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DEICIDE INQUISITION ANSWERS REVEALED!
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The questions were notorious. The quantities were amazing. In the end, the DEICIDE INQUISITION yielded an amazing amount of thought provoking questions and in the end we were able to expand the inquiries to 20 questions! So here they are, real fan questions answered by the infamous founding members of DEICIDE, Glen Benton and Steve Ashiem. Winners have been sent out their exclusive box sets of “The Stench of Redemption” and should be receiving them shortly. Thanks to all the amazingly dedicated fans who wrote in - your support of DEICIDE and metal keeps extreme music alive!
Here are the questions and revealing answers: |
QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY GLEN BENTON
How do you see the recent suicide of Dissection's leader Jon Nodveidt?
It seems it was a suicide in order to respect his own Satanic beliefs. How do feel about that, taking into consideration your own past declarations about your own suicide? -Balmain Thibaut, France
We all made asinine remarks as children, mine was no different, I don’t find any honor in suicide and only cowards and losers choose that option instead of living with ones responsibility or the actions that landed that person in jail to begin with, do I feel sorry for him? NO. The person he murdered was someone’s child and being a responsible father of two, I would of been waiting for him to get out of jail… as to finish him off before he had the option of taking his own life. GB
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I recently learned that Ralph is a Christian and has objected to certain aspects of Deicide's artwork and even chooses to wear a crucifix on stage to protect himself from the "evil" of Deicide. My question is simply: is this a joke? If not, I think you seriously risk making your fans question the legitimacy of Deicide's stance on Satanism. Frankly, it is hard to believe that you are vehemently anti-Christian when you not only openly embrace one but embrace one within Deicide itself! -Rob Western
Ralph is as much a Christian as Joey Buttafuco. Everyone knows that it is I who writes the blasphemy, does Ralph have a hard time with it…who cares. Just like who cares what you believe - I don’t, unless you make it that way. Hey man, you’d be surprised to know how many closet Christians listen to Deicide and heavy shit…when it comes to that kind of crap, don’t you worry, ole’ GB is the only one you need to respect!
A lot of controversy arose the day Glen Benton appeared with an inverted cross symbol burned over his forehead. Glen, if a child of yours eventually asks what is the meaning of the symbol you are wearing over your forehead, how did you get it done, and what were you thinking, what would you answer to him/her? -Mauricio Bolanos Molina – Doral, FL
I already have with my oldest son and at first I told him it was the result of running in church, then he got older and I told him the truth. He has no desire to follow in my crazy footsteps so you can breathe easy. GB
In the last few years, many death metal bands, including yours, have become overwhelmingly successful commercially (with Scars of the Crucifix being included in Billboard's Top 100 Chart, this is hard to deny). Will this outstanding commercial success make the death metal music scene lose its essence? How can you keep up your brutal level of lyrics and musicianship while at the same time maintaining a certain level of commercial success? -Hossam Mohammed Moness Al-Sawaf, Nasr City, Egypt
I would have to say that this kind of music will never be heard in beer commercials or tampon ads, success to me is being able to pay my everyday bills, and what I do with DEICIDE and Vital Remains. No need to worry about in regards to believing in god and I can assure you sir, that hasn’t happened and never will so enjoy my blasphemy it’s my gift to you. As for Ralph, his guitar playing is the only thing I am concerned with. GB
My questions are simple but everyone wants to know. First, what really happened with the Hoffman brothers and Glen and Steve. Second, I think I speak for everyone when I ask is Glen a real Satanist? I've heard that he covers up his cross and takes his kids to church on Sundays. Are these rumors true? -Anonymous, Colorado
