On 14th of May Black Liturgy Tour visited Gdańsk and I had the pleasure to see it live at the Drizzly Grizzly. But before Hore (project of various famous musicians who prefer to stay anonymous), Redemptor (awesome technical death from Poland), Inferno (Czechia), Diabolical (Sweden) and headliner Batushka (the Krysiuk's one) took to the stage, I had an opportunity to catch up with Carl Stjärnlöv, the creative force behind Diabolical's awesome releases over last 20 years. Even if the sound wasn't as good as in 2019 (when I saw them in Proxima in Warszawa) as I almost couldn't hear the samples with choirs and keyboards, the band gave a fantastic performance with all members delivering pure perfection, including guest appearance of Pavulon on drums. I can definitely recommend watching them live, as it's always an amazing show, even if the guy behind the sound console is not a fan. While we await their next full-length release this year (which will include 'Transformation Hell' track which was played during the tour), you can read what was happening over the last 3 years in the Diabolical squad below.

Maciek

So, the last time we saw each other was in 2019 when you were on tour with Septicflesh, Krisiun and Science Of Disorder and a lot has obviously happened since then in the world and in the band, but let's not talk about the bad things. On a positive note - you have already toured with Batushka once, and you have had the Samael tour as well. Can you tell us more about it?

Well the previous tour was very good because we had such good timing. We managed to tour between lockdowns because things started to open up for a while last year in November so there were not so many restrictions. We were able to travel to different places and do all these shows for about a month, and then on the last week of that tour, the countries started to have restrictions again. We had one show in Holland where people were seated, hopefully that was the first and the last time. There was only one show that got canceled and we were able to reschedule the rest. So we were lucky that we were able to do shows at that time as people were hungry for concerts, and there were more people than usual so it worked out well. It was a success because we've got such a nice camaraderie with Batushka, they are some of the most amazing people I have ever toured with to be honest. And they are of course Polish, and I speak a little bit of Polish but I'm learning, (and here Carl starts speaking Polish) I'm learning, we've been touring with Batushka for a month now, we've gained a lot of exp and my Polish has leveled up. Unfortunately I think I do not speak Polish that well for the interview, but I do speak it on a daily basis (and we're back to English now - MW).

When you were on tour with Belphegor, did you go on stage before or after them?

It was us, then them, then Batushka.

So there must have been a lot of cleaning up after their show?

Yeah, exactly, but everything on that tour went super smooth actually. There are always challenges on tour. For example on this tour we had a problem in Turkey, we had to stay 8 hours at the border to get in, and 8 hours to get out so we were super late getting there and getting out to the next show but we managed. We have a super good crew who is also one of the best I've ever worked with. They are kind, hard working guys who save our asses everyday.

How did the idea come about to tour with Samael?

It was offered to us by the booking agent, District-19, who contacted us and asked us if we wanted to do that tour, and of course we said yes because Samael is a great band and we are fans of theirs. I'm a little younger so my first experience with Samael was actually with the "Passage" album, not the older stuff, and Paul from our band is also a huge fan. I actually have toured with Samuel before, that was back in the stone age in 2009 so 13 years ago, but back then I was playing in another band named Devian, so I already knew they were cool, down to earth guys so I was looking forward to it.

You mentioned Paul who is your new bassist, you basically took him from Sodomisery?

He's not entirely new, he's been playing with the band for a couple of years now, almost 3 years now. He was a friend of ours that we got to know because he offered to book us a tour in Romania some years ago. He was sort of a tour manager and back then we had a situation where we needed a session bassist for a few shows and we asked him because we knew he played bass. Initially he said no because he was our tour manager and that would have been too much for him at that point because he had so much responsibility, but later on when we asked him again, he really stepped in on that Septicflesh tour and he's been with us since then.

And it's not your only connection with Sodomisery because Harris also is filling in on some tours?

All of those guys are friends of ours. Both Paul and Harris are a part of our circle of friends and actually, I've known Harris even longer.

Sodomisery also released a great album - I've reviewed it and Sverker was also working on that album. Were you ever thinking of touring with them?

I think we probably discussed that, but you're not always able to choose who you tour with. There hasn't been any opportunity to do that kind of thing so we booked our own tours, it's always hard to find the bands ourselves. But of course with them being friends of ours it will save a lot of space on the bunks.

And in the meantime you've been doing some painting - is that artwork going to be used on the next Diabolical album?

I'm always doing the artwork for Diabolical as I've done since I started with the band. It's convenient because I know how to do it and it saves a bit of money. Along the way I've developed my skills so I do all the album artwork as well as the designs for t-shirts.

How far are you with preparing the new album?

