Did you have any idea of what you’re going to play when you formed ANGEL CORPSE? Or your style was ‘born’ during rehearsals?

- Gene and I formed ANGELCORPSE with the intention of playing extreme metal in the traditional style:  brutal, fast, aggressive, with no bullshit image or concern for the trends.  Our style was born out of our ideas and personalities, and also during rehearsal.  I think the sound has progressed greatly in the last 3 years, but the spirit has always been the same: pure violence.

Do all of the band’s members live in one city or town or gather for rehearsals from different places? Also it might be interesting to know where do your rehearsals take place (studio, basement, kitchen, etc.)?

- We formerly lived in Kansas City (except for our new drummer Tony Laureano, who lived in Tampa), but the band relocated to Tampa, Florida in November.  Before we rehearsed in our basement, but now we rent a rehearsal space.

If I had to compare you with anyone, I’d name DEICIDE… Are you proud of  such comparision? Or you consider them to be posers and try to escape DEICIDE’s influence in every possible way?

- Not particularly.  I've never liked anything DEICIDE has done: wimps! With ANGELCORPSE we draw influence from many sources:  Gene and I are old enough to have favorites that range from old SCORPIONS and JUDAS PRIEST, through SODOM and POSSESSED, to MORBID ANGEL, KRISIUN and MARTIRE. All of this goes into our music...

“Cannibal CORPSE”, "Repugnant CORPSE Odor" “Vomiting CORPSES” and, finally, “Angel CORPSE”… Aren’t there too much “corpses” for the metal scene?

- There can never be enough angel corpses.

You unleashed two 7” so far. Why did you choose such an … eh… interesting format in order to release your creations?

- We like the EP format, because it is cheap and easy to sell at gigs, plus we like to offer our fans as much new or extra material as possible.  Of course, the CDs are the most important, but we plan to continue to release limited edition EPs.  Currently, we are doing a split EP with Australia's MARTIRE, to be released in early 1999.

ANGEL CORPSE exists since 1996, and, if I'm not mistaken, you have five releases behind you (two CD’s, one MCD and two 7”EP’s). The same goes for ORDER FROM CHAOS… Also, one more oustanding US band, JUDAS ISCARIOT, seems to be very ‘creative’. Where is the secret of such productivity when it comes to American bands? Or all of you are simply don’t work or study anywhere, so you have enough time to spawn enormous number of CD’s?

- Actually we have 2 CDs and 2 EPs (the MCD never happened...).  To answer your question about our productivity, I really don't know.  We all work jobs, so our time is limited, but we are deadly serious about our music, and I think that this shows in the number of releases and tours ANGELCORPSE has done in only 2 1/2 years.  We are constantly working on new material, and planning for the next tour.  Why would a band want it any other way?  These 'so-called' bands that don't tour, or sit around for years and release nothing:  fuck these clowns, they don't have the balls to try anything real!

As far I as know, you’ve kicked out your drummer, John Longstreth. Why? Did he break his drum-sticks (heh heh)? And, please, few words in regards to the new one, Tony Laureano…

- Longstreth was NOT the man for the job!  He failed miserably and had to be replaced.  And in fact, with the addition of Tony Laureano (former MALEVOLENT CREATION), ANGELCORPSE can become even faster!  He is an amazing drummer, and has had a lot of experience touring as well, so now ANGELCORPSE is more powerful than before.  Wait until you hear album number 3...

Your live EP “Nuclear Hell” contains of only two tracks. Was the gig so short or what?

- No. "Nuclear Hell" was recorded in Strasbourg, France on our first European tour. Since we only had "Hammer of Gods" out at the time, we played the entire album, but the two tracks on the EP had the best sound...

I saw few pics of yours in the Internet… and you look very much like a skinhead there. Is it your personal attitude or you have such hot summers in US so you can’t have a long hair?

- I shaved my head because I wanted to. In fact, while in ORDER FROM CHAOS, I had long hair for 8 years... And yes, we do have hot summer here in the States... But the length of my hair has nothing to do with any political beliefs, or anything at all really. ANGELCORPSE is certainly NOT a political band, we don't give a fuck about any of that shit, because that's what it is: total shit.

And another question concerning your person… One of ANGEL CORPSE’s live pics feature you wearing BLASPHEMY t-shirt. As far as I know, this band consists of 3 jews and one nigger… Don’t you think that they don’t even have a right to call themselves ‘black metal’??

- I don't give a fuck who is in the band: they are one of the most brutal and black bands on the planet, so fuck off if you are only interested in the race of the members!

“Exterminate” was recorded at that famous Morrisound Studio by Jim Morris. What is your opinion on him (personally) and his work? Do you plan to work with him further?

- Jim Morris did an excellent job with "Exterminate". We were pleased with his work, and we intend to go to Morrisound again and work with him again.   The third full-length ANGELCORPSE album will probably be recorded in April 99, and will have both 6 and 7 string songs. Some titles are: "Smoldering In Exile", "Begotten", and "Reaver".

You are signed to mighty Osmose Productions. Are you pleased with them? Lately they’re into “neo-thrash / black metal” bands such as IMPERIAL, RITUAL CARNAGE, SWORDMASTER, BEWITCHED, etc. What is your view on suchlike acts? Are there any plans for changing the label?

- We are very happy with Osmose. They give us tour support in the US, and have put us on tour in Europe twice now, so that's great. Distribution is excellent in Europe, but pretty poor here in the USA, that could change...  Personally, I hate the retro trend these days. Those guys are all fucking wimps: if they really were into what they were doing, they wouldn't also be playing in bullshit forest 'metal' bands, or wearing black and white clown paint. Fuck any retro shit anyway, the classics from the 80s are far superior to anything that these children can come up with today.

What is the crowd’s number on your gigs? 100, 200, 500 men (women, children)? Do Africans visit your concerts?

- The crowds vary: at the No Mercy II Festivals in April (with IMMORTAL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY, MARDUK and GOD DETHRONED), the average was 1000 per night. On the remainder of the tour with IMMORTAL, it was probably 250.  In the US, with CANNIBAL CORPSE, the average was about 350 per night.  ANGELCORPSE will be touring the US again in January / February with INCANTATION and KRISIUN, and it will be very interesting to see how many people are at the shows... We haven't played anywhere in Africa.

What is your attitude to alcohol? Is a couple of beers before gig ok for you or you prefer to avoid drinking before live shows?

- Alcohol is the fuel for my engine.  Yeah, a couple beers before a gig is ok, or maybe one on stage, but never more.  The only reason a band is on tour is to perform  well every night, so all things in moderation.

I heard some rumours saying that you once wrote a book dealing with occultism and suchlike stuff... Is that right?

- The book is entitled "The Conqueror Manifesto: Capricornus Teitan" and is 90 pgs long, about History, Occultism, and Anti-religion. It is available for $13 US from: OGD, P.O.Box 8458, Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 3S1

Well, that’s all… my wretched inner self isn’t able to spawn loathsome questions anymore… Last words of yours…?

- Engender the fierce spirit.
 

ANGEL CORPSE contact –
Email: pghelmkamp@juno.com