VM-Underground has come a long way since the editor's humble
beginnings as "Vampiria magazine" in the 90s, and still operates
strongly with the assistance of contributors. I also submit some of my reviews
to VM-Underground since they have a larger following and more exposure for
underground bands is always a good thing. After all, it’s all about supporting
the underground, isn’t it? Here is a conversation between myself, Jim (editor
of Death by Hammer), and Ricardo, a wise veteran from the scene you who I am
sure you can learn a thing or two from.
1. What’s up, Ricardo? Can you tell us about the humble beginnings
of VM-Underground Fanzine and what inspired you to start this venture? How
would you describe the development?
Well,
let me tell you something brother! It all started out of the blue in the summer
of 1997. A couple of young guys with a huge passion for (extreme) metal started
a fanzine… While discussing about bands we were going to interview, the
Moonspell album “Wolfheart” was playing in the background. We all liked the
song “Vampiria” a lot because of the dark atmosphere of that track. Why not
using the track title as moniker for our fanzine? And there you go… Vampire
Magazine was born. And yes, cheesy as hell and it would be a total different
name if Bal Sagoth’s ‘Starfire Burning upon the Ice-Veiled Throne of Ultima
Thule’ would be playing at that time.
After
two Xeroxed issues we, obviously, began writing articles for our third issue.
But we got so many reviews and interviews that made us switch from a Xeroxed
fanzine to a webzine in 1999. Many, many… many reviews, interviews and all kind
of other articles later (like 15.000 to be more precise!), I stepped down as
chief-editor and owner because it got too big to handle and couldn’t combine it
anymore in 2008. They have changed the name into Archaic Magazine, took the
level of quantity publishing articles down and kept on going for 3 more years.
Within
2008 and 2012 I just went back to just listening to music. But blood is thicker
than water and I didn’t enjoy what other online zines were doing. Most of them
their focus wasn’t on underground acts, but what the bigger labels were
sending. And I totally understand that, I was in that same situation as well,
but I wanted to do something else. I thought many bands didn’t get the
attention they deserve because of the many releases by many labels that are
being send to zines with all kind of deadlines.
Also I didn’t like zines demanding for physical releases only to write a
review about. I’m not in it for the free stuff, so I welcomed streams and mp3
downloads, was more than happy to review those. And I was more enjoying
exploring the musical platforms for new music than it got sent to me.
I
contacted some former crewmembers to resurrect VM again, only with a
DIY-attitude. After some discussions, a bunch of them started writing again at
the end of 2012 and this time VM-Underground was born! I have chosen to adopt
the VM thing again, because many people are still positive about the work we
did with Vampire Magazine in the past.
The
first 4 years the VM-crew and I published 4 downloadable PDF-zines with a cut
& paste lay-out. That was certainly fun to do and the advantage was that it
didn’t matter if you had a busy week and couldn’t work on the zine. But
readers, bands and labels are used to the online frequency of publishing so I
received more and more questions if we were still alive between publishing the
PDF-zines. So I decided to continue VM-Underground as an online fanzine again.
Nothing flashy or fancy, just reviews and interviews on the website with an
no-nonsense lay-out. Fast forward to 2024; we have almost 6500 articles and
much more to come. Also almost 1000 old articles are on the shelf ready to be
re-published.
Still
have some goals; I really want to release a printed version and publish
historical articles as well. The whole story behind a band or an album. I’ve
done it for Evocation and Gorement and really did enjoy the research for those
articles. But I admit, those demand a lot of time.
2. How much dedication does it take to do a fanzine? Does it consume much of your time? What are the pros and cons?
In
my opinion, it takes a lot of dedication and a long-term spirit. You must not
be of the quitting or easy gaining-kind. Or do it for social media fame. I
think I spent at least 20 hours a week on my zine.
It
is easy to start a blog, a Facebook page or an Instagram account and just
yapping about albums, but I see most quit after 2 months because “I only got 2
likes” or “the band doesn’t share my review”. And the review is of “I like the
vocals, they are brutal. I also like the artwork, it is great. This album is
great. You must buy it”-level. If you’re not in it for the music and like to
promote bands of which you think they deserve some extra exposure, just don’t
start. Do you want likes? Post a photo of a woman the masses consider as good
looking wearing a bandshirt and showing some skin, do it 4 days in a row and
there you have it; the likes you desperately want. Whatever some people want to
believe, it is 2024 and sex still sells…massively.
