NECRONOMICON – Interviews

Hintf Webzine

 

Thank you very much for this interview, how and when all began? Who are Necronomicon, and where you come from?

Freddy: 1984; with Lala, Jogi, Axel and me.
We come from the southwest corner of Germany, near the French and Swiss border. We would all be 17 and 18 years old and wanted only one thing: to make music. Hard, uncompromising music with a good touch of Punk Rock. Unfortunately, due to our euphoria we also made the biggest mistake signed with Gama Records.

What influences your music?

Freddy: Discharge, GBH and of course the legendary Slayer. But the first record is certainly very influenced by British Punk.

Consider yourself what type of Metal?

Freddy: Necronomicon has certainly developed its own style over the years. We are not the typical Teutonic Thrash Metal band, because besides the Punk influences, there are also many melodic or even Rock influences to be heard, which surely make us unique in Germany.

Please, tell us more about your album “Unleashed Bastards”…

Freddy: “Unleashed Bastards” is a homage to our founding days and is certainly by far the hardest production in recent years. Again with some old school Thrash Metal and Punk Rock influences.

What are your plans for the future?

Freddy: At first, to release the new album “The Final Chapter” and then to start our European tour in April- May next year again.

Anything you would like to say it wasn’t asked?

Freddy: The Corona crisis has demanded a lot from all of us. Especially for me: I lost my parents and we were practically doomed to watch the virus raging all over the world. A condition I never want to experience again and I hope that everything will soon return to normal. I also hope that all musicians will soon have the chance to be active again, to go on tour and follow their passion for making music. I hope that.
Thanxx for your interest in NECRONOMICON and stay tuned!

Prepared by Adam Widelka (for HMP #78)

 

Welcome from the Heavy Metal Pages! It’s nice of you that you wanted to answer some questions that I prepared for Necronomicon. First of all, I would like to ask you how you feel about the current situation in the world?

Hi, and first of all thanks for the interest in the new album.
To answer your question: I had the most horrible year of my life. Within 2 days I lost my parents to Corona and I had to struggle with that too. That paralyzes you for the time being; also concerning the planned recordings of the new album. We had fortunately recorded the drums in December 2019 and so we could then, after I had digested the shock to some extent (although that will probably never really go) in August then finally continue. Originally we wanted to have the album ready in April 2020; to the European tour start. But there it went to us like all the others. Nothing went more. I don’t think we’ve had a crisis like this in the world since the Spanish flu. Especially the music & event industry are totally down. We are fighting for survival. It’s really hard.

Well, there are no concerts, no contact with fans, so there is some time to search the band archive. From whom did you get the idea to release the reissue of „Invictus”?

The idea came from Anatoliy from Metal Scap Rec. and Total Metal booking. He asked me if he could put the album out again. I was of course thrilled and the album has been really pushed again. It’s one of the best albums I’ve ever written anyway. I love ” Invictus „.

When it comes to the CD version, it came out with a changed cover. I must admit that I pay attention to such things right away. Was there any serious problem that the original design could not adorn the “Invictus” reissue?

At that time we were signed to ” Massacre Rec.” And they had and have the rights to the artwork. So we had to design a new cover. At the same time we also created a new homepage and that’s when we had the idea to use the start picture as the new “Invictus” cover. I have to admit, I like it even better than the original one…

Is there any hope for reissues of the band’s other catalog in the long run? Are there already any preliminary ideas which titles could be subjected to this?

I would like to re-release the ” Screams” album. As many know, this label has also cheated us, too. The owner disappeared somewhere abroad with all the money from the 1st quarter sales and we got nothing. I never heard from him again. The album has become an absolutely cult factor especially in the USA and I am often asked about it.

I’ve listened to Necronomicon’s debut recently, and few days ago, I took “Invictus” for review. I must admit that for so many years, the style of the group has not changed significantly. Do you have any particular key, code for longevity hehe?
Although this is probably my best album (songwriting), and yes, I think everyone says that when they release a new album, the signature is unmistakable. And I want it to stay that way.
I just hope that I hit a point with my kind of music-& songwriting with the fans, which simply pleases. That’s why you make music with passion and dedication and of course your own conviction, without wanting to sound arrogant. The music industry is already brutal and merciless. So it’s even nicer to get something back when people like it and it’s also honored. We always had to fight a little bit with the ” prophet in his own country “. But we still see ourselves as a German Thrash Metal band. But with an international line-up. And yes, that foreign countries perceive us differently than maybe in this country. Why this is so is still a little mystery to me after 35 years. But I have come to terms with it and can live with it quite well. Besides, I hope a little bit for the youth and generation, which discovers the metal just now for itself.

Your new album is to be released soon, in March 2021. Is the title “Final Chapter” supposed to announce that it will last in Necronomicon’s career (laughs)?

To be honest, last year I had the thought of quitting. One more disc and then it’s over….I just couldn’t motivate myself anymore.
We’ll see what the new album brings. I hope there also very strongly, on the support of the label. The canceled European tour will be made up as soon as the situation out there improves, and then we’ll see. I can’t stop completely anyway, I’m too much of a musician and I love this kind of music too much. We will see what comes in 2021. That’s why our lyrics on the new album are darker than usual. Since I often use metaphors in the lyrics or work with metaphors, I have this time the theme of “death” very strongly focused. This is certainly also a certain processing of the events of last year.

I’m after preliminary listening of the material. Thank you for sharing it! I have to say that it sounds excellent. You keep your style on it, but I can also hear that the tracks got some space. I would say it’s a decent representation of German thrash metal! Was it hard to write new numbers to not fall into the trap of stagnation and framework of the genre?

The songwriting is 100% up to me. I create the framework of the individual songs, so to speak, everyone gets enough freedom and space within this construct, his ideas for his instrument can flow. That also worked out very well this time; and, because of the two guys we sound more “international” and also more powerful. I am proud of it.

Disclose or correct me, if I understand correctly, but the material is based on the fight with evil forces? This “Final Chapter” is supposed to be a showdown with the horned man himself?

As I mentioned before, I like to use metaphors. This album is a kind of reappraisal of what happened to me and what happened in all over the world last year.
Of course, there is also the theme “Corona” processed or rulers such as Putin, Trump and other criminals who mercilessly exploit their power and the population leaves in a mess. Basically, I write “horror children’s books” for adults and pack it into stories.

This is a perfect moment to ask how Necronomicon compositions are created. If it’s not a secret, maybe you can briefly tell us how the work on something new looks like?
I get my ideas from movies. So film music from blockbusters or series. Often a small melody is enough and an idea is already in my head. For example, the song “Selling Nightmares”: that came from the series “The Strain”. I was completely flashed by the film music, so that I absolutely wanted to make a song from it.
Sometimes it’s also composers from the classical field. Ludovico Enaudi is one such composer who absolutely fascinates me. So I want to avoid being compared to other bands all the time and sound unique that way. At least I try that again and again ( hahaha )

I would also like to ask if you sometimes look back with a desire to use some patents, maybe unreleased ideas?

The first band I formed was called ” Total Rejection “; a punk band. We made the demo tape at that time and then applied to different commercial punk labels. Curiously, almost all of them told us that the music was too heavy metal and that we should look for a metal label. One label asked us to give us a deal if we rewrote the songs again, more Punk, but i didn’t want that…i still wonder what would have happened to us if we had accepted that proposal back then.

I understand that every album is unique in its way. But if you were to describe what makes “Final Chapter” unique briefly…?

The musical flair with Rik and Glen. Through the two guys we sound ” more international” and also more powerful. Rik has a very individual drumming and we never had that with Necronomicon. And Glen has also contributed to this with his somewhat “snotty” way of playing the solis. In addition, Achim Köhler, who made the mix and mastering once again had a lot of time for the production , because of the Corona crises, and you can hear that incredibly. The sound is much powerful and bombastic.

Since the virus has thwarted most of the population on the planet and forced us to sit at home, I wanted to ask how you cope or how you cope with this new for all of us situation?

I initially said that this was the most horrible year I had ever experienced. But somehow it has to go on. Fortunately, I had a lot of support and was able to focus fully on the music again and finish the album. It was like therapy and helped me a lot.

Maybe more free time will also be conducive, as I mentioned earlier, to preparing future reissues. And if this topic still comes up – would you be willing to re-record the album entirely with the essential tracks for Necronomicon?

Yes, Marco and I talked about this idea several times.I always wanted to re-record the first 3 albums, but not in a studio rather in a jam session room or in an old barn or garage to make the production dirty and a bit more punky. By the way, I would also like to start a punk project. With the right musicians that would be a heart’s desire and would also make me a lot of fun for me.

When the virus will hopefully end, and we will be back to normality, or at least enough to enjoy live music again, do you have any plans for concerts in places you haven’t reached yet in your career?

The European tour was cancelled 3 days before the tour start last year….but all the promoters assured our management that the concerts and the tour will take place as soon as it is possible again. On the contrary, many promoters still want to dock to the upcoming European tour. Now we are eagerly waiting for the vaccine and that this will happen quickly. And I want to tour in South-America again. Argentina, Brasil and Chile are in planning and if all things running well, we could go to Japan to promote the new album as well.

Back to your music. Are there any tracks that you like the most, and they are an essential part of every setlist?

hahaha, that’s unfair my friend.
Since I wrote the songs, of course I like all of them very much…:-)) but of course there is one or the other favorite. “Purgatory ” ” I am the violence ” ” Justice ” ” Walls of Pain ” and ” The Unnamed ” are some of my favorite songs. But, as you know, tastes are different and so I hope that there is something for everyone. I already said that I am very very proud of this album and I put all hopes now on the success with this production. There will also be 2 videos from this album: ” Me against You ” and ” Walls of Pain “; both a mix of video and lyric video. We didn’t have the opportunity to shoot a video with Rik and Glen, so we had to come up with something there as well. The result is quite good

As a counterbalance to that, I would like to ask whether there are any tracks that arouse the feeling of, you know, creative embarrassment in you today? That they could be much better or that you could refrain from publishing them?

