I see the line-up of
Exekrator has changed a few times? What has brought this on? Are you
difficult to work with? How long did it take you to find news members and
how hard was this process?
Tue:
It seems it was always incredibly hard finding new members, it is probably
the one thing responsible for the most 'downtime' in the band. I don't think
I'm difficult to work with, but maybe others should answer that, heh. When
you are in the same band for such a long time, it is probably inevitable
that you lose someone along the way as people and their focus change. I
think everyone who has left are still involved in music in some way, but
something very different from Exekrator. So I guess it comes down to the
oft-quoted 'creative differences', but if your heart's no longer in it it's
probably better for everyone if you leave.
We still have two vacancies (bass and drums), which can be frustrating of
course, but we'll manage, and hopefully pick up someone at some point.
Can you tell me how
things were around the time of your debut in the scene – I speak of the time
when you recorded and released your rehearsal demo in 1997? Did this release
result in getting a deal for your first 7” ep in 1999? What is your opinion
looking back on these two releases now? Do you still listen to them?
Henrik:
“Well, the “Beast Is Come” 7''ep was actually financed by the band. So it
wasn't until the second 7''ep “Superstitionis Maleficiae” that a label was
involved. I still listen to both the 7''ep's, but not really
the demo I must say.”
Tue: I can still listen to both those releases, I rarely do though it seems.
The '97 tape was spread far to little to be instrumental in anything, the
'99 EP was probably much more important and interesting also. As mentioned,
the 'Beast' 7” was completely self-financed, the covers are also cut and
assembled by hand! So every copy was made with the sweat of band members
haha. So why does it say 'Manufactured by Fiery Records' on the back you
might ask? Well, we basically ordered the EP's through them, and they made
us put that on... A bit misleading I guess.
At the time I didn't really consider Exekrator of myself as part of the
'scene', in some ways we were very much apart and didn't really socialize
with other bands. To be honest I really hated the scene in the late
nineties, especially the Danish one...
What is the black metal
scene like in Denmark in your opinion? Is it true you share a member with
Victimizer? Is it considered an embarrassment that Lars Ulrich came from
your country?
Henrik:
“Ha ha, I don't know if it's considered an embarrassment that Lars is from
here. There are probably a lot of retards with only a peripheral affiliation
to metal, that would think of him as the pride of danish metal. But many
also think of him as embarrassing of course. I still love the old Metallica
albums, but the new stuff is so utterly pathetic and Mr. Ulrich is a trendy
monkey with no language. The danish scene is in very bad shape I must say!
So much shit is being released here. There are countless trendy metal-core
bands, standard-death and worthless black metal copycats. For those
interested I'll recommend some bands though: Denial Of God, Strychnos,
Blackhorned, Church Bizarre and Ad Noctum and perhaps a few I've forgotten.
But in spite of trendy idiots and Lars Ulrich, we still have King Diamond so
there's something to be proud of there!! And yes, I play the guitar in both
Exekrator and Victimizer.”
Tue:
As I said I used to hate the scene, I don't any more. But maybe I just
stopped caring. I will say that there are a few good bands now as opposed to
none before, so I guess that can be considered an improvement.
What does the name
Exekrator mean for you? It kind of reminds me a bit the way it sounds like a
brutal death metal name, are you a big follower of brutal death? What were
some other names you thought of for the band but did not choose?
Henrik:
“Well, all real death metal is brutal in some way. I really like classic and
old-school death metal. I love the early albums from Possessed, Death,
Morbid Angel, Autopsy, Necrophobic, Dissection etc. and of course the few
good death metal bands releasing something today like for example
Nunslaughter and Mortem. But I think most of the death metal scene is so
extremely tedious today. It seems like everyday there is a new “death
metal”-album with ultra-modern and -polished production and incomprehensible
music that is made with the sole purpose to be a technical and complex as
possible.”
Tue:
I wouldn't say I'm a big follower of death metal, I used to listen to lots
of death metal around the time when the band was started though, but not so
much now. Probably we didn't even know any black metal in the beginning. But
there was never really any conscious decision to go down a certain path or
play a certain genre like 'death' or 'black'.
The name Exekrator does mean a lot to me since it has been with me for such
a long time now & I hope it will continue to be... As for the word itself,
well it just seems like a classic 'metal' name right?
I can't really remember if there were more names that was seriously
considered, I don't think so. I do remember the guitarist at the time had an
idea for a name I think he was serious about, “The Third Eye”, I thought
that was a bit too lame though, hehe.
