CONTENTS

Hey everyone,
02 – Contents
03 – News I'm still recovering from the Dragonforce concert
as I write this. It was definitely the show of the
04 – SLAUGHTERHOUSE TV year for me! Pure entertainment. Our cover story
06 – NILE this issue is with a man of the moment, Karl
09 – Evil Fridge Sanders of Nile who also recently invaded our
10 – Music Reviews shores. Check it out.
13 – SODOM
And we also talk with Ben from 8 Foot Sativa
17 – Movie Review about the new album “Poison the Ages” that's
18 – GENERATION BEAUTIFUL OUT NOW!
20 – 8 FOOT SATIVA
22 – Win Free Stuff We also introduce Slaughterhouse TV in this
issue. That's right, we now have a TV show!
SLAUGHTERAMA © 2007. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Our final announcement is that the zine will no
ENQUIRIES: longer be timetabled to come out every 2 months.
Phone - 021-146-6477 Instead, we will be releasing issues as we have
E-mail - slaughtermail@gmail.com sufficient content, which means that they will not
Website - www.slaughterhouse.co.nz appear to any particular schedule. Watch for
Skype - slaughterphone announcements on when the next issue will
come out, as we will let you know using our
Mailing Address - online resources, and also via Slaughterhouse
Slaughterama Zine TV and House of Noizz radio.
P.O. Box 12-978
Penrose BRENDON WILLIAMS
Auckland 1642 Editor
New Zealand

ATTENTION ADVERTISERS / BANDS /

PROMOTERS / ANYONE ELSE! CIRCULATION
CONTACT BRENDON VIA THE ABOVE Hard Copies – approx. 500
METHODS FOR CHEAP ADVERTISING Internet – unlimited availability worldwide via
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02
 NEWS
Put a superstar, mega-
platinum hot rocker, into
a Los Angeles mansion
with 25 single women
and what do you get? A
HUGE rock and roll love
fest party! Bret Michaels,
superstar lead singer of
the band POISON, is set
to play with this bevy of
beauties in a 10-part
reality series premiering
in July on VH1 in July
BRET MICHAELS called "Rock of Love
with Bret Michaels".
Finnish symphonic
metallers NIGHTWISH
have recruited 35-year-old
Swedish singer Anette
Blyckert (a.k.a. Anette
Olzon) to replace Tarja
Turunen.
ANETTE BLYCKERT
Another show has just
been announced for the
New Zealand leg of the
GUNS N' ROSES
"Chinese Democracy
World Tour". The New
Zealand tour will be
AXL ROSE extended from two
Auckland shows to
include another in Christchurch. The third and final
show will be in Christchurch on Tuesday, July 3 at
the Westpac Arena.
The members of
MÖTLEY CRÜE have
made it known that
they're not big fans of
"shitty porn star" Paris
Hilton by supporting a
"Throw Paris Hilton In
Jail" petition. NIKKI SIXX
TREASURE LAND,
the Swedish
progressive metal
band who released
two highly acclaimed
CDs in 1997 and
1998, has posted
audio samples from
TREASURE LAND its 2007 demo at
www.treasureland.nu
A 27-year-old Finnish
former Heavy Metal
guitarist and footballer is
the New Zealand
Symphony Orchestra's
new music director. Pietari
Inkinen, who has replaced
British conductor James
Judd, conducted his first
orchestra at the age of 14
and is the youngest person
to hold the key NZSO PIETARI INKINEN
position since the 1950s.
DIMEBAG DARRELL Induction Ceremony
PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was
inducted on Thursday (May 17) into Hollywood's
RockWalk, the only sidewalk gallery dedicated to
honoring artists who have made
a significant impact to the
growth of rock 'n' roll.
KING DIAMOND's long-awaited
new album, "Give Me Your
Soul ... Please", will be
released in North America on
June 26 via Metal Blade
Records. KING DIAMOND
03

Slaughterhouse Productions officially announced
the newest addition to their media family last
month. Now, along with House of Noizz radio,
Slaughterama zine and the official website and
forums at www.slaughterhouse.co.nz, the team
have put their stamp on the entire range of
medias available with this venture into television.
Brendon Williams talks to us about the new
show.
Hi Brendon. Tell us about the new TV show,
Slaughterhouse TV and how it came about.
Well, Max and I had been talking for a while about
what we could do to further extend our reach and
scope. We felt we were already doing plenty, but still
wanted to take things a step further. So, with the
increased popularity of youtube, a window existed for
us to exploit this new technology and produce some
low budget television to entertain metal fans from NZ
and also globally.
Where is the show filmed? And what kind of
equipment did you need to acquire and learn to
use?
The show is filmed at the glamorous studios of my
flat. In my lounge, actually. Sometimes we have to
clear the coffee table off a bit on Saturday night
when we film. But we don't spend too much time
cleaning up because during and after the show we
get on the piss. As far as equipment, anyone who
has been on set will tell you that we only use the
highest quality equipment to ensure that fans get the
best low budget dodgy-ass TV possible.
The 2 episodes that have so far been uploaded
have not yet featured local bands as guests, but
you have promised guests in the future. Can you
04
tell us who may be appearing, and give us an
idea who you would let come on the show?
Well, some of NZ's best bands have already
expressed their interest in being on the show. Which
is awesome. It's pretty much the main direction I'd
like the show to go in; chatting with, partying with and
promoting the local talent. I don't really want to give
away who the upcoming guests are, because that
would take some of the surprise out of watching the
show. As far as letting bands on the show, any band
that wants to come on is invited! Just contact me via
email on slaughtermail@gmail.com and we can work
something out. If you're from out of Auckland, you'll
have to work out your own transport though (and
BYO piss!) But it's definitely a good idea for any
band touring Auckland to get in touch!
The show is only on youtube at the moment. Any
plans for it to move to network TV?
I would love for it to be on network TV. I have
contacted all of the local networks, but they haven't
responded. So I guess they either think that the
market is too small for the show, or they just think
the show is shit. Haha. But we'll see how it goes. I
haven't pushed that hard yet, and until I get an
answer from them I won't give up trying to bring more
metal to TV! The other option is to go on Triangle
(public access TV), but that's pretty expensive, and
considering that we get a lot of hits on youtube and
it's actually easier to just watch it on the net
whenever the mood strikes, I think that uploading it
at no cost to us is the most beneficial way to go
about making the show available.
What other things can viewers look forward to on
Slaughterhouse TV?
Well, we're thinking about having our own exclusive
cartoon inset into the show somewhere (like Beavis
& Butthead were inset into MTV), but that's just a
thought at the moment – we'd need to find an
animator that's happy to make the show for free. And
as we have experienced in the past, there doesn't
seem to be too many people around who are happy
to devote heaps of time and energy towards
something for no money back. So if anyone knows or
is an animator who wants to make their first show on
a platform where an audience already exists for it,
then they should get in touch!
I see that you have a Noizzfest poster there in the best in Black and Death as well!
background on your set. Are you planning
another Noizzfest, or a concert event like it? What is interest like from overseas?

