FUNERAL FROST is a black metal band from the Rotting Islands of the Philippines. Even though we only have 2 seasons which is the wet & dry & therefore we have no winter, they have taken the frost biting chillness of gothic atmosphere & mid paced black metal. This interview is made in November & partly answered in that month & another part December 2001. This is answered by Maggoth (vocalist) & Baalberith (drummer). To read bio, please click on the logo below. Most pictures here were taken from the recent gigs that they played in these past months. Hail & read on....
Hail
Joven & to all of funeral frost.
Fellow creatures can click on your bio section here in these website soI would
concentrate my question on other evil matters, and this goes to all of you.
How's the band doing? What can you say at the recent live shows you've
participated in? Are there any hassles? How about the bands you've share the
stage with or the crowd any comments or complains??
Maggoth: The band's doing great except
for financial problemsI guess. We vision our music better if we had the proper
equipment.I feel that we lack more "technical" stuff to make our sound
better.I think it's great. We've been playing for 5 years now and it's only
"now" that we got to play with our fellow genre. We met a lot of
people and made new friends (hail roy!) And the crowd is utterly a bit
flattering.I guess the only hassle is the commuting to one point to the next. We
live here in the south and we journey to long points carrying our instruments
and all, it's kindda tiring. There's this usual eye to eye contact angst we get
from other bands or genres but all in all it was a great experience playing with
our fellow BMetallist.
Baalberith: Greetings, Roy! Thanks for
this. Now, about the questions, so far, the guys are doin' great! We've all been
busy with performing the ritual that is funeral frost. The live gigs have been
great! We've had so much fun playing. Everytime we go up on stage and play, we
give everything 210%! We just enjoy what we do. The only hassles that we've
encountered so far is the distance from the venues to where we come from. We're
from the south and most of the gigs are held north so we have to travel some
distance but it all pays off once you're there and see the anticipation of the
crowd to the event, specially when it's your turn to play! The crowd's great!
We've noticed that everytime we play,I dunno if it's me or what, the crowd has
always been silent and very focused and it's like they're really paying
attention to what we're doing. It's overwhelming!
How would you describe your personal life in
comparison to funeral frost's? Does it fall in parallel existence?? Do you feel
that your birth would come to such biabolical proportions???
Maggoth: Funeral frost is dark and as we
had been personally even before. The "image" people see on us on stage
is normal to us. Vlagrath, baalberith and myself used to go to school like
that... Wearing ourselves.I guess it is a part of our culture as goths.
Baalberith: My life in funeral frost and
my private life is not much different, actually.I mean,I go to work weekdays,
practice at weekends. It's like, everything thatI do manifests around my
principles and beliefs that the other guys from ' frost also have so it's not
much different. That's why we suck on each other's necks all the time! We share
the primary principles and the mental doctrines that funeral frost needs to
breathe. Most of the objectives thatI adhere to revolves around the history and
foundation of the band, even when i'm just watching tv or listening to music,
those things. My birth? Well, of course, nobody expects that the world will be
damned to hell soI guess it's the same for me.I mean,I was a school-house type
of kid back then who reads a lot about school books and everything interesting.I
knew about 'aliester crowley' whenI was in grade 6 soI think that was it.
Why play black metal? There are lots of metal genre
now, why you chose this style?? What do you get out of it???
Maggoth: I first listen to bm way back
1996. Ancient was the first thatI had listened to and it completely blew me off.I
realized that it was the exact soundI was imagining to hear. I've been
collecting tapes from industrial to darkwave and stillI could not find the soundI
was thinking about.I wanted a band that would really scare the hell out of me
with disturbing, eerie and haunting soundscapes. WhenI got fond of bmI realized
it all connected to my music history. My father was into rock music too andI had
been introduced to premiere goth bands at a very young age and when it was my
mother's turn to play her kind of music, she would play classical music by
beethoven, mozart or chopin and the like.I realized it was bm music fused into
one.
Baalberith: Why black metal? That kind of
music for me is my astraparaphysical ritual.I don't give a shit about other
music genres. Just do what they do and enhance their crafts. By playing black
metal music,I corrupt and control the inner beings that reside within, it's like
happiness through pain, very masochistic. That's my channeling device to forget
and not be myself for a while. Get away with reality. Art through destruction.
That is my ritual, my invocation to the blessed serpent. All harmony that
resides beneath the boundaries of chaos and misanthropy are expressed freely
with that type of music, andI think, we have executed that part fairly, in our
own way, of course.