Writing
is not for everybody and I have always considered it as an experience kind of
thing, you will grow the more you write. Sure, some are natural born talents
concerning the beauty of language but that’s not all. In my opinion, it is not
only the writing as historical knowledge and passion are elements which are
just as important. It is like an unholy trinity. For example; I’ve read a
review of the last Necromantia album and the writer started with “I’ve never
heard of Necromantia before…”. I immediately stopped reading. You’re free to
give your opinion, but I consider it has no value for me at that point. Elitist
behaviour? Be it as it may, label it as you please, for me it is common sense.
As a fan of the tactical game and movements, I don’t discuss football with
someone who only watches a game or 3 in a pub during a World Cup which occur
once in 4 years. The person is free to have his or her opinion, but I rather
like to discuss it with friends who share the same interest I have.
But
back to the writing thing itself. Don’t get me wrong, I consider myself as a
mediocre writer, I have healthy jealousy when I read articles from my crew or
other writers from other zines. As English isn’t my first language I always
have a certain barrier when it comes to vocabulary. If I write 3 reviews in
row, I’m tending to re-use certain words and I get quite irritated with myself,
therefore I choose to write shorter reviews mostly. Unfortunately, some connect
the unlimited space of a webpage with the must of a lengthy article. Once sent
the link of a review, which contained +350 words, to a band and they replied
“Thanks, but a bit short isn’t it? Maybe next time a bit more effort”. +350
words…it would be a full A4 page in a printed zine…more effort. Times changed
and expectations have changed.
The
pros, well…I enjoy it. I think that is the biggest one. Getting in contact with
other afficionados is another one. The cons, well…sometimes you forget to
revisit good albums of the last couple of years, because you’re always working
with new releases or grabbing a classic to listen to. That is something I have
to change, forcing myself to listen to good albums which are released 2 or 3
years ago. And of course, when a good article doesn’t receive a reaction from
the audience, band or label can be let-down sometimes, but no reaction doesn’t
mean it people don’t read it.
3. a lot of people love to run their mouths on social media,
lecturing others on the underground, yet many of them have never even sent
handwritten letter to a band or had their stamps returned. What do you have to
say about these cocksuckers who willingly throw around terms like
“funderground” without ever having been a part of it? Don’t they piss you off?
To
be honest, I’m judging by behaviour. Even old school experienced underground
fanatics can be total wankers. Or begging for free physical releases on social
media because they think they deserve it. I can still respect them for what
they have done for the scene in the past, but I keep a distance, in person or
digitally. That having said, if someone has respect for and knowledge of the
history and aesthetics of the genre, scene etc, I’m open for every discussion…I
don’t care about the age of the person on the other side of the table. If I’m
in the pub with friends and a 19 year old enters the discussion and asks for
recommendations because he or she just discovered Judas Iscariot on Spotify the
other day, I’m more than happy to share the things I know. And hopefully I
receive some feedback on it which of the recommendations were enjoyable and
which not. But yeah, integrity is something I find quite important. I saw an
old school cut ‘n paste fanzine made by a 16 or 17 years old Death Metal
enthusiast. Total support! Doesn’t mind me at all if he hasn’t been around in the
days when the classics were made.
As
a metaphor. I see it like I (and many citizens) enjoy and I’m proud of my city,
Breda in The Netherlands. Lots of historical buildings and beautiful old
architecture, roads etc. But when something new is going to be build, it has to
fit in the city view, it is has to be in a certain old vibe. If I’m correct, it
is even a rule. So no crazy architect can come up with some hideous building
that doesn’t fit in. It doesn’t matter if the building is only a year old, when
it is has that old style ideas, it is just fits in between the older buildings
next to it. You know what I’m getting at…?
And
I don’t consider myself as someone who knows all, oh hell no, but when you’re
listening to Extreme Metal for almost 34 years now, always been curious about
history, listened to a shitload on releases and have read tons of fanzines,
books and articles…you just remember a thing or 2. I’m certainly not the only
one who sponge up information just by reading or hearing it.
But
certainly, there is a new and young digital driven music enthusiasts and most
of them have a whole different attitude. And clearly, that group and me…we are
not on the same page. But as long as they don’t bother with me or making my
life difficult, it is fine with me. Life is too short and I rather deal with
people who I enjoy.
