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You're on the Death Across America tour with
Opressor, Nile and Gorguts. How's it going?
It's totally amazing! Even on slow nights, Mondays, Tuesdays, the shows have
been going good. It's what we need. I think it's a breath of fresh air.
Did you expect this kind of reaction?
With all four bands having a buzz, and the package the way it was, we knew
it'd be something else! But at some of the shows we weren't expecting the
kind of turnouts we're getting. We just played Atlanta, Georgia, and it was
crazy! The crowd was totally into it. The kids were up on the stage! You
could feel the energy from the entire crowd. Most of the shows have been like
that. So I guess you could say it's been better than we expected.
What has been your best show so far?
I'd have to say Montreal. But Atlanta was great also. The power went out, and
the people still stuck around. It was out for about an hour before it went
back on, but everyone waited it out.
Montreal is your hometown, you always do well there, right?
Oh yeah, Montreal has a crazy scene. No matter who you are they come out and
support you, keep the scene alive. That's why it has remained a hot spot for
so long. No matter who the hell you are they'll come and check you out.
And you're touring with fellow Canadians Gorguts...
Yeah and sharing the same club wagon! They're all speaking French and I'm
chilling out in the back with my CD player.
You're actually American.
Yeah, I'm from Boston.
You knew these guys before you joined.
Yes. I was in a band from Boston called Infestation. We used to go up to Canada
and play shows with Cryptopsy. As a matter of fact, when I was in Canada with
Infestation, opening for Cryptopsy, I met my girlfriend. We had a long
distance relationship for a couple of years, and then I married her! So I
moved to Canada. Around the same time I got married and moved, Cryptopsy
needed a singer and approached me. I told them I had to think about it. I
wanted to weigh it all out because I just got married and all that shit. I
wanted to make sure I made the right choice. I know I did. I knew what my
answer was going to be when they asked me, so I really didn't think about it
too long!
So it really worked out for you!
Yeah, if that isn't fate, I don't know what the hell is!
What do you think of Gorguts reforming?
I think it's great! Just listen to Obscura. They've got the craziest riffs
going on! They've been through this before; they know what to expect. Seeing
them get up there every night and playing like they do is a bit of an
inspiration.
The reason I ask that question is that they were part of a first wave of
Death Metal that happened in the early nineties. Do you think Cryptopsy is
part of a second wave of Death Metal?
I feel that could be a possibility. The buzz for this tour is tremendous. We're
hoping this tour will give people a sense of security that this music is not
gone. That there is something fresh, something new coming. Sure, we want to
be part of it. We want to help keep the scene alive. That's what we're all
about, playing music we enjoy, and project that on to other people. As much
as we enjoy it, we want others to enjoy it also.
Death Metal has always been there; its popularity has just gone up and down. In
the early nineties, there were tours like this all the time. But around
'94,'95, a tour like this could not get off the ground. Just the fact that
it's happening again in 1998 makes me feel good about Death Metal and extreme
Metal growing big and getting strong again.
I think so too. Not to knock any other bands, but the ones that have been
coming around all the time, I think people are tired of them. This tour is
something new. I think it can rebound a tired scene. People have been coming
up to us thanking us for coming down, for bringing the package to their
towns! They haven't had so much fun in years! That makes us feel good! We're
here because we want to be. It makes us feel a whole lot better that people
are enjoying it.
I hear you're all over the place up there on stage. What gets into you?
(Laughs) The music! I have to say it's a demon in me. It's like a bomb
setting off. You're up there, and you can do whatever the fuck you want. And
I do. I just go with it. Go with the flow.
How was the transition with you taking over vocals?
Very smooth. I learned all the songs in six weeks. The only thing though, was
filling in Lord Worms's shoes. It was something that played in the back of my
mind. He was a guy that was respected for sure. I feel comfortable now, and
the band is comfortable with me. My first live show with Cryptopsy, when the
band went on, Lord Worm was on stage with them. He started the first song
with the band. Halfway through, he fell down and 'died' onstage. I came out
dragging a coffin, put him in it and finished the song. The crowd went nuts! I
felt accepted right away. We also wanted to show the parting was amicable.
