May we reckon ARGHOSLENT to black metal genre? Or at least, state that both, “Galloping Through The Battle Ruins” and “Arsenal Of Glory”, have at least few reminiscences of BM?
- I think that extreme black metal arsonist ideology is in fact a key component in our composing mechanism. To me, true death metal and black metal are essentially the same, differentiating mostly on sound and structure, but conceptually identical. Remember, we are talking about TRUE DIABOLICAL DEATH METAL, not your typical grind shit with grunge influences and other garbage. Both genres are inseparable, in my opinion.
What’s the sense in releasing a limited edition MCD (“Arsenal Of Glory” is what I’m talking about at the moment)? As far as I know, it’s already sold out, so… Aren’t you (or Fernando at Sempiternal Productions) planning to make a re-issue?
- Originally, this ‘Arsenal of Glory’ was going to be our debut mini-Cd but, as the fearful labels refused to pick it up from fear of negative responses from the feeble minded underground, it was released as a demo in ’96. This release landed us a deal with WOOD-NYMPH RECORDS (R.I.P.) and “Galloping Through The Battleruins” became our debut CD rather than ‘Arsenal of Glory”. In order to bridge the gap between releases, SEMPITERNAL PRODUCTIONS decided to release is on CD, as the sound and production on it is superb, but limit it to 1000 copies, as if they were demos, because essentially it was. No re-releases of it are planned at the moment. This release was for those fuckers who demanded this release on Cd format. The label is also considering re-releasing “Galloping…” in cooperation with Germany’s MAJESTIC UNION RECORDS since it was only released in 1000 copies due to the boycott.
I
guess, “Galloping…” and “Arsenal…” aren’t the only works you have unleashed
so far? Numerous 7’Eps and alike stuff, I suppose?
- In 91’, we released “The Entity” demo, in ’92 “Bastard Son of One Thousand Whores”, in ’94 “The Imperial Clans”, followed by the “Arsenal of Glory” recording. We’ve appeared on numerous compilations and shit of the sort. The only other release is our 7”ep “Troops of Unfeigned Might” just released by HORROR RECORDS in Denmark limited to 666 copies. Also, we’ve done 2 T-shirt which are sold out, the latter being an offensive piece of art that was not accepted in the underground. It was a carving of colonial soldiers witnessing the devouring of homosexuals at the jaws of mastiffs. True homophobic art. Our next T-shirt will be a slave flogging, long-sleeve design.
If I’m not mistaken, “Incorrigible Bigotry” is the title for ARGHOSLENT’s upcoming full-length release? When will it be available worldwide? Also, did you already ink a deal with any record company concerning this album?
- We’ve negotiated a contract with DRAKKAR PRODUCTIONS in France for the release of our next CD. Recording for this album will begin in November / December of 2000. The very first months of 2001 will welcome the second nuclear onslaught of the ARGHOSLENT KOMMANDO. Some of the new songs titles are ‘Flogging The Cargo’, ‘The Purging Fires Of War’, ‘Archaic Invincibility’, ‘The Impious Savant’, ‘Hereditary Taint’, ‘Quelling The Simian Surge’.
What caused Wood-Nymph’s decline? Furthermore, it is said they were boycotted worldwide; may I know the reasons? Nazi-alike attitude or something like that, I assume?
- WOOD-NYMPH RECODS went bankrupt because ROUGH TRADE DISTRIBUTION in Germany banned their GRAND BELIAL'S KEY “Mocking the Philanthropist’ CD release and sent all the copies back to Holland (HAMMERHEART RECORDS-the official distributor for WOOD-NYMPH) and consequently, the Dutch sent them back to Belgium, the label’s country of origin. The label found it impossible to get rid of their release being that they didn’t even have a distribution service. Not only that, but other labels soon followed in the footsteps of the synagogue ROUGH TRADE. This sheep mentality further weakened the Flemish hooligans and were forced to bury themselves alive after the release of our CD. Our Cd did not get banned but WOOD-NYMPH had lost their key connections and enthusiasm by that time. They had also released a CD by UNGOD, and AVATAR.
