Band: HATEPLOW
Country of origin: USA
Style: death / grind
Questions by: Kai Mathias Stalhammar
Answers supplied by: Phil Fasciana (guitar)

“The Only Law Is Survival” is the second work by HATEPLOW, therefore it obviously should be thousand times better than the CD you’ve made your debut with (haven’t a chance to give it a listen, unfortunately). Do you consider “The Only Law…” a success?

- Definitely, our 2nd CD "The Only Law Is Survival is a step forward for HATEPLOW. It is more of a grind sound compared to the first CD "Everybody Dies". The new one is definitely faster and more hateful.

“The Only Law Is Survival”… Hmm… This slogan immediately brings (back?) to life the vision of severely tortured Earth condemned with plagues and various kinds of organic mutations… What aroused you to entitle the CD exactly this way?

- I have heard this saying many times and we just thought that it fits the concept of HATEPLOW perfectly.

What is HATEPLOW, a side-project or rather a band of full value?

- It started as a side band, but as time went by, it became more interesting and we continued to write music and release it. It is a way for us to play old style grind with new elements. We are big NAPALM DEATH, TERRORIZER and REPULSION fans, so this is our tribute to them.

If there was a painting named “Hateplow”, what would it look alike? Would it be a grotesque, or the one based on mere realism?

- It would be a photo of a massive snow plow running over the members of the band KORN.

Wasn’t you feared of inking a deal with a neophyte record company (Arctic Music Group)?

- No not really because I am the vice president of the label.

How the guys at Arctic treat you? Have they fulfilled all of their commitments?

- Me and our manager Scott Hecked started the label and we are doing our best to make Arctic Music a successful record label.

I guess you’ve already noticed that we behold some kind of a death metal renaissance nowadays. What’s your attitude to this phenomena?

- If more people are getting back into brutal death metal that is great. I will always enjoy playing and listening to this kind of music so these trends don't really phase me much.

The US and European death metal scenes obviously differ a lot from each other. What would you name as most notable advantages and disadvantages when it comes to both?

- Touring the US can be a real problem for bands because the fact that the US is so fucking huge. This requires long hours of driving which sometimes cause problems for people. In Europe everything is a lot closer and the drives are much shorter, while European crowds are a lot more into the music in my opinion.

What is your attitude to black metal, both music and movement? Have you heard any black metal bands so far?

- I've been into black metal for quite a while now, and there are a few really killer band's such as MARKUK, IMMORTAL, KULT OV AZAZEL, DARK FUNERAL. New DIMMU BORGIR is great also. I prefer the more brutal and aggressive black metal as you can tell.

Furthermore, I’d like to get a bit enlightened regarding your musical tastes…

- I am an all around metal fan, what can I say!! I listen to metal everyday of my life. I still listen to a lot of older metal like IRON MAIDEN, SAXON, JUDAS PRIEST stuff that I grew up on, I pretty much like anything with good guitar playing and heavy drumming.

Seems like you give preference to the realistic side of life, at least that’s what entered my mind at once right after I’ve got myself acquainted with the lyrics of yours…

- Kyle writes all the lyrics and yes, all of them are based on the grim reality of life. Death has always been the basis of our lyrics and I don't see them changing any time soon.

What’s your view on the modern day society, as well as the notion of “society” itself?

- Society is out of control in my opinion. I am basically a quiet person and I usually stay within my own circle of friends. I tend to get into trouble when I am unleashed upon Society.

Getting back to the same subject again. Would you consider possible living by the rules of your own, i.e. no more being a part of socium?

- Yes, that would be very cool!!!

What do you know (and think) regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from our lands you’ve heard lately?

- I haven't heard any band's from Russia lately, but I would love to hear some brutal metal from there. We would love to play Russia one day, and then maybe we can see how brutal you Russians really are!!!!

Our conversation seems to be over, consequently… what’s for the end?

- I would like to say thanks for the interview, and if you have any questions about my bands or record label, check us out at:
www.hateplow.50megs.com
www.malevolentcreation.50megs.com
www.arcticmusicgroup.com