REIGN OF VENGEANCE
What were the initial intentions and goals in forming “Reign of Vengeance”? Have they changed during time? The initial goals of “Reign of Vengeance” were to simply release one cd and then be done with the project. It started as a side project but has since become and developed into something much more serious. Looking back at "Disemboweling Swine", are you still satisfied with how it turned out? For what “Disemboweling Swine” was, I am still very satisfied with the way it turned out. We were signed to one of the largest distributors of Indie Horror movies at the time and I think that the music, lyrics, and artwork portrayed that extremely well. I think that it is still the most thoroughly Brutal album that May 2013 I Milfits 'zine
I’ve heard while still maintaining a high level of musicianship and variety. “The Final Solution; The Final Rebellion” is overwhelming and extremely enjoyable. Where, when and how did the EP begin to take form? The Ep and its concept first began when I was made aware of certain esoteric organizations as well as the inner workings of the Elite within these organizations. My published book had caught THE EYE of a few individuals that felt as if it demonstrated something “extra”. At the time, I had no idea what they were talking about. But, now that I am very familiar with the subject matter, I know exactly why this book stuck out to them. After learning much about these organizations in relation to their religion, their goals, and their beliefs it seemed 1
REIGN OF VENGEANCE best to apply this wisdom musically and give them the proper REIGN OF VENGEANCE blood bath ritual. I contacted Tim and told him about the concept and we began the writing process immediately. James and Doug joined us for this Ep after the initial guitar tracks were completed. Overall, each member of the band is extremely satisfied with the final product. That matters more to us than anything else. What lyrical or musical themes did “Reign of Vengeance” want to embrace on “The Final Solution; The Final Rebellion” that may have not been previously accomplished? We have always doused our lyrics in plenty of blood, guts and gore. However, “The Final Solution ; The Final Rebellion” is without any underlying humour and really has no sexual themes, at all. It deals with real organizations, real life scenarios, and the brooding class warfare that is currently lingering within the folds of everyone’s mind that few are willing talk about publicly. There will never be a more massively heavy album lyrically. For the way in which the world truly works currently, it is not possible. Do you find difference in writing lyrics for “Reign of Vengeance” compared to “Rebirth”? Yes. The difference is night and day, it is like comparing an owl to a hawk. Does “Reign of Vengeance” represent your main focus? Are “Rebirth” or your solo stuff (as author, producer, etc) going to be on the back burner for a while? In general, how difficult is it to balance being in different bands and solo stuff? Both “Reign of Vengeance” and “Rebirth” are currently the main focus. The day that we finished with this “Reign of Vengeance” album, Tim and I began writing the “Rebirth” album. The toughest transition is the mental 2
aspect, to jump from one sort of mentality back into the other. “Reign of Vengeance” is like the destroying Tyrant while “Rebirth” could be mentally alchemic of the labourers that rebuild what has been or should have been destroyed. I am currently working on two books right now. One is a novel and the other a short collection of children’s horror stories. It has been said “He who owns the youth, owns the future.” As for producing and booking shows, those are more or less focuses to do something when I’m not busy making music or writing. Aside from music, writing, working out, and reading I’m not quite sure what else I enjoy anymore. After having slept with a ridiculous amount of women, spent so many mornings hung over, taken or experimented with plenty of drugs all of that shit becomes extremely boring after a while if an individual has any extra mental capacity beyond the physical plane and doesn’t get sucked into their potential pit falls. I see your as a fairly unconventional band in that you do things (artwork, lyrics, management, etc) very much on your own terms. Could you describe the positive and negative aspects of such a “handson” approach? The positive is that you and the band can do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do so. You can sound how you want, look how you want, release albums when you want, and make the art look like you want. Its complete and total control without some fucking parasite telling you to sound, look, act, and be like every other band out there that is currently turning them a profit. I can guarantee you that we would not have been able to release this EP with another label. They would have told us to “tone it down” for the sake of sales and mass appeal. The negative approach is that the “industry” people HATE you and your band for not abiding by their system. It makes sense for May 2013 I Milfits 'zine
them to hate you as well as every bit of success that you achieve without them. By simply being successful without them an individual is then showing the world that all of THIS can be done without “industry” people. That threatens the income of the “industry” people, their livelihoods, etc. Therefore, any success that a person has or a band has without them makes the “industry” look less and less important/useful/necessary. I have come to terms with the fact that the industry does NOT like me or my bands and that there are plenty of people out there that will do what they can in order to ensure my failure and undermine every one of our successes as much as possible. Unfortunately for these pathetic morons, WE are already successful. I am successful. People with much more POWER, influence, and intelligence than the majority of the “industry” people will ever have have already embraced me, my works, and my bands. ▲ What are some of the most rewarding aspects of creating music? What are some of the most challenging? A rewarding aspect would be the ability to channel the inner workings of one’s mind and turn them into something that even the most common moron can then understand simply by listening to and engaging in the atmosphere of the music. If people are unable to grab certain concepts mentally, they will still be able to feel them emotionally through the musical atmosphere. Music is its own universal language. To be able to talk and effectively communicate within that language is extremely rewarding and well worth the years of effort that it takes to learn how to effectively do so. In terms of creating music, there is no challenge as the music practically writes itself these days. It is dealing with the “industry” that is the challenge. What actually decides, that some bands do get recognized and others don’t. Have you ever thought about this issue? Having put together well over 700 shows May 2013 I Milfits 'zine
REIGN OF VENGEANCE myself, I can now spend time with a band and within 30 seconds know when, how, and why they will break up or if they will be successful in accomplishing their goals. If you have a shitty work ethic, then quit. It is also wise to treat your allies with respect and gratitude while destroying your adversaries. Most bands and especially most people have a hard time grasping that concept. I’ve noticed with many local bands that there are far too many of them that think if they pick up a guitar 15 minutes a day and go to band practice twice a week that this will automatically make them an international rock star. They then get angry when they wake up the next day and people don’t recognize them as they walk down the street. Ha! Another rule: if you aren’t making the promoter or bar owner money, especially if you are costing them money, then don’t piss them off with your bullshit attitude. Most of what I’ve said above is “common sense” which unfortunately is far from common. That phrase should be removed from the English language as it does not make any sense. Anyway, there are many copycat bands going around the metal scene. Does it disappoint you that bands cannot come up with their own ideas? Of course. In the beginning “copycat” is usually how bands or artists learn the craft. If they aren’t willing to progress and adapt past that phase then they will surely meet their own demise. This problem tends to take care of itself. It is like Darwinism, but in music. What are your upcoming band/artistic plans? Make music, write, record, tour, rid the world of illogical people, HATE, KILL, and incite the full Revolution of Horus’s Aeon. Thanks Marshall! Anything else you’d like to mention? Yes. ~▲~
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