Metal Storm Magazine

SPUN IN DARKNESS -AMPLIFY 2008-

Gravehill

Metal Storm Magazine recently teamed up with Los Angeles based death metallers, Mike Abominator and Thorgrimm of the band Gravehill, to discuss the band, the current state of metal and more.

MSM: So let�s start at the beginning. Can you introduce us to Gravehill, and how did Gravehill come to be?

Thorgrimm: Gravehill is Mike Abominator (Vocals/bass), Bodybag Bob (lead guitars), Vorgaloth (lead guitars), and Ti, Thorgrimm (drums). The beginning is not at all interesting, I started the band with 2 other members we recorded a demo �Practitioner�s of Fell Sorcery� in 2001�, we then soon after disbanded. Abominator and I have been friends going on 19 years and we decided to join forces Jan. 07� and thus resurrecting Gravehill as the medium for our musical atrocities.

MSM: So Far, you have released an EP entitled �Metal of Death�. How has the reactions been to it so far?

Thorgrimm: We pressed 1000 in Oct. 07�, and to this date have about 200 left you do the math?

Mike Abominator: Surprisingly fucking great.we don�t sound like new sprinkler death metal or retro faggot poser thrash done by 12 year olds, so holy titty

fucking christ, people actually get it, hahaha. We are influenced by CLASSIC metal bands in all the �genres� of metal, so I think there is something for any TRUE metal

head in our Metal of Death!

MSM: Gravehill has done a few pretty big shows. What show so far has stuck out for you as the best so far?

Mike Abominator: It�s all a blur now. The fucking show, discussed next, is our best overall. Playing with Immolation was sick as well. and Portland, Oregon was sick. I know for a fucking fact we are memorable though. Love us or hate us, you will never forget us. We have played on big stages with great sound and smaller places with crap sound, even outdoors in a heavy metal parking lot, and we treat it the same fucking way!

Thorgrimm: Every show we played so far has been favorable to me, probably because we give a shit about being showman, as well as having some proficiency with our instruments. Too many bands these days have no pride in how they showcase their music live or in recording and don�t understand what it takes to get noticed, how to give an impression that is memorable, whether or not it is favorable is not the point!

MSM: You recently played the Los Angeles Murderfest. How was that for you?

Mike Abominator: Kam Fucking Lee on stage with us, growling on one of our songs. .Fuck man!! Who would have thought! But the overall response was great and our sound was brutal. It was an honor to share the same stage as Massacre, Repulsion, and Entombed had a return to form that night.and didn�t play much of that faggot butt rock they had been playing the last few years.

Thorgrimm: We played on the same bill with the godz Massacre and Repulsion, who gives a shit otherwise.

MSM: Are there any plans on touring in the near future?

Thorgrimm: We have many plans but have not brought them to fruition at this time. Expect some dates up and down the West Coast before the end of the year

(08�) and a European tour around April 09�. Keep an eye out on our myspace page www.myspace.com/gravehill666 and read Blabbermouth.net

Mike Abominator: Once the album gets out there, we will be assaulting Japan as well. and maybe some Texas and East Coast dates, possibly the mid west Illinois/Wisconsin area, and possibly Mexico. We will be road fucking warriors once the album is out, we just want to put everything we have into the album first, then hit the road.

MSM: You are currently getting ready to record your debut album. Tell us a little on that!

Thorgrimm: We just finished re-recording the �METAL OF DEATH� EP and a new 2 song EP called �The Advocation of Murder and Suicide� for Enucleation Records. It will be a combined on one CD and later one 12� Vinyl LP, release date for the CD is June 24th worldwide. We will then begin recording our debut full length entitled �Rites of the Pentagram� this summer for Enucleation Records also for a Fall 08� release. It will contain 8 tracks of olden death metal played by the same 4 assholes you�ve come to love or hate. We welcome all equally.

Mike Abominator: �Rites of the Pentagram� will be what you come to expect from us.but it will be even more face ripping, even more sick old style shit. We have Mark Riddick doing the album artwork and Billy Anderson will mix and master it, so it is going to the next level. Greg from Enucleation Records has our same vision and is a very cool and supportive label guy. We also have a split 7 inch coming out on Relapse later in 08� that will have our song �Of Wolves and Wickedness� that is a festering tribute to fucking Hellhammer/Autopsy/Mantis style slow death that ends with the face ripping fast shit we love to unleash. The other band is not set yet, but we have dropped Cardiac Arrest in there to them, so hopefully that works out as they rule and are our brothers from other infernal mothers.