Yes, the entire 2nd album ” Apocalyptic Nightmare”….!!! Instead of staying true to our line and our musical abilities at that time and going once again in the direction of the first album, we wanted too much. And could not implement that. Both from the songwriting and from the playfulness; that sounds harsh, but it’s the full truth. Today it would be easy and that’s why the idea of re-releasing the first 3 albums is a very concrete issue.

Many of our readers also, more or less, play music. They are probably curious about the technical side of the Necronomicon. Can you tell me what equipment meets your expectations in the studio and live?

Sound is a matter of taste. We have also tried again and again to reinvent ourselves. I personally love the good old Marshall sound and only play Gibson guitars. Without effects; pure and dry. Live, however, I fall back on ” Hughes and Kettner”. This amp fits in any travel case and blasts away everything. …This is the best alternative to my “Steavens” amp that I use for studio recordings.

Finishing the interview, I’ll ask, maybe a little schematically, how do you imagine Necronomicon in 5 or 10 years?

Like every musician you hope of course that this album will be really successful. If I look into my musician heart, then we will certainly still be live on stage in 10 years. We are in the very best age…hahaha. but the music market is fast moving and very brutal. I don’t know….. As long as we have such loyal fans, especially in Poland, I’m not worried about NECRONOMICON. Health, and this has never been so noticeable as in the last year, is first of all the most important thing. Always look ahead and you will see us still thrashy and snotty in 10 years. Beware the beast !

Please put in the right word for Heavy Metal Pages readers and thrash metal fans in Poland!

I have to thank you, it was a pleasure for me. I would like to make it short and yet it is immensely important for me: Stay healthy out there and look after yourself!

Thanks a lot for your answers; I wish you all the best and good health, and hopefully, see you at the gigs!

It’s time for reissues for Necronomicon, the German thrash cult band that, while waiting for the next album, released a new version of the 2012 album, “Invictus”, on Metal Scrap Records.

 

Welcome, Freddy. How is born the idea of this new edition of “Invictus”, your album dated 2012?
Hi guys! Thanks for your interest in Necronomicon. The idea came from Metal Scrap Records. Anatoliy asked me if that would be interesting and I thought it was a great idea to promote this great album again.

The original tracklist included “Possessed by Evil”, song that appeared on the 1986 self-titled debut: why did you add this song?
I love this old stuff and it’s one of the most famous songs of Necronomicon.

In the 2020 edition there’s “Possessed Again (acoustic version)”, how is born this new tribute to your past?
On our first tour through Russia, we played an acoustic concert on a radio station and the guys where totally flashed about it. So we decided to published one or two songs in an album.

Your first album was released in 1986, what do you remember about that times?
We were totally excited to get a record deal and felt great. Even though we were all still very young and couldn’t really realize it yet, we decided to only make music. We really wanted to do that and I think we succeeded quite well. Maybe with a few teething problems and a little more time than other well-known bands, but in the end we went our way and we still go it…. and more successful than ever before.

After that “Necronomicon” caught the attention of the thrash metal scene and garnered praise for the band, did you feel under pressure during the second album, “Apocalyptic Nightmare”, songwriting phase?
Yeah, that’s right. And we certainly made a mistake to deviate a little from our musical path. The first album was just pure punk and thrash metal. Fully forward and without compromise. With the 2nd album we wanted too much; we weren’t ready for it yet. With the 3rd album (“Escalation”) we did everything right. The success shows it also.

The classic era of Necronomicon ended with the third album, “Escalation”, maybe your successful release?
Absolutely! We have been voted on place 20 of the best thrash metal albums… worldwide. I´m proud of it, really.

A long stop occurred between “Escalation” (1988) and “Scream” (1994). Why?
I think almost everyone knows our story. It is full of blows of fate, fraud from our record label, legal and judicial disputes and a lot of pain… but we never stopped believing in ourselves and we are stronger and better than ever. Our new album, “The Last Chapter”, will be released in 2021 and I guarantee you – it will blow everything away!

Your comeback is dated 2004 with “Construction of Evil” album, and after four years is out “Revenge Of The Beast”. Are you still satisfied of this couple of release?
Yes. “Revenge Of The Beast” placed on 6 in South America and 10th place in the Rock charts of Germany.

After “Invictus” (2012), “Pathfinder… Between Heaven And Hell” (2015) and “Unleashed Bastards Of The Beast” (2018), how is changed your sound with these two last albums and after 30 year of career?
Of course, the sound changes over the years. Since “Construction Of Evil”, I work together with Achim Köhler and he is also responsible for the development of our sound. For me, one of the best sound engineers. I love his work and he is a good friend of mine.

When people talk about German thrash metal, the names are always Kreator, Sodom and Destruction. But, there are others good bands like Necronomicon, Iron Angel, Accuser, Poltergeist… are you sad about this?
No. The guys have and do a good job. But we don’t have to hide from anybody. Ok, maybe we had some bad luck in the beginning, but after the “Construction Of Evil” we only went up steeply. I don’t think that we have to queue up at the back of the line.

What’s about the new record?
It will be a killer….believe me. A work of pure fucking Thrash and Speed Metal with a fulminant sound. Beware of “The Last Chapter”!

INTERNATIONALER UND WUCHTIGER

Mit runderneuerter Besetzung und düstereren Texten kommen die deutschen Kult-Thrasher NECRONOMICON anno 2021 daher und legen mit „The Final Chapter“ ihr zehntes Studioalbum vor. Trotz aller Veränderungen hat die Formation jedoch ihren unverkennbaren Stil bewahrt, zumal Sänger und Gitarrist Freddy nach wie vor zu 100% die Songs schreibt.

Prepared by Christian Wachter (for Legacy #131)

 

Das einzige verbliebene Gründungsmitglied der Band bezeichnet 2020 indes als das schrecklichste Jahr sei- nes Lebens. „Innerhalb von zwei Tagen verlor ich meine Eltern durch Corona, und auch ich hatte damit zu kämpfen. Das legt dich erst einmal lahm, auch was die geplanten Aufnahmen des neuen Albums anbelangte. Die Drums wurden zum Glück bereits im Dezember 2019 eingespielt, und so konnten wir dann, nachdem ich den Schock einigermaßen verdaut hatte (obwohl das wohl nie richtig weggehen wird), im August endlich weitermachen. Ur- sprünglich wollten wir das Album ja im April 2020 zum Europatour- neestart fertig haben Aber da erging es uns ja wie allen anderen auch: Nichts ging mehr.“ Dass sich Freddy auf „The Final Chapter“ oft unter Zuhilfenahme von Metaphern mit dem Thema Tod auseinandersetzt, stellt inso- fern in gewisser Hinsicht eine Ver- arbeitung seiner Erlebnisse des vergangenen Jahres dar. Der Titel der neuen Scheibe wirkt indes, als ob die Band nach dieser Platte zu Grabe getragen werden sollte. „Um ehrlich zu sein, hatte ich letztes Jahr den Gedanken ans Aufhören. Noch diese Scheibe, und dann ist Schluss … Ich konnte mich einfach nicht mehr motivie- ren. Wir werden sehen, was das neue Album bringt. Ich hoffe da auch sehr stark auf die Unterstüt- zung vom Label. Die abgesagte Europatournee wird, sobald sich die Lage da draußen verbessert, sofort nachgeholt, und dann wer- den wir sehen. Komplett aufhören kann ich sowieso nicht, dafür bin ich zu sehr Musiker und liebe diese Art Musik auch viel zu sehr. Wir werden sehen, was das Jahr 2021 so bringt.“ Wie eingangs und in der Rezension zur Scheibe bereits erwähnt, hat es zwei Besetzungs- wechsel im Vergleich zum letzten Album „Unleashed Bastards“ gegeben: Der US-Amerikaner Glen Shannon agiert mittlerweile an der Gitarre, und die Schlag- zeugstöcke schwingt niemand Geringeres als der Kanadier Rik Charron, der von 1996 bis 2014 bei Exciter aktiv war. „Letztge- nannten lernte ich 2017 auf unse- rer Europatournee kennen, als er uns mit seiner Band Dark Ministry supportete.

Und irgendwie ist der Funke zwischen ihm und mir gleich übergesprungen. Nach- dem unser ehemaliger Drummer Chris uns auf der letzten Tour- nee beichten musste, dass er einfach nicht mehr kann (Knie und Gelenke), fragte ich kurzer- hand Rik, der sofort zusagte und nebenbei noch Glen mit an Bord holte. Der Einstieg von Rik war eine Win-Win-Situation: Er wollte unbedingt wieder Musik machen, und wir sind völlig fasziniert von seinem Drumstil. Außerdem ist er ein richtig sympathischer und ehrlicher Mensch, der vor allem auch menschlich zu uns passt. Das Gleiche gilt übrigens ebenso für Glen.“ Wenn Freddy Songs schreibt, errichtet er in der Regel immer erst ein Rohgerüst, sodass jeder seiner Mitmusiker genug Frei- raum innerhalb dieses Konstrukts bekommt, seine Ideen für sein Instrument einfließen lassen zu können. „Das hat auch dieses Mal hervorragend geklappt; und ja, durch die beiden Jungs klingen wir ‚internationaler‘ und auch wuchtiger. Ich bin megastolz auf dieses Album, das ist sehr wahr- scheinlich mein bestes gewor- den. Und selbst wenn das wohl jeder behauptet, der ein neues Album rausbringt, ist doch unsere Handschrift unverkennbar. Und das soll auch so bleiben. Ich hoffe einfach, dass ich mit meiner Art des Songwritings bei den Fans einen Punkt treffe, der einfach gefällt. Dafür macht man ja auch die Musik mit Leidenschaft und Hingabe und natürlich ebenso aus eigener Überzeugung, ohne dabei überheblich klingen zu wollen. Die Musikbranche ist eh schon brutal und gnadenlos. Da ist es umso schöner, etwas zurückzubekommen, wenn es den Leuten gefällt und auch honoriert wird.“ Wobei auffällt, dass NECRO- NOMICON schon immer ge- fühlt mehr Zuspruch im Ausland erhielten als hierzulande. Nach Touren in Südamerika und Charteinstiegen in Griechenland oder Spanien mutet es wie eine logische Konsequenz an, dass das Line-Up nunmehr quasi „international“ geworden ist. Dennoch sieht Freddy NECRONOMICON noch als deutsche Band: „Wir hatten schon immer ein biss- chen mit dem Phänomen des Propheten im eigenen Land zu kämpfen. Aber wir verstehen uns nach wie vor als eine deutsche Thrash-Metal-Band, allerdings mit internationaler Besetzung. Und ja, das Ausland nimmt uns schon anders wahr – warum dies so ist, ist mir nach 35 Jahren immer noch ein kleines Rätsel. Aber ich habe mich damit abgefunden und kann damit ganz gut leben. Zudem hoffe ich ein bisschen auf die Jugend und Generation, die den Metal jetzt für sich entdeckt.“ Mal eben so einen Spontan-Gig abzureißen dürfte für das transat- lantische Musiker-Bündnis schwie- rig sein. Tourneen müssen im Vorfeld schon lange geplant sein. „Das ist richtig. Wir haben immer die Herausforderung, die beiden Jungs rüberzuholen; es sei denn, wir spielen mal wieder in den USA. Das ist vor allem finanziell nicht so eben mal machbar, vor allem nicht für einen Gig. Die Europatournee steht aber: Sobald die Grenzen offen sind, könnten wir loslegen. Alle Veranstalter ziehen da mit, und wir haben zudem noch immense Nachfrage, sodass wir die Tour noch auswei- ten werden. Wann das aber der Fall sein wird, können wir leider nicht voraussagen.“

