ENCOMIUM 2004: Cancer

Great news! After a 7 years split Cancer is back and a new EP is in progress! So I thought it is time to ask Carl Stokes (drums) and Rob Engvikson (lead guitar) about the new stuff and future plans of the band. Let's see the details.

Hi Rob! First of all, tell us how do you feel yourself as the new lead guitarist of Cancer? And also let us know the way you entered the band. How it's all happened?

Rob: I have been friends with Carl & John for many years, and they asked me to join when they reformed the band. I would have been pretty stupid to say no. It is a damn awesome experience playing live with Cancer.

After a 7 years split you decided to reunite the forces of Cancer. What things motivated you to do this so? And why didn't you reform the band earlier?

Carl: Me and John had some new songs, coupled with a desire to play live. We just thought it was about time. We did try and get it back together a couple of years ago, but it just didn't happen.

Your new EP is now in the final stages of mastering. What can you tell us about it (music-wise, lyrics-wise)? Will it follow the path of "Black Faith"? Or you plan to go back to the early yet classic Cancer albums? Any particular reasons to call it as "Corporation$"?

Carl: The EP consists of 1 new song, 1 remix, an old Cancer classic of the 1st album re-recorded in 2003, a remix by old bass player Ian Buchanan, and a classic Celtic Frost cover. New track "Oil" is one fast slippery customer, which pounds straight to the heart of George Bush.

The cover for "Corporation$" EP became very industrial (having oil-exploiting machines on it)? Does the cover-meaning have something common with the music Cancer plays now? And what symbolizes it for you?

Carl: Well obviously we are from the heart of the Midlands, England, the birthplace of the industrial revolution. So, of course, its gonna have some effect on the music. Symbolically it's in our back garden, so to speak.

Whose idea was to cover Celtic Frost's famous "Dethroned Emperor" song for the EP? Any emphatic reasons for selecting exactly this song instead of other C.F. classics? Could you comment us details on that?

Carl: Well the band had been playing this song live since 1989, so it seemed quite apt to record it.

You've also re-recorded "Witchhunt" from the first album "To the Gory End". What was the reason for it?

Carl: We thought it fitted well with the theme of the EP.

Ian wasn't interested in rejoining Cancer therefore you recruited Adam Richardson from Assert. What should we know about Adam and his musical antecedents?

Carl: I knew Adam from playing in Assert, so he seemed a natural choice to join the band.

What can you tell us about Ian and his own music project Hairy Scary Man? What type of music he plays there? Was his project the main reason not to enter the band again?

Carl: Best to ask him really, you can find his contact details on his website (there is a link from the Cancer site to his site).

Do you still contribute to the music of Ásatrú? Is Viking metal recognized in England? How many albums do you managed to record and when do you plan to release some new stuff with it?

Rob: Yes, I still do the Ásatrú stuff, I have more interest from Scandinavia than England, but that's fine with me. I have no albums out yet, but I'm currently working on one.

Your website says that Carl, Barney of Napalm Death and you also had a band called Nothing But Contempt? Tell us more about this magic alliance? Do you still continue to write music for it?

Rob: This alliance disbanded very quickly when Barney went back to Napalm Death.

I've noticed on your website that you booked a lot of shows for December 2003 and you plan to tour the U.S. and Europe in 2004? Please tell us how was to play live with Cancer again as well as the fans' reaction regarding your recent gigs? Any funny stories to tell.

Carl: It was great to play live again, and to see that there is still interest in the band after 7 years away from the scene. Hopefully 2004 will see us spreading the disease further.

Did you get any label interests yet? If so, please share with us all the necessary information.

Carl: Yes, we have some interest, we are just waiting to complete the EP.

Do you keep the contact with James Murphy and Baz Savage?

If there's something I might forget to ask but you think it's important, please feel free to add it. Please finish the interview the way you prefer and tell some words to the Ukrainian Cancer fans. Last cancerous words are yours.