PERVERSITY is one of slovakia‘s longest running and most consistent Death Metal bands boasting a considerably lengthy discography replete with solid material. A band absolutely worth checking out if you‘re a fan of dark and brutal Death Metal. Kazateľ (vocalist) was kind enough to answer some questions for Death By Hammer.
Hails! How’s everything going in Prešov? Lets begin this interview with a biography of your band & some info about the current line-up.
Kazateľ: Hail, Jim. We are doing well. Thanks for asking. The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns put some obstacles in our way, but we've managed to overcome them successfully. Anyway, this is our history:
The band was formed in October 1995 by Martin Marinčák (vocals) and Jozef “Ďodi“ Košč (guitars). The first two demos (The Embarrassed (1997), Personal (1999)) have opened the gates to the underground scene. After some personal changes, in January 2001, the new line-up was formed: Martin (vocals), Ďodi (guitars), Marek Stašák (drums), Dano Kochaník (guitars) and Martin Kukoľ (bass). These five guys managed to record two albums. At the beginning of 2003 the debut album “In The Garment Of Lust” was released by the French label Perennial Quest Records. The material contains 8 new songs and 1 song “Disillusioned” (re-recorded) from the first demo. It is a brutal death metal stuff and it helped Perversity to get to the world UG scene. In November 2004 the second album “Words Like Poison” was released by the Slovak label Forensick Music. The CD contains 33 minutes of brutal technical death metal. The new vocalist Juraj “Kazatel“ Handzuš joined the band in September 2003. In May 2004 the band has a new drummer Martin “Myštik“ Horgoš and the new era of unholy death metal has started. The band managed to support death metal legends Suffocation and Vital Remains. The new guitarist Robert Vanya joined the band in July 2005. The line-up working on the next album was: Jozef Košč (guitars), Martin Kukoľ (bass), Juraj Handzuš (vocals), Martin Horgoš (drums) and Robert Vanya (guitars). Meanwhile the CDr “Demos & Rarities Collection“ was created in April 2006. It contains remastered demos and a couple of live tracks. The third album “Beyond The Reach Of Heaven” was recorded in February and March 2007. It contains 9 tracks, 35 minutes of pure death metal music with message from Immolation or Incantation. The CD was released by the Czech label Grodhaisn Production at the beginning of 2008. In September 2007 the new bassist Slavomir “Sly“ Kovaľ joined the band. In April 2009 the next personal change occured. Marian “Elvis“ Petrik became the new guitarist. He had been the vocalist in the Slovak death metal legends Insepultus, between the years 2000-2002. At that time the line-up was: Kazateľ (vocals), Ďodi (guitars and backing vocals), Elvis (guitars), Sly (bass) and Myštik (drums). The 15th anniversary of the band was celebrated at the concert in Prešov on September 25, 2010. At the end of March 2011 Perversity recorded their 4th album entitled “Ablaze“, in the studio Klakson in Slovakia. The hot news was the new Czech label Lavadome Productions. The official release date of the CD (limited to 1300 copies) and T-shirts with “Ablaze” theme was set to August 31st 2011. Lavadome made a great promotion and distribution of the CD all around the world´s underground scene. The material contains 10 tracks and is 34 minutes long. It is more demonic and orthodox death metal material in the discography of Perversity. In June 2012 there is a change in the post of the drummer. The new member is Peter “Necrocyklo” Jakubík who played in the bands liker Wayd, Demonoid Virtue, Khadaver and Symetria. His music knowledge and contribution to the development of the band seems to be very important. In summer 2012 the guitarist Elvis leaves the band. The new concert setlist is made as well as material for the new EP. At the end of 2013 the band enters Klakson Studio where the hot material is recorded. It contains 5 new songs and final piano outro. The Ep is called Infamy Divine and is released again by Lavadome Productions on January 7th 2014. The new material is more worked out with the best sound so far than “Ablaze“. Together with the cover art made by Mr. Jon Zig (Suffocation, Sinister, Deeds Of Flesh at etc.), the new Perversity guarantees dark old school death metal with the message of veterans like Immolation and Deicide. In December 2013 the first gigs with a new guitarist Martin “Fetus“ Calko were played. He was in the bands like Amnesist, Angelic Embrace