The notorious Black Metal horde ANGELGOAT have been making waves in the underground ever
since their inception in 2001. The following interview was conducted
with Unholy Carnager - the mastermind behind the cult.
Infernal
hails! When you first formed the band, what kind of vision did you
have in mind, and has it changed much over the years? What does Black
Metal mean to you?
Hails!
After the culmination of cognition, the vision of Angelgoat came to
physical form in 2001. Since then, the changes were minimal, mostly
some things were just upgraded, keeping the main form. I don't see
that as something positive if the music or the concept keeps
changing. In that case, I would make a new band, and when it's about
Angelgoat, fans will always know what to expect: minimalistic,
primitive and raw old-school Black Metal, with the sound that
permeates from the late '80s / early '90s.
Besides
Angelgoat, there were a few more visions, like playing melodic Black
Metal, or even a Death/Doom Metal project, but somehow that never
manifested, and probably never will...
Can
you give us some information about the current line-up? If I'm not
mistaken, “U Slavu Satane”(In Glory of Satan) was the last
release to feature other members' input?
I
always had a high criterion when it's about the individuals for the
band. Only Devil worshiping musicians are acceptable and appropriate
to share and contribute this vision. Due to the constant deficit of
adequate members, I was mostly doing everything by myself. One of the
rare, and only people besides me, was Occultum Malleus. The names of
the new Devil worshiping musicians of the new line-up will be
revealed soon. With the new release, of corpse.
How do you go about playing all
the instruments and putting everything together? Is it a difficult
process? How long have you been playing each instrument?
It
all began in the late '90s, and it might come as a surprise, but my
first instrument was a keyboard. Soon after that, I started playing
the guitar, bass, and drums. But from the very start, my main focus
was on vocals. “Vatropoklonstvo” (Fire Worship) and “Ustoličenje”
(Enthronement) are the first songs I ever made. When I compose songs,
I do it in a relaxed state, without deadlines and pressure. For my
own pleasure, primarily. Playing guitar, writing down the riffs,
playing, listening and doing the arrangements, riff by riff, until
the song is done. A Guitar Pro is pretty handy thing, for composing
and saving the music from oblivion. Many musicians use it...
It's
quite obvious that you prefer the real thing when it comes to drums,
hence you chose to play them yourself on your last two albums. I must
also say that you pull it off rather well, as I enjoy hearing you
smash the kit into oblivion on your albums. Is it an instrument you
enjoy playing? And What do you think of programmed drums?
Yeah,
blastbeats are my thing, haha. Also I prefer the “old blastbeat”,
obviously. My main problem has always been the lack of rehearsal
place for drums. Which is noticeable on the last 2 albums, although
I'm hoping for better circumstances on the next recording... As I've
already mentioned, my main occupation & pleasure is screaming,
also playing the bass guitar, and for the last few years, destroying
the drum kit for sure. Programmed drums can be OK. In my case, I use
them in Guitar Pro as midi paths for my tracks, but I always value
real drums, even sloppy, instead of programmed drums...
How would you describe the
musical progress between each album/release? Are you happy with the
results of your latest album, “The Lucifer Within”? What does it
represent lyrically and what are some of your favourite tracks? It's
actually one of my favourite black metal albums of the year.
The
progress between all the albums/releases can be taken from some
aspect, but in a way, they are all the same to me. There's a slight
difference and progress in production and sound on each release, but
generally not much has changed and that was the goal. Every recording
won't be the same, different studio, different drum set, etc., but
basically it's the Angelgoat sound.
Yeah,
I'm generally satisfied with the results. As usual, something remains
unfinished, but there's always a next recording. Anyway, there's a
special satisfaction and a feeling when it's known that it's finally
recorded 10 years after the material is even made for that album. The
lyrics even longer... And when it's about the lyrics, the lyric of
the “The Lucifer Within” track speaks of something inner, that
inner belief, the thing I carry in my inner-self and what is the
essence of me. The rest of the lyrics are of similar thematics:
Satanism, occultism, Goat worship, anti-christianity, blasphemy,
desecration, perversion, death... I I think “The Lucifer Within”
track have the strongest riffs, it's a self-titled track for a
reason. One of my favorite tracks from the album, as it represents
Angelgoat's style in it's best light (darkness). It's the same with
the self-titled track from the U Slave Satane” album. “The Night
of Ritual Debauchery” has a special vibe and atmosphere. I'm also
very pleased with the intro, and aside from the tracks I've already
mentioned, the tracks that could also be singled out a bit more are
“Supreme Satanic Will” or ”Glory to the Horns”... Some tracks
are maybe more dear to me than the others from the album, but all the
tracks are very special to me. The track which is a bit different, is
the ”Black Goat Semen”, where my brother Nekro of Goat Terrorism
made a great contribution to the album with his guest appearance.
Cool, I'm really glad to hear that...
How do you manage to conjure such
an heavy and evil guitar tone?