Unfortunately, although we'd love to, we simply don't Actually, surprisingly good. Overseas bands are
have time to do another Noizzfest. And we don't want discovering the TV show and zine often, and metal
to do one unless we can make it even bigger and fans from other countries as well. I'm proud to be
better than the last one. So at this point there are no involved in one of the few NZ mediums attempting to
plans for the immediate future, but who knows, if we take New Zealand's metal to the world, all the while
get more people on our team who are into organising promoting the world's metal in New Zealand.
gigs, then it would sure be awesome to do another
one! You guys obviously like to drink, and it seems
that you will
continue to drink
during each of
your shows. Are
you worried about
the message you
may be portraying
to the youth?

Are you kidding?!

Drinking is part of
our culture. Many
kiwis enjoy a chat
over a few drinks.
The only difference
is that Max and I
are recording it for
people to view. It's
real life, and if
conservative
people can't deal
with that, then fuck
them.

Any final words to

your audience?
MAX THRASHER (left) and BRENDON WILLIAMS (right) share
a laugh and a few drinks on the set of Slaughterhouse TV Thank you to
anyone who has
What genres of Metal are you particularly ever read one of our zines (like the one you're
interested in promoting with the TV show? holding now), listened to a House of Noizz show,
checked out our website, or watched Slaughterhouse
All of them! We have always been into the promotion TV. Your support is one of the main reasons we do
of all good Metal. We do take into consideration that this, and is a massive encouragement to continue
there are other shows which concentrate on certain with it. We've been through a lot of shit to get our
genres, particularly extreme metal, so we do our best projects off the ground, and now that everything has
to champion the genres that other shows fail to been launched to the level we want it at, we will
promote so much, like Power Metal, Glam, Classic relentlessly pursue further excellence and new
Heavy Metal, Progressive and Doom, Thrash, stuff heights in Heavy Metal promotion. g
like that. Not to say that we don't often present the

05
 everything! All this crazy fast shit that we're doing –
you can hear every note of it! It's fucking amazing!

Must be a little frustrating in the studio having to

do the same take over and over? Or are you guys
pretty good at the old “one-shot-get-it-right” sort
of thing?

Well, we like to break it down and get it right, no

Nile played to a packed Galatos last month.
Before they hit NZ, we spoke with Karl Sanders.
Here's what he had to say.
What's happening with Nile lately? Australian and
New Zealand shows are coming up...
Yeah, we're doing a few shows in Australia and one
show in Auckland, so we're pretty excited about that.
matter how long it takes. Even if it's frustrating, the
end result is worth it. You want people to clearly hear
what you did. We wanted a really clear recording this
time, so people can hear what we're doing.
Of course the Egyptian influences will be there,
as always. Is there going to be more of them, or
less of them?
There's definitely gonna be some of them. There are
some pretty straight-forward songs, some epic
instrumentals, orchestrated sort of stuff, so it's
unmistakably a Nile record from the first note.

It's not the first time for you in Australia...
We've been there about a year ago, if I'm not
mistaken, had a blast! Australian Metal fans are
some of the best on the planet!
And it's the first time for you in New Zealand. Do
you know anything about the country?
On “Among the Catacombs...” album there's this
"Die Rache Krieg Lied der Assyriche" song, the
sort of a chant thing. Are you planning to do
something like this again?
There's one of those pieces on the album, but it's not

Yeah well, everybody's seen Lord of the Rings, so

what we know about New Zealand is that it's a
beautiful place!

There is a new Nile album coming out. Tell us a

little about it.

It's called “Ithyphallic” and it comes out in July...

What's “Ithyphallic”?

It refers to the ancient custom of making these

statues of war and fertility gods with mythically
proportioned erections.

How different is it going to be from the previous

Nile albums?