Do you like the process
of recording material? Do you always have songs written 100% before entering
the studio? Do you enjoy recording more than playing live or is the opposite
true?
Henrik:
“I don't know if I actually enjoy the actual recording process, but it's
very important for me to record the material. Playing live is probably more
enjoyable than recording, but less important. The most important for me is
to have my music made eternal on some medium, so that I have the possibility
to listen to it when I want. Yes, I've always had the songs finished when
recording something, but course new ideas might occur when recording – such
as a solo or vocal part. Due to some curse it's impossible for us to find a
suitable drummer, so we're not playing live with Exekrator at this point,
however I've been playing live quite a lot with Victimizer.”
Tue:
The songs themselves are usually finished when recording begins, sometimes I
haven't worked out all the lyrics or vocals yet, because I sometimes need to
hear it rather than perform it before I can finish it. I don't actually
enjoy recording I think, but I enjoy the end result, so I have to keep doing
it heh!
Do you use pro tools and
do you have a preference between analog and digital recording and why? You
have recorded your own stuff in the past, do you prefer this method or a
professional studio?
Henrik:
“We have recorded in both studios and our home studio dungeon. I have
actually not been in a real professional studio with a producer yet. When we
recorded “Superstitionis Maleficiae” in a small studio we also produced it
ourselves. We're not exactly making money of our music and our budget is
limited, but we'll see what will happen in the future. I prefer whatever can
give us the best sound, so if we get the chance to go to a studio cheap or
free we'll take it, but if not we go for a home-recording, which is also
fine. We create an ok sound with our home-studio. I've never had the chance
to record in an real analog studio, so I can't say to much. I hope to be
able to go to one at some point though.”
What do you think of the
black metal scene nowadays? Do you find bands usually sound too much the
same? Do you prefer newer black metal or the old way of bands like (classic)
Venom, Mortuary Drape, Bathory and maybe the first wave of the 90s? Do you
think black metal like the old days is more of a feeling of atmosphere
rather than a style or some of genre?
Henrik:
“There are of course very good black metal bands today that I like. For
example Funeral Mist, Inquisition, Watain, Grand Belial's Key, Ondskapt,
Denial Of God etc. but I must say that 99% of the music that is tagged black
metal today is pure shit to me. Black metal simply seems to mean ripping off
some norwegian band. I like Darkthrone and Burzum, but I can't count all the
crappy clones I've heard of these bands. And yes I prefer the black metal
scene before the Norway-trend that turned black metal into a homogenized
sound. Before this trend really made it's impact there were not nearly as
many black metal bands and they all sounded differently. Almost every band
was a unique
vision and black metal was simply metal based on darkness and evil.
Hellhammer, Sabbat, Death SS, Root, Morbid, Von, Sarcofago, Mercyful Fate,
Masters Hammer, Mayhem, Tormentor, Samael as well as the ones you mentioned
and more we're all black metal, but still unique and had a much more
special, mystical and dark aura than most of the bands today. Black metal is
NOT just music with screaming vocals and fuzzy guitars! I believe that in
Exekrator we carry on with the tradition of black metal before it became a
standard formula.”
Tue:
Oh yes I think that the very heart of Exekrator is that our music is about
the expression, or atmosphere if you will, not a certain style or formula.
This is what black metal is to me. I have never really understood the
formulaic approach to music from either musicians or listeners, like “it has
to sound like this” or “we must do it this way”. Especially applied to metal
this makes little sense to me, judging black metal or whatever on technical
styles and merits, I mean why were you attracted to (black) metal in the
first place? Because it was something different or because it was all the
same...? For me the “meat” lies in the expression or feeling you project,
not the tools you used to get there.
Time for me to learn
some Danish Culture! Do you know how this saying “Something is rotten in the
state of Denmark”, got started and what the fuck it means?! What does the
phrase “Hygge” means? Do people eat “Danish Rolls” there all the time and do
you call them “Danish Rolls”? Best Danish liquor is?
Henrik:
“The phrase “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” stems from
Shakespeare's “Hamlet”, which is set in Denmark. It refers to Hamlet's
father, the king, being murdered and usurped. Later it has been used in many
contexts, for example by danish metalcore band, Illdisposed who have used it
as an album-title. I guess some Danes are a bit proud that a work by such a
classic writer is set in their country, therefore it's been used here and
there. Hygge is not really easily translated, but the closest word is
coziness, which a lot of Danes value. We don't call it danish rolls here no.