We have new material recorded. You can say we are in the mixing phase and there are still some small things to record but overall most parts are in place, so we will be releasing it pretty soon. We don't have an official date yet.

But will it be this year?

Yes.

Will the new album have a theme as "Neogenesis" had a proper story as well as "Eclipse" did?

I think it's going to be more loose in terms of overall concept but I always try to find some fun twist to it such as making a book or a concept album. I've been planning to do some painting for the new material as well. I think I'm going to head in that direction with the new material, make an artbook as opposed to writing a book as we did on Neogenesis. I think it will be more personal as well because that just felt like the natural thing to do this time, I was painting a lot during the process so that's where my head space is.

I understand you are usually the most creative person in the band when it comes to deciding what Diabolical is going to do next?

Well, Diabolical is more Sverker's child actually, I'm the stepfather who stepped in. I've been in the band for 20 years, so we sort of have more shared custody these days. There is an open space for ideas for whoever wants to contribute, Sverker was kind enough to let me do crazy stuff throughout these years but it's a joint process. We discuss our ideas and everyone gives their input, in the end Sverker is always going to have the final word but generally it always goes over smoothly as opposed to some other bands. I think it's that northern Swedish mentality of not having any ego. I have done everything I've wanted to do creatively to prove myself. Sometimes I'll even give someone credit like "that riff or that part you did is fucking awesome" and they'll go "you wrote that part".

Does Sverker have any technical novelties that we can hear on the new album, which weren't used before?

He's always upgrading the equipment he uses, but he sort of established the signature sound, so even when we switched studios several years ago now and he built his own studio and the quality became better, you can still hear those signature sounds. Every producer has their preference of how they want things to sound, but you would have to talk to him about this.

By the way, congratulations on the 25th anniversary of the band, last time we talked you mentioned something planned for that occasion. Are any of these plans going ahead? Anything special prepared to celebrate?

We had to throw quite a lot of these plans out the window and some things didn't go as we hoped for, then it stopped being priority because the tour with Batushka came up last year so other things were more important than that.

To wrap things up - is any material from the upcoming album ready enough to be played on stage yet? Are we going to hear some of it tonight?

Yes, we have a new song, which is probably going to be the first single. The title is 'Transformation Hell' and we have a guest artist on that song as well, very talented Swedish electronic music vocalist Livmødr, she's singing on that track. We performed with her on stage in Stockholm, we couldn't take her for the entire tour, so her voice will be played from the sampler. I hope that people will enjoy it, we even played it on our tour last year, so we're getting pretty confident playing that song already.

Any plans between this tour and another tour with Samael?

Yes, we'll be in the studio.

Awesome, thank you very much, I wanted to give you early birthday wishes, enjoy the show and hope to speak to you soon again!

Thank you!

Czech newcomers Sněť recently released their wonderfully offbeat old school death metal album "Mokvání V Okovech" (review here). The album has brought me into such a disgusting rapture that I couldn't help myself and asked the guys from Prague (and surroundings) few questions, not only to get some clarity about the meaning of the titles and lyrics but also to get some more info about them, too. Thanks for all Sněť!!!

Michael

Hello everybody, how are you?

Hnisatel: Hey, little hangover but fine, you?

Řád Zdechlin: Cooling my beer for late night. Yesterday I read a message about playing in Mexico!

You have recently released your debut album "Mokvání V Okovech". Before that, the first sign of life was only a promo from 2019, so not much out there... why don't you tell us something about yourselves so that readers can get to know you a little better?

Hnisatel: Well, me and Ransolič were talking about death metal bands many drunken times around 2018, and then we started jamming the first riffs of the song 'Obří kat' in my living room. After some FB advertisements, we found a drummer Krutorr based in East Czechia, well known for his bands Ficken Leben and Afterlife. Then we asked Leproductor to play bass – check his band Kaosquad of South Czechia, old school grindcore as we all like it. I play bass in the band Lezok and used to play bass in the band Bahratal, but I started as guitarist, so I wanted to switch on guitar in this new band. Leporoductor and Ransolič can sing very well, but our decision was to pick Řád Zdechlin, best known to be the lead vocalist of his band Vole. It was easier for the guys to focus on playing and Řád Zdechlin performances are stunning – now they are powerful duo with Leproductor murmur parts. Ransolič was back then in the band called Black Aspirin and the band Morkhimmel. We are both part of Kreas Promotion, doing underground metal gigs in Prague.

