SPEARHEAD
is a pretty young band from UK that was discovered by Invictus Records
from Ireland. They signed them for their first full length "Deathless
Steel Command" that was released in 2006. This first effort yet announces
a great band as the tunes are midway between necro Black Metal and War
Metal with a strong old school touch. I would even say the brutality in
their compositions is slightly different from what you could find in classic
War Metal materials. The album deals with the two world war. Read on clever
view of Barghest (bass/vocals). Interview done 05/06/07 |
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Hail, how is
the beer today ? I guess it's raining today ahaha… Hail. Not the right weather for beer no. Let introduce
your band to the readers, when did you start the band and how long have
you been involved in Metal scene ? Where did you get the band name from
? Is SPEARHEAD connected to the spear of Longinus who killed the bastard
? "Deathless
Steel Command" was planned to be released on Regimental Records but
finally was out through Invictus Records, how does it come ? How did you
get in touch with the Irish label ? All your songs are ripping compositions
that are midway between necro B.M and War Metal, the border line between
these two genres is extremely thin I've to admit when listening to you
materials. Thence, I'd like to know how do you compose a typical SPEARHEAD's
tune, do you first write lyrics or music ? Who's responsible for the writing
process ? |
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"Deathless
Steel Command" has a nocturnal and untamed feeling that could be
compared with some of the early underground Thrash Metal bands from the
80's. In my review I did a connection with "In The Sign Of Evil"
to describe this atmosphere. Is the mood of tunes important to you and
how long was it to find the accurate instruments sound before recording
the full-length ? "Deathless
Steel Command" is established on World War I, is that right ? What
does attract you the most during this first world war ? According to
many historians the First W.W was one of the most traumatic war for soldiers,
it was the first time they were in front of industrial machine guns, weapons
they couldn't understand and nightmarish daily situations. The rain, cold
and worms within the battlefield are something few humans can stand. Is
that this side of the war you wanted to deal with in your lyrics ? |
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England
paid a large human tribute during the WWI, especially on events such as
"Le Chemin Des Dames". English soldiers suffered a lot during
the early months of the war as they were not prepared to such violent fightings.
How do you feel yourself as an Englishman in front of this War ? Did you
get relatives involved in this war ? Yes, the English suffered greatly in these battles. How do I feel, or how would I feel ? Many of these men had no choice to but to fight in this war, both on a personal moral level and on a political level. Most probably if I were alive then, I would have enlisted, and statistically I would have most probably died. Although if a country is worth fighting for “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori”. A number of great uncles and great grandfathers of mine fought and died in this conflict. The opening song of your first full
length is "Operation Overlord" that is one of the main Allies
action against Nazism during the WWII. Why did you write a song about
this particular event ? I feel the lyrics are from Allies point of view,
am I right ? Could you even imagine the terrible fear American and English
soldiers could feel once the boat doors opened and German fired ? When
it comes to war, many B.M bands praise for total war but few of them can
objectively understand the meaning of a real war. I mean it would not
be anymore about rehearsing in a room or getting the most ugly corpse
paint, it'd be about finding a way to survive in a world you could die
every second. So, don't you think the B.M bands praising for such events
are nothing but brainless people ? |
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As you play in
a rather violent Metal band, I'd like to know what are the most impressing
bands to you when it comes to their musical violence and chaos ? Are you
fan of the War Metal scene and what does fascinate you the most in this
scene ? When it comes to musical violence – bands like Angelcorpse, Marduk and Infernal War are a good listen. When it comes to chaos – bands like Revenge, Sadistik Exekution and Vomitor. Yeah I’m a fan of War Metal; but I have to be in the right mood for it. Aural chaos isn’t something I listen to on a constant level. Let's keep on this topic, how would
you describe a crushing band that plays extremely aggressive music ? I
mean what are the key elements in music that would turn a milestone album
from a crappy one ? By the way, what does mean brutality to you in Metal
music ? Do you think that band members need to be aggressive in their
everyday life to play in a War Metal band ? UK was
very famous in the early 80's with its N.W.O.B.H.M and bands such as Iron
Maiden, Angel Witch, Girlschool, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Saxon, Tank
and so on. Were you into this scene back then and how do you see these
bands now ? Do you think they're fucking kitsch back in time ? Furthermore,
how do you perceive these bands that are still alive and record more or
less average albums ? I mean the fury and wildness from their debut is
no loner… |
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SPEARHEAD is an
anti-christian band, I'd like to know what do you blame on Christianity
? France and England were the strongest nations during Medieval times and
spread this religions for centuries. Most battles between France and England
were about who could dominate the others and religions had a large part
of the hundred years war. I'm especially thinking about the burning of Johan
D Arc for instance…What is your view on this long religious war ?
Is there still some animosity against French now ? That’s correct. As the years pass, I perhaps blame less on Christianity than I used to, despite harbouring a continual hatred for it. Christianity was just one inevitable symptom of the western spiritual disease rather than the cause. Although it was certainly one of the most harmful symptoms, that in turn strongly encouraged the already extant degenerative spiral of European civilisation. The Christian notions of dualism (i.e. good versus evil), human equality, and its other peace promoting doctrines all conflict with and undermine the structures of society (as discussed above) as well as the telluric and trans-human ethics/laws of Traditional Europe. Although what remnants of Christianity we are left with today are no longer any threat. But is it any wonder that this religion didn’t last ? It is not simply cognate with the European soul that its extraneous dogmas tried to undermine. Yes England was a strong Christian nation in the middle ages. The events of the Hundred Years war were not based on any religious conflict, but primarily on conflicts of dominion between the English and French dynasties. Religion had its part to play of course (as a political tool) in bestowing the warring dynasties with the grace of God. With regards to Joan of Arc and her condemnation as a heretic, this again appears to be politically motivated rather than religiously motivated. I don’t have any strong views on this ‘war’ as such; although what is interesting in this era is that it saw the feudal land-based armies being replaced by taxation-fuelled ones. Ergo a reciprocal relationship (more akin to traditional healthy civilisations) was replaced by one of obligation. A further symptom perhaps of Europe’s slow decline. There are bound to be some residual animosities – England warred with France right through to the Napoleonic era. We inherit the wars of our fathers.
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You've released a new demo tape that
I haven't listened to yet, could you tell some words about it ? Does it
mean you're looking for a new label for the second full length ? By the
way, when will this new album be out and how will it sound ? Thanks
a lot for the answers, keep on brutalise the world with your art…. |