KAT'S BAND OF THE WEEK-DECEASED (USA)

Names in the metal underground don't come much more cult than Deceased. This weeks pick, from Virginia, USA, are a band I have followed ever since my early '90s obsessive tape trading days. I would often see Deceased on trade lists as well as in fanzines, so I eventually got hold of their demos and then their debut album 'Luck Of The Corpse', which came out 20 years ago this year via Relapse Records. I have followed this band and been a huge fan ever since. This band have always had a very unique sound, King Fowley's instantly recognisable trademark Cronos-esque vocals setting them apart from a lot of their peers.

The band have a much bigger profile and status on the other side of the pond, than they do in the UK, becoming an American metal institution and touring throughout their home country extensively. They have yet to tour the UK and Europe in any length, but all going well they will finally make it over to this side of the pond for a tour in 2012.

After a five year hiatus the band have recently released their sixth album of horror death metal, 'Surreal Overdose', which they self-released on their own label Shrieks From The Hearse (named after an early Deceased song) and it is a great recording that contains every aspect that I love about Deceased perfectly and they sound as strong and inspired as ever, so I thought it was the perfect time to make Deceased my band of the week and send some questions to drummer/vocalist King Fowley; an underground metal legend in his own right.

Hail King! Give us a rundown on the band.

KING: “Well we've been a band now for 26 years, starting this all in 1985. We've done many a demo tape and many a record through the years. Current studio line up is Les Snyder on bass, Mike Smith on guitar, Shane Fuegal on guitar and me on drums and vocals. Live we have a different line up due to work and time restraints. Gotta keep it going on the live front!!!”

Deceased have been around for years and you have a few albums under your belt, which of these albums stand out personally for you and why?

KING: “My fave is 'Supernatural Addiction', it seems to, for me, be the record where all ideas came into full. The music matched the lyrics and the aura was right with it. All of the records have a meaning and memory to them. This is just the one for me that tops the list.”

You have just unleashed a new album 'Surreal Overdose', which you released on your own label. Why did you decide to self release it?

KING: “We're very happy to do things ourselves. After 26 years in the underground music scene we should be able to move things ourselves, no headaches or hassles. Patac Records have helped us out in the states and many distros and good people have helped as well! We're very happy!”

Please tell the readers a bit about the new album in your own words, what can they expect from it?

KING: “It's a very speedy record. we were in that mood this time around. They are detailed songs, that to us are memorable, yet ferocious at the same time. We try to incorporate the right doses of speed, heaviness, melody and weirdness to make the perfect ugly stew. It's well produced with a good sound, no 'tricks', just four guys playing their hearts out over a morbid background. It's 110 per cent still Deceased!”

How has the overall response to the new album been so far, selling well?

KING: “It's getting a great response so far. Lots of folks seem very happy with the finished product, as a band we are too, and that's most important to us. We write for ourselves and if people dig it then it's a bonus. It's selling real good, moved a few 1000 so far, that's fine and dandy. Thanks to all who've supported the record.”

In the long history of Deceased what have the overall highs and lows been?

KING: “We've had so many ups and downs, from getting our first album out as a high to the death of our origin bassist Rob in a hit and run accident. Health issues with me in the early 2000s to playing at Wacken. It's give and take and I/we understand that, life is what it is. You gotta take it all in your stride. Sincerity and dedication drive me, I'm never fulfilled. I've got 25 more years in me to do this, it's my life, it's what I do. The love of music keeps the energy.”

What bands would you say have shaped the sound of Deceased. Have your influences changed much?

KING: “I love so many bands for so many reasons. Kiss, Sabbath, Maiden started the fire and bands like Voivod, early Slayer, Mercyful Fate freaked it out. Yes I still love what I love, all the old classics still take up most of my ear time, can't get enough of the '80s metal stuff! We use anything and everything we hear in some way to twist our sound into it's own.”

I have always been a big fan of your horror story style lyrics, what are the biggest inspirations for your lyric writing?

KING: “Poe! I love his works, so odd and lunatic, really cool stuff. Outside of that it's more imagination, reality and all the horror films I've taken in over the last 35 years that makes up the lyrical ideas with Deceased.”

It's been 20 years since your classic debut album 'Luck Of The Corpse', that album cover still creeps the fuck out of me, where did you get it from?

KING: “It's a screen clip taken from the movie 'Black Sabbath'. Mario Bava did an anthology in 1964 and the story 'a drop of water' always stood out to me as so haunting. Everyone was doing the Dan Seagrave art at the time and we wanted our own identity, so we went with a snap shot taken off the film.”

I know you have some live shows planned for this year, where can people see you live in 2011?

KING: “Mostly East Coast America this year. 2012 we plan to do a European tour. We gotta get the right promoters involved. anyone reading this that can help get in touch. It's longgggggg overdue. Trying to bring the cadavers across the water.”

You have also been involved with Doomstone and October 31, what is the current status of both bands right now, any new releases on the horizon?

KING: “Doomstone sits in limbo right now and October 31 is working on a new record. Everyone is so busy with their projects that finding the time that works for all is tough. We will be doing a metal fest in Baltimore in October with Bitch, Destructor, Midnight and a few others too. Check out our website www.upthetombstones.net. Thanks a million for the support and cheers to everyone reading! Up the tombstones!”