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Here is one bad ma'am-a-jam-a of a cover band.
Come through and party with us.
Yeah I know... the flyer has two mistakes, LASZLO doesn't serve Pabst, and its called Apocalypse West Coast, but I didn't make the flyer so shut the fuck up.
Music. Booze. Films. Food. Sports. Art. Dope. Shoes. Stuff to check out.
Those are the 3 most important things to keep in mind when you are buying a house, opening a business, or writing a piece of yellow journalism for Terrorizer magazine. Here is the interview Terrorizer did with Dwid from INTEGRITY. Note that his answers as well as Sean's, T's and my own are similar when we're asked about Cleveland. I'm posting these interviews to make a point. An article titled "Hello Cleveland" makes no sense at all. Check out Dwid's answers then go download a ton of good music from the link at the bottom. Then go get a brick, write the words "Go fuck yourself" on it, and throw it through the window of the offices of Terrorizer Magazine.
Terrorizer: Can you give us a historical overview of the ‘holy terror’ sub-genre, describing its elements, style, relevant philosophies, the key bands and anything else you feel one needs to know?
Dwid: Holy Terror does not wish to use this interview as a recruitment campaign to gain an even greater following. We will respond to your questions as a courtesy, and if any of your readers that wish to learn more, they would be served best by reading between the lines.
Terrorizer: ‘Holy Terror’ was often associated with internal anger and apocalyptic imagery. Looking back at the 90s, from where do you think these feelings spawned? Was it the same place thrash bands who were singing about alienation and impending nuclear holocaust, but presented in a much more nefarious and prickly manner?
Dwid: Our music is created as an act of religious terrorism. We long for absolute genocide. Our music is not peace punk. We are human racists, we are against the human race.
Terrorizer: How does holy terror’s “apocalyptica” differ from nihilism?
Dwid: We do not feel that life is meaningless, but that we are prisoners in flesh incarcerated in the hellish world. We are striving for a means to eliminate these confines and free all of the souls imprisoned on this dying shell. However, I must confess my adoration for historys greatest nihilist, Francis Bacon.
Terrorizer: Where did the name “Holy Terror” originate? Some say it was your label, others claim it was Brian from Catharsis and his ‘zine Inside Front. I, personally, don’t remember and don’t the term being that widely used as a genre describer. Was it?
Dwid: Holy Terror was a term first used by Inside Front magazine in the early 1990s in an attempt to describe the musical sound and lyrical content for bands like Integrity and Gehenna. Defining, in simpler terms, musical terrorism with an extreme religious manifesto. Jack Abernathy felt that, 'Holy Terror' would be an ideal new moniker to conceal previous incarnation of His movement. His earlier manifestation of the movement had garnered too much negative investigation from the authorities/media. Their witchhunt deemed that a change of name and identity was necessary for the survival of the movement.
Terrorizer: In the same way that New York had NYHC and the Bay Area had its thrash, Cleveland and a fair share of bands from the city became associated with the ‘holy terror’ sound.
Why was Cleveland such a focal point for this style/sound?
Dwid: We have nothing in common with those groups. Holy Terrorists are more akin to the passionate music of Mansons glorious Family and the uncompromising French zealots, Les Legions Noire than to those which you have referenced. A geographical location such as Cleveland offers no significance to HT.
Terrorizer: In descriptions, I’ve seen ‘holy terror’ described as one of the original permutations of metalcore in the sense that it combined metal and hardcore influences and did it in a way that differed from crossover. Agree/disagree?
Dwid: I have no idea about the origins of that genre of music. My interest in metallic punk/hardcore derived from G.I.S.M.
Terrorizer: What are the parallels or connections between ‘holy terror’ and the H8000 sound? Do parallels or connections even exist?
Dwid: HT is not a sound, it is a weapon.
Terrorizer: ‘Holy Terror’ appears to not just be a loose quip designed to describe music, but an entire aesthetic involving a certain lyrical style and artwork, which often made use of original paintings/artwork from the 1700’s and 1800s. Once again, agree/disagree? And was this all-encompassing aesthetic what kept the sound/scene from gaining ground in terms of popularity and also limiting the number of bandwagon bands?
