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!!!

Album review: Cauchemar - Rosa Mystica (2022)

 

Cauchemar - Rosa Mystica

 

Canada

 

Temple of Mystery Records / Cursed Ritual 

 

 
Cauchemar are probably one of the best bands in modern heavy metal/doom, as every release I’ve heard from them are amazing. The music presented on Cauchemar’s latest album “Rosa Mystica” is nothing short of breathtaking, combining the best of traditional doom and heavy metal with a vibrant production that gives the whole thing a somewhat live essence. Ever since their debut EP, “La Vierge Noire”, Cauchemar has procured a niche for themselves within the underground, and their latest (and third) full-length further cements their consistency and reputation as a band. The French-sung vocals are an integral facet to Cauchemar’s sound, so I’m delighted to see they’ve stayed true to this approach. Stand-out tracks: “Rouge Sang” “Danger De Nuit” “Rosa Mystica” 

Demo review: Nuclearhammer - Xaos Tenawas - Demo MMXXIII (2023)

Nuclearhammer - Xaos Tenawas - Demo MMXXIII

Canada

Nuclear War Now! Productions

 
 
Ten years have passed since the release of Nuclearhammer’s last album, with the members more or less contributing to a variety of other projects (namely Necropolissebeht, Nirriti, Azothyst, etc.). Fast forward to 2023, and Nuclearhammer unleash a surprise attack with this twenty-six minute beast called “Xaos Tenawas - Demo MMXXIII”, which features two lengthy compositions of hateful, bestial death/black metal that is characteristic of their sound. The guitars form an extremely grim backdrop, backed by vengeful vocals and hard-hitting drums that viciously pound the listener into submission as the suffocating darkness grips you tighter and tighter. It is the band's ability to create an oppressive atmosphere full of nightmarish soundscapes that leaves a feeling of disorientation and dread within the listener. If you liked “Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer”, then you will undoubtedly love this demo as well, as it more or less follows the same sadistic formula. The overlords of Canadian black/death filth are back to give us a taste of the future. For fans of Antediluvian, Impetuous Ritual, and Teitanblood. 

Album review: Complot! - Victimes Innocentes (d'une furie meurtrière) (2022)

Complot! - Victimes Innocentes (d'une furie meurtrière) 

Canada

Anti-human Productions

At first glance, one might dismiss Complot! as just another war metal act, although it quickly becomes clear that these Quebecers mean serious business. "Victimes Innocentes (d'une furie meurtrière)" is their debut album and is as much a black metal album as it is a war metal album. A repugnant atmosphere permeates this recording, giving it a ritualistic feel. The production is also seemingly raw, but not so much that you can't discern individual parts, but more in the sense that they knew what they were doing. The performance is very consistent as each instrument is played with razor sharp precision. One particularly pleasing feature is the mix of pulverizing bass riffs that give the whole thing a rather menacing quality. The vocals are downright evil, while the riffs give the impression of being whipped with chains over and over again. Certainly one of the best albums of the year as far as this style is concerned. Recommended for fans of Naked Whipper, Black Witchery and Blasphemy.

Interview: Death To Peace Productions (2022)

 

We interviewed Warweolf of Death To Peace Productions, which is a record label based in Quebec that specializes in underground black metal.

1. HAILS Steve! Please tell us about your label, DEATH TO PEACE PRODUCTIONS, and what it stands for.

Hails Death by Hammer!

In the beginning, Death to Peace Productions was supposed to be solely a distributor of underground music. After meeting a few owners of production labels, I was hooked and decided to start my own label. Death to Peace Productions is an underground elitist black metal label yearning for the annihilation of all religions and a certain way of life. We have expanded our horizons over the years and are now working with extreme metal bands (thrash and death metal), as well as some dungeon synth and dark ambient, for example. This Saguenay, Québec label has not stopped growing since its beginnings, in 2012.

I’ve had two collaborators over the years. When they left, for personal reasons, I asked an old colleague to join me, with whom I had previously worked in distribution and show bookings.

Death To peace Productions also brings to the table two more services that many people don’t know about: Ombre Nordique Studios and Northern Shade Photography. At Ombre Nordique Studios, my own home studio, I offer mixing and mastering for any band, well known or not, from all over the world. After all these years, we decided to also add a distribution service to our label, like in the good old days. Who knows what else awaits in the future! Maybe event organising and show bookings are in the cards for us… I have a team that would do great at that.

As for news regarding the distro: we were lucky to buy a whole inventory, from a closing label in Hamilton, Ontario: Von Frost Records. We got a great deal on many vinyl records, cassettes, the whole distro and Discogs store. This gave us an easy start.