The
way I experience them, mostly via social media or when I have a talk with them;
most of them see themselves as incredibly open-minded on every aspect in life,
an example for the rest of the world and expect, some even demanding, others to
be the same. They don’t like to receive critics or do be confronted by
historical facts most of the time. Because “feelings” are more important or
“things are different now”. Side issues are more important than the music
itself. Some even just enjoy the music because all the side issues are right
for them. Not that the music is great, but receive total support solely because
all the boxes of the side issues are checked.
Also
the desperation of scoring points and receiving digital approval and high fives
after “exposing” something or someone according to one’s moral compass etc. And
it is sad they don’t see the hypocrisy in it all and how difficult they make
themselves and each other with all those social media actions. They hate to
hear when someone questioning their opinion, receiving not-asked suggestions or
get criticized because of a band or album…but they do 100% exactly the same
when they see or hear something they don’t enjoy, despise or hate. They hate
behaviour that they themselves engage in.
When
they sympathise with a certain artist and he or she made a mistake or said
something stupid…they will say “come on, he/she said sorry, get over it,
everybody deserves a second chance. You are all haters!”. But when the
situation occur with someone they don’t sympathise with…he/she should be hanged
on the highest tree, should be fired, should never receive payment for his/hers
(artistic) work again, no matter if it is 25 years ago or if there is an
apology. They don’t buy it, the arguments, not even if the same arguments are
used as with the person they sympathise with. It is mostly double standard.
There is no room for discussion anymore, and if there is room, well…call
someone a nazi, a boomer, a commie, a liberal, a gatekeeper and more of those
terms and the discussion is dead. Live and let live they say…but that only
applies if you are the same as them.
And
it is not strange, it is pure human behaviour, a behaviour that has been around
us for ever. If this generation can only acknowledge that…
And don’t
forget the power of social media. Recently there was some nitwit posting the
“safe” rules of Black Metal, how to recognize red flags (oh fuck mate, those
expressions) and it was pure shite! Questioning and disprove the history and
fundament of the genre. But people are encouraging it, absorbing it while the
bloke literally just start listening to bands/style that is up for debate for
if it is Black Metal or not. Unbelievable.
And I tend
to believe that is the main difference between old and new school. One has the
urge to laugh or don’t care about it, the other has to digitally manifest
themselves. One just posts their collection, the other are creating guides for
enjoying their kind of Black Metal who doesn’t sing in their native language
because that is a “red flag”. Yeah, the Arckanum albums would be much better
when they were in English…
Do they
piss me off? Well, the power of social media does piss me off. I think I can
wreck the lives of 7 out 10 people within a couple of days of online research,
you just have to know how and where to drop the info. And let the minions and
time do the rest. When there is doubt, you’re already screwed cause the doubt
doesn’t leave, even if you are cleared. Difference is, why should I? Just
because someone is listening to or possesses a Burzum album? Those people just
don’t understand they are next.
What I
don’t understand is the fact a new group of people try to claim Black Metal as
their own and try to change it for a reason I haven’t found out yet. The real
reason that is. Despising the aesthetics and fundament of the genre, having the
delusional idea to put in their own (political) behaviour and thoughts in to it
and claiming it is now “their time” to conquer the throne. Just create your own
fuckin’ genre with like-minded enthusiasts. Don’t have the desperate wish to
try to change history or aesthetics of a genre, just create something else like
they have done with deathcore for example. Those fans aren’t claiming their
position within Death Metal either, are they? And if that makes me a
“gatekeeper”…fine, call me gatekeeper.
But I also
think history repeats, I bet there were some 80s underground Thrash and Speed
fans who weren’t so happy with the kids and their Death Metal.
But still,
total support to all the youngsters out there embracing Extreme Metal and
listening to old and new releases, reading and learning about the 80s, 90s and
so on.
4.
I asked you a while ago how many views your reviews get on average seeing as I
am always curious to check the stats. Do the statistics mean anything to you,
even if only 10 people read the review? Ultimately it’s about supporting the
bands and doing your part, is not it? Are people too lazy to read reviews these
days?