You heard wrong fuck face! GB
Do you think your lyrical content may ever expand to cover other religions besides Christianity, considering the underlying religious motivation behind many global conflicts, such as the case between Israel and Lebanon? - John Ward, Cork, Ireland
Good question, you never know, depends on what spills forth from the lyrical abyss. GB
What does the word Deicide mean to you? What does it mean to you personally as a life style, a person, a musician, and a father? -Jason McIntyre, Baton Rouge, LA
To me it means who I am where I’ve been, and where I’m going…see ya when ya get there. GB
If you guys could tour with one band you never have, who would it be and why? Also, who is one band in metal you would never tour with? -Daniel Johnson - Spanish Fork, UT
I would say Slayer to tour with…and to never tour with, any band with that Phil guy from Pantera, he’s a shit talking punk. GB
As Deicide were one of the creators of the sound and genre we call death metal today, as songwriters, do you think death metal can be taken any further, and if so, how? On that note, do you think the genre allows you, as songwriters, to push your own boundaries as writers to "progress" or do you feel there is a responsibility to write within certain parameters to remain a "true" death metal band in the eyes of other people? -Scott van Dort - London, UK
I think you have to stay in that frame of mind if you want to keep it old school, deviate and it could really cost you. GB
As opinions and beliefs shift with time, do you feel that if you live to be 80, you might look back on your art and find cause for any sort of regret or will you simply regard it as "that's who I was at the turn of the century." - Jason Perry, Springfield, IL
I wont be here when I’m 80 now that’s one age I can really predict to come true! GB
I love Legion. What's up with the sound of glass shattering at the start of "Trifixion?" My theory is that it's supposed to be the sound of stained glass breaking but have not yet been able to confirm this. -Dave Hofer, Chicago, IL
The cover of Legion shows the Trifixion in a glass sphere...the sound of glass breaking is that sphere being broke open. GB
Any band's musical as well as ideological tendencies certainly change as the year pass by, in some cases to the point of not being relevant anymore to their own fan base/scene. How do you think time has affected Deicide musically/lyrically and what are the strongest contributions the band is currently doing for the underground scene in
general at this point? - Mario Cubero Arias, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Mine haven’t and wont, and DEICIDE sticking it out all these years proves that. Sticking to what I stuck to then, and still sticking to it is all I can do for the scene. GB
What is the whole story behind Jack Owen's departure from one of the leading pioneers of death metal, Cannibal Corpse, and recruitment into one of the other leading pioneers of death metal, Deicide? -Kenneth Charlton, Lakeland, FL
That is a question for Jack, I can say this though, the man is a virtuoso….and is a standup person. GB
There has been a lot of speculation over Glen's reputation as a Satanist. A while ago, Glen has claimed he was going to kill himself at age 33 to fulfill his destiny as the antithesis of Jesus Christ, yet he is still alive and kicking well beyond the age of 33. Not that I want him dead, just curious as to why he would make such a bold claim and not see it through? Was it simply nonsense from an intoxicated Glen? Is Glen simply moving out of his rebellious stage? In no way am I criticizing the integrity of Decide's music, but rather questioning your moral stance as of late. -Edward Zangeneh
Here’s the deal man, we all met with the writer and photographer for a magazine called Raw from England at their hotel in Tampa to do photos and pictures. After the photo shoot we hit the bar to do the story, we were all talking about hypotheticals and I mention that I had premonitions of dying at 33. Why did I say it, who knows. Did I believe that to be the outcome for myself, no. Was I drinking, yes. Did I think that such an off the wall comment would last so long in the minds of people like yourself, no. When I was 33 I did have a really bad accident on my bike with my son on the back involving a car. We were both injured pretty bad - I had a choice then, either drop the bike or hit the car with the bike and kill myself and possibly my son or drop it and hope for the best. Well I’m still here and so is Daemon, I had the choice then and still do. I prefer to be around to keep my eyes on the road…if ya know what I mean. GB