Dwid: I believe you are alluding to H. Bosch. Bosch was able to see beyond the veil that was placed upon our eyes by the demons. His painting illustrate the actual reality of this hellish world. In the same sense of this Flemish master, we also illustrate what we see beneath the veil in order to convey our beliefs. There has never been any interest in popularity. We are creating for our own selfish reasons and rituals.
Terrorizer: This is kind of related to the question above, but…. Why do you feel ‘holy terror’ as a sub-genre never became a household name and/or never took off; not necessarily of popularity, but of more bands openly referring to themselves as such? Was it a matter of terminology; like the term metalcore was a bit easier on the brain, but then ended up taking on a totally different meaning?
Dwid: There is no interest in this.
Terrorizer: Specifically in your last email, you mentioned our “only salvation being the total extermination of the human race.” I’m presuming this also includes yourself, friends and your loved ones? If existence is such hell, why do you yourself go on? Or is it your position to make the general populace’s existence that much more uncomfortable with your time allotted?
Dwid: Yes, the extermination of the entire human race in one loving act. This is the only way for salvation. This flesh is an abomination, a rotting prison cell.
Terrorizer: To what do you attribute the slight resurgence that we’ve seen in the use of the term ‘holy terror’ with respect to re-issued records and the bands playing the style?
Dwid: Recordings are re-issued when the original recordings are no longer available. We will not be held accountable for others choosing to emulate our musical creations.
Terrorizer: Who are some of the more recent bands that have popped up that you feel faithfully capture the spirit and sound of ‘holy terror’?
Dwid: We know who We are
Mr. Sean Welsh plays in a band called ROT IN HELL from England and (like the rest of us) was made out to be a citizen of Ohio. While he and I disagree on who the greatest football team in Manchester is, we both agree on the STONE ROSES being gods, and the guy who wrote this article being a dipshit. Here are Sean's original answers.
Terrorizer: Can you give us a historical overview of the ‘holy terror’ sub-genre, describing its elements, style, relevant philosophies, the key bands and anything else you feel one needs to know?
Sean Welsh: Filter out the superfluous peripheral distractions and really listen. You are dug in and pinned down in the middle of a mine-strewn battlefield and the enemy has called in an air strike. We, on the other hand, are behind enemy lines preparing the way, weakening bridges and priming our ambush. The sleeper cells are stirring, equipped to wage a guerrilla war against humankind. In other words, we are mere hair’s breadth from realising our objectives. You should confront the lie that you live in.
Terrorizer: ‘Holy Terror’ was always associated with anger and apocalyptic feelings. Looking back at the 90s, from where do you think these feelings spawned? Was it the same place thrash bands who were singing about alienation and impending nuclear holocaust, but presented in a much more nefarious and prickly manner?
Sean Welsh: No, your analogy is misplaced. We inhale the corrupted air of the Tokyo subways, not the adolescent radioactive fantasies of Bay Area beer-bongs. We listen to the wisdom of Sakevi Yokoyama and Pentti Linkola, not the fripperies of Belladonna and Mustaine. We are students and apostles of Armageddon, not of a heavy metal genre.
Terrorizer: Where did the name “Holy Terror” originate? Some say it was Dwid’s label, others claim it was Brian from Catharsis and his ‘zine Inside Front. I, personally, don’t remember the term being that widely used as a genre describer. Was it?
Sean Welsh: Your assertion that Dingledine coined the term holds water, however, when used contemporaneously in association with Holy Terrorism as a description of a particular sound, it is done so in error, ignorance and “without honour or soul”.
Terrorizer: In the same way that New York had NYHC and the Bay Area had its thrash, Cleveland and a fair share of bands from the city became associated with the ‘holy terror’ sound. Why was Cleveland such a focal point for this style/sound?
Sean Welsh: The simple answer would be Integ, a more complicated answer would involve misappropriation of the term, however, there must be other individuals better placed to answer this question since we hail from the north of England not Cleveland, Ohio. In any event, Holy Terror and Clevo have only the most tenuous and historical relationship, if any at all.
