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Surprising Endurance COVER STORY COVER AND CONTENTS PHOTOS BY SHIMON KARMEL
upfront
features
10 metal muthas Gone with the wind
16 final gasp More than mere misfits
32 wayfarer American horror story
12 low culture Blast from the past
18 ragana A blackened present for a brighter future
34 myrkur It’s electrifying
13 no corporate beer Barreled over 14 in the studio Vastum take a long, horrifying look inward
20 graveripper Sharp senses 22 the keening Flying the coop 24 kommodus Cold to the past 26 capra You must be mistaken 28 body void Empty vessels make the most noise
36 kk’s priest Sins of our brothers 38 nervosa For the ladies 40 q&a: cannibal corpse Vocalist George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher is no Mr. Asshole
reviews 44 exclusive:
the scott burns sessions: a life in death metal 1987-1997 book excerpt A very cynical history of a death metal classic
50 the decibel
hall of fame Insect Warfare stick to the grind long enough to help make the metal world a better place with their sole full-length World Extermination
75 lead review Wayfarer wrangle in their songwriting chops to craft an atmospheric masterpiece on American Gothic 76 album reviews Records from bands that again made Mitch McConnell lose his train of... including Cirith Ungol, Prong and Wolves in the Throne Room 88 damage ink Don’t feed the bear
30 false fed Crusts cut off
Decibel (ISSN 1557-2137) is published monthly by Red Flag Media, Inc., P.O. Box 36818, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Annual subscription price is $34.95. Periodical postage, paid at Philadelphia, PA, and other mailing offices. Submission of manuscripts, illustrations and/or photographs must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Postmaster send changes of address for Decibel to Red Flag Media, P.O. Box 36818, Philadelphia, PA 19107. © 2023 by Red Flag Media, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1557-2137 | USPS 023142 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
4 : NOVEMBER 2023 : DECIBEL
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Gregory Whalen was my favorite metal
journalist of all time. No offense to the many long-in-the-tooth legends that preceded him, but as a wee lad of 20 when Greg first started contributing to Terrorizer in 1996, I was at my most impressionable. In fact, I have previously mentioned the profound influence that mid-’90s Terrorizer—then stewarded by editor Nick Terry—had on the genesis of Decibel. So often that I’ve credited Nick’s vision for what an extreme music mag could be—but it was Greg who truly made that vision a reality. Armed with mildly elitist taste and a wicked sense of humor from his days publishing his own underground zine, The Crypt, Greg wielded a unique power. He could turn you on to essential new bands like Nifelheim and Gehennah while still making you appreciate the significance of then-omnipresent acts like Cradle of Filth and Moonspell—often within the pages of a single issue. Simultaneously, he led you deeper into the scene without shying away from contemporary bands that were entry points for younger metalheads. Well, maybe not all entry points. In the heady days of the mid-’90s, when nü-metal was still an unidentified fad and less of a now multi-generational scourge, Greg christened the juvenile movement “woolly hat metal.” It’s equal parts astutely dismissive and quintessentially British (or Scottish, as I’m sure he’d note), and it still makes me smile. I stopped seeing Greg’s Terrorizer byline sometime in the early aughts before learning that, for an all-too-common reason, he’d become increasingly less reliable. He received one last chance from a new editor, but flaked on a Mayhem cover story, which signaled his unceremonious end as a metal journalist. At least until I contacted him a few years later and convinced him to write a few reviews for Decibel. Even after a lengthy hiatus, he was still razor-sharp. It was short-lived, of course, but it was completely worth it. Greg’s giant personality was housed in an equally large body that was well over six feet tall. Sadly, as the years wore on, that vessel began to fail him. I learned this in the middle of July when—after nearly a decade of silence—Greg contacted me about contributing to Decibel again. Of course, I was game. I assigned him a review of the new Primordial album and gave him a deadline, which he promptly blew past. It was then that he told me he was on dialysis and I should give the review to someone else, and instead have him write a Primordial feature for the following issue. He closed with, “I am really sorry. Please don’t fire me.” I told him to not worry about the feature and to just please take care of himself. He didn’t reply. A few weeks later, he was gone. This time, for real. That Primordial review should have been my favorite piece in last month’s issue, but I didn’t reassign it to someone else. Because Greg Whalen is irreplaceable. Rest in power, big guy. albert mudrian, Editor-in-Chief
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November 2023 [T229] PUBLISHER
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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To order by phone: 1.215.625.9850 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST) To order by fax: 1.215.625.9967 To order online: www.decibelmagazine.com Decibel (ISSN 1557-2137) is published monthly by Red Flag Media, Inc., P.O. Box 36818, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Annual subscription price is $34.95. Periodical postage, paid at Philadelphia, PA, and other mailing offices. Submission of manuscripts, illustrations and/or photographs must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Postmaster send changes of address for Decibel to Red Flag Media, P.O. Box 36818, Philadelphia PA 19107. Copyright ©2023 by Red Flag Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. PRINTED IN USA
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Seth Foresman State College, PA
You reside in State College, PA, which, besides Penn State, we know nothing about. Is there anything going on there in terms of a metal scene?
