They are Angelkill from Iowa and been existing since 1988. They have 5 full length releases along with several EPs. Presently Angelkill is recording the next full length release due out this year. This band play Black/Death Metal.

Tell us about evolution. Not really about evolution in general but perhaps maybe about your evolution as a “musician” and getting involved in the scene. What is your opinion on the underground nowadays than it was before?

…I started Angelkill myself just writing and recording demos from a small 4 track. The music was highly influenced by Bathory,Venom,Mercyful Fate so the music was a combination of these bands. As time went by and working with other musician there entered more influences which kept the music evolving. As for the Underground, Angelkill was very much a part of the old Underground. Once computers came along as well as the internet it really destroyed the old Underground.Nothing was the same. However after awhile I started seeing all my old Underground brothers and sisters on MySpace and it has really been great reconnecting with them again. All the older bands are still around along with many many great new bands. With the internet it levels everyone out…Once again bands can be their own labels.

About song writing, how long will it take to complete a song (your song). Is it possible to complete it all in an hour, or in day, or it might even took long periods of refining the lines, etc. How do you know or when can you say that the song is finished? Who wrotes the lyrics? Do each and everyone in the band contribute their ideas?

….Well I could easily write a song in a day but I find that it really takes time and going over the songs many times to make it a really good song. I always keep going over lyrics as well as the riffs and arrangements, refining them to make sure they are really what works for the song. I don’t want to look back 10 years from now at something and wish I would’ve done something different with the song.

What music format do you prefer the most; vinyl, CD, or cassettes? Do you think it is really good to release one album in these three mentioned formats? I mean, CD first then vinyl or vinyl first then CD is acceptable (at least to me), but CD first then vinyl then after that a cassette with same songs on them over and over again is something that I don’t understand! For collectors?

….When I first started listening to music cassettes were first coming out. I prefer cds and would never go back to cassettes. I think it’s a cool novelty to release an album on the side on vinyl for collectors. Actually most people prefer Mp3s which have a sound quality only alittle above cassettes. Not as good as cds. People actually prefer convenience over sound quality.

Then what is your opinion on bands who keep on releasing “rehearsal recordings” on various formats? Is this good or what? There are some bands who are fond on doing this and releasing same “rehearsal tracks” for about 4 releases (only with different album title) and if you’re not interested buying this, “you’re nothing but a poser” like is what being said in the ad…

…Many times a band won’t have a budget to record enough songs for a full length so they use live clips or rehearsal for “filler”. If they are to do that they should just release an Ep and include all the rehearsals and live stuff as “extras” to make it the length of a full length but sell it at an Ep price. I think it’s cool to hear a band’s live or rehearsals but with the poor sound quality one can really only listen for a short time.

Artworks… how important is this to you? Do you buy a record just because the artwork is great? What about the photoshopped “artworks” nowadays? What do you prefer; a photographed being enhanced by technology, a b/w goats, or a hand painting?

….The art quite honestly is an eye catcher. I remember when I was young in the early 80s.I didn’t know many bands. One day I was at the record store and I had enough money for one record and I wanted something I hadn’t heard before so I looked for the record that had the most evil/heavy looking cover art. It was Mercyful Fate’s “Don’t Break the Oath”!! To this day it remains one of my all time favorite albums!! I actually paint all the covers for Angelkill as I am also an artist. There are alot of things you can do with Photoshop. I think if they use Photoshop then they are still creating the art. Art has many different medias. You use whichever one that will create the image you are looking for.

What is your opinion on bootlegs and also the massive downloading of albums in general? Do you think all these ripped audios in filesharing sites helps the band? For nowadays over-crowded scene, what’s the best way for a band to get an attention? Is originality important?

….I am one of the many artist who think bootlegs and filesharing is great. I have found several Angelkill bootlegs and filesharing sites thoughout the years. The first thing that gos through my mind is Great…someone else spreading my music around other than me! I always thought that if someone wanted to go through the time,money,and trouble of spreading Angelkill out there throughout the world then they deserve to get paid for their trouble. They are doing my work for me. Great! I never think about the money I’m not making because when I started Angelkill I knew I would never make any money. All I ever wanted was to have someone from the other side of the earth in a country that I’ve never heard of listen and enjoy Angelkill.

Music and art should be enjoyed by as many people as possible. If you are wanting to make money you should’nt be doing it!

Do you listen to other forms of “music” in general? Something non-metal like classical or industrial? Do this somehow influences you? Where do you take your inspirations when you write your songs?

…. Oh yeah I listen to alot of classical. Recently I’ve been listening to alot of old wild 60s Jazz. That Jazz that is so sparatic and crazy that you don’t know how the hell they even know what the fuck they are playing! ha

What is your opinion about “life”? Do you believe humans really got “souls”? What is success, because there is a lot of definitions, specially on some people that thinks travelling all over the world is already a “huge success”? What are your goals with this band? When is the time to quit metal (ie: listening, buying, being in a band, etc)?

….I think you start with a blank white canvas and it is your job to paint it so to speak. I think your “soul” is what makes you you other than the technical lump of flesh and fluids. Like the music within that shiny piece of plastic. As far as success… It is an individual definition. People think Success=Rich…My idea of rich isnt the huge house or new car. It is not owning anyone anything…which equals freedom…so technically a homeless person is rich. Success is measured by each individuals goals.

Back to the band, what is your opinion on the use of keyboards? Is it really a problem? Do you think a metal band should not use this instrument just in order for them to stay “purely metal”? Then what is “purity” in metal? Do you think “experimenting” in music is bad? What is your opinion on the modernization of music (technical playing, etc)?

…I don’t think a band should be put down for using keys or experimentation. Sometimes it works and other times it doesnt. I think bands are affraid to try new things for fear of what the fans will say. Other bands are affraid to stay the same thinking the fans will say their new album sounds the same as the last. I think you should not worry about what the fans might say. Just make the music you want to play.

Some bands claim that they are here for a message? What do you think is that message? I mean, if these bands really want to spread a message across, then why are they releasing limited amount of copies? I don’t think that releasing 250 limited copies is enough to spread that “message”….

Well when I hear bands having a “message” it makes me think of church and them pushing religion down our throats. Nobody likes that shit. I think the only message should be METAL! I mean, what else should there be?!?

It is also noticeable about bands being so “defensive” nowadays. Loading themselves with a lot of excuses like: “no technical playing”, “no clean professional sound”, etc. I think only a few are doing good, but the rest are just trying to be hip. Anyway, what is your opinion on all of these?

…Ironically when bands say that they are saying they want to be part of a trend and not themselves. My music with Angelkill has always reflected what I listen to in a way. That’s why the music contains Black Metal,Death Metal, elements of old Thrash and Doom….some of that classical and crazy ass Jazz. Same with my vokills…I use a lot of different styles woven together…screams, gutteral, doom whatever will fit best with the riff at that part of the song.

Alright, we’ve come to an end. Do you have any final thoughts? Thank you for your time…

Many Thanks for this great interview and your support!!! The best to all of you!!