Hail Heretik Hellstörm! Thanks for accepting my request! Are you ready for the interview! Haha! What is playing in the background right now?
Hail! Not much, to be honest. Although there is a bit
of your native Hungarian flavor, as currently I am enjoying Kalapács’ classic
“Az Első Merénylet” AKA Pokolgep’s Lost Album. It still kicks some major arse!
Let’s start with a regular cliché! Could you introduce
your band for the Hungarian fanatics? What motivated you to bring together
RAGEHAMMER?
Sure thing. Ragehammer started out two times actually.
First attempt was around 2008, when I decided to gather a bunch of friends and
thrash some music inspired by Razor, Toxic Holocaust or classic Exumer. At some
point we had 3 guitarists, haha. Some of the guys later went on to participate
in such bands as Excidium, Mgła or Medico Peste. The project died after a few
rehearsals where mostly we played Razor and Korrozia Metalla’s classics and I
went into darker phase in life. In 2011 when the chaos in my life eventually
calmed down I met up with core lineup of Bestial Avenger (guitars) and Mortar
(drums) just to amend the friendship and have a proper memory evening. Word by
word it led us to giving it another try.The first rehearsal ended up with first
own track almost done. Since then we managed to find Corpsebutcher, our
original bassist and convince him to join us. The style went from speed-laced
thrash to something more sinister and cold, incorporating copious amounts of
Black Metal, but not limiting itself to these two. All we care about is to
sound as honest and natural as we possibly can. And bring the flame of
cathartic fury to the world.
The first attack was „War Hawks” demo, what came out
by a label, called Mythrone Promotion. How did you take contact with them? Does
the label have any other releases besides your demo? How did the guys welcome
this demo? Did your demo release raise attention among larger labels?
Well, Mythrone Promotion started out as my friend’s
operation aimed for promoting gigs and helping bands with merchandise and
distribution. One evening Marcin, the owner of MyThrone Prom, came to
Ragehammer’s rehearsal just to check what we deal with. After he heard our
music he decided he wants to release our material and make it a double debut.
Ours as a recording band and his as a label. Since then Mythrone released a
fair couple of kick ass material, such as Witchfuck (PL) or Culto Negro from
Costa Rica. The response was quite astonishing for such little band and such
little demo material. Reviews appeared everywhere from Brazil to Singapore,
mostly being favorable. The original 200-copies pressing sold out completely.
Mythrone did also amazing job promoting the stuff, sending it relentlessly all
over the world and putting together our first pattern of t-shirts.
The cover of the demo is so kick ass and old school!
Who made it? Do you still have some copies left?
The cover artwork was done by one and only Klaudiusz
Witczak (known from graphics for Anima Damnata, Bestial Raids or Bloodthirst
among countless others). I wrote him more or less what I would like the cover
to be, with all warlike Otto Dix references and what he sent me back literally
kicked me out of my brains! I love this artwork and I am extremely grateful to
Klaudiusz for his work. As for the demo, no. We sold everything out completely.
The next stuff came out after a 4 year long hiatus, which
was a split material with the fucking TURBOCHARGED! What happened with you in
this 4 years?
Well… to be honest nothing too exciting. We were just
taking our time to create the best material we could possibly do and before we
decided to hit the studio again we made sure everything works like a Devil’s
machine. We are more of a “quality-over-quantity” kind of band, so this was
only natural for us to take time before releasing new material. All we wanted
was to be absolutely sure of its quality. Of course there were concerts along
the way, smaller and gradually bigger, but this is way another topic.
The „Enlightenment by Bloodletting” split came out
under the banner of Godz ov War Productions. How did this split album came into
existence? What kind of feedback you got for it?
