Interview with BESTIALIZER
!!!THRASH / DEATH METAL FROM ITALY!!!
We had a conversation with Fraido (Bass/Vocals). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about BESTIALIZER (Members, Starting Year etc).
Hail Filthy Dogs Of Metal! Thank you for interview us. Bestializer was formed in 2009, by Johnny End on the guitar and me (Fraido) on bass and vocals. Soon joined us Manu on the drums. We all already known us each other, we're all from the same small city in Italy and everyone was already active in other bands before. Those were very wild years, full of alcohol, drugs and chaos on the streets, and I think that's basically the root of Bestializer. We put in music that chaos which was crawling in our poisoned minds. We always played our live shows pushed to the limit, sometime (most of the time?) we even get it to play the entire setlist ahahah.
In 2018 you released your album ''Bestial Cosmicraid of the Demonic Chaospawn''. What was the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Yes we released the full length on 2018, actually was 5 years early ready, but we had problems with the labels and other stuff, so it tooks a lot. We re-recorded the 3 songs of the demo, plus the new songs that we played only live before. I like the different styles of the songs of Bestializer, from the riffing to the structure. I think the variety made us little special, maybe. I like more Black-Death stuff, Johnny is more in the Thrash and Manu comes from the Grindcore scene. A deadly mix! We never had really success I think (I mean even in the very Underground scene), the biggest concert we played was as opening act for Hirax in Bologna. But I was surprised to got in touch with some fans from Russia, I think we are more appreciated there than in Italy.
Label or DIY and why?
Our demo was self-release, as for the most of bands. The full length was released by Narcoleptica from Russia (the very first plan was a LP with Deathcrush records, but we never realized it unfortunately) and repressed by Metal Force from Colombia (both edition still available). We chose to search for a label, because we don't really have much connections for the distribution. So we was thinking is the best way for spreading our music as much as possible. And I think it was also the right decision. But artworks, graphics as the recording and mix are completely made by us.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Personally I prefer Vinyl format. I can't explain exactly why, I think is the most ritualistic way to listen music. You have this big cover in the hands, reading the lyrics, turning the side to B, cleaning out the dust... and also because the size. I like big artworks.
Your music style is Thrash/Death Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Bestializer has a fuckin' lot of influences for sure. Some that spinnig out my mind right now are Aura Noir, Nifelheim, Delirium Tremens, Midnight, Vulcano, Vomitor, Dorsal Atlantica... I'm sure I don't need to nominate the classic big ones like Sodom, Venom, Destruction... those always influence us all. Nowadays some of my favourite bands are Sabbat (Jap), Desaster, Destroyer 666, Gospel Of The Horns, Dead Congregation, Witching Hour, Mortuary Drape, Death SS, Baphomet's Blood... I have to stop to thinking, 'cause I could write on to the death ahah! And of course Motorhead and Iron Maiden!
Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
I think there's not a rule for this. Different lives and situations need other decisions or to sacrifice something... I don't think we never sacrificed something as Bestializer, excepted for our Braincells and Liver health. One thing is sure: you have to do that what makes you happy. If you love Metal than fuckin' do it!
Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
As I said, as Bestializer we never had big shows. Just small underground concerts, but they killed indeed! A ideal performance? Just take a look to a live show of Venom from the 80s. That's it. Anyway, if there are bangin' heads in front of the stage, is everything ok.
Which attributes, do you think, that a new Thrash/Death Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
I think is very difficult to be unique for a new band in this scene now. Everything is already be played someway. But I'm sure that if you play honestly and with the heart, you'll be not forgotten. At the end, what we metalhead need is always the same killer noise!
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Thrash/Death Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
Digital platforms help for sure. But the traditional way should be the main one in my opinion. Releasing the music on physical formats, be distributed by distros, trading with other bands, selling merch at live shows and talking with the people.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Italy (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
The newest Italian Band I like is Hellcrash, i bought the debut album right now, so I didn't listen it yet. Italy has a lot of good underground bands, as Greece as well. My favourite are Baphomet's Blood indeed, I love all the albums. Followed by Witchunter. I'm talking about the active Bands of nowadays, I'm sure is not necessary to mention to Death SS, Fingernails, Mortuary Drape, etc... I'll throw a bunch of names that deserve a listen indeed, in no particular order: Extirpation, Necro, Thulsa Doom, Last Rebels, In League With Satan, N.N.M., Necrovomit, Exxplorer, Demon Bell, Fuoco Fatuo, Sepolcro, Presumed Dead, Diorreha, Necrolust, Sleazer.... I'm sure I forgot a lot, my memory is not the top one.. Unfortunately the best underground Festival, Heavy Metal Night is no longer active. Gigs are few and fragged around the state, but some Metalheads still not give up and keep being united, even if are lots of km between them.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I know for sure too less. I was just once in Greece, in Athens for the Up The Hammer festival. Amazing days, the gig was great and I met a lot of cool people. I loved it. And partying was killer, I got robbed 'cause I slept totally drunk on the walkside outside a pub in the more anarchist district of the city... what adventure hahaha. Anyway, one of my favorite Death metal band is from Greece: Dead Congregation. Killer band, they're unique. They bring Death metal on a higher level. Other one I love are Slaughtered Priest. And for sure Necromantia, Zemial, Varathron, Ravencult and Thou Art Lord.
What are your future plans?
Keep going on play music and go to the shows. The band Bestializer is dead but dreaming. But Johnny and me are going forward, not together but in different bands. Johnny has Unleashedogs (where I played Drum for a record), Vomitomb and Townwolves. I moved in Germany and I formed together with a very good friend of mine the band Maligno. We play blackthrash with some death and heavy influences. I have also a side project named Sinner, black/crust mixed stuff.
Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
So thanx a lot for having interest to Bestializer and for this interview! I hope I'll be back in Greece once, and bang my cranium full of Ouzo in front a stage! .OUR WORMS NEED TO BE BORN....distorted music for a distorted life... - BestiAlizeR -
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
BESTIALIZER CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/bestialblargh/
https://bestializer.bandcamp.com/