METAL PIT INTERVIEW
It’s no surprise that Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Leprosy cause a stir.
Faithful to keeping their metal brutal and innovative, these death/grind pioneers have made a huge impact on the American metal scene since 1988.
I had the chance to interview Corpse God and Nekrokrist as we discussed controversy, lyrical themes, live performances, local metal scenes and the true definition of Splattergore.
THE METAL PIT: Corpse God and Nekrokrist of Leprosy, how are you guys doing at the moment? What are you currently working on?
Corpse God:
Doing well, thinking up new ways to sicken the world at
large. Bringing pain & suffering to the non-believers!
Nekrokrist: We're writing new songs for an up-coming full-length CD which will be titled Human Flesh Never Tasted So Good. Also, we’re doing a slew of shows in and around Pittsburgh as well as other areas.
THE METAL PIT: You guys are known for creating your unique sub-genre of metal called “Splattergore”. Define the term Splattergore.
Corpse God:
Splattergore goes beyond the boundries of horror,
blood & guts. Viscerally stimulating in a sense ..\m/
Nekrokrist: (laughs)Picture if you will: Bill Steer, Glen Benton ,Chuck Schulinder and George Corpsegrinder Fischer all went to a GWAR show and attempted to perform an autopsy on the band in the middle of their set. Realizing halfway through Oderus' spleen that none of the aforementioned musicians has a medical degree, decide to just throw the internal organs at the audience and each other! This is Splattergore!
THE METAL PIT: As the band was formed in 1988, in what ways do you feel your music has progressed since then?
Corpse God:
Musicianship has grown substantially while
remaining true to our roots.
Nekrokrist: I've only been in the band full-time since2004.But,I've been friends with Corpse God since the beginning. The band's taken some strange turns in it's existence..using different musicians and instruments (Keyboard,Samplers,etc.)We try to keep the pace and just try to disgust as many people as possible with each new song we write.
THE METAL PIT: In what ways do you feel the death metal scene has changed over the years?
Corpse God:
In the late 80's & early 90's, the scene
was much bigger in my opinion, especially when it came to shows. Always
packed & always violent. As time progressed, more &
more all-age venues started disapearing, really limiting places for
"extreme" bands to perform. At the same time, slowly killing the "live"
scene.
However With the growth of the
internet the scene was revived again, allowing more exposure for
Death/Grind bands then could have ever been imagined back in the day.
Giving people a chance to listen to music that isn't mainstream
& force fed to you on a daily basis.
The scene has definitely improved
within the last few years. More & more venues are opening their
doors again for bands, noticing that Death Metal is a viable music
& not just "noise".
Nekrokrist: Overall, the "scene" has weakened in some areas!With so-called "Nu-metal" bands and these metalcore phonies trying to pass themselves off as Death Metal!We of the old guard are here to show these fakes that they are sorely mistaken!!!
THE METAL PIT: Notoriety is very important in the metal scene. Apart from your lyrical themes and album titles, how do you feel that the band is evoking a certain message?
Corpse God:
I would say with our live performance, it's pretty straight
to the point! Bringing horror to life! –or death! (laughs)
Nekrokrist: We try to pick up the pace in our live shows by adding some stage antics...such as self-disembowelment and performing abortions on various females whether they want them or not(laughs).
THE METAL PIT: What were some of your favourite Death Metal/Grindcore bands growing up and what impact did their music have on you upon discovering them?
Corpse God:
Death, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, Deicide,
Entombed (Left Hand Path), Morgoth, Napalm Death
Nekrokrist: Death(of course),Carcass, Unleashed, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel...and yeah can't forget Celtic Frost, Sodom and Venom!
THE METAL PIT: Is the metal scene alive and well in Pennsylvania?
Corpse God:
Getting better all the time ..\m/
Nekrokrist: We do our best to keep it going. There are other bands that kick ass in the area...Sathanas for example.
THE METAL PIT: What controversies surround the band?
Corpse God:
Lyrically & theatrics are under
the watchful eyes of the FBI. The audience questioning: “Did
they really kill someone?” haha!
Nekrokrist: Apparently, we're on FBI watch because of our lyrical content(laughs).
THE METAL PIT: What are your views on the death metal scene today?
Corpse God:
I think it's pretty good now. More & more
people are coming out
to shows and not just sitting in front of their desktop downloading.
Live is where it's at!
Nekrokrist: In the US any band that displays real talent is shunned because they play Death Metal or Black Metal. If you're not rap/country or "safe" metal (i.e. no-talent),we get no radio play or any kind of support!
THE METAL PIT: Tell me about your 2008 EP ‘Vaginal Chunks and
Other
Appetizers’. Corpse God:
This EP was just a taste of what our new
Nekrokrist: Four songs, mass murder, disgusting lyrics. A must buy for all misanthropes! Be sure to play it loudly for your parents, priest or any other person you wish to offend.
THE METAL PIT: Some of your various lyrical themes include suffering, fecal matter and death. What inspires Leprosy to focus upon such topics?
Corpse God:
It's a personal interest in what people fear,
don't understand or just makes them sick to their fucking stomach!
Nekrokrist: SHEER ENJOYMENT!!!It's actually a bet between CG and myself to see if can make the other puke!!!
THE METAL PIT: In what ways do you believe Leprosy has been innovative as a whole in the metal scene?
Corpse God:
Bringing our lyrics to life in a live performance
and not just vocalizing them. Actions speak louder than words! Pushing
the limits as much as we can!
Nekrokrist: We do the stage show. Also, we are one of the few Death Metal bands to utilize Keyboards in the past. Though, currently we don't have a keyboardist.
The Metal Pit: What is one memorable tour/show story you are willing to share?Corpse God: Off the top of my head. We performed with Cannibal Corpse back in ’92. One of the biggest pits we have ever had. The entire place was chaotic when we performed. A wall-to-wall wave of headbanging & slamming! No one went home unscarred that night!
Nekrokrist: I aborted a nun onstage. Then CG fucked her with chainsaw! Two people let out crying and four people puked outside! That's Hilarious!
The Metal Pit: What are some of Leprosy’s plans for the future?
Corpse God: To evolve in what I like to call Survival Horror Metal! Details to be unveiled soon. Till then... We'll keep bringing the blood & dismemberment to everything we do!
Nekrokrist: We want to release a new full-length CD (Hopefully by the end of the year)and then continue on in our tradition of sickening “normal” society!
The Metal Pit: Any last words for The Metal Pit and our readers?
Corpse God: Thanks Ola for your time and to the Metal Pit! Thanks to all the
GORE FIENDS out there for their endless support! They are the reason we are here!Nekrokrist: Thanks for listening! Stay classy, Metal Pit. AVE SATANAS!!!
The Metal Pit: Leprosy, it is much appreciated. I have no doubt that the band will lose its vivid brutality! Thanks & Hails.
LEPROSY Website http://www.leprosy.us
LEPROSY Myspace http://www.myspace.com/leprosy
