Rockezine.com interview with Thornspawn on Jul 18, 2002

with Blackthorn on Jul 18, 2002

These American black metal warriors are the living proof that the American black metal scene is on the rise. Their recently released album “Wrath Of War” is filled with utter hatred for all forms of religion; a true black metal album that has its roots firmly in the underground scene. Needless to say that it is about time Thornspawn gets introduced to the black metal crowd in Europe.
		I am very impressed by your new album, “Wrath Of War”. We here in Europe seem to think that the US is not really the place for black metal, but you guys certainly prove that idea to be wrong. How is the black metal scene in the USA nowadays? The US scene is on the rise. Bands like Black Witchery, Krieg, Judas Iscariot, Blood Storm and others are proving the US black metal movement is something to take notice of. Of course it is very underground but that is what keeps it raw and pure. No commercialism has infested our scene. We make music only out of hatred!
		To introduce your aggressive hate-filled metal to the black metal fans in Europe; how would you describe the music on “Wrath Of War”, and what sets your music apart from European bands like Marduk and old Emperor? I think our sound has some old school death metal influence in it like Necrovore, early Morbid Angel and Possessed. We are not a Nordic clone band. I think we have more in common with Marduk than Emperor. We take all of these influences and combine them into the Thornspawn sound. Our sound then mutates into this sonic wall of violence that annihilates anything in its path.
		I’m very interested to hear a bit more about the history of Thornspawn and when and why you decided to found a black metal band. Thornspawn became a band in 1995. We decided this town, San Antonio, needed something extreme musically, because all there was was a bunch of Pantera wannabes thinking they were the heaviest thing around. This fucking made us sick. Also, this town is very religious and that is revolting too! Thus Thornspawn was born to destroy the town and soon the country; now the world! We have put out a full length “Blood Of The Holy, Taints Thy Steel” on Baphomet Records in 2000 and an MCD in 2001. We have issued demos and 7” in the past. We have played many shows with black metal and death metal bands.
All there was was a bunch of Pantera wannabes thinking they were the heaviest thing around.		In the past, which bands have influenced Thornspawn the most? Necrovore, Mayhem with Euronymous and Dead, Possessed, Blasphemy, Beherit, Slayer, Bathory, Destruction, Marduk, Sarcafago, Angel Corpse, early Morbid Angel, early Death, Repulsion, Dark Throne, Dark Angel, and Kreator.
		Can you tell me briefly how you write the songs; is it a process that involves the whole band or just certain members? Me and Swornghoul write all the music. Him and me just get together and the blackness flows from our souls into the instruments.
		Obviously your lyrics are about war against religion and from various sources I’ve gathered the band’s hatred for all forms of religion. This leads me to conclude that you guys aren’t into Satanism either, since it is a form of religion too.
		Moreover to worship Satan is to acknowledge the existence of God. In my opinion any religion is a way to brainwash the masses; make them belief lies to keep them in line, dominate them and suppress their own will.
		I’m interested to hear your views on this subject and what your motives or reasons are for your deep-rooted hatred. Here in San Antonio the way people follow the church with utter blindness is disgusting. These priests molest their children and yet they still defend them. Hahaha stupid Christians! We use Satanism as a symbolic weapon against religion! Thornspawn believe in the power of the will! Our views are our laws. I agree with your thoughts about religion too. Religion is for weak-minded people who cannot make a path of their own. To follow the left hand path is to walk against the status quo.
		To my knowledge the US is a very religious country; to what extent does that influence your music? Have you run into trouble with certain social groups or perhaps local government because of the philosophy you uphold? We have had Christians once protesting outside one of our shows; it was quite hilarious to hear their pleas to renounce ourselves and join them. Of course they were all given the middle finger and told to fuck off!! We just planted a giant inverted cross in front of them and yelled the praises of Satan. These things happen and we just deal with it. The local government has not been involved yet. There is nothing they can do. We have freedom of religion and this is the law we shall fall back on. But we have to deal with Christians on a daily level, which is damn irritating.
		What is your opinion about the Muslim terrorist attack on September 11 when the true face of religion reared its ugly head? This attack was born out of years of US support of Israel. No one really talks about it, but that is the plain truth. By no means do I think it was justified. I hate them even more for this cowardly attack against our nation. But there is a reason behind this attack. America gets itself involved too much in the Middle East. But on the other hand I did smile when we attacked them in their homeland! I have many mixed emotions on this subject, but fuck them rugheads; they made it personal. I also read many things that we, so called extreme black metalers, praised this attack! How fucking stupid! Supporting the work of Muslims! Those people need to get sent to a gas chamber.