Black metal is associated with satanism. How many
percent of you are into satanism? Do you agree that bands should only play black
metal if they are ready to sign their name in their own blood?? Have you
experienced drinking human blood? (I found my own blood not tasteful, has a
fishy taste not like my wife's blood, a bit salty..mmmmmm..)
Maggoth: I don't really think you have to
be a satanist to play bm.I was really more of a dark person rather than the
devil. SureI loved stephen king novels, dress myself up like a wizard and go to
cemeteries to say poem verso on some dead people no one comes to visit anymore.I
have disturbing philosophies about the world & damnation and call upon
the spirits with the help of a quija board but it doesn't mean i'm a satanist
andI cannot play bm.I haven't
Baalberith: 90% of the band is into
satanism, but we're not the type that beat up people for no reason, kill
livestock and shit like that. Of course, we have to retaliate if someone
inflicted physical harm but not to the point of just doing that to show off or
to tell others that we're supreme. We follow the law of self-preservation,
destroy if needed. We eat chicken and pork but that's a necessity. We already
have sacrificed our very souls and our lives to be where we are now and we live
and practice the satanic doctrines to aid us,I guess, that's that. People can't
say and tell us that they're better than us or they know more 'cause we don't
think alike, we don't give a flying fuck about what other i-am-super-satanic-you-are-nothing-to-me
types think. We don't give a shit about white-light religious preachers say.
They all sound alike to me, trying to be better than the average, "i'll
kill the priest shit". If a priest compells to physical and material
righteousness, that doesn't make him any better than the people he preaches to.
If a satanist spreads shit about chaos and destruction but has a family whom he
loves, where does he stand? Who does he kid? People can play whatever music they
want as long as they believe in what they're doing. As long as they understand
the whole logic why they do it. If they play black metal or satanic music but
does not adhere to the meaning of the whole thing, what the fuck is that? Sign
your blood or not, it's your expression.I think it'll show if you're not really
into it. You'll get tired of it and eventually just fade, or shift to a more
appropriate music. I've tried drinking, well, actually just tasting, human blood
but i've experienced drinking pork's blood more. Not the filipino delicacy but
raw pork blood. Just tried it before and it wasn't any different from drinking
soup with plenty of grease. I've tasted my own blood though and ifI can
remember, it's kinda ok. Not too salty and not too fishy either.
Your style has that atmospheric & a bit gothic
style but you have no keys! Yet you have managed to get that feeling. Are there
plans of getting a keyboard member?? How about female vocals??
Maggoth: We always wanted to have keys on
our sound yet it is do hard to find one. And if we stayed and didn't played or
waited until we have found one then we wouldn't have gone this far. So we were
led to believe it is along shot to ever find one so we did some
"thing" to our music so that the people would not think its "kulang"
(for our foreign friends it means "there's something is missing" -
U/W) to their ears...I guess it worked.
Baalberith: About what you said of our
music, actually it just came out. Meaning, we just want to play our own
version of black metal and how we interpret it and at the same time
incorporate what we can and what we know, anything that would fit in. We didn't
expect that people will have that interpretation towards what we do and it's a
good thing. At least, they pay attention to what is very undivine to us. As of
this writing, we now have a keyboard player and he's fantastic! He became a very
essential part as a member and what he contributes for the music. He's a very
talented daemon and we're keeping him in frost hell! Female vocals? We are still
up to it. So far it's very difficult for us 'cause not many understands our
music and the principles behind it, but if you know someone that you could
recommend, that'll be a big help!
I hear more raw & fast black metalers say shit
about atmospheric/symphonic bm than vice versa. How do you feel about that? Why
do you think they hate keyboards & female vocals?? Would yuo change style
just be at 'ease' with them???
