1. Please tell the readers about the band. When it was formed, the line-up, releases and stuff like that.
I'll try to be brief. We formed from the remnants of a thrash band around
late '91, early '92although we couldn't find a drummer to fit the extreme
style we wanted to play. Adelaide, where we live, has a relatively small
population when it comes to relentless blasting drummers. So, reluctantly,
we used a drum machine to record a demo in '93 called "...by the force of
sacred magic rites..." which was released in '94 with excellent reception
from the international underground scene. 1000 copies were pressed and for
some reason the Germans took a liking to it 'coz we sold most of them there.
We still get emails every week from all round the world asking for copies.
Some time in '94 after finally finding a drummer (long story behind that),
we wrote and rehearsed for about 18 months before feeling 'evolved' enough
for the live stage.
In preparation for a recording we were rehearsing heavily and getting
very fussy. Our then bass player 'Destroyer' realised he wasn't going to be
able to record the songs at the standard that the band demanded so he quit
the band.
Much earlier, the rest of the band also realised that drummer 'Manic' was
not fitting in with the band on a personal level and was definitely the odd
one out but we knew that it would take possibly years to find another
drummer in Adelaide so we persisted with him and continued to write,
rehearse, search for another bassist and we recorded an album with bass
duties being handled by guitarists 'Nekromancer' and 'Stormbringer'. During
the mixing process, 'Manics' attitude toward the other band members had so
badly degraded that he was kicked out of the band. Looking back now it's
something we should have done years earlier. The time I spent in the band
with him is the worst of my life when it should have been the best and I can
never forgive him for the way he totally fucked up the band. To this day we
are still searching for another drummer and bass player! Most of this bands
existence has been a search for members, simply because we demand the best.
It's been a constant sacrifice.
As I write this, our album "SYMPHONY SATANIKKA" is about to be pressed. For
more details on it, check out our site.
2. How would you describe your music? What are your musical influences?
Our music is probably best described as: heavy, extreme, evil, fast,
tuned down, aggressive, dark, slightly ambient, progressive and classy
black/death metal. I'd like to think it's the more progressive aspect of our
songwriting that sets us well apart from others. People have told us that
they've noticed a little 'Dream Theater' influence in us. I take this as a
compliment as I am very much a big Dream Theater fan. As far as influences
go, there are way too mant to mention here. Nekromancer and I both listen to
a very broad spectrum of music. But as far as metal goes, I myself am
influenced by alot of old stuff. The first DEICIDE album changed my life and
still fucking kills most of the fucking pussy 'northern' style shit that
continues to infest the scene. I also die for ancient stuff like the first 3
songs from KREATORS "Pleasure To Kill". One of my very favourite albums is
from another killing Aussie horde called BESTIAL WARLUST who sadly no longer
exist. Their first album "Vengeance War 'Till Death" is one of the most
violent things I've ever heard. I think it's a pity that Keith formed
DESTROYER 666 after something so extreme as BESTIAL WARLUST.
3. What inspires you lyrically? What topics do the lyrics deal with?
I can't force lyrics. I have to let my mind wander into another realm and
whatever comes out is what you get. I can't really 'explain' or interpret
them here. You'll just have to read them. But on "Symphony Satanikka" they
tend to range from a kind of etherial occultish feel to more violent
apocalyptic themes.
4. What is the main purpose of your music? Any political/religious message?
Thats a hard one. If you really get analytical, it's hard to say what
drives us to create this music, or to get out of bed for that matter. We
just live for our metal and our instruments. When you're young you hear
these things called 'distorted guitars' with this 'metal' sound. It does
something to your brain and you're fucking hooked for life. I guess the
motivation behind recording and playing live is wanting to spread the force
of metal. Simple as that. It's our contribution to the darkness of this
world.
5. What about live shows? Have you played any gigs lately? How often do you play live?
We actually haven't played live since fucking '98 soley because of not
being able to find adequate musicians! It's always been the case for us and
to say it's frustrating is the understatement of the fucking century.
6. How is the metal scene in your area? Are you in contact with other bands?
Adelaide does have some gutsy bands but nothing really extreme. I also
find it sad going to metal gigs and seeing too many fucking Slipknot
t-shirts and not enough real metal ones. Elsewhere in Australia there are
some more extreme bands but too many Aussie punters are into scum fucking
pussy shit like Korn, Slipknot and all that useless pop music they try to
pass off as metal.
7. Is anybody in your band involved in other projects? If yes, who and which?
Nekromancer and I both have small digital home studios and are both very
much into writing and recording our own solo experiments. Nothing which is
yet available. I would like very much to start a progressive instrumental
band to do live shows.
8. What is the best CD / demo you have heard in the last month?
The best metal demo I've heard in the last month would be by a band
called "Anaal Nathrakh" (I think I spelled it right). Very fast, (though I
think it's a drum machine) in your face black metal from England I think. I
got the songs from Mp3.com and can't remember the name of the demo.
9. What was the last concert you went to? What was the best concert you have been at?
The last gig I went to a few weeks back was "PLANET X". They're an
instrumental band from the US featuring Derek Sherenian on keys (ex Dream
Theater), Tony fucking MacAlpine on guitar, Dave La Rue on bass (Steve Morse
band) and the totally fucking amazing (and Australian!) Virgil Donati who
blew the whole place away with his solo. I've never seen anyone play drums
like that and probably never will. Awe inspiring. Iv'e been a Tony MacAlpine
fan since his first album but Virgil Donati had me mesmorised the whole
night. Best gig? Thats a hard one but when I was a kid I actually got to see
IRON MAIDEN on their "Number Of The Beast" tour! I had to be accompanied by
an adult. It had a big impact. It was the first gig of any kind for me.
10. What kind of beverage is your favorite? Any special brands? Do you do any drugs?
Hmmm....quite a different question from the others. I don't usually
answer non-music related questions but.....Both Nekromancer and I are
partial to bourbon, paricularly something like Wild Turkey. Besides alcohol,
the only other drug I do is the mighty herb. In oral form when possible.
Call me boring but it's my drug of choice.
11. What can really piss you off?
You mean everyday things or more 'serious' wordly things? If we're
talking about the latter I could go on for ages of course about religion and
the music scene and so forth so I'll stick to the former. Driving in heavy
traffic and being woken up when trying to sleep.
12. What are you plans for the future? Gigs, releases and so on.
To always keep writing and releasing music (even if we have to use a
drum machine which is what we are now writing the new album with. I've had
years of experience programming drums) and to hopefully soon find a drummer
and bass player so we can get back to destroying some stages.
13. That?s it for now. Thank you for the interview. If you would like to insult and/or offend someone, please do it here. If you have a closing remark/statement, this is also the place.
Just to say if anyone is reading this, hasn't heard DARKLORD and wants
to hear some extreme metal with some above average song writing and
musicianship, then check us out!!! Also mighty hailz to you, Nocturnaz and
your band and thanks for the interview.
