Emperor Zine - DNS INTERVIEW
Hail Velnias!! Hail DNS!!...This is my 2nd interview with you on behalf of DNS. How’s it going in Germany as we speak ?
Velnias:
Concerning Slaughtercult things are going better than ever. While still dwelling within the darkened shadows of the extreme underground we have found some strong official distribution partners to spread our third infernal black plague “Nocturnal March”. May it spread like a fungus and infest the world.
Can you tell us your latest live performance ?When and where did the actual place take place ? Further more how was the ‘audience’ at that time ? Any souvenirs from your ‘fan’ ?
Velnias:
Our last bloodstained live battle dates back to April 2005 – the underground nation festival with such great acts as mighty Enthroned from Belgium and Germany’s Death Metal elitists Purgatory. Definitely the biggest stage Slaughtercult ever spilled blood upon. Truly professional in every aspect! The audience – well, it seems like Slaughtercult has managed to attract some loyal “fans” – those understanding what the horde is about. Those who simply see the infernal devotion, the blasphemous commitment. Souvenirs? What is better then seeing bloodstained faces within the ranks in front of the stage?
When DNS on stage, you guys play with extreme show. What are the blood represent for ?
Velnias:
Blood is the very essence of life itself. It has a strong Occult symbolic meaning. It has the preceding thought of taking up the essence within yourself, and then literally spilling it.
Did you satisfy with all your gigs and which was your most memorable one and why?
Velnias:
We take every gig serious – no matter what. It is a celebration of Slaughtercult, a black metal live ritual. If the crowd does not get into it – so fucking what, not our problem. Some of the really memorable ones were in Switzerland, Holland and certainly Germany. Simply because everything was very intense. The audience got impaled by flying fragments of a crushed Christian statue, they got covered in blood, or they simply stood there mouth open acknowledging that this filthy piece of pure fucking black metal is too much for them. And certainly also memorable because of the hordes we shared such nights with.
It was learn that every 2 years the band produced an album. Why is that and was it just a coincidence or do you intend to have that extra 1 year gap to do things that will benefit DNS ?
Velnias:
For the last album “Nocturnal March” it even took us three years. We are not the type of commercially abused porker. Beyond the walls of our saldorian stronghold we are ironing every piece of musical manifestation until we think it is worth recording and releasing. There are so many other superfluous releases already - good things take time. We take D.N.S. absolutely serious – it reflects our utmost inner thoughts, not just a plain “band” playing their songs to appeal to the masses. Furthermore, the lyrics also obtain a very high status and are thus equally important as the remaining “music”. Carefully chosen and worked out these scrolls of lyrical enlightenment reflect our experiences with the occult, our believes or simply our “sights and wishes, prophecies and horrors – they all come as one”. All this benefits Slaughtercult to release 100% dedication and commitment – the conspiracy for utmost raw black metal.
‘Follow the calls…’ was a great chapter but ‘Nocturnal March’ did all the damage!!..Pure intense fucking Black Metal if I must say.How much details can you say about all DNS’s album and what word do you think he most suitable to say about all your albums?
Velnias:
We advertise our releases as “pure fucking black metal” in the old traditional way “grim, dark and evil”. Every chapter stands for itself, but all under the banner of blasphemy. All stand for own satanic, nihilistic and misantrophic thought patterns. The very first chapter “The Pest Called Humanity” reflects our early days. A mini album which was able to capture our passion, our spirit and will to go on for aeons to come. Slaughtercults sophomore release “Follow the Calls for Battle” was completely composed with a vacant drum throne. The material is thus more straight forward. An all guns blazing black metal assault. No compromise – no prisoners. After having released the split mLP with Donkelheet “Underneath Stars of the East” the third chapter “Nocturnal March” stands for the first full length album which was manifested with a complete, stable line-up. The material combines all which has been previously spawned. In addition it adds a few more atmospheric elements. Most suitable also for coming audible plagues and pestilences is the fact the Slaughtercult will never succumb to meaningless and shallow music – the slaughter will continue in the same tradition as it has done before.
