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"Only the true insiders
(us and them, tour-crew, roadies and managers) are (were) well-posted
about what really happened during that era..... But I believe,
especially in this hard time for Chuck, it would not be very relaxed
to express myself about this anymore."
Excellent
! Then we will leave this in the past forever (dot). Something
else though:
Most of us read it, that you made some statements back then about
the death metal scene and left the real fans that admired you
and Pestilence so much for your technical skills, behind very
disappointed. Isn't it the case that you were tempted by some
jurks that screwed up for the majority of real lovers?
"Those ideas weren't there all
of a sudden. The real fans, people that appreciated Pestilence
for the music and technical skill, were never meant anything by
it!"
Thereby...
Most noticeable was your decision to use older Death songs, from
the first four albums, on the initial setlist for the Benefit
show. Do you personally prefer the older stuff more or was there
another reason for it?
"Probably because Chuck seldomly
would play any tracks from the first 4 cd's anymore (?/KK), and
I wanted to serve the "oldschool" fans with cuts like Zombie Ritual,
Leprosy, Living Monstrosity, Suicide Machine etc....... I can
understand Chuck though, after playing ......(fill in any old
song) 10,000 times...."
He still plays
them, indeed you've been away some time, hahahaha......
Many of us saw you as the "Dutch Death", is this a compliment
or not? Knowing you, you'd rather stay on your own than to be
compared?
"Composition wise, certainly not,
and with that I actually answer it all. Better: we were the Dutch
answer to Death."
Indeed this is
how we know you again....
Chuck musically developed enourmosly with Death and especially
with "Human", he made a big leap forwards. Did you have the same
feeling with Pestilence? I mean: the last album "Spheres", actually
was far ahead of its time.....
"At that time "Human" was a musical
zenith in the death metal music scene. Mainly because of Chuck's
cooperation with Sean (Reinert/YK) and Paul (Masvidal/YK) from
Cynic. Two "real" musicians that also are able to play metal,
do you understand? Only with "Spheres", Pestilence started to
be really making epoch, but this did not fit within the boundaries
of death metal and the result was the loss of fans. Only the true
fans that, as ourselves, realized that we created a new style,
stayed loyal. But what could we do? Just pick 3 strings because
that's "heavy"? Mainly in this period we got (by Cynic) fascinated
by fusion and jazz. As a musician it opened our eyes, especially
about our shortcomings. Back then I stopped playing the guitar
for 5 years after hearing Allan Holdsworth.... Music lovers know
what I mean....."
In the run-up time
to "Spheres", you were talking about "weird" and maybe even "normal"
vocals. For some musicians nowadays, it sometimes appears that
the "death grunt" had its days. Chuck, for example, made no secret
about the fact that he was fed up with his vocal contribution
for years and moved on to "normal" vocals, but for this he needed
to change the bandname and add a singer. Have you thought of this
yourself?
"The "death-grunt" is typical for
death metal. If you want to break the boundaries you are gonna
get style problems, for you're changing an important part of a
music style, isn't that so? Dilemma. Luckily, now in 2000, people
are more tolerant and became familiar with bands like Korn , Slipknot
etc.. where "singing" can/is allowed to be. Of course this does
not mean Pestilence2000 is gonna sound like these bands!!!!!!!!"
Thank God,
you scared the shit out of me!!!
Like you just mentioned, you are planning to take off again with
new musicians under the name Pestilence, with the addition 2000.
What is it gonna be? Is there something to finish or rectify?
"The name of the project will be
"Pestilence2000", with working title "Y2H (Year To Hate)" and
will, from a technical/composition aspect, go much further than
"Spheres". For the aggressiveness it will go back to "Consuming"/"Testimony"
though. So, no synths--- but more guitar."
Technical yet heavy,
sounds promising.....
What does the new line-up look like? Do we know the musicians?
Will it be feast again? Tell us!
"First of all, it is great to actually
rehearse and play with a band again. Before I already spoke about
"real" musicians.... the line-up is: Ruben de Wilde
(bass), Giovanni Verlato (drums) and myself (guitars/vox).
For live performances, Pestilence2000 probably will get assistance
from my cousin, an exellent guitarist, Luca Mameli.
At the moment we still are very busy with composing and rehearsing,
but I already have some titles for you: "PCP-Murder", "RoadBlock
D.O.A.", "Stalker", "Hostage Situation", "Violated Extreme". The
lyrics and subjects are all inspired on Reality T.V. (like C.O.P.S.
etc.)."
Are you gonna tour
as well or is it gonna remain a studio project?
"Unfortunately, that's still all
very uncertain, because the bandmembers have other musical obligations
as well. But we'll see what the future has in store for us. Of
course we have to see if this project is gonna be succesful at
all......"
It would amaze
you, how many (also young) fans you still have, b.t.w......
For many fans you were the Dutch hope and pride. On the phone
you were very enthusiastic and told me everybody has his own heroes.
Whom are yours, or at least the ones that you're influenced by?
"I am mainly influenced by the
Fusion world. People like: Allan Holdsworth, Chick Corea, Wolfgang
Muthspiel, Scott Henderson, Steve Coleman etc. etc..... music
lovers know what I mean."
Would you, in the
light of our "mediation attempt" and the known "hatchet", want
to express some words towards Chuck from this place?
"Certainly.
Well, Chuck, you probably never would have expected these words
coming from me, a ghost from way back in the past. I was shocked
when I heard about your condition and so therefore I wish
you all the best and best health in the future."
At last, what's
your all time playlist (5)? Differently said, which 5 albums would
you take with you to the "desert island" tomorrow?
"Here they are, the albums I could
not live "without". Allan Holdsworth / Secrets (fusion), Dave
Weckl / Masterplan (fusion), W.C. / The Shadiest One (gangsta
rap), Dogg Pound / The Dogg Pound (gangsta rap), Ripping Corpse
/ Dreaming with the Dead (metal). Of course this is just a selection
of my all time faves.... but I could only just pick 5 !!!!"
Yeah, pretty hard
huh? But don't worry, as far as I'm concerned you won't have to
move yet....... lots of success with your come-back!
Due to
the fact his bass player couldn't make it on the re-scheduled
date, Patrick was not able to form the planned "Death Tribute
Band", which he was very disappointed about, cause he was really
looking forward to contribute to this event..... Let's all hope
he can get Pestilence up and going again and that we can enjoy
this guitarist on the Dutch stages again really soon.....
KK
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