MSM: Where do you all find inspiration to write music? What topics inspire Gravehill�s lyrics?

Mike Abominator: Musically, the early works of Venom, autopsy, Bathory, Death/Massacre, Sodom, Master and shit like that. Lyrically, I write about how much religion needs to be erased from history, how much bullshit and lies that Christians spew forth, how much I want to kill people, how much I want to kill myself, how much I fucking love evil, how much I love to torture �human beings�, nuclear warfare that wipes out everybody and everything, being slowly killed and drowning in your own blood, vengeance and the concept of revenge, demonic possessions, masturbating with a cheese grater, falling into the abyss of hell, lots of deep feelings and emotions from my heart, I cry like a baby when writing. All the girls that broke my heart I spill it out on the page, hahahaha. Fuck that! Death and blood! The devil! Kill all in existence! Fuck the universe! There are some topics for you.

MSM: What�s the writing process like with Gravehill? Is there a certain person that writes or is it a collective thing where every member participates?

Mike Abominator: We all have had a hand in the writing process. Bodybag or Vorgaloth will come up with most of the riffs, but I have written a few myself and Thorgrimm will hum some shit. We all help out with the arrangements as well. I would say it�s a collective effort, which is a fucking great thing. I�m too old to sit there and write all the time and if I was doing it myself, some of it would suck balls, some of it would be ok. I�m a legend in my own mind, which doesn�t mean I can write songs like Billy Joel and shit them out of my asshole all day and night. This is also the first time in a band situation that I haven�t told the drummer to shut the fuck up and play drums and let us write. Thorgrimm knows what he is doing and contributes quite a bit, and for the most part has great ideas. So we all participate.

MSM: How do you feel about the current state of metal? Have any new bands caught your attention?

Thorgrimm: I don�t feel anything but disgust and apathy for the metal scene, it�s nowhere near a community of mutual concern and respect. It is a dog-eat-dog

mentality so I don�t buy into the diatribe of �Supporting your local metal Community� horseshit. I, not unlike everyone else am biased and have an opinion, whether

or not you (or anyone) agree doesn�t concern me one bit. Not that I don�t support the bands and friends I do care about, but I don�t lose any sleep if someone likes or

dislikes what I support. I enjoy watching shows like Headbanger�s Ball (Buttbanger�s Balls) for the simple satisfaction (and for my own sado-masochism maybe) that everything I�m doing in music needs to be done. If the best the metal scene has to offer is the current Hot-Topic/MTV band and this humorous resurgence of �Thrash Metal� and all those scenster cunt�s who call themselves doom-metal? Do you wanna know what the metal scene really is? It�s about the kind of shoes you wear, not about the music or the spirit associated. So really consider you�re �metal� carefully before slipping on those Van�s low-tops, Reebok high tops, combat boots or whatever the fuck footwear chooses your genre for you. As far as newer acts that caught my attention Cardiac Arrest, Denial Fiend, Call the Paramedics, Coffins, Werewolf Corps, if all else fails Exciter, Autopsy, Blasphemy and Trouble.

Mike Abominator: Ii�m not too happy with any �current state�.I guess I�m too caught up in the �past state� haha, but it is getting better. A few years ago I was pretty fucking worried. As of now, the whole hardcore/metalcore stuff I still don�t get. Hyper, math grind whatever type stuff I can�t figure out. I�m tired of the �thrash� revival. Especially since we are here in Los Angeles, the epicenter of this new �thrash� stuff. New bands that I like are: Bloody Phoenix, Unholy Lust, Fatalist, Vesuvius, High Tension, Avenger of Blood, Witchaven, Retaliate and Semtex Vest.

MSM: What�s your opinion about the State of true death metal these days, compared to the times of what death metal used to be in the early 90�s?

