EFFLUVIUM is a melodic death metal band from Laguna, near south of the main city Manila. Read on to know more about the band & much more. Their 1st demo is available from the band & their 2nd being released by Thailand's Maelstrom666 Production. They are also included in Melstrom666's compilation tape #2.

UNDERWORLD > Hail Willie, since you never sent a bio, please introduce the band. How you came to be Effluvium. How'd you find each other, Why you take the name Effluvium, why you've decided to play this kind of metal, individual & common influences, plus anything about the souls within band, age, special skills, hobbies, deformities, phobias, etc....
WILLIE > Well, it would take forever if I would elaborate on our history. We were 17 years old, we, the 3 of us, Reynaldo/ Willie / Donamer formed Effluvium out of the ashes of my high school band. I was bored and depressed as fuck back in 1996. I met up with them and explained the conceptual path on which EFFLUVIUM was to take. I really need to play music as an output of my frustrations and transmitter of my emotions and opinions. I chose the name EFFLUVIUM because it meant " An invisible emanation" which basically constitutes to music & relevant to our subject matter, lyrically. The current line-up, with ages are: Reynaldo 23 / Willie 22 / Johannes 19 / Emerson 23. Musically our main influences are Eurothrash (mid 80' s), NWOBHM and Gothenburg metal. Individually, I cant speak for other members, my influences ranges from Autopsy, Possessed, Dark Angel, Sodom, Maiden, Sabbath, Old Metallica, Dark Tranquility, Repulsion, Amorphis and 70' s progressive rock such as Rush and Hawkwind. They kick serious ass! Me, I don' t have any special skills but we also use to do a zine called SYNAPSE back in 1998-' 99, we managed to put out a couple of issues but that was it.
UNDERWORLD > Like you said in your letter, Philippines have a shitty metal scene. How shitty is it in your area, San Pablo city? How many bands do you know exist there? Are you in contact w/ other true underground metal heads (either in a band or not) in our country?
WILLIE >There actually is no ' metal scene' here. There' s a thriving punk/hardcore scene but I' m not interested in their shit. Although I have a few hardcore & punk friends. There are only 2 metal bands here (not including EFFLUVIUM) they are: PATHOGEN, my old-school death metal side project, due to record a demo soon! And LUDRA, thrash, but they didn' t have a DIY ethic of any sort, which is sad. (Well that is sad indeed!!!-Roy). Yes, I am in contact with several ' real' metalheads in R.P.
UNDERWORLD > What do you think is the major problem in our metal scene? Do you think we can overcome this? What do our scene lack? Trends do create many gigs & make local (mainstream) labels sign some bands, so are you in favor of a trendy & mainstreamed metal scene?
WILLIE > There' s actually very little unity in our scene as far as my observation goes. Plus, the KORN bands really destroyed the term ' heavy metal' . Now all these kids think that crap is real metal! It confused the hell out of kids who don' t know the difference between Morbid Angel and Korn! I hate trends and I don' t care if no one invites us to a gig because our music is not ' in' . As long as we can rehearse and record our own music, then, I' m happy. We will not tolerate punk or hardcore elements in our music just to stay trendy. EFFLUVIUM will forever stay true to METAL!!!!
UNDERWORLD > Can you tell more about your demo? When & why you decided to create it? How are you promoting it? How many have you sent out so far & are you satisfied w/ the result?
WILLIE > Right now we were promoting it like hell. We gave a lot of copies to ' zines, bands and friends everywhere. I don' t have the exact number, though it is estimated at 300-350 copies. Um, well, were satisfied enough about the results considering the number of interviews we did with ' zines and expansion of our correspondence. We decided to record our demo early last year. We had 5 songs but could afford to record only 3. We recorded at a friends' home studio in Lipa City, Batangas using a 4-track machine. It was released February 25th, 2000. Right now we' re planning to put out a promo cassette or something.
UNDERWORLD > There's an additional in your line-up right? How did this came about? Will this be a stable line-up?
WILLIE > Yes, well, line-up changes happened because other members changed priorities and can't commit themselves to the band anymore. I don' t think there' s such a thing as ' stable line-up' because we all have different opinions and our choices would dictate the outcome of our picture.
UNDERWORLD > You gave me a bonus track (new line-up) w/ your demo, so are you currently working on new demo? Would you give advance info on topics, styles & date that are in your plans concerning this?
WILLIE > The plans are tentative yet because we don' t have the budget to do it. But we' re continually writing new music and rehearsing. It would be the same concepts as before, lyrically, a mixture of history, science, cosmology and other dark stuff. Musically, it's going to be more progressive and adventurous. I wanted to make a difference on peoples lives through our music. The same way albums like " Reign in Blood" , " Draconian Times" , " Piece of Mind" , " Kill ' Em All" , " The Gallery" and " Slaughter of Souls" affected me so deeply. I know I sound cheesy but, yes, it changed my life. (Yeah it sounds a bit cheesy, or emotional, but I do agree some music grab our soul & just wouldn' t let go!!!-Roy)
UNDERWORLD > How do you manage to rehearse, record and maintain your equipments in our fucked-up country? Are you rich? Do all of you have jobs? How many hours (or days) do you give to the band per week? How about funds, do you share expenses in everything?
