Reign Of Terror
Wywiad przeprowadził Bart Donarski
American REIGN OF TERROR strike terror into hearts of all buffoonish bands and listeners. The death/grind force unstoppably launch and fire sonic missiles at the feeble-minded foes. There were no plans for truce as widely-known ex-Angelcorpse warrior Gene Palubicki met the inexorable Texas silence haters somewhere, sometime in the middle of battlefield. The blood-inked war pact was sealed soon afterwards under banner of Evil Vengeance amongst thousands of the impaled, scattered everywhere up to the horizon. "Threnody of the Impaled" is now the first campaign in this world petrifying warfare they wage with unconscious flock of posers. CJ Holguin (bass and vikills), Marc "The Engine" Arredondo (battery), Dick (guitar) and Gil Sanchez (stringed axe) - REIGN OF TERROR - laudable example of metal candor.
First and foremost, your album kills!!! To be frank, "Threnody of the Impaled" is my very first contact with REIGN OF TERROR. I got it lately and I cannot stop listening to it ever since. Texas reigns!!! Is the album out yet?
"Thank you for your killer words on the new album! "Threnody of the Impaled" has been out for a couple of months. You can get it from Gene at Evil Vengeance, us, or any number of distros (Unmatched Brutality, Relapse)."
After listening to Abhorrence and Ophiolatry I thought it'd be in Gene's death metal vein. But what I heard is a lot more then this. I haven't heard such intelligently played death/grind for years! There again, you rule dudes! I guess you pay a lot attention as far as diversity of your music goes. Am I right?
"Yes, we have many different influences, ranging from doom to grind to fucking black metal. As long as it's heavy."
Is "Threnody..." a more complex material then your previous ones? Do they differ this way or other?
"Actually, we believe that this and the previous release ("Inverted...") are comparable both in complexity and heaviness. And with "Threnody of the Impaled", we seem to be honing the style that will ultimately be 'the' Reign of Terror sound."
There are fast moments as well as slow ones in your music, even though the album as a whole is utterly extreme and superb. The slow parts remind me of Mortician a bit. Do you find fault with such comparisons?
"No! We find no fault in this statement. As a matter of fact, "The Cruel Trades" was directly influenced by their sound. Also, bands like Incantation, Grave, and of course Suffocation had their effects on our evolving style."
Formerly there were some plans to release the new output via No Mercy Music or Arctic Music. What actually happened that it's eventually published by Evil Vengeance?
"This was a case of 'all talk and no action' on their part. Evil Vengeance offered us a good deal and soon afterwards, they came through. In other words, we didn't have to wait forever to get started. Gene is a true metal warrior, who verily supports the bands on his roster!"
I know you have a black metal side-project as well called Pyre. What's going on with the one right now? Besides, I interviewed Thornspawn lately, I'm not sure, but I guess you know each other. Do they live in the same area as you do?
"Pyre has just released a split LP with Germany's Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult through Black Blood Productions, Italy (it will be available in the States through Blackmetal.com). We've also recorded a batch of new songs, but their fate is unsure... There are also a couple of lucrative deals pending at the moment in Malaysia and Thailand. As far as Thornspawn and Pyre knowing each other, we've only seen them/spoken briefly at last year's "Sacrifice of the Nazarene Child Fest". As far as being in our area, they're several hundred miles from us (Texas is fucking HUGE!)."
Where did you record the new album? It displays your power damn good!
"It was recorded at Krank Studios here in El Paso. It's a state-of-the-art studio owned and operated by Eddie Garcia, drummer of The Pissing Razors."
You're a trio. Do you think it's the most appropriate as far as death/grind is concerned? At the end of the day no lack of sound can be noticed.
"Actually, we're now back to a 4-piece, with old axeman Gil Sanchez once again joining the fray... Death/grind is perfectly ok with 3 musicians, but with 2 guitars, there's more heaviness and versatility. Besides, Gilbert is a great writer, particularly when it comes to black/thrash-style riffing.
Is CJ a normal guy? Fuck Off & Die to the world! His vokills would have slain the Nazarene at once! I love this at least two-dimensional manner of spitting black blood vomit upon the pious ones!!!
"CJ, although seemingly normal, once hitting the stage, turns into a psychotic vomit-spewing porn/gore lover that belches out some of the best lows and highs around. However, one must give credit to The Engine, for he does add a few well-placed acid shrieks within the sickly compositions of "Threnody..."."
Is there any significant message behind the music?
"Only the penultimate goal of reaching global DEATH..."
You've been opening for many great bands throughout the years. Is there any most memorable gig?
"There have been many memorable gigs, one being playing with Angelcorpse and Krisiun, particularly because Gene would soon take us beneath his blackened wings, not to mention that we dig both bands!"
Present-day everybody talks of Vital Remains and Glen Benton contribution to forthcoming album of theirs. What's your opinion on the issue? Can Glen handle this, way different, death metal then Deicide do?
"We don't really care..."
Is this true you have in Texas kind of road signs - "Don't Mess With Texas" or something? Do you have any other, more metal proposals, that could be put on such signs?
"Actually, this is an apt slogan, as there are many devastating bands hailing from our Hell-State, such as Gnostic, Devourment, Infernal Dominion, and of course, Absu. So perhaps a better slogan would be " Don't FUCK with Texas!"
What are your further plans for the future? More spikes and hellfire!? I want you to come to Poland!!!
"Our future plans are for more brutal extremities, both in our visual and aural attacks!! We must massacrate Europe as soon as possible! Send us the airline tickets ASAP, hahahahaha!"
Bart Donarski