Mike Abominator: It will never have the same feeling as it did back then, but we try to do it old school as possible. I�ll tell ya, it was so crazy back then, the gigs, getting demos and letters in the mail from pen pals, going to Wild Rags and the Rock Shop, shit like that. The book �Choosing death� will give you an idea of what it was like back then. Late 80s-early 90s was the heyday, the prime, or peak. What has to be understood here is not only a musical style, but EVERYTHING has to remain underground� the attitude, the performance, the live show. We are talking about the forefathers here, so whoever is doing this style, do it right, or don�t do it at all! You have to remember who came before you and then the tribute is there. As far as the state of �true death metal� not many bands that are new do it right to be honest. In the �mainstream� you have Unleashed, Obituary, Incanation and Immolation, doing it old school. In the underground, Sadistic Intent are fucking classic and do it fucking 1000% right! Demolition (from L.A.) are back and do it brutally right! Fatalist does it right. Cianide fucking rules, and they do it right. Goreaphobia and Necrovore are back! Both rule and are classic! Cardiac Arrest rule! Denial Fiend fucking kill, but look who you have there, one of the godfathers of �death metal� haha. Divine Eve are back and are one of my all time faves, true death metal/doom gods! Coffins as well do the death metal/doom style perfect! There are good bands that play death metal, but as far as 100% true old school feel and sound, not many I have heard recently.

Thorgrimm: I don�t think much about it to be honest, i was playing death metal when it was in it�s infancy and now I�m an old fart who says �back in the day� way to much now. There really isn�t much of a comparison, it�s either got integrity or it doesn�t. Metal music is black and white, it�s not as diverse as so many want it to be. Whether or not you want to call it �Thrash�, �Death�, �Black�. �Doom�, or �Crimson-Candy� Metal it has to have integrity, honesty and skill. Take this thought or don�t (see If I care?), why is IRON MAIDEN memorable? If you can figure out why this band has been around as long as they have, with as many members as they had, with the musical proficiency that they have why are they as celebrated world-wide still to this very day? If you can figure that out, then you might have a leg up in this industry. if not, continue playing worthless music for your idiot friends and become a legend in mediocrity.

MSM: With old school death metal rearing its head back in, you guys and a few others seem to be ahead of the game. Do you think the old School death metal sound and style will become as big as this new thrash resurgence that is being felt worldwide right now?

Thorgrimm: I hope not. I hate trends. I�d prefer our band was remembered and not just another fucking trend that comes and goes.

Mike Abominator: I see it possibly happening. It happened that way once, it can happen again. I want Gravehill to leave a mark and be remembered for the dark heart that we have and that we fucking leave everything that we have into this band. Only true fucking metal heads would understand, but it would make me sick to see what we are doing become a trend. Stuff like that inspires my lyric writing and my outlook on life. Ttrends come and go. Fuck trends!! If that was what we were about, we would be playing Testament covers, or have a keyboard player, or sound like herber skerber �death metal� with pig squeels, or maybe even hardcore breakdowns, some singing parts. At the Gates �Slaughter of the Soul� riffs.

MSM: What lies ahead for Gravehill in the near future?

Thorgrimm: Spilling blood, killing posers dead, hating trends, defying bullshit scenes, destroying stages, and pissing on your graves.

Mike Abominator: Ravaging as we only know how to do. If you doubt it, come to our show and come up front, question the Metal of Death. You will soon find

out what the definition of true metal is!

MSM: Any last words or comments?

Mike Abominator: Thanks for the rant time. Metal Storm.hails to the fucking Illuminati. Fuck your face with an axe and buy all our shit you fucking posers!

Thorgrimm: Buy �Death Brigade� by Avenger of Blood or you�re a poser cunt!

Venom new album "HELL" will be released in US in August

Universal Music Enterprises has set an August 12 North American release date for "Hell", the new album from British black metal pioneers VENOM. A promotional video for the CD can be viewed at this location. VENOM made "Hell" available in a digipack edition via Nuclear Blast's mailorder featuring two bonus tracks � "In League With Satan" and "Burn In Hell" � and an inverted cross. Limited to 333 copies, it can be ordered here. A complete track from "Hell" has been made available for streaming on the band's official web site. Check out the song "Straight To Hell" at this location. Streaming audio samples of eight songs from "Hell" are available here. A brand new VENOM band photo can be viewed at this location. VENOM last year parted ways with guitarist Mykvs (a.k.a. Mike Hickey; ex-CARCASS, CATHEDRAL). "Personal unavoidable commitments in the U.S. have forced Mykvs to announce that he cannot commit 100% to VENOM's schedule," the band previously wrote in a statement. A new guitarist by the name of Rage has been drafted in to replace Mykvs. Sorce Blabbermouth

