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The following is an interview with Devouror from Singapore. Let me tell you right away that these Asian blasphemers are really aware of how to raise hell in their upcoming album, so be prepared for a wicked death metal devastation!!! The answerer was Shyaithan (guitar). Enjoy his diabolic transference!!!
Devouror's debut album "Diabolos Brigade" is going to be issued by Listenable Records on September 30th, 2022. It will feature 10 relentless yet blasphemous pieces in a raw blackened death metal manner. Where do you get the inspiration to create such evil tunes? I personally feel a cross between the music of Possessed and Krisiun.
-Thanks a lot. I think given the fact that I am also the creator and songwriter for Impiety for 32 years now with 9 full albums plus few EPs, you can say I'm experienced in the art of songwriting. Not forgetting the number of world tours and concerts under my belt. With Devouror I wanted to create something primitive by concept, but played skillfully well. It has to be challenging, solid and powerful, or else I would not even think to put out something!
What is the general message behind the lyrics of "Diabolos Brigade"? I am especially interested in the lyrics of "Mantra Kali Kunt" as it differs quite a lot from the other songs, both musically and lyrically.
- General message is the stereotypical Antichristian warfare, devil worship, blasphemy, art of death/dying, demonic rituals, etc. Stuff we grew up with in the late 80s–early 90s mindset when it came to black/death metal. But you are right with "Mantra Kali Kunt", lyrically it involves hypocritical worship and also absolute destruction of the fabled Goddess. We had a female friend aide in the chants and I think it turned out well.
The cover artwork became super wicked and hellish. Who created it? Why did he use the Budapest Parliament for the background building?
- Background symbolizes the Vatican City in burning glory. Impiety and I visited Vatican City back in 2017. The heart of the Christian Empire, which breeds evil within the shadows. Read the history to understand more. The title "Diabolos Brigade" is symbolic to the crucifixion of messiahs, bringing hell and fury to the doorstep of Christendom.
Listenable Records will be releasing "Diabolos Brigade" in different formats (vinyl, cassette, compact disc and digital). The CDs will come with a promo poster and a postcard, but the limited vinyl edition will be available with the "Antichrist" bottle opener. That's pretty sick! Whose idea was it? By the way, how did you manage to sign to Listenable Records?
- Sick ideas are often in the minds of great men, are they not? Ha. Laurent Merle, boss of Listenable, came up with that brilliant idea. I have known Laurent for close to 30 years now, since he was editor for Peardrop Magazine and also S.D.U. fanzine. All these fanzines were from '91 onwards. I was already in contact with him then, but only now, we finally work together. Laurent has always been supportive of Impiety and he loved the Devouror "Slay for Satan" EP, which finally let us to sign an album deal last year. And then we also signed the mighty Impiety for a new album in 2023. So the feeling is great, that I've known him for so long as a friend, and he's been a fan of all my works that we are finally working together. Better late than never I guess? Ha.
Your new album features an over-brutalized version of Possessed's "Death Metal" classic. Moreover, it was maximally adapted to Devouror's style, which is great. Will you play it live and have the Possessed guys heard it yet?
- I am in constant contact with Jeff and the other guys from Possessed. So they are good friends, we finally met when they played Thailand in 2014, 8 years ago. I think I have not let them hear the track yet. As a surprise I guess, the album will be out soon and then I will send them the tracks and also physical formats. Yeah needless to say since high school late 80s I was first bleeding my ears to "Seven Churches" and "Beyond the Gates"! Such inspiration bestowed upon me by Possessed and inspired me to play the devil's metal!
Your stage look combines spikes, chains, leather, vicious masks, bombshells and corpse paint amongst other blasphemous things. Impressive visual ingredients for sure. How do the fans treat you live and what a live Devouror show is like? Usually how many songs do you play live?
- We first played in April 2019 before COVID as a debut show in Malaysia. The fans are always hungry for violence and appreciate us for who we are. We are Devouror and present the sickest bestial death metal to our legions. I think we played 8 songs only during that first show, but just like Impiety we can play 10-14 songs for over an hour. It all depends. But the upcoming tours for Devouror we will play 12 songs at least! We have the new album now so it's not an issue.
You are from Singapore. How does the death/black metal scene look over there? Please recommend to us a few killer bands and releases.
- Yes since 86/87 – Singapore bands like False Melissa, Nuctemeron, Stukas, Dread, Abhorer, Profancer, Demisor emerged. We have a long and proud history when it comes to underground death and thrash metal. Early German speed/thrash/death metal had a really huge inspiration here, not to mention NWOBHM and heavy metal, which sparked everything off. As I recall it was easy getting albums from Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, etc. back then from the stores. So needless to say, from those sparks – the fire and love for extreme metal grew with the emergence of the Singapore Metal underground – fanzines and bands, etc. Everyone was writing letters back in the day, trading tapes was really a daily ritual. And people were sending back your stamps when you needed them to. Bands I would recommend would be Infernal Execrator, Battlestorm, Demisor, Rudra, Nafrat, Vrykolakas and Deus Ex Machina to mention a few that have 2 albums or more.
Devouror's members are involved in a lot of other bands & projects as well. Could you please introduce to the readers every band member in detail and his active bands?
- Devouror was formed November 2018 in Singapore, by myself – guitars. Antichristo – vocals (from Infernal Execrator), Asura – guitars (from and founder of Deus Ex Machina), Cryptor – bass (ex-founding member of Demisor) and lastly Dizazter on drums (from Impiety/The Furor/Depravity). It's really hard to find committed musicians here in tiny Singapore and these good mates were the best I've known and readily available to wage war with me. After Devouror put out the "Slay for Satan" EP in 2019, Hades from Battlestorm replaced vocalist Antichristo who could no longer have time to commit to us.
Do you plan to bring the bestial deathcult warfare to Europe as well? If so, please tell us when and where the Europeans can expect you over here.
- Yes, first Devouror will kick off an Asian tour later this 2022 and see if we can do a tour in Europe spring 2023. We don't push for it, only if there are good promoters, we will do one!
Last necrotic statements are yours. Please finish the interview the Devouror way.
- Get the new "Diabolos Brigade" and play it at full volume!! Thanks Encomium, visit Asian Hell when you have time. Our rich history, culture and heritage of these lands reign supreme! 666!!!
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