Maggoth: We had always been more indulged to real life horror, we love dark atmospheric haunting soundscapes that sends chills to the spine. The more eerie the music or the "sound" the better. I guess that's where the keys come in. I believe that if your goal is to scare people or utterly petrify them, you have to take these real life dark soundscapes and sew them deep within the music. Our take on how we like to scare people is basically taking them into an experience or the dark secrets we all have inside that no one knows, plus giving them the imagery of being inside the nightmares themselves. I vision FF to be more than just a band but more like a theatrical performance or a mind-boggling horror flick. I guess other bands who don't like keys just find it sissy. I guess they try to scare the people the conventional, traditional way. I'm led to believe that other bands like that has the "I'm all man" routine all worked up in their act. I would not change my ways to ease up any judgemental close-minded low intellect cock sucking bigot just because he/she doesn't like what he/she sees. I was not born to please him/her. I hate judgemental close-minded low intellect cock sucking white dressed think they are all good servants of the church and God is on their side routine but inside they are more foul as the next person. (Amen here! They are more foul than my fucking fart! - UW :)
Baalberith: we respect any forms of
extreme music especially black metal. We support any execution of the music. We
don't care if they say shit about atmospheric/symphonic bm, what's important for
us is we pay close attention to the scene and how we can contribute. If they
have problems about other black metal styles, it's their problem. We don't have
time for petty quarrels between bands that are very narrow-minded, that
doesn't help anyone. Specially the scene. We all have versions and
understandings of what we want, why should we diss others. If we do that, we're
no diff'rent than them. And we wouldn't change our style not even for the
promised salvation! Why should we conform to them? If we do that, then we are
just copying one another, over and over. It's better to listen to it first,
understand it more than just saying nonsensical things. It's not helping
themselves either, just making them more dumber and more pathetic! Let's just
focus on our own crafts and make the most of it.
I have a formula to become a god. You have to kill a million people then rape your mother in front of your father then kill them, all of your family, then you kill yourself. After that you will become god! Who among you would fucking do it???
Maggoth: I wouldn't. I love my family.
Especially my mom who had been so supportive of me and my chosen culture ever
since. And besides I don't want to be a god, its too much responsibility.
Baalberith: I have a my own, how about
observe what people do, think and talk. Analyze why life is full of shit and why
most humans are soooo pathetic. Basically, be more intelligent and wise than
what you really are. Being powerful through respect for yourself and being able
to stand your ground through things is my own definition of a god. Ruling with
his mind, not by his mouth. Sovereign through honor. Not stupid ego bullshit.
Killing a million people, specially those you hate or to rid of this pathetic
shithole we call earth's scum really is a treat, but that comes after. Killing
myself is a simple example of being a god. Meaning, others don't have to do it
for you or, it's still your decision if you want to die. You rule your body, you
act for yourself, you are your own god. Some may say, "that's cool!"
or "yeah!! I'll fuckin' do it!" or "kill! Kill! Kill!" too
much crap for me just to think of it.
Can you tell any supernatural experience? Do you like ghost stories?? Do you believe in ghost or other supernatural mythical entities???
Baalberith: experiences?I had my few but
can't tell you all of it, it's all too detailed but yes,I had. Ghost stories are
fine to me,I mean, I don't believe that when a person dies, he just dies. We are
created and divided with and by pure astral energy. Energy is all around and
over. You can't destroy it but it can be regenerated. It can have
remanifestation.I enjoy reading ghost stories as long as they're
fact. Not children's story books about ghosts.I mean. Real encounters and
documentations, recorded phenomenons. Supernatural mythical entities? Like who
for example?I believe that they do exist but the term is not so appropriate for
them or it.I believe they're more than that. Mythical because no factional
records are precise or complete. It's just we know that they're there but they
exist more through individual faith and personal mental magick. Dogma, to be
exact.
You went to your girlfriend's house & caught her fucking with her dog. What the fuck will you do?
Maggoth: I'd tell her, sheep is
better...much more softer to hug & cuddle. (this is a sic question Roy.) (
hey, I'm in my horny mood...- U/W :)
Baalberith: I'll get my handy video
camera, film the whole thing. Then, after the dogfest, I'll tie her on a
bed, arms and legs spread wide open, then, I'll beat her up because
she violated herself and my dignity, hopefully 'til she stops breathing, then I'll
fuck her after. All the while the camera is rolling, I made myself a
snuff film! Seriously,I don't think she'll do that 'cause I'm more
demented than she is and I won't do such a thing. She's a very lovable and
intelligent person, and she knows her betters.
Almost all black metal bands change their name. Why is that? Do you fear persecution?? Aren't you proud in your blasphemous ways??? And how the hell do you get your names??? Do you feel those are your spiritual name?