in the Nest of Death and Impeccant. The years 2014 and 2015 were marked with the gigs and making the new material. In autumn 2015 the new bass guitarist Peter “Oči“ Očipa (Killerface, ex-Grinding Jesus Brothers) has joined the band. Line-up was as followed: Kazateľ, Ďodi, Peter, Fetus and Oči. The guys had a fertile year of 2016. Between April and June of the same year, they recorded a new album “Idolatry“ and played at Slovak summer festivals: Gothoom, Flesh Party and Ynfest. The new album contains 10 tracks of pure death metal with certain amount of dark progress. It lasts 35 minutes. In February 2017 the album was released by the Slovak label Metal Age Productions which exists for many years. At the end of 2017 another line-up changes occured. Oči (bass) has left the band and Samuel Trón came to the band as a new bass player. This new line-up has managed to support death metal legends Suffocation and Benediction. In December of 2019 they have entered the Martin Barla studio in Poprad to re-record an old song called The Worms Among Us, from the Embarassed demo. It will appear as a bonus track for the 17th anniversary re-release of their debut album In The Garment of Lust. Which was re-released by Metal Age Productions again, in August 28th 2020. In December 2019 another line-up changes occured. Samo has decided to leave the band and some days later the new bass player was found and his name is Radoslav Smrek. So the new line-up is as followed: Juraj “Kazateľ“ Handzuš (vocals), Jozef “Dodi“ Košč (guitars), Martin “Fetus“ Calko (guitars), Radoslav Smrek (bass) and Peter “Necrocyklo“ Jakubík (drums).
My
first introduction to Perversity was the “Ablaze” CD, which is a
really killer slab of blasphemous, brutal death fucking metal that
eats babies for breakfast. What I've noticed about this album is that
you were very experimental with tempos and the riffs were even quite
technical. What can you tell us about this album? Has your sound and
influences changed much since the beginning days?
Kazateľ: I'm glad that you like it. Well, when we composed the material for the “Ablaze“ album, we did what we could and knew best at that time. We put a lot of our time and energy into that album. We were (and still are) extremely satisfied, both with the songs and with the resulting sound. It's dark and brutal, and that's what we wanted. The whole process of composing and then recording in the studio is the best and most beautiful thing in the activity of the band. We also moved a step forward with the band, with the help of Jan from Lavadome Productions. You must listen to this album very carefully. And I'm glad that you found those details there. That's what we wanted when we composed the riffs. But of course for some people there will be no “tralala lala tempos” and such shit. We love when the bass is a balanced instrument for the guitars. In my opinion, it is almost a tragedy when someone puts the bass guitar completely in the background and you can barely hear it. That’s why we tried to do it both more technical and simple, but with darker lines. There is also this touch of old school death metal that comes straight from our hearts. We will not do anything to change that, because this is how we feel it.
Let’s talk a bit about your last album “Idolatry.” So far I've only managed to listen to it online, but there seems to be some changes compared to the previous album, especially with the production. Can you tell us a bit more about the kind of sound you were going for?
Kazateľ: You're right. There are some changes in “Idolatry“ material, both with the sound and production as well. Previous albums like “Ablaze“ or “Infamy Divine“ were recorded at the Klakson studio in Košice. As mentioned before, we did what we could and knew best at that time. We put a lot of time and energy, including our souls into these records. We are still very satisfied with the results. But when we started to write and compose the new material for the “Idolatry” album, we decided to do it more professionally this time around.
This album took us a long time to finish, as we worked really hard on the sound and process of each song. The progressive recording process was really helpful for us. Everything was done by Mr. Martin Barla (a drummer from Astarot), who has his own home studio. The basic mixing and mastering was done by all of us. We are glad that the final sound of the guitars is readable and very deep. We wanted to have this real death metal sound, nothing clear but also modern at the same time. We are very satisfied with it.
