"An Ending in Fire" in full swing, and publicity and response picking up,
I myself (and drummer Mike Miller) thought it insane to quit. Not Chuck
Keller, the guitarist. So as the mixing concluded on "An Ending in
Fire", (May 95) Keller quit: despite the fact that a short tour was
being set up for the US, and our second album "Dawn Bringer" was finally
released.... Poor timing doesn't even begin to describe the situation.
And the rest is history. I was running by the time my feet hit the
ground. Gene moved down by June 95, songs were written, and the rest....
I've already gone through that. A Phoenix born of the fallen age, when
abyss winds return. True vindication: creation from destruction - order
from chaos. And probably the best thing that could have happened:
Keller was obviously dead wood I was dragging around, with nothing more
to offer. And what has become of him? I haven't looked back.
"In the spirit of Crowley's "Book of the Law", Nietzsche's "Antichrist",
and Redbeard's "Might is Right", "The Conqueror Manifesto" hails the
Self-Will as Father of All. Through the heightening of the two Creative
attributes of Strength & Wisdom, "The Conqueror Manifesto" details how
humankind can embark on the Quest towards the Plateau of Invincibility
and attain Godhood (Homodeus). This process - termed Heretic Supremacy -
is fully elaborated with Philosophical, Occultural, and Historical
examples. In addition, an apologetic discussion of the both the
Swastika and the Pentacle, Historical perspectives on various
Judeo-christian myths, the relevance of amoral 'eye for an eye' ethics on
modern day society, and numerous other 'forbidden' topics, fully complete
this work. Written at the end of the 20th century, "The Conqueror
Manifesto" appears to be either the last gasp of an ancient glorious era,
or the threshold to an even greater Age. Will we engender the fierce
spirit? Only the next century will tell..."
What can I say? It's well written, well referenced, has fantastic
artwork courtesy of Joe Craig... 90 pgs, $13, available from:
Let's start this out typically by you introducing the readers to
Angelcorpse with a history.
Gene and I formed Angelcorpse in late 95, and with the addition of John
Longstreth on drums in Jan 96, we became a functioning unit. The "Goats
to Azazael" demo was recorded in March, a recording deal with Osmose
Productions was attained immediately, and the debut full length "Hammer
of Gods" was recorded in July and released in October. Bill Taylor
joined on rhythm guitar in November, and Angelcorpse toured Europe in
Dec 96 in support of Impaled Nazarene. From the last show of the tour
we made a 2 song live 7" EP called "Nuclear Hell".
In April 97 we entered the studio again and recorded the "Wolflust" 7" EP
as well as some other covers (Genghis Khan and Pleasure to Kill). A few
shows were played in the US, including the Milwaukee Metalfest, and
material was written for the second full length. Angelcorpse entered
Morrisound Studios in Oct 97 to record "Exterminate". The album was
released Feb 98, and Longstreth was ousted. Tony Laureano joined in
March, and the band was on tour in Europe by April: in support of
Immortal, Cannibal Corpse, Obituary and Marduk on the No Mercy II
Festivals (11 shows), and then with Immortal for 25 more through the rest
of continent. An opening slot for the US Cannibal Corpse tour in July,
August and September allowed Angelcorpse to play 55 shows in North
America. Upon returning home, Taylor was ousted. A follow up tour of
the US, with Incantation and Krisiun took place in Jan and Feb 99 (25
shows), with a session rhythm guitarist (Steve Bailey of Execration)
filling in.
Tell us about the present situation of the band. What are the
happenings within Angelcorpse as of late?
In March 99, Angelcorpse entered the studio and recorded a new version of
"When Abyss Winds Return" (originally on "Hammer...") as well as three
more covers. The third full length album, "The Inexorable" will be
recorded in May 99, with a September release date, and plans are being
made for extensive touring later this year. Some titles of the new
songs: "Smoldering in Exile", "Begotten (Through Blood and Flame)",
"Solar Wills", "Fall of the Idols of Flesh", and "Stormgods Unbound".
Tell us about why John Longstreth and Bill Taylor were booted from the
band?
Longstreth's drumming was entirely inadequate live, and his lack of will
became a constant thorn in our side. His disappearance was long overdue.
Taylor is another story: he's a great friend still, but he just
couldn't keep up as far as the speed was concerned, particularly with the
new material. We wish him all the luck for the future.
Is the present line-up going to remain solid now?
Absolutely. Myself, Gene and Tony are the mainstays for sure!
Fanatical, passionate, persevering. Number four will be the trick!
John's replacement, Tony Laureano, played with Malevolent Creation and
Acheron I understand. Would you say he's brought an influence unto the
song-writing?
