1.I would like at the beginning to start and ask you about the
origins of "Pessimist". Can you give us a bio of your band?
R:Pessimist was originally formed in April 1993...I had moved back from L.A. and
got in touch with some old friends and started jamming on some old Sepultura and Obituary
covers. Soon we answered an ad in the paper for another guitarist and a
vocalist. We started playing shows immediately, opening for nationals and travelling
the East Coast. We went through several initial lineup changes - now only myself and
the vocalist are original members...we have had the current lineup for about three years.
We released several demos and then in 1997 we signed to Lost Disciple Records, who
released our debut CD "Cult of the Initiated".
2.How do you feel with the excellent reviews received in the
different
zines around the world?
Of course we feel great about the reviews, it is really cool to have other people
enjoy your music that you work so hard to create .. . especially when it has taken
years to get to this point, it feels rewarding to finally get the recognition.
3.What is you opinion about of true black metal and
what is your opinion about of "trend black metal"
I don't really have an opinion about that...I think trend black metal has become a
term which applies to any bands that latch on to that particular style because it seems
popular right now...I think that people can differentiate between a band that's doing it
to be trendy and a band that is sincere.
4. How are your concerts, you enjoy playing live and
what is the reaction of the people when you play your music? Has Pessimist played
outside of the USA?
We have a reputation for putting on a killer show live, we are a visual band as
well as the excellent music, we dress in black leather and some spikes, and we all have
long hair, so me move and jump around on stage, sometimes we use taped samples for intros
to the songs, we have also on occassion brought out skulls and candles to the stage,
ususally we will have some smoke and strobe lights...we have a huge Pessimist banner that
usually hangs behind the drum set, and a couple of times we gathered the
crowd together in front of the stage and everybody drank from a chalice during "Drunk
with the Blood of the Saints". We love playing live,especially in front of a
good crowd!! We have not played outside of the USA yet, but there is a possibility
of us going to Mexico later thisyear - so we are excited about that!!!
5.What do you think of the other USA bands in the
underground death/black metal
R: There are tons of great underground bands in the
US, here are a couple bands that we are friends with, they are good bands and cool guys:AURORA
BOREALIS, DIABOLIC, DYING FETUS,GARDEN OF SHADOWS, INSATANITY,NILE,TORTURED
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6.Has any big label offered to sign for the next release
with Pessimist,or will your band continue with Lost Disciple Records, and how is the
relation with the label?
R:The relation with Lost Disciple Records has been
great so far, Rich has worked very hard to get us reviews and interviews in magazines,
airplay on college radio and overseas, he has gotten us some great distribution worldwide
and lots of ads in zines and mailing out flyers...plus he is now starting to help out with
booking a few shows. Since our contract is for two albums, this next release will be
through Lost Disciple, and hopefully it will generate enough of a buzz that some larger
labels would be interested! Otherwise, we will more than likely continue with Lost
Disciple, they have always treated us fairly and they support the underground!!
7.For
you, your music is Dungeon Metal, I was reading in PIT zine that is a term that you used
to describe your music with some difference. You are really extreme black death
metal, or does your band have other influences?
R:Yeah "Dungeon Metal" is best described as Extreme Black/Death
Metal...it really has more to do with the way the guitars sound - evil, twisted
harmonies...and the rhythmic changes, the time signatures - a real 'tortured' kind of a
sound. We do have a lot of other influences however, for instance I use a lot of
classical theory behind my
compositions, we also have a lot of influence from early thrash bands, the technical/speed
style, so we are not just typical 'death' metal.
8.You are an occultist person, speak to us more about
your studies in numerology, symbolism, and the Necronomicon"what is your
philosophy?
R:I don't really consider myself an 'occultist' person, simply that I have
done research and educated myself on some of the various beliefs that exist in the
world...I was raised in a Christian environment and it is perhaps this in itself that has
drawn me to the dark side...for instance, although I do not consider myself a Satanist, my
personal beliefs are more similar to Pagan beliefs, the roots of it are based in the
darker side of nature and the ancient spirits that dwell within the Earth. When I was
young I was very interested in the occult and would go to the library and get books on
witchcraft, I also studied the Viking Runes for a while...later then I read the Satanic
Bible and the Necronomicon, I started holding my own seances to contact the spirits of the
dead using Ouija boards, anything I could find out about the occult. The numerology
is something that I weave throughout my songs,patterns in the music and the theory
involved in the compositions, also "The Nonagon" the 9-sided star is a symbol of
strength and negativity
that occurs in nature...to some people that is Satan.
9.For you what is the best zine you have read?
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R:I like Neptune Zine, and also Headfucker from Italy, SOD is one of my favorites,
the Grimoire of Exalted Deeds is also a great zine, also many more from the US,
Brutalized!...many others.
10: What are your five favorite bands?
Slayer, Deicide, Suffocation, Destruction, Immolation These bands are in no
particular order, and it was hard to narrow it down to just five bands, but these are some
of my favorites, as for why they all play in a style that is similar to the style
that I play, I can relate to the music - they are mostly fast, technical and extremely
heavy bands and they all represent a darker, more serious and evil approach to metal!
11.What is your opinion of the resurrection of 80's
thrash metal, is it a
trend?
R:I don't know if it's a trend, I like 80's thrash
metal so I think it's cool if bands are playing that style again!
12.In
your first song you have some kind of social brutal lyrics?
R:Yes, "The Stench of Decay" is basically
about the breakdown of the corporate structure in this country, the uncontrolled growth of
government and the corruption within it and the impurities of organized religion...really
a pessimistic look at society and the screwed up lives of the individuals within it - that
is our only song that deals with any sort of social/political issues.
13.What is more important for you the music or the
lyrics?
R:They are both important to me but I think personally the music is more
important... although I am much more satisfied with the lyrics for the upcoming CD because
they are even more brutal and thought-provoking and they deal with even more extreme
subject matter. The music is what sets
the overall mood and sound of the band - lyrics add texture and depth, but the sound that
the vocalist contributes to the band would be the same regardless - however I do feel that
heavier lyrics cause the band
to play heavier music and vice versa - I think sicker lyrics require more extreme and
sicker vocal styles. Yes, we have 9 songs already now written, we are still writing some
of the parts, the drums and vocals, most all of the guitars are finished, we will record
in December or January for a release date in Jan/Feb 1999
14.Do you have material ready for your next
production?Please inform us of the future plans.
R: The CD will be called "Blood for the
Gods" and some of the song titles are "Century of Lies", "Mensa
Rea", "Whore of the Undead", "Unspeakable Terror",
"Birthless Soul", "Demonic Embrace"...and a new recording of
"Tunnel Rats" which first appeared on our 1995 "Absence of Light"
EP. The recording and packaging will be incredible on this one,so keep an eye out
for it!That's all for now, everybody get in touch! We have CDs and T-shirts
available at our web site, or through Lost Disciple Records. Thanks for the
Interview!!
KEEP THE METAL UNDERGROUND ALIVE!!!!!!!
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