Terrorizer: In descriptions, I’ve seen ‘holy terror’ described as one of the original permutations of metalcore in the sense that it combined metal and hardcore influences and did it in a way that differed from crossover. Agree/disagree?
Sean Welsh: Disagree. “Metalcore” is considered a nauseating malapropism by all Holy Terrorists.
Terrorizer: What are the parallels or connections between ‘holy terror’ and the H8000 sound? Do parallels or connections even exist?
Sean Welsh: To reiterate, Holy Terrorism is not concerned with a sound, but rather an action.
Terrorizer: ‘Holy Terror’ appears to not just be a loose quip designed to describe music, but an entire aesthetic involving a certain lyrical style and artwork, which often made use of original paintings/artwork from the 1700’s and 1800s. Once again, agree/disagree?
And was this all-encompassing aesthetic what kept the sound/scene from gaining ground in terms of popularity and also limiting the number of bandwagon bands?
Sean Welsh: We indeed draw strength from expression of individual thinking which may include, but it goes far beyond lyrics or artwork. With specific regard to art, the contemporary work of Stephen Kasner and Give Up for example, are fundamental facets of Holy Terrorism.
Popularity is not our concern or objective and has no place in Holy Terrorism. That the overwhelming majority have neither the vision, nor disposition to comprehend or appreciate Holy Terrorism is a validation in itself. You may consider us marginalised, outgunned and outnumbered, but remember, we are not in here with you; you are all in here with us. In other words, we are the Ouroboros in your midst.
Terrorizer: This is kind of related to the question above, but…. Why do you feel ‘holy terror’ as a sub-genre never became a household name and/or never took off; not necessarily of popularity, but of more bands openly referring to themselves as such? Was it a matter of terminology; like the term metalcore was a bit easier on the brain, but then ended up taking on a totally different meaning?
Sean Welsh: Please refer to the previous answer.
Terrorizer: What was up with Gehenna?
Sean Welsh: In what respect? I’m sure Mike Cheese would be happy to answer your questions with regards the Infamous Gehenna.
Terrorizer: To what do you attribute the slight resurgence that we’ve seen in the use of the term ‘holy terror’ with respect to re-issued records and the bands playing the style?
Sean Welsh: Some individuals have referred to a ‘Rebirth of Holy Terror’ since soon after the turn of the century, however, it never in fact went away. In recent years Mr Abernathy has reached out and amassed a worldwide network of comrades and cohorts who are poised and committed to the cause. It's always there, the beginning and the end.
As the wolves, or rather pigs closed in they appeared to consider us encircled and embattled. Distracted and aroused as they were, some of our number simply vanished from under their snouts and reappeared elsewhere and everywhere. Undoubtedly they scratched the surface, but what of it? It only added to their misperception, little did they know, little do they know, little will they ever know other than what we choose to feed them, drip, drip, drip.
Terrorizer: Who are some of the more recent bands that have popped up that you feel faithfully capture the spirit and sound of ‘holy terror’?
Sean Welsh: Integ, Gehenna and Pale Creation continue to rend the world asunder. In their wake Vegas, Roses Never Fade, Horders, and Withdrawal will change your life and understanding of it upon its head if only you so desire.
Go here and download some gunpowder (including ROT IN HELL) http://www.holyterror.com/downloads/ then on Sunday listen to it while Sean an I trade insults about soccer via the internet.
The mastermind behind the band VVEGAS (know as T) also had a chance to get misrepresented by Terrorizer Magazine. Here are his original uncut statements.
Terrorizer: Can you give us a historical overview of the ‘holy terror’ sub-genre, describing its elements, style, relevant philosophies, the key bands and anything else you feel one needs to know?
VVEGAS: The ideas have always been there in various incarnations, shapes and forms. There is no "style" per se. We don't desire to prove anything. Ethical sympathies are an unpardonable mannerism. Opposition means being in accord with oneself. The main tenet is individualism - at any cost.
Terrorizer: ‘HT’ was often associated with internal anger and apocalyptic imagery. Looking back at the 90s, from where do you think these feelings spawned? Was it the same place thrash bands who were singing about alienation and impending nuclear holocaust, but presented in a much more nefarious and prickly manner?