METALHIT.com Announces Launch of Extreme Metal Mp3 Store / New Releases / Free C

Metalhit.com, the first all-digital extreme metal label, have launched their extensive Mp3 download store featuring over 3,000 songs of high-fidelity, unlimited preview, DRM-free Mp3s. The store features titles from underground labels like Avantgarde, Red Stream Rec., Sevared Rec., Lacerated Enemy Rec., Crematorium Rec., Deathgasm Rec., Hammer of Hate, Negative Existence, Stygian Crypt and more!

New Exclusive Releases from Metalhit include:

ORTHRUS "Tyrants of Deception" - Debut release of dark and melodic black/thrash metal with epic guitar solos and shredding riffs!

WOLFSSCHANZE "Transcend the Flesh" - Oppressive and agonizing black/doom metal. Three hymns of lulling fury and torment.

Visitors to Metalhit.com can download a FREE 18 band compilation featuring artists like Mirrorthrone, Zemial, Forefather, Gortuary, Behexen, Diabolic and more!

www.metalhit.com

Metalhit titles are also available worldwide through all fine digital retailers (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon Mp3, Rhapsody, Napster and more!)

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Spun In Darkness show

Spun In Darkness July shows

HIRAX to release new live-dvd "Thrash and Destroy" on 30th June 2008

The thrash legends HIRAX will release their new live-dvd "Thrash and Destroy" on 30th June 2008 through Selfmadegod Records. At http://www.myspace.com/thrashanddestroyeu you can already find a videotrailer and also (pre-)order the dvd. Here's the complete tracklist: Tracklist of CD/DVD (live @ KIT IX - Lauda)

1. (INTRO) - El Dia De Los Muertos
2. 100,000 Strong
3. Lucifer's Infierno
4. Blind Faith
5. The New Age Of Terror
6. Chaos And Brutality
7. Hate, Fear And Power
8. Hostile Territory
9. Destroy
10. Broken Neck
11. Bombs Of Death
12. El Diablo Negro
13. Barrage Of Noise
14. Walk With Death
15. The Plague
16. Mouth Sewn Shut
17. (ENCORE) Assassins of War
18. Unleash the Dogs of War

...bonus Track (live @ MF nights Lörrach)
1. The New Age Of Terror
2. Chaos And Brutality
3. Hate, Fear And Power
4. Hostile Territory
5. Destroy
6. Broken Neck
7. Demons Evil Forces
8. El Diablo Negro
9. Barrage Of Noise
10. Walk With Death
11. The Plague
12. Bombs Of Death

New Venom Videos!

Check out the new Venom promo video from their new album Hell! http://www.venomslegions.com/multimedia/multimedia.htm

Hecate Enthroned to headline Halloween Gig in Leeds

Hecate Enthroned are due to headline a Black Metal beast of a gig on Halloween this year at Rios in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Other bands to appear on the same bill are: Detrimentum Severed Heaven Nil Carborundum Morbid Tyrants Advance Ticket Price - £6.66

Helmuth of Belphegor "Bondage Goat Zombie interview" 2008

MSM: Helmuth excellent to talk to you again! So tell us how are things going with Belphegor?

Helmuth: Things are going infernally. BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE just crushed the German and Austrian top charts, I mean its not important to me, I don't give a shit u know, cause charts are for fashion, trendy assholes.

But hey, it ddefinitely is a breakthrough for extreme Metal in general, a triumph for the devil and a stigma for moralizers,.....an extra punch in their faces, especially in Germany, were we had so many troubles with censorship the last decade. har.

MSM: The new album Bondage Goat Zombie is great! What was the inspiration for the new album?

Helmuth: Thanks a lot bro, so what should I say, we'll do what we always do, to keep the fire
burning, to continue to keep the devil and demonic spirit in metal music alive, to push it further,.....to try to unleash more energy and raise intensity and dynamics, that's the master plan.

