Embedded Files
Music Interview: SATANIC SLAUGHTER
SATANIC SLAUGHTER
English Version:
BANISHED TO THE UNDERWORLD
- Exclusive interview with SATANIC SLAUGHTER
by Demogorgon
Done in March 2003
Published on the 27th issue of Xmusick Magazine
Swedish SATANIC SLAUGHTER used to be a band, that did not widely known. Their Banished To The Underworld which released on 2002 is a great album for all those who are into aggressive Swedish Black Death Metal music. If you've been missing the trademark sound of DISSECTION's atmospheric metal with a hint of melody, SATANIC SLAUGHTER would be the band that could hold you over quite some times. So here is my interview with band's mastermind Ztephen Dark (R.I.P. in 19th April 2006)...
1. First off, congratulations on Banished to the Underworld! It is a fast, straight-in-the-face album, I see many reviewers compare it with Dissection, which is fair in some points. But I think Banished to the Underworld is not so complex as Dissection's music, am I right?
Ztephen Dark: Thanx. Yes I agree with you. We are of course influenced by them but I don´t think our music sounds like DISSECTION that much.
2. Similar to Dissection, there are elements of Black, Death, Thrash and most other extreme metal styles' elements are well-balanced in Banished to the Underworld. Are there any certain critics towards this similarity or inspiration? I also notice that the music of Satanic Slaughter becomes more melodic, what's your original idea? Do you see this development necessary?
Ztephen Dark: I can agree that this album is more melodic. All members has contributed with the songwritting on this release. It feels like a natural devolpment. The new album has more variation in each track. That is the result if all members are involved. We combine all types of metal. We don´t make music within a certain frame. All members are of course into Black/Death/Thrash metal. The result is a mix between these styles. The development is necessery. If you are playing same style all the time you get bored and losing the energy for the music.
3. Satanic Slaughter left Necropolis and Loud n' Proud and moved to Black Sun, how did these changes happen?
Ztephen Dark: When the Witchery guys left the band in 1997 I decided to continue with new members. Big problem started when Necropoils refused to pay the recording of AFTERLIFE KINGDOM album. We sign for Loud n´Proud Records instead and they payed for the studio and released the album 2000. In 2001 Loud n´Proud went bankrupt We started looking for a new label. BLACK MARK was interested. Just before we sign for BLACK MARK, NIFELHEIM tiped us about BLACK SUN records. We contact them and they liked the album AFTERLIFE KINGDOM. And later we sign for them instead of BLACK MARK. Lucky for us.
4. You said you don't like Witchery's music, why? Could you give us further explanations from technical or attitude level? Such as the tones of guitars, the arrangement, and the controversial "rock star" definition... By the way, can you earn the necessary income from the band itself? If not, how can you continue marching on in the post years?
Ztephen Dark: I don´t like thier way they doing music. Thier riffs and arangement aren´t that good in my oppinion. They are very technical and thier skills are great but I don´t like thier typ of music. I haven´t earn a nickel on my music. The urge to play live makes me continue. It would be great to get something back for all these years. Maybe BANISHED TO THE UNDERWORLD can make that happen.
5. You must be involved in the Death / Black scene from the beginning, did the radical Black Metal actions cause any trouble to Satanic Slaughter? Have you been taken part in?
Ztephen Dark: The name it self has caused some problems. We have been forced to cancel some shows because of the name.
Some Christians foundisions protest. Satanism is very personal. Now we keep it to our selfs. We don´t running around in the forest and screaming for Satan. Our singer has been involved in some satanic actions some years ago but he has served his time for that. Sweden is a CHRISTIAN country and we protest agains the CHRUCH and thier followers. For me is Satanism individual It’s a philosophy, a life style. It is a spiritual force that make us stronger in mind and soul. I’m not a Satanist in the way that I’m dealing with rituals and stuff. I’m total anti Christian that´s make me a satanist in the eyes of Christians.
6. How about the extreme Metal scene and the Occult circles there currently? Are they still filled with creativity and dedication as ten years ago? I doubt if there are still some core and unities among them as before.
Ztephen Dark: The BM scene has become very comercial. Many bands are sellouts now. Many have change style. They have left the scene for the big money. The scene isn´t the same as 10 years ago. But that´s a natural development. When bands start to sell alot of records there are alway comercial interests. I think there are some hardcore black metal fans still filled with creativity and dedication but not that many as ten years ago.
7. Do you think one day you will be tired of topics like "Dark", "Death", "Cold", "Fire" and etc.?
Ztephen Dark: No I don´t think I get tired, I have been around for almost 20 years. If you are playing metal it´s natural writting about the traditional themes like Hell, satan, horror, blood, the unknown, the darkside. It´s very chliche but I think it belong to the metal scene to write about these themes. We are writting about own experiance and our own thoughts about death.