What
does the process entail when composing your blasphemous hymns and
what inspires you?
Kazateľ: Usually it all happens spontaneously in our rehearsal room. Ďodi and Fetus bring the basic lines and the songs' structures. Meanwhile, I will bring the complete lyrics. Other ideas for drums, bass and new guitar riffs are contributed by all of us. Then we work together until it is done. When we are really satisfied with the power and darkness of each song, then it is the best feeling you can have.
How has the response been towards your music (both locally and abroad)?
Kazateľ: After all these years in this “business“, I must tell you, that there were both good and bad times. And that includes also some reviews, responses, etc.. But, if we will talk about our last album, then all the reviews were and still are very good from all sides and we feel that there is a higher interest in our band now. This album took us a long time to finish and we worked really hard on the sound and process of each song. We believe that “Idolatry” will be known as a good album in the metal archives of the local scene.
What can you tell us about the scene there? Are there many maniacs that support your band & who are into this kind of music?
Kazateľ: Slovak underground metal scene is big, filled with bands playing various styles of metal. But it is not as big as it was in the 90's, when the scene reached its peak. Those were very good times for the underground. At that time there were a lot of good bands in Slovakia, some of which, unfortunately, didn't survive the adversity of fate or changed their stylistic direction, which, however, led to their later demise. But, some of them have survived and are still active these days. Nowsdays, there are some new bands or individual artists that are carrying the torch, and are working hard on their music. There are also some new zines, webzines and festivals. So, when it comes to the fans and maniacs (if you like), they are buying records, merchandise or going to the concerts, festivals to support their favorite band or bands. Personally for me, it is very satisfying to see that. If you know what I mean.
Kazateľ: Usually it all happens spontaneously in our rehearsal room. Ďodi and Fetus bring the basic lines and the songs' structures. Meanwhile, I will bring the complete lyrics. Other ideas for drums, bass and new guitar riffs are contributed by all of us. Then we work together until it is done. When we are really satisfied with the power and darkness of each song, then it is the best feeling you can have.
How has the response been towards your music (both locally and abroad)?
Kazateľ: After all these years in this “business“, I must tell you, that there were both good and bad times. And that includes also some reviews, responses, etc.. But, if we will talk about our last album, then all the reviews were and still are very good from all sides and we feel that there is a higher interest in our band now. This album took us a long time to finish and we worked really hard on the sound and process of each song. We believe that “Idolatry” will be known as a good album in the metal archives of the local scene.
What can you tell us about the scene there? Are there many maniacs that support your band & who are into this kind of music?
Kazateľ: Slovak underground metal scene is big, filled with bands playing various styles of metal. But it is not as big as it was in the 90's, when the scene reached its peak. Those were very good times for the underground. At that time there were a lot of good bands in Slovakia, some of which, unfortunately, didn't survive the adversity of fate or changed their stylistic direction, which, however, led to their later demise. But, some of them have survived and are still active these days. Nowsdays, there are some new bands or individual artists that are carrying the torch, and are working hard on their music. There are also some new zines, webzines and festivals. So, when it comes to the fans and maniacs (if you like), they are buying records, merchandise or going to the concerts, festivals to support their favorite band or bands. Personally for me, it is very satisfying to see that. If you know what I mean.
In 2017, you were nominated for best Slovak metal album by Radio Heads Awards for the Hard & Heavy category. What can you tell us about that?