MSM: Tell us a little in your words what a Bondage Goat Zombie is and what does it represent to Belphegor?

Helmuth: Basically the lyrical concept of this album deals with the fascinating life of the Marquis De Sade, the topics are bite wounds, flagellation, all the cool fetish/nylon stuff and the devil. First u have to realize the word "sadism" comes from Marquis de Sade's name.

I'm more than impressed since 1997 by De Sade as I get my hands on 120 Days Of Sodom, Justine or Juliette etc. I really recommend this scripts, his work was a battlefield full of perverted sex, violence, humiliation, but on the other hand his writing is pure poetry...its amazing man.

Also his live was very impressive, I used many of his original verses for the new album, he was a rebel and was in jail about 25 years for his art, ideals and even that long he took refuge, he always refused to kneel down, the fuck you attitude har har.

The flagellation at the end of TER RUTENMARSCH is not fake and we used original verses from Donatien Marquis De Sade (1740-1814 ) and one very important sentence from F.W. Nietzsche ( 1844-1900 ). Lemme describe the album title:

BONDAGE = The album deals with S/M you know and overall inspired by the themes in the work of Marquis de Sade.

THE GOAT = our trademark since the end of the nineties.

ZOMBIE = This goes along with my opinion that there are people who are fucked up zombies who sleep-walk the earth, infesting it like a plague.

The message is clear, its about rebellion in man, free will and to take your own decision, walk your own path,....in my opinion freedom is the most important thing in life.

MSM: I find this album a lot darker then your last one (Pestapokalypse VI ) and when I thought no one could get darker then that you guys, you did, how did you do it?

Helmuth: There is no master plan man, sometimes I wish u know, but its like always, goddamn chaos and a challenge when we start to work on a new opus and be creative again, our philosophy is to develop the evil spirit, the morbidity u know, umm always want to offer ourselves the best, and also the people who buy our albums and who support us with that, they deserve the best, only the best.

And yeah, our sound has never been so vital, dark and full of passion, this album gain a new dimension for the band. On BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE we tried a few new things, added some new elements, epic melodies here and there as we always do, trying to take our sound a bit further each time, and worked more than hard on us to try to raise intensity and dynamic. BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE is our most mature effort up to day.

MSM: How do you feel about the production on the new album compared to your previous album �Pestapokalypse VI?

Helmuth: The sound, the songs, everything is smashing, I think we have managed to melt ultra blast beats and heaviness to one union, it's not only our best sounding but also our strongest and most varied album to date, yeah the diversity is the highlight on BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE.

We recorded almost five weeks, divided in three sessions in the Stage One Studios with producer Andy Classen. ( Nov. 2007 - Jan. 2008 ).
Andy made us again a brilliant sound wall and its always a great pleasure to work with him.
For BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE I went into the studio with much more experience. I take everything very seriously, a song only gets on the album
if we are content for hundred percent, no fillers man. BELPHEGOR are in the scene for a long time now and believe me, music wise we know what we do, , the nine sound collages reached a higher level of dynamics and structured brutality.

MSM: Who did you get to do the artwork for �Bondage Goat Zombie�, and how did the concept for the cover come about

Helmuth: Ralph Manfreda a great artist from Austria followed my suggestions and did an amazing job on the whole cover/ booklet art,

it look goddamn sick, I dig it and it was a privilege to work with him again The lyrical content just has to always fit the cover-photo-booklet art and melt the whole into a cold unit, u know it give the mu-SICK kind of extra-super-power har har.

Think what you may, but at the very least, you can always count on BELPHEGOR when it came to that stuff, we aren't here to piss around,

people get what they deserve, If it says BELPHEGOR on the outside, it's BELPHEGOR what you get.

MSM: How would you compare the evilness of this new album to that of the previous album?

Helmuth: Metal in general. I saw so many bands come and go the last 15 years, especially that shitty overnight-hype-sensations har har har.

Nowadays Death/ Black Metal rules the world and is the strongest, the most archaic of all kinds, we always have to search for evolution and explore the music, and bring it a bit further each time. BELPHEGOR always try to bring something interesting to an already oversaturated, commercial Metal market, the most important thing, is that when you play a BELPHEGOR song/ album, you immediately recognize that it is BELPHEGOR.