How about the up coming album?Any hint about the 4th chapters ?Is it going to be parallel with your previous albums ? Any thought of making an addition in your music such as keyboards or others?
Velnias:
Keyboards? We are talking about black metal right?
The fourth chapter is well underway. The material we have so far follows in the same direction as Nocturnal March and the previous 2nd chapter Follow the Calls for Battle. However, as every chapter depicts a certain slight change, the new tracks will have more “groove”. Still everything at high speed, but definitely more heavier. Maybe something in the vein of “Pestilential Deathride” and “Chronicler of Chaos”. Be assured that those having followed Slaughtercult will not be disappointed at all! Pure fucking black metal til the very end!
Any concepts or themes for the 4th albums and do you think promoting your stuff limited will make people want to get your stuff very eagerly ?
Velnias:
We are already pissed because some money greedy bastards are now selling their own used copies of the vinyl, which were all limited. It is a shame that such scum is able to make a profit out of it. We will never promote our stuff as “limited”. Those who are willing to spend their hard earned cash on our releases shall do that for reasonable prices. No fucking rip off and no fucking commerce!
What are your priority in DNS’s albums: Music , Lyrics or both ? Tell us why..
Velnias:
In general the audible torment is worked out and arranged first. If the soundscape has been set up, it usually already creates a certain feeling, a vivid picture. From this impression the scrolls of lyrical enlightenment are written. Still both elements have highest priority and receive an equal amount of energy. Great music without meaningless lyrics is as superfluous as great lyrics with lousy music. Every single ingredient the music, the sound, the lyrics, the artwork,… everything contributes a very important part to the overall “product”. Neglect a single necessity and the overall output suffers from it.
Black Metal music must have a fast riffs and fast blast (drums)?Any comments..?
Velnias:
Black Metal must have spirit. This is not limited to fast riffs and blast beats! There are great albums which create this mandatory spirit with slower elements or even synthesizers,… for example Emperor’s “Nightside…” or Kvist’s “For Kunsten…”.
Does each of DNS’s album reflect the identity each of you ?
Velnias:
Each and every member of Slaughtercult stands one hundred percent behind each and every album, each and every song. If there are any doubts during the process of spawning new tracks, this track is immediately discarded. It reflects our utmost interior believes.
DNS has turned down a dozen or more record companies so far.Thus you did all the albums in self-financial.Some of readers would want to know the reason or purpose of it.Can you tell us in details please ?
Velnias:
We have started out self financed back in 1999 with the first mini Album “The Pest Called Humanity”. We merely had 500 copies to spread, most of them to unworthy individuals as promos. During the time when the sophomore release “Follow the Calls for Battle” was released we did a little bit of promotion. All of a sudden certain labels were able to smell the profit and showed interest – those same labels which foolishly denied and ignored “The Pest Called Humanity”. As we were able to self finance “Follow” that’s what we did – to prove to all these filthy, greedy moneybags that Slaughtercult does not need them. Long time supporters such as Black Blood Prod. in Italy did their share to keep us independent. Also one of the reason why most of the vinyl are released through this label! “Follow” was very well received by the underground, thus we were able to raise enough money to get our recording expenses back. This clearly showed us – if we want to go our own way – then so be it. We are our own masters, we are pulling our own strings. Those directly supporting D.N.S. simply know – buy our releases and you finance the next piece of Slaughtercult. A piece from the underground for the underground. No contract can force us what the next release should sound like, look like or simply be like.
Does it benefit you and DNS for not signing with major labels?
Velnias:
After so many years of underground activity Slaughtercult was able to reach a certain status. It has become lots of work doing everything ourselves, very time intensive work, time which could be used for other important things such as simply writing new material, getting lost within literature, etc. So, by now we have signed distribution contracts even with bigger labels like “Merciless Records” and “Twilight Vertrieb”. In addition we got our long time supporters “Black Blood Prod.” as well as “Propaganda Recs.”. This takes care of just the promotion and distribution world wide. Something we benefit from without loosing our independence. Above all this does not change our allegiance a bit!
