal favourites because they are so heavy and dark. Our rendition of The IVth Crusade war a humble tribute to them. As a band we are influenced by the old Death & Thrash Metal gods, you know, Slayer, Autopsy, Protector, Morbid Angel, Sodom, Mortician etc.

5. What are some notable differences between “Black Death Euphoria” and “Crush the Mask of Virtue”? Compared to the former, the latter seems to have a more vibrant production, including a neoclassical influence in the guitar solos.

I think "Black Death Euphoria" is more atmospheric, with a muddy production and more obscure lyrics. On the other hand, "Crush the Mask of Virtue" is way more hateful and brutal, faster and with an "in your face" live aesthetic with very unique guitar solos. We don't like to repeat ourselves. We like to catch the listener by surprise.

6. What makes Greek death metal so unique? Do you think it has something to do with your dialect or your environment? Do most bands there use the same recording studios?

It's the classic Greek sound I believe. The old Rotting Christ/Varathron sound. Most bands try to reproduce or even copy that sound. Especially the black metal bands. Well, we don't. Don't get me wrong, we totally respect those bands and that's why we don't try to copy them sound-wise. We need to do our own thing. We have more of an "Autopsy" way of thinking on that matter, I mean, back in the 90's when all the death metal bands were trying to play ultra-fast and have a polished production, Autopsy were doing their own unique thing and I respect them so much for that.

7. Can you tell us how you approach songwriting and if you consider yourselves perfectionists in any way?

I can't say much on that matter. We write music/lyrics only when we have something to say. Nothing is premeditated. We don't have that "let's be darker or faster or more brutal on this one" mindset. We are the Devils in our personal hell, so when our inner devil commands...then we know it's time. And yes, we are perfectionists. We always find something we think we could do differently hahah.

8. Has your country's historical significance influenced you or shaped your identity in any way? What do you think about Greek mythology?

Yes, of course. Greek history and mythology is full of life lessons. We are very proud of our heritage and history. It's in the blood, you know.

9. What kind of movies, art and books are you into? Any recommendations?

Old horror movies, especially Italian and Spanish, from the 60's, 70's, 80's. We also love horror literature. I recommend "Exquisite Corpse" by Poppy Z. Brite or "The Eyes" by Jesus Ignacio Aldapuerta. Not for everyone.

10. What do you think about the current situation in Europe, with the ongoing war? Do people sometimes take what they have for granted?

People always take what they have for granted. Good times create arrogant and weak men, you know? On the matter of the ongoing war in Europe I'll just say this: as an old Greek politician once said "if Balkans are the power keg of Europe, then Europe is the power keg of the whole world"

11. Mandatory question: what are 10 albums you can’t live without?

That's a really tough one, man... Slayer: First 4 albums, Mortician: Hacked up for BBQ, Autopsy: Acts of the unspeakable, Morbid Angel: Altars of madness, Suffocation: Effigy of the forgotten, Archgoat: The light devouring darkness, Iron Maiden: Live after death.

12. I know you are a big dog person. What is it about dogs that makes you so fond of them? Should people who mistreat animals be killed?

Yeah, I am a dog trainer. I really love and respect dogs so much. Once you understand them, you see just how amazing creatures they are. They are extremely smart, loving, loyal, and protective and they ask nothing in return. I own a German shepherd. Best breed ever!!! Extremely clever and loyal. And brutally strong yet well mannered. Won't hesitate to put his life in danger for those he loves. Why the hell someone would harm an animal for no reason? I mean, If I ever catch someone mistreat an animal...he better get used living in a wheelchair.

13. What’s next for Misanthropy Apotheosis? Thanks for your time!

Our label, Repulsive Echo, is planning to re-release our debut album "Black Death Euphoria". Also, we are working on a new EP with five new songs. Stay alert and thank you for this unique interview!

Interview: Nuclearhammer

 

Toronto-based NUCLEARHAMMER have recently released a new demo called “Xaos Tenawas - Demo MMXXIII”, which contains two new invocations of destructive Black/Death that emanate the infernal black void. I had the opportunity to interview founding member Axaazaroth (drummer, vocalist) to get some updates from the band, including some insight regarding the upcoming opus. Having said that, grab a beer, take a seat and set your eyes on the screen for a moment as we unravel the prophecies of apocalypse.

