Occult
Wywiad przeprowadził Michał Kowalski
I like Occult because of their uncompromising music which is the mixture of the old Slayer, Kreator and Protector style. Maurice - Occult's vocalist have got something to say to those of you who still believe in thrash/black metal domination. So sit down, press the 'play' button in your CD player, listen to the excellent "Rage To Revenge" album and feel invited to the 'back in time' trip when Maurice...Maurice, before joining Occult you have played drums in Bestial Summoning. I'm curious if there is any recording of that band? What kind of music had the Bestial Summoning played?
"Yes we recorded a limited 500 live EP, an LP at No Fashion Records 1993, a demo and several bootlegs."
Is it true that you have 'painted' your faces in those past years? What did that mean to you then and what is your opinion about corpse painting nowadays?
"Yes I painted my face, I felt aggressive while wearing it, it fitted to the lyrics as well. I stopped doing paint because it became a trend, I wanted to show people I can still give a good show without doing paint. For most bands it's important for their image while the music sucks."
Occult's first album "Prepare To Meet Thy Doom" was a piece of dark oldschool death metal, while your latest release "Rage To Revenge" contains songs in the vein of thrash/black. What caused such a big evolution of your music?
"Death metal??? Well listen to "Prepare..." again then, it's thrash as well, maybe with a different sound. Listen to "Prepare To Meet Thy Doom" or "The Nazerene Whore", piece by piece black/thrash songs, even our demo was black/thrash with songs as "After Triumph". We never changed our style in music!"
Occult's trademark are two vocals in your music: death grunts and black screams. Describe what do they sing about on the new CD "Rage To Revenge". How your life philosophy have been changing through years, through your albums?
"Our new album has to deal with revenge, anger, hatred and violence and murder, I don't think I changed the subjects that much from each album."
When I think of Occult there is always satanism and occultism coming to my mind. Do you practice it in your privacy or is it just an image necessary for the band?
"Occult is just the name we took, it has nothing to do with satanism or occultism in the band."
90% of all metal bands sing about evil, hate, war, death, etc. I think Occult is no exception. In that case tell me what's your opinion about the world terrorism and Osama Bin Laden.
"What can I say, I was worried that something happened to my girlfriend in New York, that's all ha, ha."
Let's back to music. There is also special "Rage To Revenge" tour edition digipack (limited to 800 copies!). It's a great present for your most faithful fans! What's the price of this digipack?
"I have no idea, you have to go to Painkiller Records, but I think between 12,50 or 15Euro."
Between "Prepare To Meet Thy Doom" (CD'94) and the latest album "Rage To Revenge" (CD'01) you have released "The Enemy Within" (CD'96) and "Of Flesh And Blood" (CD'99). What was the response of press and fans to those materials? Do you care of what people think and say about your music?
"No I do not care at all, of course it's good when people like your music, we still play black/thrash music, which is of course not as popular as like black metal or whatever, so if someone dislikes our music: fuck off, we just continue playing it, we don't follow any trend."
I must say that covers of your albums are very interesting. They all contain awful faces of monsters, vampires, etc. In my opinion it is very good, cyclic idea...
"The cover of the last album is based on the lyrics, we don't want any pentagram, upsidedown crosses, albums like tons of other bands have, that's why the reactions to our covers are diverse."
Besides full-length albums you have also released few smaller materials. Tell me please all details about "Promo Demo'97" and "Promo Demo CD'98'. Did you release them because of problems with getting a deal?
"Yes we made them to send to record companies."
Characterize labels you have worked with, I mean Foundation 2000 Records, Massacre Records and the present one - Painkiller Records. Do guys from your new label care about Occult the best they can?
"Painkiller did even more in a few months than Massacre and Foundation did together for us in years, that says enough!"
Occult exists over 10 years on the metal scene. What are the main adventages and disadventages of staying in the showbusiness for so long?
"It's tough to get any appreciation, but that won't stop us, it's a fucked up business with alot of asskissing. It's bad it goes that way. If you have money, you can get popular and known, that's how it goes, sad enough."
I've read in your biography that several programs on television showed Occult (like Eyewitness, Nightrider, Musicness). So do you feel like Tv stars now? he, he.
"No, it was just a free and good promotion, that's all!"
"Your first tour took place in 1994 along with Marduk and Immortal. How guys from those bands are like in their privacy? Apropos what do you think about modern black metal and its connections with techno?
"Yes people always try to be different, haha, I like Marduk and Immortal still, they are very aggressive and good, and they don't follow any stream, they just do their own way."
You have played live on the Dynamo Open Air'97. What do you feel while standing before 16000 people and performing your stuff? What is your opinion about cancelation of that festival in 2001?
"I do not really care that it's cancel, why would I? Yes it was great playing for so many people!"
You were also asked to join the christmas tour in 1999 along with Morbid Angel, Gorgoroth, God Dethroned, Amon Amarth and Krisiun. Wow! What a great line up! I bet you have drunk together lots of beer, haven't you? he, he.
"Yes we drunk alot, but it were only 11 days I remembered!"
You have toured with your countrymates from Sinister too. Aren't you jealous that your ex-vocalist Rachel quit Occult to sing in Sinister? I know she was close to you, Maurice. I hope you're still friends...
"No not at all, why would I be jalous? I do my music, and that's the music I like, as a matter of fact we told Rachel it's better to leave, and I think we are doing better now, she does her thing, we do ours."
Metal scene inThe Netherlands seems to become as powerful as in the early 90-ies. Just to name bands like: Sinister, God Dethroned, Centurian, Severe Torture, Houwitser, Occul:. I think there is good, constructive atmosphere in your underground. Do you agree?
"Yes I agree, piece by piece excellent bands, don't forget Pentacle!!!! They rule as well! And Melechesh!"
What are your nearest plans? I heard something about the tour with Dark Funeral, Anorexia Nervosa, Ragnarok and Tidfall...
"Yes we just finished that tour."
Ok, that's all for now. Summerise your answers and say goodbye to Masterful readers. All the best with your band!!!
"Rage to revenge!!!"
www.painkiller-records.com, laurent@painkiller-records.com
