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Metal hails barbarud!! How
is your week starting out? Please tell the readers a little about yourself.
Hell-o !! I am an old old-school
Metal head from Czech. I was involved in
several Black Metal bands and projects like
Nhaavah, DarkStorm, Iron Fist, Tundra, Gottlos, Cintoreen Moor but since the
end of 80-ies my soul belongs to Maniac Butcher.
When did you
all form maniac butcher? What is the "current" line-up? I am sure by now
most people into black metal have heard the band but if someone is new to
the band how would you describe your music?
The idea and name, Maniac Butcher, was
created between 1987-1989, the horde was formed later in 1992. Until 2000,
we had released six full-length albums and some other stuff like
live-albums, live-DVD, EPs, demos and splits. Over the next 10 years all of
our old recordings were re-released several times on all formats (CD/LP/MC)
in many countries. There was even a special 2-CD/3-LP called "The Beast of /
A Tribute to Maniac Butcher". Our line-up? Since the beginning, Blasphemer
(guitars) and me - Barbarud (vocals) are two main members. Now in 2010 there
is new drummer, Coroner, and two live-members: Infernal (guitar) and Brady
(bass).
I read on the bands official
web-site the band has been broken-up for 10 years. What made you guys want
to reform after so long? Are you all happy with how things are going so far
with the band?
Our sixth album "Epitaph", released in
2000, was supposed to be the final album of Maniac Butcher. We decided to
stop due our frustration and disgust with the scene. At that time we were
sure that we would never return. The horde was disbanded for a long time but
Maniac Butcher's name was still alive thanx to numerous re-releases of our
old recordings. Now, after ten long years, we feel the same disgust, but
despite that we have decided to return.
The band recently released a new cd
"masakr" through "negative existence". How long did it take the band to
write and record the songs for this release? Are you and the other members
happy with how it all turned out? How has response been from press and the
fans?
Blasphemer and I decided to return on the
first day of 2010, just after a New Year's party. We then started to compose
the new songs. The album was recorded in 3 different studios over 3 months
between March and June. We are very satisfied by the result of our work. The
first responses and reviews are very positive. Alex of Negative Existence
told me that the sales are very good too.
Does Maniac Butcher have any
upcoming shows/tours in support of massakr? If yes please tell the readers
about them. I know some black metal band prefer to only work
in
the studio and not to play live shows. So I was curious of your opinion on
playing live shows
or do you prefer to write/record in the studio?
No, there are no plans for long touring.
Since our reformation we played and will play only very few and select shows
in Europe just for our pleasure. Numerous gigs and touring turn the
performing into ordinary work and we would rather look forward to every gig
and enjoy it. It is hard to compare live shows with the recording of a
album. The studio work is something totally different and much more
important.
Speaking of studio-time when the
band begins writing a new song how long does it usually take the band to
complete? Which is usually done first the lyrics or music? Who h andles
the lyrics for the band?
We have always used the same method:
Blasphemer composes the music and records a demo tape, then I write lyrics
and create vocal patterns and then we enter the studio.
What are some topics/subjects you
all write about?
Since our debut album, all of our albums
have been conceptual. All my lyrics have been written in ancient Czech, an
old language of our medieval forefathers, which is not easily understood by
modern Czechs. This has been the best way to recount the legends from our
fatherland's forgotten past and simultaneously express my personal feelings
and views. After ten long years the story is continued in the same manner on
the new album.
Yourself and the band have been a
part of the black metal underground for many years now. How do you feel the
scene has changed over the last 15-20 years? Do you feel it has gotten
better or worse with time and technology?
Now there are thousands of new bands and
thousands of new albums every year. But it is hard to find out about
something really good. Unfortunately, the quantity has exceeded the quality
for many years and it is going to keep getting worse. Now any teen can
record an album in his bedroom coz' he can do more with his small notebook
than we could accomplish in expensive recording studios 10-20 years ago.
Recording and manufacturing of the CDs is much cheaper and easier now and it
doesn't help the scene, it kills it.
Everyone has their own
ideas/opinions on what black metal means to I was
interested to hear your opinion what does "black metal" mean to you?
First of all,
Black Metal is my most favorite music. Also my personal philosophy is
closely related to my music. I would say that (Black) Metal is my way of
life.
Maniac Butcher come out of the
Czech Republic underground.
What is your opinion of the metal scene in your country?
There was a very strong scene here in late
80's and early 90's. Unfortunately, the conditions were very hard and many
talented bands never had the possibility to enter a good studio. Now, it's
the same
as anywhere else in Europe... there
are many bands but only few of them are really good.
Who are your all-time favorite Czech
bands? Are there any new bands you think the readers should watch out for?
I love early albums and demos of old bands
like Master's Hammer, Torr, Asessor,
Debustrol, Fata Morgana.
You handle the vocals for the band
when did you start singing? Who are some of your influences/favorite
vocalist?
There are many vocalists who's voice I
like. Not only Black Metal. Blasphemer and I are old-school
Metal heads and we love early albums of 80's
Thrash and Heavy Metal gods like Slayer,
Metallica, OverKill,
Kreator, Sodom,
Living Death, Piledriver, Accept,
Running Wild, Venom,
Celtic Frost,
Bathory... as well as early Death Metal
stuff like Morbid Angel, Deicide,
Unleashed... and of course early Black Metal jewels like Mayhem,
Darkthrone, Immortal... All of these bands
have great vocalists but I never tried to copy anyone else, I never looked
for any inspiration. I just wanted to make vocals that best fit the music of
Maniac Butcher.
Do
you do anything special to keep your vocals healthy? Do you play any other
instruments?
In the early 90-ies I played bass for one
of my old side-projects - but that was in the very deep past. And anything
special what I do for my vocals? For nearly 20 years I have used one simple
trick. A day before a recording session or a live show, I take my car and go
out of my village alone. And while driving through the forest where nobody
can hear me, I roar and scream as loud as I can for about 10-15 minutes. The
next day my voice sounds better and harsh.
Well Barbarud, we have reached the
end of the interview. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to fill this out. Do you have any final comments for the readers?
Never follow the trends and fashion !!
Forget the youtube and listen to Metal from CDs, vinyls and tapes !! Stay
loyal to old-school Metal !! Raw War !!
Label Contact:
www.negative-existence.com
Band Contact:
www.maniacbutcher.com
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