Sombre Arcane

Who knows this little death metal band from Sweden called Bastard Priest? This is one of my favorite band of this new wave of old-school death metal. They've released only one demo in 8 years, but there will be an album soon, let's read this interviex to learn more about them...

Hail Bastard Priest, One of my favourite legions to defend “Revival old-school Death Metal”! First question, why this name, Bastard Priest…? Is it a simple blasphemy which refers to the power of religion and how the clergy abuse of this power?

Matt: Hey dude – Bastard Priest comes out of the fascination with all these band names that has the word bastard in them I think – me and Inventor had a lot of fun coming up with different names with bastard in them… We joked around and the name stuck. It’s not to be taken so seriously, it’s just a (kind of stupid) name. No past problems with the priest here, sorry to say.

Then, can you introduce the band? Is Bastard Priest your first band?

M: I’m Matt and I play drums, sing and play additional guitar solos. The other guy is Inventor who plays all guitars and bass and also sings sometimes. Both of us are all over the place on the recordings so… we have our given roles but they’re not carved in stone so to say. Bastard Priest is our first “serious” attempt for a metal band – we’ve been in different kinds of band before thought.

Nine years of existence, only one demo, why all this silence? ^^

M: We’ve been busy with other projects and stuff. I also think that buying our own recording equipment had a big part of why we didn’t record anything between 2002 and 2007. After we got our own gear everything got very easy and things started moving.

So, I think you are aware of being a young band playing an old sound, like Grave, Nirvana 2002, God Macabre, Nihilist… So, what are your main death metal influences? Only the Swedish scene or also Finnish, American…?

M: Well the band might be young but me and Inventor aren’t no youngsters no more… hehe. The bands you mentioned are good and sure both of us been listening to them since the early 90ties. We’re into most heavy music from all over the world actually. I think Bastard Priest music is heavily influenced by early Master, Possessed, Bathory, Death Strike, Death, Autopsy and shit like that but we also try to incorporate influences from Anti Cimex, Discharge, Lip Cream, Systematic Death, Crow and other heavy hardcore bands. If I were to unveil everything we’ve ripped also Rolling Stones and Youth of Today would be among the bands so… if it rocks we like it!

What do you think about the others “young” bands playing old-school death metal today, for example Repugnant, Revolting, Miasmal, Tribulation, Repuked, or Vanhelgd in your country (but also Funebrarum in U.S.A, Necrowretch, Herpes in France…)? Is there a real “revival scene”?

M: Well Repugnant are our age and been around for 10 years or longer so I don’t really think they’re young anymore. Their stuff is great of course. Miasmal, Tribulation, Vanhelgd, Maim, Obliteration, Entrapment, Tormented… there are many good bands right now. The good thing about the music that comes out today is that not so many bands strive for technical complexity but more for a groove or a steady beat to band your head to – that’s my cup of tea. Also sound wise bands don’t seem too concerned to have an overproduced sound but instead settle for a raw edge on their recordings and that’s also very nice to hear.

And what do you think about the old bands who come back like Nirvana 2002, Autopsy, Entrails, Evocation? (Personnally, I don’t like the new way of melodic death metal played by Evocation.)

M: I don’t know – I’ve attended some reunions over the years and very few times have I been surprised in a good way. I think it’s better to not quit that to quit and reunite… don’t quit.

What is your vision of the current Death Metal scene? More and more progressive, technical, melodic or deathcore bands. Far from the real death metal spirit, it is painful for some bands, meanful for many others... what about you?

M: I have very little to do with any death metal scene so I’m probably not the right guy to ask. Like I said before I think there are more and more bands today that do go the technical route when evolving their music and that’s good. As for us – we could never do that, we’re simply not that good at playing our instruments… I’ve always praised hard hitting and stamina over technical drumming so that’s what I concentrating on.

We can also hear a punk influence in your music, what kind of punk do you listen to?

M: Almost everything. From Grisen Skriker and other old Swedish punk to a lot of American punk like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Minor Threat, NOTA, Wipers, Flipper, TSOL, Generic Control, DYS, DOA and so on. Swedish and UK hardcore, Japanese Punk and Hardcore, Danish stuff, the old Norwegian bands (Kafka Process, Svart Framtid and so on)… Everything (went black). Also all the pre-punk band that indeed was punk like Iggy & the Stooges, MC5, Blue Cheer, Hawkwind, Radio Birdman and stuff – and the old rock geezers like Chuck Berry and Little Richard and that stuff.. Don’t let stupid rules dictate what you listen to, no rules man!

But, I think that your titles and maybe your lyrics are more death metal than punk (except the Bombanfall cover), isn’t it? Will this punk spirit be more developed in the future, by using more engaged lyrics? New songs on your MySpace doesn’t seem to go in this way…

M: Yeah, we’re lazy with lyrics – the lyrics are mostly a fun thing and we don’t really have anything important to say with them. Might sound stupid and a waste of space but Bastard Priest is all about the music.

Usually, death metal + punk = Grindcore. So why don’t you play this genre? Do you listen it?

M: No, I’m not into grindcore at all, I sold all my grindcore stuff except for Napalm Death and Carcass… well that and Repulsion if you think that is grindcore. Grindcore is just boring, it’s too fast – it doesn’t come off as brutal at all I think… that’s my 5 cents.

Other influences? (Music, cinema, paint…)

M: It’s mainly musical influences but it could also be something I read or something I see on TV – I don’t have any good examples thought.

You don’t use bass guitar, is it a choice or you didn’t found a good bassist? (If it’s a choice, don’t you think that it could produce a louder sound if you add this instrument?)

M: Hehe, we actually DO use a bass guitar. It’s quite low in the mix cause we think the guitar is more important. If it’s not loud enough you should raise the volume on you stereo!

You added 2 new songs on your myspace, so, what’s next? I’ve read on your myspace that there will be a LP? When will it be released? What can you say about this upcoming album?

M: We don’t know when it’s gonna be out – it’s done but we’re waiting for the Mastering to be done. After that it’s just off to the pressing plant – the cover and all art’s done already. Hopefully it’s out sooner than later that’s all I can say right now.

Zombie Ritual released Merciless Insane Death isn’t it? Will they also release your album?

M: Yeah, sort of – he’s got another label for vinyl releases that’s called Blood Harvest – but it’s the same label just a different take.

Could you go on tour to promote this album? Just in Finland or will you try to go abroad?

M: No, not right now – since we don’t have a full line up doing live shows are hard for us now – we don’t have the time to go on tour either so at the moment you have to enjoy us on record.

Did you try to kill yourself when you see the bands that will play at the Maryland Deathfest (Possessed, Autopsy, Asphyx, Nirvana 2002, Entombed, Incantation, Repulsion, Necrophobic, Obituary…)?

M: No, not really… was that the wrong answer?

Something to add?

Thanks for the interview man – keep it heavy & rock on!

/Matt Mendoza, Bastard Priest.

MySpace : www.myspace.com/bastardpriestsweden