It’s a funny story, as the split was initially meant
to be with Necromessiah. The Italians were at first interested in releasing a
combined 7”, but all of the sudden they ceased to answer emails and we were
left with an extra track after “The Hammer Doctrine” recording sessions. At
first we thought to include it on the album, but it never really fitted there,
so I decided to hit up to Ronnie Ripper and ask if he’d be interested in
releasing a split single. I know Ronnie for something like 10 years and I not
only respect him as a musician, but as a metalhead as well. We have so many
similar views on Metal and life in general that sometimes I am afraid he’s my
brother from another mother, hahah. When I came up with the option he happily
agreed and prepared brand new track in form of “Bloodletting”. The track blew
my brains out with its sheer brutality and force, so there was no way back, the
split had to be done! Godz ov War in unholy alliance with Mythrone Promotions
did amazing job promotionally as well as visually. The feedback was cool enough
to get a few more souls to both our and Turbocharged’s legions. Overall I am
very happy and proud with this 7” of black filth…
On that year you played on a GEHENNAH tribute album,
what was put on the market by Bestial Invasion Records, including bands like
RIOTOR, WARFIST or EXCIDIUM from Poland! How did this stuff materialize? Did
you apply for it, or the label reached out to you?
Actually it all started with former Hangöver vocalist
who approached me with the whole Gehennah tribute project. I was enthusiastic
enough to lure Stillborn and Excidium into the whole thing and then suddenly
the guy backed out from it, leaving me bitter and pissed off with the whole
situation. In fact I was so pissed that I decided to bring the tribute into
being no matter what. So I ended up pulling some strings and convincing bands
to join in. Here I need to mention gargantuan work that Hellscreamaross, the
vocalist for Offence, put into this compilation as well. If it wasn’t for him
the whole thing would probably fail to come into being. Still it is out there and
I am extremely proud of how it turned out.
I know that you don’t drink alcohol for a time now, so
I would like to know what is your opinion about GEHENNAH’s decadent, alcoholic
attitude? Are the other members of RAGEHAMMER abstinent too?
Well, back in my drinking days Gehennah were like my
personal heroes. I drank an awful lot, partially thanks to the creed of this
band and alike, such as Tankard or Gang Green. Now, years later I still enjoy
very much Gehennah’s music and attitude of a working class street gang, the
lyrics I find enjoyable, but I do not project it to my life so much anymore.
Still I’d put Gehennah’s lyrics over any hooded, run-of-the-mill occult cunt
any day of the week. The rest of Ragehammer crew enjoy their beer, booze and
weed, but I guess to each their own and I got no problem with that. My non
drinking is my personal stuff and it should not affect or bother anyone, nor
would I proselytize non-drinking stance among people, as I personally hate all
kinds of preachers who shove their self-righteous opinions down everyone’s
throat. I don’t wanna be any of that.
GEHENNAH played at Poland in 2017 where you also attended as a fan. Have you had a chance to meet with them? Were they satisfied with „Bang Your Heads For Gehennah – Blood Metal Gangfighters” album?
Actually they
were aware of the tribute way earlier, as Stringburner himself came to my
hometown of Kraków to perform a solo gig as Rob Coffinshaker. I hang out with
him after the concert and told him about the project of Gehennah tribute album.
He was surprised to say the least and since then I kept him updated on the run.
I was happy to hear they officially authorized the thing and even wrote a few words
to put into booklet. Then came the Gehennah gig in Poland and it was a fucking
dream come true, both musically and personally. A perfect crowning of the whole
mess with releasing this compilation and an occasion to finally see the
notorious headbanging helldrinkers live.
The year of 2016 was productive for you because your
first full-length came out in this year via Pagan Records! How did the guys
welcomed this LP? Are you satisfied with the label?
Oh believe me, we cannot think of any better home for
Ragehammer than Pagan Records! First off, we were the generation of Polish
metalheads raised on a steady diet from Pagan Records’ ordering catalogue.