2. What have you released so far? And what kind of formats do you specialize in?

Putrid Christ—Queen of the Wolves, USBM CD 2013

Infernal Execrator—6 Execrating Years Of Irreligiousatanic Elite "Mastema Hedonistic Terroritual 666", Black/Death Metal, Cassette, compilation limited‎ 2014

Unrest / Idolatry—Infection Born Of Ending, Black Metal Canada 7", EP, Ltd, Split 2015

Suicidal Madness—Au Crépuscule d'une Vie, Depressive Black Metal France Cassette S/Sided, Numbered, Limited 2015

Goatpreacher—Chaos Sabbath, Goat Metal Russia Cassette limited EP 2016 en collaboration avec Von Frost Records (R.I.P)

Trwoga—Wieczyst Zima, Dark Ambient Poland Pro CD-r Limited 2020

Loup noir—Requiem, Heathen black metal France Pro CD-r 2021

Between 2015 and 2020, we were mainly into merch production: patches, back patches, t-shirts, stickers, pendants, etc.

Now we mostly specialize in DIY type cassettes. The recording is done by an expert team in Montreal, located 666km away. The booklets and stickers for the tapes are made in my hometown. When everything is ready, devoted friends of mine come over and help cutting the booklets and apply the stickers on the cassettes. All done by hand! When all goes well, we have around 100 cassettes ready in a day.

3. What bands do you currently represent and what are your upcoming releases?

As for the bands that we have worked with and released either one or many albums or merch, we are interested in releasing a 12’’ vinyl record of cult album “Chaos Sabbath”, by Goatpreacher. We will also definitely release a 5-way split, “Apocalypse of the Impure”, containing tracks by bands such as Mysteriis (Colombia), Miasma (Canada), Rotting Jehovah (USA), ENT666 (Canada) and Swarm of Hatred (Chile). Each of these bands will be showcasing two previously unreleased tracks. In addition, an intro, an outro and interludes will be churned at yours truly’s Ombre Nordique studios, in collaboration with Kashnum, composer for Trwoga, and Wampyrion, composer for Alcath. The second release will be hailing from Greece. Last year, we released Trwoga (dark ambient from Poland), and this year we got an offer from Wampyrion Markhor Necrowolf, a dungeon synth composer.

4. From your perspective, what can you tell us about the Quebec scene and what are the best bands from there in your opinion?

The Quebec scene is very rich in “Métal noir Québécois”, our own style of black metal, very sought after all over the world, but mostly in Europe. It is also the birthplace of many great bands in many styles of metal such as thrash (Voivod), and death (Crucificator, Necronomicon)

Great bands from my home town : Deathroner (Death Thrash), Triskèle and Kenaz (pagan).Atroce.

Other amazing bands from all over Québec : Forteresse, Délétère, Miasma, Monarque, Akitsa, Saccage, Hiverna, Ossuaire, Verglas Sanglant, Neige et Noirceur, Chasse Galerie.

There are also many great festivals where many well-known bands come and perform. You might be familiar with La Messe des Morts (an indoor black metal festival), Trois-Rivières Metal Fest, Skogen Festival and the Québec Deathfest, amongst many others.

5. What's 10 albums you can't live without?

Good question, I’d never really thought about it before. In no particular order, I would say:

Forteresse—Métal Noir Québécois

Deicide—Amon- Feasting the Beast

Arckanum—Fran Marder

Deathwitch—Dawn of Armageddon

Pogrom 1147—Black Metal Complete

Absurd—Werwolfthron

Storm—Nordavind

Gorgoroth—Destroyer

Cannibal Corpse—Butchered at Birth

Marduk—Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered

6. Do you agree with the humanist sentiment "every human life is precious"?

Never. It would be like saying that hippies and vegans follow the best philosophy. There are too many of us on this planet, 8 billion skeletons. Many are frail, sick, falling apart. Of those 8 billion, if only a quarter would exist, it would bring balance in the world. Life and humanity don’t go together hand in hand, and some have a goal of populating the planet more and more: it’s just too much. China and India are too populated. You can guess by our motto at Death to Peace Productions, that I am a lot more interested in the Anti-human/anti-life philosophies. Annihilation of all religions and a certain way of life!!! Death to peace!!!

7. Is life returning to normal in your area after the epidemic? What is your opinion about the whole ordeal?

Governments all over the world didn’t handle this well at all. Here, all politicians acted like assholes. Mandatory mask-wearing and 3 mandatory doses of vaccine (4^th one now recommended now, they are crazy), as well as 9pm to 5am curfews. Being a night bird, I was going crazy, I couldn’t sleep and couldn’t do anything. No family gatherings, or holidays. Small businesses and restaurants were closed. Jail time for those who did not comply. Domestic violence and killing cases exploded, as well as the suicide rate. To shut us up those rats gave us each 500$, as if it would bring us our lives back. We are supposed to be in a free country, yet the Canadian and Quebec government acted like they were back to the middle-ages. In French we say GOUVERNEMENSONGES…GOVERNLIARS!

