According to you biography, you guys started out in the 70’s. Has Satan’s Host always been there throughout the years?
Yes, we first began working with drums as well as composing songs. Not yet recording professionally, that was in 1986. Yes, there has once been a time of non-productiveness. Magick Manifesting, was there in between, in 1988-1994. This was when the new generation of Satanists began to bring Satan’s Host back from the dead. Ever since being resurrected with an all new line-up, we began writing and recording once again. Satan's Host has been going strong since the 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 releases of our albums and projects. For more on that, you can check our website www.SatansHost.com.
Some of your earlier works has been re-released, prior to the release of the new album ‘Great American Scapegoat…666’ in February 2008. Did that generate the response you aimed for?
It generated somewhat of a Buzz. Though in this business, the only buzz that gets you responses is going out and performing live. Bringing the Metal to the Maniacs. This is our aim, this is our goal... World Wide 9.
What was the initial date of release for 'The Great American Scapegoat… 666'?
Yes, the European date of release is that of February 11th. United States release is that of February 12th. Satan's Host is very honored to have Odin and Nathan of Moribund Cult Records release this Satanic Masterpiece of Metal from Hell. www.Moribundcult.com Hail Satan...666
Before the re-releases of ‘Burning The Born Again’ and ‘Satanic Grimoire’, I must admit that I never heard of you guys, despite the long lasting history of your band. Did you negotiate with Moribund Records to re-release those albums so that an international audience would get to know you?
Yes, we did work out a deal with the re-releasing of these two albums. Odin was really into these two albums, so it was a perfect match for what is inside the final product. The Metal Muzik. Now some of our works are available for the Satan's Host Legions.
Great American Scapegoat…666’, ‘Burning The Born Again… (A New Philosophy)’ and ‘Satanic Grimoire… A Greater Black Magick’. What’s the thing with the double titles of your albums?
It's how it is... 218. It brings more to the mind...DEITUS. It helps to bring the left hand path philosophies into a black-poetic sense. It gives the legions / fans more of a visual in words, to what the cd represents inside. This is what and how it comes to me from my black mirror, when in Ritual. Ave. Lucifer...999
I noticed that the element of aggression is bigger on ‘Satanic Grimoire’ that on ‘Burning the Born Again’. The archetype thrash got a little more space, which influenced the overall feeling on the album. And you even added a touch of modern grind core and death metal, like Nile. What can we expect of your new album?
Yes, the aggression is all the more on the "Satanic Griomoire." This was the first cd that Satan's Host recorded as a three piece. We were going through some internal situations at the time. Our aggression was captured and amplified, due to the fact that we had a lot to prove to ourselves. On the new cd, we did mix more of an array of metal as well as satanic aggression and excitement in this project...’Great American Scapegoat...666’. It is more POWERFUL than the last project. Hail Satan...666
Am I right in saying that the release date of ‘Great American Scapegoat’ is now earlier than it was planned? I think I can remember earlier messages that talked about May 2008…
Yes, that’s true. The 'Great American Scapegoat...666’ release date is in mid February 2008 now.
Usually, bands witness the world around them change. Fans and the bands themselves create an aura of expectation of how a band should sound. In your case, you seem to have gone along with the changes, because you’ve added quite some contemporary metal to your thrash metal style. Of which the 90’s Norwegian black metal is the most evident. I most certainly embrace the mixture of styles you display. Do you personally think it is important to grow with time as a band?
Thanx Evil Brother. Oh, Hell Yes! Evolve or DIE! That is how life is, period. In anyone and everything that is a living organism. We just try and mix in as many colors and styles of metal into our projects that we feel is called for. The main reason is to challenge ourselves and our abilities, as well as never getting bored with what we create.
Satanism and metal seem to go along just fine. It was Terry Butler’s interest in black magic to set this off and with bands like Venom, the lord of darkness got the change to gain his permanent spot in metal music. Venom and others declared that they chose the subject to underline the power of the music, but that it in fact was just a gimmick to suit their dark music. With a name like Satan’s Host, you limit yourself in the choice of your lyrics. Is it that obvious for you that this is the course you’ll sail, in terms of lyrics?
Nice question Bro. Well, Satan's Host is not limited lyrically in any way. You see, when I write, I write in a variety of black magick philosophies and theories. Even in realms of the metaphysical, emotional and of great men, organizations as well as historical events. One would have to read the songs and understand what is going on in the lyrics, in order to make ones own opinion. This satanic ship has sailed, filled with occult intelligence and wisdom... 418
I think that metal in general can be considered as a host for Satanism. Is that where your band’s name came from, or does that refer to actual demonic possession?