Tomasz, the owner, was always known for sticking strictly to his own tastes and
properly noncompromising attitude. He never aimed to be bigger than he could,
yet he is a stalwart in the Underground for more than two decades and still
going strong. Apart from that, once we talked about supposed cooperation it
turned out that we share the same vision and attitude, as well as working
ethics. Neither we nor he expected bringing down the sun. However we brought
the best material that we could create and Tomasz guaranteed his best in
releasing it and promoting in the top notch manner in terms of quality. I can
honestly say that this worked out just great. The album received positive
welcome and reviews appeared all over the world. I am positive that the next
effort will also come through Pagan Records. You do not change the winning
team.
The first song of „The Hammer Doctrine” is „First Wave
Black Metal” which title and lyrics are obvious. The question goes without
saying… what is your opinion about the nowadays black metal bands? What do you
think about the hordes of the second generation black metal?
Sometimes I regret writing this track… Jokes aside,
“FWBM” is not so much a tribute to the Originators of Darkness, such as Venom,
early Sodom or Angel Witch, but also a critical stance towards the whole
evolution of Black Metal from dangerous music of the Elite to the current
hipster-littered degringolade of a genre. I loved the aura of almost
otherworldly mystery surrounding early recordings of Bathory, Satanic Punk
attitude of Venom or sheer barbarism of Blasphemy. These bands had all it took.
Soul, Devil, mystery and right mindset. What we ended up with is a bunch of
teenage randoms who hide their weak music behind hoods and incense, to turn
away from the fact that what they play is so weak it would not make it on its
own without smoke and mirrors. Abominations such as Myrkur, Der Weg Einer
Freiheit or Rebirth of Nefast sdeserve a solid slap in the face for calling
themselves “Black Metal”. Of course it is not that I am denying the whole
generation, there are pearls to be found everywhere, but the vast majority of
so-called third wave should kill themselves. As for the 2nd wave, I
am a devoted follower. Of course it takes a bit to know between gold and shit,
but there is huge amount of hordes that do it the right way and still so many
to discover.
There is a Polish song on the album, called „Wróg”. What
is this song about? Or for whom it is written?
“Wróg” means „The Enemy” in Polish and it is basically
aimed at everyone. It is pure raging outburst of misanthropy and blind fury
without cause but with a whole lot of purpose. Generally after the time that
passed I am quite sure to say that this is the quintessence of “The Hammer
Doctrine” message and philosophy. It is also my first real attempt to write a
serious lyric in my native Polish, as usually I stick to English. The attempt I
can call a success of sorts, so I think I will pursue writing tracks in Polish
on the future releases.
The last title of the album is an Krzysztof Klenczon i Trzy Korony cover.
Who was Krzysztof Klenczon? Why did you choose this song exactly?
Krzysztof
Klenczon was an icon of Polish socialist version of Rock n’ Roll known as Big
Beat. He was the leader and guitarist of Czerwone Gitary (The Red Guitars),
band that had a status of Polish The Beatles at some point. Once Czerwone
Gitary were disbanded he went on and formed his second band, Trzy Korony. The
latter band was much more rock-oriented and definitely heavier than Czerwone
Gitary. The only LP they left, eponymous album from 1972 was full of real
tasty, psychedelia and hard rock inspired riffs (of course alongside bubblegum
pop crap obligatory for every band at a time). One day at a rehearsal we were
joking around that “Spotkanie z Diabłem” (“Meeting With the Devil”) was the
first genuine piece of Occult Rock out of Poland. Then we realized that the
main riff was almost Speed Metal in its structure and then word from word we
decided to try and do our own take on it. We never refrained from doing cover
songs, doing our versions of Von, Gehennah or Root’s classics, but this one
stood out as both unusual and satisfying in terms of how our rendition changed
it. That would be the whole of the story.
I think that the music of RAGEHAMMER is full of hate and energy. What inspired you during the songwriting? How does this process work at your camp?
