METAL EDITION provides an exciting exploration of how music powerfully impacts spirituality, and why spirituality influences music. Readers will discover sincere expressions of spiritual beliefs from the world of metal music. This portfolio includes an eclectic mix of musicians playing many forms of metal music; ambient metal, avant-garde death-metal, black metal, brutal metal, death metal, doom metal, experimental metal, funeral-doom, gothic metal, grindcore, heavy metal, industrial metal, melodic metal, power metal, progressive metal, psychedelic metal, Satanic metal, sludge metal, speed metal, symphonic metal, technical metal, thrash metal, and includes musicians from alternative-rock, avant-rock, and hardcore-punk bands. Metal Edition provides readers with an important introduction to metal music’s affinity with demonology, divination, magic, mysticism, Satanism, spiritualism, the occult, and witchcraft.

JUSTIN ST. VINCENT is the Director and Founder of Xtreme Music, where Music meets Spirituality. He was born in New Zealand, lived in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and North America, and is passionate about music from around the world. His book “The Spiritual Significance of Music” (2009) is available from Xtreme Music, and features exclusive interviews with many of the world’s most visionary musicians and writers. A unique anthology that explores the dynamic relationship between Music and Spirituality, sharing incredible insights from their experience, knowledge, and wisdom. Justin St. Vincent has interviewed more than one thousand people, choosing over one hundred responses, to produce a cutting-edge and ground-breaking project for our music- minded generation. Justin lives in Auckland, New Zealand, and is also the Managing Editor and pioneer of the highly acclaimed website: www.musicandspirituality.com
Photo: Xtreme Music

“Our spiritual values are the principles that guide us in all things, giving stability and structure to our inner world, supporting us in the symphony of life.” - Justin St. Vincent, editor of “The Spiritual Significance of Music”

A SORROWFUL DREAM are a dark-metal band from Sapucaia do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. “The Echo Of Your Cry [Demo]” (1998), “A Garden Of Stones [Demo]” (2003), and “In Your Dry Lips [Demo]” (2004) are all independently released and available from A Sorrowful Dream. Website: www.asorrowfuldream.com
Interview (Josie Demeneghi): June 25th 2007 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Interview arranged by Emanuel ‘Seagal’ Motta
Photo: Josie Demeneghi / AsorrowfulDream.com

“Music, in its purest conception, is probably the most universal way of expressing our souls... Music links one spirit to another.” - Josie Demeneghi, vocalist in A Sorrowful Dream

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THE ACCÜSED are a hardcore-punk splatter-rock band from Seattle, Washington, United States. “Martha Splatterhead [EP]” (1985) is available from Condar Records, “The Return Of Martha Splatterhead” (1986) is available from Earache Records, “More Fun Than An Open Casket Funeral” (1987) is available from Combat Records, “Hymns For The Deranged [EP]” (1988) is available from Musical Tragedies, “Martha Splatterhead’s Maddest Stories Ever Told” (1988) is available from Combat Records, “Grinning Like An Undertaker” (1990), and “Straight Razor [EP]”, and “Splatter Rock” (1992) are all available from Nastymix Records, “Oh Martha!” (2003), and “Criminal Record [2CD & DVD]”, “34 Song Archives Tapes 1981-86” (2006), and “Baked Tapes” (2006) are all available from Condar Records. Website: www.splatterrock.com
Interview (Tom Niemeyer): March 2nd 2007 Seattle, Washington, United States
Photo: Tom Niemeyer / SplatterRock.com

“It is my center, my safe harbor, my lover, my nemesis, and even my god... I need it to survive.” - Tom Niemeyer, guitarist in The Accüsed

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ACT OF GODS are a death-metal band from Bourg-en-Bresse, France. “Dies Irae [EP]” (2003), “Stench Of Centuries” (2004), and “Maât” (2006) are all available from Osmose Productions. Website: www.act-of-gods.com
Interview (Philippe Herbaut): April 15th 2007 Bourg-en-Bresse, France
Photo: Act Of Gods / Osmose Productions

“Music is a way to escape reality... The vibrations of the music make it spiritual.” - Philippe Herbaut, guitarist in Act Of Gods

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AFTER FOREVER are a symphonic-metal band from Reuver, Limburg, The Netherlands. “Invisible Circles” (2004), and “Remagine” (2005) are both available from Transmission Records, and “After Forever (Self-Titled)” (2007) is available from Nuclear Blast. Website: www.afterforever.com
Interview (Sander Gommans): August 24th 2007 Reuver, Limburg, Netherlands
Photo: After Forever / AfterForever.com

“Spirituality can make people more aware of who they are, and I think our music sometimes does the same.” - Sander Gommans, guitarist and vocalist in After Forever

ANGELCORPSE are a blackened death-metal band from Kansas City, Missouri. “Hammer Of Gods” (1996), “Exterminate” (1998), “The Inexorable” (1999), “Iron, Blood & Blasphemy” (2001), “Of Lucifer And Lightning” (2007) are all available from Osmose Productions. Website: www.come.to/angelcorpse
Interview (Pete Helmkamp): March 30th 2007 Tampa, Florida, United States
Photo: Angelcorpse / Osmose Productions

“Every pulse of our music beats as one with our hearts, in our blood, in our actions and deeds.” - Pete Helmkamp, bassist and vocalist in Angelcorpse

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APOCRYPHAL VOICE are an avant-garde black-metal band from Riihimäki, Finland. “The Sickening [EP]” (2003) is available from Rage Of Achilles, and “Stilltrapped” (2007) is available from Candlelight Records. Website: http://koti.mbnet.fi/kasdaye/
Interview (Juhani Jokisalo): February 4th 2007 Riihimäki, Finland
Photo: Apocryphal Voice

“Music can open doors within the listener’s psyche and lead them to a journey into mental and spiritual realms.” - Juhani Jokisalo, guitarist, bassist, and vocalist in Apocryphal Voice

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ARMORED SAINT are a heavy-metal band from Los Angeles, California. “Nod To The Old School” (2001), “A Trip Thru Red Times 1982-1990 [DVD]” (2003), and “Lessons Not Well Learned 1991-2001 [DVD]” (2004) are all available from Metal Blade Records. Website: www.armoredsaint.com
Interview (Gonzo Sandoval): April 8th 2007 Los Angeles, California, United States
Photo: Leanna Burke Photography

“Spirituality is significant because it is through whatever belief system you have in your soul that you are able to connect with the ultimate creativity of the universe.” - Gonzo Sandoval, drummer in Armored Saint

ARS MACABRA are a black-metal band from Rome, Italy. “Daemonolatria Hypnotica” (2004) is available from Elegy Music, and “Hate Induced Trance” (2007) is available from Sinister Sounds. Website: www.arsmacabra.com
Interview (Sathor): July 13th 2007 Rome, Italy
Photo: Ars Macabra / ArsMacabra.com

“Music: my drug, my pain, my relief, and sometimes my mood. How could music not be more spiritual?... Living without music is missing out a meaning of our existence.” - Sathor, guitarist in Ars Macabra

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ASVA are a doom-metal band from Seattle, Washington. “Futurists Against the Ocean” (2005) is available from Mimicry Records, “The Third Plagues/A Trap For Judges [EP]” (2005) is available from Enterruption Records, and “What You Don’t Know Is Frontier” (2007) is available from Dos Fatales Records. Website: www.dosfatales.com
Interview (G. Stuart Dahlquist): September 3rd 2006 Seattle, Washington, United States
Photo: Noreaster Media / Dos Fatales Records

“In my own music the goal is to achieve a sort of emotional overload in the listener.” - G. Stuart Dahlquist, bassist in Asva

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ATHEIST are a technical death-metal band from Sarasota, Florida. “Piece Of Time” (1990), and “Unquestionable Presence” (1991) are both available from Active Records, “Elements” (1993) is available from Metal Blade Records, and “Atheist: The Collection” (2005) is available from Relapse Records. Website: www.officialatheist.com
Interview (Kelly Shaefer): January 10th 2008 Sarasota, Florida, United States
Interview arranged by Betsey Cichoracki, Relapse Records
Photo: Kelly Shaefer / Relapse Records

“Music is like an invisible energy that can not only provide a positive reaction, but a negative one as well... The best music comes from tortured souls.” - Kelly Shaefer, vocalist in Atheist

BATTLELORE are a gothic-folk-metal band from Lappeenranta, Finland. "... Where The Shadows Lie" (2002), "Sword's Song" (2003), "The Journey [Live DVD]" (2004), "Third Age Of The Sun" (2005), "Evernight" (2007), and "The Last Alliance [CD & DVD]" (2008) are all available from Napalm Records. Battlelore's lyrics include themes from author J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth. Website: www.battlelore.net
Interview (Jyri Vahvanen): January 14th 2009 Lappeenranta, Finland
Photo: Battlelore / Napalm Records

“For many people, and myself included, music is something which controls a huge part of your everyday life.” - Jyri Vahvanen, guitarist in Battlelore

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THE BERZERKER are a grindcore industrial death-metal band from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. “Full Of Hate [EP]” (1996) is available from Bastard Loud Records, “Inextricable Zenith [EP]” (1998) is available from Speedcore Records, “Broken [EP]” (2000) is available from Widerstand Records, “Berzerker (Self-Titled)” (2000), “The Berzerker - Live And Rare [Live]” (2000), “Dissimulate” (2002), “World Of Lies” (2005), “Animosity [EP]” (2006), and “Animosity” (2007) are all available from Earache Records. Website: www.theberzerker.com
Interview (Luke Kenny): September 9th 2006 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Interview arranged by Zeena Koda, Earache Records
Photo: Milly Jane / TheBerzerker.com

“Something intangible inside you responds to music bypassing where you live or who you think you are.” - Luke Kenny, vocalist in The Berzerker

BLACK CRUCIFIXION are a black-metal band from Rovaniemi, Finland. “The Fallen One Of Flames [EP]” (1991), “Promethean Gift [Re-Released Full-Length Version]” (1993) and “Faustian Dream” (2006) are all available from Soulseller Records and Paragon Records. Website: www.paasto.com/bc/
Interview (Forn): November 5th 2007 Rovaniemi, Finland
Photo: Black Crucifixion / Soulseller Records

“Music is a place of refuge from the pressures of everyday life... Music is where I find my spirituality, in the mystery, and lack of rationality in the creative process.” - Forn, vocalist and instruments in Black Crucifixion

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BLACK FLAME are a Satanic black-metal from Torino, Italy. “The Third Revelation [CD-R]” (2003) was independently released, “Torment And Glory” (2004) is available from Eerie Art Records, and “Conquering Purity” (2006) is available from Worship Him Records. Website: www.black-flame.net
Interview (m:A Fog): June 4th 2007 Andezeno, Torino, Italy
Photo: Black Flame / Black-Flame.net

“The spiritual significance of music is the inner strength that enlightens the core of the individual.” - m:A Fog, drummer in Black Flame