8. Filip Carlsson also sings in Corporation 187. Could you compare the differences between his vocals and Andreas'? Why don't you use him as Satanic Slaughter's vocalist? Does it cause any trouble since he is in two bands at the same time?
Ztephen Dark: Andreas join SATANIC SLAUGHTER in 1995. He´s playing drums on 4 tracks on LAND OF THE UNHOLY SOULS album. He also did some background vocals on that album. I think he has a great voice. So the choise was simple. Filips voice is simular but not that good. Filip is a better singer but Andreas got a better voice if you now what I mean. Actally there are some problems, we are going on tour with LORD BELIAL again at the same time as CORPORATION 187. We have a session bas player. His name is Simon Axenrot brother of our drummer Martin Axerot. He´s also a member of N.C.O.
9. How about you another band Morgue? What's the difference between it and Satanic Slaughter?
Ztephen Dark: MORGUE was formed in 1991. When SS reunite we put that band on ice. We are going to start it up again. It´s pure Death metal in the vien of MALEVOLENT CREATION. SS is more melodic than MORGUE. The vocals is the growling type.
10. "I hate Christianity actually I hate religion. I don't like when people are slaves under a religion. I think people shall think on their own. Politics suck I think all politicians only are in it for money. They telling lies and promise thinks only to get out something in there own advantage." You said this when Nybras from Musica.Mustdie.Ru did an interview with you. But people are always the slaves of Nature... so it seems impossible for anyone to get absolute freedom. Do you agree with me? Do you think religion only a kind of Social control? Is it still necessary for our human being to have some kind of unconscious control lest tangled in chaos?
Ztephen Dark: I think religion is a social control. It´s a trap for poor people with lack of knowledge. There are always rich people exploiting the week and poor. If you are looking at the Swedish history it was the same in the medevial times.
It´s impossible for pepole to get total freedom. If it´s total freedom there will be anarchy and chaos. Some control is necessery. I think If people has knowledge and comon sence it would be very close to total freedom. But the way it is in the world today, only the strong survive. Look at USA, they are controled by the patriotism, there citenzens are the dumbest people in the world. People in western Europe is well educated and don´t has been into war since the 2nd world war. USA will probably start the 3rd world war. They gives a shit about FN resulutions. They have been into war in Corea, Vietnam, in the Gulf , Jugoslavia and now Iraq.The U.S goverment got thier citizens behind thier backs and think they are so fucking superior. Fuck thier visions of imperialism. The Americans are so fucking stupid, they think they are free but they are in total control. The comon people in the U.S can´t even point out Iraq on a map. Sweden is a great pattern for the rest of the world. We haven´t been into war since the begining of the 19th cenrtury. We have no poor people, we are taking care of our oldies and our kids. it´s safe to go out in the night, very low criminality, we are not controled by any church or religion, we have freedom of speach in the press. It´s total democracy. The Muslims and the Jews in the middle east, actaully in the whole world has the same problem, lack of knowledge. Living thier lifes after tradisions from the past. The song WE ARE THE BRINGERS OF ARMAGGEDON is about the worlds damnation. The mankind, most the western countries contribute to the ARMAGGEDON. If we could spread our knowledge to the poor countries it would be great but all countries is runed by corupted politisians or religious fanatics.
FUCK RELIGIONS..........FUCK POLITICS............FUCK CORUPTION.
11. Any last commands? You know China is a country with the belief of atheism, but there are still many problems we have to face. Please tell us what is the most valuable thing in the world from your point of view.
Ztephen Dark: With the belief of atheism China got a very good chance to be a great country with a big portion of comon sence. As I said before, with knowledge and comon sence it will be very close to total freedom. “What is the most valuable thing in the world”, Idon´t know. I think there is no hope for the world. The Humans, most the religious fanatics and fundamentalists will obliterate each other. We are all BANISHED TO THE UNDERWORLD.