 

 

1. Hails! How’s everything going in the Nuclearhammer camp lately?

 

Axaazaroth: Hailz!! Good, we just released the new demo on vinyl and got Impugnor back in the fold so things are going well as far as prepping for the new album and we even played a show recently for the first time in 6 years or whatever the hell it was, that also went over rather well for the most part. Shows are a very rare thing for us nowadays and will remain so in the future.

2. Recently you released a new demo called “Xaos Tenawas - Demo MMXXIII” – can you tell us something about the recording process/inspiration behind this release? Are the reviews meeting your expectations?

 

Axaazaroth: It's a rehearsal demo of new material we have been working on the last 7 years, two tracks that we recorded off the floor in our reh space/recording studio as instrumental versions, added vocals after, mixed and got mastered professionally. The recording process was a bit messy and frustrating from beginning to end but we finally got it done, in fact, the first track Majesty of Pestilential Imperium is missing the entire ending because I felt it sounded too sloppy and off time in one specific part and couldn't be re-recorded so I just decided to give the listeners a slightly shorter version which works better as a preview anyway. The album will have the full version of the song the way I originally wrote it from beginning to end.

3. Have there been any obstacles over the years that have contributed to the band’s recording hiatus, considering you haven’t put out a full-length since 2014? I know you guys recorded music with several other projects, though I’m almost certain Nuclearhammer is your main priority?

 

Axaazaroth: Yeah other band member’s schedules, work and family life really gets in the way, we had two members depart from the band recently around the time of the Xaos Tenawas recording for that reason alone but we gained Impugnor back as a member thankfully since he is not bombarded by typical normie life bullshit. We don't do this as full time careers, although sometimes I wish that was the case, minus all the touring since I am not a fan of constantly travelling and having to play shows. It also takes us years to write new music we are satisfied with and have to practice a long time to get tight and exactly how we want it. Being involved with other projects is never an issue and hasn't held us back, in fact it’s been very beneficial when Nuclearhammer was on a hiatus after the Serpentine album and all the shows we played. As far as not having anything new out since 2014, we would have had a 3-way split out a few years ago if things had worked out with one of the other bands involved but instead we had to sit on our material for 5 or 6 years, but I am aiming to get that recording released very soon and before the new album is out. The only positive thing that came out of that ordeal was it gave me time to figure out the best mix and get help with mastering.

 

4. “Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer” left a mark in the underground and people are still talking about it. How would you describe the differences between your latest release and your old material? Will there be a new album in the near future and what can we expect? Is the vision and your influences still the same?

 

Axaazaroth: I'm glad people like SHL as much as they do, we gained a lot of new fans with that album but the new material in my opinion will blow it out of the water. Some people might not like it though. I couldn't care less what people like or accept in metal these days since everything is so inverted and subverted it needs a massive reset. But if they like Xaos Tenawas, they will love the new album Xaos Void. The songs are MUCH longer and drawn out, it will be a total of 4 tracks clocking in at 50 minutes or so, very hypnotic and full of fury, chaos and immense atmosphere. I would say the vision is still the same but even more intense and vicious than before.

5. You’ve been with NWN since “Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer” – what makes working with them an ideal label for Nuclearhammer?

 

Axaazaroth: I wouldn't say working with any record label is "ideal", there are always internal issues and disagreements and things that are not ideal for the band or label but as long as NWN is interested in releasing our new material I can't complain since he gives us the best deal. He is also expanding his operations now into a vinyl pressing plant so I'd say it's probably the best label to be on.

 

6. What albums have you been spinning lately? Also what are some of your favourite releases/highlights of 2023?

 