Řád Zdechlin: Wanna fill it with more information about band Leproduktor is son of village same as Krutorr our drummer. They are coming for every rehearsal from their places so we can't say we are Prague based. Leproduktor has deep roots in metal because of his father and brothers together they are a metal army. All of them have a passion for bodybuilding making Leproduktor our tank for cruel beer parties. Kruttor is the youngest and he works as a metal worker, which seems to be cool for our band. He has played in several punk, crust, metal bands since he was 9 years old. Only Hnisatel is the Praguian boy, his family is based in arts and graphics. His grandfather was a famous photographer for music records like Karel Gott or other 70' pop stars in ČSSR (communist times), cool to check it by Discogs. His name is Pavel Jasanský. His father is also a photographer with a focus on conceptual art. You can find him as the duet Jasanský/Polák. Ransolič was born in Pelhřimov I guess, which is quite an old town, but don't know anything about his heritage. The only special thing is he will have his second wedding in his life, which means he is the most experienced male in the band. No one else is married. And me, I'm the east Czechia boy, a place of heavy industry and a heavily polluted place in our land. I used to move to Prague for studies at the Academy of Fine Art. I graduated with a master's degree and stayed here. No one wants to come back, haha. That was really personal.

Your lyrics are exclusively in Czech. Even for someone who comes from your neighboring country Germany, it is almost impossible to understand anything. Let's start with the album title....

Hnisatel: Lyrics are 90% of Řád Zdechlin work, I sometimes help him. The decision to sing in Czech is more natural for us and also, it's quite unique in some ways. About the time the promo went out, we made a t-shirt with lyrics of 'Obří Kat' on the back and didn't let people know about it, haha a lot of people don't want to wear those, because lyrics are vulgar and violent. This is not new. A lot of bands did it before, but in Czechia I guess people are not ready to wear this kind of stuff because it is in their language and English is still a bit far to understand, like the real meaning of the filth Autopsy and Cannibal Corpse did for example. Mokvání V Okovech means oozing in chains – due to the album cover, which was done before the name of the album. Next title in the game was 'Mrdání Na Hrobech' – means fucking on the graves, which was my favorite, but I was overruled by the rest of the band "because we are not 15 anymore" haha.

Řád Zdechlin: I feel it like with every different language, I do like melodies or rhythms. Have you ever listened to some Central Africa music? Voo-Doo vibes from that language, awesome or Russian poetry, it's so melodic like melting sugar on a pan. Also, Finish punks like Kaaos are extremely authentic. I'm not even understand that but who cares I'm here for music. In the case of our music. We care about some concept, which is mostly taken from our lives and transformed into a gruesome nightmare.

...and come to the lyrics. 'Kůň Kadaver' means horse carcass if I'm right, 'Demon' and 'Sarkofag' explain themselves. What are your lyrics about?

Řád Zdechlin: 'Kůň Kadaver' is about man riding horse in swampy moor land. In the fog he found the crypt where he heard or felt the voices and spirit of ancestors. In the moment of inhaling the spirit something smashed his head like a high falling hammer. He wakes up dying inside of his dead girlfriend. 'Demon' focuses on demons with special ability covering graves with a huge stream of semen. That one is more perverted. First sentence is: "instead of blood, human came out of my dick today". 'Sarkofag' is sakrofag btw, I'm trying to play with words and make new words out of it. It is a song about total armageddon and it was written mostly by Hnisatel. Lyrics:"I'm putting sarcofag made of shit on the body of Christ". I feel good power from the trashy primitive hate songwriting, purer than some philosophical or demonological, academic topics. This is raw and all people understand what it is. If they speak Czech.

Where do your inspirations for the lyrics come from?

Hnisatel: First thing on my mind is Charles Baudelaire carcass – it may be cliché, but for me it is the classic death metal lyrics but from 1855, haha. Well, it's hard to say, in my case most ideas (not only about lyrics, it's also about music and designs) came about midnight when I'm in shower after a long shitty day. Inspiration is also in old school Czech bands like Torr, Master's Hammer. Profanatica's lyrics are cool and also horror movies and many more stuff..

Řád Zdechlin: Like Hnisatel says. 80's horror movies I do like Maniac Cop or Ravenous are my one of the best! Try Czech Vlčí Bouda. It's about a school trip for skiing with aliens. Very bad one! And the rest of inspiration is our life struggling.

Musically you walk on the musty paths of Funebre, Funebrarum, Autopsy and everything that is in the rotten bottom of death metal. What would you describe as your main influences?

Hnisatel: As you said. Besides classics we dig Danish and Finnish death metal scene – Demilich is maybe one of my favorites. It's many things and it's hard to write down in this paragraph. Ransolič it's a big fan of Thin Lizzy and we spent a lot of time doing harmonies in our riffs. We are all big fans of old school filthy metal music. That rawness and filth is important. Check out the new Anatomia record is killer, after a long time that was something that has a real impact on me.