May be sooner or later in the future there will be some bands that want to follow your footsteps to ignore all the record company and stay true underground..What is your reactions ?
Velnias:
There is no problem with having a contract. The problem are those “bands” which let themselves be manipulated by the record company or all of a sudden turn into arrogant assholes because the power of media has tripled their sellings. Underground means keeping certain values for yourself alive. As previously mentioned staying completely independent will consume a shitload of time after so and so many years! Find the path which suits your demands the most!
Suppose there is a record label that really support DNS and ‘sincerely’ says that they will do whatever you want to. Do you consider it and break your own rules?
Velnias:
There have been numerous serious offers, and to some degree we have reached an agreement. Breaking our rules would mean changing our music, our thoughts, our allegiance. This has not happened and will not happen – with or without a “record contract”. We have our demands and our visions agree to those and a mutual agreement is reached – fail and fall into oblivion.
Your thought for other BM bands that signed with big record deal ?
Velnias:
For some reason their music does not really appeal to us. Maybe because it is mass compatible and easily replaceable? Hmmm, who knows!
You once said that BM bands today most of them are fucking craps!!.. In what ways do you say this things and do you have strong evidence to proof it ?
Velnias:
We still say and think the “scene” has turned into a foul reeking swamp. Bands, zines and labels have popped up like an ulcerating fungus. Too many to keep track of. Now, how many of this stuff do you frequently listen to, how many hordes do you still follow, to how many albums do you look forward too??? Individuals like us rather look for all the good old releases which we are missing, although few in number, in our private collection. How many of these disappointing spiritless acts survive more than their demo days, or their first album? How many fucking incest products infest the scene? How many dumb, stupid fucks think black metal is about being accepted by the “scene”, how many think it is about drinking and partying? Absolutely no fucking clue what it looks like in your part of the god-forsaken world – if it is different – better stay there and keep your illusion alive.
But some BM bands really practice what they preach and they never sell out..Of course we don’t know what will happen in the future but what are your thoughts?
Velnias:
The number of disappointments overshadow the amount of truly superior hordes. Time will tell! Time symbolizes the unforgiving deity which accompanies your every path. The silent companion, the uninvited guest, the shadow that lurks in every corner, the nightmare which torments your ethereal sleep, … a wanderers worst enemy. The hand which gently touches your troubled brow, saying “I am the path of all paths, I am life and death… I constantly am…everlasting… from eternity to eternity despite the centuries of stony sleep.” And who, just who may break all the hands of time? Merely time will tell.
What about your self..I was learn that you once live in the USA ? What was the story then?
Velnias:
That is true. I spend approximately five years in the early/mid nineties in the US. There is not much to say – being far away from the European hype it was great to visit the local record store with the latest rumors and Scandinavian releases. Something mysterious and fascinating. Out in the fucking desert there was absolutely no scene, but just a handful of dedicated black knights. For instance, a Sadistic Intent show was visited by not more than 5 paying supporters. Those were the glorious days of rehearsing in the garage until the cops arrived. An important period in my life, in the process of finding the true essence… the first steps towards the coronation of the “I”. … little did I know what would eventually evolve years after…
So you are fluent in English and Germany. Does this make you any advantages and you did all the interviews?
Velnias:
As Onielar and myself are the leftovers of the original unholy trinity in 1997 we simply place ourselves in charge of all issues concerning Slaughtercult. Whoever finds the time will answer serious interviews. As I personally enjoy spending my rare spare time with pondering about “questions” I gladly do this on behalf of Slaughtercult. One thought leads to another. All of a sudden a whole new thought pattern emerges – the “I” is astonished. By the way the others are very well capable of speaking English.
Is it true Onielar is a Polish? What can you describe her and where and how did you encounter her ?