Axaazaroth: Too many things to list honestly but as far as black death goes, lately LUCIFER'S HAMMER - Hymns to the Moon and The Burning Church demos since I got the vinyl reissues of those recently and been checking out their other material I slept on for many years it seems. COFFIN TEXTS - Gods of Creation, Death & Afterlife, INVERTED - There Can Only Be One, both albums from 1997 that went under my radar for many years. GRAVE - Into the Grave, EXTERMINATE - Pact, GRAVE UPHEAVAL - Demo LP, METHGOAT/SUBSERVIENT PERVERSITY - Hot Rails, War & Murder split, AUTOPSY - Acts of the Unspeakable, VLAD TEPES/BELKETRE split and everything from diSEMBOWELMENT as always!! Highlights of 2023 would be ARCHAIC MALIGN/FLAGGELIK KOMMANDO 666 - Poisoned Minds Towards the Oneiric Fields of Morbid Hallucinations split, GOTTHAMMER - Godslaying Sonic Barbarism, PROFANE ORDER - Tightened Noose of Sanctimony, CURSED PAST - The Return Into Night, PRISON HELL - Sex Penitentiary and the split with ABRAXAS BLACK, TSALAL - Encapsulating..., PROFANATICA - Crux Simplex, DEMONCY - Black Star Gnosis & Diabolica Blasphemiae, also TETRAGRAMMACIDE's new album just to name a few.

7. Musically, how would you describe Nuclearhammer's sound? I’ve seen your music get tagged as everything from Black Metal, Black/Death, to War Metal and NSBM.

 

Axaazaroth: I just describe it as hypnotic black death. Our primary focus is the overall atmosphere of whatever we are pushing and propagating, so our sound ends up being very atypical and can't fit into one specific category at all times.

 

8. Do you ever feel like you are competing with anyone in the genre, given the growing number of quality death/black metal bands?

 

Axaazaroth: No, once you start thinking competitively like that you fall into wanting to sound like whatever the latest "thing" happens to be. We've never been about fitting in to the latest trend or what sells the most currently before the next useless thing comes along for all the people with short attention spans.

9. How do you see the future of black metal? It seems like the genre has been infiltrated by all the wrong people as of late.

 

Axaazaroth: Has it ever!!! the future is very bleak on all fronts, black metal included until people wake the fuck up, stop being afraid of getting called certain words and take it all back from the parasitic rats, but instead of doing that, I'm sure they'll be lining up for their 50th booster shot while their wives and daughters are raped by hostile invaders hell bent on colonizing Western countries.

 

10. Thank you for your time man. Would you like to add anything else before we formally close this interview? Perhaps a message to your enemies?

 

Axaazaroth: Thanks for the interview, been a while since I've done one. Fuck all enemies and infiltrators, none of you will escape the VOID!!!

Interview: Cut

 

For those unfamiliar with CUT, they are essentially China’s gift to war metal, and with the release of their excellent debut album “Vanquish the Weak” in 2022, the band has certainly carved a name for themselves as a notorious force to be reckoned with in the underground. If bands like Archgoat, Nuclearhammer and Blasphemy fit into your crude musical palate, then certainly give this band a go.

Special thanks to Jianqi (JQ) for the submission. All questions were answered by founding members Ironthorn and Zon.  
 

JQ: It's a pleasure to have the opportunity to interview CUT, a relatively new but already prominent black death metal band in China, on the occasion of the River Metempsychosis Festival! Can you greet our readers first?
 

Ironthorn: Hello.
Zon: Hello.
 

JQ: Your album 'Vanquish the Weak' released in August last year, gained significant attention both domestically and internationally. Dyingflames considers this album to be one of the top three in the history of Chinese black death metal, while Axekutioner even regards it as the foremost official black death metal album in his mind. How were you all influenced by Satan, and how did you come to know each other and decide to start this band? What led you to decide to base your sinister creative work on Satan as its source?
 

Ironthorn: In 2018, Zon and I met at the Apocalypse Extreme Metal Music Festival in Taiyuan. I think that's when we started discussing the concept of evil art, and we even came up with the band's name at that time. However, due to some damn obstacles, we didn't start creating music until last year (2022). After composing the instrumental parts, Shika and I called back Zon. We all agreed that black metal must be rooted in Satanism. For both me and Zon, I believe it's in our nature.
 
Zon: Before joining the band, I told Ironthorn that I just wanted to express my thoughts through Satan's mouth instead of using my brain to think. In other words, we were ready to surrender our minds to him as well. Due to the alignment in themes and ideologies, we could all act on our instincts.
 

JQ: In Axekutioner's interview with you both mentioned being influenced by Blasphemy. Besides them, who else has had such a significant impact on you? Have your feelings towards this type of music changed before and after forming the band?
 