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BLACK FUNERAL are a Satanic black-metal band from Houston, Texas. “Az-I-Dahak [LP]” (2004), “Ordog” (2005), and “Waters Of Weeping” (2007) are all available from Behemoth Productions. Akhtya Nachttoter (aka Michael Ford) has also released an album of Satanic ritual music called “Rite Of The Qlippoth” (2007) available from Succubus Productions. Websites: www.blackfuneral.org and www.luciferianwitchcraft.com
Interview (Akhtya Nachttoter): April 11th 2007 Houston, Texas, United States
Photo: Black Funeral / BlackFuneral.org

“There is a language in music based in tone and structure which can only be experienced.” - Akhtya Nachttoter, vocalist and musician in Black Funeral

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BLACKLODGE are an industrial black metal band from Grenoble, France. "Login : Satan [1st Level Initiation = Chamber Of Darkness]" (2003) is available from Blazing Productions, "SolarKult [2nd Level Initiation = Chamber Of Illumination]" (2006), and "T/ME [3rd Level Initiation = Chamber Of Downfall]" (2010) are available both from End All Life Productions. Blacklodge's key lyrical themes often refer to drugs, mysticism, and Satanism. Saint Vincent, guitarist and vocalist in Blacklodge, has also been involved in black metal bands Vorkreist, The Arrival of Satan, and Merrimack. MySpaces: www.myspace.com/loginsatan, www.myspace.com/darknessdealer, Websites: www.loginsatan.org and www.darknessdealer.com
Interview (Saint Vincent): August 14th 2009 Grenoble, France
Photo: Saint Vincent / LoginSatan.org

“Music is magic. Through the manipulation of the rules of sacred geometry, music builds a chronology (rhythm) of frequencies (melodies) ...” - Saint Vincent, guitarist and vocalist in Blacklodge

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BLACKMASS are a Satanic black-metal band from Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil. “Episcolum, Servo Servorum Satanii” (2003) was self-released by Blackmass, “Gloria Diaboli” (2005) is available from Blasphemy Productions, and “Nemesis” (2007) is available from Open Grave Records. Website: www.blackmass.com.br
Interview (Magus Dux Adramelech): July 7th 2007 Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil
Photo: Magus Dux Adramelech / Blackmass.com.br

“When you are "captured" by music... you travel through new spheres of sensation.” - Magus Dux Adramelech, bassist and vocalist in Blackmass

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BLASPHEMER are a brutal death-metal band from Milan, Italy. Their first split-CD (2003), with Scrambled Defuncts and Humanity F*cked To Gore, is available from Relics Records, their second split-CD-R (2006), with Modus Delicti and Eskaton, is available from Italian Frost Foundation Records, and their debut full-length album "On The Inexistence Of God" (2008) is available from Comatose Music. Blasphemer's "Nihilist Preachers Of Death" also features on the motion picture soundtrack of "Modern Love Is Automatic" (2008) directed by Zach Clark. MySpace: www.myspace.com/blasphemerbrutal
Interview: September 11th 2008 Milan, Italy
Photo: Blasphemer / Comatose Music

“Music is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.” - Blasphemer

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BLESSED BY FIRE are a symphonic black-metal band from Detroit, Michigan. “Morbid Romance [Demo]” (2005) was independently released and is available from Blessed By FirE. MySpace: www.myspace.com/blessedbyfire
Interview (Lord Drake Ashen): November 14th 2007 Detroit, Michigan, United States
Photo: Lord Drake Ashen / Blessed By FirE

“Music has a strong spiritual significance as a form of expression, and it also plays a role in maintaining a balance between order and chaos.” - Lord Drake Ashen, guitarist and vocalist in Blessed By FirE

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BOLT THROWER are a death-metal band from Coventry, England. “The Peel Sessions [EP]” (1988) is available from Strange Fruit Records, “In Battle There Is No Law [LP]” (1988) is available from Vinyl Solution, “Realm Of Chaos” (1989), “Cenotaph [EP]” (1991), “War Master” (1991), “The IVth Crusade” (1992), “Spearhead [EP]” (1992), and “... For Victory” (1994), are all available from Earache Records, “Mercenary” (1998), “Honour Valour Pride” (2001), and “Those Once Loyal” (2005) are all available from Metal Blade Records. Website: www.boltthrower.com
Interview (Karl Willetts): January 22nd 2008 Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Photo: Bolt Thrower / Metal Blade Records

“There is a spiritual essence within all music created and heard by an audience.” - Karl Willetts, vocalist in Bolt Thrower

BREATH OF CHAOS are a funeral-doom black-metal band from Ontario, Canada. “Decaying” (2006) was independently released, “They Lay In Stone Houses” (2006) is available from Profane Productions, and “Shapeless Forsaken Spirits” (2007) is available from Black Plague Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/breathofchaos
Interview (The Nothing): May 5th 2007 Ontario, Canada
Photo: The Nothing / Breath Of Chaos

“Music for me is a ritual to manipulate my environment or satisfy the negative energy that has possessed my flesh: an expression of Anti-Human politics and hate for belief.” - The Nothing, guitarist and vocalist in Breath Of Chaos

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BREED 77 are a flamenco-metal band from Gibraltar. “Cultura” (2004), “Shadows [EP]” (2005), “In My Blood (En Mi Sangre)” (2006), and “Un Encuentro” (2007) are all available from Albert Productions. Website: www.breed77.net
Interview (Danny Felice): April 14th 2007 London, England, United Kingdom
Interview arranged by James Cassidy, Albert Music, and Catrina Naylor, Albert Productions
Photo: Danny Felice / Breed77.net

“The spiritual significance of music is like the universe itself, it's everything.” - Danny Felice, guitarist, mandolin player, and vocalist in Breed 77

BRUJERIA are a brutal death-metal band from Mexico City, Mexico. “Matando Güeros” (1993), and “Raza Odiada” (1995) are both available from Roadrunner Records, “Marijuana [EP]” (1997) is available from Kool Arrow Records, “Brujerizmo” (2000) is available from Roadrunner Records. Website: www.brujeria.com
Interview (Juan Brujo): September 27th 2006 Los Angeles, California, United States
Photo: Juan Brujo / Brujeria.com

“There is a story behind each [song] and the spirits of the stories come alive when the songs are played, especially when played loud!” - Juan Brujo, vocalist in Brujeria

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BURNING SAVIOURS are a doom-metal band from Örebro, Sweden. “Burning Saviours (Self-Titled)” (2005), and “Hundus” (2006) are both available from I Hate Records, and “Nymphs And Weavers” (2007) is available from Transubstans Records. Burning Saviours are named after a song from Pentagram’s album “Day Of Reckoning” (1987) available from Napalm Records. Website: www.burningsaviours.com
Interview (Fredrik Andersson): June 10th 2007 Örebro, Sweden
Photo: Josephine Monks and Mikael Marjanen / BurningSaviours.com

“[Music] sure evokes feelings if the performer and the listener are on the same level, but I wouldn’t address it as spirituality.” - Fredrik Andersson, singer and flautist in Burning Saviours

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CANNIBAL CORPSE are a brutal death-metal band from Buffalo, New York. “Gore Obsessed” (2002), “The Wretched Spawn” (2004), and “Kill” (2006) are all available from Metal Blade Records. Website: www.cannibalcorpse.net
Interview (Alex Webster): August 7th 2007 Tampa, Florida, United States
Interview arranged by Per Bussmann, Triada Promotion
Photo: Cannibal Corpse / Metal Blade Records

“Music can go places that words alone cannot... If you truly love music, you already know it's power.” - Alex Webster, bassist in Cannibal Corpse

CENTAO are an alternative-rock band from Linz, Austria. “Rising” (2002), “Mindstrip” (2005), and “Your Poison Is My Paradise” (2008) are all available from MoRock Records. Website: www.centao.com
Interview (Matthias Dietinger): January 7th 2008 Linz, Austria
Photo: Renè Huemer / ReneHuemer.com

“Music = Magic. You can’t see it, and you can’t touch it, but music transports the most powerful emotions that humans can ever experience.” - Matthias Dietinger, vocalist in Centao

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CIRCUS OF DAMNATION are an experimental doom-metal band from Torino, Italy. “In Speciem Cadaveris [CD-Single]” (2004) was independently released, and “Don’t Let Them Fall [EP]” (2007) is available from Dawn Of Sadness Records. Website: www.circusofdamnation.com
Interview (Moontear): June 9th 2007 Cordova, Torino, Italy
Photo: Moontear / CircusOfDamnation.com

“In your songs, you can tell about love, death, sadness, or anger. It means that you let your spirit narrate about itself.” - Moontear, drummer and vocalist in Circus Of Damnation

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CRAVE FOR LIGHT are a gothic-metal band from Thessaloniki, Greece. “Nostoi Vlekle Dem Noi Puschta [Demo]” (2005), “Second Part Of A Treehouse [Demo]” (2006), and “Befallen [CD-Single]” (2007) are all independently released and available from Crave For Light. Website: www.craveforlight.cjb.net
Interview (Dimitris Tsapas): July 9th 2007 Thessaloniki, Greece
Photo: Crave For Light / CraveForLight.cjb.net

“We can enjoy the trip music takes us through. Music is the healthiest drug!” - Dimitris Tsapas, guitarist and vocalist in Crave For Light

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CREST OF DARKNESS are a black-metal band from Gjøvik, Norway. “Project Regeneration” (2000) is available on Listenable Records, “Evil Knows Evil” (2004), and “Give Us The Power To Do Your Evil” (2007) are both available on My Kingdom Music. Website: www.crestofdarkness.com
Interview (Ingar Amlien): November 12th 2007 Gjøvik, Norway
Photo: Ingar Amlien / CrestOfDarkness.com

“Sometimes I have a strange feeling that Crest Of Darkness is living its own life, and I am loosing the control, but I am not afraid of this dark spirit! I am worshipping it!” - Ingar Amlien, bassist and vocalist in Crest Of Darkness

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CRIMSON MOON are a black-metal band from Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. “Under The Serpentine Spell [LP]” (1999), “The Choice Of Spirit” (2006), are both available from Kthulu Productions, and “Xepera Xeper Xeperu [2CD]” (2007) is available from Deathgasm Records. Crimson Moon members Scorpios Androctonus and Nocturnal Overlord split-up both claiming ownership of the band. They now continue Crimson Moon on separate sides of the Atlantic. Website: www.crimsonmoonofficial.com
Interview (Scorpios Androctonus): August 30th 2007 Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Photo: Scorpios Androctonus / CrimsonMoonOfficial.com

“My own personal perspective on the spiritual significance of music. I gather that which is of primordial essence, and that which struggles beyond the primitive mind of sounds causing emotions.” - Scorpios Androctonus, bassist, guitarist, and vocalist in Crimson Moon

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CURSE are a black-metal band from Reykjavík, Iceland. “Cursed Be Thy Name [EP]” (2001), and “Dead Sun Rise” (2002) are both available from No Colours Records, and “Slaughter Of The Stars” (2006) is available from BlackMetal.com Records. Website: www.helviti.com/curse
Interview (Eldur): July 5th 2007 Reykjavík, Iceland
Interview arranged by Steffen, No Colours Records
Photo: Eldur, Electric Horizon Records