VVEGAS: The difference is that we are embracing developments such as the implications of the era when the iron curtain spawned lyrical content.
Terrorizer: How does holy terror’s “apocalyptica” differ from nihilism?
VVEGAS: Nihilism is about of the rejection of all principles. We believe in love. It's our only weapon. Our lie is an ally of truth. The slate needs to be wiped clean once and for all.
Terrorizer: Where did the name “HT” originate? Some say it was Dwid’s label, others claim it was Brian from Catharsis and his ‘zine Inside Front. I, personally, don’t remember and don’t the term being that widely used as a genre describer. Was it?
VVEGAS: I think that is was first used by Brian Dingledine in 1993 in a "journalistic" attempt to describe the musical sound and lyrical content for bands combining musical terrorism with religious imagery. I am not sure if VEGAS could be categorized according to that cookie-cutter formula. What I know is that Jack Abernathy fell in love with the label. With Dwid having always been interested in Abernathy's creations them teaming up was a logical step. Stemming from a completely different and more sinister background, it became Jack's pet peeve and he made it a branch of his movement, placing Dwid at the helm. It was strange seeing Jack reverberating through him. It was Jack's idea to use the name to distract attention from the other things he had going on at the time. While he did not openly discuss it, I guess it was a necessary move to branch out into other spheres as an earlier incarnation of his movement created too much heat and needed to lay low. A few years after, he took a leap back into mainstream culture but I am not at liberty to discuss further details.
Terrorizer: In the same way that New York had NYHC and the Bay Area had its thrash, Cleveland and a fair share of bands from the city became associated with the ‘holy terror’ sound. Why was Cleveland such a focal point for this style/sound?
VVEGAS: The magnetic pull of Lake Eerie and the bad water.
Terrorizer: In descriptions, I’ve seen ‘HT’ described as one of the original permutations of metalcore in the sense that it combined metal and hardcore influences and did it in a way that differed from crossover. Agree/disagree?
VVEGAS: It's been described in many ways yet we are not concerned with labels and descriptions. Its manifestion via aggressive music, as with Vegas, is just one incarnation consisting in the perfect use of an imperfect medium. There are no limitations, neither musically nor philosophically.
Terrorizer: What are the parallels or connections between ‘holy terror’ and the H8000 sound? Do parallels or connections even exist?
VVEGAS: It's funny that you mention "H8000" as we've had a meeting with Abernathy a couple of years ago in exactly the area that the Belgian "8000" zipcode refers to. He rented a windowless apartment for the occasion, that we aptly named "the bunker", and it served its purpose well.
Terrorizer: ‘HT’ appears to not just be a loose quip designed to describe music, but an entire aesthetic involving a certain lyrical style and artwork, which often made use of original paintings/artwork from the 1700’s and 1800s. Once again, agree/disagree? And was this all-encompassing aesthetic what kept the sound/scene from gaining ground in terms of popularity and also limiting the number of bandwagon bands?
VVEGAS: Aestheticism and the transport of purposes is an oxymoron. It is as it is. Gaining popularity was never an agenda.
Terrorizer: This is kind of related to the question above, but…. Why do you feel ‘HT’ as a sub-genre never became a household name and/or never took off; not necessarily of popularity, but of more bands openly referring to themselves as such? Was it a matter of terminology; like the term metalcore was a bit easier on the brain, but then ended up taking on a totally different meaning?
VVEGAS: The labels people attach to it might change yet the ideas are eternal, no matter how low you tune your guitar.
Terrorizer: To what do you attribute the slight resurgence that we’ve seen in the use of the term ‘HT’ with respect to re-issued records and the bands playing the style?
VVEGAS: As stated before, the main ideas are what could be referred to as atavistic instincts. It felt natural to incorporate them into our alchemy. Rather than a renaissance it's more like new people are being exposed to them now.
Terrorizer: Who are some of the more recent bands that have popped up that you feel faithfully capture the spirit and sound of ‘HT’?
VVEGAS: I rarely listen to music these days. Our friends play in bands like Integrity, Gehenna, Roses Never Fade, AVM, Rot in Hell, Blind To Faith, Shoot To Kill, Pale Creation etc.