Firstly, how did you contrive to make Paul Speckman a part of your band?

- After the tour we did with MALEVOLENT CREATION and MASTER last year, we decided to do some kind of project together - as you probably know, it's called MARTYR (the CD is out through Germany's System Shock). We faced problems in the lineup shortly after we succeeded with this project, so we asked Paul to join the band and he agreed. He's moved here, in Czech Republic, and now he's in the band.

Where does he reside now, in Czech Republic or USA?

- He's living in Czech Republic now. He has a girlfriend, a flat here, and there're no reasons for him to leave, I guess. It's really good, because we don't have problems with rehearsing and stuff like that, you know.

Ok. I believe, the time has come for you to present the latest album brought forth the light by KRABATHOR…

- We've been recording it here, in Czechia, at the studio called the Shark. We endured a lot of changes before that. We changed the label, changed the studio, and finally, we've got a new lineup. Most of the songs are written by me, although Paul also participated in compositional process.

Why did you choose exactly that studio? You know, the way "Unfortunately Dead" sounds isn't the best one…

- Well, if you will compare "Unfortunately Dead" to our former CDs, the sound is much better. The way guitars sound, for example. The reason why we booked Shark Studios is, we've been recording MARTYR's CD there, and we found out that it's pretty good place to record at.

What about the last track off "Unfortunately Dead"? Needless to say, it's really different from the rest of the songs this album comes with. How did you come to include it in the CD?

- We've always been doing this, putting a bit unusual songs in the end of each of our albums, didn't you notice that? "Death Through The Centuries" is like a "major" song on this CD, and besides that, we just wanted to make this album a bit different, adding this track.

Would you like to tell us anything regarding your side-project, MARTYR, as well as the band called HYPNOS - if I'm not mistaken, it's comprised of ex-KRABATHOR members…

- I can't really say anything concerning HYPNOS, since I've heard only few songs off their mini-CD. However I still didn't listen to the new CD, because we have been on tour in Mexico and USA, so I simply had no chance to hear it. But as to those few songs I've heard, they sound ok. I also saw them on a couple of gigs and festivals before, and, ah… it was ok.

… and MARTYR?

- MARTYR… Well, as I told you, we met Paul touring with MALEVOLENT CREATION. We jammed together before the soundchecks just for fun, and then suddenly decided that it sounds too good to be buried and forgotten. So we started this project. Paul contacted System Shock in Germany and they said "ok, come on, guys". So he came over here and we've been practicing for a while, and after that, we recorded that "Murder X" CD in few days, at the Shark Studios.

Seems like you're fond of writing politically aware lyrics... What about that?

- Yeah, and we did it before as well, writing songs which deal with religious and political issues. But when it comes to the new CD, lyrically it's all about life and various experiences we had.

By the way, regarding politics. What is it alike, to be a band coming from Eastern Europe?

- It was a long time ago, when we had problems because of our origin. Now everything's gone. We have no more problems of this kind. No problems with touring or going wherever we like. Taking, for example, our US / Mexico tour… Our music is what appears of interest to people, not the country we come from.

Looks like you're touring a lot…

- Yes, we're travelling a lot. In the beginning of this year, we've been playing in Japan, and this Summer we're going to cover all the Europe, or at least, most of the European countries. The reason is simple: supporting "Unfortunately Dead". In the end of 2001 we also want to come back to US; furthermore we've just received an offer from Mexico, so it seems like we'll be touring South-American countries soon. We'll see, anyway.

What was the most memorable tour?

- I still have the last shows in Mexico in my mind, these ones were absolutely great!

Here comes the question which doesn't really concern KRABATHOR, but let me know your opinion anyway. You know, I just can't stand when people kinda limit themselves within the bounds of a certain style, like "we play death metal, and this is the only style worthy enough to be considered METAL". What do you think about this sort of people, and have you ever thought of experimenting with other genres, such as black metal, for instance?

- You know, it's up to the band. For me, there's good music and bad music. I like heavy metal a lot, perhaps because we started the band back in eighties and I simply got it in my veins. It's the band's choice, whether to play the music they played before, or to change their style from death metal to black or heavy metal… I just play the music I like, trying to do my best.

What's your opinion on doubtless popularization of black and death metal which takes place nowadays?

- In the last years, it was like a fashion - I mean, this black metal wave. Now everything changed a bit, and people started to pay interest to death metal again, but I think this style won't ever reach the same popularity as it had in the earlier days, that Florida and Sweden boom, for example.

Back in the early nineties, all the genres were sort of delimited. There were death metal magazines, and there were heavy metal magazines. If a band played DM, they didn't incorporate any alien elements into their music. Now everything's different. Today it's rather difficult to figure out what this or that band is all about, stylistically. What do you think about that?

- You know, the image of the band is very important (what the hell is he talking about? - ED). Our latest photo session features us standing with swords, sort of viking style, you know. So someone might think that we're black metal, but that's not true. Every band needs some kind of image, sometimes in order to let people distinguish them from others. As to us, we try to avoid stagnation, and, for example, for the next CD we'll have different image, different booklet and stuff like that.

Actually, I didn't really mean the matter of image. I simply wanted to know your opinion on this amalgamation of various styles…

- Yeah yeah, I know what you mean… Once there was a thrash metal band, and now they're mixing their music with something different. But that's what I call "future".

What are your relations with metal and non-metal mass media?

- Well, somebody likes us, somebody doesn't. However it's always subjective, it's always an opinion of one man who has his own vision of how we or someone else have to sound alike. Honestly speaking, I don't really care about other people's opinions. I write the music I like, that's it.

Becoming deaf or losing somebody you love?

- You mean, to make a decision between somebody I love and playing the music?

Well… yes.

- Well, I had a lot problems of this kind. But it's obvious that the music is very important, especially for the one who creates it. I divorced and have no girlfriend at the moment, and it's a lot more easier. As to what has been earlier, when I had wife and different girlfriends… Well, love is a nice thing, but music is music.

Do you know anything regarding Russia? Russian metal bands? Whatever else? What do you think about the country of mine, and current political situation?

- We've been playing in Russia (he means "Belarus" - ED) long time ago… I know a good band from Belorussia, GODS TOWER, and one more from Estonia… (yeah, asking Chris about current political situation definitely was a wrong move - ED). I like the country, you know. Poor economical situation isn't your people's fault, but the fault of your government. It was almost the same kind of thing in Czech Republic some time ago, you know.

If someone invites you to play a couple of gigs in Russia, would you come?

- Sure!

Would you like to add anything?

- I hope we'll visit Russia very soon, and I hope you guys like the new CD! Thank you for the interview!