“Music to me is like a spiritual journey to another dimension where you leave behind your everyday life and travel wherever your mind takes you.” - Eldur, guitarist and vocalist in Curse

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CYNIC are a progressive-metal jazz-fusion band from Los Angeles, California. "Focus" (1993) was available from Roadrunner Records, and "Traced In Air" (2008) is available from Season Of Mist. Paul Masvidal has also composed, toured, and written music with Æon Spoke, Death, and Gordian Knot. Website: www.cyniconline.com
Interview: March 24th 2009 Los Angeles, California, United States
Photo: Paul Masvidal / CynicOnline.com

“Music can express itself from a place that is beyond the mind, and help deconstruct our stories of whom we think are into something more expansive, connected, and whole.” - Paul Masvidal, guitarist and vocalist in Cynic

DARK PROCESSION are an ambient-acoustic black-metal band from Indiana. “Ghost Echoes” (2006), and “Mists Of Darkness [EP]” (2006) are both available from GES Productions. Website: www.darkprocession.tk
Interview (Drew Millay): July 2nd 2007 Indiana, United States
Photo: Drew Millay / DarkProcession.tk

“The atmosphere, melodies, and emotion are the key elements in giving the listener the sense of music’s mesmerizing spirituality as it can touch your soul.” - Drew Millay, guitarist and vocalist in Dark Procession

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DARKENED NOCTURN SLAUGHTERCULT are a black-metal band from Dormagen, Germany. “Follow The Calls For Battle” (2001), “Nocturnal March” (2004), and “Hora Nocturna” (2006) are all independently released and available from Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult. Website: www.slaughtercult.de
Interview (Velnias): November 8th 2007 Dormagen, Germany
Photo: Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult / Slaughtercult.de

“Music is a powerful tongue. If the listeners are capable of understanding this language it will directly appeal to the soul.” - Velnias, guitarist in Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult

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DARKWELL are a gothic-metal band from Innsbruck, Austria. “Suspiria” (2000), and “Conflict Of Interest” (2002) are both available from Napalm Records, “Strange” (2004) is available from Mirror Promotion, and “Metatron” (2004) is available from Napalm Records. Website: www.darkwell.org
Interview (Roland Wurzer): May 16th 2007 Innsbruck, Austria
Photo: Darkwell / Darkwell.org

“Our spirituality is guided by our emotions, so I’m convinced music is an unbreakable link.” - Roland Wurzer, bassist in Darkwell

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DAWN OF AZAZEL are a Satanic death-metal band from Auckland, New Zealand. “The Law Of The Strong” (2004) is available from Agonia Records, and “Sedition” (2005) is available from Ibex Moon Records. During 2005, Dawn Of Azazel gained priceless publicity when vocalist Rigel Walshe made headline evening news. New Zealand press discovered that the singer of this Satanic death-metal band also works as a police officer. Naturally the liberal media did not like the idea that a public servant sang extremely violent lyrics. However, no official action was taken as he did not associate his band with his work. Website: www.dawnofazazel.com
Interview (Rigel Walshe): March 4th 2007 Auckland, New Zealand
Photo: James Ensing-Trussell / Topic Photography

“Few things in the modern world can rival the significance of music.” - Rigel Walshe, bassist and vocalist in Dawn Of Azazel

DAYLIGHT DIES are a melodic doom-metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina. “Idle” (2000) is available from Tribunal Records, “No Reply” (2002) is available from Relapse Records, and “Dismantling Devotion” (2006) is available from Candlelight Records. Website: www.daylightdies.com
Interview (Barre Gambling): February 28th 2007 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Interview (Jesse Haff): February 19th 2007 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Photo: Agni Kaster / DaylightDies.com

“Music affects the subconscious and can cause profound changes in a person, much like a spiritual awakening.” - Barre Gambling, guitarist in Daylight Dies

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DEADSOIL are a metal band from the Ruhr Area, Germany. “Forever The Enemy [EP]” (2003) is available from PoisonFree.com Records, “The Venom Divine” (2004), and “Sacrifice” (2006) are both available from Lifeforce Records. Website: www.deadsoil.net
Interview (Boris Pracht): December 5th 2007 Essen, Germany
Photo: Deadsoil / Deadsoil.net

“Music challenges your creativity and makes you free your mind... Life is a little bit easier with music!” - Boris Pracht, guitarist in Deadsoil

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DEBAUCHERY are a death-metal band from Stuttgart, Germany. “Kill Maim Burn” (2003) was available from MDD Records, “Rage Of The Bloodbeast” (2004), and “Torture Pit” (2005) were both available from Black Attakk Productions, “Back In Blood [2CD]” (2007), and “Continue To Kill” (2008) are both available from AFM Records. Website: www.debauchery.de
Interview (Thomas): February 13th 2008 Stuttgart, Germany
Photo: Debauchery / Debauchery.de

“This is the spiritual significance of music: fuel for the spirit.” - Thomas, vocalist in Debauchery

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DENIAL OF GOD are a Satanic black-metal band from Sønderborg, Denmark. “The Curse Of The Witch [Demo EP]” (1999) is available from Sombre Records, “The Horrors Of Satan” (2006) is available from Painkiller Records, and “The Book Of Oiufael [7" EP]” (2007) is available from Horror Records. Website: www.denialofgod.net
Interview (Ustumallagam): August 14th 2007 Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Photo: Denial Of God / DenialOfGod.net

“I believe the two main reasons for creating music is simply self-gratification and to channel your feelings and put them into words.” - Ustumallagam, vocalist in Denial Of God

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DESOLATE WAYS are gothic doom-metal band from Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. “Desolate Ways (Self-Titled) [Demo]” (2000) was self-released, “Eternal Dreams” (2003) is available from Avernus Records, and “Tearful” (2007) is available from Erpland Records. Website: www.desolateways.com
Interview (Elizeu Hainzenreder): August 14th 2007 Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Interview arranged by Emanuel ‘Seagal’ Motta
Photo: Emanuel ‘Seagal’ Motta / DesolateWays.com

“I believe that the spiritual side is greatly responsible for all the music composed from the heart. If there is a God, then music is certainly our way to talk with him.” - Elizeu Hainzenreder, guitarist in Desolate Ways

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DEVOURMENT are a brutal death-metal band from Dallas, Texas. “Molesting The Decapitated” (1999) is available from United Guttural Records, and “Butcher The Weak [Re-Released]” (2006) is available from Brutal Bands Records. Website: www.devourment.us
Interview (Mike Majewski): April 28th 2007 Addison, Texas, United States
Interview (Captain Piss): July 26th 2007 Dallas, Texas, United States
Photo: Devourment / Devourment.us

“[Devourment] is a spiritual entity in my life, as I put my heart and soul into every aspect of it.” - Mike Majewski, vocalist in Devourment

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DISABUSED are a hardcore death-metal band from Saarbrücken, Germany. “The Dawn Of A New Age [Demo]” (2004), and “Utopia In Disguise [EP]” (2007) are both independently released and are available from Disabused. Website: www.disabused.net
Interview (Björn Bühner): February 28th 2008 Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
Interview arranged by Allen Wright, Go Down Believing Management
Photo: Disabused / Disabused.net

“At a concert you can let go the harshness of everyday life; you can vent your anger, you can have fun, and you can behave whichever way pleases you.” - Björn Bühner, vocalist in Disabused

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DISBELIEF is a death-metal post-hardcore band from Hesse, Germany. “Disbelief (Self-Titled)” (1997), and “Infected” (1998) are both available from Grind Syndicate Media, “Worst Enemy” (2001), “Shine” (2002), and “Spreading The Rage” (2003) are all available from Massacre Records, “66Sick” (2005) is available from Nuclear Blast Records, “Disbelief: Platinum Edition [3CD]” (2006), and “Navigator” (2007) are both available from Massacre Records. Website: www.disbelief.de
Interview (Jochen ‘Joe’ Trunk): January 14th 2008 Hesse, Germany
Interview arranged by Allen Wright, Go Down Believing Management
Photo: Severin Schweiger / Disbelief.de

“Music is the way to transform negative energy into something inspiring, powerful, and positive.” - Jochen "Joe" Trunk, bassist in Disbelief

DISCORDANCE AXIS are a grindcore-metal band from Hoboken, New Jersey. “Ulterior” (1995) is available from Devour Records, “Necropolitan [EP]” (1997) is available from HG Fact Records, “Jouhou” (1998), and “The Inalienable Dreamless” (2001) are both available from Hydra Head Records. Website: www.studio-grey.com/da/
Interview (Jon Chang): June 17th 2007 Hoboken, New Jersey, United States
Photo: Jon Chang / Studio Grey

“People create things based on their own experiences. Sometimes they create things out of their own need for significance, such as faith or belief.” - Jon Chang, vocalist in Discordance Axis

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DOG FASHION DISCO are an alternative jazz-metal band from Rockville, Maryland. “Anarchists Of Good Taste” (2001), and “Committed To A Bright Future” (2003) are available from Spitfire Records, “Day Of The Dead” (2004) was self-released by Dog Fashion Disco, and “Adultery” (2006) is available from Rotten Records. Website: www.dogfashiondisco.com
Interview (Todd Smith): August 23rd 2007 Germantown, Maryland, United States
Photo: Sam Holden / SamHoldenPhotography.com

“Music for some is a great escape to tune out the world... where they can immerse themselves in another state of being.” - Todd Smith, vocalist in Dog Fashion Disco

DRAGONFORCE are a power-metal band from London, England. "Valley Of The Damned" (2003) is available from Noise Records and Sanctuary Records, "Sonic Firestorm" (2004) is available from Noise Records, "Inhuman Rampage" (2006), and "Ultra Beatdown" (2008) are both available from Roadrunner Records. DragonForce are known for their fantasy-based lyrics, fast guitar solos, and retro-electronic video-game influenced music. Website: www.dragonforce.com
Interview (ZP Theart): January 18th 2009 London, England, United Kingdom
Photo: DragonForce / Roadrunner Records

“The fact that there is a lot of spiritual strength I feel from the music made, it’s definitely a major help to make you want to carry on and write more and more.” - ZP Theart, vocalist in DragonForce

EMPTINESS are a black death-metal band from Brussels, Belgium. “Guilty To Exist” (2004) is available from Painkiller Records, and “Oblivion” (2007) is available from Agonia Records. Website: www.emptiness.be
Interview (Emptiness): November 1st 2007 Brussels, Belgium
Photo: Emptiness / Emptiness.be

“Music is a language. It is the most efficient way to communicate our personal feelings.” - Emptiness

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ENSLAVED are a progressive black-metal band from Haugesund, Norway. “Below The Lights” (2003) is available from Osmose Productions, “Isa” (2004) is available from Tabu Recordings, and “Ruun” (2006) is available from Candlelight Records. Enslaved’s name was inspired by the track “Enslaved In Rot”, from Immortal’s first demo recording “The Northern Upins Death” (1990). Website: www.enslaved.no
Interview (Ivar Bjørnson): August 6th 2007 Bergen, Norway
Photo: Asle Birkeland / Enslaved.no