And at least I don't eat it very often at all. But people in Denmark are
getting fatter and fatter, so some people eat a lot of it I guess. I'm not
much of a booze-drinker. Whenever I drink hard liquor I do things that have
(or could have had) dire consequences. I usually stick to beer. I used to
drink the cheapest piss you could find. But as I've cut down a lot on
drinking and maybe my tastes have refined a bit, I find myself preferring
Carlsberg beer, though Tuborg is good as well.”
Do you think Metal was
meant to be violent, heavy and dark but also has the ability to not lose
it’s integrity by also being epic and catchy or do you think these elements
do not mix? Do you miss the old days when bands used to be more well rounded
instead of only fast, only dark, only melodic etc… Just think to bands like
Venom or Mercyful Fate for an example.
Henrik:
“I listen to a lot of metal and a lot of different metal. So only listening
to a very narrow selection of metal is ruled out for me. I think metal can
easily be catchy, epic and other things while not loosing integrity.
Catchiness is one of the things that makes classic metal classic. And I
can't really see why for example Absu should have lost any integrity with
for example the epic “Stone Of Destiny”. In fact it's probably their best
song! Being only fast all the time gets very old. And yes, often I do miss
the quality and, as you say, well-roundedness of older acts when listening
to newer records. There are very few bands, if any, coming out with the
quality of early Mercyful Fate today.”
So tell us how you came
in contact with the mighty Bestial Burst and how did this relationship
transform into an album release? Any other releases planned for Bestial
Burst or will you move on? What kind of deal did you have with B.B. and are
you satisfied with their work so far?
Henrik:
“I sent a demo to Bestial Burst with my other band Full Moon Lycanthropy
(now split-up). That led to the release or a split 7''ep with FML and
Conjuration. During this time we had been in contact and I sent him some
Exekrator-material, which he loved too, so we agreed on working together
here also! Then he released the “Ordo Bestiae” cd which includes the music
from both our 7''ep's + unreleased tracks. I'm very satisfied with the job
Sami and Bestial Burst has done. I think the cd's and posters he did look
good and I'm satisfied I must say. We never had a written contract with any
label and not with Bestial Burst either. For the next releases I don't know
what will happen. Like I said, we don't have any contracts. We have a couple
of labels interested and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to working with
Sami again. But we'll let time tell nothing is certain yet and maybe new
labels will contact us. The future depends on the concrete offers we get.”
You mentioned in an old
interview that small labels “work – slow, if at all” after signing with
Bestial Burst, so does mean you strive only for a large label in the future?
Will you work with small labels at least for Eps and such?
Henrik:
“Ha ha, well that’s actually true I guess. But don't misunderstand. We'll
work with any label - big or small as long as they are dedicated, serious a
keep their promises. I think Bestial Burst did good and at least those
labels that actually manage to release the stuff they say are cool. The
worst are the ones that just disappear or back out. We've especially had
this problem with tape-labels up till now and an “Ordo Bestiae”-tape is
still quite chaotic to us... Misanthropic Propaganda has told us that they
have printed some and have sent us a sample, but we can't really get in
touch with them! I do not believe that the big labels are lined up to sign
something as insane and abnormal as Exekrator, but as mentioned as long as
we can work with serious labels the size doesn't matter. Anyone can write us
if they want to suggest some release.”
Tue:
I believe I said that, but it wasn't really a criticism of the smaller
labels, more of a description of our experiences with them. Of course you
can't blame a one-man label for taking a few weeks extra or whatever, it
takes time and dedication, we know. And we very much appreciate anyone
who'll work with us, small or big.
Tell me what are your
opinions regarding the Paranormal such as Poltergeists and other unexplained
phenomena? Do you believe in UFOs or things like the Illuminati?
Henrik:
“Hmmm... very hard question. I at least find the paranormal very
fascinating. An upcoming song “Ex Draconis” is actually about some of this.”
Tue:
I don't believe I think a lot about the paranormal, but I guess that depends
on how you define it. You also mention the Illuminati, that would probably
fall under “conspiracy theories” rather than paranormal? I do believe there
are constructs in the world that exist not to serve man but rather to make
man serve it... Organized religion will come to mind for many who read this,
but there are others, more subtle devices in every part of society. For me
at least. For others it is just “conspiracy theories”.