It
was a real revelation when I tried the Metal Zone MT2 for the first
time many years ago. That was it and I'm still using it more then 20
years later. The slight difference between the sound on the albums
are the different guitars. Ibanez on 1st, Jackson on 2nd, and
B.C.Rich on the third album. Some minimal adjustments in mastering
and that's it. The sound of Angelgoat that will be heard on all
future releases.
Tell
us a bit about your vocal approach. Do you practice regularly? What's
some of your biggest inspirations?
Only
the vocals on “U Slavu Satane” album were recorded after
rehearsing it with a full line-up. And that recording session was
basically just me screaming for about half an hour... All the things
are done in a sort of “punkish” style, on “1,2,3 and record”.
All other recording sessions are done the same way, but just without
the rehearsing. Similar with recording the instruments... Which is
not OK, for sure, but that's the way it was. My vocals reached
maximum before I even started recording anything. But, I was forcing
it and I've destroy it years before the first recording. No
particular influence nor inspiration...
Tell us something about where you
grew up and what the metal scene was like in your area.
Vrbas
is a small town, former industrial center, about 25000 people, really
nothing special. And the metal scene was always pretty weak. Besides
Angelgoat, there was one more Black/Death/Trash Metal band, but just
for a short period existed, with the one rehearsal demo. There was
one good Trash/Speed Metal band called Toxic Trace, split up some
time ago, and now there's just one more active similar genre band
called Haste...
Has
the NATO bombing of Serbia had any impact on the nature of your music
or influenced you as a person?
No,
no, I would never use the lyrics of such nature. There's no place for
politics in music, by my opinion, but even generally I do not
remember that there were some Metal bands with such lyrical thematic.
Although some non-metal bands, yes. In general, people in Serbia are
embittered cause such act, bombing and destroying, and the certain
hate to USA definitely exists. I'm not indifferent on such idiotic
behaviour, but it had no influence on me...
Musically,
what are some of your biggest influences? Are you influenced by any
Serbian bands?
A
big influence is Beherit, of corpse. The band I respect the most.
There are more bands that had an influence on me, bands like Mayhem,
Darkthrone or Marduk (some certain periods/albums only) but I never
wanted to have any sound influence by any band under my work. Maybe
Angelgoat have a similar sound to some of the aforementioned bands,
but there was never such an intention, just simply creating the music
I worship. No influence by the band, only by the Devil, hah!
When
it's about the Serbian scene and bands... Maybe I could mention
Heller, Serbian Speed/Trash Metal band from the 80s. Often I use one
comparison when I speak of Heller – What's Sodom for Germany,
that's Heller for Serbia.
I have noticed a trend among the
online community of metalhead sheep to hate on certain cult bands
with the intention of impressing their peers. It's contradictory in
how some of these people can apparently listen to bands that were
influenced by the bands they bash. It makes no sense at all. Your
thoughts?
Like
you said it well – a sheep, as everywhere else, there's always some
smart guy, spoiling and trolling. Not even worth the attention, but
let's say few words about them, when we are already speak of them. I
guess it's a wrong way to elevate themselves in society, so they
strive for trolling. A lot of cult bands that are literally the firms
today, and all they do, they do for the money. It's a business now,
and it's not the same bands from the beginning. Without the same
passion, feeling, the essence,... nothing is the same. Anyway, it's a
reason for someone to take the opportunity and express his “opinion”.
Whatever that opinion may be. But again, such persons should not be
given attention.
Tell
us a little a bit about how you perceive Satanism. Do you believe in
Satan as an actual deity or is it more of a personal symbol that
reflects your darker side? Do you approach it as a religion? What
brought you to this path?
After
many years of practice of Satanism, in many forms, the Occultism in
general, exploring, discovering and learning, the certain attitudes
about this matter are built. I believe in Satan, with those personal
views of mine, but this is a topic which I don't tell much about.
As
concern of religion... Satanism can be considered as sort of
religion, of corpse, but definitely not as one of the religions
today. Generally it's all based on smaller cults, or an individual
practitioner which is often the case... My case, for instance.
“Strange
are the ways of the god” some says, but even stranger are the ways
of Lord Satan who brought me to this path...
What are 10 albums you can't live
without?
I'll
mention some of my favourite albums and releases in general. Beherit
– “Drowning Down the Moon”, “Dawn of Satan's Millennium”
EP, Archgoat - “Whore of Bethlehem”, although I worship more the
earlier works, more dirtier, like the “Jesus Spawn” demo, or
“Angelcunt” EP, or unreleased EP “Hymns To Darkness”. But the
sound on “Whore of Bethlehem” is just awesome. Bestial Raids -
“Prime Evil Damnation”, but all releases are really great, a
great band. Beastcraft - “Into the Burning Pit of Hell”, the
sound is amazing, but I also worship 2 previous demos maybe even
more. Mayhem – “Deathcrush” demo, earlier works, also live
albums like “Live in Leipzig” or “Mediolanum Capta Est”
remained into remembrance. Darkthrone – “Under a Funeral Moon”,
but I was into later albums quite much, like “Ravishing Grimness”
or “Sardonic Wrath”, and I've stopped listening the band after
that album... Marduk - “Those of the Unlight”, special feeling
when this album is about, although I prefer more period with Legion.