“Music is everything and nothing, it is flesh and it is spirit.” - Ivar Bjørnson, guitarist in Enslaved

ENTHRONED are a black-metal band from Gent, Belgium. “Carnage In Worlds Beyond” (2002), “XES Haereticum” (2004), “Black Goat Ritual: Live In Thy Flesh [Live]” (2005), and “Tetra Karcist” (2007) are all available from Napalm Records. Enthroned’s future releases will be available from Regain Records. Website: www.enthroned-horde.com
Interview (Nornagest): October 25th 2007 Gent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Photo: Sect / Enthroned-Horde.com

“Music transports emotions, carries feelings on a higher level, and improves human perceptions.” - Nornagest, guitarist and vocalist in Enthroned

ESOTERIC are a Funeral Doom-Metal band from Birmingham, England. “Epistemological Despondency [2CD]” (1994), and “The Pernicious Enigma [2CD]” (1997) were both available from Aesthetic Death Records, “Metamorphogenesis” (1999) was available from Elbon Records, “Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum” (2004), and “The Maniacal Vale [2CD]” (2008) are both available from Season Of Mist Records. Website: www.esotericuk.net
Interview: July 5th 2008 Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Photo: Sally Holliday / EsotericUK.net

“Music allows me to express and embrace the deeper and darker levels of consciousness and recesses of my psyche. It is my raison d'être.” - Greg Chandler, guitarist and vocalist in Esoteric

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THE ETERNAL are a gothic doom-metal band from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. “The Eternal (Self-Titled) [Demo]” (2003) was independently released, “The Sombre Light Of Isolation” (2004) is available from Firebox Records, “Sombre Visions [DVD]” (2005) is available from Sombre Light Records, “Sleep Of Reason” (2005), and “A Fleeting Glance [DVD]” (2006) are both available from Firebox Records. Website: www.the-eternal.com
Interview (Mark Kelson): May 3rd 2007 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Pheelix / The-Eternal.com

“Music has the ability to bring the world together.” - Mark Kelson, guitarist and vocalist in The Eternal

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ETERNITY are a black-metal band from Nordhausen, Germany. “… And The Gruesome Returns With Every Night” (2004) is available from W.T.C. Productions, “Black Metal Against The World [Split 7" EP]” (2004) is available from Undercover Records, and “Funeral Mass” (2007) is available from Avantgarde Music. MySpace: www.myspace.com/eternityhorde
Interview (A. Krieg): April 26th 2007 Thuringia, Germany
Interview arranged by Basilisk, drummer in Eternity
Photo: Eternity / Avantgarde Music

“We will show a different way, a spiritual way into another sphere of existence.” - A. Krieg, vocalist in Eternity

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EVOCATION are a melodic death-metal band from Borås, Sweden. “The Ancient Gate [Demo Tape]” (1992), and “Promo 1992 [Demo Tape]” (1992) were both independently released, “Evocation (Self-Titled)” (2004) is available from Breath Of Night, “Evocation (Self-Titled) [Demo]” (2006) was independently released, and “Tales From The Tomb” (2007) is available from Cyclone Empire Records. Website: www.evocation.se
Interview (Thomas ‘Tjompe’ Josefsson): December 18th 2007 Borås, Sweden
Photo: Anton Hedberg / Evocation.se

“When you understand a new song or even a new style it is like being born-again.” - Thomas ‘Tjompe’ Josefsson, vocalist in Evocation

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EYEHATEGOD are a Southern doom-metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana. “Dopesick” (1996), and “Confederacy Of Ruined Lives” (2000) are both available from Century Media Records, and “Preaching The End-Time Message” (2005) is available from Emetic Records. Michael IX Williams’ book “Cancer As A Social Activity: Affirmations Of World’s End” (2005) is an intimate collection of lyrics and poems available from Southern Roots Publishing. He is also the former Associate Editor of Metal Maniacs magazine. Website: www.eyehategod.com
Interview (Michael IX Williams): March 14th 2007 Covington, Louisiana, United States
Photo: Michael IX Williams / Eyehategod.com

“Everybody’s spirituality is as personal and diverse as their musical choices.” - Michael IX Williams, vocalist in EYEHATEGOD

FAITH NO MORE are an alternative-rock band from San Francisco, California. “We Care A Lot” (1985) was released on Mordam Records, “Introduce Yourself” (1987), “The Real Thing” (1989), “Angel Dust” (1992), “King For A Day... Fool For A Lifetime” (1995), “Album Of The Year” (1997), and “Who Cares A Lot?” (1998) are all available from Slash Records. Website: www.fnm.com
Interview (Billy Gould): September 26th 2006 San Francisco, California, United States
Photo: Billy Gould / Kool Arrow Records

“I’m not sure whether there is any spiritual “side” of music, but there is a spiritual significance of life.” - Billy Gould, bassist in Faith No More

FANTÔMAS are an avant-garde metal band from San Francisco, California. “Fantômas (Self-Titled)” (1999), “The Director’s Cut” (2001), “Millennium Monsterwork 2000 [Live]” (2002), “Delìrium Còrdia” (2004), and “Suspended Animation” (2005) are all available from Ipecac Recordings. Fantômas are named after an evil villain featured in a series of crime novels from France. Trevor Dunn is also bassist in Mr. Bungle, and Trio-Convulsant. Website: www.trevordunn.net
Interview (Trevor Dunn): November 17th 2006 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Photo: Peter Gannushkin / DowntownMusic.net

“Music, as a creative process, is what connects me with my reason to exist.” - Trevor Dunn, bassist in Fantômas

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FOREVER IN TERROR are a melodic-metalcore band from Streetsboro, Ohio. Their debut album “Restless In The Tides” (2007) is available from Metal Blade Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/fitmetal
Interview (Josh Owen): August 13th 2007 Streetsboro, Ohio, United States
Interview arranged by Per Bussmann, Triada Promotion
Photo: Forever In Terror / Metal Blade Records

“Music feeds my life... Music is a passion, and a life that you live... To some music is life, but to everyone music is a part of life.” - Josh Owen, bassist in Forever In Terror

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FORSAKEN are a doom-metal band from Fgura, Malta. “Evermore” (1996) is available from Storm Records, “Anima Mundi” (2004), and “Dominaeon” (2005) are both available from Golden Lake Productions. Website: www.forsakenmalta.com
Interview (Albert Bell): August 25th 2007 Marsascala, Malta
Photo: Albert Bell / ForsakenMalta.com

“Music in essence, is a way of expunging something deeply personal and setting it loose within the wider communal world.” - Albert Bell, bassist in Forsaken

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GIRTH is an avant-garde extreme-metal band from Seattle, Washington. "Living In Truth" (2004) is available from Hector Stentor Records and BrutalProg.com, and "Sleeper, Awaken! [EP]" (2008) is available from Web Of Mimicry Records. Many of Girth's song titles on "Living In Truth" were references to Milan Kundera's novel "The Unbearable Lightness Of Being" (1984/2008) available from Harper Perennial. The album's artwork was created by Stephen O'Malley, and was recorded by Randall Dunn. Peijman Kouretchian is co-leader and drummer in Girth, drummer for Secret Chiefs 3's live tours throughout Europe and North America, and has performed with Andrew McInnis in the avant-garde jazz duo Lemons & Stallions. Peijman has also performed and collaborated with Hindustani senior vocalist Sumitra Guha. MySpace: www.myspace.com/girthmusic and www.myspace.com/peijman
Interview: May 27th 2009 Oakland, California, United States
Photo: Peijman Kouretchian

“Music is an unfiltered raw expression, a container of spirit, a tool for heightening consciousness, and an excuse to heighten consciousness.” - Peijman Kouretchian, drummer in Girth and Secret Chiefs 3

GODPHOBIA are a death-metal band from Stockholm, Sweden. “Promo [Demo]” (2006) was independently released, “On Your Knees” (2007) is available from Cutting Edge Records, and “Death To All” (2008) will be available from Godphobia. MySpace: www.myspace.com/godphobia
Interview (Johan): December 31st 2007 Stockholm, Sweden
Photo: Godphobia / Cutting Edge Records

“Music gives you energy, and that is a source for life. Music opens you up and makes you think. For me music is fun, and music is life.” - Johan, guitarist in Godphobia

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GORGOROTH are a Satanic black-metal band from Bergen, Norway. “Incipit Satan” (2000), and “Twilight Of The Idols (In Conspiracy With Satan)” (2003) are both available from Nuclear Blast, and “Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam” (2006) is available from Regain Records. “Gorgoroth” is a plateau of darkness and death in the northern regions of Mordor in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy “The Lord Of The Rings”. Infernus also manages the label Forces Of Satan Records. Website: www.gorgoroth.info
Interview (Infernus): July 24th 2007 Bergen, Norway
Photo: Tommy Næss / Gorgoroth.org

“Our music is magic in practice.” - Infernus, bassist, drummer, guitarist, and vocalist in Gorgoroth

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GRAVEN DUSK is a blackened funeral doom-metal band from Montreal, Canada. Evillair is involved in a number of one-man black metal projects, including Graven Dusk, Nordicwinter, and Strigoi Mort. Yves Allaire (aka Evillair) also works with Ubisoft Montreal as an Art Director. Website: www.gravendusk.tk
Interview (Evillair): May 7th 2007 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Photo: Yves Allaire / GravenDusk.tk

“[Music] is a mystical divination that can do magical things to a person. It can change a person’s outlook on life.” - Evillair, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist in Graven Dusk

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THE GREAT KAT is a speed-thrash-metal guitarist from Melville, New York, United States. “Worship Me Or Die” (1987), and “Beethoven On Speed” (1990) are both available from Roadracer Records, “Digital Beethoven On Cyberspeed [EP]” (1996), and “Guitar Goddess [EP]” (1997) are both available from Blood and Guts Music, “Bloody Vivaldi [EP]” (1998), “Rossini’s Rape [EP]” (2000), “Wagner’s War” (2002), and “Extreme Guitar Shred [DVD]” (2005) are all available from TPR Records. Kat graduated with a student scholarship on violin from the prestigious Juilliard School, a premier performing arts conservatory located in New York City. Website: www.greatkat.com
Interview: June 30th 2007 Melville, New York, United States
Photo: The Great Kat / GreatKat.com

“The Great Kat’s “spiritual significance of music” is to wake you up... and force you into the future with powerful, amazing, and brilliant music. This is the whole point of music!” - The Great Kat, shred/classical guitarist and violinist

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GUARDIANS OF HELL are a death-metal band from São Paulo, Brazil. “Bells Of Malediction [Demo]” (2005) was independently released and is available from Guardians Of Hell. Website: www.guardiansofhell.cjb.net
Interview (Marcus Vinícius Tremonti): June 7th 2007 São Luís, São Paulo, Brazil
Photo: Marcus Vinícius Tremonti / GuardiansOfHell.cjb.net

