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I guess not many metal journalists can boast a MORTICIAN interview, due especially to the fact that the main band members (Will and Roger) are not very interested in answering interviews (as I had the "chance" to notice), but I was lucky enough to catch up a discussion with MALIGNANCY's guitarist Ron, which is at the same time guitar player in MORTICIAN (or at least, in the period when I did the interview, he was still a MORTICIAN member). So, here it is, the first MORTICIAN interview for Romania. I warn you though to be patient with Ronnie's answers (you'll notice why).
Necromantic Art: Hi Ron! It's such an honour to have MORTICIAN into the second issue of this magazine, especially that I think it's the first MORTICIAN interview for a Romanian metal magazine!?
My first question is: What has MORTICIAN meant to do even from the beginning of its activity and why did you choose this extreme territory?
Ron: Thanks for the interview. MORTICIAN means brutality as underground as it gets. We chose this territory because we are fans of old school death and horror movies...
Necromantic Art: What were your major influences (I am referring to the bands that have influenced you), and, at this stage of your performance, could you say that you can still be influenced or that you cannot be influenced anymore by any band?
Ron: I personally was influenced by Randy Roads, TESTAMENT, CORONER, KREATOR, POSSESSED, CELTIC FROST. I don't think any band today can influence us...
Necromantic Art: When you formed MORTICIAN in 1989, there were few bands playing such brutal and extreme metal. Even CANNIBAL CORPSE and SUFFOCATION released their first albums in 1990, respectively, 1991. Despite this, MORTICIAN began to become famous after mid 90's. What was the possible cause of MORTICIAN's anonymity during this period (while CANNIBAL CORPSE was prospering...), despite your start-up at the same time with bands like those aforementioned?
Ron: That's a question for Will. I have only been with the band for 2 years. [Hmmm... Yeah, but how can I find the man? Ed.]
Necromantic Art: What was MORTICIAN's first success? And what took you so long to release your first album in 1995? Did it have any connection with the fact that you had permanently confronted with the absence of an efficient drummer?
Ron: That also you would have to ask Will... [Hell again! Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Is there any coincidence that Roger is MALIGNANCY's drummer and that you play guitar for MORTICIAN? And dealing with guitar parts for both of the bands, from your point of view, which of these two bands is the most brutal? Is there any difference between your song-writing manner for MALIGNANCY and the song-writing manner used for MORTICIAN?
Ron: Sure that's a coincidence. When Desmond left MORTICIAN and MALIGNANCY, I stepped in his slot to help out MORTICIAN on tour. MALIGNANCY and MORTICIAN are like brothers... There both brutal. MORTICIAN is more horror gore grind and MALIGNANCY is hyper technical death. They are two completely different styles of music and writing technique. MORTICIAN writes with drum machines, MALIGNANCY with humans.
Necromantic Art: Why do you think it was necessary to have two guitar players in MORTICIAN and who is the main composer of the band? Do you have a main role in the band as a songwriter in the way that you can express your ideas about the way MORTICIAN should sound like, or are you just a simple performer? Are Roger and Will's personalities overshadowing you when it comes about song writing (considering also that they are the founding members of the band)?
Ron: Live there is only one guitar player. Roger is the main composer of the band. I don't nor ever wanted to write for MORTICIAN. It is Rogers and Wills band. I like playing live. It is like a state of Being. I am the main songwriter of MALIGNANCY, that's enough burden on my shoulders. [I guessed so, Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Tell me shortly what is your opinion about the albums that had been released before you joined the band and when did this happen?
Ron: I joined the band 2 years ago and my favorite is "Hacked up for Barbecue" and "Domain of death". [Hell, why didn't he answer the question properly anyway? Ed.]
Necromantic Art: This extreme territory is not so profitable for the bands that populate it. Despite this, the competition is tough and, for many bands, the discographic activity is very prolific. Also, a certain element that differentiates the grind bands is the instrumental level, more and more complicated. Why do you think the competition is so tough in an area where the best selling album barely counts 5000 copies? Isn't there a paradox?