These days, no. It was a lot better when I was going to school here in the early ’00s. There was a club downtown for years called the Crowbar where you used to be able to see everyone. GWAR, Baroness, Mastodon, Misfits and pretty much any other band who couldn’t sell out the BJC [Bryce Jordan Center] would play. It was tiny and sweaty and loud and awesome, and I fucking miss it. I am not sure if college students even listen to bands or music anymore that they didn’t discover on TikTok, but there are a few of us old Luddites out here still trying. I play guitar in one of the only metal bands in town (that I know of) called Goatsmoker. There ARE some metal
8 : NOVEMBER 2023 : DECIBEL
You’ve long been a vocal supporter of Decibel’s dear friends at The Requiem Metal Podcast. Feel free to give them a plug and tell us why every metalhead should be tuning in.
I love those guys. Never has a better lawnmowing and long-drive companion existed. Before I discovered that podcast, I only had this magazine to turn to for any informed discussion on the wealth of amazing underground and extreme metal music out there, and even from decades past. Finding Requiem was like discovering two friends I never knew I had. It’s a great supplemental way to learn more about bands that you know are important, but haven’t had the time to really dig into. Jason [Hundey] and Mark [Rudolph] dig in deep. They were even nice enough to entertain an idea I had for an episode on ’90s soundtracks. I was totally shocked when they ended up posting a three-part episode on the subject. The number one reason I suggest checking it out—especially if you are in your 40s—is simply nostalgia. I love hearing Jason and Mark talk about all these old bands and albums I had
to listen to behind a shroud of mystery back in the ’90s, and learning all the behind-thescenes history that I never knew. Plus, they go off on these great tangents about pop culture stuff that was happening at the time. I end up throwing my arms up in the air at least 10 times every episode, like, “YES! EXACTLY!” You’ve attended the Philly edition of Metal & Beer Fest on several occasions. What is your favorite set you’ve seen there, and what’s your dream booking?
Oh man… I would probably need three pages to talk about all the absolutely life-changing sets I have seen at Metal & Beer over the years. I was disappointed that I had to miss the last one in Philly, but I have been to every other one, and I plan on making my return this coming spring. There have been obvious triumphs that everyone can probably agree on—Sleep, Candlemass, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Enslaved, Horrendous, etc.—but my favorite sets were always the ones by bands I knew next to nothing about who surprised me. On that note, three sets come to mind: Immolation in 2017, and both Voivod and Soul Glo in 2022. All three of those sets really got to me for different reasons I was not expecting. A few bands I would love to see on the bill in the future: ASG, Godflesh, Unto Others, Big Business, Haunt, and then if you all could just find a way to get In Solitude or Torche back together. No big deal.
Chuck BB is the illustrator of the graphic novels Black Metal, Vol. 1, 2 and 3 . For more info and art, head over to chuckbb.com
PHOTO BY CARLY DREIBELBIS
bands in neighboring Altoona that we play with who are still keeping it alive. We share bills and all try to support each other. The lead guitarist in Deicide, Taylor Nordberg, is from here as well. Not much else to speak of. I am DMing bands all the time trying to get them to come play here. I am sure my wife would not mind them sleeping in our basement.