“Spirituality in my compositions is the one thing connected to the sound. That is all of my spirit and everything I feel I then put into my music.” - Marcus Vinícius Tremonti, bassist and vocalist in Guardians Of Hell

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GWAR are a shock-rock and thrash-metal band from Richmond, Virginia. "Hell-O" (1988), "Scumdogs Of The Universe" (1990), "The Road Behind [EP]" (1992), "America Must Be Destroyed" (1992), "This Toilet Earth" (1994), "Ragnarök" (1995), "Carnival Of Chaos" (1997), "We Kill Everything" (1999), and "Violence Has Arrived" (2001) are all available from Metal Blade Records, "Slaves Going Single" (2000), and "Let There Be Gwar" (2004) are both available from Slave Pit Records, "War Party" (2004), and "Beyond Hell" (2006) are both available from DRT Entertainment, "Lust In Space" (2009), and "Bloody Pit Of Horror" (2010) are both available from Metal Blade Records. GWAR are a two-time Grammy Award-nominated band best known for their elaborate sci-fi and horror-film inspired costumes, and graphic stage performances of political parodies and taboo themes. MySpace: www.myspace.com/gwarofficial and Website: www.gwar.net
Interview arranged by Rikki Zazula, Publicist, Adrenaline PR
Interview (Dave Brockie): September 10th 2009 Richmond, Virginia, United States
Photo: GWAR / GWAR.net

“Music and spirituality are closely interwoven... There is never so peaceful, never so satisfying, never so spiritual a moment than the completion of a successful performance.” - Dave Brockie, bassist and vocalist in GWAR

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HATESPHERE are a melodic trash-metal band from Aarhus, Denmark. “Ballet Of The Brute” (2004) is available from Scarlet Records, “The Sickness Within” (2005), and “Serpent Smiles And Killer Eyes” (2007) are both available from Steamhammer Records, a division of SPV GmbH. Website: www.hatesphere.com
Interview (Henrik ‘Heinz’ Jacobsen): February 28th 2007 Aarhus, Denmark
Photo: Rudy De Doncker / RudysPhotos.com

“Music gives man a method to communicate that is stronger than words.” - Henrik 'Heinz' Jacobsen, guitarist in Hatesphere

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HERETIC SOUL are a death-metal band from Istanbul, Turkey. “Everything Is Meaningless And Grey [Demo]” (2006), and “Life Becomes Our Grave [Promo]” (2007) are both independently released and available from Heretic Soul. Website: www.hereticsoul.net
Interview (Erhan Karaca & Sarp Keski): December 29th 2007 Istanbul, Turkey
Photo: Heretic Soul / HereticSoul.net

“Music reflects out thoughts that are very deep inside. When the words are not enough to describe, music is always there to help us!” - Erhan Karaca and Sarp Keski, drummer, vocalist, and guitarist in Heretic Soul

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HEROD are a heavy-metal band from Buffalo, New York. “Sinners In The Eyes Of An Angry God [Demo]” (2001) is available from Sound Of Revolution, “Execution Protocol” (2002) is available from Too Damn Hype Records, “For Whom The Gods Would Destroy” (2004), and “Rich Man’s War, Poor Man’s Fight” (2006) are both available from Lifeforce Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/herod
Interview (Mike ‘Union’ Jeffers): December 9th 2007 Buffalo, New York, United States
Photo: Herod / Lifeforce Records

“Music is the soundtrack to our daily lives, and it connects us to past events, and even times by connecting people on a spiritual level.” - Mike 'Union' Jeffers, drummer in Herod

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HORNED ALMIGHTY are a Satanic black-metal band from Aarhus, Denmark. “In The Year Of Our Horned Lord [EP]” (2004), “Black Metal Jesus” (2004), “The Devil’s Music: Songs Of Death And Damnation” (2006) are all available from Infernus Rex, and “Live Exsanguination [10” Live LP]” (2007) is available from Art Of Propaganda and Obscure Records. Website: www.hornedalmighty.com
Interview (S.): October 30th 2007 Aarhus, Denmark
Photo: Horned Almighty / HornedAlmighty.com

“Music is a powerful tool for propaganda, functioning as a recruitment of the masses. Music is truly my weapon of choice.” - S., vocalist in Horned Almighty

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HUMAN are a death-metal band from Christchurch, New Zealand. “The Sound Of Yellow” (1999), “Blood Bucket” (2004), and “Cadaver Academy” (2008) are all independently released and available from Human. Website: www.human-metal.com
Interview (Scott Spatcher-Harrison): March 28th 2008 Christchurch, New Zealand
Photo: Human / Human-Metal.com

“We’re about having fun and playing fast. That’s it, and if we get laid along the way then that’s a reward, perhaps not spiritual, but still a reward.” - Scott Spatcher-Harrison, guitarist and vocalist in Human

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ILLDISPOSED are a death-metal band from Aarhus, Denmark. “Four Depressive Seasons” (1993) is available from Progress Red Labels, “Submit” (1995) is available from Progress Records, “There’s Something Rotten In The State Of Denmark” (1997) is available from Serious Entertainment, “Retro” (2000), and “Kokaiinum” (2001) are both available from Diehard Music, “1-800 Vindication” (2004) is available from Roadrunner Records, “We Suck, Live Aarhus 2004 [DVD]” was independently released by Illdisposed, “Burn Me Wicked” (2006) is available from Roadrunner Records, and “The Prestige” (2008) is available from AFM Records. Website: www.illdisposed.dk
Interview (Jakob Batten): February 6th 2008 Aarhus, Denmark
Interview arranged by Allen Wright, Go Down Believing Management
Photo: Illdisposed / Illdisposed.dk

“Music will always be a spiritual companion of mankind.” - Jakob Batten, guitarist in Illdisposed

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IN HEAVEN are a gothic-rock metal band from Crete, Greece. Their debut album “Darchangel” (2005) is available from Burning Star Records. Website: www.inheavenmusic.com
Interview (Manolis Varouhas): July 9th 2007 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Photo: Manolis Varouhas / InHeavenMusic.com

“The world would never be the same without music. The world would definitely be meaningless without music.” - Manolis Varouhas, guitarist for In Heaven

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INSURRECTION are a death-metal band from Varberg, Sweden. Their debut demo (2006) was independently released and is available from Insurrection. MySpace: www.myspace.com/insurrectionswe
Interview (Anton Honkonen): April 15th 2007 Varberg, Halland, Sweden
Photo: Anton Honkonen / Insurrection

“The spiritual side has always been of great importance for me and the music I create.” - Anton Honkonen, guitarist and vocalist in Insurrection

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JAKOB are a progressive post-rock band from Napier, New Zealand. “Jakob (Self-Titled) [EP]” (1999) is available from Venn Recordings, “Subsets Of Sets” (2001), “Cale:Drew” (2003), “Dominion [EP]” (2004), and “Solace” (2006) are all available from Midium Records. Website: www.jakob.co.nz
Interview (Jeff Boyle): September 17th 2007 Napier, New Zealand
Photo: Jakob / Jakob.co.nz

“The music we get is from a higher source that comes through what is like a glass window... the more we dirty up the window, the less can come through.” - Jeff Boyle, guitarist in Jakob

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JUDGEMENT are a thrash-metal band from Anderson, Indiana. Their debut album “Judgement (Self-Titled)” (2006), and “The Bitter End” (2007) are both independently released and available from Judgement. MySpace: www.myspace.com/judgementband
Interview (Nate Wright): November 12th 2007 Anderson, Indiana, United States
Photo: Judgement

“Music can connect the natural with the supernatural, the evil with the divine, and the joyous with the sorrowful.” - Nate Wright, guitarist in Judgement

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KILLING ADDICTION are a death-metal band from Ocala, Florida. “Legacies Of Terror [Demo]” (1990) is available from Serapic Decay Records, “Omega Factor” (1993) is available from Relativity Records, “Dark Tomorrow [EP]” (1998) was independently released and is available from Killing Addiction. MySpace: www.myspace.com/killingaddiction
Interview (Pat Bailey): August 1st 2007 Ocala, Florida, United States
Photo: Killing Addiction

“Emotional expression is music’s spiritual significance.” - Pat Bailey, bassist and vocalist in Killing Addiction

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KRABATHOR are a death-metal band from Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic. "Only Our Death Is Welcome..." (1992), "Cool Mortification" (1993), "The Rise Of Brutality [7"EP]" (1995), "Lies" (1995), "Mortal Memories" (1997), "Orthodox" (1998), "First Alben [2CD]" (1999), "Unfortunately Dead" (2000), "Dissuade Truth" (2003), and "20 Years Of Madness [2CD]" (2005) are all available from Morbid Records. Krabathor's name is inspired by Krabat, the main character of a German fairy tale called "The Satanic Mill". MySpace: www.myspace.com/krabathormetal and Website: www.krabathor.tk
Interview: April 14th 2009 Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic
Photo: Krabathor / Krabathor.tk

“Music or any art is the way of expression... Art and music can be your way to say something.” - Petr "Christopher" Krystof, guitarist and vocalist in Krabathor

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THE LEGION are a black-metal band from Jönköping, Sweden. “Awakened Fury [EP]” (2003) is available from Deep Send Records, “Unseen To Creation” (2003), and “Revocation” (2006) are both available from Listenable Records. Website: www.legion.nu
Interview (David Svartz): February 7th 2007 Jönköping, Sweden
Photo: The Legion / Legion.nu

“Music itself is something spiritual... I like to create music that brings out really majestic, dark, and cold feelings.” - David Svartz, guitarist and vocalist in The Legion

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THE LIGHT OF DARK are a brutal death-metal band from Mexico City, Mexico. “Spiritual Cannibalism” (2004) is available from Marihuana Records, and “Beyond Darkness And Hell We Come” (2007) is available from American Line Productions. Website: www.thelightofdark.com
Interview (Eddie Monster): January 27th 2008 Mexico City, Mexico
Photo: Eddie Monster / TheLightOfDark.com

“The spiritual significance of music is what can transport me to new dimensions when the music is mixed with my spirit and we become one.” - Eddie Monster, guitarist and vocalist in The Light Of Dark

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THE LOCUST are a cathartic noise band from San Diego, California, United States. “The Locust (Self-Titled)” (1999), “Well I’ll Be A Monkey’s Uncle [EP]” (2001), and “Flight Of The Wounded Locust [EP]” (2001) are all available from Gold Standard Laboratories, “Plague Soundscapes” (2003) is available from Epitaph Records, “Follow The Flock, Step In Sh_t [EP]” (2004) is available from Three One G, “The Locust (Self-Titled) [3” CD EP]” (2004) is available from Gold Standard Laboratories, and “Safety Second, Body Last [EP]” (2005) is available from Ipecac Recordings. Website: www.thelocust.com
Interview (Bobby Bray): August 19th 2006 San Diego, California, United States
Photo: Robin Laananen / TheLocust.com

