First of all, can you tell me
a little bit about the project you have going on with Maniac of MAYHEM and
Fenrez of DARKTHRONE? How did the three of you get together, what style of
music is it going to be, who else is in the project, what record label is it
going to be released through, etc…?
Killjoy: That project is
called EIBON. Our debut album will be titled "Ceremony In Flames". We
are negotiating with labels now. This will be true black metal in it's rawest
form. The line-up is: Maniac-vocals, Killjoy-vocals, Satyr-bass, Anton
Crowley-guitar, Blasphemer-guitar, Fenriz-drums. It was originally an idea that
Maniac, Fenriz and I came up with. We will record later this year in Norway.
Also, there is a HUGE rumor
that the guitarist for NECROPHAGIA, Anton Crowley, is actually Phil Anselmo
from PANTERA. I know that you have had no comment on this issue as of now, but
do you think you could talk about it now?
Killjoy: Our guitar player
remains Anton Crowley. Phil is a great guy…one of my very best friends...very talented,
very much into black metal and old death metal. He's not this rock star that
the public perceives him to be and he is a complete horror fiend much like
myself...that's all I can say regarding Phil Anselmo. There are reason's for
everything...this is no gimmick. I wish people would leave it rest now and just
worry about the music. That's what is really important…not who is or isn't in
the band. I’m sorry for not being more specific but this question is asked a
million times a day and I know that everyone’s curious but it has run it's
course as far as I’m concerned.
Why did you decide to reform
NECROPHAGIA now, instead of forming a whole new group? Are there any original
members from the old lineup of the group in the band other than you?
Killjoy: Because NECROPHAGIA
has always been my vision of true horror. This is what I live for. This line-up
crushes the old one...no one from the old line-up is in the band now. They
caused the initial break. They wanted to write fucking wimpy
SCORPIONS/QUEENSRYCHE music. I’ll never consider working with them again. This
is what NECROPHAGIA should have always been. We will only get heavier and
sicker in the future…trust me.
Who would you say were
NECROPHAGIA’s main influences, new era and old?
Killjoy: Always the same
influences...past and present...PLASMATICS, MERCYFUL FATE, HELLHAMMER, BLACK
SABBATH and horror movies.....
Is there much of a difference
between "Season Of The Dead"-era NECROPHAGIA and "Holocausto De
La Morte"-era NECROPHAGIA?
Killjoy: The main difference
is that we are heavier and sicker than before. We still have that awkward sound
that really sounds like no one else. My vocal style has changed, but it always
changes...from demo to demo in the early days to what was on
"Season…", to what is on "Holocausto…". I’m always looking
to get sicker and more vile, and I’ll continue to do this. Our drummer Wayne is
a huge asset to the band...the guy just literally destroys drum sets.
I have heard that you and the
rest of the band are making a music video or a movie at Phil Anselmo’s
"House Of Shock". Can you elaborate on what this is supposed to be? Is
it going to be gory? As any good horror/gore movie fan knows, there hasn’t been
a decent gore flick in YEARS. Will this video make up for that fact?
Killjoy: Yes, we are going to
start filming in June with director Jim VanBebber, who is truly the new maestro
of horror/gore. It will be 5-6 songs, each song will have a different story
line going on in it...very sick, blasphemous, gore drenched madness. Expect
zombies, cannibalism, crucifixions, maggots, eyeball violence, sacrifices,
grave digging, stabbings, hearty eating and much more...this is our vision of
pure horror. It will be our own way of showing the true meaning of horror and
gore!!! Yes, some will be shot at the "House Of Shock" and in various
cemeteries, etc...New Orleans has many creepy places. We want this video to be
a slap in the face and a nail in the coffin to films like "Scream"
that have nothing to do with true horror !
After NECROPHAGIA originally broke
up, you got involved in another band that was vastly different from
NECROPHAGIA, from what I have heard. Can you tell me about this other project
at all? Are there any plans to have it reissued at all?
Killjoy: That was a solo thing
I recorded...it was more of a thrash album a’ la TESTAMENT, OVERKILL,
DESTRUCTION...I was singing for once, ha ha! There are no plans whatsoever to
re-release it.
What was it that caused
NECROPHAGIA to break up in the ‘80’s?
Killjoy: They wanted to play
music like QUEENSRYCHE, SCORPIONS, METAL CHURCH...I was not going to do that
and call it NECROPHAGIA. We broke up before I could ever let that happen.
What did you do in-between the
time of NECROPHAGIA breaking up and you doing that other project to now? Did
you work, go to school, other musical interests, etc…?
Killjoy: I worked, wrote
lyrics, watched tons of horror movies, started on a couple of books on
horror/gore movies...nothing musical...especially after Euronymous was killed. A
lot of desire at that time died with him…hail my demon brother...hail
Euronymous!!!
Do you think of NECROPHAGIA as
one of the originators of death metal or gore metal at all?
Killjoy: I don't give that
much thought. When I started, there was only CELTIC FROST, SLAYER, VENOM and
nobody was singing about horror/gore at that time. Many have said we are the
godfathers of death metal but I’m honestly not concerned with that or the past.
I just keep looking ahead…
Will there be any touring in
the near future for NECROPHAGIA at all? Possibly at this years Milwaukee
Metalfest? If yes, will Anton Crowley be on tour with you guys?
Killjoy: No touring ...live
shows yes, possibly two shows with DARKTHRONE in late summer in San Francisco. Of
course Anton will be part of the live shows....that will be interesting to say
the least, ha ha!
What does the future hold for
NECROPHAGIA?
Killjoy: The video of course. Our
mini CD will be out in September, called "Black Blood Vomitorium",
and we'll record our next album sometime next year.
Do you have any closing
comments that you would like to make?
Killjoy: Thanks for
everything, Matt. Check out our web site at www.necrophagia.com . Our
merchandise is available through Red Stream...also, interested bands send
promos for my record label Baphomet...gore forever!!!
By Matt Jones,
Editor ISOLATION MAGAZINE