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NOW SLAYING Wonder what Decibel world HQ has been rocking for the past month? Well, here are the records that we spun most when we weren’t cancelling this issue because the world is overheating.
Because not all of us were spawned in the darkest recesses of hell
This Month’s Mutha: Carla Morrison Mutha of Aaron Heard of Jesus Piece
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am 57 years young. I have four sons. With the help of my mother, I raised all four of them. I love to travel. I just got back from New Orleans. It was hot as the devil’s balls down there. I felt like I was in Mexico picking Roma tomatoes. Oh, I have 11 grandchildren. Leo, Aaron’s son, was my youngest. I’m retired and I live in North Carolina. I do miss Philadelphia, though. I miss the food, atmosphere, my family and my grandchildren. But I can always go home to see them. I’m just hanging out and enjoying my life. Did you have any hand in Aaron’s affection for punk music when he was growing up?
I believe I had a hand in Aaron’s love of music, but I didn’t think it would be punk or metal. I’ve always played music in the home, especially on cleaning days. I didn’t know what type of music [Aaron played] until I seen a video. I’m just there like, “Where did he get that from?” He always said to me, “Mom, when I perform, I have to have you backstage. I don’t want you out there in all that mess.” I’m happy because I realized this is what really makes Aaron happy. It really helps inside, deep inside, with who he is and how he’s feeling. Your son is an Uber driver on the side. Are you ever concerned about his safety?
I’m concerned about Aaron’s safety no matter where he’s at. I’ve always been that type of mother. Shit can always happen. As far as him
being an Uber driver, I worry, but I try not to. I do know that he’s an honest man and a good man, you know? And anyone that he picks up, I think that they would feel it and know that he’s such a cool dude. How has it felt seeing Aaron’s ascent from Philadelphia’s underground metal scene to the cover of a major print magazine?
God, I was floored. He really is doing something big. I thought maybe he was playing some little clubs or something, but then when I saw the Decibel and Kerrang! covers and the Rolling Stone stuff, my jaw dropped. I was stuck. Just like, oh my goodness, like, he really is doing something. I always said Aaron was special, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. It was just something about him. What are your impressions of Aaron as a father?
Oh, he is awesome. I don’t think there’s anyone better than him, really. There isn’t a word for how much he loves his son. The thing I love the most is that Leo knows it. That little boy knows good and well that his daddy loves him. Leo is Aaron reincarnated all over again. He’s such a joy, but sensitive. He really warms my heart. Tell us something about your son that most people would never suspect.
When he was little, someone told him that the wind was gonna blow him away. I couldn’t understand why my son wouldn’t go outside. [Laughs] He was scared as hell. —ANDREW BONAZELLI
Albert Mudrian : e d i t o r i n c h i e f Tomb Mold, The Enduring Spirit The Keening, Little Bird Rid of Me, Access to the Lonely The Breeders, Pod Witchery, Restless & Dead ---------------------------------Patty Moran : c u s t o m e r s e r v i c e Icons of Filth, Not on Her Majesty’s Service The Partisans, The Partisans Subhumans, EP-LP Negative Approach, Tied Down Government Issue, Legless Bull ---------------------------------James Lewis : a d s a l e s Tomb Mold, The Enduring Spirit Wayfarer, American Gothic Insect Warfare, World Extermination Panopticon, …and Again into the Light Till the Dirt, Outside the Spiral ---------------------------------Mike Wohlberg : a r t d i r e c t o r Tomb Mold, The Enduring Spirit Svalbard, The Weight of the Mask Suffocation, Pierced from Within Wayfarer, American Gothic Mayhem, Live in Leipzig ---------------------------------Aaron Salsbury : m a r k e t i n g a n d s a l e s Ministry, The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste Petbrick, Pet Sounds Volume II Drowningman, Busy Signal at the Suicide Hotline Cronos Compulsion, Cursed and Decaying Mutoid Man, Mutants
GUEST SLAYER
---------------------------------Zak Carter : o u t e r h e a v e n Gary Moore, Run for Cover Horrendous, Ontological Mysterium Jean-Luc Ponty, Enigmatic Ocean Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Inner Mounting Flame Grateful Dead, Dick’s Picks vol. 36: The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 9/21/1972
PHOTO BY
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SCOTT KINKADE