1. Can you introduce the band to my readers?
B.S.T. : Hailz. Daniel Wilding (drums) and I formed THE ORDER OF APOLLYON during summer 2008, while we both were already playing together in ABORTED. Although we had a lot of fun playing in that band, we felt something was missing for it to be a more deep and intense projetc, the visual and spiritual aspect I guess... It meant a lot to me in particular, as my background is mostly underground and religious black metal.
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album?
B.S.T. : As I always say our music is a sort of tribute to the late 80's early 90's extreme metal scene, the one we grew up with. We want our albums to sound powerful but at the same time raw, natural, and not overproduced, like most records this day, especially in the US and Swedish Death metal scenes. I'm not even talking about Death-core. I enjoy way more the way albums were recorded back then, it just feels more genuine, and I don't mind the fact that it sounded less "perfect", on the contrary.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new album explores?
B.S.T. : The whole album is a concept around the contrast between flesh and spirit, the material versus the spiritual... We preach a form of distanciation from all the corrupt and futile aspects of life, and the living of an existence full of devotion, everyday getting closer to the one true God.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band's name?
B.S.T. : The Order is a religious group that came to life with the band, consisting of other people who do not necessarily play in the band. The name Apollyon is a greek translation of the hebrew Abaddon, "The Destroyer". It's a character that we can read about in St-John's Apocalypse, as well as in a few other texts... To us it symbolizes a form of destruction necessary to the liberation of the soul, an inexorable evil each of us must face in order to get closer to God.
5. Has the band had any opportunities to do live shows yet, if so what are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
B.S.T. : So far we played only one show, in London, with Shining (SW) and Enthroned (Be). And it was a great experience, most of the people attending showed a lot of support and respect for what we do. We have a short European tour scheduled for next january, looking forward to it... Very much. As far as our performance goes, I'd say we try to be as professional as possible, and stand for what we preach. There is nothing to fancy yet in our stage presence or live show in general, although we're working on the visual aspects as we speak. But we're not planning on having anything too... shiny, if you know what I mean. We're meant to stick to a strict appearance to fit what the band is : A propaganda tool for a religious cult.
6. Currently you are signed to Listenable Records, how did you come in contact with the label and what are your expectations when they put out your new album?
B.S.T. : I have been in touch with Laurent for a long time, and we always got along well. We were looking for a label big enough to promote us properly, and help us out building something, but at the same time we wanted to avoid being a small fish in a huge sea... Listenable was the best choice we had, and we're glad we made it.
7. The band consists of many different veterans of the extreme metal scene, do any of the members still play in other bands or is this a full time project?
B.S.T. : This is a real band and not a simple side project, however we all have other bands : James plays in Cradle of Filth, Daniel plays in Trigger the bloodshed, and Peter plays in Akercocke. I also play in Aosoth, Balrog, and Genital Grinder, but those are quite underground projects.
8. How has the support been so far by extreme metal fans worldwide that have heard your music?
B.S.T. : We got pretty good reactions online, and I can't wait for the album to be released in the US. Sales seem to be doing okay so far, although nowadays it's way easier to download an album illegally than to buy it. But that's just the way things are now, we have to live with it, there are so many bands, and so many releases every month, can't really expect people to buy everything, can we? At least those who bought it or downloaded it seem to enjoy the music, and our message has reached a few people...
9. What can we expect from the band in the future?
B.S.T. : We'll play live as much as possible, and I guess we'll give it a year or so before starting working on the next album, we have a few riffs ready, and everyone is going to be involved in the composition, so it should be more diverse and interesting, musically.
10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
B.S.T. : I still mostly listen to the bands that first influenced me, old Slayer, Metallica, Sepultura, Death, Morbid Angel, Marduk, Deathspell Omega, Immortal... And I also listen to lots of 70s rock bands like Deep Purple, Led Zepellin, Black Sabath, Pink Floyd, or even the Rolling Stones...
11. What role does Occultism or Satanism play in the music?
B.S.T. : I wouldn't use the word "Satanism", I never really liked this word, although our belief system has some similarities with a few radical Satanist groups. I would say we have a big visual influence from orthodox Christianity, but our ideology is also very much inspired by the Torah, and the Koran. We believe in people being mainly sheep's, led by the ones who hear God's Word in a clearer way. We believe that the absence of choice, and free will, for men, is nothing but a Fact. All derives from the Lord, and we are mere pieces in a design we are far too small to understand, Absolute devotion is the only Key. True servants will be rewarded.
12. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?
B.S.T. : Religion. I also enjoy the exploration of our own perception of things through the use of narcotics, a form of transcendence, during which we lose out grip to the material world.
13. Any final words or thoughts before we close this interview?
B.S.T. : Thank you for your time. Judgement is upon us. Praise the Lord.
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www.myspace.com/bst616
www.myspace.com/aosoth616
www.myspace.com/templeofapollyon
www.myspace.com/balrogbm
www.myspace.com/genitalgrinderdm
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