Probably the biggest difference is the production. It's KARL SANDERS

really cleanly recorded and mixed, you can hear

06
as much a chant, it's done with Egyptian instruments.
It's called “Infinity of Stone.” It's a strange piece, it's
got a really strange mood to it. You can hear slaves
dragging the stones for pyramids on that one.
So what's got you fascinated in Ancient Egypt?
I don't know... Maybe watching the old Hollywood
epic flicks, that's probably got a lot to do with it as an
impressionable youth...
What do Egyptian people think of your music?
From the letters that I've gotten there seems to be
quite a bit of respect and pride. I've heard nothing but
positive things from many of the Middle-Eastern
countries.
The lyrics of the songs are very detailed. Have
you done any academic studies of Egyptology?
How do you write your lyrics?
Well, I watch the Discovery Channel and History
Channel and usually get some ideas, and go to the
library for history books, or... who knows. Sometimes
I just play the guitar and look at different statues
around my house, that's very inspiring as well.
You collect Egyptian art as well?
Of course!
How many
pieces have
you got there?
Enough to
annoy the girl
who cleans my
house. (laughs)
Is she hot?
(laughs) You
know it! Why
else would I pay
her to dust all
my stuff?
Ok, well Egyptian lyrics is sort of understandable
– you go read books, watch Discovery Channel...
How do you come up with Egyptian music?
Yeah, it's impossible to say for a fact what ancient
Egyptian music was like, cuz no one is still alive.
So really, you sort of get an idea what music from
this part of the world sounds like today, and
imagining what it could sound back then... Who the
fuck knows? We're just trying to make Metal with that
kind of feel to it and... there you go.
What's your favorite music these days, Karl?
Sick of music right now, to be honest. We've been
working on this “Ithyphallic” album since October last
year for 14 – 16 hours a day. I don't have time to
listen to anybody else. Probably when we finally
finish this record I'll find some music to listen to.
What about your solo project? Are you planning
to do another record? [first, of course, being
“Saurian Meditation”, released in 2004 – editor]
Yeah I sort of got 3 or 4 songs ready right now. I had
to take a break from it to do this Nile record. Nile
obviously is the priority, that's what pays the rent.
The solo project is just for fun.
How well does it pay the rent?
Well... how well does it pay the rent... I'm at home
right now [9 AM] instead of working a day job. I can
be here now, talking to you. To me it's like a
milestone that I don't have to work to pay the bills.
What about the good
old Rock Star lifestyle?
Are you able to do
that? And do you? And
will you when you
come here?
Well, let's just say what
happens on tour stays
on tour. Any fun we have
in Australia and New
Zealand we'll have to
leave there when we get
on the plane.
NILE
Ok, let's get back to
music. How much work
usually goes into a Nile album?
Lots and lots of work. When you listen to our album it
07
should be obvious that somebody slaved over these
babies.
So how's Metal doing in South Carolina these
days?
There's only a few Metal bands around here.
What's the big music down there now? What do
the teenagers listen to?
Oh fuck, my 12-year-old listens to Black Sabbath
and AC/DC. And I didn't pick it for him, I didn't tell
him what to listen to. He picked all this shit up
himself. I was like, fuck, I listened to Black Sabbath
when I was 12!
How did you get into this music anyway?
I don't know... Teenage rebellion...
You formed Nile in 1993. What did it sound like
back then?
I think back in 1993 we weren't sure what we were
doing. We had a few Death Metal elements, but also
elements from other genres. I'd say it took a while
for the band to find its sound. I think by the time we
did “Festivals of Atonement” [1995] we sort of
figured out, “Hey, we are a Death Metal band!”
You also collaborated with Morbid Angel...
Yeah, for a while they lived in North Carolina, which
is about 90 miles from here. So we played some
shows with them, I stayed at their house for a
while... That was really my first exposure to Death
Metal, and I was quite overwhelmed. The early
Morbid Angel was an incredible fucking band! Oh my
God! I used to see them rehearse all the time! Was
the most amazing shit I've ever heard.
So were there any well-known musicians that
came up to you and you were surprised they're a
fan of Nile?
Fucking Tom Warrior from Celtic Frost! I was blown
away, cuz you know, Celtic Frost is an obvious Nile
influence. So hearing him say he was a Nile fan, I
was blown away!
There's been a few line-up changes. How do you
08
feel about your current one?
We're pretty happy. We had the same drummer for
last 2 albums [George Kollias] and he claims that
he's the last Nile drummer.
Back in the days bands used to be popular either
in USA or Europe, it was quite difficult to
conquer both markets. Which one do you think
really working out for you and which one isn't so
good at the moment?
Well, we do fine in America, but it's a real challenge.
The American audience is really trendy and they like
one thing at one moment and like something else
the next. In Europe fans are still fans 5 years later.
They're not into Metal because it's trendy. That's
why it's easier to build an audience in Europe,
because you don't have to re-build it every time,
while in America you have to find new fans, because
the old ones move on to whatever else is trendy this
year.
So where are your favorite fans?
I'd say Japan. Because they're very enthusiastic, but
very polite at the same time. They treat you with
respect. It's really an amazing thing.
Speaking of trends, what do you think of the
modern bands like Slipknot or Korn?
Oh... I like classic Death Metal. So when I hear stuff
like that, it's not my cup of tea.
What about the band that's playing in Auckland
the day before you – DragonForce?
(Laughs for a while) DragonForce... You know, the
guitarists are very good. That's all I can say really.
It's either good or nothing, right?
Yeah. I don't need to make any more enemies.
How many do you have? Are you a well loved
member of the community?
(Laughs) I'm a kind of guy that if you ask my opinion,
you better want my actual opinion. Cuz that's what I'll
give. g
EVIL FRIDGE