I’m not
checking the stats anymore. Times have changed. With my first zine, I had
6000-7000 unique visitors every day (around 2006), but in those days they had
to visit a webzine every day to keep up with the latest news and the visitors
couldn’t check out songs or whole albums themselves in those days. There was no
YouTube, Spotify, Facebook or Bandcamp…Myspace was just making their entrance
sort of speak.
Now there
is more easy access to get the music in your hands. News is available through
the Social Media channels of bands and labels, while the music platforms
deliver the music itself. I think some people rather check out the “Release
Radar” on Spotify based on their taste than they read a review of an upcoming
album.
And indeed,
people became lazy. Most people no longer visit a website on their own, but
need to be made aware of it. They need to be alerted, everything is by a
push-message on the phone or something like that. Or an app…everything is an
app with accompanying alerts when something new pops up. People are used to
that.
So no, I’m
not checking stats anymore. Especially as they are not comparable with the
stats of almost 20 years ago. The reactions the crewmembers or I receive on the
reviews is far more important to me. People are checking out and even buying
the releases after reading a review or interview. Now that’s something I care
about. And the fact I receive a lot of review-requests, be it from bands or
labels, means they probably think we are doing something good.
I rather
write for 100 enthusiasts than 1000 readers who don’t have a connection with
it. It is not about the numbers. If 3 out of 100 are buying the album or demo
after reading the review and checking it out on a music platform, it is so far
more better than 1000 views and nobody buys it.
5.
What’s on your playlist lately? Are there any highlights for you from 2023?
Fortunately
I’m in a position I can listen to a lot of music throughout the day. Today I
had Morbid Cruelty – Holodomor, Satyricon – The Shadowthrone, Limobnic Art –
Moon in the Scorpio, Asphyx – On the Wings of Inferno, Minenwerfer –
Feuerwalze, Ancient Rites – Blasfemia Eternal, Burial Remains – Trinity of
Deception and the new Darkestrah for a spin. Tomorrow there will be lots of
others.
Highlights
of 2023? Definitely the latest Sammath. Aphelium Aeternum pleased me with a
nice new album. But also Azaghal, Blood Oath, Cemetery Urn, Conjureth,
Grafvitnir, Funeral Winds, Helleruin, The Kryptik, Oerheks, Salacious Gods,
Vargrav and Vomitory had some good releases. And I’m positive I’m just
forgetting a couple of them. Frozen Blood, Heinous Rite, Miserable Creature,
Nachzehrer, Stenched had some nice demos released as well.
What I
listen to and what I want to promote with my fanzine aren’t 100% the same.
Sure, 85% of what I listen to is Death, Black, Doom and Thrash Metal (including
old Metallica and Megadeth) and the hybrids between those genres, mostly the
“pure” kind, so no hybrid with post or avant-garde kind of stuff. The other 15%
is filled with Iron Maiden (for me; the best band in the world), old Helloween,
Pantera’s “Power Metal”, Iced Earth with Matthew Barlow, W.A.S.P., Savage Grace
and so on.
I’m also a
sucker for 80s music. Put on Michael Sembello’s “Maniac” and witness my huge
smile…Ah, throw in some 70s and 90s (although I’m quite picky about this era)
as well. And when I hear “I put a spell on you”, it better be Screamin’ Jay
Hawkins.
6. How’s
life in the Netherlands for metalheads? Are there many concerts of good bands
to go to and what was the last great concert you attended?
In general
life is good I think. Although we are the kings of complaining. About
everything.
Once again,
times have changed. I think there are a couple of reasons for that, but this is
just my thoughts and not facts.
We, the
Dutch, are difficult knobheads. A bunch of bellends if you will. We are not
easy to please audience. We enjoy hyping a band and when a band is getting on
that certain level, we are talking it down or just don’t have interest anymore.
Most of the Dutch crowd go to live music to socialize or see the band with a
“convince me” attitude. That is just how we are in general. But it does result
in the fact that Dutch bands are far more popular outside our borders, hell,
Asphyx even did their 30 year-anniversary 2 day gig in Germany. And I
understand why they did that…Alright, these were facts, now my thoughts.
The small
venues are almost gone and the bigger venues are mostly interested in fests or
bigger tours. For example a 3 underground Death Metal bands gig doesn’t occur
as much as it used to, maybe not even at all anymore. It is all about money,
the smaller venues for alternative music genres just couldn’t cope anymore.