Well, the main driving force when it comes to
philosophy behind Ragehammer’s music is hatred and scorn towards the times we
are living in and the degenerating society that runs it. Also it serves as a
personal purifying fire of catharsis for ourselves, hence the intensity and
velocity. This is the way we perceive Metal should be. Without bounds and
labels, primal, hateful and pure. The work process usually starts with either
jamming or one of the guitarists bringing riffs to the rehearsal. Then entire
band works on expanding ideas, throwing new stuff into the mix. Once the
skeleton of the arrangement is ready I am taking my time to craft vocal lines
and melodies and then write lyrics. Nothing too fancy. Just the way we think
that it should be with all band members being involved in the creative process
on equal rights.
„The Hammer Doctrine” was released in all three formats.
Which is your favourite format? Do you collect merch? What did you buy
recently?
I guess every format has its pros and cons. Me, I
personally like the good old CDs the most. They are affordable, efficient and
available format I avidly collect. That is of course not to say that I enjoy
the remaining formats less. I am extremely proud and happy with the vinyl
version of “The Hammer Doctrine”, as I consider black LP an ultimate musical
experience there is to be for home equipment. Do I collect merch? I sure do. I
spend considerable amount of my monthly income for music related stuff, mainly
feeding my album collection, also picking t-shirts. Latest additions would be
Killing Joke’s “Pylon”, jaw-dropping re-release of Running Wild’s “Death &
Glory” on a double CD (great work!), last album of Evilfeast and from the merch
area I will finally get my “Totalis Metal” t-shirt of Pokolgep, hahah!
What is your first memory about metal? What was the
first album what you have bought back then? How this passion developed for you?
First one? Well, that is tough to determine, taking
into account that I was born in 1986 and softer Metal or Hard Rock were
basically the name of the game when I was the little rugrat. I remember that in
early kindergarten I became obsessed with Queen’s “Night at the Opera” due to
the cassette my dad gave me. Then in my primary school, when I was about 8
years or so, I grabbed accidentally a bootlegged cassette version of Kreator’s
“Extreme Aggression”. I hated it at first, it seemed so brutal that it was unbearable,
yet still there was something magnetizing me towards it. Month after month I
grew more acquired with it and ultimately decided I love it and I need more.
The rest was done by my metalhead cousin who once visited me, saw Kreator’s
tape and asked me if it was mine. Once I confirmed he gave me a proper
introduction to Thrash Metal, teaching me about Sodom, Assassin, Protector or
Exodus. Pretty unusual start for a kid like me, but ever since I was hooked on
for good and it remains so till this day.
Do you buy fanzines or you rather read webzines? What
do you think about social network sites? In your opinion are these sites useful
or harmful?
If you asked me this question like 5 years ago I would
probably go along “ONLY PAPER IS REAL!!!” thing. However there are a few
web-based enterprises that opened my eyes and showed me that if you do it right
the webzine is not as bad as you think. Of course I will choose paper fanzine
over website any day of the week, still there are a few great things to be
found in the web, such as phenomenal Bardo Methodology or Polish webzine Chaos
Vault. In terms of quality these examples are sometimes even better than their
paper counterparts. Still nothing tops ripping the envelope and enjoying
freshly printed labor of Satanic Love the real underground paper fanzine should
be.
I know that you are a really big fanatic and you often
visit concerts What was the best concert what you have ever seen? Is there a
band that you really want to see once?
It’s a hard task
you gave me to point one single best concert, still if someone would put a gun
at my head and ask me the same, I’d probably point to King Diamond’s
masterpiece of a performance in Krakow, PL, fateful year of 2001. Not only that
was my first major gig out, but His Majesty was at a top of his game, having
just released “House of God” with Hal Patino returning to the band and a
stalwart Andy LaRocque rocking it out like there was no tomorrow. The setlist
was also a nightmare come true. Truly magical evening that I still remember
vividly almost 17 years after. Since then I have seen countless others, but
very few made bigger impression than this one. 2nd place would
definitely go to Celtic Frost thoroughly CRUSHING performance, opening for
Slayer in Katowice, PL in 2007. With all due respect for US Thrash Titans, they
had nothing on Warrior and co. that night. As for the concerts I still long to
see, well my biggest dream is finally going to come true this year. Yes, I am a
hopeless Guns n’ Roses nutcase and I was really on the edge of my nerves when I
heard of their partial reunion two years ago. Then I missed first chance to see
them in 2017. When I heard of the ticket pre-sale for the July gig in Chorzow,
PL I have gladly gave in for the overpriced entry coupon to see a bunch of old
guys re-living their past glories. There, I said it, hahah! Wish me luck.
