No Bullshit Zine Interview

BLASPHEMOUS CREMATION
- Interviewed by Brian Castillo of No Bullshit Zine

It really sucks when bands that create music that you are particularly into suddenly breaks up and calls it a day. This writer had a hard time trying to accept the fact that there will never be new albums from Carcass and Brutal Truth. Hell, I'm still waiting for the day that Chamber 69 awakes from its extended inactivity. Fortunately there are those who are determined to go forward. Still maintaining focus in spite of adversities. Lineup changes be damned. A good example is the four headed beast known as Blasphemous Cremation. The name may sound new to a lot of you kiddies but the seeds of this band were planted as far back as 1997.

I still remember the first time I was exposed to their precision brutality (when they were known as Extreme Response). It was the kind of performance that made you put on your "metal face". You know, the - gnash your teeth, angry serial killer - look. Hair was flying all over the place. Heads were violently banging both off and onstage. I think I even saw a couple of fractured necks. The man standing beside me couldnt help but exclaim: "Putang Ina! Ang lupeeeet!!!". But don't take my word for it. Experience Blasphemous Cremation perform and you decide for yourself. That is, if you manage to survive the bludgeoning.

(The answers were given "habang umiinom ng gin blue sarap walang sabit".)

No Bullshit: Blasphemous Cremation is 3/4 of Extreme Response. Why didnt you just get a new drummer and keep the old name?

Blasphemous Cremation: Actually, Blasphemous Cremation Existed since 97. It (was) a side project band. When things didnt work out in Extreme Response, We decided to regroup and keep the same old name Blasphemous Cremation.

NB: Please tell us about your "new" drummer.

BC: Alfread!! (Also of Incarion) He is our old friend from way back. We met him during the Club Dredd era.

NB: Was it difficult to come to the decision to just start over again? What about all the songs written (and eventually recorded) for ER? I'm sure there are people that will want to get a copy of these songs.

BC: For those who want a chunk of our demo C.D. in E.R. we are sorry to tell that we stopped distributing it. Just wait for the new songs from B.C.

NB: What changes can we expect musically and conceptually?

BC: Expect Chaos!!!

NB: The bands' name is also a track on Onward to Golgotha by Incantation - one of the darkest sounding groups in the death genre. Should we expect "evil" rather than "blood & gore" type of subjects and lyrics?

BC: Aries (bass) is the one who suggested it and we like it. Expect Pain, Brutality, No evil, Hatred, Social Bullshit and Inner conflict!

NB: How does Blasphemous Cremation differ from other local death metal groups? What do you have to offer?

BC: We consider our music as Brutal Grind. What do we offer? Just watch us perform and see it for your self.

NB: The first time I saw you perform as Blasphemous Cremation, I was surprised that you guys were already playing a couple of new originals. Quite productive, considering how other local metal bands spend years playing nothing but cover songs.

BC: Those originals that we play are from E.R. those songs are not in the demo we rearrange it to make it more brutal the blasphemous way and speed it up a little bit. Just make things started again. Were currently making new songs.

NB: Do you feel more satisfied with your current direction as compared to what you wrote and were previously trying to achieve?

BC: Yes we are!!!

NB: So... No five second songs then? (Laughs)

BC: Mahirap gumawa ng 5 second song Eh... (Laughs) Well we will try and see.

NB: You guys have been part of the local metal scene for quite some time. Who do you consider as your peers?

BC: We have many peers then some are already disbanded we think its DAB (death after birth) and Genital Grinder.

NB: Who among the younger bands do you see as having lots of potential?

BC: Every band has a potential. It's up to them how they cultivate it. If they love metal and fuck discrimination we assure we grow up.

NB: It's a given fact that the only money involved in extreme metal is the money that goes out of your pocket. One can not expect to become rich out of this. What motivates you to keep on doing this type of music and to go on living the metal lifestyle?

BC:We simply love playing and blasting around. We play for fun not for penny.

NB: What is the most rewarding part of being in an extreme metal band?

BC: The pleasure of letting go our anger and disgust... (And) having good buddies in the extreme metal scene.

NB: You played at the Certified Death event organized by Spitfire productions. At that show, Aries (bass/vocals) grabbed the microphone and jokingly (?) apologized to the audience for what's happening in the Philippine government. I sense a level of political awareness.

BC: Aries: Its one of my motivation in writing songs, political, religion, environmental...

NB: Do you think it comes with age? (Laughs)

BC: (Laughs) Kalabaw lang ang tumatanda!

NB: Jhamyl (guitar) and I had a short chat before that particular show started. You mentioned that you get tired of people who go on babbling about how "true and pure" they are.

BC: Jhamyl: Yah! I remember that. Its really quite annoying I my self don't consider pure true metal there are some part of me musically influenced by other form of music. So whats their point?!