12. All the best wishes to Satanic Slaughter and the entire scene!! Hailz true warriors!
Ztephen Dark: Hail to you and thanx for the support
Chinese Version:
被放逐者最后的话语
——SATANIC SLAUGHTER独家专访
Demogorgon
瑞典乐团SATANIC SLAUGHTER（撒旦式大屠杀）是这么并不为人所知的一支乐团，但是他们在2002年9月29日发表的第四张也是最后一张专辑《被放逐到地下》（Banished to the Underworld）是非常值得一说的一张唱片。所有喜欢具有强烈攻击性的瑞典黑暗死亡金属音乐的人都要注意了：假如你非常怀念DISSECTION（解剖）作品里那种标志性的旋律化黑暗气氛，SATANIC SLAUGHTER一定也会为你钟爱。以下是我就这张专辑以及它背后的东西和乐团灵魂人物Ztephen Dark的一次交谈，很遗憾他在2006年4月19日因心脏病去世……就让这篇文章成为对他的纪念！
DEMOGORGON：首先，祝贺《被放逐到地下》的发表！它速度很快，很有冲击性。我看到很多评论者将其与DISSECTION相比，我也有同感。但是我认为它并不像DISSECTION的音乐织体那么复杂，对吗？
Ztephen Dark：谢谢。是的，我同意你的看法。我们显然受到他们很大影响，但是我并不认为我们的音乐听起来那么像DISSECTION。
DEMOGORGON：与DISSECTION相近，《被放逐到地下》里面也平衡运用着黑暗、死亡、鞭击以及其它极端金属风格的元素。有没有一些针对性的评论说到这些共同的灵感来源呢？我还注意到SATANIC SLAUGHTER变得更具旋律性，你是否认为这种进步是一种必然？
Ztephen Dark：我同意这张专辑更旋律化了。所有的成员都对这张作品的写作有贡献。感觉是一次很自然的进展。新专辑各曲之间更富于变化。这就是所有成员参与的结果。我们结合了所有的金属类型，而并不是在一个确定的框架里制作音乐。当然，所有的成员都深入黑暗、死亡、鞭击金属。结果就是这些风格的混合。进展是必需的。如果你一直在玩同一种风格的话你将对音乐生厌，丧失能量。
DEMOGORGON：SATANIC SLAUGHTER离开Necropolis（墓地）和Loud n' Proud（响亮与骄傲），签到了Black Sun（黑太阳）旗下，讲讲过程吧。
Ztephen Dark：当WITCHERY（巫术）那些人1997年离开乐团，我决定找新成员继续下去。在Necropolis拒绝为《生后王国》（Afterlife Kingdom）支付录音费时我们遇到了大问题。取而代之，我们签到了Loud n´Proud唱片公司，他们支付了录音费，在2000年发表了专辑。2001年，Loud n´Proud倒闭，我们开始寻找一家新公司。Black Mark（黑色标记）有兴趣。就在签约之前，NIFELHEIM（北欧盟府）就Black Sun唱片公司提醒我们。我们联系了他们，而他们喜欢《生后王国》这张专辑。之后我们就和他们签约了，而不是Black Mark。很幸运。
DEMOGORGON：你说过你不喜欢WITCHERY的音乐，能否就技术和态度两个层次说些原因？
Ztephen Dark：我不喜欢他们做音乐的方式。在我看来，他们的重复乐段和编曲不怎么样。他们很有技术，但是我不喜欢他们的音乐类型。
DEMOGORGON：通过乐队你能否赚得足够的收入，如果不能的话，这些年如何为生呢？
Ztephen Dark：我没有从音乐上赚到一分钱。坚持演出现场的动力让我继续下来的。这些年头能有些回报很好。也许《被放逐到地下》能有些吧。
DEMOGORGON：你是否认为有朝一日你也会对诸如“黑暗”、“死亡”、“冰冷”、“火焰”等等题材丧失兴趣？
Ztephen Dark：不，我想我不会厌倦的。我已经做这些差不多20年。如果你玩的是金属，写些关于地狱、撒旦、恐怖、鲜血、未知以及黑暗面的传统主题是很自然的事。有点陈腐，但是我想金属圈子就应该写这些主题。我们一直在写我们自己关于死亡的体验和思考。
DEMOGORGON：Filip Carlsson还在CORPORATION 187里演唱。能就他的嗓音和Andreas的做个比较吗？为什么你没用他做SATANIC SLAUGHTER的主唱？同时在两支乐团里是否造成了一些麻烦？
Ztephen Dark：Andreas在1995年加入SATANIC SLAUGHTER。他在《不神圣灵魂的土地》（Land of the Unholy Souls）专辑里的四首曲目打鼓。他还在专辑里唱了些背景和声。我认为他的嗓音很好。于是，选择就很容易做出了。Filip的嗓音有点相近，但是并不那么好。如果你明白我的意思的话，就是说Filip是个更好的歌手而Andreas有更好的声音。实际上有些问题，我们要和LORD BELIAL（比列大人）一起再次做巡演的时候正好也是CORPORATION 187的巡演时间。我们找了个临时贝司手，他名叫Simon Axenrot，我们的鼓手Martin Axerot的哥哥。他也是NEPHENZY CHAOS ORDER的队员。