8. What is your opinion on the current state of the "underground"? (If there even is such a thing anymore.)

The underground as we know it is very rare these days because of the Internet. You can easily find just about anything right now using Soulseek, for example, which kills the scene and cult bands. Before the Internet, Soulseek, Napster, mIRC, Emule and especially Youtube, we had to order directly from the label via our local music store. I remember that we used to order from Napalm Records Austria to get rare albums, these albums that get more valuable with time. Now, with digital downloading, any band can produce itself with Bandcamp. Smaller labels like Death to Peace Productions are often asked for digital copies, but it is not our cup of tea. If bands on our label want to do it, it is their choice, as we are not for or against it. The artists can decide for themselves, but I personally love listening to an album in its analog format, a limited edition good old vinyl record or cassette of some obscure band.

9. Lastly, what's next for DEATH TO PEACE PRODUCTIONS and do you have any last words for your enemies and the fucking sheep out there?

2022 is an important year for our DEATH TO PEACE PRODUCTION label: we are celebrating our 10th anniversary in August. After ten tumultuous years, we are now happy to offer a distribution service, plus mixing and mastering at Ombre Nordique Studios, and professional photography at Northern Shades Photography.

Finally, here is what I would like to say to all our enemies:

DEATH TO PEACE PRODUCTIONS is a Canadian production/distribution Label of underground elitist black metal, wanting the annihilation of all religions and some way of life... Hail Satan...Praise the Goat!!!

Warweolf

Demo review: Euthanized - Sanguine Spectacle (2021)

 

Euthanized – Sanguine Spectacle

Canada

Helldprod Records

Euthanized is a Victoria-based trio from British Colombia, Canada, playing vile and raunchy black metal the way it’s meant to be played. "Sanguine Spectacle" is the band's second demo (and fourth release overall). The band had already released a self-titled demo in 2016, the "Riches among Refuse" EP in 2018, and the "A Pact from The Grave" split with Cultist in 2019.

Venom-spewing vocals accompanied by low-tuned and evil sounding guitars assault the listener on the first track, which also features a Motorhead-inspired solo near the end. Drum beats are simple, but well-balanced in the mix, staying mostly in a mid-pace range. One of the features I adore most about Euthanized is the vocalist’s propensity for all-out maddening rage, which brings to mind Maniac from Mayhem’s Deathcrush era. It's aggressive, heavy as hell, raw, and very old-school sounding, which is my kind of black metal. Most of the tracks are around three to four minutes long, which is more than enough time to sink your teeth into Euthanized's aural carnage. On the last track, the band covers Venom's classic "Live Like An Angel", which is not only a great choice for a cover, but is also executed flawlessly.

I think this is an excellent demo by a band that completely surprised me with its ancient and passionate sound that is a throwback to old times without being a weak copycat of its influences. There is a real sense of conviction in their sound, which should appeal to fans of bands like (early) Mayhem, Sarcofago, and Katharsis. I look forward to the full-length. (HT)

Demo review: Hedonist - Sepulchral Lacerations (2021)

Hedonist - Sepulchral Lacerations

Canada

Unsigned / Independent

I was about to review another demo until I came across this one and the violent ecstasy generated by the unmatched sound of old school Death Metal with melodies from beyond was enough to get me to work. It's not Melodic Death Metal, it's a style that in my opinion seems to fuse the melodies and brutality of Swedish extreme metal with some elements of the old Finnish school Death Metal. A brutal mix of two undeniable forces that have emerged in music over the years. It's one of those bands that, as I have mentioned before, seem to come from the 90s because they either lived through that era or perfectly understand what metal was like during those times. It sounds like an excellent production to me. While the instruments are high and well defined, the vocals seem to come from an abandoned catacomb, it's like they come out from behind the instruments, from the guts of the band. Of course, I understand that this was intentional, to give it that cavernous touch that always remains bestial in this very particular type of death metal. And boy, there are different styles to make Death Metal! And I don't mean Thrash/Death, Death/Doom or whatever. I am talking about the particular style of playing Death Metal, that every band is imposing on themselves right now, which in turn seems to be generating a new subgenre. These guys knew where they wanted to go with their music, and they felt an affinity for that side of Death Metal, which I honestly like the best. It's their first release since the birth of the band and they started with all the necessary rotten feeling needed for a band like this! They have demonized my mind! The lyrics are available on Bandcamp, so you can check them out and read what's going on in the minds of these maniacs. For now, it's only been released digitally. Hopefully there will be news of a physical release soon. I highly recommend you get your head on straight with these maniacs, and enjoy it as much as I did! Aaaarrrrgghhhh !!! (Catacombs Walker)

Album review: Idolatry - In Nomine Mortis (2019)

 