Maggoth: Firstly I think changing your
name is the alter ego that we all have inside that you had let loose and given
freedom to live, just like we do. The name is also I guess a way to keep you
into a low profile from the diminutive society. I don't fear persecution because
there is nothing to get persecuted about, I mean I feel I'm not doing anything
wrong. It's all freedom of expression and not all bands who play BM is
blasphemous, I write songs about nightmares. I'm a writer at heart and love
making gothic poems and nightmarish short stories. I cut one big made up dark
story to nine parts to formulate lyrics that fall into a musical continuity. I
guess if we feared persecution we wouldn't play BM in the first place. We
grouped and formulated into a band not because of some illogical crusade for
anything social or religious nor playing because we have a large hole of angst
inside or to make it a "I'm 16 I hate my fatheer syndrome" "I
hate the world & everybody, media sucks, government sucks, I wish everyone
was just dead" kind of routine. We play BM because we love the darkness and
it's beauty, because we are challenged by its musicality. Because we love the
trees and the moon and anything that is disturbing and eerie. BM is not an easy
to play, you need to have that "thing" that make it all well. When not
playing BM, you have to get everything into order. The music, the lyrics, the
clothes, the image, the culture plus trying to cope with the bastards who say
were only good dead. Yes, we all hate the society "the norms" who
immedieately dismiss our kind as odd, weird or Satanic when actually they are
the real plague. I'm sure we all have experience societies wrath like bullying
or unacceptance to their plane which I think is the reason we are all different
from them, tried and died to be not like them. It's so ironic don't you think?
They are the cause of our misery, they are the ones who created us, a new breed
of dark people, they made a monster and now they can't handle it. (ha, ha, ha.)
Well it serves them right for all I care, they had always been on the back of my
head but fighting them would not do, because they don't feel like we do, because
they do not know what it's like or what it had been for us and because they
simply do not care, so why should you? Maggoth comes from the word Gothic and
Maggot, because I'm a goth and Maggots are one of the prime slugs that breeds
and finds life from death and they're small like me.
Baalberith: like what you've said, to me
it is my spiritual name. It is the entity that is more of me, greater than me.
Too great that sometimes, it scares me to know that this creature creeps within
silently and tries to possess this outer shell. In that manner,I can express
more. Changing my identity means not hiding, but explaining thatI accept the
fact that we have one body, but subconsciously, there's a demigod in each and
everyone of us that humans have become closed-mindedly stupid that we exit that
fact.I do not fear persecution because there is nothing wrong and shameful with
whatI and the group do. We are proud of who and what we have become and
hopefully, we shall carry eternal the torch of the unholy.
Our country is considered a christian country & metal is not in accord with that. Would you share your beliefs or enlighten us of your ways? Do you think people should give shit about others religious belief?? What can you say about christian metal? Some said christian black metal exist, even though it sounds ridiculous, have you heard any so far? Is there a place for open mindedness for a style like that?
Maggoth: I believe in freedom. My
freedom. To me, no one is allowed to tell anybody how they should or should not
live their lives. Its my life and I control it in any way I see it fit. No one
can tell me that what I'm doing is wrong for they do not know me and they do not
know what it has been like. No one can feel for me nor know my exact thoughts
and emotional conditions. No one can stuff back the opened Pandora's box I had
unleashed nor cure my patanoia and delusion. As an artist I am very sensitive to
this things. As for Christian Black Metal, you're right, It's ridiculous.
Baalberith: can't say much about our
beliefs.I have to apologize causeI can't tell much about that. Like whatI said,
any white-light religion are an enemy to me. We are individuals who follow the
dark arts and we adhere to anything and everthing that goes with it. We are not
hypocrites and we will say what's what. But concerning the details, it'll take
us more than a day talking about them. If a person believes in a certain
religion, it's his expression, his ritual. Whatever a person does, he knows the
consequences, the do's and don'ts. Nobody can tell that person what to do, when
to do it and why, respect is the primary objective. It all depends on how you
practice your ritual. And not just practice, understanding and knowledge about a
certain topic or religion is very much essential, not just getting into it
'cause some think it's cool or trendy. The belief that the band share is the
primary force why we spread the word, why we preach about the loss and fall of
man, because we believe in it.I have plenty of religious books for collection,
different types and sects, because before you move an offense, you must
understand how your opponent moves, how your enemy thinks, and use that against
him. Not just blabbering and not knowing the opponent's capabilities. Yes,I have
heard about christian metal. IfI can remember, there are plenty of christian
black metal bands abroad.I have heard of one, they play good music, butI don't
like how the vocalist sings, and of course, their main concept.I don't get the
point of playing christian metal, specifically, black metal.I mean, if you want
to play black metal but you're christian, then don't call it "black"!
Call it something else 'cause the true concept of black metal is darkness and
evil, that doesn't agree with christianity.