How much influence did you have on the writing of material for "Whisper
Supremacy"?
I wrote lyrics for six of the eight songs. Two of the songs were finished
when I came in. Those two will have lyrics by Lord Worm. All of us have an important
role in composing and arranging. I don't play an instrument, but I have some
say as to what parts work well in certain spots. We're altogether when the
arrangements are done, we all have a say in that. Its not like someone comes
in with a finished song and says this is the way it is. This band is a
democracy, we all have some say.
Describe the difference between your lyrics and Lord Worms. I heard his
lyrics described as 'educated horror tales with a comedic accent.'
I think mine are more serious. They're set more towards emotions, not
horrific detail. I write some pretty horrific stuff, but it's more reality
based. It's definitely different! More hardcore, more real.
What is the meaning behind the title "Whisper Supremacy"? It's
almost an oxymoron.
It certainly is. You know, it could basically mean anything. It means a lot
of things actually. We sat around discussing everything it could mean one
night. I think when people see it they're going to come to their own terms as
to what it means. Instead of coming out and saying it means one specific
thing, we'd rather leave it up to the listener to form their own opinions
about it.
We talked about Cryptopsy being part of a second wave of Death Metal. How
were you influenced by the first wave?
Oh shit! That's pretty much what we grew up with. Obituary, Napalm Death,
they are part of our roots. I still listen to that stuff. In a way we are
following in their footsteps. They've played this circuit before, same
places, and same kind of shows. We're not following musically, but in a sense
we're trying to reach the same people.
Do you have touring plans for after this American tour?
There's been some talk about it. It's very; very loose right now, but there
is a possibility this package might go to Europe….
Maybe throwing a couple of hot European Black Metal bands on the bill?
HEH HEH HEH (laughing)
What's you opinion of Black Metal?
I hate it, I really do.
Don't you think Black Metal and Death Metal are connected that it all came
from the same place?
Yeah. I guess. There are some Black Metal style bands I like. But I think
it's silly. Let's be as evil as we can be. And yet they look like clowns. How
evil can you be when you look silly? Personally, it's not something I would
do. I'm not knocking the bands that do that shit. But you asked me a question
and I'm going to answer it. It's just not a style of music I'm into at all.
They say their type of music came about because Death Metal was wimping out. Death
Metal bands were writing politically correct lyrics and wearing jogging
suits.
Yeah exactly. I've heard that a lot of times, from the Norwegians. I read
about these Black Metal guys ripping into bands like Suffocation. But where
are they? I'm not talking about your Emperors, etc. I'm talking about all
these smaller bands. It's all extreme music. We shouldn't be talking shit
about each other. If you want to talk shit about a style of music, fine. But
you shouldn't talk shit about an actual band. Especially an amazing band like
Suffocation. Then you're only looking for problems.
I actually think the two scenes are connected, and they'd only help each
other out if they'd work together.
I agree. I would throw hardcore in there also. These scenes seem to be
segregated. It doesn't need to be like that. If everyone would say fuck it,
it's extreme music all across the board. Whether it is Death Metal, Black
Metal, and Doom Metal or hardcore. Why can't the scenes just merge and create
a stronger front?
How did your contract with Century Media Records come about?
We were speaking with a couple of labels and they put the best offer on the
table. They have a good reputation, so we decided to go with them. We signed
long term with them.
What are your goals with this band?
We want to keep playing, and reach as many people as possible. Keep putting
out quality albums. We're all pumped for this. Some of the guys have been
doing it for ten years. It's starting to pay off. That makes it all right.
What can Cryptopsy fans expect musically from "Whisper Supremacy"?
It's as different as "None So Vile" was from "Blasphemy Made
Flesh". It's grindcore; it's over the top. You have to really give it a
listen, there's a lot going on.
Do you consider yourself a grindcore band or a Death Metal band? Or a mixture
of both?
I don't know what we consider ourselves anymore! It's just extreme music. There
are a lot of aspects within our music than just a basic label. It's not
totally Death Metal but not totally grindcore either. As long as you don't
call it alternative, we're all set!
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