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Interview with Vogg of
Decapitated
July 2008 by Chris Davison |
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I recently had the distinct pleasure of
reviewing the latest Decapitated DVD, “Humans Dust”, and remarked,
“brilliant as a live record of the true kings of a brutal genre”.
True fans of death metal will need no introduction to Decapitated,
but for the rest of you, they remain one of the best death metal
bands of this decade, hailing from Poland and specialising in
technical, memorable metal with a flair for musical intensity.
Having suffered great tragedy of late, with the (brilliant) drummer
Vitek killed in an awful motor accident, a collision which also
caused serious injuries to vocalist Covan. I have the supreme
pleasure of catching up with guitarist Vogg to talk about all things
Decapitated.
Congratulations on the release of the new DVD, which (personally
speaking) is one of the best live DVDs I have seen from such an
extreme band. Much of the footage is a few years old. How did the
recording of the DVD come about, and what is the story behind it
taking so long to be released?
Hi and thanks a lot for good words about dvd. As you can see they
are just old shows which come from 2002 (TV studio Krakow Krzemionki)
and 2004 (Ozz Fest Katowice and Metalmania Festival Katowice) and 3
added interviews. This stuff was ready since a couple years but it’s
released now because that was the deal with Metal Mind Productions
-they couldn’t released this before we finished our deal with
Earache Records so that’s the reason why it took so long.
Decapitated seemingly came from out of nowhere
to become a huge name in death metal. How did the band form, and
what were your main influences?
It was in 1996. Me, Witek and Sauron we decided to create the band.
I remember when Wojtek (Sauron) said “hey let’s make a band” and I
was like yeah why not? Me and Witek we always played together in
home, in garages or in some rehearsal room, but we have never
thought about a serious band. Wojtek give the idea and name of band.
Me and Witek, we were always thrash, hardcore and death metal fans
and Wojtek liked more like black and death in those days, so we
decided to mixed those things together. There are many of influences
for our music. For example Bay Area bands together with Florida's
death metallers, add some Europeans black stuff (a little). Also, we
were always fans of different kinds of music. We grew up with
classical, jazz rock and some other kinds of music.
Example of metal bands which had big influence for us in the
beginning are: Sepultura, Metallica, Pantera, Testament, Over Kill,
Vader, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Sarcofago,Death, Napalm Death,
Morgoth, Kreator, Carcass, Emperor and many more. |
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It seems that Poland is producing great band
after great band! What is it, do you think, that is making Poland
such a hotbed for extreme metal acts?
I don’t know man. It's true that we got a lot of extreme bands here
but I don’t know the reason why it is like this. Sometimes I'm
thinking about that but I cannot find one good reason you know. But
I think every country has some good extreme bands.
The
whole death metal scene was shocked and saddened by the tragic
events that led to the untimely death of Vitek. Can you tell us what
happened, and how did everyone, especially you, cope with the loss?
Its hard to talk about that. We had a car accident before the last
show on our Russian tour. That was horrific. I still can't believe
this tragedy. My brother Witek died. He was the most beautiful
person on this planet I have ever known. I'm thinking about my
future but I still don’t know what I will do.
How is Covan doing now? I really enjoyed his
performance on Organic Hallucinosis (though it took some getting
used to after Sauron). I'm sure the readers would love to know how
he is getting on.
Covan is still recovering. He has been in a home for a couple of
months in the hope of getting better. Now he is under observation
with a really good doctor here in Poland and he has a good chance to
be the same person like before, but he needs a lot of time. He is an
amazing person and musician. I cannot wait to see him in full health
once again. |
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I see that on the Decapitated website (www.decapitatedband.net/index_en.htm),
the tribute T-shirt is for sale in co-operation with the boys from
Gorerotted (now know as “The Rotted”). Has the scene as a whole been
supportive?
A lot of people are supporting us so much. One of them is Wilson
(The Rotted) who made the idea of a tribute shirt for Witek. I want
to thank so much and
express my huge respect to all the people that make something to
help us during this time. Thank you!!!
It's been a couple of years since “Organic
Hallucinosis” was released. What is the state of play with
Decapitated now? I read recently that Vader had recruited Marcin as
their live bassist – though that press release described him as an
“ex” member of Decapitated. Can we expect new music with the band?
(I really hope so!).
I don't know the answer for your question still. As I was said I'm
still thinking about my future. For me it's too early to say
something. Witek was almost everything for me in life and in music,
so it's hard to make a decision in this instance.
Decapitated always seem to be warmly welcomed
by the UK crowds. Why do you think this is? Do you notice
differences between the fans as you travel from country to country?
I think that reason of our popularity in the UK is because of
Earache Records who are UK label so they promoted us really well. It
doesn't change the fact that we always loved to come to the UK,
because it was always amazing to play there. I have a lot of good
memories from there and I got a lot of friends there as well. |
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Given the amount of Polish people now settling
in the United Kingdom, is there likely to be a re-location of
Decapitated and the band members over here, or is the set up in
Poland perfect?
For us it was always perfect to live in Poland. It's great when you
are touring a lot over the world and you can come back to your
country after this and you don't have to move to some other country
to find a better job like lots of Polish people of my age. I have to
say that it's only possible that, because of band, I am still living
in Poland. Almost all of my dearest friends, even my older brother
went to the UK to find a job. It looks like a big emigration now.
My wife being half-Polish, and my
mother-in-law being fully Polish, I am now a huge convert to Polish
hospitality, food and drink! When you tour, how much do you miss
those undeniably Polish foods like Gelobki?
Oh that’s cool man, congratulations!! I can say that we all miss this
shit a lot! hehehe. You know everybody misses home food when they
are touring. Once I was heard the story that when Monstrosity
travelled in Poland and when they saw McDonalds they started to talk
like-home sweet home, hehe.
Lastly Vogg, is there anything that you would
like to say to all the fans?
Thanks for your support over the years. That it was always a big
pleasure to be and play in the UK . We never forget this.
Enjoy life and do everything the best whatever you are doing.
r.i.p.Witekwww.decapitated.pl |
www.metalmind.com.pl/index.php?dzial=wydawnictwa&more=1136 |
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