© 2007 by Mikey Harland

09
 MUSIC REVIEWS
NAGLFAR
Harvest
Century Media
2007, CD+DVD
Ever since the original vocalist Jens Rydén left the
band, Naglfar (now fronted by Christopher Olivius
from Bewitched) is moving further and further away
from the evil and stormy tone of their classic albums
like “Vittra” and “Diabolical”. Now it's the pompous
sound of Dimmu Borgir that dominates the music.
Again, it's still a great band. Naglfar certainly proved
their worth over the years, and the new album is
definitely up to the (very high) Naglfar-standard. But I
personally find their early stuff more original and
captivating. Limited edition comes with a bonus DVD,
featuring 4 live tracks, a promo video and an
interview. All in all, good shit.
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Max Thrasher
ONSLAUGHT
Killing Peace
Candlelight
2007, CD
Can you believe it's been almost 20 years since this
British Thrash-machine released their last album, “In
Search of Sanity”?! And now they're back, reformed
and full of monstrous energy and heaviness! From
the first riffs of the opening “Burn” this is undoubtedly
one of the best Thrash Metal records, period. If
you're a fan of the style, you are certainly guaranteed
great times (and great memories, if you're old
enough to have been listening to Onslaught back in
the day). And if your knowledge of this music doesn't
go past the classics like Slayer, Megadeth or
Metallica, you ought to give this bastard a spin.
You're in for a treat!
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Max Thrasher
10
INTENSE
As Our Army
Grows
Napalm
2007, CD
Now, this is going to be pretty brief. Rather one-
dimensional Power Metal with references to Iced
Earth. The vocalist sounds a bit like Blaze Bayley.
Some of it is quite interesting (like the break on “Our
Last Hope” or the acoustic guitar on “Insanity's Call”),
but by the time you get there, you're already bored
out of your mind. Perhaps, if the world suddenly
ended and Intense was the only Power Metal band
left on the planet, they'd do much better, but while
there's Sonata Arctica, Edguy and DragonForce,
these guys just don't cut it.
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Max Thrasher
BLOOD TSUNAMI
Thrash Metal
Candlelight
2007, CD
Bård Faust (ex-Emperor) makes an entrance with his
3rd band (other two being Scum and Aborym), this
time playing... guess what? That's right, Thrash
Metal. Old-school stuff with modern production, solid
beat and cool solos. Slayer and Kreator (the 80s)
come to mind in terms of arrangements. Not
particularly groundbreaking, because, God help us,
this music has been around for good 25 years, yet
still nice to listen to and bang your head a little. Good
on ya mate!
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Max Thrasher
 MUSIC REVIEWS
SHADOWS FALL
Threads of Life
Roadrunner
2007, CD
This has to be my favorite new release right now.
Haven't heard any of Shadows Fall's previous
albums, but if they are anything like this, then I'll
have to check them out at some point. This is the
modern sound of American Thrash, not too far
removed from the original ideals. I particularly like
the ballad on this album “Another Hero Lost” - brave
move putting that one on the album, but I think it paid
off and showed a side to the band that I would not
have thought they were capable of. An album well
worth buying I reckon!
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Brendon Williams
3 INCHES OF
BLOOD
Fire up the Blades
Roadrunner
2007, CD
Very tight, and very cleanly recorded. This band has
the sound of Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Manowar
and Enslaved mixed in a blender of steel. The high
pitched vocals of Cam Pipes (which make him sound
like he's the love child of Rob Halford and King
Diamond) will either be totally awesome, or incredibly
annoying. This is why you should listen to some
samples of the album before buying. If you dig the
singing (like me) then you're sure to have purchased
something that you'll always throw on when you want
to get your blood pumping to win the battle for your
village, before advancing your horde onto the next
conquest.
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Brendon Williams
VIOLENT STORM
Storm Warning
Vigilante
2006, CD
This is a new band founded by Mick Cervino
(Blackmore's Night, Yngwie Malmsteen) and
featuring guest performances by Yngwie Malmsteen
and K.K. Downing (Judas Priest). Pretty cool stuff;
the vocalist has a great rock voice, the songs are
well put together, and the guitars are of course really
well done. This music would interest bass guitarists
especially; there are some radical bass runs. I feel
that the only weak point in the album were the
drums. They sounded way too programmed, and
where the rest of the music appeared to have soul,
the drums fell flat. But I guess the drums are easily
the last thing on the minds of this team of guitar
heroes!
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Brendon Williams
SANCTITY
Road to
Bloodshed
Roadrunner
2007, CD
This band is worth checking out if you're a fan of
bands like Trivium. Matter of fact, a lot of the new
Roadrunner releases have that modern-day thrash
sound to them (like the other 2 on this page!), which
is kick ass – I'm really glad that things are moving in
that direction, away from that nu/grind sound.
Sanctity won't disappoint on this debut. The music is
solid, well performed and delivers enough punch that
there is no way to really find fault, except to say that
it may take a few spins to reach the point where the
songs start sticking in your head. But make sure you
sample this music when you get the chance – it's a
worthwhile record.
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Brendon Williams
11
 MUSIC REVIEWS
SCARIOT
Momentum Shift
FaceFront
2007, CD
Norwegian band, founded by Daniel Olaisen – a
former live guitarist of Satyricon. However this stuff
has nothing to do with Black Metal. Accompanied by
some of the best instrumentalists out there – Steve
Digiorgio (bass; ex-Testament, Death, Autopsy, Iced
Earth) and Asgeir Mickelson (drums; Borknagar,
Ihsahn, Vintersorg) – Olaisen creates some excellent
Prog Metal. Musically it's a mix of Fates Warning and
Crimson Glory melodies and the impact and
technicality of Death (hence the cover of “Symbolic”).
The vocalist Oyvind Haegeland is an outstanding
singer, reminding sometimes of Ray Adler and Bruce
Dickinson. Altogether – great technical and melodic
music with brains. Absolute killer, highly
recommended!
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Max Thrasher
MAYHEM
Ordo Ad Chao
Season of Mist
2007, CD
There's been a lot of criticism of the later Mayhem
albums, but considering that the bigger (and the
most important) half of the classic line-up is either
dead or in jail, I'm sure it's understandable. Yet “Ordo
Ad Chao” is still a very impressive record. It's very
low-fi, evil and fast Black Metal, with atrocious
production and chaotic performance – typically
everything you have come to expect from Mayhem.
But then, this band has always been more famous
for their antics than the actual music. Nothing more
to add, except that the new album is here and the
fans should rejoice!
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Max Thrasher
12
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Rock Tributes
Cheapolata
2002, 5CD BOX
It's like xmas here! 5CD box, released by some
unknown company and printed somewhere in
Europe, but containing the cream of the crop of Glam
Rock and Hair Metal! People from Ratt, Kix, Tuff,
Dangerous Toys, Faster Pussycat, Cinderella, Bullet
Boys, Quiet Riot, Bang Tango, LA Guns, Warrant,
The Quireboys, John Corabi, Ryan Roxy and still
counting! The gang performs covers of Bon Jovi,
Cheap Trick, Def Leppard and Guns N'Roses. Some
outstanding vocal work here and some of the
versions almost sound better than the originals! The
5th CD, containing a tribute to AC/DC done by some
unknown bands could as well be thrown away, but
the rest of the stuff is a MUST for every Glam Metal
fan!
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Max Thrasher
FINNTROLL
Ur Jordens Djup
Spikefarm
2007, CD
I think already from the cover of Finntroll's 5th outing
you can tell that something's changed here. Make no
mistake, “Ur Jordens Djup” (“From the Earth's
Depth”) is still a Finntroll record, with huge
arrangements, funny instruments, “humppa” and
insane melodies. The new singer Vreth (strikingly
skinny fella, comparing to the previous vocalists)
does impressive work. Katla, who took over the
lyrics, wrote another story of Rivfader, the troll king.
So everything seems to be in order. Yet somehow
Finntroll sounds different - heavier, meaner and more
Black Metal than before. It's not a bad thing, but I
can't say this is instantly my favorite Finntroll album.
nnnnnnnnnn
Review by Max Thrasher
 know. Maybe some day we'll make it to New Zealand
too! Unfortunately there's nothing we can do from
here. We need a promoter to do it for us.