Do you hate any other particular metal style? How about bands, do you hate any band?? What would you do if you read somewhere about other people saying they hate you, would you confront them?
Maggoth: I don't hate any
Baalberith: I think we all agree to this
one,I hate "kupaws!" that's the term a friend of mine gave for a local
modern rap-metal band.I think it's from the group's first single where the
vocals shouts something like that. With that, me hating that kind of artless,
pathetic, thoughtless, wannabee music, hates bands that goes under
that certain paradox. They're just trying very hard to simplify the music, then
make it more elaborate with simple chord patterns. What's that? Some try to be
technical sounding using pinches of guitar sound from the last fret. Or maybe,
trying to be good with the guitar players jumping all over and the vocals
lying on the floor crying or maybe trying to shit on stage and shit. We know
that some bands hates us for who we are and what we do. What canI say, we can't
satisfy half of the world. If we did that,I guess we'd be slayer or emperor! We
have no time for nonsense. Confronting them won't do us any good, whatever we
say to some, they'll continue on hating us and we can't do anything about that.
Better to just focus on more important, sensible things.
Have you ever read the bible? What can you say about
jesus christ? If there is a chance that you met him in the road what will you
do?? How about satan or his minions, have you met any of them yet???
Maggoth: Hmmm. Tough question. (long pause) I had always been enrolled Catholic and parochial schools owned by nuns & priest. I know all the stories from the bible and in disturbing way find it enjoyable. I know all the prayers and I sing all the cheerful songs. most people misjudge me as evil but what can I do? I'm Goth. I believe in honor, the word that was corrupted, devoured and forgetten by our modern age. Life as it would seem is not all that complex and undesirable. We should champion ourselves into making our lives better, for ourselves and for our fellow man. That we could all hold hands and chant harmonious songs of praise...for ourselves. Because we lived alone and independent and we have sacrificed enough to make the "higher" aware that we tried our best, to be good, to be faithful, our best which we know...will never be enough. I have come to realize that the truth is untimely scary. We are all going to die and there is no negative manner in that phrase, it is how we just deliver it. I come to realize we are all going to place we do not know, a place that we possibly cannot imagine and probably a place we would never see. But it doesn't really matter where we go in the end and think every single day of the horrors of a place we would go if we do not do good. Because it doesn't really matter where you go in the end but it is how you lived your life bounded by the same honor challenged by countless generations and Aeons, the same honored that was used by remembered men & women who were in fact just like us but was called by that honor to do something not for themselves or for others but they did it because it was the right thing to do. Their key was practicality. Their choice was to be free. I believe in fighting for what I believe is for the sanctity, Sanity and the salvation of my soul. I believe in kindness & power, greatness & emotions. In the walls of Valhalla, where the brave may live forever.
Baalberith: Yes, of course. Jesus christ for me is the epitome of pure
lust and the true deciever. He did all those things in his father's behalf then
blame every fault on us. He has been revered as the lord of man, the key to
man's salvation and the true god. But to me, he's just one depressed individual
who looks for a scapegoat to pay for his mistakes. Although, I acknowledge man
for placing him in that stature, even which they don't understand why. In that
aspect, can't blame humanity for worshiping him 'cause 'til now, he has been
their source of everything they need even though they themselves do it on their
own. Because they have been mislead by their religion from the start. Telling
them that he is the source of all holy. Believing that without god, man can't
stand on it's own which is very much untrue. Like what I said, you are your own
god and everything revolves on you and you alone. Mankind, like jesus christ has
become their scapegoat because they don't know him that well. They don't know
him as the sinner but only the christ. They don't see him as the murderer but
the savior. He's all too pathetic for me. He tried to change the world by giving
man the idea that man can be saved through him, which in fact, we are our own
salvation. He has done nothing, for all this time, to make man change. He has
been given the responsibility that he can't commit and accomplish. To me, he is
also the focal point of those who wants to have peace which in effect, through
the belief they created, happens. He has become a deity which came from heresy
to heresay. The embodiment of all that is false and deceitful. If I meet him, or
if ever I share the same road with him, I won't say anything. He's not important
to me so why should I bother? With all of the population of the world, what makes
you damn important for him to know your needs? What makes you different when you
are actually irrelevant. I haven't the chance to meet the almighty satan yet, but
if I do, i'll tell him, "the world is changing for you and those damn humans don't even know
about it. Minute by minute they shift gears towards you and they still think
they're doing it right. That shows how they have been taught by white-light
religions, by preaching you don't exist, that is your weapon. That makes you
powerful!" have I met his minions? I'm already playing with them. You've
seen us live right?