If it were your last day on Earth, what three things would you do that you have never done before? -Stuart McVity, Sheffield, UK
I live everyday like it’s the last day on earth. GB
Which were your favorite bands to emulate when you were growing up? -Darcy Klann, Winnipeg, Canada
Elvis, Chuck Berry, Bon Scott, The Who (smashing up the gear), KISS, Ronnie DIO, Ozzy, UDO, Priest, etc. GB
How do you think your music, your vision of Deicide, would have changed if Death Metal reached the same level of popularity as lighter, more mainstream bands such as Metallica. Do you think the corporate juggernauts would have attempted to water down the lyrics and message too much? Where would you want to take the band, in terms of musical direction? - Jeremy Sergeant, Washingtonville, NY
That is why I’m down here and they’re up there as far as mainstream goes. I’m glad I don’t have those problems, the world loves to hate a bad guy like me, and that hate is what fuels me. I’ll water down my lyrics as soon as I get done pissing on their heads…NEVER. GB
I'm surprised you chose to cover a Deep Purple song, instead of the predictable Venom or Slayer cover every band seems to have. After all these years with no cover songs, why did you guys choose to record one, and why was it Black Night? Has Deep Purple heard your version, and if so, what do you think about it? -Chris Buresh - Springfield, VA
Well it was a novelty at first, for our own enjoyment, my idea. I always loved the Deep Purple thing, “Black Night” I thought would confuse people - it did. I guess I’m showing my age with my pick of a cover and I’m not sure if anyone in Deep Purple has heard it. I know EMI (those dicks), won’t let us put it out, I wonder why. Oh that’s right, their Mad At Money - what a bunch of jerks. GB
I have always wondered where Glen got the Deicide medallion as depicted on the first Deicide cover. I think it is a very special object – an object whose history I can't seem to trace. Could you please tell me where this medallion came from? -Anonymous
Dear Anonymous….The Devil Gave to me…it’s where all my evil powers come from. GB
QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY STEVE ASHEIM
Steve, are you pleased with the fact that the "Ralph is a Christian” crap has been shown up by the AWESOME guitar work he performs on the album? - Craig Russell, Houston, TX
CRAIG,
RALPH IS ABOUT AS CHRISTIAN AS HE IS SOBER, WHICH ISN'T MUCH. SO THE FACT THE PEOPLE EVEN LET SOMETHING LIKE THAT BOTHER THEM IS JUST FUEL FOR THE FIRE, AND YES HIS GUITAR WORK ON THE NEW RECORD IS ENOUGH TO SILENCE EVEN THE MOST HARDCORE "SATANISTS" OUT THERE. THEY END UP SAYING, "DEICIDE HAS A CHRISTIAN IN THE BAND! AND THE LEADS FUCKING SHRED" SO LET WHOEVER BELIEVE WHATEVER THEY WANT ABOUT RALPH, GLEN, OR WHOEVER, BUT AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE THEY'RE GONNA SAY "DAMN, HAVE YOU HEARD "THE STENCH"!?
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In the last few years, many death metal bands, including yours, have become overwhelmingly successful commercially (with Scars of the Crucifix being included in Billboard's Top 100 Chart, this is hard to deny). Will this outstanding commercial success make the death metal
music scene lose its essence? How can you keep up your brutal level of lyrics and musicianship while at the same time maintaining a certain level of commercial success? - Hossam Mohammed Moness Al-Sawaf - Nasr City, Egypt
HOSSAM,
I THINK THE GENERAL SURGE IN THE POPULARITY OF DEATH METAL, ACCORDING TO SALES FIGURES, IS SIMPLY DUE TO THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO WERE INTO EXTREME MUSIC VS. THE POPULATION. THE POPULATION GOES UP, SO DOES THE NUMBER OF EXTREME MUSIC FANS. THROW IN A FEW CONVERTS FROM THE LESS EXTREME FORMS AND YOU'LL SEE THE NUMBERS RISE. WE NEED MORE GENERATIONS OF DEICIDE FANS.