Interview was prepared by Lior “Steinmetal” Stein (for Metal Temple)

Right after hitting the last chord, there are thoughts about what to do next, however, when life hits, and there is that major effect of being hit hard, at times, it is difficult to get back to business as if nothing happened. It is a process, digestion and understanding, comprehending the situation and trying to live with it. There are those that can and there are those that will decide that enough is enough, a time to move on. Germany’s long running Necronomicon, led by Freddy, have seen quite a lot throughout the long span career. Eventually, it was getting back out there with a new album, “The Last Chapter”, and who knows if it is the end or not. Steinmetal wanted to find out more by discussing it with Freddy.

 

Hello Freddy, it is a great honor to have you for this talk for Metal Temple online Magazine, how have you been doing sir in these challenging times?

Hi, and first of all thanks for the interest in the new album and in Necronomicon and it´s an honor for me, too, to do this interview. At the moment we are working very hard on the release of our new album, which will be released worldwide on march 26th. We are all looking forward to it enormously and are also a bit proud of this album, especially if you know the circumstances how this album was created. You can certainly say that this has become my most personal and also most emotional album ever.

With uncertainty hovering above on nearly a daily basis, the future as we know it, in particular in regards to coming back to a normal way of life, is currently under a curtain of Grey. How do you deal with this sort of disquiet, not knowing what is going to happen next? How have you been dealing throughout this period of the pandemic?

I had the most horrible year of my life. Within 2 days I lost my parents to Corona and I had to struggle with that too. That paralyzes you for the time being; also concerning the planned recordings of the new album. We had fortunately recorded the drums in December 2019 and so we could then, after I had digested the shock to some extent (although that will probably never really go away) in August then finally continue. Originally we wanted to have the album ready in April 2020; to the European tour start. But there it went to us like all the others. Nothing went forward anymore. I don’t think we’ve had a crisis like this in the world since the Spanish flu. Especially the music & event industry is totally down. We are fighting for survival. It’s really hard.

Your band Necronomicon has always been searching for opportunities and options to perform live, you even had a scheduled tour that got postponed. This situation led from being a busy bee on the road to another form of bee so to speak. Have you considered other options to promote the band further with the road option currently unavailable? How do you keep your spirit up and motivated?

It’s certainly not that simple. But that’s what happens to every musician in these dark times. The European tour was cancelled 3 days before the tour started last year…. but all the promoters assured our management that the concerts and the tour will take place as soon as it is possible again. On the contrary, many promoters still want to dock to the upcoming European tour. Now we are eagerly waiting for the vaccine and that this will happen quickly. And I want to tour in South-America again. Argentina, Brazil and Chile are in planning and if all things running well, we could go to Japan to promote the new album as well.

Right before the pandemic hit, Necronomicon underwent a substantial change in its personnel, and somewhat also in its image. For the first time ever actually, half of the band is now North American, introducing ex-Exciter Rik Charron to man the skins and the six string warrior, ex-Savior From Anger, Glenn Shannon. With the German Metal scene, along with its neighbours, harboring so many amazing musicians for example, why go for off-shore musicians?

When you’ve been making music for 35 years, you always have to deal with change. I met Rik in 2017 on our European tour. He supported us with his band “Dark Ministry” and somehow the spark between him and me jumped right away. After Chris had to confess to us on the last tour that he just can’t do it anymore (health problems) I asked Rik without further a due, who immediately agreed and also got Glen on board. Rik joining us is a win-win situation. He really wanted to make music again and we (me) are completely fascinated by his drumming style. In addition, he is a really sympathetic and honest person, who fits especially humanly to us. Glenn, too, by the way. Through the two guys we sound “more international” and also more powerful. Rik has a very individual drumming and we never had that with Necronomicon. And Glen has also contributed to this with his somewhat “snotty” way of playing the solos. In addition, Achim Köhler, who made the mix and mastering once again had a lot of time for the production, because of the Corona crisis, and you can hear that incredibly. The sound is much powerful and bombastic

How did you know that Charron and Shannon are the ones that are Necronomicon made material? Have you tried other musicians that are also off-shore? What were your prime criterions for accepting new members?

For me, the individual personality is of the highest priority. Only then comes the musical part. I’ve met so many different musicians in the course of my career, so you become very sensitive. As I mentioned, I met Rik on our European tour in 2017. That worked humanly right away. And I was sure if Rik put a person close to my heart, that person would also fit in with us. So it was no big deal with Glen. Both are quite great people who stand behind Necronomicon 100%. On our last big European tour, we had a substitute guitarist…. after the first concert he dropped out and we had to play the whole tour with three people. The guy was a complete human disaster and a real ass…., ( sorry for the expression ) as we were to learn painfully. Unfortunately, you can’t look inside a person. I am really happy to have Glen and Rik on board.

Armed and ready, you are set to release Necronomicon’s tenth album, “The Final Chapter”, once again via El Puerto Records. I have to tell you that you had me going there, I thought right from the start that this is going to be the final Necronomicon album, yet this title could be misleading, as it might be the end of a chapter but the beginning of a new one, rather said, a new era. Where was I right, help me out here please?

To be honest, last year I had the thought of quitting. One more album and then it’s over…. I just couldn’t motivate myself anymore. We’ll see what the new album will bring. I hope there also very strongly, on the support of our label and the cancelled European tour will be made up as soon as the situation out there improves, and then we’ll see. I can’t stop completely anyway, but I’m too much of a musician and I love this kind of music too much. The album title allows many speculations. This can also be a new beginning. A new chapter of the band with Rik and Glen. We will see what comes in 2021/22

Throughout the album I felt facing questions and a form of fascination towards the occult, perhaps trying to understand it better or rather provide personal insights. What would you say is the path that was paved within “The Final Chapter” on a philosophical level?

You’re right. If you start from the song titles, there is definitely a certain occult touch. Especially the song “Purgatory” with the intro suggests this. But I have largely processed the last year and the worldwide disasters and events. Whether that was the situation in the U.S. with Trump, the global climate change, the pollution of the oceans and environment and its consequences. Of course, there is also the theme “Corona” processed or rulers and other criminals who mercilessly exploit their power and the population leaves in a mess. All these topics and of course my own personal situation, which is still in my bones.

As you stated, I am sure that there are songs of the album that you find closer to you on a personal level, parts of you that you implemented in the songwriting. How does this album find you on that level? What kind of an own message were trying to provide through the lyrics?

They are more sombre than usual. Since I often use metaphors in the lyrics or work with metaphors, I have this time the theme of “death” very strongly focused. This is certainly also a certain processing of the events of last year. Especially regarding the lyrics, we are still very punk oriented. Often socially critical. With this album, you could almost say that the lyrics are a “horror fairy tale for adults”.

I remember the wickedness and crude kind of Thrash Metal of the band’s early days, yet in time, in particular in the last decade, you added layers of melodies, took the band’s genre into a diverse form while keeping the core intact. I believe that “The Final Chapter” is probably Necronomicon’s melodic album to date, and it crosses swords with different Metal subgenre under the title of Traditional Metal quite impressively. How do you feel that this record took you forward musically in comparison to your previous record?

Just let me explain, how we handled this. At first; the songwriting is 100% up to me. I create the framework of the individual songs, so to speak, everyone gets enough freedom and space within this construct, his ideas for his instrument can flow. That also worked out very well this time. And we had to be a little creative in recording the new album because of Corona and the sad situation. The rhythm guitars and the bass we recorded at Marco, my bass player at home. Luckily he has a small home studio and it wasn’t a problem, because we recorded the last records the same way, regarding guitar and bass. For the vocals we did an experiment: I have a pretty big closet, a wall cabinet, and that’s where we produced the vocals. Achim gave me the tip and it worked gigantically well :-))

Glenn also recorded the solo guitar at home. Achim then got all the files in September and then went to mix and master. And I got my ideas mainly from movies or series. Often a concise melody is enough, from which I then make a complete song. I’ve always done it that way to avoid being confronted with comparisons to other bands. But of course you can’t reinvent the wheel, and so one or the other will always find a parallel to related bands. In this case, Metal Hammer pointed out to me that some of the songs are very reminiscent of Iron Maiden; at least the guitar riffing. I think our fans honour this, because I often get the statement from the journalists, that NECRONOMCION are not only pure thrash metal. They can also offer rock songs or even ballads. Of course, this does not have to please everyone, but this is now my own and personal musical style. And that hasn’t changed on the new album.

Necronomicon is close to clicking four decades of activity, you have seen a lot and I have the feeling that you also heard quite a lot. With the current Metal market swamped with releases, on a weekly basis, thanks to modern technology, what do you think that Necronomicon brings fresh to the table with such a record as “The Final Chapter”?