Idolatry – In Nomine Mortis

Canada

Humanity’s Plaque Productions

Hailing from the depths of Alberta, Canada, the black metal warriors known as Idolatry release their second album, entitled "In Nomine Mortis." The album was released in 2019, and I do not think I have seen much feedback for it. Idolatry’s music takes inspiration from various wings of black metal, as you can hear elements from both the second-wave and more contemporary acts. The album opens with a cold acoustic interlude that sets the tone before all hell breaks loose and the listener is assaulted with a series of unholy riffs and demonic shrieks that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. “In Nomine Mortis” is full of good songs that are impressive in terms of craftsmanship. The overall sound of this album has a very clear second-wave feel and atmosphere, which is especially evident in the riffs. The singer has a very sharp and piercing scream that fits well with their style. The production allows all the instruments to be heard, although I would have liked to hear a little more low-end. It sounds like music that was carefully and thoughtfully composed. All in all, this is a well-crafted black metal album and a solid entry from Canada. (HT)

Album review: Illicit Contempt – Illicit Contempt (2021)

 

Illicit Contempt – Illicit Contempt

Canada

Junkie And Proud Label

Illicit Contempt are a very new black metal project hailing from western Canada. Their sound is reminiscent of all the good parts of second wave Norwegian black metal. Actual evil riffs evolved from their first wave counterparts. No nonsense, no gimmicks, just straight to the point black metal and as an added bonus, a very rare example of keyboards executed properly within this genre. This eponymous debut album is a display of musicians who are well versed in the genre they are playing, thus making a well-executed release. Displaying its influences concisely without being a blatant rip off can be a very difficult feat when playing traditional second wave black metal.

So, what is my first response to hearing this album? That there is not enough black metal of this vein coming out these days. The slight sloppiness to the drumming adds character to the atmosphere that this genre requires in order to not sound generic. Overall, truly a breath of fresh air, and honestly given me a greater appreciation to organs in black metal, very much reminding me of early Rotting Christ and Mystifier.

The attitude of this album is a massive ‘fuck you’ to the listener. It gets in your face with those punk beat segments, the lo-fi production gives it a very old-school ritualistic brand of evil. And most importantly, this shit has riffs. If there’s no riffs, what is even the point? Black metal cannot rely on atmosphere and mysticism alone.

The final track “Goat of the Dead Wood Forest” is very doomy cross between “Panzerfaust” era Darkthrone, and Beherit’s “Drawing Down the Moon” making this song stand out when you sprinkle in the dungeon-synth organs. The atonal simplistic riffing style is proof you do not need to over complicate things with black metal. Sometimes the most minimalist riff can produce the most demonic sound, tying the entire song together.

Another example of effective simplicity would be the main riff in Decadence Descends, literally being only 2 different power chords, very much sounding similar to Beastcraft’s “Angel of the Abyss”. This band has a lot of promise, and they must be checked out by anyone who is into old school black metal. (AR)

Interview: Death Worship (2021)

Rising from the ashes of the almighty CONQUEROR, the members have resurrected themselves through the vitriolic, anti-human campaign known as DEATH WORSHIP. I conducted this interview with Mr. Ryan Förster, the man of the hour, a serious individual that gives articulate and insightful answers relating to his violent art and passion for the music.

Infernal hails! What sparked the flame that led to the crude formation of Death Worship, and how does it differ compared to the apocalyptic hellnoise of Conqueror?

I started to have the idea to do my own band since about 2003ce, but I set the bar very high for myself. I notice that a lot of people will shit out something sub par in order to just have something/anything released. My view on the other hand is that I would rather NEVER release music again unless it is something that meets my personal strict standards.

I was satisfied with being in Blasphemy and also contributing guitar parts and ideas to bands that I had contact and respect for. You can see me appear on releases from Revenge, Black Witchery, Diocletian, etc. And I also put energy into my Ross Bay Cult label in support of some other bands that I am into. But the urge to put my own ideas on tape was always on my mind. Finally in about 2012ce/2013ce I was speaking with J Read (ex-Conqueror) and he was telling me that he had some time freed up if I wanted to get something going with him! That was the key! J Read is probably the best drummer in this style of music. I knew that with J Read I would be able to unleash music at that high level that I wanted to achieve!

The mission of Conqueror was what I call ‘Total Attack’! With Death Worship I also wanted to introduce a strong presence of evil! Of course Conqueror had evil intent as well, but there was not as much of a focus on that aspect as I have with Death Worship.

Prior to Death Worship, you mostly performed live with Blasphemy, and haven’t really done much studio-wise since the Conqueror days. Did the recording process for “Extermination Mass” come naturally? Were there any expectations that you felt were mandatory in regards to what you aspired to achieve?