“Music is a powerful entity that possesses humans temporarily to produce the necessary elements for the spiritual evolution of the collective unconsciousness.” - Bobby Bray, guitarist and vocalist in The Locust

MALEVOLENT CREATION are a death-metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “The Ten Commandments” (1990), “Retribution” (1992), and “Stillborn” (1993) are all available from Roadrunner Records, “Eternal” (1995), “Joe Black” (1996), “In Cold Blood” (1997), “The Fine Art Of Murder” (1998), and “Manifestation” (2000) are all available from Pavement Music, “Envenomed” (2000), “The Will To Kill” (2002), and “Conquering South America” (2004) are all available from Arctic Music Group, “Warkult” (2004), and “Doomsday X” (2007) are both available from Nuclear Blast Records. Website: www.malevolent-creation.com
Interview (Brett Hoffmann): January 5th 2008 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Interview (Phil Fasciana): January 4th 2008 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Photo: Malevolent Creation / Malevolent-Creation.com

“Music might help you find a path or give you strength to look for your path, but ultimately it is up to you... Music just happens to be my path.” - Brett Hoffmann, vocalist in Malevolent Creation

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MASTER are a death-metal band from Chicago, Illinois. “Master (Self-Titled)” (1990), “On The Seventh Day God Created… Master” (1991), “Collection Of Souls” (1993), are all available from Nuclear Blast Records, “Faith Is In Season” (1998) is available from Pavement Music, “Follow Your Savior [EP]” (2001) is available from Metal Age Records, “Let’s Start A War” (2002) is available from System Shock, “Unreleased 1985 Album” (2003) is available through From Beyond Records, “The Spirit Of The West” (2004) is available from System Shock, “Masterpieces” (2005), “Four More Years Of Terror” (2005), and “Slaves To Society” (2007) are all available from Twilight Records. Website: www.master-speckmetal.com
Interview (Paul Speckmann): December 31st 2007 Uherské Hradi_t_, Moravia, Czech Republic
Photo: Jiri Adamovsky / Master-SpeckMetal.com

“Music has its place among the hearts of all people.” - Paul Speckmann, bassist and vocalist in Master

MELECHESH are a Mesopotamian black-metal band originally from Jerusalem, Israel, but now based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. “As Jerusalem Burns… Al’Intisar” (1996) was available from Breath Of Night Records, “Djinn” (2001), and “Sphynx” (2003) are both available from Osmose Productions, “The Ziggurat Scrolls [EP]” (2004) is available from Profound Lore Records, and “Emissaries” (2006) is available from Osmose Productions. Website: www.melechesh.com
Interview (Ashmedi): November 30th 2007 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Photo: Melechesh / Melechesh.com

“Music is a natural tool that can lead the brain to spiritual places.” - Ashmedi, guitarist and vocalist in Melechesh

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METAL CHURCH are a power thrash-metal band from Seattle, Washington, United States. “Metal Church (Self-Titled)” (1985), “The Dark” (1986), and “Blessing In Disguise” (1989) are all available from Elektra Records, “The Human Factor” (1991) is available from Sony Music, “Hanging In The Balance” (1994) is available from Blackheart Records, “Masterpeace” (1999) is available from Nuclear Blast Records, “The Weight Of The World” (2004) is available from Steamhammer Records, and “A Light In The Dark” (2006) is available from SPV Records. Website: www.metalchurchmusic.com
Interview (Ronny Munroe): November 9th 2007 San Francisco, California, United States
Photo: Ronny Munroe / MetalChurchMusic.com

“If I had to give up anything in life to survive; I could never give up music. Music is a part of who I am and who I will become in the future.” - Ronny Munroe, vocalist in Metal Church

MIASMA is a one-man Satanic black-metal band from Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada. “Of The Blood” (2006) is available from Profane Production Records, “Spirit Death” (2007) is available from Triple Silence Records, and “Into The Fire Of Isolation” (2007) is available from Black Plague Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/luciferiangnosis
Interview (Cinifer Valiros): April 28th 2007 Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada
Photo: Cinifer Valiros / Miasma

“Music and art is a reflection of the soul, much like the canvas of your skin with symbolic tattoos upon it.” - Cinifer Valiros, multi-instrumentalist in Miasma

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MIDDIAN are a doom-metal band from Eugene, Oregon, United States. Their debut album “Age Eternal” (2007) is available from Metal Blade Records. Middian was formed by guitarist Mike Scheidt when YOB disbanded. Website: www.middian.org
Interview (Mike Scheidt): April 9th 2007 Eugene, Oregon, United States
Interview arranged by Emmy Burns, Metal Blade Records
Photo: Middian / Metal Blade Records

“Sound waves and intent radiate out from their source, the band, to interact with the environment on multiple levels both “inner” and “outer”.” - Mike Scheidt, vocalist and guitarist in Middian

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MONARCH are a sludge doom-metal band from Bayonne, France. “Monarch (Self-Titled) [2CD]” (2005) is available from Solitude Records, “Speak Of The Sea [LP]” (2006), and “Die Tonight [LP]” (2007) are both available from Throne Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/monarchuberalles
Interview (Shiran Kaidin): October 25th 2007 Bayonne, France
Photo: Monarch

“Music is more about atmosphere, sounds, and vibrations, than a real spirituality.” - Shiran Kaidin, guitarist in Monarch

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MORTAL SIN are a thrash metal band from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. “Mayhemic Destruction” (1987) is available from Mega Metal Records, “Face Of Despair” (1989) is available from Vertigo Records, “Every Dog Has It’s Day [aka “Rebellious Youth”]” (1991) is available from Under One Flag Records, “Revolution Of The Mind [Re-Released EP]” (2000) is available from Battlegod Productions, “Out Of The Darkness” (2006) was self-released, and “An Absence Of Faith” (2007) is available from Mega Metal Records. Website: www.mortalsin.com.au
Interview (Mat Maurer): November 5th 2007 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Photo: Mortal Sin / MortalSin.com.au

“The spiritual significance of music is in the ear of the beholder.” - Mat Maurer, vocalist in Mortal Sin

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MY DYING BRIDE are a doom-metal band from Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. “Songs Of Darkness, Words Of Light” (2004), “Anti-Diluvian Chronicles [3CD]” (2005), and “A Line Of Deathless Kings” (2006) are all available from Peaceville Records. My Dying Bride are one of the major pioneers in the doom-metal genre, alongside Anathema and Paradise Lost. Website: www.mydyingbride.org
Interview (Aaron Stainthorpe): May 10th 2007 Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Interview arranged by Paul Groundwell, Peaceville Records Manager
Photo: My Dying Bride / Peaceville Records

“If you gain a spiritual high from devouring the tunes and soundscapes of any piece of music, then good for you, and no one can tell you otherwise.” - Aaron Stainthorpe, vocalist in My Dying Bride

MY OWN GRAVE are a death-metal band from Sundsvall, Sweden. “New Path/Same Path [Demo]” (2001), “Dissection Of A Mind [Demo]” (2002), “Blood And Ashes [Demo]” (2003), and “Progression Through Deterioration [Demo]” (2004) were all independently released and are available from My Own Grave, “Unleash” (2006) is available from Karmageddon Media, and “Unholy [EP]” (2007) is available from Pulverised Records. Website: www.myowngrave.com
Interview (Anders Härén): January 16th 2008 Sundsvall, Sweden
Photo: My Own Grave / MyOwnGrave.com

“I acknowledge, enjoy, and exploit the myriad of emotions born from music.” - Anders Härén, guitarist in My Own Grave

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HAMID “AVINAR” M.Z.A is a melodic black-metal musician from Tehran, Iran. “Wishless Death [Demo]” (2005), “Painting Of Nought (Picture I) [Demo]” (2005), and “Tribute To 7 Years Of Mourn” (2005) are all independently released and available from Hamid “Avinar” M.Z.A. The word “Avinar” means “Dead Love’s Fire” in Farsi. Avinar is also associated with Iranian black-metal bands 1000 Funerals, Emerna, Jabbar, and Shab. Website: www.avinar-history.tk
Interview (Hamid “Avinar” M.z.A.): May 18th 2007 Tehran, Iran
Photo: Hamid “Avinar” M.z.A. / Avinar-History.tk

“The music we create can show all the invisible emotions of the spirit.” - Hamid ‘Avinar’ M.z.A., multi-instrumentalist and vocalist

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NAPALM DEATH are a grindcore death-metal band from Birmingham, England, United Kingdom. “Leaders Not Followers: Part 2” (2004), “The Code Is Red… Long Live The Code” (2005), “Smear Campaign” (2006), and “Time Waits For No Slave” (2009) are all available from Century Media. Previous members have formed bands such as Cathedral, Carcass, Godflesh, and Jesu. Current members have featured in several side projects including Brujeria, Painkiller, and Venomous Concept. Website: www.napalmdeath.org
Interview (Shane Embury): August 24th 2006 Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Photo: Paul Harries / NapalmDeath.org

“I believe that music can take you out of the daily drudge of life for short or long periods. Is that spiritual? I think maybe so.” - Shane Embury, bassist in Napalm Death

NEFARIUM are a Satanic black-metal band from Aosta, Italy. “Praesidium” (2005) is available from Downfall Records, and “Haeretichristus” (2008) is available from Agonia Records. Website: www.nefarium.org
Interview (Carnifex): March 28th 2008 St. Christophe, Aosta, Italy
Interview arranged by Bartek Jesion, Agonia Records
Photo: Nefarium / Nefarium.org

“Each member of Nefarium composes, or simply facilitates, composition in a conscious fashion, inspired by reflection, experience, or happenings in their life.” - Carnifex, guitarist and vocalist in Nefarium

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NOCTURNAL BREED are a thrash-metal band from Oslo, Norway. “Raping Europe ‘97 [EP LP]” (1997), “Aggressor” (1997), “Triumph Of The Blasphemer [EP]” (1998), and “No Retreat… No Surrender” (1998) were all available from Hammerheart Records, “The Tools Of The Trade” (2000) is available from Holycaust Records, “Black Cult: The Demonz 96-99” (2005), and “The Remasters [5CD Boxed Set]” (2005) are both available from Painkiller Records, and “Fields Of Rot” (2007) is available from Agonia Records. Website: www.nocturnalbreed.no
Interview (S. A. Destroyer): March 12th 2008 Oslo, Norway
Photo: Christian Reppen / NocturnalBreed.no

“Music has accompanied us through our wars and triumphs, from birth to funeral rites, and all through this we use music as a spiritual fuel.” - S. A. Destroyer, bassist and vocalist in Nocturnal Breed

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NOVEMBERS DOOM are a doom-metal band from Chicago, Illinois, United States. “Amid Its Hallowed Mirth” (1995) is available from AvantGarde Records, “For Every Leaf That Falls [EP]” (1997), and “Of Sculptured Ivy And Stone Flowers” (1999) are both available from Martyr Music, “The Knowing” (2000), and “To Welcome The Fade” (2002) are both available from Dark Symphonies, “The Pale Haunt Departure” (2005), and “The Novella Reservoir” (2007) are both available from The End Records. Website: www.novembersdoom.com
Interview (Paul Kuhr): September 27th 2007 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Photo: Novembers Doom / NovembersDoom.com