I see you have included
yourselves in a tribute to WASP! How did this come about and what does the
band mean to you? How did you decide which song to use? Which period(s) of
WASP do you prefer? I am a fan of old WASP but was surprised and pleased at
how dark and brutal the “Kill Fuck Die” album was…
Henrik:
“I heard about the W.A.S.P. Tribute when it was decided that my other band –
Victimizer should participate. I thought it was a good idea to put Exekrator
on there too. Tue and I sat down and listened to some W.A.S.P.-songs that
were not taken yet and decided on “The Flame” in mutual agreement. I could
have covered just about anything they've done. I worship W.A.S.P.! It's one
of my favorite bands. The songwriting and vocals are absolutely brilliant! I
prefer the early period of W.A.S.P. - the first three a fantastic. The debut
is their best. “Crimson Idol” is also brilliant. The five first albums are
classic but I like all W.A.S.P.-albums. The “Neon God” series are great.
It's good to see that you like “Kill Fuck Die” since it seems like everybody
hates that album. The lyrics are insanely evil. It's far from their best,
but Blackie until now has only done good stuff.”
What is the sickest
thing you have ever personally witnessed with your own eyes? Do you think
sex and violence mix?
Henrik:
“Sex and violence certainly mix for some. I've seen a lot of strange
stuff but I don't not what's most insane. Many insane things have happened,
but I don't know if they'll be too exciting in print.”
How does the writing
process go? Does each member contribute, or does one person do the lion’s
share of writing and arranging the songs!? Any new material written for the
next for the next record? Do you play any covers during rehearsal?
Henrik:
“Every member contributes to the songs as it is now. It's very much a
band-effort. The writing process is very slow for us as we change the songs
and throw a lot of material away before getting the end result. We have
about half the material finished for our real debut full length. But it will
probably be a while before we have all the material ready for recording. No
we usually don't play covers during rehearsal. Mostly when we're rehearsing
some up for a recording. We rehearsed and recorded a couple of Misfits
covers, that have not been released yet. I don't know what will happen with
those, but I think they turned out really good.”
Do you see underground
‘zines as a useful tool for labels and bands alike? Are they a vital part
of keeping the scene alive and well? Do you prefer fanzines or webzines? Do
you think the scene has gone totally internet at this point? Even large
metal festivals can be watched online these…
Henrik:
“I definitely prefer real zines! They are a vital part of the underground
and metal scene. Putting things on the web seems to easy. There's almost no
quality-control. You can be sure that the people buying the zines are the
ones that are still truly into the scene in contrast to those who can't be
bothered if it's not for free and on a screen. Of course fanzines also
represent a better and older metal scene. Additionally when you get a zine
you read almost everything, whereas you only read the stuff you came for
when going to a homepage. Also there seems to be almost no interesting
webzines, they all seem to have the very same news, bands, reviews etc. and
I don't want the computer-screen to be my only source of information. I
respect those who still bother to put together a real paper-zine and I'm
glad that there are at least still a few people buying them.”
I think everyone who is
a member of a really active band, must give up and sacrifice many things.
What are some sacrifices you have made for Exekrator? What would you be
doing with your time if you were not in a metal band?
Henrik:
“I don't think I can mention any specific things I have sacrificed except
for time and money of course. But maybe we're just not active enough. I
think if I didn't play music I'd try and do a zine.”
Well that is all I have,
thank you my metal brother for filling out this interview, it is
appreciated. Please leave us with some hell-o’s to some of your UG friends
and contacts – also please tell us what the plans are for Exekrator in the
near future?
Henrik:
“Thank you for this interview, Dale. It must be the most in depth we've done
so far. It's an honour to be featured in this zine that I have followed the
latest years. Keep up the good work with Canadian Assault and Autopsy
Kitchen! Hails to the people in Victimizer, Church Bizarre, Blackhorned,
Denial Of God, Ad Noctum, Sickroom 7, Strychnos etc. and all the zines,
labels and bands we've had contact with through the years. The future plans
are to write an album, find out what's going on with the “Ordo Bestiae” tape
version. If at all possible submit a cover of “Von” for the Von-tribute on
Rusty Axe Records. Otherwise just continue on the path to damnation.”
EXEKRATOR
C/O Tue Brisson
Jagtvej 219J, st, 425
DK- 2100 Copenhagen OE
Denmark
Email: malefica@exekrator.com
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