How far do you think funeral frost can go?I mean, do
you think you could be at par with your european counterparts?? Do you think you
will have better oppurtunity if you were in another country? Any plans of
migration??
Maggoth:
I think its all too over whelming for us to think about it. Although
I know we would continue to play for as long as we like or for as long as we
enjoy the scene and what we are doing. If there is a chance for a full finded
migration and sign up record label on an international label, we would be
probably stupid if we didn't take it.
Baalberith: Funeral frost shall remain funeral frost as long as we can! As
long as we know how to play, we will continue on pursuing. We don't consider
them as counterparts but inspirations. The european black metal scene, andI
thinkI speak for all black metallers, has become the center of this type of
movement. From them we knew all about this stuff. If given the chance to play
side by side with them, that'll be a great honor for us. We might have a larger
chance of exposure if we're doing this abroad because the scene there is in a
huge scale. The production, labels and supporters and stuff.I dunno about the
other members of 'frost but for me, migration is a good thing. It'll be a big
help in exposing the band because of bigger budgets and they're really into this
stuff for a long time now. It even started there soI suppose playing abroad is
like a dream for us.
Have the band experienced any crap that nearly
destroyed averything you've worked for? How can you describe the member's
relationship? If ever you parted ways (& we hope that wouldn't happen right!) Do you think
you will still be friends? What will be the worst thing that one can do to boot
him out???
Maggoth: The question is in perfect timing for we had our first incident that shook up everything & nearly almost got the band disbanded. The details & the persons involve will not be given but Baalberith was the one person who did everything he could that that wouldn't happen. He in all of us has always been the most faithful to the band and its music. The first thing to get the band in that kind of situation or to boot a member out is...betrayal.
Baalberith: We went through a lot of shit. But we had this recent
misunderstanding that nearly destroyed the relationship between two members, but
not the band,I assure you. As much as possible we deal with every problem as
soon as possible. We don't let it wait then just let the fire burst when it's
out of control. It's very important to any band to have that tight relationship,
it's everything that you work for then with a single spur-of-the-moment
incident, all just turn into one great smoke with no victor. The member's
relationship is great. We have the same views on things soI guess that makes it
easy. If ever we parted ways on a former member,I think it depends on how.I
mean, if you parted ways bitter, it'll take some time for us to accept the guy
but we'd still be friends with him. But if we parted ways with no grudge at all,
it's better. Like, for a reason one of us has to leave, we'll understand that.
This band from the start has been a force to reckon, we all have earned each
other's respects, making us a bit immune to unimportant things. Or maybeI just
speak for myself because that's howI see the group. Without a strong friendship
for a foundation, you'll do nothing. You'll end up nowhere! What's the grievest
thing,I suppose it's betrayal. It's that simple. From there everything will pop
up to the worst. I'm just so fuckin' proud and honored to play with these very
talented individuals. They are the domineering orifices that is funeral frost!
What do you think of the current philippine metal
scene? Many gigs are organized like every 15 days & many bands are coming
out, do you think this will become a trend or is this what we are waiting for??
How can you tell that a band is true to what they are? Any ideas on how to
clean-up & strengthen our metal scene??
Maggoth: I think the metal scene is finally deserving its prime heritage, many new bands arecoming out and with them they carry the real essence of rock...loud & noisy. I hope it would continue and let the softer ones sleep for a while. I guess its our turn. I guess a band that is true to what they are, develop this imagery of professionalism to their work and their music. What Christian (Rage of Iscariot) is doing is a great and noble thing. You know, organizing the gigs and all. He has been dedicating to this scene & this stuff since the beginning and we thank the darkness that he is all in our side, just like you, you've been recording every event and given the chance for all the new underground bands to get support and exposure even before I guess we started playing and I think that is love for the music and the scene and people like you and Christian are the real heroes of the realm. (Thanks man...but you see..bands, zinesters, fans, organizers, labels...we are all heroes of hell! The scene is nothing with out the other...Our fucking realm!! - UW)
Baalberith: Today the metal scene is doin' great! All hails to
christian! He has done a great deal in exposing bands that are struggling for
some time now. He has helped bands to express more within the underground and
spread their respective plagues! If this becomes a trend, in a way, it's good
because more gigs mean more exposure. Specially here in this country that our
type of music is not that accepted, we need all the gigs that we can to promote
our very own underground genre! I'm not in the position to say if a band is true
to what they're doing or not, importantly, funeral frost knows that we stand for
the true invocation of the music. As long as we're doing it true to ourselves,I
suppose that covers it. Strengthening our metal scene relies on more organized
gigs with bigger sponsors. Sponsors that are not afraid to invest on something
like this. Supporters are also very important, they make every gig successful
for being there!