“Music is the perfect vehicle to reach your inner emotions. Therefore, music is the key to any spiritual journey that we travel on a daily basis.” - Paul Kuhr, vocalist in Novembers Doom

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OF HUMAN BONDAGE are a psychedelic black-metal from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. “The Goat Sessions Vol. I” (2001) is available from Blood In Blood Out Records, “The Goat Sessions Vol. II: Antichristendom, A Revelation” (2006), and “The Goat Sessions Volume III: Salvation, At One With Hell” (2007) are both available from Sinister Sounds. MySpace: www.myspace.com/ofhumanbondage
Interview (Ekim): May 27th 2007 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Photo: Ekim / Of Human Bondage

“Music is religion, a medium of sacred exploration that alters consciousness, and allows us to peer just over the abyss, glimpsing beyond the banality of everyday existence.” - Ekim, guitarist and vocalist in Of Human Bondage

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ONE STEP BEYOND are an experimental death-metal band from Adelaide, Australia. “Life Imitates Art” (2002) is available from Neoblast Records, and “Beyond Good And Evil” (2007) was self-released and is available from One Step Beyond. Website: www.geocities.com/onestepweb/
Interview (Matt Spencer): October 30th 2007 Adelaide, Australia
Photo: Matt Spencer / One Step Beyond

“[Music] is like a spiritual cleansing, and the more honest my creation, the more successful the cleansing.” - Matt Spencer, bassist and vocalist in One Step Beyond

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ORTHODOX are a doom-metal band from Seville, Spain. “Gran Poder” (2006), and “Amanecer En Puerta Oscura” (2007) are both available from Alone Records. The identity of the three members of Orthodox remains unknown. Website: www.orthodoxband.com
Interview (Orthodox): March 30th 2007 Sevilla, Spain
Photo: Beatriz Carmona / OrthodoxBand.com

“Music connects and talks with that human side we cannot touch.” - Orthodox

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ORTHRELM are an avant-garde technical-metal duo from Washington, D.C. “Iorxhscimtor” (2001) is available from Tolotta Records, “Norildivoth Crallos Lomrixth Urthiln” (2002) is available from Three One G, and “OV” (2005) is available from Ipecac Recordings. Website: www.millionraces.com/orthrelm.htm
Interview (Mick Barr): August 29th 2006 Washington, D.C., United States
Photo: Orthrelm / Ipecac Recordings

“Sometimes I think music is the only purely spiritual thing there is in life.” - Mick Barr, guitarist in Orthrelm

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PANTHEON-I are a black metal band from Oslo, Norway. “Atrocity Divine” (2006) is available from World Chaos Productions, and “The Wanderer and His Shadow” (2007) is available from Candlelight Records. Website: www.pantheon-i.com
Interview (Tor Risdal Stavenes): February 6th 2007 Oslo, Norway
Photo: Espen Krokhaug / Pantheon-I.com

“Music transcends the mere mathematical laying together of chords and harmonies and becomes the most important thing in life.” - Tor Risdal Stavenes, bassist in Pantheon-I

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PATHS OF POSSESSION are a melodic death metal band from Tampa, Florida. “Legacy In Ashes” (2000) was self-released by Paths Of Possession, “The Crypt Of Madness [Split CD]” (2002) was available from Splattergod Records, “Promises In Blood” (2005), and “The End Of The Hour” (2007) are both available from Metal Blade Records. Website: www.pathsofpossession.com
Interview (Randy Butman): July 7th 2008 Tampa, Florida, United States
Interview (Jay Fossen): April 11th 2007 Tampa, Florida, United States
Photo: Paths Of Possession / Metal Blade Records

“Everyone can relate to at least one song that is strong enough to grab your guts and pull them hard. Music is absolutely vital to the soul.” - Randy Butman, bassist in Paths Of Possession

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PHILOSOPHER are a death-metal band from Chemnitz, Germany. “What Dwells Beyond [EP]” (2004) was independently released, “Thoughts” (2005), and “Laws Ov Form [EP]” (2006) are both available from Ruptured Silence Records. Philosopher also appear in Gary Hill’s book “The Strange Sound Of Cthulhu: Music Inspired By The Writings Of H. P. Lovecraft” (2006) available from Lulu.com. Website: www.philosopher-music.de
Interview (Alex ‘Snakes’ Warfield): January 10th 2008 Sachsen, Germany
Photo: Philosopher / Philosopher-Music.de

“I believe music and spirit derive from the same source.” - Alex 'Snakes' Warfield, guitarist in Philosopher

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PITCHSHIFTER are one of the founders of the "Rocktronica" music movement, formed in Nottingham, England. "Industrial" (1991) was available from Deaf Records and Peaceville Records, "Desensitized" (1993), "Submit [Mini-LP]" (1995), "The Remix War" (1995), and "Infotainment?" (1996) were all available from Earache Records, "pitchshifter.com" (1998) is available from Geffen Records, "Deviant" (2000) is available from MCA Records, "PSI" (2002) is available from Mayan Records and Sanctuary Records, "P.S.I.entology [DVD]" (2004), and "None For All And All For One [EP]" (2006) are both available from PSI Records. Websites: www.pitchshifter.com and www.psirecords.com
Interview: July 30th 2008 Los Angeles, California, United States
Interview arranged by Whit Barnes and Lisa Clayden, PSI Records, Inc.
Photo: Nigel Crane / Pitchshifter / PSI Records, Inc.

“Music has saved me from being totally alone in the darkness, and also driven me to greater heights in the light.” - J.S. Clayden, vocalist, programmer, and engineer in Pitchshifter

PRAYER OF THE DYING is a one-man black-metal band from Malta. “Prayer Of The Dying (Self-Titled) [Demo Tape]” (2007), and “Structures Of A Dying Matter” (2007) are both available from War Flagellation Productions. MySpace: www.myspace.com/prayerofthedying
Interview (Martin Ciappara): August 31st 2007 Iklin, Malta
Photo: Martin Ciappara / Prayer Of The Dying

“Music and spirituality co-exist for the simple reason that it’s the only way we can really live forever.” - Martin Ciappara, musician and vocalist in Prayer Of The Dying

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PRIMITIVE REASON are an alternative-rock band from Lisbon, Portugal. “Alternative Prison” (1996) was available from União Lisboa Records, “Tips Shortcuts” (1998) was available from Farol Records, “Some Of Us” (2001) was available from Jah Notion Records, “4.0 [EP]” (2002), “The Firescroll” (2003), “Pictures In The Wall” (2005), “Cast The Way [EP]” (2007), and “Alternative Prison [Re-Released]” (2008) are all available from Kaminari Records. Website: www.primitivereason.com
Interview: July 5th 2008 Lisbon, Portugal
Photo: Primitive Reason / PrimitiveReason.com

“The Creator made everything, be it through a Big Bang or an all-pervading hum that still vibrates in all things, eternally linking us to it from the very core of our beings.” - Guillermo de Llera, percussionist and vocalist in Primitive Reason

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PROFANITY are a death-metal band from Augsburg, Germany. “Shadows To Fall” (1997), “Drowned In Dusk [CD-Single]” (1999), “Slaughtering Thoughts” (2000) and “Humade Me Flesh [CD-Single]” (2002) are all independently released and available from Profanity. Website: www.profanity.de
Interview (Martin Bauer): January 16th 2008 Augsburg, Germany
Photo: Profanity / Profanity.de

“The spiritual significance of our music is a positive one. The music we play is called Death Metal, but there is so much living energy in it.” - Martin Bauer, bassist in Profanity

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PURGATORY are a death-metal band from Nossen, Germany. “Psychopathia Sexualis [EP]” (1994), “Sadistic Spell” (1995), “Damage Done By Worms” (1996), “Bestial” (1997), and “Blessed With Flames Of Hate” (2000) are all available from Perverted Taste, “Luciferianism” (2004), and “Cultus Luciferi: The Splendour Of Chaos” (2008) are both available from Animate Records. Website: www.purgatory666.de
Interview (René Kögel): December 17th 2007 Nossen, Germany
Photo: Purgatory / Purgatory666.de

“Music is spiritually significant: the will, the nonpareil, the art of resistance that grants strength and of course creativity.” - René Kögel, guitarist and vocalist in Purgatory

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REIGN OF TERROR are a thrash-metal band from Canberra, Australia. “Under Blackend Skies [EP]” (1998), and “Book Of The Dead (Ten Years Of Terror) [EP]” (2005) are both independently released by Reign Of Terror and available from MetalDistro.com. Their new album is entitled “The Spawn Of Cthulu”. Website: www.beermetal.net
Interview (Reggae): May 31st 2007 Canberra, Australia
Photo: Matt Archer / Reign Of Terror

“Music and the spirituality behind it is a way to let what is inside of me out, and hopefully provide my creative spirit with a means to live on forever.” - Reggae, guitarist and vocalist in Reign Of Terror

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REQUIEM are a death-metal band from Switzerland. “Nameless Grave [EP]” (2001) is available from Fastbeast Entertainment, “Formed At Birth” (2003) is available from Revenge Productions, “Government Denies Knowledge” (2006), and “Premier Killing League” (2007) are both available from Massacre Records. Website: www.requiem-net.com
Interview (Ralf Winzer): December 31st 2007 Zürich, Switzerland
Photo: Requiem / Massacre Records

“Music will always be what it was meant to be: a voice of freedom and a transport system for emotions.” - Ralf Winzer, bassist in Requiem

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RESURRECTED are a brutal death-metal band from Duisburg, Germany. “Bloodline [EP]” (1997) was available from Underground Promotion, “Raping Whores” (1998) is available from Earstar Records, “Faireless To The Flesh” (1999), “Butchered In Excrement” (2001), “Blood Spilled” (2003), and “Stillborn Penetration [DVD]” (2006) are all available from Perverted Taste Music, and “Endless Sea Of Loss” (2006) is available from Morbid Records. Website: www.resurrected.net
Interview (Thomas Granzow & Hazim Fouad): December 25th 2007 Duisburg, North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany
Photo: Resurrected / Resurrected.net

“Music is generally essential for spirituality.” - Thomas Granzow, guitarist in Resurrected

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RESURRECTION are a death-metal band from Tampa, Florida, United States. “Embalmed Existence” (1993) is available from Nuclear Blast Records, “Ritual Slaughter [EP]” (2007) is available from Resurrection’s MySpace and website, “Mistaken For Dead” (2008), and “Embalmed Existence [Deluxe Limited Edition]” (2009) are both available from Massacre Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/resurrectionfl and Website: www.resurrectionmetal.com
Interview (John Astl): November 15th 2007 Tampa, Florida, United States
Photo: Resurrection / ResurrectionMetal.com

“Life would be boring if music did not have a spiritual stronghold on our souls, spirituality, and existence.” - John Astl, guitarist in Resurrection

