ACHERON interview with Vincent Crowley
1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
VC- We actually have been working on some new material, while we have been lining up some upcoming gigs. In March ACHERON will start playing some live shows to help promote the new album.
2.You have a new album coming out in March, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it has taken and also how does it differ from your past releases?
VC- I wanted to keep the ACHERON feel, yet continue to evolve musically. One thing I really wanted to concentrate on is creating very memorable riffs within the songs that would stay within the listener’s mind. Lyrically there are all sorts of dark and sinful topics that are influenced by all past ACHERON releases. Our goal was to has a sound and production like something that would have been recorded back in the late 80’s or early 90’s. Having Dan Swano mix and master this album did just that. I think this is an album both old and new fans will enjoy.
3.On the new album while you kept the satanic and anti christian lyrics you also added in some Aleister Crowley this time, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this founder of Thelema?
VC- Well, lets face it, To Mega Therion was a very interesting man and magician. He lived a bazaar life. I always though his story of invoking Choronzon would make a great song topic. And indeed it did. Crowley was a man or knowledge, humor and perversion. His entire existence was indeed something to keep your attention. A man declared The evilest man in the world who ended up dying as a poor junkie. Such an insane tale.
4.I remember on one of your past albums you had some lyrics written about the Temple Of Vampire, do you have any contact with them these days?
VC- No. I felt the teaching an their mythos of the TOV made a great album concept. I studied and became a member while doing it. But there were things I didn’t agree with, just like everything else, soI went my own way. But I did take a lot of interesting ideas from their practices with me in my everyday life.
5.While the band is known for their allegiance to the Church Of Satan, what are some of the other forms of occultism do you find interesting?
VC- ACHERON is not aligned with the CHURCH OF SATAN anymore! I resigned from the Priesthood back in 2000. After LaVey died things changed a lot. And after some personal issues I decided to leave the ranks. At that time I wanted no membership affiliation with any organized religious groups. As for my occult interest I am fascinated with all kinds of dark practices from all over the world. I do not limit myself to only one thing.
6.What are your thoughts on the modern day Luciferian organizations and theistic Satanists who disagree with the writings of Anton Lavey?
VC- It al depends on their interpretation of what “Theistic Satanists” are. There are so many who think differently. Personally, the worship of any deity our dedication to a religion is not for me. My ideas and beliefs have remained on the Left Hand Path, but they have indeed evolved very much. To me, Satanism is a philosophy and lifestyle. I will not longer call it a religion! It was not meant to be some manipulated organization ran by others. Nor is it some fairy-tale belief in some deity to help you get through your life. It is basic lesson in self preservation and self-fulfillment. My occult side pays homage to that dark energy that I tap into, which could be symbolized as Satan, but it is not my god or higher power. It is that force of nature I draw energy from that helps me become one with the darkened light. Put that is a whole other story, which I prefer to keep to myself these days. But in the end I still don’t worship anything!
7.There has been a five year gap between albums, can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during those days?
VC- We released a really good album called “THE FINAL CONFLICT: Last Days of God” and the record label was not doing any promotion for it what-so-ever! That could some inner conflicts within the band. Members just started drifting apart. So eventually, I just wanted to get away from everything about the music industry. So I disbanded the group. 10 months later, my drummer Kyle Severn and I ended up meeting together for some beers and talked things out. We decided not to let the industry destroy ACHERON. So we agreed not to pursue a record label at that time and just do shows and start enjoying playing for the fans again. And we did so for several years! After awhile we did start writing new songs and we recorded a 2-song demo. Kyle’s other band INCANTATION was signed to LISTENABLE RECORDS, so we decided to send them a copy to check it out. They loved the demo and signed the band. Since then we have been back on track with a record label that actually cares about the band. So we are all very psyched for the release of “KULT DES HASSES”!
8.Over the years what are some of the best shows and tours that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
VC- I think the 2 best tours we did in the past years was with OBITUARY in Brazil and DARK FUNERAL in Mexico. We had a great time on both tours and the bands were great people to hangout with. Great memories, indeed! And ACHERON live show is like being smashed in the face with a Satanic sledgehammer! (Ha, Ha)
9.Do you have any touring or show plans for the year of 2014 for the new album?
VC- Absolutely! They are trying to work on some tours in Europe and South America for us as we speak. We also plan on hitting all the major cities we can in the USA. I’m actually down for playing anywhere! Asia would be amazing to play.
10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the newer material by fans of satanic metal?
VC- It has really been incredible! I’m actually on FACEBOOK and I like to keep in touch with the fans and get their feedback. So many supportive ACHERON fans from all over the globe have really embraced the new material we have made public. I know they are really going to enjoy the album as a whole as soon as it is released. Without our fans we are nothing. They have kept the hellfires burning all these years!
11.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
VC- I think it will be a perfect follow-up to “KULT DES HASSES”. We already have 3 songs written for it. Again, we will keep the ACHERON feel, but we will not give you the same albums over and over again. I think everything we have done sounds like an ACHERON album, but all are very different and unique. We will stick to that method.
12.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
VC- I listen to all kinds of music. As for Metal, I like all styles of it. Bands like CELTIC FROST, VENOM, MERCYFUL FATE, BATHORY, SLAYER, SODOM and KREATOR have always been the bands that influenced me to play music in the first place.
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
VC- Actually, I really enjoy going on long hikes in national parks. Getting away from society is such a great thing to experience. I also am a Horror Movie freak. I can’t get enough of the stuff. And the studying the art of human sexuality and sadomasochism.
14.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?
VC- Thank you for your interest in ACHERON. We hope everyone picks up our new album “KULT DES HASSES” on LISTENABLE RECORDS in March 2014! We hope to see you on the road very soon and raise some fucking HELL! Ad Maiorem Satanae Gloriam!
Vincent Crowley - ACHERON
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