You're working on the “Lords of Depravity part 2”

DVD now, right? Are the Australian shows going
to be included?

Yes, we're working on the new DVD, but we need to

There are not too many people in
the world who can say that they created
and developed a musical style. But
TOM ANGELRIPPER, the mastermind of German
Thrash legends SODOM is definitely one of the
lucky ones. From the early 80s, together with
Destruction and Kreator, SODOM helped to
shape and define German Thrash Metal.
Today Tom, the bassist and vocalist, is the only
original member left in the band, and it truly is a
landmark for us here at Slaughterama
headquarters to have had an opportunity to talk
to the man! We hope you'll enjoy it as much as
we did!
collect all the material, so we're waiting for the end of
the Australian tour. It's really something special for
us. We don't want to record any big festivals,
because it's all been done before. We want to film it
in a smaller club, be closer to the fans, you know. So
all the material we film in Australia will be on the new
DVD. I don't know when it's gonna come out yet,
because we're planning about 6 hours of footage,
covering our career from 1995 to the present day.
But I think it's gonna be something like the end of
this year, or the beginning of the next.
So what's the Thrash scene like in Germany at

So, what's the latest news, Tom? You're going to

Australia...

Yeah, that's the latest news and we're really looking

forward to it! It's the first time we go to Australia and
we're really excited. Everything is planned out,
confirmed and looking really fine!

A few years back Sodom were planned to play

there together with Doro, Marduk and some other
bands, but somehow it didn't happen.

Yeah, I don't know why this tour was canceled, but

this time around I guess the time is right. We've been
together for 25 years and I think it's finally the time
we go play there!

Any chance to see Sodom in New Zealand some

day?

Hopefully, yes, but we have a promoter in Australia

and he booked all the shows, and we will be TOM ANGELRIPPER
recording these shows, both audio and video, you

13
the moment? never had a break or changed the style. I have my
other project with “Onkel Tom Angelripper” and I do it
In Germany hundreds of new bands are coming out. when I have some time away from Sodom. As well
Metal is really big here. It's also getting more and as Desperadoz, that sort of “Western Metal” thing.
more commercial, you know. But Sodom never But music is my life, I could never stop doing it. It
looked at what the other bands do. We just keep on never gets boring, because there are always so
going and playing what we want. Always trying to many ideas for new songs and albums, and live
write better songs and better albums, you know. shows. It's my life, I could never stop doing it!
There's a lot of summer festivals here, Wacken
Open Air, Summer Breeze Festival... What part of it always makes you the happiest?
What do you enjoy the most?
What do you think about the American Thrash
Metal? It's playing live. It was always very important for
Sodom to play live, but what's even more important
I'm a big Thrash is making contact with
Metal fan as well, fans. We're on stage
you know! The for like an hour,
reason why we play playing songs, you
Thrash is because know, but we're
we're big fans of this always in contact with
music, and I really the fans – having
like the American beer after the show,
Thrash – Megadeth, all that. It's the party,
Slayer. But I don't it's not the business.
think you can Music business is
compare American getting harder and
Thrash to European harder. Finding record
Thrash, it's different deals, record
styles. German companies. But the
Thrash bands, like fans keep us going
Destruction or on. The support of the
Kreator are more like fans is what we really
underground bands. like!
I don't think Thrash
Metal ever got as So, your other
popular in Germany project, “Onkel Tom
as the True Metal or Angelripper,” how
Power Metal bands. did that come
But we don't mind. I about? It's a really
think Sodom's blend original idea, you
of Metal was unique know, traditional
from the beginning, beer drinking songs
and we are talking and Metal!
about it on the first part of our “Lords of Depravity”
DVD, how the Thrash Metal evolved in the beginning Yeah, that was the time when Atomic Steif [drummer]
of the 80s. and Strahl [Dirk Strahlimeier, guitarist] left the band
after “Masquerade in Blood” album. I spoke to the
You've been a musician for so many years. Did producer of that album and I said, “I'm left alone,
you ever had this moment in your career when what can I do?” And he said, “You like beer, you
you thought, “That's it, I had enough”? could do an album of German beer drinking songs!”
So that's what I did and it was real fun to do! I like
No, never. Never. That's the difference between the songs, the music, the lyrics, I like to drink beer
Sodom and many other German Thrash bands, we