Everything is getting more expensive (staff, beer purchasing, energy costs) and
the income doesn’t match anymore. Also the regulations aren’t helping to
(quickly) book something in a pub with a stage or something like that.
Bands on
the other hand are asking more than years ago, on average that is. Before
YouTube, Bandcamp etc. a band needs to make an effort to get their music to the
masses, so they play for a crate of beer, expenses or a small fee. And they
could sell their demo, EP or album at the gig. This weekend in this city, next
weekend 100 kilometres further. Nowadays a band’s music can be accessed easily
and the urge or need to perform every weekend on a stage isn’t as high as it
used to be. Bands can pick what they please. And I get it on one hand, their
expenses have risen as well, but still…the live-culture and attitude is not the
same anymore.
And last
but not least, the younger generation is different. As said, more open-minded
and therefore mostly only scratching the surface of a certain style or
interested in the flavour of the month. Weren’t we open-minded in the 80s or
90s? Sure, but there's more new releases and genres nowadays. And playlists
are more important than listening to a whole album.
I think if there will be something special with underground cult acts, you will see the same old faces and a couple of young enthusiasts, but not a lot of the latter ones. Because with only scratching the surface, such news will not reach them nor are they interested in. That having said, the older generation have different lives now, have a family, other things etc. I also think that’s venues, bookers and labels try to make quite a diversity concerning genres in their line-ups, trying to attract a wider audience. I see combination of bands of which I think “who the hell is interested in that?”, personally I won’t go to a gig with 3 bands while I’m only interested in 1 genre that is playing that evening. But hey…when it is sold out, I’m the fool. All in all I think there is a certain void the younger generation doesn’t fully fill up for a continuation how it once was.
7.
What are some of your favorite bands of all time? In addition, what are your
favorite Dutch bands?
Definitely
on no. 1, without any doubt and said before, Iron Maiden. Concerning Dutch
bands; Asphyx, Dead Head, old Sinister, old Pestilence, old Gorefest, old
Soulburn, Inquisitor, Pentacle, Thanatos, God Dethroned, Sammath, Sempiternal
Deathreign, Callenish Circle’s demo and the list goes on. We had and have a
great scene concerning extreme metal. New acts like Deadspeak, Hellehond,
Perfide, Schavot, Helleruin and Nagel, to name a few, are definitely worth
checking out.
8.
What’s your views regarding the current political climate of the world? Are
greedy politicians and governments becoming more oppressive or do you see a
light at the end of the tunnel?
No. No
light at the end of the tunnel. Call me a pessimist or whatever, I consider
myself as realistic. I don’t believe World Peace will ever be realised, as I
consider power, money and religion as the 3 most evil elements of the world.
And those 3 will always prevail. The people are protesting (be it on the
street, online or else) and think they have achieved something when a corporate
change something or within politics something is changed. Most of the time it
is spare change. They give something on that subject and take it on other
subjects. It is always tactical. And sure, in the previous century it really
helped to demonstrate in a couple of cases, but times have changed, we all are
more depending on the services and products they are all providing nowadays.
Only a few can decide not to depend on it, “getting off the grid”, but it is a
lot harder than in 50s, 70s…90s...almost impossible nowadays. So I live by
“making the best of it”, for myself, for my close and beloved ones. Selfish?
Maybe, but it gives me peace of mind and I don’t like to start any “fights” I
know I cannot win. I choose my battles. But that is each to their own.
9.
It seems that international shipping costs have gone through the roof recently.
Do you agree? Do you still order albums and what’s the last album you bought?
Oh absolutely!
It is not fun anymore just to order 1 or 2 items, because shipping is almost as
expensive. Labels or publishing companies are working together to cover certain
areas to keep the shipping costs beneath a critical point, and I understand it,
otherwise people decide not to order something. It is indeed crazy.