How do you guys fund the band? Do all of you have
jobs?? Do you share expenses on everything or you have a financier? Would you
sign-up in a label, maybe worth some couple of hundred thousand pesos for a
record deal but you need to do some adjustments to both your music &
appearance? If you were to be asked; what are your demands or want list for a records
deal; what will it be??
Maggoth: Baalberith and myself have jobs but its no real help to the band because we mostly give more to our families rather to ourselves or the band. But Vlagrath is kindda well funded, we share all together the expenses, we chip in for the usual every Sunday rehearsal at a local studio. 80% of the help comes from Vlagrath. The guitars, the bass and other stuff is all been provided by Vlagrath plus he has given more than that...The sound of Funeral Frost. I guess we would definitely sign-up for a label as long as we get full control in almost everything like the band record covers and all, because Vlagrath and I do the entire lay-out of the band's record covers and all and we do not want any of our to be ideas shut down. Baalberith and I do the Website part of the band (it will be out soon www.my-funeral.com) We are always open for suggestions, no one from the FF has an ego problem, if the suggestion for some changes occur and we all think it would be the best of it, we should surely agree.
Baalberith:
We fund the band with our very own blood and sacrifice!
Maggoth andI have jobs, but all of the members contribute financially or not for
the better good of the band, specially vlagrath. Most of the finances comes from
him. He's not actually the financier but he's close to that, he has the most
contributions when it comes to spending stuff for the band. Signing up in a
label is not a bad thing, actually. Like cacophonous or full moon or osmose or
nocturnal art, labels like those. But if we're going to be signed here and be
told to soften everything, fuck them! We have struggled long enough that we
won't kiss corporate ass just to tend to their needs. Yes, that is business, but
that's not our type of business. They handle the money, we handle us. The only
changing thing if ever would be us earning deserved cold money from the art that
we do, that's it! We are not going to be an all pop boyshit band for teenagers
who think they're cool by smoking and fucking their girlfriends when drunk.
Rather produce our very own, at least we know what goes on and beyond with our
music. Nobody telling us what to do, and for who we do it!
What are the things that you think you'll be needing
to fully utilizes your dark art & propel funeral frost to the front line of
international black metal realm???
Maggoth: Definitely more practice. Buy the right gears and gadgets...Get a keboardist!!! (They already got one & they show it off at the gig last Nov. 17! - UW) And experiment on different effects and instruments. I always wanted to fill violins to our soundscapes, maybe as part of an intro and all yet it is kindda expensive.
Baalberith: We need to enhance our nocturnal ritual more. Play lots of gigs,
practice a lot, and produce good funeral frost music. We're not dreaming that high but why not? I mean, who wouldn't if given the
opportunity. Not planning or thinking of the frontline but maybe just at the
same pack as them. Right now, we have every individual vital to make this happen
and all of us are up to it. We're all stretching ourselves to the brinks of our
physical and mental limits and we are all hoping we can make it somewhere other
than the philippines. This is our chosen music, we know it's not easy but that's
the challenge, being able to prove something with for others means nothing.
Have you sent your rehearsal tape to any zine/label
or trader outside the country? Have you had any response? How dead serious are
you in propagating your musick??? Are you willing to sacrifice a human life so
can be blessed to your glory?
Maggoth: Yes, we are about to send bios and demo outside the Philippines I think, I'm not completely sure where but Joven knows, he's the real brains of the operation. I think getting things that you want from no hardship or pain at all is purely worthless. If we used other people in a bad way to help us then we would not truly be deserving of honor or glory. (:
Baalberith: So far, we have given our rehearsal tape to you, christian,
vro of metal havoc and erwin of pathogen for his up coming zine. I've had
contact with tripalium but haven't sent him our materials yet. So far the
response to us are very overwhelming. We've noticed that you and the other's are
really helping this band and that also inspires us to push through. We also gave
yukiteru asai, our japanese friend whomI think you know, our materials. We just
hope that you guys continue on supporting us, we owe you guys a lot! We are
very, necrodead serious with this shit! We will continue even when there's no
more people to support us.I guess, we'll just wait for another generation for
them to have a taste of what we can offer. Even when we're 90 plus years of age,
but can still play the way we do now, then we'll go through hell and again just
to play! We don't need to sacrifice a human life 'cause we already gave
ourselves for it! No point in killing others. And we know that we are blessed by
the unholy greatly!