14
and spend time at the pub, you know! Sodom was
always my main band, but when I have time I always
go back to “Onkel Tom” stuff. And if you ever seen
this band live, it's amazing! We're on stage singing
songs, drinking beer. It's not a Metal show, it's a kind
of a party!
Hey, we like to drink beer too here in New
Zealand! So if we drink German beer,
what'd you recommend?
the years – Editor] the change of style is imminent.
In the beginning there were a lot of influences from
Black Metal, like Venom, but after “Obsessed by
Cruelty” we got the new guitarist, Frank Blackfire,
and he had a completely new style. We also went off
the Satanic themes of the early albums, and I
became more interested in what was happening in
the world around us. But the actual sound of Sodom

German beer is the best! But my favorite

is Diebels Alt, it's a dark brew that you
only get in certain parts of Germany.
German beer has got no chemicals in it,
only natural stuff. It's a big part of culture
here in Germany.

What do you think about the Irish

beers like Guinness and Kilkenny?

I don't like it. It's not really beer, it's like

coffee or something. (laughs)

Ok, let's get back to the main subject,

the music. Your latest album
“Sodom”...

Yeah, I think it's one of the best albums

we've ever done. We already got a few
songs for the next album though. Always keep going
on, you know. I'm very happy with the production of
the album. Our former guitarist Andy Brings
supported us a little, producing some stuff. And I
really like the songs too. That's the problem actually,
because we got so many albums, what songs do
you choose to play live? You wanna play the
classics and the new stuff too...
You went through an amazing development from
Black Metal on “In the Sign of Evil” and
“Obsessed by Cruelty,” straight-forward Thrash
on “Agent Orange” and “Better Off Dead,” Death
Metal on “Tapping the Vein”... There were so
many different styles invoved in your sound.
Where did they all come from?
Yeah that's true, but we never changed the actual
sound. On “Tapping the Vein” we got a new guitarist,
Andy Brings. He was very young and influenced by
Death Metal. Every time you change the guitarist
[and Sodom went through quite a few of them during
never changed. We just were becoming better
musicians, trying to write better songs and do better
albums.
Was it more difficult for you during the 90s with
all these Grunge bands coming up and
traditional Metal taking a setback?
There were a lot of different bands and styles
coming onto the scene, but even then we've done
some great albums. Many bands went down
because of this new sound and also the Internet,
and people downloading music. But we always kept
pushing forward. And our fans always bought our
albums.
So what do you think about the situation today,
with every album being available for download
and every video posted on Youtube?
That could be a problem. But I think if you're a real
fan you're going to buy the original. The record sales

15
are going down, that's true, but the ticket sales are
going up. More and more people are going to
concerts. You can't download a live experience, you
have to be there, be a part of it. People like to see
bands play live.
A lot of bands are doing reunion concerts these
days. Are we ever go see something like this
from Sodom?
Actually, we are planning a big reunion show for the
next show at Wacken, where we're celebrating 25
years of Sodom. I wanna get all the ex members
coming up on stage and doing Sodom songs,
starting with [the original guitarist] Grave Violator.
That's great! Now, what was the highest point in
your career? Actually, let's put it this way: what
was the most memorable thing that happened to
Sodom?
I think it was when we got our first record deal in
1983-84. It was a dream come true, recording in a
professional studio for the first time. When you're a
young band, and you're only 16 or 17 years old,
getting a contract is a big deal, you know. Quit your
job and start making money out of what you really
love, that's incredible. Also when “Agent Orange”
came out in 1989 and we were watching Sodom
getting really big and really successful – that was a
great feeling. But also making new music, new songs
– that's always a
highlight for me.

On “Agent
Orange” you
had this
“Vietnam war”
thing going on.
Where did that
come from?
Are you
interested in
this part of
history?

Are you still in touch with all these people?
Yeah we had a sort of a “class reunion” last year with
all the former members of Sodom. It was crazy! And
we already talked about doing this reunion show with
Grave Violator playing “Blasphemer” and “In the Sign
of Evil,” you know. And I always kept in touch with
Frank Blackfire, Andy Brings, Michael Hoffman, Chris
Witchhunter.
Are you going to record it or film it?
Yes, we will be filming this show and you can see it
on the upcoming DVD.
Yes, I was
always
interested in
these historical
themes, but I
SODOM can not write
something about
World War II because I'm German. If you like
something or interested in something from this
period, you'll be seen as a fascist band, which is of
course not true. But everyone's seen movies about
the Vietnam war and can understand the lyrics. We
just wanted to describe how bad it was.
Well, thank you very much for taking time to chat
with us. What's your last minute message for the
New Zealand fans of Sodom?
I just want to thank you all for your support
throughout the years. Without the fans this band
wouldn't exist and we thank you for that! g

16
 MOVIE REVIEW
own right. A great mix of gore, comedy, horror and
80's elements combined to make a unique zombie
film.

Around 2 decades before 28 Days later, ROTLD

presented zombies that could run, think, and work as
a team to get what they desired. These zombies
could even talk! And although I am not a fan of
untraditional undead attributes, the overall charm of
the film and the way it was presented made these
new zombie behaviors add to the overall experience
rather than take anything away.