I already
had a large CD collection and tapes as well. I stopped buying CDs a while ago
for several reasons, one of them living smaller. I didn’t sell any of it, I
didn’t add something as well. And I always kept vinyl outside the door, because
I know I get the collectors urge once I would start. Last year I received a
record player as a gift from a friend as quite some VM crewmembers as well as
friends were collecting for years. And so should I in their opinion…well, hell
broke loose. At first I thought I would only buy albums I consider as classics,
and certainly not albums I already have on CD. And definitely not EPs or 7”…but
I failed on all cases. Within a year I bought almost 200 LPs, EPs and 7” and
started buying tapes and CDs again as well. I kept the collector’s urge quite
under control for years, but the barrier has broken. What I’ve ordered and
bought the last couple of weeks:
From
Hammerheart Records
Ancient –
Svartalvheim
Asphyx – On
the Wings of Inferno
Bewitched –
Pentagram Prayer
Dead Head –
Dream Deceiver
Interment –
Scent of the Buried
Kreator –
Pleasure to Kill
Limbonic
Art – Moon in the Scorpio
Limbonic
Art – Epitome of Illusions
Severe
Torture – Feasting on Blood
Rotting
Christ – Thy Mighty Contract
Paradise
Lost – Gothic
Paradise
Lost – Lost Paradise
Lord Belial
– Kiss the Goat
Darkthrone
– Soulside Journey
Autopsy –
Severed Survival
Dead Head -
Shadow Soul (pre-order)
Tristitia –
One With Darkness (pre-order)
From Century
Media
Dark
Tranquillity – The Gallery
Necrophobic
– Satanic Blasphemies
From Metal
Blade
Amon Amarth
– Once Sent from the Golden Hall
The Crown –
Hell is Here
The Crown –
Deathrace King
Lik – Mass
Funeral Evocation
Lik –
Carnage
Vomitory -
Redemption
From The
Sinister Flame
Nocturnal
Vomit - Arts of Tenebrous Superstition (7”)
Black Beast
- Arctic Darkness
Procreation
- Enter the Land of the Dark Forgotten Souls of Eternity (7”)
Vermisst -
Zmierzch Stalowej Ciemności
Werwolf -
Devil Crisis
Erupted
Evil - Ghoul (CD)
Inquisitor
- Walpurgis - Sabbath of Lust (CD)
Nergal -
The Wizard of Nerath (CD)
The Black -
Priest of Satan (CD)
Precambrian
- Tectonics
From De
Pankraker
Samael –
Blood Ritual
Cult of
Eibon / Ceremonial Torture – Necronomical Mirror Divination
Excoriate –
On Pestilent Winds…
Evilfeast /
Uuntar – Odes to the lands of past traditions
Morbid
Saint – Spectrum of Death
And while
we speak I’m looking at the Odium - The Sad Realm of the Stars and Mörk Gryning
- Tusen år har gått... vinyl releases.
10.
Are there any other hobbies you enjoy outside of music, such as sports, hiking,
exercises, beer, reading, etc.?
Oh sure! At
45 year of age I still play football. Last year I said farewell to competition
so I only play for fun on a Monday evening with other 30+ and 40+ blokes.
Watching football is another hobby; supporting the local team NAC Breda since
1989 and my brother and myself are shareholders of AFC Wimbledon (England, Coca
Cola League Two (4th division)) and try to visit them once a year. Besides that
playing a game sometimes (Football Manager, GTA IV) and I’m involved with a
local craft brewery called Brouwerij Bliksem (which means lightning in Dutch).
A brewery which combines beer with Metal, Rock, Hardcore and Punk. We had a Double
IPA called Hammer Smashed Mango with a wink towards Cannibal Corpse and a Sour
called Abigail with a King Diamond connection and so on. Visiting a pub with
friends or my brother…always lovely.
11.
Please list 10 albums you can’t live without.
Oh, still a
difficult question. I think 25 would be difficult even. But let’s give it a try
1. Iron Maiden – Live After Death
2. Christ Agony – Moonlight Act III
3. Suicidal Tendencies – How Will I laugh
Tomorrow
4. Dissection – Storm’s of the Light Bane
5. Necrophobic - Darkside
6. Emperor- In the Nightside Eclipse
7. Brutality – Screams of Anguish
8. Bathory – Under the Sign of the Black
Mark
9. Obituary – Cause of Death
10. Dismember – Like An Everflowing Stream
Fuck it,
also honourable mentions for Covenant – In Times before the Light, Paradise
Lost – Draconian Times, Sear Bliss – Phantoms, Setherial – Nord. I definitely
need space for 50 albums…
12.
Thanks for your time and all the best to you and VM-Underground. Hails!
Thanks for having me, mate! My apologies you have to wait a couple of weeks for my answers, but hopefully there are some interesting bits for the readers.