Which band’s albums plays in your record player most
often nowadays? Do you pay attention to new bands or you are interested in only
the old, well-tried hordes?
I honestly gave up on tracking each and every release
by younger bands these days, simply due to the fact that nowadays it is just
way too much decent bands to follow. I don’t say no to the interesting stuff
people throw at me, but I’m say way more excited by the fact that Frank
Blackfire rejoined Sodom than that Violator is or is not going to record a new
album. I guess I am just getting old. Still I enjoy any good music I get my
hands on, no matter old or new.
Poland is full of better and better bands. In your
opinion what is the reason that the local underground produce so much talented
bands? Could you recommend us some remarkable names?
Thanks for the kind words! As for the reasons, well I
think it is that most of these bands that emerged nowadays served it’s time in
the depths of the underground and slowly, methodically raised to prominence, if
we can call it like that. The bands that are currently leading the scene around
here have been soldiering on for years with enough integrity and vision to
eventually make it. I still remember beginnings of bands such as Mgla,
Kriegsmaschine, Infernal War, Anima Damnata or Witchmaster. Slow yet steady
raise with almost fanatic devotion to the principles set in their beginnings.
That is why many other bands didn’t make it in the end, becoming consumed with
trends and changing styles on every release, pretending this to be the
so-called evolution. In reality this is a lack of spine. So yes, I guess it is
a mixture of right vision, determination and integrity. As for the names to
check, all Maniacs should give a spin to Offence, Witchfuck, Excidium, Warfist,
Dagorath, Hellcurse, Bestiality and Rites of Daath. From the more-known, keep
an eye on upcoming stuff from Kingdom and Stillborn. My personal types for the
Polish materials of the year.
You do another bands actively besides RAGEHAMMER.
Let’s talk about them! One of them is EXMORTUM. Could you introduce this
formation shortly?
Let’s do it!
Exmortum is a Death/Doom outfit we have created with Transgressor, one of my
best friends, in 2010 to express our mutual vision of an ultimate slow, dark,
heavy and monstrous Death Metal, getting influence from Asphyx, Autopsy,
Cianide, Miasma, Pentagram, Black Sabbath or Thergothon classics. The as-of-yet
only material released is a split with now defunct Deadly Frost (check ‘em out!
Absolute must for any self-respecting Hellhammer and very early Samael fan),
but we are still planning to release a full length material at some point. The
only thing that lays an obstacle is a chronic lack of time to sit down and
complete it…. Still the hope dies last, so may well be the full-length debut of
Exmortum would materialize finally.
You are the vocalist of the veteran EXORCIST from
2011. What should we know about this band?
Exorcist is one of the most prominent and respected
underground bands of the 80s in Poland. With two utterly brilliant demos under
their belt (1986 “Voices from the Graves” and 1988 “After the North Winds”) they
are considered classics, along such bands as Imperator, Slashing Death,
Separator or Ghost. They were also one of the first underground bands I have
ever heard, due to stealing “Voices form the Graves” tape from a cousin. In
2011 I was at a an Artillery show in Warsaw when I heard Tom “Skeleton”
Godlewski complaining loudly that Exorcist is still alive and the full length
album is almost ready, but they have none to sing on it (bear in mind that the
original vocalist, Jarek “Butcher” Woluszko was murdered in 2005, and his
successor, Grzegorz Petasz died in a road accident in 2001). Despite the bad
luck of the Exorcist vocalists I decided to give it a shot and wrote to Tom
that I’d be interested in the position. After doing two pre-production demos the
guys decided I was a right man to do it and together we completed “The
Utterances of Going Forth by Day” album, wwhich saw the light of the day in
2014. Of all releases I have participated on this one is truly a unique one and
also the one I am extremely proud of. What the future holds for Exorcist is yet
to be determined. So far there have been a vinyl re-edition of the classic
demos by Nuclear War Now! and I truly recommend getting your hands on it before
it is too late!