The storyline and casting is really well done; there

are some great performances, and the type of
ending I always enjoy in horror – I won't say what
happens in case you haven't seen it yet.

ROTLD also displays what was possible with special

effects in the 80's – in my opinion more realistic and
visually interesting gore – none of this computer
generated blue screen crap. I really wish more films
were still produced in this way.

If you like horror (and in particular zombie) movies,

the 80's, and Troma style gore and comedy, then
check this one out! g

RATING: nnnnnnnnnn

“They're Back From The Grave and Ready To

Party!”

Directed by Dan O'Bannon

Starring Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa,
Thom Mathews, Beverly Randolph

Summary by Todd A. Bobenrieth

When a bumbling pair of employees at a medical

supply warehouse accidentally release a deadly gas
into the air, the vapors cause the dead to re-animate
as they go on a rampage through Louisville,
Kentucky seeking their favorite food, brains.

Review by Brendon Williams

Often mistaken for George A. Romero films, the

“Return of the Living Dead” series of movies were
largely inspired by, although completely different “BRAINS!!!!!”
from those classics. But ROTLD is a classic in its

17

Generation Beautiful hail from Hollywood,
California. Known for producing a great live
show, they have just released a new album -
“Generation Beautiful – Live” and we got the
chance to find out more about this band who so
far are practically unknown in New Zealand, but
are making waves in the US! We spoke to
Anthony Focx, guitarist and co-founder of the
group.
Please give us a brief rundown on Generation
Beautiful for anyone who has not heard about
the band
"Generation Beautiful" (GB) is an alternative female
fronted modern rock band best known for their high-
energy live show. The group consists of five talented
musicians Shelby Goff (vocals), Anthony Focx,
18
(Guitar), Fred Nilsson (Guitar), Jamie Zimlin (Bass),
and Jerry Vidal (Drums)
How and why did GB originally come together?
Shelby wanted me to produce her solo project, we
started working together and writing music and
realized, we were a great team, upon that we
created Generation Beautiful.
Hollywood was the stomping ground of great
bands like Motley Crue and Guns N Roses
(among many, many others) in the 1980's - what
is the scene like over there these days?
Nothing like it is now, there was definitely a bigger
music scene then, a bit more heartfelt. The Internet
has created quite a musical monster, both good and
bad. The spirit on Sunset is not the same anymore;
needless to say there are probably just as many
talented musicals now as back then.
I'm told the band went over to Iraq among other
locations to play in support of the US troops. Tell
us about the experience.
Yes, we’ve been to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia,
Kosovo, Germany, and over 15 different countries in
the past few years. Performing for the troops is an
amazing thing; they are so appreciative of us and
give us the warmest welcome ever. We really love
being over there and helping to brighten their day
any way we can. We got to see cultures and parts of
the world that most people would never see.
What has been the greatest moment for the band
so far? And alternatively, have their been any low
points?
The band has had so many high points I'd like to
focus on them, one of the fondest memories would
definitely be in our travels over seas, Flying in black
hawk helicopters, staying in one of Sadams 65
palaces, and performing for thousand of home sick
troops, the expressions on their faces and the look
of gratitude in there eyes was so wonderful and
inspiring.. Yeah that's a great moment.
GB is doing a tour of Asia this year I believe. Is
Australia and/or NZ a possible addition to the
scheduled dates?
We usually book tours out many months in advance. Special Forces military who had taken 2 taliban
No plans to travel to Australia or NZ as of yet, but prisoners onboard with us from traveling from one
we'd love to tour there. Japan and Korea is what base to another.
were focusing on for the next tour and practices for
the two-hour show beginning next week. What do you think is the strongest merit of
Generation Beautiful, and also what is the band's
How are you guys writing songs? Is there a main difference in a market saturated with artists
songwriter who dictates attempting to be
the direction, or is it a true revolutionary?
group effort?
The strongest merit is that
Shelby and I do most of the we have a solid live
song writing, she and I do it performance, we give it our
collectively. I write all music all, we write and play we
and she writes the lyrics and want to hear, it’s more of a
we both work on melody. heart-felt delivery instead of
trying to match what’s
What GB song would you currently big at radio.
recommend to a first time
listener, and why? What are the most
important elements of a
Freedom is a song we wrote good song as far as GB
for the troops overseas, it's are concerned? And what
filled with heart felt lyrics and other artists have got it
bluesy musical platform. right in your opinion?

What is the band's biggest Melody and choruses make

ambition for 2007/08? a great song. Any artist that
puts their heart and soul
Sell as many records as into their music usually
possible, we really need to comes out with a great
get the word out and create product.
as much awareness as we
can for the band. Where can people in New
GENERATION BEAUTIFUL Zealand stay up to date
What are the band’s with the latest
hobbies aside from music? developments from Generation Beautiful? And
also, where can people buy and listen to your
Most of us are completely involved in music if not for music?
GB then with other things. I have been working on a
lot recording, mixing, mastering with other bands as www.generationbeautiful.com is the best place to
well, Aerosmith Katherine Mcphee, and Cinder Road find out what is going on with GB, we usually post
to just name a few. news, daily bulletins on the band; please go to itunes
to purchase our CD, it’s available now!
You guys obviously play live a lot and have
earned a reputation for being a great live act. Thank you for the interview. What is your last
Have you got any stories from the road that you message for the NZ fans?
can share?
We’d love to tour NZ, hopefully we will make it there
We have shared so many stories on the road but one one day please communicate with us as much as
of the most surreal experiences was when we flew possible we love to hear from all our fans. g
from Pakistan to Afghanistan in a helicopter with the