What are your plans so far? Are you gonna continue
playing gigs? Do you have any new materials or are you planning to re-record
your stuff as an official demo?? Any evil news please!
Maggoth: As long people and other BMetalist invite us to play, we'll be there. Where all doing all at the time. I got some four new lyrics and Vlagrath is working on the tune. Baalberith & I are looking for the cheapest recording studio we can find and at the same time trying to scrape off some dough to but other "stuff" for the band. Vlagrath and I had already made the Album cover and leaflet so...more patience please from the supporters, we're hurrying up as fast as we can.
Baalberith: So far, we are currently in the process of writing new
material for our official demo due next year. Hopefully around january or
february. And if the budget permits, it's going to be in cd so hope you guys
wait for that. We'll still include the first four songs on our rehearsal tape
plus,I think, five more songs so it's going to be one frostbitten holocaust when
that comes out! There are going to be diversities on the new materials but we
promise it's still 100% pure funeral fuckin' frost! I'm just excited about it.
Other than that, nothin' much. When's the next gig?
For the last question: I am giving you a chance to
change your ways and repent your sins and turn your back from black metal andI
will give you eternal life & 79 virgins wives in your next life! Will you
change your ways?
Maggoth: Um...noooo. I don't want to live forever anyway, what the hell will I do to pass the time? ( That's what the 79 virgins are for! Damn, it's the best way to pass the time!!! Har har har - UW )
Baalberith: No need for that. I don't have to repent to have those. My
known unholy provider will do all those things for me!
This is not a question anymore, just add anything,
thanks or fuck yous to anyone, or any other stuff you think is worth for,
spells, incantations... Anything!!!
Maggoth:
So in behalf of Funeral Frost we would like to personally thank
everyone who has been so warm to us. Roy Sierra (UnderWorld Zine), Christian
(Rage of Iscariot), Marianne, Roel, Francis, Joseph, Mario, Wowie (5 wounds to
enter), Resurrected, Yuki, Incarion, Pathogen.
To my Vampyre friends from the Society of the
Damned:Runeshadow, Fred? of Prominence of Cathedral, Joseph "Bauhaus",
Allan of Late Isabel, Dot-Dot, Gibbs of Violet Days, Roderick & Christian (Maggoth
Thralls) & to all my friends in the Sub-Culture Goths.
I want to thank my coroner for my always ever so
blissfull hair & make-up. Our Earthly families & not so earthly
families: Carol, Ryan, Lucifer, Miyo, Boi of ADA, Francis & all of
Chernobyl. Janis, Death, Ehrian, Dada, Rastaman, Gandjaman, Drugprince, my
brother Walter. To lost friends Kuya Ross & Ricky (Rock Greats), Karl de
Mesa.
To my Slith kins in Sin: Vlagrath, Baalberith,
Zarcon & Kartov.
To the merciless butchers Vlad Tepes & Queen
Elizabeth Bathory Aria, for the long years of inspiration..may your souls rest
upon the twisted nocturnal eternal torment like you did to the sparkling whelps
and thralls Aeons ago...We would soon take your place.
To the great goth conceptualist, Tim Burton who choose
to become...himself.
To the scions of my Nemesis and all who murdered me in
the past, I have not forgotten the pain, I will soon have your cheeks as
sadistic ornaments.
...To my alter ego, who showed me a world that I would
not dare thread with out him...our timeless disturbing philosophies has finally
paid off...
...In the havoc of death, We sleep...
...finally.
And to my queen that I have not yet known, my search
for you is indeed...endless.
Baalberith: Thanks for everything Roy! Keep on supporting funeral frost!
More power to you and your webzine! "in nomine dei nostri, sathanas
luciferii excelsii"
There you go...contact these guys & support them. Their rehearsal tape is available for trade or ask Baalberith for cheap pricing. An album or CD demo will be out next year, so do watch out! For contacts please click the logo at the start of these page or just e-mail Baalberith at joven.hubo@imagineasia.com.ph or horrid_gor@yahoo.com.