MSM: Were there any problems during the recording of this album, or did things run pretty smoothly?

Helmuth: Absofukkinglutely no problems man, the demons was hovering above us, you can feel it, the vibe is pure evil.

MSM: How has the media and fans reaction been towards �Bondage Goat Zombie�?

Helmuth: Many reactions we got so far, are fuckin overwhelming, its cool u know, we got a lot of really euphoric responses all over the world.

MSM: How was the experience touring the states this go around?

Helmuth: Oh, it's been great! Everything worked fine, it's something very special to tour as an European Band in the USA, it was again a special kind of experience. We truly love it to shred the USA, that's the reason why we return in Oct/ Nov to USA and Canada for 33 dates - tba. And I'm sure this whole run again exceed our expectations.

For me, its the best to play live, u know, we are always exited, each show is beyond amazing for us and a huge challenge, we did so many brutal concerts the last decade, unforgettable good times, and met so many wonderful dedicated people worldwide.

Hell yeah, nonstop touring is the master plan, you now, I think that we are a band that live definitely destroy and leave dust and ashes. Preaching the blast-beat in a live situation is our mission man, we always concentrate on the high-speed tracks har har.

MSM: Did you have any problems going through customs or did everything go without any discrepancies?

Helmuth: Yeah, we often have problems at the check-in, because of our belts and gear, but what the fuck, I don't go on stage without my belt and my goddamn cross.

MSM: How many cities was your tour through the U.S.?

Helmuth: Arghhh man, don't ask me such things, about 25/ 26 dates, u know we did three amazing USA tours in support of the PESTAPOKALYPSE VI album, and it was again beyond amazing for the band.

MSM: Did you get a chance to sight-see while on this tour?

Helmuth: We did a lot of sightseeing and could also watch some things we only knew from photos, movies and so on, as already said, these three USA tours have left hundreds of impressions and memories.

MSM: What were some of your favorite places you visited while touring the US?

Helmuth: Well, there was so many stuff, to visit Roswell and all the Alien shit for example was very impressive, its the same when u travel to Salzburg/ Austria our hometown and visit for example Mozart's birth-place-house-grave etc har har

MSM: What city do you think had the best crowd reaction for this tour, after touring the States how would you compare the American crowds versus European crowds??

Helmuth: You know, it principally doesn't matter where we play, metal fans, are cool people worldwide, everywhere the demons are in a good mood, celebrate and
go crazy, scream, begin to bang, to have a good time is always great for the band and keeps you investing more and more on stage, to unchain more energy.

MSM: What is the most memorable moment throughout the tour?

Helmuth: here was thousands the last decade, so many sick moments har, lots of thanks to all people we met on the road and making the last years a
killer for BELPHEGOR to remember and take to our graves, or what so ever har har.

MSM: What were your likes and dislikes about touring through the US?

Helmuth: I really hate that lame visa shit, when you want to enter the USA, lots of time spending on bureaucracy and stuff...arghhh!

MSM: Was there any problems with the bands you were touring with or did everyone get along?

Helmuth: Everything was cool, you know the whole run was great,...I don't see touring as job man, I really dig it to travel around, visit places all over the earth, to be on the road, living in a fucking night liner and I also love it to sleep in the small bed when the bus is driving har har.

MSM: Lets talk about your line up last time we interviewed you, you were still looking for permanent members, did you by any chance find any or do you think you�ll be using session guys for awhile?

Helmuth: I don't repeat that over and over again, its lame, I promote a new strong album, that's the main thing. BELPHEGOR shred each year about +/- 100 shows, so its not a big deal, let the mu-sick do the talking, the core is solid an ready to kick some serious ass, that's all you need to know.

MSM: The video for Bondage Goat Zombie is awesome! Tell us a little about the production and making of it.

Helmuth: The clip shows the typical BELPHEGOR charm, there is the song, the dictator mask, the blastbeat, it takes everyone straight to hell.

MSM: Helmuth thank you for taking the time to letting us pick your brain again about Belphegor is there anything else you would like to add?

Helmuth: Well, thanks for the interesting interview and your truly support. Regards to your readership, check out our new album BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE.Throw thy horns, demons, BELPHEGOR are back to skull-fuck you. www.BELPHEGOR.at