DEMOGORGON：你的另外一支乐团MORGUE（停尸间）现在怎么样？它和SATANIC SLAUGHTER有何异同？
Ztephen Dark：MORGUE是1991年组建的。当SATANIC SLAUGHTER重组时我们把乐团封存了起来。我们要再次开始。它是纯粹的死亡金属，类似于MALEVOLENT CREATION（恶毒的创造）。SATANIC SLAUGHTER比MORGUE更旋律化。使用的是那种低吼的唱法。
DEMOGORGON：近年来极端金属圈子和玄学圈子有什么动向？依然和十年前一样充满了创造力和奉献精神吗？我怀疑是否依然有着一些核心团体。
Ztephen Dark：黑暗金属圈子变得非常商业化。很多乐团现在都变得畅销了。很多改变了风格。他们为了赚大钱而离开了这个圈子。圈子也不再和10年前一样了。但是这是一个自然的进展。当乐团开始卖掉大量的唱片，就总会有商业兴趣产生。我认为仍然有着一些核心的黑暗金属乐迷满怀创造力和奉献精神，但是不再如10年前一般多了。
DEMOGORGON：你从一开始就在死亡/黑暗金属圈子里，激进的黑暗金属行动是否对SATANIC SLAUGHTER造成了有些麻烦？你是否有参与其间？
Ztephen Dark：名字本身已经造成了一些问题。我们曾经被勒令取消演出，只是因为我们的名字。有些基督教组织反对。
撒旦精神是非常个人化的。现在我们只把它留给我们自己。我们并不在森林里狂奔并且呼喊撒旦。我们的歌手几年前曾经参与过一些撒旦精神行动，但是他为那个蹲了些日子。瑞典是一个基督教国家，而我们声称反对教会和他们的追随者。对我而言，撒旦精神是个人化的。它是一种哲学，一种生活方式。它是一种精神力量，让我们在心与灵上更为强壮。我在和祭礼等有关方面上并非一个撒旦精神者。我是彻底的敌基督精神者，这让我在基督徒的眼中就成了一个撒旦精神者。
DEMOGORGON：“我恨基督教，实际上我恨宗教。我不喜欢人们是宗教的奴隶。我认为人类应该自己思考。政治无聊，我认为所有的政治家只是为了钱才干的。他们撒谎、许诺，只是想着从他们自己的利益出发获得些什么。”你在接受Musica.Mustdie.Ru的Nybras采访时这么说道。但是人们依然是自然的奴隶……那么似乎就没有可能达到绝对的自由。你是否同意？是否有必要让我们人类有某种潜意识的控制以免导致混乱？
Ztephen Dark：我认为宗教是一种社会控制。它对于没有知识的穷人是一个陷阱。总有富人从弱者和穷人身上谋得私利。假如你看看瑞典的历史就会发现中世纪的时候也是如此。
人类是不可能得到彻底的自由的。如果是彻底的自由，就会产生无政府和混乱。一些控制是必须的。我认为如果人类有了知识和常识，就会接近于绝对自由。但是在今天的世界上，只有强者才能存活。看看美国，他们被爱国心控制着，民众是世界上最呆傻的人。西欧人民接受过良好教育，自第二次世界大战后就没有战争。美国可能会开始第三次世界大战。他们置国际条约于不顾，卷进了朝鲜战争、越南战争、海湾战争、南斯拉夫战争，而现在是伊拉克。美国政府把民众放在身后，认为他们是那么他妈的杰出。操他们那种帝国主义的幻想。美国人他妈的傻极了，他们认为他们是自由的，可实际上他们被彻底控制着。美国的一般人甚至都不能在地图上指出伊拉克在哪里。瑞典是世界其它部分的一个典范。我们自十九世纪开始就没有卷入过战争。我们没有穷人，我们照顾我们的老人和孩子，晚上出去也很安全，非常低的犯罪率。我们没有被任何教会或是宗教控制着，我们有言论和出版自由。彻底的民主。中东的穆斯林人和犹太人，实际上整个世界都有同样的问题，缺乏知识。依靠跟随过去的传统生活。歌曲“我们是带来末日战场的人（We are the Bringers of Armaggedon）”是关于世界毁灭的。人类，大多数西方国家都为末日战场做了贡献。如果我们能把我们的知识扩散给贫穷的国家一定很好，但是所有的国家都被腐败的政治家和宗教狂人支配着。
操宗教……操政治……操腐败。
DEMOGORGON：你知道中国是一个无神论信仰的国家，但是我们也要面临很多问题。最后请从你的角度评论一下这个世界上最有价值的事物吧。
Ztephen Dark：依靠无神论信仰，中国获得了合情合理成为一个伟大国家的很好机会。正如我之前所说，依靠知识与常识，这将非常接近完全的自由。“世界上最有价值的事物”，我并不知道。我认为世界没有希望。人类，大多数宗教狂热分子和原教旨主义者将彼此抹杀。我们都将被放逐到地下。
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