We went to Fiasco Bros Studios in the Vancouver, Canada area because it was the studio that some of the bands that influenced me the most recorded at! Len from Fiasco Bros recorded all of the Blasphemy studio material as well as Procreation and Witches Hammer, etc! All of the legends from the Ross Bay region! So I knew that he would be familiar with what we were going for with Death Worship. Recording was really easy going there. The songs were already written prior to us entering the studio, so it was just a matter of getting a devastating drum sound and a crushing guitar sound. After that it was no problem. It is much easier to record with today’s technology than it was in 1996ce when we recorded ‘War.Cult.Supremacy’.

When you and James previously played together in Conqueror he was the one performing the vocals, now it’s the other way around. What prompted the shift, and how did that affect the experience?

At first it was planned that J Read would only do drums on the Death Worship recordings and I would do just the guitars and then we were thinking of getting Black Winds of Blasphemy on lead vocals. But then I decided that I wanted to keep Death Worship more separate from the overall Blasphemy sound, and also it would sound way too much like Revenge if James was on vocals. So this prompted me to take over the lead vocal duties as well. Black Winds adds some apocalyptic backing vocals though! It never ceases to amaze me watching that guy bark! Imagine a rabid grizzly bear defending his territory! Incredible power!!

Can you share any memorable anecdotes with us from shows you’ve played with Blasphemy over the years, particularly those in Brazil? How was the overall experience, and what were the reactions like from the South American audiences?

With Blasphemy we were fortunate enough to go to South America on 2 occasions! The first time was a killer show in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and then the 2nd time was a mini tour of 5 cities in both Chile and again Brazil! Both times we went there were made possible by the hard work of Brazilian Ritual Records! And for the Chilean shows they had a team of great guys there that put their resources together to get us over.

The audiences at all of those shows were amazing! There is a certain die hard attitude down there that I have not experienced anywhere else (except for in Thailand). We hung out with the audiences every night before and after the show and made some good contacts that we still keep to this day!

Not to put down any of the other shows, but the one we did in Belo Horizonte was particularly memorable with some legendary bands on the bill with us! The bill feature alongside Blasphemy: Goatpenis, Holocausto and SexTrash!! That to me was a line up that could only be in a dream! I did not think that could ever happen until Brazilian Ritual made it come true!

Some cool things were the restaurants in Brazil serving us perfectly cooked meat off of swords, and visiting Cogumelo Records! And then of course we hit the Bonfim Cemetery where Sarcofago did the photo shoot that appeared on one of my favourite LPs of all time: ‘INRI’!!!

In Chile we went a little crazy and almost got stranded in desolation in the Andes Mountains!! We were lucky to make it back to civilization! We went exploring on an off day and got a little reckless and got our vehicle stuck in deep mud caused by a flash flood! The only thing that we could do was make the 40 kilometer walk back to the nearest town. Luckily a construction crew happened to be passing by and was able to use their machines to lift our vehicle out of the mud that it was stuck in!

Of course I don’t have to mention that the ‘indulgences’ down there are all top quality! These ‘indulgences’ definitely had the Blasphemy name written all over them if you know what I mean!

What is it about playing vile black/death/war metal that you find so appealing and do you still have that same burning, morbid passion for this music compared to 25 years ago?

I suppose that everyone can’t relate to the fact that I am still listening to this type of music for over 30 years now. Most people get bored of things or say that they have ‘outgrown’ this music. I have seen so many people come and go over the decades. Not many of them have remained alongside us over the years. For me, this is what I have always been looking for since I could remember. As a child I was always into the fastest and darkest sounding music that I could find in my world at the time. Then I discovered that an underground scene was creating the exact music that I was looking for! To this day I am searching around looking for those bands that are pushing the limits of brutality and evil, and it still gives me that spike in the deepest parts of my brain when I find these bands! And these last few songs that I have written over the course of the lockdowns are still unrelenting annihilation! So, yes! That burning, morbid passion is still there and probably won’t ever subside.

What’s your opinion on the current state of the underground, especially with the rise of cancel culture and the abundance of virtue signalling idiots plaguing metal today?

I think that this ‘scene policing’ has backfired on these self-proclaimed ‘do-gooders’. The backlash seems to be commencing now. I see people online are just making fun of these ‘social justice warriors’ and their shit disturbing. And promoters have found ways to avoid the often unjustified and sometimes even mistaken cancellations of their events. And I think that the results of all of this commotion just brought a lot of attention (ie: sales) to all of these bands that were on the cancel culture blacklists. So in the end it is all just a joke. There is a lot more that I can type about this subject, but why waste time on these confused, brainwashed people that have no business poking their noses where they don’t belong?

What would you say are 10 essential demos?

Hmmm…. I could probably list 50! Even 100! I come from the time where the demo days often seemed to be the best efforts from the bands that I was into. Let me try to cut it down to 10. No particular order:

- Blasphemy ‘Blood Upon the Altar’

- Beherit ‘Demonomancy’

- The Lord Diabolus ‘Down There….’