Kazateľ: Radio Head Awards is a Slovak music award of the popular Rádio FM. It was created in 2008 as a counterpoise to the Slávik and Aurel award, which presented mainly mainstream music. Rádio FM has set up a survey to enable the presentation of an alternative music scene in Slovakia. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or music group must publish their recording in the same year of nomination. A newcomer of the year can be an artist or a music group that has not released any official studio album or released their first album by the end of the year, and this prize can only be won once. Simply to say, you can compare it with the other types of awards, like MTV Music Awards, Grammy, Norwegian Spellemannprisen or something like that. But, it is not so “magnificent or pompous” like the others. So, when our “Idolatry” album came out, all the reviews and reactions were very good from all sides and we felt that there is a higher interest in our band. But we had no idea that it could be nominated for this type of an award. It was a shock and surprise at the same time. It was a very good feeling, because we knew that we did a really good job on this record. There were four other bands with us in the Hard and Heavy category. In the end, we didn't won it but who cares. It was and still is a very huge step in our history.
What kind of atmosphere and feeling do you try to capture with your music?
Kazateľ: Like I said it before. When we prepare the material for the album. Every step that we take is very important for us. We try to capture both musically and lyrically, all the negativity of fear, darkness and blasphemy. Everything that is bad and wrong, hidden deep in the hearts and minds of men. Basically, you can simply say that our main focus is to capture the essence of primal evil, the nature of sin, madness and darkness. These are the topics that people have been afraid of for more than two thousand years.
How essential is performing live for the band, and have you ever played outside of Slovakia? Which bands have you shared the stage with?
Kazateľ: For every musician (both for the individual or the band) it is very important to play live and bring their music to the masses. And it doesn't matter if you play in the small venues, the bigger ones or if you play the huge festivals. You must love what you're doing and you must do it right. So, when you hear the people talking about you after a show, or when they want to have a talk with you and you hear these words, how they admire and appreciate every moment. Only then can you feel this essence of success and satisfaction. That's why I appreciate every single minute of it. We have played many shows outside of Slovakia, mainly in Czechia (or Czech Republic if you will) and for once we were playing in Austria. It was a small venue in Vienna (Escape-Metal Corner now known as Escape Metal Bar-Live Club) and we shared the stage with Destination Void (ex-members from Austrian legends Miasma). When it comes to the other bands we shared the stage with. There are a lot of them, but I will pick some famous ones: Vital Remains, Suffocation, Benediction, Krabathor, Death Strike, Decapitated.
What do you think of death metal bands that infuse clean vocals and gothic influences into their sound? Can outsider elements add more depth to the music?
Kazateľ: There are a lot of well known bands that have done this fusion in the past. Of course it wasn't pure death metal, rather, it was doom metal or death/doom metal. I mean, these kinds of bands that use this “Beauty and the Beast” style of vocals. Oh, man, how I hate these so called “labels” for genres. But there were some bands that played death metal with some “gothic flavor” like Scum (Finland), Swedish bands like Cemetery (middle period), Tiamat (The Astral Sleep, Clouds era) or Crematory (on their first albums) from Germany. For these kinds of bands it has worked well. So, maybe, it can add some depth to the music. But that depends entirely on the artists, how they feel and of course on the fans as listeners.
Can you give us a list of some of your favourite metal albums ever that have made a lasting impact on you?
Kazateľ: Oh, man. This is a hard question for me. Cause, I have a lot of favorite bands and albums. But, if I must pick some of them it would be these bands and records: Slayer – Show no Mercy, Sodom – Obsessed by Cruelty, Possessed – Seven Churches, Beherit – Drawing Down the Moon, Darkthrone – Soulside Journey, Darkthrone – Under a Funeral Moon, Blasphemy – Fallen Angel of Doom, Deicide – Legion, King Diamond – Conspiracy. These records are my all time favorites. They've formed my taste in metal music and made me who I am today.
Lastly, what does the future hold for the band and when can we expect a new album? Cheers!
Kazateľ: As I've already mentioned before, the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns put some obstacles in our way. But we've managed to overcome them. It was a very difficult time for us. So right now we are focusing and working slowly on our next material. Some songs are already complete and some need to be finished.
I can't tell you now when it will be out, but I can promise you that it will tear your soul apart. Thank you for the interview and for showing interest in our band. Take care and good luck with your webzine. Cheers!