Tony has brought quite an influence in Angelcorpse. He is an incredible
drummer, and with his skills, there is no limit to what we can
accomplish. We just finished the aforementioned March recording today,
and the new version of "When Abyss Winds Return" is proof enough! Over
the top hellish mayhem. That is what defines Angelcorpse: a lack of
parameters, a denial of limits... With Tony we are complete: speed,
endurance, agility - the elements that must be extolled.
Speaking of Acheron, I hear Bill Taylor is now playing with Acheron?
Yeah, apparently he's rehearsing with them now, and will be recording
with them in the near future.
I've heard a few stories of why Order from Chaos disbanded. To get the
story straight, tell us the truth behind this...
Ahh the truth... It's all relative I suppose, but here goes.
Originally when OFC was in its heyday (93-94), there was talk among
certain members to quit after 3 albums. You know, the three album jinx
that occurs to most bands: 3 great ones, and then only crap... Among
certain members. And considering that by early 95, with the recording of
On the topic, 'An Ending in Fire' was released after Order From Chaos
disbanded. Tell us the reasons behind its release, etc.?
I myself masterminded that release. I spoke with Herve from Osmose,
who's always been a fan of OFC, and we agreed for a limited release of
"An Ending In Fire" (which had never seen the light because who in the
hell would release an album of a band that has broken up? OFC's split
wasn't "the best public relations move ever" that Keller had stated it
would be...) as well as a re-release of the out of print "Stillbirth
Machine" debut album from 91, complete with the "Crushed Infamy" 89 demo
as bonus. Both CDs came out Sept 98, sound and look excellent, so now
the OFC legacy is complete.
Tell us about the book you've written, 'The Conqueror Manifesto.' in
as much detail as possible and the motivation behind this.
I'm going to cheat on this own, because it's rather difficult for me to
be concise on this issue. Therefore I've included the paragraph
concerning my book that appears on the ads...
1 liter bottle of Old Crow
1 pair clean socks
3 sleeveless t-shirts
1 set extra boot laces
1 goatskin (my 12 year old leather jacket!)
1 box of condoms
1 Sodom "Obsessed by Cruelty" album
$47 spending cash (the booze might run out!)
Shit, sounds more like a tour to me!
When you ponder death, what do fathom awaits you?
Food for worms. However, it is actions and deeds that make men immortal,
because if you actually have an effect on things, then your name (because
of your ideas) lingers on. For example: I am a seed, and I - my message
- grow into a tree because of the influence my message carries. That is
what awaits beyond death. If you so deserve.
Name some humans of the past whom you respect for either their minds
or achievements.
Alexander the Great. So young and so inexorable. Genghis Khan. The
ultimate conqueror - purest lightning. Jack London and Ernest
Hemmingway: literary brilliance, with an understanding of the logic and
cruelty of the natural world. Cliff Burton - the major rager on the four
string motherfucker. Cronos.
There is an old Germanic saying, which we'll quote roughly for your
comment: 'A young boy asks his mother; "Mother, how does one become
famous...?" The mother looks to her son and replies: "There are two ways,
build great civilizations, or destroy them..." What is your favorite
conqueror of the past and why? And if you had the choice, would you build
or destroy?
Savitri Devi, in her book "The Lightning and the Sun" discusses two great
destroyers at length: Genghis Khan and Adolf Hitler. In her eyes, both
these figures were not merciless enough - they let too many slip from
their grasp - perhaps due to their human fallibities. In many ways Devi
is correct: a true conqueror, a true destroyer, often wages war purely
for the sake of it. However, from this destruction should necessarily
come creation. In the case of Europe, it was only after the defeat of
Hitler's Germany (and the destruction and chaos that resulted in 6 years
of warfare) that Western Europe
rose to economic ascendance on a level with the US. Even in
geo-political terms, Natural Selection dictates that which will survive.
Thus National Socialism was a flawed and therefore doomed path. And
ironically, the prosperity that Hitler so desired for Germany evolved
after all, but not in the manner that he had set in motion in 1933. So
what does all that mean? And what of my answer to the question?
Destruction for the sake thereof - random, wanton, meaningless on the
surface - wild, natural: pure. Without purpose. Without purpose?
Never: to build things back a better way.
Finally, tell us what is in store for the future of Angel Corpse?
Future plans?
Well, "Hammer of Gods" was re-released while we were away in Feb, so now
it's available again: remastered, new layout and two bonus tracks. But
our main concern is "The Inexorable", which will certainly continue the
Angelcorpse tradition of speed and brutality. Watch for it and beware!
Also, Angelcorpse has an official website at:
Email:
angelcorpse@juno.com
Snail mail:
P.O.Box 273797
Tampa FL 33688
fax: 813.985.9854
- Stormgods Unbound