It very quickly gives the impression of arrogance when you praise your album yourself. Although this is probably my best album (songwriting), my signature is unmistakable. And it should stay that way. I just hope that I hit on my way of music & songwriting with the fans a point that simply pleases. That’s why you make music with passion and dedication and of course your own conviction, without wanting to sound big headed. The music industry is already brutal and merciless. So it’s even nicer to get something back if people like it and it’s also honoured. And that’s what I hope to have achieved with the new album. Necronomicon is like my baby. I will always give EVERYTHING for this band. And I also think that there are no better and more loyal fans than in the metal scene, which gives you so much back.

Going back to your new guys in the group, how do you find the guys’ contribution to the songwriting process of the album and of course the general feel of the band’s musical image through it?

As already mentioned, we sound more international. German Thrash Metal, also known as Teutonic Thrash, has its own special style. Especially the drumming is and the interpretation is very peculiar. Through Rik we got a completely different sound characteristic. The drums, especially the bass drums, are very „round“ ( not the typical thrash metal rhythm) and just whip the songs forward. That suits my songwriting and also my voice very well. Glen has interpreted my songs in a completely different way than Andi did for all those years (brilliantly). I was very curious to see how it would fit together. And I was very positively surprised. Both guys have done a huge job.

What forms of challenges were in your way while making the record, whether through the songwriting and recording of the album? How did you tackle these challenges to go forward strong with completing the release?

The biggest problem was me. To motivate myself again and again and to suppress all the negative thoughts and experiences and then to be creative…. that was the real challenge. And Necronomicon bears my musical signature. I never will and never want to give it up, then it wouldn’t be Necronomicon anymore. Thanks to the support of the guys and my friends it was possible and I’m glad and grateful to be able to make these recordings that way.

“Purgatory”, as if feeling lost, in limbo, between Heaven and Hell, but for some reason it is quite enigmatic, this song created something no doubt. Its main riff and punishing tempo provided enough fuel to the fire, and it was hard for me to let it go. What can you tell about this song and its creation?

This is one of my absolute favourites. I remember that I wrote the song in one day. I had this distinctive melody in my head and had to immediately start writing and creating this song. Then I had the idea with the intro, which makes this song even more interesting, because it’s really a game between good and evil, where even the angels are afraid. There again, you can draw the current comparison, what is happening in the world or what challenge we just have to overcome. And that is not ONLY Corona

“Spilling Blood” has that dramatic flavor running around, it punctures but in a different kind of way, it lets you in rather smoothly, slowly building up its force, until the big boom arrives moments later. What is your appreciation of this track, which I also found to be rather emotional to a certain level?

This is one of the songs that can be compared with Iron Maiden; Marco, my bass player, is completely fascinated by the song, because here he also gets the opportunity to interpret the bass so beautifully “Maiden like“. I really wanted to create the song with a chord intro and then incorporate this theme in the intermediate piece in a slightly modified way; in addition, I had the idea with the choir. I’m already looking forward to playing this song live and the fans will accompany us with the choir. That already gives goose bumps.

Old vibes, old school prowess, speeding things up and keeping it brutal till the end is “Me Against You”. How do you find this old kind of crudeness, somewhat raw youth the spews off this number? Is this a sort of longing to the old days?

Completely correct and very well recognized. I wanted to write a short and really brutal number. A mix of old school punk and thrash metal. Like it used to be, with a current theme. Everybody against everybody. No one shows any consideration for the other; only the strongest survives. No matter whether that is in world politics or every day in life. Man is the most terrible virus that exists on this planet. Destroy everything and do not think about the consequences. That is the human being!!!

We talked about plans getting postponed due to the pandemic, do you intend to go forward with the same tour in 2021 or rather keep it safe for 2022?

All the promoters assured our management that the concerts and the tour will take place as soon as it is possible again. On the contrary, many promoters still want to dock to the upcoming European tour. Now we are eagerly waiting for the vaccine and that this will happen quickly. And like I said, I want to tour in South-America again.

Freddy, major thanks for your time and effort on this interview. I was glad to hear that you guys haven’t lost your touch on this new record. Well done job. Cheers sir.

I have to thank you, it was a pleasure and great honor for me. I would like to make it short and yet it is immensely important for me: Stay healthy out there and look after yourself! Beware the beast!

Michal Saburov (Metalmania-Magazin)

Nemecká thrash metalová formácia Necronomicon koncom marca vydá nový album s názvom The Final Chapter, čo je vlastne debut novej zostavy. Okrem iného ním reaguje na súčasnú neutešenú situáciu vo svete. O jeho vzniku, o koncertoch na Slovensku a iných veciach porozprával frontman kapely – Freddy.

 

Your new album named “The Final Chapter”. Is it the end of the band?

Hi! First of all, thanks for the interest in the new album.
To be honest, last year I had the thought of quitting. One more disc and then it’s over…. I just couldn’t motivate myself anymore.
We’ll see what the new album brings. I hope there also very strongly, on the support of the label. The canceled European tour will be made up as soon as the situation out there improves, and then we’ll see. I can’t stop completely anyway, I’m too much of a musician and I love this kind of music too much. We will see what comes in 2021.

What are your lyrics about?

The lyrics on the new album are darker than usual. Since I often use metaphors in the lyrics or work with metaphors, I have this time the theme of “death” very strongly focused. This is certainly also a certain processing of the events of last year. This album is a kind of reappraisal of what happened to me and what happened in all over the world last year.
Of course, there is also the theme “Corona” processed or rulers such as Putin, Trump and other criminals who mercilessly exploit their power and the population lives in a mess. Basically, I write “horror children’s books” for adults and pack it into stories.

Could you introduce us new band members? We only know Rik Charron (ex-Exciter). How did you meet him?

I met Rik in 2017 on our European tour. He supported us with his band Dark Ministry and somehow the spark between him and me jumped right away. After Chris had to confess to us on the last tour that he just can’t do it anymore (health problems) I asked Rik without further ado, who immediately agreed and also got Glen on board. Rik joining us is a win-win situation. He really wanted to make music again and we (me) are completely fascinated by his drum style. In addition, he is a really sympathetic and honest person, who fits especially humanly to us. Glenn, too, by the way.

You played in Slovakia already. You even played in our city Košice in 2016. How many times did you played in Slovakia? How do you remember that?

We have played some concerts in Slovakia. Among others also in Bratislava. I love this city, and have also visited it privately and enjoyed the great pubs and bars.

Is it true that you toured the Eastern Block in 1987, and you also visited the former Czechoslovakia?

That was our big Eastern Europe tour after the “Escalation” album; and it was great. Yes, we visited, among others, today’s Czech Republic, Hungary and today’s Slovakia. And all that still under the “iron curtain”, as it was called in our country. For us as a “western band” it was incredibly exciting and thrilling…. and very impressive, because the people and fans were indescribably friendly and enthusiastic.

What was your beginning?

The first band I formed was called Total Rejection; a Punk band. We made the demo tape at that time and then applied to different commercial Punk labels. Curiously, almost all of them told us that the music was too heavy and that we should look for a Metal label. One label asked us to give us a deal, if we rewrote the songs again, more Punk, but I didn’t want that… I still wonder what would have happened to us if we had accepted that proposal back then… Then I founded NECRONOMICON with Jogi, Axel and Lala, and we recorded our first demo tape to end up (unfortunately) at Gama Records. Everyone knows the (tragic) development in the early days until the end of the 90s.

Are you in contact with former members?

With Jogi I still have a friendship and also very close contact. Just like with Andi, who played with Necronomicon for 13 years. Unfortunately, there is no contact with the other guys anymore. Unfortunately!

How do you survive these dark corona times?

I had the most horrible year of my life. Within 2 days, I lost my parents to Corona and I had to struggle with that too. That paralyzes you for the time being; also concerning the planned recordings of the new album. We had fortunately recorded the drums in December 2019, and so we could then, after I had digested the shock to some extent (although that will probably never really go) in August then finally continue. Originally, we wanted to have the album ready in April 2020; to the European tour start. But there it went to us like all the others. Nothing went more. I don’t think we’ve had a crisis like this in the world since the Spanish flu. Especially the music & event industry are totally down. We are fighting for survival. It’s really hard.

If you met God and Satan, what would you ask them?

I would like to have to ask both if the Corona crisis is a battle between good and evil.

Thank you for the interview and give some message for our readers.

I have to thank you; it was a pleasure for me!
I would like to make it short and yet it is immensely important for me: Stay healthy out there and look after yourself!! Beware the beast!!!

The interesting fact about your band is that your last six albums or even more have been released under different labels. Why? Do you currently have any contracts with a stable label or will the new album be released under different label again?
Hi, it`s me Freddy. Thanxx for your interest in NECRONOMICON.
The problem regarding labels is simply to find a fair and good label. And, we never managed to do that. I never wanted to sign with a big label because you can’t make big decisions on your own. So, the line to find the right Label is very narrow. The upcoming album will be back on Puerto Rec. What comes after that we will see.

The interesting fact about your band is that your last six albums or even more have been released under different labels. Why? Do you currently have any contracts with a stable label or will the new album be released under different label again?
Hi, it`s me Freddy. Thanxx for your interest in NECRONOMICON.
The problem regarding labels is simply to find a fair and good label. And, we never managed to do that. I never wanted to sign with a big label because you can’t make big decisions on your own. So, the line to find the right Label is very narrow. The upcoming album will be back on Puerto Rec. What comes after that we will see.

You´re going to release the re-edition of the album “Invictus” from 2012 under the Ukrainian label Metal Scrap Records, or more exactly, Total Metal Records. When it was decided to rerelease this record? Who came up with this idea?
Anatoliy, the label boss of Total Metal Records / Metal Scrap Records is also our tour manager and official promoter. He had the idea and wanted to release the “Invictus” album again with a new cover design.

Interestingly enough, the album is going to be released as a magnetic tape. Was this your plan or did the label wish to do that? Why didn´t you try to make a vinyl version? I guess this album hasn´t been released in this form yet.
You`re right and of course a good idea because of vinyl. But I didn’t want to talk Anatoliy into it, because he had this idea of the good old tape. Maybe Metal Scrap Records Inc. will release vinyl later – all the rights in hands of Anatoliy now.