Astaroth - “Sklavengott”, but also the EP “Christenfeind”.
Heller – “Heller”, the best Serbian Speed/Trash Metal album
ever, and as the last, an album that left a special impression on me,
and that is “Some Wounds Bleed Forever” from the Stone to Flesh.
Demos are recommended as well...
What
is your stance towards social media? Many people seem to take full
advantage of these platforms to promote their bands to the fullest
and some become overnight rockstars. I have noticed though that you
mostly prefer to stay out of the spotlight, which is respectable.
I
find myself communicative and I like to chat and hang out, I'm active
on some Metal forums, but when it's about social media like Facebook
or similar, I would rather use my time better. When it's about the
band, it's enough to have one official web presentation (a must have
today), which will also be as prevention of the circulation of
disinformation and all kind of crap on the internet. Who wants to
find me or Angelgoat on the internet, he will find.
If
I recall correctly, you attained a serious injury some years ago (I
think you fell or something). Could you please specify exactly what
happened and how long it took you to recover?
Yes,
it was almost 11 years ago by now, and some consequences are still
present, which causes health problems for me from time to time. It
was about 98% recovery, but still, it was a fall from 10 meters
height. Not much to tell, too much beer and shitty luck. Big price I
had to pay, took me quite some time to recover and return to normal
life. But that's the past now. The worship of the Angelgoat
continues.
I
appreciate the black and white covers of your albums, and I'm glad
you didn't opt for colourful artworks like so many modern black metal
bands seem to do. How important is the visual aspect and why do
prefer the more simplistic approach?
The
simplistic approach to the covers is a logical and natural choice for
this kind of music. (And also by my taste, of corpse.) The minimalism
is something that permeates my life and is something that can be
heard in the music I make. My approach to composing riffs is
straight-forward. It's the same with the covers, simple essence and
that's it. The visual aspect is also very important and definitely it
should be some ultimate photo/image for the cover. The album cover
should speak for the release.
Your thoughts on the following:
Monotheism
- Belief in one god, but from different points of view. Many names,
but basically it's the same. From the christian side or from the
other, Satanic side. Fuck god - hail Satan!
US
Politics - US politics are some of the most idiotic for sure. Like
most politics, of course, but these idiots are definitely the worst.
Waste of time and words on this topic...
Anton
LaVey - Anton LaVay was smart (Aquarius ascendant) and with the
energy of Ram, he was achieving his goals. But many Satanists don't
see his philosophy/religion as Satanism. Neither I had a positive
opinion about him and his work, and also don't find it as Satanism,
but after studying a bit deeper, he had a few valid points in regards
to other things. There's a certain respect, but there's a lot of
other minds I would rather study.
Nergal/Behemoth
- Ok, few words and opinion about Nergal of Behemoth. As a Gemini, I
see him as person variable nature and a versatile person. Great
guitarist, very smart, with some his views I agree, with some I’m
not... I respect him cause his Crowleyanity...
What
are some of your favorite albums from the last 10 years? Do you have
any favorites from 2020 so far?
Some
titles really worth mentioning, that I can think of right now...
Perverted Ceremony - “Sabbat of Behezaël”, Doombringer - “The
Grand Sabbath”, but demos and EP are also definitely worth checking
out, 13th Moon - “Abhorrence of Light”, with 2 previous demos...
From
2020., "Death Clan OD" from Serpent Noir, in which I've
enjoyed pretty much.
As
I understand it, you recently moved to Belgrade. So far, how's
experience with the metal scene and people there? Is it a nice city
to live in? Are there any like-minded manijaks with a penchant for
Satan and morbid Black/Death?
Yeah,
the relocation was necessary to improved the functioning of the band
and a greater worship of the Goat! Serbia is a small country, and
sadly only 2-3 towns actually lives. No life in small towns. For
about 20 years I was visiting the Belgrade, gigs and friends, and I
already had some contacts there, the adequate individuals and option
now to gather the horde for Angelgoat, so that was the best solution.
Also when it's about the question of job – more options. But every
start is hard, so maybe next release will took some time, but expect
it for sure 666%!
I
could keep going, but I'll stop here for the sake of everyone's well
being :) Few people have the patience to read a 60 question
interview. Can you imagine that? Well, I hope you had a good time
with these questions. Tell us about your future plans and where all
the maniacs can get hold of your merchandise and music. Slava
Angelgoat!
Hahah,
you are definitely right there, no one likes the long interviews...
Except the few maniacs as you say. Yeah, it was a cool and really
nice chat with you, and thanks for the great support. Keep checking
the updates on official website, some great news coming up soon!
Slava Satan! Slava Angelgoat!