SAMAEL are a black-metal and industrial-metal band from Sion, Switzerland. “Worship Him” (1991) is available from Osmose Productions, “Blood Ritual” (1992), “Ceremony Of Opposites” (1994), “Passage” (1996), and “Eternal” (1999) are all available from Century Media Records, “Reign Of Light” (2004) is available from Galactical Records, “Era One & Lesson In Magic #1” (2006), and “Solar Soul” (2007) are both available from Nuclear Blast Records. Website: www.samael.info
Interview (Vorph): September 14th 2007 Sion, Switzerland
Interview arranged by Charles Elliott, Nuclear Blast Records
Photo: Samael / Nuclear Blast Records

“Music is a transcendent method of communication, and in that sense, music is probably the closest thing to a spiritual manifestation.” - Vorph, guitarist and vocalist in Samael

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SATAN’S REVENGE ON MANKIND are a grindcore-metal band from Querfurt, Germany. Their albums “Goreblast” (2006), and “3-Way Penetration” (2007) are both available from Rotten Roll Rex. Website: www.sxrxoxm.de
Interview (The Almighty Mr. Goreblast): January 15th 2008 Querfurt, Germany
Photo: Satan’s Revenge On Mankind / Rotten Roll Rex

“We have to search perceptively for the few bands that have the gift to make your mind interact with their music.” - The Almighty Mr. Goreblast, drummer and vocalist in Satan’s Revenge On Mankind

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SINAMORE are a gothic-metal band from Hamina, Finland. “A New Day” (2006) is available from Season Of Mist Records, and “Seven Sins A Second” (2007) is available from Napalm Records. Website: www.sinamore.com
Interview (Tommi Muhli): July 6th 2007 Hamina, Finland
Photo: Toni Härkönen / Napalm Records

“Music can touch both my body and soul, create an empty space for my thoughts and real feelings to fly free.” - Tommi Muhli, guitarist in Sinamore

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SKYFORGER are a Pagan-folk-metal band from Riga, Latvia. "Kauja Pie Saules (The Battle Of Saule)" (1998), and "Latviesu Strelnieki (Latvian Riflemen)" (2000) are both available from Mascot Records, "Perkonkalve (Thunderforge)" (2003) is available from Folter Records, "Zobena Dziesma (Sword Song)" (2003) was independently released, and "Semigalls' Warchant [Re-Released]" (2005) is available from Folter Records. Website: www.skyforger.lv
Interview (Peteris Kvetkovskis): January 30th 2009 Riga, Latvia
Photo: Peteris Kvetkovskis / Skyforger.lv

“I don’t see music as a spiritual teacher; I see it more as a sound that evokes emotions, and this becomes different for every person.” - Peteris Kvetkovskis, guitarist and vocalist in Skyforger

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SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM are an avant-rock band from Oakland, California, United States. “Grand Opening And Closing” (2001) is available from Seeland Records, “Live [Live]” (2003) is available from Sick Room Records, “Of Natural History” (2004) is available from Mimicry Records, and “In Glorious Times” (2007) is available from The End Records. Website: www.sleepytimegorillamuseum.com
Interview (Moe! Staiano): November 22nd 2006 Manteca, California, United States
Photo: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum / SleepytimeGorillaMuseum.com

“Spiritual or not, music that touches or deeply moves us provides a deep feeling of interest or connection.” - Moe! Staiano, percussionist in Sleepytime Gorilla Museum

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SODAMNED are a death-metal band from Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. “On The Gallows [Demo]” (2003) was independently released, and “The Damned Celebration” (2007) is a split-album with Dark Celebration available from Face The Abyss Records. Website: www.sodamned.com
Interview (Juliano Régis da Silva): May 26th 2007 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Interview arranged by Emanuel ‘Seagal’ Motta
Photo: Sodamned / Sodamned.com

“The music that we play is nothing more than our feelings talking. You may call it soul, God, evil, or just music.” - Juliano Régis da Silva, guitarist and vocalist in Sodamned

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SONIC SYNDICATE are a melodic-modern-metal band from Falkenberg, Sweden. “Eden Fire” (2005) is available from Pivotal Rockordings, and “Only Inhuman” (2007) is available from Nuclear Blast Records. Website: www.sonicsyndicate.com
Interview (Richard Sjunnesson): January 6th 2008 Falkenberg, Hallands län, Sweden
Interview arranged by Mike Gargano, MNG Management
Photo: Sonic Syndicate / Nuclear Blast Records

“The spiritual significance of music is the power or ability to extract feelings and emotions from the mind.” - Richard Sjunnesson, vocalist in Sonic Syndicate

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SOULBURNER are a death-metal band from Bogotá, Colombia. “Hellfire” (2002) is available from Avathar Records, “Life Denied [CD Single]” (2004) is available from Viuda Negra Music, and “The New Age Of Darkness” (2006) was independently released and is available from Soulburner. Website: www.burnyoursoul.com
Interview (Bernardo García): February 26th 2008 Bogotá, Colombia
Photo: Soulburner / BurnYourSoul.com

“[Music] is the most effective way to communicate your thoughts and feelings despite language and cultural barriers.” - Bernardo García, guitarist in Soulburner

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STRIBORG is a one-man ambient black-metal band from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. “Spiritual Catharsis” (2004) is available from Finsternis Productions, “Mysterious Semblance” (2004) is available from Total Holocaust Records, “Black Desolate Winter / Depressive Hibernation” (2005) is available from Asgard Musik, “Trepidation” (2005) is available from Finsternis Productions, “Embittered Darkness / Isle De Morts” (2006), “Nefaria / Tragic Journey Towards The Light” (2006), “Ghostwoodlands” (2007), and “Solitude” (2007) are all available from Displeased Records. Finsternis Productions is the micro-label of Sin Nanna. “Sin (Nanna)” is the name given to a Sumerian crescent moon god. MySpace: www.myspace.com/striborg
Interview (Sin-Nanna): June 30th 2007 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Photo: Sin-Nanna / Striborg

“It's spiritual purpose is to unlock the portals of your mind, to create mental and spiritual landscapes.” - Sin-Nanna, all instruments and vocals in Striborg

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TAROT are a heavy-metal band from Kuopio, Finland. “Spell Of Iron” (1986) is available from Flamingo Music, “Follow Me Into Madness” (1988), “To Live Forever” (1993), and “Stigmata [2CD]” (1995) are all available from Bluelight Records, “For The Glory Of Nothing” (1998) is available from Blastic Heaven Records, “Suffer Our Pleasures” (2003) is available from Spinefarm Records, and “Crows Fly Black” (2006) is available from King Foo Entertainment. Website: www.wingsofdarkness.net
Interview (Marco Hietala): August 31st 2007 Kuopio, Finland
Photo: Jarkko Tiitinen / WingsOfDarkness.net

“Whenever I hear something impressive, it uplifts me and I get stronger. In that moment, I’m in touch with myself and the worlds of the songwriter.” - Marco Hietala, bassist and vocalist in Tarot

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THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC are a thrash death-metal band from Grenoble, France. “Reborn In Sacrifice [Demo]” (1998), “Perverted Mind [EP]” (2000), “Tormentor [Demo]” (2002), “Join The Madness [Demo]” (2004), “Enjoy The Violence [Demo]” (2005), “Fracture” (2008) are all independently released and available from That Old Black Magic. Website: http://membres.lycos.fr/tobm666/
Interview (Zarrach Baal Taag): December 5th 2007 Grenoble, France
Photo: That Old Black Magic

“Music allows the listener and the musician to go further spiritually.” - Zarrach Baal Taag, guitarist in That Old Black Magic

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TOTAL HATE are a Satanic black-metal band from Nürnberg, Germany. “Total Hate [Re-Released Demo]” (2004) is available from Hellattacks, “Pure Hatred And Blasphemy [EP]” (2005), and “Depopulating Planet Earth” (2008) are both available from Agonia Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/totalhate666
Interview (Erebos): March 25th 2008 Nürnberg, Bayern, Germany
Interview arranged by Bartek Jesion, Agonia Records
Photo: Total Hate / Agonia Records

“Emotions, caused by music, are the most powerful... and extend to all kinds of emotions from hate to longing.” - Erebos, guitarist in Total Hate

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UNEXPECT are an avant-garde metal band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. “Utopia” (1999) was independently released, “We, Invaders [EP]” (2003) is available from Galy Records, and “In A Flesh Aquarium” (2006) is available from The End Records. Website: www.unexpect.com
Interview (syriaK): March 11th 2007 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Photo: syriaK / Unexpect.com

“Music can be a liberation, exorcising ourselves of everything that may pass though our system, positive or negative.” - syriaK, guitarist and vocalist in Unexpect

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UNLEASHED are a death-metal band from Kungsängen, Sweden. “Where No Life Dwells” (1991), “Shadows In The Deep” (1992), “Across The Open Sea” (1993), “Victory” (1995), “Warrior” (1997), “Hell’s Unleashed” (2002), and “Sworn Allegiance” (2004) are all available from Century Media Records, and “Midvinterblot” (2006) is available from SPV Records. Website: www.unleashed.se
Interview (Johnny Hedlund): August 26th 2006 Kungsängen, Sweden
Photo: Caroline Traitler / PhotoPit.com

“Death Metal is extremely fit for the modern man. It is the highest form of art, and it’s legal!” - Johnny Hedlund, bassist and vocalist in Unleashed

UNMAKER are a melodic death-metal band from Vale dos Sinos, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Their debut release “Rape Reality [EP]” (2006) was independently released and is available from Unmaker. Website: www.unmaker.net
Interview (Eduardo Clark): April 5th 2007 Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Interview arranged by Emanuel ‘Seagal’ Motta
Photo: Eduardo Clark / Unmaker.net

“Music comes and goes, through all dimensions that we can and cannot see or imagine. Music is pure art.” - Eduardo Clark, vocalist in Unmaker

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VILE are a brutal death-metal band from Concord, California. “Stench Of The Deceased” (1999) was self-released, “Depopulate” (2002) is available from Listenable Records, “The New Age Of Chaos” (2005) is available from Unique Leader Records. Website: www.vilestench.com
Interview (Colin Davis): December 31st 2007 Concord, California, United States
Photo: Vile / VileStench.com

“Music does indeed have a spiritual function because it is one of many ways people can transcend mundane life and experience a link with the divine.” - Colin Davis, guitarist in Vile

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WITCHES SABBATH are a black metal band from Rancho Cucamonga, California. “Requiem Of Shadows [Demo]” (2007) was available from Ministries Of Blood, “I: Black Ritual [Demo]” (2007) is available from Witchhammer Productions, “II: Requiem Of Shadows [Demo]” (2007) is available from Autopsy Kitchen Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/witchessabbath666
Interview (Morthvargar): July 2nd 2008 Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States
Photo: Witches Sabbath

“Spirituality in my music is shown through intense emotion. Whether it is depression, anger, joy, or just apathy, there is always a backing behind the music.” - Morthvargar, guitarist and vocalist in Witches Sabbath

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