This album features my probably most favourite song “Possessed by Evil”. Could you describe this song, please? What is it about?
In the good old 80s you had to write bad lyrics as a Thrash Metal band, otherwise you couldn’t get a credible impression. I wouldn’t write the song or the lyrics like that anymore. It`s basically about evil that is reflected in a child. It’s a kind of Omen movie from the 80’s.

I have always wanted to ask about “Before the Curtain Falls”, which is way beyond the overall standard of the album. Could you explain it in detail?
I like to not only write the hard songs all the time, but also to take other musical paths. Be it an acoustic version of “Possesed Again” or a kind of ballad that I already wrote on the “Revenge Of The Beast” or “Screams” album. It’s a kind of metaphor that we should think about how we behave towards other people, nations and countries. Look around you; everywhere there is war, violence, worldwide pollution. Is this the world we or our descendants want to live in?

This re-edition includes the song “Possessed Again” as a bonus and has been transformed into an acoustic version. It is not an ordinary song, but it´s certainly a good one for making the album diverse. What is your opinion? Why did you decide to put this song on this album?
On our first tour of Russia, Andi had the idea to hold a press-conference in a music store and to play an unplugged concert. There was also “Possessed Again” as an acoustic version.

The last studio album, “Unleashed Bastards”, was released in 2018. Therefore, it´s the right time to ask in which state of production is your next album? Could you tell us more about it?
We`re working on it and if all things running well the release will be in October or November this year. It will be a similar hard and strate album to the previous one. Rik’s drum style in particular is very American and is certainly good for us.

You were most likely the first band called NECRONOMICON, but in the course of time, a lot of bands have been established with this name in the world. Haven´t you had any problems with that? Or haven´t you ever thought about changing the name?
I know this problem, believe me. But the name “Necronomicon” is not protectable, that’s the real problem. And I hate learned to live with that situation. Basically, everyone knows us or most can connect us with the name. Maybe not in Canada, because the Black Metallers use the same name there, but in the rest of the world it works quite well.

You have lately been playing a lot of shows in our neck of the woods, that is in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Is there any difference between our fans and those in Germany or somewhere else in Europe?
Of course…. Many German fans are spoiled because Germany is a hot spot in the metal business. I love the Slovaks, the Eastern countries and their fans. They are very authentic and honest, and very enthusiastic. You can find that also in South America or Russia.

The Metal concert life is now paused due to the Coronavirus, but there seems to be a silver lining. Have you already planned any concerts for the time when Europe will be opened?
We want to re-start our canceled European tour. This is a absolute priority.

How do the members of NECRONOMICON spend their time during these tough days?
I had the hardest time of my life, I lost my parents because of Covid-19 within 2 days and got the virus myself. It is still very, very difficult and painful.

Your music and your style can be labeled as an Old School Thrash Metal, which is faithful to traditions and the message of the times, which was the one today´s men in their forties and older ones were growing up on. How do you perceive the progressive development in Metal happening nowadays, in the case of music or image?
Fortunately, we see a lot of young Thrash Metal fans on our shows. That gives hope and motivation. That is also the reason why I keep going after 35 years and I can’t stop. I just love this kind of music and the people who are happy with it.

Thank you for your time and interview!
You`re welcome man. And thank a lot, too!!

Interview was prepared by Heather Williams (for K.K. Downing)

A new era of Exciter emerged in the late nineties, morphing from an 1980’s speed metal powerhouse into a brutal, thrash metal -machine. They made appearances at festivals around the world, most notably Wacken (twice) in Germany, the Bang Your Head, Rock Hard and Keep It True festivals also in Germany, True Thrash Fest in Japan, and Sweden Rock.

Exciter changed their lineup many times over the years, but three members have stood the longest: guitarist John Ricci, drummer Dan Beehler, and drummer Rik Charron.

In this interview, we put the spotlight on Rik Charron. Rik pounded the kit for Exciter in the 1990’s era of the band. Currently, Rik is drumming for German 1980’s thrash band Necronomicon. He’s on a little downtime now because of the current pandemic as are most other musicians around the planet and gave me some time for an interview.

 

First, I must bring this up as it’s only fitting. You’ve mentioned before that one of your favorite bands is Judas Priest and one of your favorite albums is “Unleashed In The East”. Why are these your favorite?

I was and still am a huge original Kiss, Ace (Frehley) and Peter (Criss) -era fan. They were an amazing hard rock band. Hell, if it weren’t for Peter Criss and his thundering drums, I wouldn’t be a drummer right now. One day, however, while browsing at the local record store looking at LP’s , yes… I said LP’s (laughs), I came across the band Judas Priest who looked heavy with all the leather and flying V guitars and asked the store owner what the album on the rack sounded like (“Unleashed In The East”).

There were other albums from them on the rack but “Unleashed in the East” caught my eye because it had a cool pic of the band in a live setting so I chose that one. The owner said it was a great live album. I said “ like Kiss “Alive” and “Alive II”? “. He said, “better!” I said “no way”… He said “trust me”. So I bought it and OMG! that album blew me away!!!! I’ve been a major Priest fan ever since.

For most fans of Exciter, Exciter is John Ricci, Dan Beehler, and Allen Johnson, but you spent an enormous amount of time in Exciter, 18 1/2 years to be exact and made five studio albums with them. As far as I am concerned, there are two eras of drummers in Exciter. Dan Beehler was in the beginning. He founded the band and played in that magical time, and there is no denying his legacy, but you came in and took over with your own power, your own sound and held your own for a very long time. You also have a legacy with Exciter. But also, in a sense, did you feel cool playing in a band that has such a huge footprint in metal music? Like maybe you said to yourself ” Wow, I’m here playing drums where Dan Beehler played” type thing?

Let me just say this… I knew when I was chosen to be the new drummer of Exciter that I’d have big shoes to fill because Dan Beehler was such a prominent presence in the band being the drummer/vocalist. At least I only had to fill the drum spot in the band as John Ricci didn’t want another singing drummer in Exciter. It was overwhelming at first being in the band. I didn’t know if I would EVER get accepted as the drummer because for almost three years the fans were still screaming out “BEEHLER” when I played shows.

My drumming is quite different from Dan’s, so I knew people would eventually accept me because for a small guy I do play very aggressively and with a lot of power and was quite visual on stage, so it took three years of playing shows and two albums to actually be accepted as the drummer of Exciter and, a snap of the finger for the fans to forget the 18 plus years I played in the band when the original band reformed. That’s what happens when you aren’t an original member…C’est la vie. I’m just happy I was there and part of the rebirth of the band in 1996 to 2014.

A little breaking news: you, Dan, and Allen actually talk now. How’d that come about? I know your departure from Exciter was bizarre and totally unexpected and Dan has no hard feelings with you nor you with him. You two need to get a picture together! That would drive fans wild. Could that be possible?

Yes, Dan, Allan and I speak from time to time. It all came about after John Ricci shockingly left the band about two years ago. Dan and Allan were looking for a rehearsal space which they lost with John’s departure. One of their roadies (friends) contacted me to see if I still had a rehearsal space and if I’d willing to share it with them. Since my band Dark Ministry was on hiatus because of things I just don’t want to get into right now, I told them they could come and see it and rent half the space if they needed to.

Dan and Allan came to see the space and you could feel a little tension in the air but after talking, a bit of the tension all fizzled away as we all saw that neither they or I had any hard feelings for what happened and said they’d take the space. You see, contrary to popular belief… I didn’t really know Dan or Allan nor did they know me. I had met them only a few times when I was in the band and it was always cordial. I’m not sure why fans, friends and interviewers thought we disliked each other because we never really actually spoke to each other… rumors suck, man.

In actual fact, when I technically was ousted from the band in 2014 for things that weren’t of my doing or fault… and heard of the original band reforming… I was happy and excited for them. Not sure what happened or why John decided to leave this time, nor is it my business to know. Dan and Allan are cool guys…not sure what they think of me (laughs) but I think the feeling is mutual.

As for Dan and I getting a pic together, that would be cool and possibly stop some of the rumors out there. I’m sure many fans, old and new, would like it as well and you never know… it may happen in time.

Could you say that in the nineties, Exciter was part of the second wave of thrash metal which ran from the late 1980s to early-to-mid 1990s? You came in right at that time when this second wave was flourishing. The albums you guys made during that time were phenomenal. “Blood of Tyrants”, “Thrash Speed Burn” and “The Dark Command” were thrash gems full of pure speed and heavy aggression. Maybe Exciter didn’t get much credit for that because the industry was too busy promoting others like Testament, Sepultura, and Pantera.

Yeah, I guess you could say we came in during the second wave. But as a Canadian band doing it all ourselves with no agent or manager and no corporate backing from the labels or the music industry at large, Exciter didn’t get as much recognition as other American or European bands. Another possibility is because of too many line-up changes over the years in the band, not to mention taking almost four years writing songs between album releases didn’t help either.

I want to approach this question carefully, but what was the deal with Dan Beehler’s exit and your entry into Exciter?

I heard stories as to why Dan was fed up and left Exciter but in actual fact, I don’t really know why he decided to leave the band in 1993 or 1994. Like I said all I heard were secondhand stories so I can’t say nor do I want to speculate why he left the group. As for my entry in 1995, I heard an announcement on the local radio station of a professional established band seeking a drummer and to call to make an appointment for an audition. I recognized the phone number, called, did two auditions for Exciter and got the drummer’s position.

What do you think prepared you for your role in Exciter and why do you think you had what it took to be in the band? You were up against a huge, iconic band whose legacy was firmly cemented in the magic of 1980’s old school heavy metal. What was it like when you found yourself in the band?

What prepared me was determination and confidence in my abilities as a drummer. Yes, it was a huge legacy I was joining, and I knew it would be a hard road to gain the admiration and respect of Exciter fans worldwide. For the first many years, I felt like an outsider in the band. Even though I gave it my all on stage and while recording earning the respect from the fans and other musicians worldwide, I still felt like a fill in drummer of sorts. Like a feeling I was part of Exciter and at the same time… not really part of Exciter. You know what I mean? I was always prepared for Dan’s return… which only happened 20 years late.

Did you think, after entering the band that you’d literally have to pick up where Dan left off concerning style or sound or was John open to trying something new? Was he looking for a different sound than what Exciter was previously known for?