WILLIE > First of all, I' m not rich. I don' t have a job. I have always been an outcast ever since grade school. I didn' t hang out with the ' popular crowd' . The only thing I ever had was music and other people would laugh or humiliate me for listening to metal. They never understand what I' m fighting for. We practice about 2 times a week. I' m always playing guitar at home though. As far as money goes, nearly all of it goes to the music. Yes, we do share expenses, our drummer has a job, and so he' s a little well off when it comes to cash. Our equipment, or most of it are borrowed from friends.
UNDERWORLD > Have you played live? Is there any gig organizers or venues in San Pablo City?
WILLIE > Playing live kick ass! It rules! It' s a time for us to get wild and get our heads blown off. We started playing gigs in 1999. Before that we play only our school. We have very little live experience, unfortunately. Since 1999 we' ve only 13 gigs so far. No, there are no organizers or promoters of gigs here for bands like EFFLUVIUM. The venues here don' t allow metal, which sucks\'85.
UNDERWORLD > Do you guys drink a lot? Is there a local alcoholic drink in San Pablo like tuba or lambanog or you prefer beer? Do you eat dog, snake, bayawak or any exquisite foods from your area?
WILLIE > I enjoy getting intoxicated every once in a while. Reynaldo and Emerson like to get totally wasted, piss-drunk and throw-up. Keep on drinking and throw-up some more! (Gwwaarrsshhh..Yeah puke rules!!!-Roy) I' ll try any drink, but beer is the drink of METAL and we love guzzling it!!! I' ve tried eating dogs before, when I was a little kid. I haven' t tried all those other stuff you mentioned but they sure as hell would make foreigners puke their intestines out!
UNDERWORLD > I've been to Mt. Banahaw 6 times & we always use the San Pablo route. Are you near that place? Have you been to that mountain? It's pretty much damaged by too many climbers, how do you feel about it? How about the many religious sects taking refuge there, have you encountered any of them? Do you believe that the place is sacred?
WILLIE > Hey, maybe, we' ve crossed paths there unknowingly. I myself have been there quite a few times. We camped there last April with ' Metal Maniacz' banner. Yes, I' ve encountered those people you're talking about. I respect them and I think that place is highly sacred or why else would people go there? To fuck around? (Well my non-metal friends want to bring some babes to fuck them up there, but they found out it' s too fucking cold to remove your trouser, so\'85Roy) I don' t think so. We were stargazing one night and several UFO' s streaked through the dark skies in several directions, believe it or not. I do believe there's probably a supreme being commanding the universe because everything has a reason for existing and functioning in this seemingly infinite and expanding universe. There's a purpose for us being here and I think our purpose is to find out ourselves, to unlock the mysteries of time, life and space\'85
UNDERWORLD > Filipinos are too much of a fucking critic in other people' s lives. What does your family, neighbors or other people that you meet say when they found out you're into this kind of extreme music or if you wear offensive or non-understandable shirts? What are the usual harsh words thrown to you? Have you engaged in a fight because of this?
WILLIE > My parents are generally anti-METAL. They nearly disowned me once. At least now as a young adult they respect the choices I' ve made in my life. People wouldn' t stand 5 feet from like I have a disease or something. I know there are many disenfranchised people like me who only seeks for everyone' s understanding, if they think I can't find acceptance, I don' t care anymore. Metal keeps me going. I've found solace and salvation in METAL music. People immediately presume that I'm a drug addict or I was crazy. I wanted to prove to them that they were wrong and they' ve judged me unwittingly. Most metal fans are having the same experiences that happen to me, so through our music, I hope that they keep the flag flying and keep the Metal faith whatever happens.
UNDERWORLD > What are the best & worst things that have happened to you as a metal head? Do you have a girlfriend or married? Would you prefer a metal head gf /wife? If you got head over heels over a babe & she asked you to quit metal what will you do?
WILLIE > Best thing: I get a lot of mail from around the world and of course recording and plating live. Worst thing: being labeled as a drug addict. No I don' t have a wife or a stable girlfriend. I'd rather prefer a normal and simple woman who' d understand me. If someone asked me to quit metal he or she is asking to his/her neck broken. Ha, ha, ha!
UNDERWORLD > We live in a christian country w/c I think what makes it full of hypocrites, scums, & other assholes! What are your views on these? What are the members' forms of divination? Is there really a relationship between spirituality & metal musick??