Ron: I don't think there's any competition in U.S. grind or death bands, most of the bands are all friends with each others ... I don't know how it is in Europe, but I am friends with SINISTER, DISAVOWED, SEVERE TORTURE, and there is no competition. [Again, he deviated from the initial subject...And SINISTER is from Europe...that's for sure! Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Usually, these kinds of bands use two kinds of vocal performance: screaming and growling combined. MORTICIAN only uses growling, which in my opinion expresses better the brutality of this music. Why?
Ron: Lower vocals just sound better, more brutal and underground. [Hell indeed! Ed.]
Necromantic Art: I find your intros very interesting. Has IMPETIGO influenced you to some extent in choosing such macabre intros?
Ron: You would have to ask Will that one. [I guessed so. Damned! But I really think the answer would be affirmative... Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Will's vocals are the best in this area, in my opinion. Could you tell me if that's his real voice or does he use harmonisers on his vocals?
Ron: No, that's his real voice... just see us live and see. [That's not a solid explanation, in my opinion... Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Has MORTICIAN planned to become the most extreme band on Earth?
Ron: We have obtained the occult title of the brutalist band in the world...
Necromantic Art: Tell me please about that track you recorded for the soundtrack of a horror film. Did you intend to follow CANNIBAL CORPSE's example?
Ron: Another question for Will. [No comments. This man is really worthless in this band? Ed.]
Necromantic Art: It is known that MORTICIAN has confronted with the absence of a constant drum player. Did you solve the problem? What drum player in your opinion would be capable to perform those rapid and infamous rhythms of your music? (Because in my opinion, only the master PETE SANDOVAL could do it).
Ron: Roger is the drummer that's right for the job. He rocks... Try to find some footage from NO MERCY fests with MARDUKE [I believe it's about MARDUK? Ed.] and check him out.
Necromantic Art: Doubtlessly, the best MORTICIAN albums are "Chainsaw Dismemberment" and "Domain of Death". What is in your opinion, the difference between these two albums?
Ron: I like "Hacked up..." and "Domain..." the best. On "Domain..." Roger tried a few different style riffs which sounded sick.
Necromantic Art: Why do you think this extreme style has risen from the US? And why all good grindcore bands are based in the US?
Ron: In the U.S. we have great musicians that are fanatics and practice a lot to be brutal and original, plus everybody is friends and listens to each others band.
Necromantic Art: What can you tell me about the sound of MORTICIAN's guitar? What distortion do you use for making it sound so fuckin' heavy?
Ron: WE use triple rectifier mesa boogies live and we tune down to G... [I perfectly understand all... Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Where do you sell more, in Europe or in the US?
Ron: [He wouldn't answer this one... Can you believe it? Ed.]
Necromantic Art: What are your plans for the future?
Ron: We have a live session album coming out called "Final Bloodbath", and then a new studio album and U.S. tour with SCAR CULTURE and following a European tour...
Necromantic Art: Please comment shortly, the atmosphere in a MORTICIAN show. And what is the best show you've done and why?
Ron: The feeling is pure evil and madness for us and the audience. The best show was last year's Wacken Open Air in Germany, there were about 6 thousand people and they went nuts.
Necromantic Art: What are your favourite guitar players and death metal bands? Also, to what bands do you listen at home?
Ron: My fave guitar players are Alex Skolnick, Randy Roads, Robert Fripp, Marty Freedman. My fave death bands are HUMAN REMAINS, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, DISGORGE U.S, NECROPHAGIST, MORTAL DECAY, DEEDS OF FLESH, INTERVAL BIZARE, SUFFOCATION, SKINLESS... At home I listen to MR. BUNGLE, VOIVOD, PORTISHEAD, THE DOORS, CRO MAGS, KING CRIMSON, TERRORIZER, PHANTOMAS, BOTCH...
Necromantic Art: Why do you have a certain preference for macabre lyrics and covers? Could you please, say some words about your lyrics?
Ron: You must ask Will that. [Again?!? Ed.]
Necromantic Art: What is the next release MORTICIAN intends to unleash upon us in the near future? What about MALIGNANCY?
Ron: The next release is "Final Bloodbath" followed by a new studio release. For MALIGNANCY we have a new split with INTERVAL BIZARE on Shindy Records from Czech Republic called "Frailty of the Human Condition", plus we have a new full length coming out this winter, we will be shopping U.S. labels for this one... Thanks for the interview, Ronnie.
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