Velnias:
Onielar is hailing from mighty Poland. Listen to any Slaughtercult track, take a look at the booklet and you have already the best description of this fascinating spirit – words are useless and do not justify her characters greatness. Our first encounter was a rather ordinary one – little did we know that such a little advertisement looking for “fellow musicians” would elevate our spirits to such great heights. Fate? Destiny? – what ever it has been – may the slaughter continue for another infernal 8 years,… and another, and another,…. We are the black heart of Slaughtercult – the force which has found two worthy individuals to fight abreast with us. Our black hearts and our fate is scared beyond recognition – we are beyond life…we are beyond death – we are.
Her vocals seems to be the very extreme/brutal sounds if ever heard!!..How did she manage to do that ?? I know there are other females who can scream/sing like her but still Onielar come on top of my list personally.. What are her secrets ?
Velnias:
The only secret is utmost dedication and conviction!
If there was someone who download all your live video through your site and then burn it for financial purpose..What are your reactions ?
Velnias:
There are already people selling bootlegs of all kinds of merchandise. There is nothing we or any other horde can do about it. Obviously it is very disappointing to see bootlegs and even online auctions for horrifying prices – BUT it is great feeling to know that no one is buying because we are a fucking underground horde and no big time superstars which everyone is interested in!
Your personal experience about the terms Black Metal ….
Velnias:
Black Metal used to be a privilege for the strong. Nowadays it has been extenuated for the masses. My personal opinion concerning Black Metal? It is not more than a luxurious addition to the already shaped “I”, although it is still striving for further spiritual ascendance. It is part of the greater tongue, the silver tongue, which speaks in many a different ways. Enhancing the minds journey through spectral realms, or at other times descending further into the bottomless pits, the chasms beyond human understanding. Besides the audible effect it also symbolizes certain moral values as well as a way of life afar the well tread out path of mankind. A superior existence in solitude.
How do you and others practice your life each day ? Satanism , occultism or simply just free thinker ?
Velnias:
In order to prevail, in order to survive the daily struggle in between bleating sheep we follow the game of masks. It is save to mention that we have mastered this game. Wearing masks allows the proud individual to walk and work amongst the filth. The system has guidelines and rules to follow – apply and you will be able to “eat”. This demands a certain amount of time, which leaves not much energy for more important issues. Every day life is and should be not more than the will and process of spiritual ascendance. This can be found in literature, art in general, visiting the witnesses of past times, such as castle ruins, forests, streams and lakes… above all this can be achieved by private rituals – which obviously will never be part of an interview.
So if you have free time what will you do then other than rehearsal , making music or writing lyrics?
Velnias:
“Music” in general takes up most of the time. May that be for Slaughtercult or just for your own sake. Even in drawn back moments getting lost in between the lines of written words “music” is present. All the time which is left for ourselves is used for exactly that…ourselves. Visiting deserted places, isolated from mankind, breathing the air in the shadows of castle ruins… pondering about the tides of life, the times gone by and the years to come. Constantly rephrasing human made definitions, aiming for new spiritual enlightenment.
Please tell us DNS’s latest merchandise and I know you only accepts Euro money only..
Velnias:
The lastest release is the vinyl version of the 3rd chapter “Nocturnal March”. A very luxurious gatefold edition released by Black Blood. Once more including all lyrics as well as two bonus tracks. Currently we are still working on the T-Shirt design for this album. And yes we only accept prepayment and Euro currency. Why? Because it is a pain in the ass to exchange the currency over here, to pay certain overpriced service fees, etc. … as simple as that!
What can you say/know about metal in Asia especially my country ?
Velnias:
Not more than… an unusual place for Black Metal!
Do you think there will be a ‘DNS asia version’ one day ?
Velnias:
Yeah right, followed by the DNS world domination tour! Certainly it would be great to find an interested label… but keep one thing in mind. An extreme underground act will never be allowed beyond a certain level…
Your words to the readers and Asian hordes ??
Velnias:
What has been on your mind has been answered. Slaughtercult is no guiding shepherd – what needs to be said has been said.
Well I guess this is the last questions. Feel free to pen down what do you want to say and hopefully we can do this some other time in the near future….
Velnias:
Contact:
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Germany
http://www.slaughtercult.de
velnias@slaughtercult.de
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