Satan's Host. We are the host of Satan. Meaning that we embrace all those who are strong, strong enough to be Satan's Host. It came from studying Aleister Crowley and Dr. Lavey. 666.
America has some bible belts in which the Bush administration has a loyal base of voters. Is religion a big thing in your region in Colorado?
Perhaps to some. Though I don't really exuviate my energy to its presence here in Colorado. I just know that there are a lot of zombie chuches walking around unable to think for themselves.
Well then, what should be the main purpose of (black) religions?
Not religion, religion is limitation. I prefer a grotto, more magickal, a truism. Liberation...218. Self Empowerment... DEITUS.
Are you out to change the minds of your listeners, as far as your abilities to pursue so goes?
Nice question Bro. I believe that we have somewhere in the twenty-three years of creating/recording and distribution of our Satanic Metal from Hell...666. Though in our lyrics we do bring theories and practices of Black Magick into our compositions. So to the practitioner of the various of degrees that we work with, will understand what Satan's Host is working towards...World Wide 9. See, at this stage of our career, we write what gets our evil primal out as well as challenges us in metal and in life.
If you prefer a world without religion, why is the dark magic you flirt with is still called satanism? Is that so that anyone can relate to it and somewhat knows what you're talking about, in terms of black magical practiscism?
That is what it is. Satanism. Though I wouldn't entwine it with a religion. To those of us, of the L.H.P., as well as our forever quest towards becoming our own God, the truism of satanism is far more than "Laveyism". Eastern culture embraces the purist manifesto of what Satanism represents. Lands where the Ancients roamed. Yes, to the second part of your question. Though it is a very broad and general area of the Black arts. As the ages evolve, so does the movement of the Black Arts. Ave. Lucifer...999
Well, obviously you are very determined and have a clear image of what you would like to say in your music. What’s more important to you, the music or the message?
Yes, we Satan's Host truly do. Together they go hand and hand, one is part of the other. You see, we believe that what we are doing is what the classics of Magick would have done in their day and time. We are putting metal together with satanic philosophies, theories and practices. As well as demonic incantations, rituals of evocation and stories of the demons in a various of different degrees of the Black Arts. SITRA AHRA.
Now that you have signed to an ambitious label, Moribund Records, is it possible you will be heading towards Europe? I think your music will hit on here easier than in the States.
Yes, this is our goal! Take Satan's Host over to Europe... Wacken Open Air Festival. Yes, Satan's Host muzik does much better in Europe. They are more liberated, when it comes to embracing satanic metal. For it’s a true purity of the power, that gives the individual strength towards perfection.
218, 418, World Wide 9… could you enlighten us a bit with what all the numerology means, and what it means to you in particular. (I DID understand the 666.)
In Kaos Magick...218, Kaos Divine Darkness, where it ALL is created from. The Great Work. Unification of Satanic Metal, perfection.
As I mentioned earlier, in the thirty years of the existence of Satan’s Host, you must have witnessed quite some changes in metal and metal attitude. Which ones stand out the most in your eyes?
Early 80's, the infancy of metal, thrash in Canada, melodic metal from the NWOBHM movement. This was great for a young metal head who was an outsider in his school. The bay area thrash movement in the late 80's to the early 90's. Norwegian black metal in the early 90's was the most evil, raw metal alive. Though, I was not into the whole killing of fellow metal brothers. We are stronger when together as a whole, a monstrous energy encompassing the world. The Florida death metal movement that was happening here in the States, in the early-mid 90's. The underground grind core scene that filled the cracks of metal with a jolting blast of raw urban emotion in the late 90's into the millennia. Seems that the metal fans in present times are into bands old and new that can deliver. Deliver in composing great songs with great structuring, leads and lyrics. Pushing metal into a new realm of existence in these times of rehashed integrity.
What's the worst element of change in metal in the last 30 years?
Loss of the populous of vinyl. Being from the States, this is what is lost.
What’s you ambition for the next few years?
Satan's Host plans on recording another cd in October 2008. Touring a bit in spring and or summer 2008 here in the States. Spread our satanic metal World Wide 9.
Do you wish to maintain a cult staus, or are you aiming for an international breakthrough?
Aiming for an international breakthrough. We believe that with Moribund Cult in the trenches with Satan's Host, we will both reach new levels of greatness in the Satanic Metal on a World Wide 9 Scale.
Thanks for your time. Any last comments or last words?
Thanx for this interview Evil-Brother, it was an Honor to be part of. Unto our legions World Wide 9, Satan's Host and Moribund Cult are coming to your town soon. Hail Satan...666. Believe in Magick, Believe in Yourself.
-Ramon
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