Thornspawn
Wywiad przeprowadził Bart Donarski
After parting ways with native Baphomet Records, American black metal hell-hound called THORNSPAWN signed on to Osmose. Their sheer and aggressive black metal terror has lately found its suitable place on just released full-length album entitled "Wrath of War". Even though the sound of the record isn't what I like most of all, THORNSPAWN marks out their existence on black metal scene with more distinct sonic assault then most of their native colleagues. I sent some fake questions to the band. Who actually replied? As it appeared the one who responded was enough true and did not introduced himself. True black, true attitude and anonymous answers...
THORNSPAWN has lately joined Osmose. Then, weren't you pleased with Baphomet? How did you get in contact with the French label actually?
"No, we were not pleased with how things were going with Baphomet. Many things were promised but never happened. We had many conversations with Proscriptor of Absu about Osmose. We recorded a new promo demo and sent out it to them. Osmose responded with a 3 album contract. We signed and the rest is history."
Aren't you afraid that being at European label, where the head-office is, your native territory will be a bit neglected?
"Most Americans get their extreme metal through mail order of through independent record shops. So I am not too worried about this. Europe's metal scene is much bigger than the US so it makes more sense to have real distribution in Europe."
Unfortunately I haven't had opportunity to listen to your former albums. So, how "Wrath of War" differs from your previous materials? I guess what you play must be kept in traditional black metal frame and nothing but.
"The new album has much more aggression in it. The old material is very traditional black metal. I think the new stuff has some more influences like thrash and old school death metal. First album is good but the new stuff is more maniac!"
Your image is undoubtedly strictly satanic. I think if there's something like American way of black metal, the one is on doubt what you do - obscure, vulgar bunch of five into the face of Christ! I presume you agree.
Yes. Sense we deal with more Christians here than Europeans do we must be more extreme in our stance against them. We want them to know we hate them."
"Wrath of War" was mastered in Germany. Why is that?
"That is how Osmose wants to do things. I think it came out killer actually! The sound is like a wall of bombs ready to destroy everything in its path!"
I'm not sure, but I think American black metal bands, consciously or not, have frequently rather poor production and sound of their own materials. Just hint at KRIEG, they even dispense with bass guitar! I state it's a sort of oddity. You also play kind of primitive black metal, but the sound you gained on "Wrath of War" is at least audible. How do you look upon the whole issue as one of the American-hell indweller?
"Most American black metal bands keep the fire burning of sick underground black metal flame! We want it filthy and raw violent music. I mean it shouldn't sound like it was recorded on the toilet but damn it shouldn't sound like a pop album either! This is unholy metal for lunatics only!"
You are also organizers of, as it is said to be, only true black metal event in the US called Sacrifice of the Nazarene Child Festival. So, how do you define the "true" band that can perform on your stage? Attitude, image, or maybe both?
"The bands most be violent, dark, and believe in what they are doing. It is a black metal fest! So fucking true black metal is what you will get! Some bands may not be the fastest or the most evil band in the world but they have that something unique that makes them stand out from the rest. Take a band like Noctuary, they just write some really passionate music that it deserves to be heard. Then take a band like Black Witchery, nothing but satanic war holocaust hell. Our fest has had these two bands play on it. These two bands are as a different as can be but they are both true because they fucking play music from their black souls, that is true to me."
Is your band actually called THORN-SPAWN or THORNS-PAWN? Sorry for the question! Ha!
"Thorn-spawn."
Is Christianity a big bother for you in the US? Here in Europe we do not have too many these money-making radio/TV preachers as you seem to have. I even find them more dangerous as far as mind-corrupting goes.
"Yes, our country is a very religious and conservative. So we are very hated in our home country for being black metal. I am very irritated by this shit. On the mindless following of it is fucking amazing. 
People are so blind here. But then are the few who walk against the status quo who tell the Christians to fuck off! I know some really insane black metal lunatics here."
What are your favorites on both European and American scene? Besides, do you know any Polish ones?
"Bands I like right now are Katharsis, Antaeus, Arkhon Infaustus, Funeral Mist, Black Witchery, Judas Iscariot, Manticore, and others I can't think of off hand. I know of Polish bands like Graveland, Behemoth, Vader, Thunderbolt, and shit that's about it right now."
As I read you had been playing with lots of bands throughout the years. What were the most memorable ones?
"Playing in El Paso with Mayhem was killer! Also when we played some of our 1st shows with Incantation and Vital Remains was killer! Playing with Deicide did rule as well."
Isn't it a bit tough to be a black metal band in a country which is said to be a death metal cradle?
"Yes, but who cares. Black Metal is what we fucking breathe so we must perform it. Death metal scene here has been reduced to kids in baggy pants and baseball caps and short hair. This is not the death metal I know."
Any confirmed plans for the future? What to expect from you further this year?
"We shall invade Europe and bring the Wrath of War upon everyone!"
If you're enough true, then spit it out into our faces!
"I spit the black blood vomit upon you all! Burn In Hell!"
Bart Donarski