You have got another active band, called THEM PULP
CRIMINALS, what is a bit different than the others. Could you introduce this
formation too? This is an occult rockabilly/rock band. Right?
Yeah, Them Pulp Criminals is a Dark Country /
Rockabilly band that I founded with my firend and a co-worker at a time, as we
were having a hard time at work we were doing and only music kept us on the
surface. Igor – the said friend was never into Metal of any kind, but we both
share fascination with Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Elvis, Chuck Berry and so on. I
am a huge fan of classic Outlaw Country and Rock n’ Roll and so is Igor. The
whole project came very spontaneous, as one night I was just writing stuff and
decided that one lyric/poem I wrote was good enough to make it into a song. I
called up Igor at 3 in the morning and told him about the idea. The next day at
work Igor brought a complete arrangement of our first song. Since then we
recorded a full album as a duo, released it in renowned Malignant Voices label
and expanded the band to a four piece. Currently we are working on a second
full-length material to be recorded later on this year. What we play of course
would not be me if it didn’t have a darker flavor into it, so I decidedly put
in a little Luciferian twist into it, without proselytizing, yet enough to give
the listener the idea where we are when it comes to picking sides in the old
Good VS Evil ruffle….
How much occultism/satanism important in your life?
It is a very personal question that is hard to answer
without making a complete doofus of myself. Let us say that it is a vital,
almost fundamental part of my everyday life. I follow my own brand of Satanism,
based more on personal empowerment and development through the Devil and I will
not attach myself to any particular school of thought. I think that every real
Satanist should at some point forge his own path, instead of following those
already trodden. I pick what works for me from everywhere, be it traditional
Witchcraft, LaVeyan Satanic philosophy, primitive pagan cults and European
worship of salacious Pan deity. Whatever is good for me is good in general.
This also finds its way in my music, as every Black Metal musician should first
and foremost praise the Horned One and sing His glory.
Well, my friend, you got it covered very well. Congrats! There are a few things in the works, but it is way too early to talk about them. Once they materialize, you will know, hehe.
You were at Total War Festival V., Körmend in 2017.
How were you doing at that fest? Have you felt satisfied with everything at
that event?
Oh it was kickass! Not the biggest festival I have
ever been to, but definitely one of the best organized and the whole atmosphere
was almost family-like. We had great reception for such a small underground
band from Poland and a privilege to share stage with some killer outfits, like
Age of Agony for example. Also Tamas and Krisztian who put the event together
were amazing and cooperative people and I would like to send my deepest respect
and gratitude to them.
Currently we are working on a new material and
preparing ourselves for a concert at the cult Metalmania festival in Katowice,
where we would share stage with such Metal Beasts as Destroyer 666, Voidhanger,
Anima Damnata, Xentrix or Skyclad. As for the material we are going to take our
time with that, as after a decent demo and well-received album we cannot record
anything sub-par or a bland continuation of previous material. Only way it is
is to top it and make it even better. That is why we cannot make any false
moves in that matter. There are going to be definitely less live activity from
our side, but we just need to properly focus. You have been warned…
Thank you for your patience my friend! Let’s send a
message to the Hungarian bastards!
Thank
you, you crazy Maniacs! Support your local scene, support Underground, praise
the Devil, don’t trust anyone, check out Inhalator if you don’t already know
them (excellent stuff) and FUCKING BURN!!!!!
Interview by Sz.