Řád Zdechlin: As an elementary school child I do love Cannibal Corpse album "Gore Obssesed", old Behemoth or Vader, Entombed, Sepultura. Nowadays it is easy to find music not only by ripping CD's, so I feel inspiration in groups like Greg Wilkinson is producing or some old Finland Death like Abhorrence, Sentenced, Convulse, Therion's album "…of Darkness" or different genres.

How satisfied are you with the feedback regarding the album so far?

Hnisatel: It's very good, I think we didn't expect this, haha. Every week we receive new mostly positive reviews and reactions. Also, we noticed some not a really bad review but, complaining about the "clean" sound of the record. This was the big topic in the band. We didn't want to copy the sound we had on promo, because it is a step back for us. I think now it's ok to say, that sound we had on promo was a bit pushed into this filth. The sound we have on Mokvání V Okovech is our natural sound. The mix and master were made by Gregg Wilkinson in Earhammer Studio in Oakland California, also I have to mention Anders from Dodsmord Studio in Prague, where we recorded, and he did a lot of dirty work about cutting takes and everything.

Řád Zdechlin: I do like how people react, it's mostly positive. Local hard-core kids are wearing our gear, hahaha.

Are there any special editions of the album or other merchandise? Where can I order it?

Hnisatel: Yes, the special edition will be – the orange vinyl. You can check it out at Blood Harvest website. Unfortunately, vinyl should be done on 14th May but there is a big delay in the factory. Then Steffen from Lycantropic Chants label made a killer tape in two versions. There is gonna be a tape version and some t-shirts in the USA via Headsplit Records and something is cooking in Indonesia…

If you want to order merchandise directly from us, you can check it out at snet.bigcartel.com.

When I look at the cover, it immediately brings back memories of Hellraiser, was that intentional? Who designed it?

Řád Zdechlin: I'm the man who mostly stand behind our designs. And it was not influenced by Hellraiser, but more sleazy tattoo scenes or biker designs, old metal or Rick da Life tattoos, bio-mechanic stuff.

What is there to tell regarding the Czech metal scene? Are there some hot topics, apart from the better-known bands like Hynos, Krabathor or Maniac Butcher, that you should check out? Master's Hammer is unfortunately no longer around...

Hnisatel: There are plenty of new bands around here. You should check for example Zmyrna – medieval type of black metal, with a lot of Urfaust vibes. Then death doom Můra is out now, Swedish type of death metal Narcosa. Old pioneers of crust metal Morkhimmel. Brutally Deceased are pretty cool, and for example young thrash blood Faust. For classics you should check Torr demo "Witchhammer", old demos of Malignant Tumour and Pathologist, both in the vein of old Carcass. Of course, Root classic, and for example Vitacit – one of the best heavy metal bands around…

Řád Zdechlin: Me and my friend Dominik are behind the compilation of ugly bands around central Europe. Style is more punk or black. Check it out, the name is Night Dwellers. You can find it on Bandcamp.

How satisfied are you with your label Blood Harvest?

Hnisatel: Well, the communication can be better, haha, but yes. It's all new for us and we are learning how it is going, we personally never been on this big label like that. Rodrigo did a great job for us and we are glad for everything

Řád Zdechlin: Hail to Rodrigo and thanks for everything you did!

Do you have any tour or concert plans for the next few months?

Hnisatel: The big thing is our release party 26. 6. at Modrá vopice club, along with our brothers Goatcraft from Slovakia, Kringa and Death Racer guys from Austria and local band Slavery. Then we are going to be a part of a small Brutal Assault, called Josefstadt, sharing the stage with mighty Pestilence and Destruction. If the Killtown DeathFest happens we are going to be part of it, which is like a dream come true, and it's very important for us. Also, in Písek we are going to play with Slaughter Messiah. Písek is a metal city! Our good friend Petr Kolář is promoting a festival here called Thrash Nightmare, Heavy Metal Thunder and Burial in Sand. All the coolest metal parties with a pick of the bands like Deathhammer, Abigail etc... Highly recommended! Also, I personally looking forward to Punxtreffen, organized by Řád Zdechlin even the Sněť is not on the list, hehe.

Which albums of this year would you recommend or are you eagerly waiting for to be released?

Hnisatel: I'm looking forward to Galvanizer's new album, the first track, which is out now, is killer! And as I said before, new Anatomia is great too and many more which I forgot now. You also have to check the Slovakian Goatcraft and their new album!

Řád Zdechlin: New Suffering Hour is pretty dope!

The last words belong to you!

Hnisatel: Thank you for having us on the MetalBite, cheers!

Řád Zdechlin: Drink beer, raise hell in your town!!!