I didn’t really know what to expect when I joined the band. I just knew that I had to learn all the original songs that Dan played on, so I felt like I had some big shoes to fill. When it came time to start writing the first album “Dark Command”, I started out playing or I should say imitating Dan’s drumming but John said to take my own ideas and make it heavier and faster with lots of double bass drums – as he wanted Exciter to be faster and heavier than before. I did what was asked of me and I did that concept of drumming for all the albums I played on. For John Ricci, the faster the drumming and as much double bass as possible… the better.

Tell us about your time in Exciter? You shared the stage with John Ricci who is a founding and longest running member. You toured and played albums with him and I think people dismiss that too easily. What was it like working with John?

My time in Exciter was a roller coaster ride to say the least. Sometimes it was hard to remember what day it was because though we did two or three actual European and South American tours, most of our shows were weekend jaunts to Europe as well as other parts of the world for a festival here and show there. Here’s what I mean by a roller coaster ride: we’d leave Canada on a Thursday, arrive at our destination on a Friday, play the show on a Saturday and back on a plane to Canada on a Sunday. I did that for 18 years. Not sure why we didn’t actually tour as opposed to accepting so many weekend jaunts all over the world, because I personally could have toured extensively and I’m sure Exciter fans would have liked to see us on a full-blown tour, but it just never seemed to happen for whatever reason.

“Blood of Tyrants” is my number one out of the albums you’ve made with Exciter and is a GREAT album! This album is pure energy, strong, solid and gives off major old school Priest vibes. What’s up with that?

When we started out recording this album, John wanted a straightforward speed album and I think we delivered on that. Needless to say, the fans that got to see us play those songs live were in awe because we played them faster live and even more aggressive during a live show.

I know you’ve had your share of amazing times while playing with Exciter, tell us some of the highlights?

Some of the major highlights I had in the band was playing some huge metal festivals in front of thousands of screaming fans in Europe, South America, Canada and Japan, meeting fans and other musicians from bands I grew up listening to and admired from around the world and playing on the 70000 tons of metal cruise. The most memorable festival I played at was Wacken (twice). I played in front of 70 or 80 thousand people at one of those shows. Other shows I enjoyed playing were Sweden Rock, 70000 tons of Metal and Bang your Head festival. I personally had a great time touring with Anvil as well.

You auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne once. Tell us about that.

Not much to tell really… I failed! (laughs) I was only one drummer of many at the audition. I was recorded playing a few songs in front of a camera. I think I played the songs too fast because nerves got the better of me and I got my rejection letter a few months later thanking me to have taken the time and effort to audition. However, they chose another drummer. I didn’t even get to meet Ozzy. (laughs)

Let’s talk about your drumming style. Listening to you play, it’s just amazing. The speed, the aggression, you really keep it tight. Describe your “signature double bass” drumming style? Tell us why you’ve never used triggers, you’re au natural!

I like playing intricate double bass patterns when I play drums, like following the guitar riff pattern to strengthen the main riff of a song. Playing paradiddles on the bass drums is another thing I sometimes do. I never got into triggers when it was all the rage in metal drumming because I rather hear and feel each subtle bass drum stroke which gives it a more human feel. You can hear the slightly different tuning of the bass drum head and you yourself control the power and intensity of each stroke… you can’t get that with triggers. Each hit is triggered to the same intensity, sound and volume. You don’t get that human feel or sound from triggers.

What kind of drum set up do you have?

I have a Pearl custom all chrome 8 ply maple shell kit with 2x 24” bass drums, 10, 12, 13 and 14 inch rack toms, a 16 inch floor tom, 7 cymbals of varying sizes and types made by TRX cymbals and a massive 14inch diameter by 16 inch deep free floating wooden Pearl snake drum.

Right now, as mentioned earlier, you currently drum for 1980’s thrash band Necronomicon. There is a new album you guys are putting together (the tenth studio album) which had to be cut short because of the pandemic. Also, you were getting ready to go on a European tour which also had to be canceled. Tell us what’s going on?

Right, so I joined Necronomicon in 2019 and went to Germany and recorded all the drum parts for the album within a few days back in December 2019. Then an Eastern European tour was announced for March/April 2020, so I flew out to Germany to rehearse with the band in early March, but the tour got cancelled due to the pandemic just a few days after I arrived in Europe. Took me ten days to find a flight home to Canada because each flight was being cancelled left, right and center!

In the meantime, since the tour was cancelled, the rest of the guys in Necronomicon were finishing off all their parts for the album and had it mixed and mastered. The album is called “The Final Chapter” and should be released by the end of March 2021. Management is hoping to reschedule the tour for some time this year but the way the pandemic is spreading with new variants, I don’t foresee it happening. It’s too bad because I’m itching to play live again. I could be wrong about us not touring again this year, but my gut instinct tells me it won’t happen, and my instincts are usually correct. However, Necronomicon will tour as soon as the world pandemic and lockdowns permits.

Thanks Rik for this great interview and giving us some insight into Exciter from your end and we wish you the best with Necronomicon!

Thank you for the opportunity and great interview Heather.

Nie prowadzcie po pijaku!!!
Dostałem okazję przeprowadzenia wywiadu z Necronomiconem. Kto nie zna, polecam sprawdzić w google. Spodziewałem się raczej spokojnej rozmowy z jedną osobą, a dostałem jako rozmówcę cały zespół. Sam nie wiem, kiedy przy tej wesołej atmosferze minął czas przeznaczony na wywiad.

Interview was prepared by Kacper Hawryluk (for HMP #64)

 

HMP: Zacznijmy od pierwszego oczywistego pytania. Dlaczego tak diugo zaj?io wam przyjechac do Polski?
Freddy: Nie wiem dokladnie czemu. Sytuacja nigdy nie byla dobra, zeby u was zagrac. Jestem absolutnie dumny, ze teraz mog stac tutaj i zagrac dla was.

Siyszaies kiedys cos o Polsce, naszej metalowej scenie albo publice?
Freddy: Tak slyszalem. Od moich znajomych z Destruction. Mowili, ze jest tutaj fantastycznie i granie dla takiej publiki to ogromna frajda. Znam tylko jeden zespol z polski Vader.
Chris: Znam Kata z lat 80tych. (smiech)

Jakie macie oczekiwania odnosnie do dzisiejszego koncertu?
Freddy: Duzo ludzi i szalona zabawa.
Mike: Miyn pod scen. (smiech)
Freddy: Przede wszystkim duzo ludzi i zabawy, zeby wszystkim si podobal koncert.

Poniewaz gracie u nas pierwszy raz, jak b?dzie wygladala setlista na dzisiejszy koncert? Planujecie zagrac tylko stare kawaiki czy wymieszac je z nowymi?
Freddy: To bdzie mix.

Porozmawiajmy o “Pathfinder… Between Heaven and Hell”. Czy jest to concept album? Jeili tak to, o czym on jest?
Freddy: Tak, jest to concept album. Bazuje na historii zespolu. Na tym, co si dzialo przez te wszystkie lata. Konfliktach w nim oraz o mojej prywatnej historii.

Okiadka wyglda jak jakiS krzyzowiec wyruszajacy na krucjat? Jestes pasjonatem historii sredniowiecza?
Freddy: Mike, moze cos powiesz o nowej okladce?
Mike: Co masz na mysli.
Freddy: No opowiedz o okladce naszej ostatniej plyty.
Mike: (Smiech)
Freddy: No co sdzisz o nowej okladce Mike? Mike: (Smiech)
Freddy: No dobra. Okladka zostala namalowana i od razu nam si spodobala. Przedstawia krzyzowca, ktory jest gotowy walczyc przeciwko zlu i wszystkiemu. Tak wygldala moja sytuacja w zespole kilka lat temu. Dostalem wiele razy po dupie. Okladka odzwierciedla dokladnie t sytuacja

Jaki jest twoj ulubiony numer z tego albumu i dlaczego?
Marco: “Inside The Fire”.
Freddy: Ten i jeszcze jeden. Jak on si$ nazywa? (nuci)
Chris: “Alone In The Dark”. To tez, moj ulubiony.
Freddy: Dokladnie ten.

Twoj wokal zmieniai si? z czasem. Na poczatku krzyczaies, a teraz giownie spiewasz. Skad ta zmiana?
Freddy: Ten album jest, dla mnie bardzo personalny. Kazdy utwor cos znaczy i mog£ na nim nawet plakac. Kazda rzecz w utworach jest inna i genialnym pomyslem bylo nie krzyczec przez caly album. Dla mnie bardzo wazne bylo, zeby zmiksowac wszystkie warianty wokalne. Bylem w Berlinie i Chirs pomagal mi duzo w kreowaniu wokali na ten album. Nagrywalem i pytatem, co o tym sdzi. A on mowit, zebym albo to zrobil delikatniej, albo wydart mord$ bardziej w tym kawatku. Byto to strasznie interesujce. (smiech)

Mamy koncowk wrzesnia. Jak wygldafy wasze wakacje? Graliscie na festiwalach?
Freddy: W Europie gralismy tylko w Niemczech. Teraz mamy w planach wicej koncertow w Europie, a za rok lecimy do Japonii. Podpisalismy teraz kontrakt z now wytworni. Wytwornia jest z Holandii i chtopaki robi tam naprawd dobr robot. Maj kilka zespotow z Japonii, dlatego rnysl, ze uda nam si$ tam poleciec. Oczywiscie jeszcze lecimy do potudniowej ameryki. Argentyna i Brazylia to s nasze plany na przyszty rok.

Wrocimy do poczatköw. Kiedy zaczynafes, byliscie jednym z pionierow niemieckiego thrash metalu.
Freddy: Dziki. (smiech)

Co ci$ wtedy inspirowafo?
Freddy: Moimi personalnymi inspiracjami zawsze byt punk. Dorastatem z t muzyk. Z drugiej strony takie zespoty jak Slayer czy Metallica szybko zrobity swoje. Zacztem myslec, ze fajnie by byto potczyc te gatunki i tak powstat Necronomicon.