I recently learned that Ralph is a Christian and has objected to certain aspects of Deicide's artwork and even chooses to wear a crucifix on stage to protect himself from the "evil" of Deicide. My question is simply: is this a joke? If not, I think you seriously risk making your fans question the legitimacy of Deicide's stance on Satanism. Frankly, it is hard to believe that you are vehemently anti-Christian when you not only openly embrace one but embrace one within Deicide itself! - Rob Western
Rob,
YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THESE GUYS WHO TAKES HIS METAL VERY SERIOUSLY. SO LETS SAY FOR A SECOND THAT RALPH IS INDEED A CHRISTIAN. IS IT A DEFAMATION OF OUR CHARACTER AS MEMBERS OF DEICDE TO PLAY WITH A CHRISTIAN, OR IS IT A CASE OF BRINGING A CHILD OF LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS, TWISTING HIS WEAKNESSES FOR SUCCESS AND ADMIRATION AND MONEY WHILE DEFILING HIS BELIEFS, MAKING HIM DO SATANS BIDDING ON CD, ON STAGE, BACK STAGE, BRINGING HIM CLOSER AND CLOSER TO EMBRACING TO TRUE MEANING OF HUMANISM AND TEACHING HIM TO LET GO OF HIS FORMER, CHILDISH, BRAINWASHED BELIEF SYSTEM? IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO DE-PROGRAM A BRAINWASHED MIND, AND IF HE WEARS A CROSS TO PROTECT HIMSELF FROM THE EVIL ON STAGE, I FIND THAT VERY AMUSING.
If you guys could tour with one band you never have, who would it be and why? Also, who is one band in metal you would never tour with? -Daniel Johnson, Spanish Fork, UT
DANIEL,
I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN FOR A KISS REUNION TOUR BUT WOULD NEVER OPEN FOR A BAND WITH A CHICK SINGER.....JUST KIDDING LADIES!
As Deicide were one of the creators of the sound and genre we call death metal today, as songwriters, do you think death metal can be taken any further, and if so, how? On that note, do you think the genre allows you, as songwriters, to push your own boundaries as writers to "progress" or do you feel there is a responsibility to write within certain parameters to remain a "true" death metal band in the eyes of other people? - Scott van Dort. London, UK
SCOTT,
WE ALL KNOW HOW THE GENERES ARE DEFINED AND YES, ONCE YOU LEAVE THE DEATH METAL BLUE PRINT, YOU'RE NO LONGER DEATH METAL...I DON'T MAKE THE RULES.
I love Legion. What's up with the sound of glass shattering at the start of "Trifixion?" My theory is that it's supposed to be the sound of stained glass breaking but have not yet been able to confirm this. - Dave Hofer, Chicago, IL
DAVE,
THE GLASS SHATTERING IS BASED ON THE ARTWORK FOR LEGION, ON THE COVER THE TRIFIXOIN IS IN A GLASS SPERE, ON THE INNER FOLD OUT IT HAS BROKEN OUT, THUS THE SOUND OF THE GLASS CELL SHATTERING OPEN AND THE TRIFIXION IS UNLEASHED UPON THE WORLD.
If it were your last day on Earth, what three things would you do that you have never done before? - Stuart McVity - Sheffield, UK
STUART,
I'D GO FIND THE THREE CHICKS I'D WANT TO SHAG THE MOST AND SHAG'EM BABY, YEAH!
I'm surprised you chose to cover a Deep Purple song, instead of the predictable Venom or Slayer cover every band seems to have. After all these years with no cover songs, why did you guys choose to record one, and why was it Black Night? Has Deep Purple heard your version, and if so, what do you think about it? - Chris Buresh, Springfield, VA
CHRIS,
I PERSONALLY WAS NEVER A BIG DEEP PURPLE FAN, THEY JUST WERE NOT HEAVY ENOUGH FOR ME, AND I NEVER REALLY WANTED TO DO A COVER, AND THE ONLY WAY WE WERE GOING TO DO IT WOULD BE TO DEIFY IT. I THINK GLEN WAS THE ONE WHO SUGGESTED THAT SONG AND JACK AND RALPH SAID HELL THEN I SAID FUCK IT WHY NOT. |
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