- Abruptum ‘The Satanist Tunes’

- Necrovore ‘Divus de Mortuus’

- Order From Chaos ‘Crushed Infamy’

- Von ‘Satanic Blood’

- Procreation ‘Coming of Hate’

- Morbid Angel ‘Thy Kingdom Come’

- Poison ‘Into the Abyss’

What do you think it is about Canada that allows it to spawn such menacing and hateful sounding bands? Does the environment contribute to this phenomenon?

I thought about this before. In Canada we have it quite good. There is no reason to struggle there. If you are in good mental health and physical form and are still struggling, then it is no one’s fault but your own. And I think that these easy times cause a feeling of emptiness in a lot of us that have the warrior/barbarian spirit within. Men are evolved to hunt, fight, protect and provide. In Canada, none of that is necessary. So maybe all of this is the pent up aggression and physicality that the establishment has tried to tame finally being unleashed?? Who knows?? It is just a thought that I had. Otherwise I think it’s great that Canada is known for this savagery! Better than being known for the most hipster and weak sounding bands like other countries are.

I understand you are currently situated in Germany. If I may ask, what prompted the decision to migrate there, and how do you perceive the German/European scenes compared to Canada? What are some of your favourite German bands?

I am never someone that can sit still. I have been moving around since I was a child and this lifestyle extended into my adulthood. I have dual citizenship between Canada and Germany. It was always a plan of mine to come to Germany. Only the fact that Blasphemy was going strong again since 2009ce kept me in Canada. But as time went on, the itching to move just became too strong to resist. I then realized that I could still join Blasphemy for any scheduled show just as the other guys in the band that aren’t based in Canada do. Moving to new surroundings keeps the mind stimulated!

When I moved here I planned to immerse myself in the live music scene! There was an interesting show within a 2 hour drive from where I am living every weekend! Unfortunately that came to a stop for the last 15 months. Just my luck! I move to the middle of the most frequented country on every metal band’s tour schedule, and everything gets shut down!

The one difference that I notice between the Canadian and German scenes is that they are spoiled here. A killer band from a faraway country could come here on a tour and no one will care. They saw everything already and so they don’t have much motivation to get off of their couch and to the venues. Hopefully this attitude changes when things open up again.

Lastly, what does the future hold for Death Worship? Thanks for your time. Long live Ross Bay Cult!!!!

The next plans for Death Worship are live shows and an LP in the future. For now I have a couple of other things going. There will be some new music unleashed by me in a few different projects! Beware!!

Interview: Goathammer (2016)

 

Lengthy interview with Canada's Goathammer conjured back in 2016. A band worth checking out if you're into bands like Black Witchery, Katharsis, and Blasphemy.

Hails Cryptfucking Demonizers! To begin this interview, can you please give us an introduction of the band, including details about the line-up & what you've released so far?

Sadowulf: Well, we are Goathammer. A black metal band that was formed in 2011 by myself and Daemonomancer. We don't refer to our style as anything other than "black metal", although we find inspiration in certain death metal, punk and thrash. We don't agree with the term "war metal" being applied to us. We write music that reflects us and our outlook on existence. We are inspired/influenced by topics such as Satanism, various occult books/philosophies, darkness, war, drugs, death and hatred among other things. We seek to invoke nothing but negativity and inspire evil, hatred and violence in the beings that listen to our music.

We have recorded so far a split with Druidus entitled "Cryptfucking Demonizers of Holocaustic Wrath" and a demo entitled "XIX Pentacles, XCII Legions" both self released on cassette in 2014. Our most recent release was simply entitled "Goathammer" and was released in March of 2016 through Behold Barbarity, also only on cassette format for now.

All releases thus far have been recorded with the following lineup:

Sadowulf: Vocals, guitars, bass

Daemonomancer: Drums

Depravore: Guitars and backing vocals

We have also recruited a bass player recently. Rasca Cara of the Alberta horde Noxius Nex. He has played 1 live assault with us so far and will probably end up contributing bass to the upcoming full length album.

At what age did you start listening to metal? What are your main influences?

Sadowulf: I was more interested in punk when I was younger. Discharge, Black Flag, Void and of course the usual stuff like early Metallica, Slayer. I would say I got into more extreme stuff like Bathory, Morbid Angel, Mayhem, Terrorizer, Blasphemy, Sarcofago, Amebix etc at about age 16. Then, I gradually fell into the abyss of extreme underground music and never looked back.

In regards to bands that directly influence our sound... That's kind of tough because I don't think we are directly trying to sound like a particular band or era. We aren't a "worship" band at all.... We use different atmospheres from a range of stylistically different bands and attempt to make it cohesive. Bands with atmosphere/attitude/aesthetics that have influenced our band would be all the previously mentioned bands. Beherit, Blasphemy, early Mayhem, Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz, Slaughter, Black Witchery, early Darkthrone, Bestial Warlust, VON, Absu, Archgoat, Razor etc... Essentially anything that invokes the feeling of morbid desecration.