Wasz pierwszy album zostaf wydany 30 lat temu. Jak wspominasz ten okres, sesj$ nagraniow, pierwszy koncert?
Freddy: O tak pierwszy koncert. (smiech) Pierwszy koncert byt smieszny. Gramy i gramy a tu nagle popsuta mi si$ gitara. Cos si$ spierdolito i przestata grac. Bytem strasznie zirytowany i peten nerwow. Zastanawiatem si$, co mog£ zrobic… i tak reszt koncertu bytem tylko wokalist. Bytem wkurzony strasznie. Tak wygldat moj pierwszy koncert.

Czy szykujecie jakies specjalne wydanie pierwszego albumu?
Freddy: Moze. Myslelismy o ponownym nagraniu pierwszych trzech albumow. Wytwornia tez jest tym zainteresowana. Prawdopodobnie wydamy to w przysztym roku razem z nowym albumem. Bdzie to bardzo interesujce. Ciekawe jest to, ze zawsze jak jestem we wschodniej Europie, to widz wydania naszych pierwszych plyt, o ktorych nawet nie mialem pojcia. Jest to dziwne i dose ciekawe. (smiech)

Jak juz mowimy o pierwszym albumie, to nie sposob pominc okfadk?. Jak si? nazywa ten potwor z niej i skd pomysf stworzenia go? Chcieliscie miec swoja maskotk? tak jak np. Overkill, Motorhead?
Freddy: Tak, okladka zostala namalowana przez goscia, ktory byl strasznie zainspirowany Gigerem. Znasz Gigera? Koles stworzyl obcego, okladki dla Triptykona oraz mikrofon Kornowi. I tak wlasnie narysowal tego potwora. Nawet nie wiem, co to jest. Wyglda jak wampir. Marco dorastal z t maskotk. Robil nawet koszulki z ni. (smiech)
Marco: Tak bylo. Freddy jako jedyny jest od pocztku. My dorastalismy z jego muzyk. I to logo wiele dla nas znaczy.
Chris: Jestesmy starzy. (smiech)

No to porozmawialismy o okfadce. Moze porozmawiajmy o tekstach? Na poczatku byfy one efektem fascynacji tworczosria H.P. Lovercrafta. Co inspiruje ci? do pisania tekstow teraz?
Freddy: Teraz zalez od politycznej sytuacji, mojej prywatnej. Przykladem jest ostatni album. Nie interesuje mnie tworzenie jakis strasznych i zlych utworow. Tekstow jak szatan, zlo i tego typu rzeczy.

“Possessed By Evil”?
Freddy: (Smiech) No tak, taki tekst napisalem, ale to bylo na pierwszej plycie.

Jaki jest twoj ulubiony album Necronomicon?
Marco: “Invictus”.
Freddy: Moj tez.
Mike: Ostatni.
Chris: Wszystkie. (smiech)

Jested jedyny osoba w zespole, ktora jest od jego poczatk6w. MySlafeS kiedyS, aby zakonczyc dziafalnosc Necronomicon i zaczac z nowym zespofem?
Freddy: Kiedys tworzylismy zespol i przezylismy wiele. Bylismy przyjaciolmi i to wiele dla mnie znaczyio. Obecnie nie chce ich nigdy widziec. Mam nowy skiad i mam nadzieje, ze to juz ostatni.

Premiera ostatniej pfyty odbyfa si? rok temu. Rozpocz?liscie komponowanie nowego materialu?
Freddy: Tak. Pracuje nad nowymi utworami. Czuj$ presj wytworni, bo oni chc wydac nowy album jakos na przeiomie kwietnia/maja. Pracuj$ pod presj, ale jest to dla mnie dobre. (smiech)

Co sadzisz o obecnej scenie thrash metalowej w Niemczech i jak bys ja porownaf do jej poczatkow?
Freddy: O to powinienes zapytac chiopakow. Ja nie dam ci jasnej odpowiedzi, za bardzo w tym siedz. Jedyn odpowiedzi, ktor mogibys ode mnie usiyszec, byiaby bardzo emocjonalna. To jest moja muzyka, kocham j i fascynuje si$ ni. Chce j tworzyc szersz. Chce dodawac do niej nowe elementy. To czyni nas ekscytujcym. Jestem dumny z przynaleznosci do niemieckiej sceny metalowej. Kreator, Sodom, jak i miode zespoiy dumnie reprezentuj niemieck scen i mozemy byc z tego tylko dumni.
Chris: Zespoiy z lat 80tych graiy giownie jeden gatunek. Teraz miode zespoiy, jak i te starsze zacziy miksowac muzyk. Powstaia awangarda.
Mike: Dla wielu granie thrash metalu jest proste. Siadasz, grasz, nagrywasz. Pozniej to odtwarzasz, siuchasz i okazuje si$, ze jest to gowno. Wazne jest to, zeby wszyscy w zespole grali i czuli to samo. Nie jest to iatwe do wyjasnienia. Thrash metal to nie tylko muzyka. Dla mnie to cos o wiele wicej. Zwiaszcza w Necronomicon, kazdy z nas jest dobrym muzykiem, ale to razem tworzymy t£ caiosc. Zwiaszcza na scenie.
Chris: Widzisz, pytanie byio iatwe, a odpowiedz wyszia filozoficzna. (smiech)

Skoro juz mowimy o niemieckim thrash metalu to, co sadzicie o nowych plytach Sodom i Destruction?
Marco: (Smiech)Nie siyszaiem.
Freddy: Tez jeszcze nie.
Chris: Tez mnie cos minio.
Marco: Co do Destruction, to oni wyrobili juz swoj styl. Tak jak Slayer. I ta plyta na pewno jest kolejn plyt Destruction. Nie eksperymentowali z jakims doomem. Po prostu wal prosto z mostu w rnord i to dziala. To jest ich thrash metal i nie chc nic w nim zmieniae. Freddy: Jestem pewny, ze nie wydali niczego zlego.

Jak to jest, ze grade juz tak dfugo, a mafo kto w ogole o was sfyszaf?
Mike: To trudne. Sdz, ze to przez to, ze nie gramy na kazdym festiwalu. Nie jestesmy w trasie za czsto. To moja opinia na ten temat. Wiele osob sdzi, ze istniejemy tylko jako projekt studyjny.
Freddy: Nie zgodz si$ z tym. Najwikszym powodem tego jest to, ze kiedys podjlem zle decyzje z wytworniami. W ich wyniku stracilismy wszystkie prawa do naszych nagran. Wytwornie obiecuj ci wiele, ale nic nie daj. Jesli jestes duzym zespolem, to znaczy, ze miales szczscie z wytworni i oni pozwolili ci si$ wybie. Daj szanse zespolom grae duze trasy, przez co te zespoly s znane. Nie jestesmy znani przez moje zle decyzje. Coz mam nadzieje, ze teraz mamy juz ostatni wytworni, bo wicej nie znios. (smiech)

Dzi?ki za wywiad. Masz jakas wiadomosc, dla Polskich fanow?
Mike: Yyyy… wspierajcie nas.
Chris: Pocztek, koniec, pocztek, koniec. (macha rkami w gor$ i w dol)
Marco: Przychodzicie na koncerty i bawcie si$ dobrze. Bo sluchanie muzyki tylko w domu to gowno. Nie poczujecie emocji ogldajc koncert na ekranie telefonu albo laptopa. Jesli chcecie prawdziwe emocje i dzwik musicie ise na koncert. Nie siedzicie w domu.
Freddy: Sluchajcie i zyjcie muzyk, bo ona nie zna granic. Jestesmy teraz w Polsce i poznalismy zajebistych ludzi. Jestesmy jedn rodzin i jest to heavy metalowa rodzina. I to jest wspaniale i ekscytujce.
Chris: To ja dorzuc jeszcze: nie prowadzacie po pijaku!!!(Smiech i brawa)

 

Interview was prepared by Kremator (Rock Hard Magazine #36)

 

NECRONOMICON started to write its history back in early 80s, actually at the same time like other gians of German trash metal – KREATOR, SODOM, etc. How do you remember this era? At that time how did you feel about thrash metal spreading across the territories? Who did you admire at that time?
Freddy: Well, first of all, thanxx for your interest in NECRONOMICON. It´s an honour for me to answer your questions. Well Thrash Metal is a kind of what you´re standing for. I always compare it with the Punk Generation. It´s just something completely sperate. Something unique. You have to live this style and I do not even know that has changed or developed a lot in Thrash Metal. NECRONOMICON in the 80´s consisted of the founding members Jogi, Axel, Lala and me. We hung out together every day, all made in common…..We were one. It means, all our experience we made together. The good things and the bad things. We create our own style what concernce the music in Thrash metal and we were all just together in private. This time was really cool.

You released first studio album after two years, later on you came with new stuff every year, after the third album you took more time to record another one and after „Screams“ you suddenly got quiet for 10 years. What did cause this long break?
Well, GAMA REC. ( our first label ) was one of tour most neagative things. This label ripped off all the band who signed there. We never got our money and lost our song-& name-rights for over 15 years. Only with a lot of money and legal fees I was able to got the rights back. And, the of course, we became personal problems. Lala split the band, Jogi got a tinitus, Axel became healthy problems, too ect……Only now, I hope so, everything has settled again positiv. NEVER GIVE UP !!!

Since your fifth album you’ve been following 4-year break. Was this your intention or is it just coincidence?
Just coincidence
On the other hand I also always need a bit of time for new ideas . I can not produce such as on an assembly line . For this I love this kind of music too much . For me, every album is a new challenge and very important to give my best on it…..

If I’m correct, each album was released via different label. That’s not common at all. Did you plan this or did you have no luck to choose a good recoding company?
It´s not easy to find a good label, absolutely not. And I made mistakes in the past as for my choices, oh yes. But that’s as in love. You know it takes some time whether it was the right decision (Hahaha) I am even happier now, to find ta good label in “IntoTheLimelight Records” / „SOULFOOD DISTRIBUTION” with our management agency „EAM“

There’s been a lot of bands named NECRONOMICON around the world. You were probbaly the first who came with the name, but despite of it, did you experience any missunderstandings or complications because of it? Did you think about changing your name?
Unfortunately the name is not protected by law. So there are some other bands, they move with our awareness like the Canadian Necronomicon. That bugs me enourmesly. The basic idea was to find a name that is not as clichéd. We did not expect that it will be so many imitators

Age average in your band got lower recently. Although NECRONOMICON has been on the scene for many years, you haven’t faces major changes in line-up? What were the relationships in the band in the past and how is it now? Where there any extreme cases, when you just had to fire a band-mate?
We got a lot of set backs in our era. And we got personal problems, too. Jogi got a tinitus, Mac and Axel became healthy problems, Andi get married and wants to create his future otherweise, ect……so I formed the band new on 2015. Nowadays I got fantastic guys, who help me to bring NECRONOMICON to where it belongs. And I got very different personalities in my band. Great guys, absolutely; and great musicians. But we also need the difference to each other. Some of them got family and so it´s a normal process that something shifted. But we are all very good friends.