It seems like you still didn’t gain any kind of popularity, only a certain cult status in the underground? Are you pleased when the things turn out this way?
- We never expected to be even accepted in the scene, even since our beginning. Back in ’90, we were playing the same kind of melodic yet raw death/thrash metal that we do now to an American audience infatuated with the crust / grind phenomena (NY / Florida grind / death metal). We had no support back then and perhaps less support now since most people disapprove of our ideology and attitude. But, regardless of your morals and ideals, denying the prowess of our musicianship would be immature. We strive to capture the sentiments of combat in our music while maintaining an original sound and style. Our concepts derive from historical revision and extreme militarism. The underground believes that it is extreme but it is no different that any other music scene like rock, rave, pop….just pure shit. The underground needs and enema.
Any thoughts to be transformed into verbal form, concerning black metal movement?
- The current black metal scene is pathetic. Clowns embracing gothic culture and drugs. Worthless. To me, real black metal is shit like SPEAR OF LONGINUNS, CRUCIFIER, V.O.N., GOATPENIS.
Would you like to make any comments on the phenomena of war? It’s everlasting, isn’t it? Once I stated (and still state the same): “War existed since birth of the very first man on Tellus and definitely will exist until the last one of us dies. We’re natural born predators, and what is more - most spiteful, most perfidious, most disgusting, the ones who will annihilate each other with supreme pleasure until the very end... The emperors of hatred, protectors of chaos, we spawned evil, and probably it will die only together with humanity...” Do you agree or disagree with these words of mine?
- Yes, I agree with you. We are self-hating creatures unable to be content and tranquil. Religion attempted to quell our combative instinct but failed gruesomely. Ethnic warfare will reign supreme, purging the earth of subhuman filth and failure. Our instincts cannot be altered by civil rights laws, equality laws, and communist/hippie ideology. Hence, the title of our new CD “INCORRIGIBLE BIGOTRY”.
What is your view on the modern days’ Army and it’s place in contemporary society? Besides that, what about you personally? Did you serve in the Army?
- No, I did not serve in any armed forces. It is voluntary here in America, although, you also get paid for serving and shit. Nevertheless, I would never defend a flag that embraces all creeds and religions, it would be morally incorrect for me to defend my fellow solider solely on the pretext that he’s also an American (by law). In nature, this nationality concept would not exist. Kin is more important than flag allegiance. I know people join the forces so they can learn to be terrorists, this is a good reason.
How would you compare Middle Ages and modern times? Each has it’s own advantages and disadvantages, I believe…
- Yes, but ultimately, it will be taken over and destroyed, our modern society must eventually crumble for it is weak and hopeless. I try to help in this degeneration and support all that helps it die like drugs, AIDS, famine. I support it all and hope it brings the end quicker than it would happen naturally.
“Worship
sickness and adore the impure”. What do you imply under this assertion?
- True death and black metal must adhere to this statement if they remember the true underground. We were inspired, on that release, by the glorious days of the early underground movement. I really despise any band or zine that tries to impose its political agenda into metal. There is no moral code or ethics in the underground, that’s why it is called that!
What do you know (and think) regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from our lands that you’ve heard lately?
- Fuck, that’s a difficult question and I don’t know if it has place in this interview. All I can say is that growing up here, I had a deep hatred for anything Soviet. Movies and the press helped you dislike anything that was communist, as you can imagine. However, as I became older I was able to detach myself from that prejudice. Now, I have other views of Russians, but they’re not fueled by what this government kept telling me, they’re based on my own interpretations. As far as music is concerned, I haven’t heard any Russian bands except for some hate-rock bands. What I truly dislike from Russia is the Mafia and all the fucking Russian girls who are natural hookers and prostitute themselves all over the world for money and material goods, even after they’ve left Russia. There are many Russian prostitutes in America and Europe.
What’s for the end?
- All interested in trades write, no problem. Get our 7”ep from HORROR RECORDS and our new CD from DRAKKAR PRODUCTIONS in France.
Email:
arghoslent@hotmail.com
Snail mail:
ARGHOSLENT
P.O. BOX 393
OAKTON, VA 22124
USA