		Blackthorn is both drummer and vocalist and I have never heard of another black metal band with a combination like that.
We have to deal with Christians on a daily level, which is damn irritating.		How does he manage to do that live; your super fast music is not exactly a walk in the park for a drummer, let alone when screaming along with it; he must be badly out of breath? Blackthorn is a man possessed! I do not know how he does this! But he does do it. He has almost passed out after shows because he has taken his mind and body to such extremes! Possessed by metal!
		Since 1998 you guys have been organizing the yearly “Sacrifice of the Nazarene Child” festival. Is it true that this is considered to be the only ‘true’ black metal fest in the US and what kind of bands play on that fest? This is what many people have told us. We do not say that. Nobody was doing any type of extreme black metal fest in the states before ours. It has become an underground legend around here. Bands that have performed are Black Witchery, Krieg, Judas Iscariot, Absu, Sadistic Intent, Noctuary, Kult Of Azazel, Blood Storm, Inquisition, Ourborus, Thornspawn and others.
		Melodic black metal seems to be very popular nowadays;
		doesn’t it bother you that the whole philosophy behind black metal as an attack against Christianity is changing into a commercial circus, where satanic lyrics and corpse paint are ways to sell albums? Yes it does bother me. Ideology is not part of black metal as it used to be. Many are just out to make a buck. With no real understanding of what black metal is. We have been in the very bottom of the boat when no one would even think of American black metal without dismissing it right away. But we never changed our stance or our views for the trends. Black metal was always taken very seriously by this band. So to see some of these bands having fun with black metal and not taking any of it seriously is revolting. Black metal will not be turned into some joke! I know this is happening but it must stop!
		Having said that, the black metal world seems to be divided between those who use and those who don’t use corpse paint. Obviously you guys use corpse paint, what is the reason behind this? We have used corpse paint since the very start of the band. We shall not stop now. I know it is the trend not to use corpse paint now. But we have never followed the trends. Black metal is for lunatics that must express their inner hatred. Corpse paint is one way of doing it.
		More and more bands seem to turn coat on true black metal and change their style accordingly; examples are plenty, but most important of all are Mayhem and Emperor.
We shall take back the throne!!		What do you think about bands like this and what do you think the future holds for the black metal scene in general? They have betrayed black metal. Some people say they call it growing musically but I say no. It is selling out. Black metal is divided now. The underground and the mainstream; I think you know where the true black metal lies. Hail the underground hordes that create true black metal. We shall take back the throne!! I must hail the German band Katharsis!!! Sick Unholy Metal Black!!
		Nowadays, there seems to be a trend that black metal followers tend to lean towards Nazism and racism.
		A recent example is the Ukraine band Nokturnal Mortum, who even made an album with 88 tracks (the 88 representing the SS) and song titles like “The Call Of Aryan Spirit”. What is your opinion of Nazism and racism? Totally overblown. Black Metal is about Darkness not politics! Leave the politics to Oi bands! I want to hear about murder, death, destruction and darkness! I can understand being proud of your heritage but this is basically Oi black metal. And you are right this is a trend.
		Now a less philosophical question; has your label Osmose Productions made any plans for a tour in Europe to bring your war to a new continent? Osmose has told us they will tour us in Europe. I do not have any more concrete plans than that right now.
		If you could choose, what bands would you like to tour with? Of the Osmose I would like to tour with Antaeus, Revenge, Arkhon Infaustus, Abominator, Impiety, Absu; any one of them would rule.
		I know you guys were very happy with Baphomet Records and Mr. Killjoy in particular; why did you decide to sign for Osmose Productions and how have they been so far as a label for you? Because Osmose is a professional label that delivers on its promises. Osmose has been very good to work with. They actually involve the band in decisions like layout and things like that. We were never pressured either. Baphomet does not have the resources Osmose has. We are a serious band so we expect our label to be too.
		I noticed the Belgian Kris Verwimp, also known from Thyrfing’s cover artwork, did your album cover. I know in fact that he himself is into extreme metal; why did he decide to do your album cover? Or was it a choice Osmose Production made? I contacted Osmose if we could have Kris to do the cover, since we have always respected his art. Also, it was important to the band to have someone into extreme metal to do the cover art. Only a fellow metal head could capture our concept. Hails to Kris for doing such a great job.
Beware, for the wrath of war shall soon fall upon you!!		Thanks a lot for this interview! Finally, anything left unsaid? Hails to you Frank for such an interesting interview. To everyone in Europe: beware, for the wrath of war shall soon fall upon you!!
(Frank van de Voorde)