19

New Zealand's biggest name in metal have sure
been through tough times that would make many
other bands pack it in and call it a day - but not 8
Foot Sativa. They have survived the recent storm,
and have come out the other side stronger and
more determined than ever before. We spoke to
vocalist Ben Read prior to the release of the
brand new album “Poison of Ages”
Hey! So the new album, "Poison of Ages" is due
to hit shelves May 21st [this interview was done
prior to the release date - the album is out now! -
Ed. ] Please give us a brief overview on what it
sounds like, and the direction that the band is
going with the new record.
Basically Poison of Ages is a modern thrash/death
metal album. Its a natural next step from Breed the
Pain, delving further into the Swedish sound. It's
quite melodic and catchy, as well as being quite dark
and of course, BRUTAL :) . As I'm sure everyone
knows, the album was actually recorded back in
November 2005 but due to financial issues is only
now seeing the light of day.
You guys are hitting the road shortly after the
album's release for a national tour. Will it be
major cities only, or will you also be playing
smaller towns?
The initial album release tour through June will just
be bigger cites: Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin,
Christchurch, as well as Palmerston North, Tauranga
and Whangarei. BUT we will be doing a HUGE New
Zealand Tour later this year and plan to go
everywhere, so keep an eye out!
8 Foot had some hard times recently with line-up
changes and also money issues relating to the
new record. Tell us what went down... and are all
20
the problems sorted out now? Who is in the
current line-up?
The last 18 months has been extremely difficult for
everyone in 8 Foot Sativa. Due to a promoter bailing
on us while we were in Sweden recording Poison of
Ages, we were left high and dry and almost 20k in
debt to the recording studio. Since then we have
been struggling to find a way to pay for the record,
and as a result, 8 Foot has suffered some casualties.
Brent Fox, long time member and manager of 8 Foot
decided he had had enough and quit the band. This
was very sad for everyone involved, but I can't blame
him. Also, our amazing second guitarist who co-
wrote and played on Poison of Ages, Willy Cleverdon
has also left the band as he has a bone disease in
his wrist which makes it very painful to play guitar.
The current line up is solid as fuck and extremely
experienced as all members have been playing in
bands for many years. We have Gary on guitar of
course, myself on vocals, Jamie from my other band
Ulcerate on drums, and then we have Rom and
Christian from New Way home on bass and second
guitar respectively. The problems are definitely
sorted, as the album is finally out!!
Your most recent concert (4th May at Ellen
Melville Hall in Auckland City) apparently went
very well. How is the fan response to the new
songs you have tested on the live audience?
Yeah, it was a great show indeed! Awesome turnout!
The new songs have been extremely well received,
especially those that are on our myspace
(Emancipate and For The Birds) that people have got
to know. I think that once this album comes out and
people get to know the new material, we might start
hearing some calls to play sounds off POA (rather
than all the Step Up, Step Up calls haha)
How difficult was "Poison of Ages" to put
together compared to the other 8 Foot albums?
Thats a tricky one for me to answer, as I have only
been in the band for 2 years and Poison of Ages is
the only album I have been involved with. But the
album came together quite smoothly. It involved a
hell of a lot of staying up till 4 or 5 in the morning,
and it only JUST got finished in time... actually on
second thought, I guess it didn't go that smoothly
hehe.
Going back in time now - In late 2005 when the
Jackhammer had returned to the band as
vocalist, there was talk of him re-recording the
vocal tracks originally laid down by Matt on
"Breed the Pain" - did that ever happen? If so,
how can people tell which version they are
buying?
No, that never happened, and to be honest I'm not
sure of the amount of truth in it. Sounds like a rumor
to me hehe
8 Foot also appears to have gone through a
couple of album art changes over the years. How
do these issues come about, and do you think
that the changes were necessary?
If you are referring to the different covers of Hate
Made Me and Season For Assault, as far as I know
Roadrunner Records wanted a different cover for the
Australian release of the albums. I'm not sure if it
was entirely necessary but I actually prefer the
Australian covers personally.
of Ages, we will be launching a brand new website at
www.8footsativa.com which will be updated
constantly with everything that is going on with us.
Jamie (drummer) is a media designer by trade and
has done a fantastic job of designing a really killer
site (he is also responsible for the Poison of Ages
artwork). Then there is also out myspace page
(www.myspace.com/8footsativa) which has a couple
of tracks from poison of Ages you can check out.
Thanks very much for the interview; any final
messages?
Thanks very much to you all at Slaughterama! And
also thanks to each and every 8 Foot fan who have
stuck by this band through the hard times and
continue to support us! See you all soon!!! \m/ g
TURN THE PAGE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN 1
OF 5 COPIES OF THE NEW 8 FOOT SATIVA
ALBUM, “POISON OF AGES” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Being one of, if not the

best known metal act to
have ever come out of
New Zealand, you have
already accomplished
more than many NZ acts
could dream of. What
are the band's ambitions
for the future?

Basically we just want to

play a hell of a lot of
shows, and eventually
work towards album #5.
We would like to get back
over to Australia at some
point and maybe tour Asia
if its feasible. But less
realistic ambitions would
be to be able to tour the
world full time haha!

Where can people stay

up with the latest
developments with 8
Foot Sativa?

As of May 21st, which is 8 FOOT SATIVA

the release date of Poison

21
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22
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