Depravore: I was around the same age as Sadowulf when the plague that is 'extreme music' entered my life. Before that, Black Sabbath was all that mattered.

Daemonomancer: My journey into the abyss began at age 13/14. I remember finding an old zine and seeing all the pictures of these fuckin' morbid looking characters and was instantly enthralled to find out more. I soon after came across acts like Slayer, Slaughter, Razor, Voor, and Bathory - all of which led to a massive addiction and hunt to find more evil fucking metal!

You are from Saskatoon, the largest city in Saskatchewan - correct? What can you tell us about the scene there? Any bands from there you can recommend to our readers?

Sadowulf: None of us are actually from Saskatoon originally. Myself and Depravore are from a town north of Saskatoon called Prince Albert. Population of about 35,000... Extremely infested with total junkies, quite a bleak little town.. Subhuman scum everywhere... Growing up in a shit hole like that probably influenced Depravore and I to be quite hateful and misanthropic.

Saskatoon is indeed the largest city in the province of Saskatchewan. Population of roughly 250,000 people I believe. Our rehearsal space/ritual chamber is located nearly an hour outside of the city on my acreage though... Feels like the middle of nowhere. Think of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. Away from the city and its disgusting humans! This is where we ingest copious amounts of alcohol and other illicit substances and work on all Goathammer material.

We don't really associate with the "scene" here these days. None of us really go to local shows or have much knowledge of what is going on within the Saskatoon music scene. So we really wouldn't be the right people to speak about it. We only really keep up with one or two local bands. For fans of true doom metal (stuff like Cathedral, Candlemass etc) I could recommend Lavagoat but that's about it.

Depravore: The term 'scene' in this regard is laughable. There's a reason we flew out to Toronto to play with quality black/death metal bands, or have to travel at least 5+ hours for a gig.

Daemonomancer: As for myself I grew up about 3 hours east of Saskatoon in a town called Preeceville - a small town of about 2,000 or so people. I lived and grew up on a farm about 11 kilometers out of town. I quite enjoyed the isolation and freedom. In hindsight - I fucking hate the city and since moving to Saskatomb I have been more than inspired to channel levels of insurmountable hate into the incantations of Goathammer. As for my opinions of any "scene", maniacs are few and far between - as in if there are other ones in this province, we have yet to meet them. Lavagoat, as Tony mentioned have their shit dialed in and have been around for a long time. Everything else is pretty fresh. There used to be a heinous grind "scene" back in the day in which played host to some vicious and violent displays. But those days have long since passed.

There seems to be another Goathammer from Finland that is now defunct. Have you ever listened to them? How would you feel if they decided to reunite (as this seems to be a growing trend in metal nowadays) and you had to share a name with them?

Sadowulf: I think I have listened to them but honestly, I don't remember their sound at this point... I wouldn't feel anything if they decided to reunite since I don't know anything about them.

Depravore: I haven't listened, and probably won't. A reunion on their part would be inconsequential to us.

What are your thoughts on censorship and politically correct ideals in metal, especially with the internet nowadays?

Sadowulf: Censorship and politically correct ideals have nothing to do with the spirit of extreme metal. People that seek out the most extreme music on Earth only to take issue with certain elements being TOO extreme or TOO offensive need to be lined up and shot for their stupidity.

Depravore: P.C. ideals and the scum that spew such nonsense have no place in extreme metal. They will fall on their own sword soon enough.

Daemonomancer: FUCK POLITICAL CORRECTNESS!! ESPECIALLY IN EXTREME FUCKING MUSIC!! I'll NEVER understand anyone who doesn't seek to strengthen their self and mind. Develop a fucking backbone and stand your ground!

What can you tell us about Druidus, which seemed to feature half of Goathammer’s line-up? The material on the demo and split with Goathammer is absolutely murderous. Why was the project buried?

Sadowulf: Depravore and I started Druidus when we were still in high school. We just wanted to create vicious and evil metal like the stuff we were listening to. We met our drummer and immediately began "rehearsing". It was a real mess of influences/sounds. By the time we had found our sound, we recorded our demo, the split with Goathammer and then inspiration ceased to continue... It became tiresome to write songs for both Druidus and Goathammer and I ended up having a difficult time differentiating between what riffs should be used for Druidus or Goathammer.

We all agreed that we did not want to take part in multiple bands that sound similar to our ears. So we laid the band to rest. 3 of us from Druidus have formed a new band in the past year though. Extremely bleak and cold black metal under the name Hexensabbat. Influences being Vlad Tepes, early Ulver, Arckanum, Mutiilation etc.