Ironthorn: CUT's songs haven't been too influenced by the Ross Bay war metal scene, although Blasphemy's first demo holds a special place in our hearts. However, many early Scandinavian black metal and death metal bands did leave a profound mark on us.
 
Zon: Blasphemy's first demo accompanied me through my tumultuous adolescence, but personally, I haven't delved too deeply into listening to this style of music. In reality, for me, the functionality of this music is far greater than its musicality, much like a church choir – we just praise a different god. Before and after the band, we were all blind believers in what this music was saying.

JQ: Why are you referred to as "Bestial Black Metal" in your introduction rather than something else? Does it hold any special significance?
 

Ironthorn: We play black death metal. I don't agree with equating black death metal to bestial metal or war metal. Black death metal is a broad category within black metal.
After the emergence of the Brazilian monsters, Blasphemy and Beherit created chaotic sounds almost simultaneously, Archgoat had a completely different temperament, Bestial Warlust stirred a frenzy in Australia. Demoncy from the United States expressed another obscure, arrogant, and evil musical texture. Fans categorize them as "black death metal," but their listening experiences are different. You can observe that after 2000, many bands created extremely profound black death music, such as Mefitic. For CUT, I can't determine which atmosphere influences us. But we always exist within the darkness, and I am forever a sincere listener of this dark atmosphere. All warriors are praising it in their own way, and it's an addictive thing.
 
Zon: Between Ironthorn and me, we don't discuss things imposed on us by others because it's a waste of time.

JQ: Can you reveal your upcoming plans for composition and release?
 

Ironthorn: CUT will be completing a demo and a second full-length album this year.

JQ: I noticed your album covers are quite unique. Who designed them, and what was the thought process behind choosing the artist and the cover artwork?
 

Ironthorn: We have strict requirements for artists and their imagination. Sickness666, the artist for the full-length album cover, is someone I highly respect. He is very patient and handles details well. The visual sense we wanted aligned perfectly with him. He and Chris Moyen are benchmark artists in this style. But I have never been able to appreciate those stereotypical sheep.

JQ: I believe many readers are curious about this: Do you experience different feelings during your creative process or performances compared to usual? For example, intense anger or a strong desire to attack.
 

Ironthorn: During the creative process, yes. But for me the state of being on stage is solemn. It's a solemn altar to showcase the band's complete essence.
 
Zon: Anger and aggressiveness are instinctual in animals; learning to coexist with such emotions is a human prerequisite.

JQ: I know that many black metal/metal fans sometimes engage in aggressive behaviour during band performances, including but not limited to attacking the band. Have you encountered such situations during your performances? What kind of fan behavior do you dislike the most?
 

Ironthorn: We've come across some special idiots, but Zon and I don't feel the need to understand individual perspectives.
 

JQ: I remember you were initially a duo; when did drummer Shika join the band? Is he currently involved in the creative process?
 

Ironthorn: Shika is an old friend of mine and has been a founding member. During the creative process, I express the desired drum patterns verbally, and our understanding allows us to smoothly complete compositions even when communicating online. I think his interest in intense drumming surpasses the content of black metal itself, but he is always my partner.
 

JQ: Besides black metal, what other types of music do you usually listen to?

Ironthorn: Zon enjoys listening to jazz and engages in some noise engineering. Shika likes hardcore and thrash metal; I've heard he's currently learning drum techniques in jazz. Besides extreme metal, I like listening to classical guitar solos and concertos. However, I can't stand jazz.
 
Zon: Primarily contemporary classical, avant-garde jazz (the kind with proper notation, like Anthony Braxton), experimental music, some serialism, and Japanese Gagaku. I don't reject any music that helps with compositional needs and requires mental engagement.

JQ: Have you encountered any difficulties during performances or rehearsals?
 
Ironthorn: We don't rehearse much. The uncertainty of the live guitarist is a significant challenge for us.
 

JQ: What expectations do you have for the Guangzhou and Shenzhen performances? If given the chance, where would you like to perform?
 
Ironthorn: Personally, I'm looking forward to having a drink with Bloodfire after these two gigs. Most importantly: coercing him to organize Hellward again. Saint Vitus Bar is on our radar; we're working on it.
 

JQ: Finally, one more word to our readers, Hail Satan!
Zon: "I am viewed primarily as the Satan of modern music." --Schoenberg