ENCOMIUM #2/1999: Sickness

Here we have another great example of invincible forces of Death Metal in the embodiment of SICKNESS. A band which stands for total brutality since 1994. So, read what Sergio Cesario, the guitarist of SICKNESS, had told us in this informative conversation.

- SICKNESS was formed back in the Winter of '94 and since then our main goal has been to bring the music which started it all back into the Death metal public. We are basicly a five piece of the Sickest Motherfuckers you have ever seen and we thrive on making good music for the love of it. Also it helps that we love to incite violence in more ways than one.

- "Plague" is as sick as it's ever been, if you had a chance to check the "Ornaments" album then you will definetly be impressed by this effort the songs are more structured, and are way more aggressive. Be sure to pick it up you will not be dissappointed.

It will be released in Spring of 1999 by DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR Records. How this sign came about?

- Well we've been looking for a label that wasn't going to dick us around and screw us over after an exhausted search we found JME Palacio (delusions), and he was willing to work with us. We still have alot of work to do so keep up for further developments.

Your previous release "Ornaments Of Mutilation" was produced by Dave Culross drummer of MALEVOLENT CREATION and SUFFOCATION. How do you see him as producer and as musician? What do you think about his drumming and bands in general?

- Well we first met Dave when he was in MALEVOLENT and he said that if we needed his help on the album he would be glad to offer it. After hearing our first mix with a different producer we decided to take him up on that offer. Dave knew what type of sound we were going for and he did a great job for us we really appreciate all that he has done for us. As for his bands MALEVOLENT and SUFFOCATION GODS!!!!!!!

Have you played a lot of shows? Where have you played and what bands you prefer to play with?

- We have definetly played alot of shows in our time and woth some of the best bands in the scene such as CRYPTOPSY, MALEVOLENT, GORGUTS, MORBID ANGEL, and ACHERON to name a few. We are very honered to share the stage with these greats and we would not trade these memories for anything.

Share with us the lyrical conception of "Plague". What are the motivations or inspirations for your lyrics?

- I'm sorry the lyrical content is to explicit to talk about. I can however can say this they are so sick in content, that we are going to be unable to print them on the sleves of the CD's. Just picture this pure violence and murderous material.

- I prefer Steven King novels tell you the truth and of course Clive Barker. I belive that these books put me in the mood I want to be in. Sometimes I wish that life would imitate art.

Your band participated on the tribute album of METALLICA with the song "The Eye Of The Beholder". Did you change something in it or maybe you play it two times faster? Any special grinding beats? By the way, what do you think about METALLICA's last two albums?

- The song is different in some ways we put more double bass in it and we put more crunch on the guitars. Of course the singing is different, but we can't sing like Hetfield. As far as they're last two albums, I think that they wanted this change and if that's the way they want to be from now on let them be that way.

What do you think about the European Death Metal scene? Compare it to the American. Do you like DISMEMBER, HYPOCRISY or VADER for example? What kind of bands the members of SICKNESS are listen to usually?

- I think that any scene regardless of where they originated from are good in their own way. As far as the bands mentioned I like all of those bands and look forward to listening to more from them. But our all time favorite extreme band goes to none other than SLAYER.

- I would like thank anyone who has supported us in the past and present, Cornelius for the interview and the scene for the sickest years of our lives. E-mail us at: sickness@geocities.com.