„Pathfinder…between Heaven and Hell“ is your latest album so far. To me it’s a natural successor of your previous record „Invictus“, where you introduced more melodies, riffs are more complicated and the old school straightforward trash and its simplicity is gradually dissapearing. What is your opinion on it? How do you see direction of the band? Freddy: The new album is a so called „concept album“ , which is gonna to reflect the band’s history … the good and bad times and the not easy way the band and I trodden until today. I`ve thought a long time about how to tackle the new album, cause the „ Invictus“ album was very personal and also very stressful for me, because I really wanted to deliver a really good and outstanding album. So it was a big challenge how I should go about it…especially to unite the way and the history of the band with the songs and lyrics. I have to confess , I had to take this step with scareness, especially will it gonna be interpreted and understood by the fans on the right way. But I wanted to make sure , and I am fully convinced and happy about
„ Pathfinder….“ . Well, everyone expects, indeed of a Thrash Metal Band like us , a continous fire of speed and attack…but if you followed the bands history over the last years , you will see different path of songwriting like other Thrash Metal bands especially in Germany . We have , I think so , found a very unique mix of Thrash and Heavy Metal … just our way. It’s just my interpretation of music that I like and prefer and
Pathfinder linked thenceforth. Perhaps, the new album is a little more adventurous , even what regards the sound . We wanted to get back to the roots, almost like in the 80s Discontinued these exaggerated modern sound, by now, all bands prefer. We deliberately let the guitar sound like an original Gibson Les Paul and we do not use drum samples. It sounds like a rehearsal session….pure, clear and honestly and just not distorted.

When do you plan to release new album? I hope it’s not a secret. How far are you with the composing process? Do you know via which label you’re going to release it? Can you tell us more details – how many songs will be there, approximate release date, etc.?
The new album will be released in April or May 2017. Now, I´m working on new material. With the new management and label I hope the future for NECRONOMICON will be save. I´m gonna to plan to produce 10 or 12 brand-new songs and some live versions from older stuff. The new label is gonna be very interested to create a Digi Pack with gifts for the fans.

How would you sum up recent festival season? When did you play? What do the live shows mean to the band? Where can we see you in the recent future? I think you’re going to play in Czech Republic in Ostrava in October. Is it going to be the only show in Czech Republic and Slovakia?
Because of the upcoming festival season, we are working on. Fact is, we have to go to Japan and South America to promote the new release in 2017.
This year we start our East European Tour in September over Poland, Czech Republik and Slovakia. Im looking forward to it. It will be great!!!!

Thank you for the interview. Couple of words you’d like to add?
We got more than 25 years dedicate thru this kind of music, we got heaven and we got hell in this area, believe me, but only this fucking noise of this music let us be alive. Perhaps not for the next upcoming 30 years live on stage (grins)…..but still for a long long time.
Thanxx again for you´re interest in us and the faith of our fans to this band. It was and is an honor for me to be part of the game
Thrashy greets
Freddy

NECRONOMICON,
HORTUS ANIMAE,
ACID FORCE
Banskä Bystrica (SK)
RC Tartaros 9.10.2016

Interview was prepared by Dusan Kmet, Erik Nadudvari (Rock Hard Magazine #36)

 

Poslednäzastävka turne nazvaneho “Total Metal Over Europe” v cele s legendou germanskeho thrash metalu NECRONOMICON za sprievodu talianskych dark metalistov HORTUS ANIMAE sa uskutocnila v ütrobäch banskobystrickeho klubu Tartaros. Kedze BB zase od MT tak faleko nie je, bol by hriech proti “nasej viere” sa tejto akcie nezücastnif.
Po prichode, pociatocnom rozkukam a spocitam osadenstva (toho dna bolo v “Podsveti” naozaj polopräzdno) nasledovalo stretnutie a kratky pokec s tour manazerom Anatolyom. Pohodovy typek, ktory o. i. sefuje ukrajinskemu labelu Metal Scrap Records porozpräval co to o fungovam sceny na Ukrajine, no to uz podium zacali rozohrievaf domäci thrashers ACID FORCE. Mladici sa so smutnym udelom predkapely v prazdnom klube, ktora hra pre priblizne sesf fudi s pivom v ruke, vysporiadali celkom hrdinsky a ich vysokooktänovy thrash/ crossover v style NUCLEAR ASSAULT/ D.R.I. musel presvedcif pritomnych, ze aj v nasej malej banänovej vlasti mä tento styl nielen fanusikov, ale aj kvalitnych interpretov. Po ich zivelnom sete plnom divokeho metalu, vrtuli a skäkania je tu krätka prestävka, ktoru vyplnujeme krätkym rozhovorom s hlavnymi hrdinami nederneho vecera (teda pytal sa kolega Erik a na 90% otäzok odpovedal frontman Freddy). Näsledne este neja- ke pekne spolocne fotecky a prichädza cas na podporu druhej kapely vecera, talianskych “avantgarde extreme metal pioneers” HORTUS ANIMAE. Ja ich tvorbu veFmi avantgardne nevmmam, jednä sa skör o prepracovanejsi a trochu technic- kpjsi atmnriark mrtal s nrpsahmi dn dpath a black metalu. Chlapci sa sfce snazili a spevak na zaciatku kazdej skladby neunavne hecoval divakov, no ich hudba asi slovenskemu metlosovi nie je vefmi znama a tak najvacsf rozruch vyvolali zaverecnou SLAYER peckou “Raining Blood”, v ktorej im hosfovsky zaskriekal aj Freddy z NECRONOMICON. Prestavka, pocas ktorej zisfujeme, ze rady na pivo a toalety sa netvoria, pretoze k tym tridsiatim platiacim navstevnfkom zo zaciatku, pribudlo mozno cfalsich pat. Vofny cas a fajciarsku prestavku sme vyuzili na kratky rozhovor s Freddym, drvicom mikrofonu NECRONOMICON.

Ahij Freddy, akd zatiar prebieha tur- ne a ako sa o vas starajd? Daji vam aspoi dobre najesf?
(Freddy sa usmeje a prikyvne.) Dobre, sme spokojni, i keif toho vera nenaspime. Vetf vies, kazdy den o polnoci koncfme, balfme, hnecf rano o siestej vstavame a zase sa presuvame. S jedlom sme spokojm, ale porcie by mohli byf vacsie. (smeje sa)

Kaa mate aamiereid?
No, caka nas cesta do Ruska, kde ale letime lietadlom. Tesime sa. Mikrobusom by to bolo pnlis faleko. (burlivy smiech celej skupiny) V minulosti sme tarn hrali niekofkokrat, nie je to pre nas neznama destinacia. Hralo sa nam tarn dobre, vzdy sme boli spokojni.

Spomenies si aa lajzvlistejsie sies¬ta, kde ste hrali v minulosti?
(Freddy chvifu usilovne premysra a pofahuje z cigarety.) Ak sa dobre pamatam, bolo to davnejsie v jednom klube v Nemecku. Dole doslo k nejakym problemom s nackami, takze sme nemali na vyber a museli sa presunut hore na povalu. A teraz si predstav, povala bola sikma a tak nizka, ze sme vsetci museli byf skrceni a v tejto neprirodzenej polohe sme odohrali koncert. Bolo to naozaj sialene.

Neprekiza väm dnesna slab! navstevnosf?
Ale nie, to je v pohode. Piny klub samo? Ij rejme vzdy potesi, ale sme tu hlavne na podporu nasho noveho albumu. Okrem toho, v malych kluboch hrame radi, kvoli atmosfere.
A prichadza cas pre legendu, ktora svoj prvy zapis na asfalt vydala uz v roku 1986, no moj kazefak (a isto aj mnoho (falsfch) rozvibrovala az v roku 1988 ne zabudnutefnym albumom .Escalation”. I Smutny smajlfk (ze aka blbosf) hovorf, ze z neho nezaznela ani nota, no kapela nam to vynahradila poctivym thrasher skym nasadenim a pozitivnou naladou.
Gro skladieb ktore zazvucali z podia, pochadzalo z poslednych dvoch albumov. I Uvod patril .Pathfinder” a “Betrayed” z najnovsieho (teda vlastne uz rok stareho) studioveho pocinu a aj ked1 dnesnatvar NECRONOMICON uz nie je taka zivelna ako za onych cias a je viac melodicka a prepracovanejsia, NECRONOMICON I stale vedia ako ma znief Thrash. Podpodiom pribuda par hrozicov a ukazal sa aj nejaky ten “vrtulnik”. Atmosferu I zahusfuju “Unconquered” a “Upon Black I Wings” (album “Invictus”), nasleduje pecka “Inside The Fire” plus spomienka na album “Construction Of Evil” z dvetisic stvrteho, sfapava “Terrorist Attack”. I Fandovia reaguju, kapela vyzera spokojne a sype do Tudi “Invictus”, “Bloody Bastard,” “Face to The Wall”… Je tu skoro I zaver, takze este mala hra na ,My akozeodchadzame a Vy nas nechcete pustif,” I samozrejme, ze sa pridava a nakoniec zaznie aj pamatmcka “Magic Forest” (1986). Po nej uz skutocny koniec, tfakovanie, podavanie ruk a spolocne fotenie fanusikov s kapelou.
Aj napriek slabej ucasti metaloveho naroda sa akcia vydarila a ja som odchadzal domov s takym tym hrejivym pocitom pri srdci a spokojnym usmevom na tvari (ziadna trava, len THRASH a par piv:).