WILLIE > Almost all types of music involves some sort of spirituality, otherwise, it' d be lifeless like rap or pop crap. I don' t mind other people' s religion. The worst thing is that organizations like Iglesia Ni Cristo have forced people to donate their cash. That' s purely criminal! (Also El Shaddai, a catholic group, Couples & Singles for Christ who are fucking phonies!! Who thinks they can hide their dirty faces w/ those fine clothes & bible phrases!! I don' t know how they can treat people like shit & say hallelujah to their lord!!! -Roy)
UNDERWORLD > Technology has great effect in our lives. Now the Internet has given u/g bands a boost in contacts & promoting themselves, Are you planning to create a website for Effluvium? How about e-mails, do you have one already?
WILLIE > It would be cool if we can have a website. I couldn' t even afford a computer or even rent one. We rely on the age old underground promotion techniques. Technology totally changed the metal scene. It has bridged time, distance and communication gaps with a click of a button. Truly marvelous.
UNDERWORLD > Do you think you guys will grow old & still a metal head? Would you let your children become a metal head? What if they become trendy & pop cultured, what will you do?
WILLIE > Hell, yeah! If it had become pop cultured, then I'm in heavy metal heaven! Just kidding! That' s rather unlikely. I'm going to be a metal fun ' till I'm riding in a casket! Kids being metalheads? Maybe\'85I' ll let them choose what they want in their lives.
UNDERWORLD > Have you planned something for the band this year? Do you calculate the progression of EFFLUVIUM, like after this date we should have this number of demo, contacts, interviews...etc...?
WILLIE> Well, we set goals, but things do screw shit up. Like last year all the stuff we planned didn' t pan out, almost all. We try our absolute best to reach those goals. This year our plan is all out mail and gigging assault. Writing better songs and try to record music.
UNDERWORLD > If I will give you 24 hours after that I will take your life. What are the things you'll gonna do within these 24 hours? If you want the whole damned world to remember you, in what way do you want to be remembered?
WILLIE > If I had that chance, I' ll ask you to take my life now. I wanted our music to be revered and remembered and for me, to be remembered as a person who made our dreams possible when everyone said it couldn' t happen.
UNDERWORLD > Do you believe in Tikbalang, Aswang, Manananggal, Tiyanak or other Philippine supernatural creatures? Why do (or don' t) you believe in their existence?
WILLIE > I don' t know if I should believe because I haven' t seen those yet. (Ok, for non-Filipinos, Tikbalang a half-man half-horse tobacco-smoking creature, usually harmless, just to scare you but sometimes possesses & lust for humans. Aswang is a creature who can change into anything, usually pigs, dogs & banana trees, craves for pregnant, newly born, kids or just anyone in their path. Manananggal, a half sized creature w/ bat wings, half sized being their upper body only fly w/ the wings & the other half from waist down hides. Also preys on pregnant, newly born & kids. Tiyanak, the dark cousins of the dwarves, usually bald headed w/ pointed ears all skin is black, very mischievous. But remember there are no proofs of their existence, only hear say, folklore or ' myths' ..Believe it or not! Damn I'm like that guy on TV?! - Roy)
UNDERWORLD > What did you guys do last Lenten Holiday? Did you have a great vacation? Where do you when you want to have some peace of mind or ponder upon life? Do you think about your mortality?
WILLIE > As usual, spend time reading books seeking musical inspiration, writing songs, etc. every now and then I take a walk at night I go to the park near the lake, a beautiful place, and stare at the night sky and the majestic landscape. Think about the past and the future. It really relaxes me. Having been a metal fan, yes. I am aware of my mortality. I accept the fact that someday all would be over for me. I want to believe that there is an afterlife and death is just a figure of speech.
UNDERWORLD > And all will come to pass..& So is this interview. So please give more info about future events & thing going on in your mind. Say "thanks" to anyone & "fuck yous" to ones you hate! Thanks & More Power to you All!!!
WILLE > Well, watch out for our next release. It would take a little more time before it comes out if no further complications arise. Thanks to everyone who wrote and still writing to me, to everyone who goes to our shows and listen to our music. And to you Roy, for giving EFFLUVIUM a chance to share our thoughts. Best regards and stay METAL! Fuck all rap / cock rock bands, MTV, Boy bands, trendies, Asia Brewery (your beer tastes like shit!)(That last comment in parenthesis is from Willie, for me, their beer always make me shit, it fucks up my stomach & I shit liquids, so I don' t drink those damn beers!!!-Roy), 9 volt adaptors and digital effects. Well there goes....wait! here are additional info. They already recorded a new song entitled " EFFLUVIUM" last March 6th. They also participated in a compilation album by Psychic Scream Malaysia. For their 3 song demo " Genesis of our Conquest" and correspondence, contact
EFFLUVIUM c/o Willie Desamero, #3M. Fule Sahagun St., San Pablo City, Laguna 4000, Philippines.
Tracks on the demo are " Trinity And Beyond" , " Zero Ward" and " Cosmic Dust" . My copy has a bonus track " Claws of Twilight" . The track on the UnderWorld compilation is " Cosmic Dust" . }