Depravore: Druidus was, at the time, a way to express our misplaced hatred for everything in the only way we knew how; Sadowulf and I had been riffing and jamming for years at this point. As Sadowulf said, lack of inspiration and a dedicated path were the poisons of Druidus' existence.

Hexensabbat will release a cassette tape of five bleak tracks at the end of October 2016.

Can you tell us something about the overall experience regarding the Druidus/Goathammer tour which took place throughout Western Canada? Was this your first tour?

Sadowulf: The Goathammer/Druidus tour was total fucking mayhem! Extreme drinking every night. A lot of hiking through the wilderness in British Columbia... The first show of that tour was in Edmonton, AB, and it was actually the very first live performance from Goathammer so it was indeed the first tour for us. Druidus had toured before but we didn't even have our demo recorded at the time. It was kind of pointless.

Depravore: The 'Infernal Proclamators of Western Filth' tour was my first musical endeavor abroad, as I was in Greece when Druidus first toured out west. It was filthy, to say the least. We shared the stage with some decent bands, and drank ourselves FUCKING stupid. It was a savage time, with savage people.

Back to Goathammer. I understand your drummer (Dæmonomancer) played on Necromantic Worship's second demo, "The Calling..." How did the collaboration come about?

Sadowulf: I heard a track from the "Spirit of the Entrance Unto Death" tape on bandcamp and immediately loved their sound, but I was really broke and couldn't afford to order tapes from the good ol' U.S. of A. So I decided to send them a message. Ghûllzaraën got back to me and enjoyed the Goathammer "XIX Pentacles..." tape and we agreed to trade a few copies. I remember him being impressed by the drumming so I told him to contact Daemonomancer to discuss music etc. Next thing I know, he is playing drums for the newest Necromantic Worship material.

Daemonomancer: As Sadowulf stated, so it came to fruition after Ghûllzaraën contacted me and he began talking about his interest in me working with him on a project. Before it was to be that I would be working under the spell of Necromantic Worship, Ghûllzaraën first had another unreleased project in which he had asked me to record drums for. Not long after me displaying my interest in Necromantic Worship, he rather decided to put the intial project offer on the backburner and asked if I would contribute to the newest material for Necromantic Worship. After rehearsing the tracks, and taking them to a local studio to record drums over top, the tracks were then sent to Ghûllzaraën and of that arose "The Calling".

What can you tell us about your most recent work released by Behold Barbarity? The compositions seem lengthier compared to previous recordings - was this intentional or a natural progression?

Sadowulf: I believe that our most recent work, the self-titled cassette on Behold Barbarity is easily our most violent and occult release so far. A lot of work went into it.

The longer songs were definitely a natural progression. I've always enjoyed writing/playing long songs. It makes it easier to express a wide range of images and thoughts. We would never compose long songs/albums just for the sake of it. There is always a method to our madness.

What have you been listening to lately? Any new and upcoming bands that might have caught your attention? What about literature and movies, much of a fan?

Sadowulf: Lately I've been listening to Black Feast "Larenuf Jubileum", Root "Zjeveni", Necromantia "Crossing the Fiery Path", Disorder "Mental Disorder", Xibalba "Ah Dzam Poop Ek", Katharsis "Fourth Reich" and "666", the list goes on... As for "new" bands I've been enjoying the Occult Burial album "Hideous Obscure", Ithaqua, Hexenslaught and Crurifragium.

Depravore: I've had Motorhead's Bomber album on repeat for the past two months, I've literally listened to MAYBE three other albums all the way through (Iron Fist and Bathory's Blood Fire Death being two out of the three). The CD I bought has a bunch of extra live tracks so it's fucking KILLER. There isn't much for new music lately that has caught my ear; I'm usually listening to what ever Sadowulf or Daemonomancer are spinning.

Daemonomancer: I am always all over the place when it comes to music. I have an endless hunger to seek out more of what I enjoy. Being that my personal list could grow longer than this interview so far, I would like to suggest our sibling demonic horde and their projects which continue to devastate! I highly recommend Wrath Bestial, Sorguinazia, Brulvahnatu, Noxius Nex, and Tsalal.

If any maniacs out there have an interest in reaching you, how should they achieve this? Also, can you give us an update regarding any future plans or new material in the works?

Sadowulf: We can be contacted at the following email: goathammersk@gmail.com

And in regards to future plans we will be releasing our 2016 self-titled demo on vinyl in 2017 and we have nearly completed writing our upcoming debut full length. It will be in LP and CD format and will be made available through a certain metal label from the U.S. that we have a great deal of respect for. Unfortunately that's about all I can unveil as far as that goes. There will likely be a few live rituals when it is released.

Thanks for your time! I wish each and everyone of you all the best regarding your future activities, and I'm looking forward to buying the new album when its out. Hails!

Sadowulf: Bestial hails from SK, Canada!! Mutilate the god of cowards with the cursed blade of Sathanas!