WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BELPHEGOR’S HELMUTH TALKS BONDAGE AND BLAST BEATS

Mixing brutal death metal with the charging pace of thrash and the haunting melody of black metal, Austria’s Belphegor create epic, ugly, fist-pounding extreme metal laden with a more-is-more aesthetic of Satan worship and violent sex. While on tour with speed demons Exodus, Kreator, and Warbringer in support of their latest release, 2008’s Bondage Goat Zombie (Nuclear Blast), vocalist-guitarist Helmuth took a moment to talk to Revolver about the perks of being in Belphegor.

REVOLVER How is Belphegor doing? How has the tour with Exodus and Kreator been?
HELMUTH All right...it’s a strong tour, with packed and crowded venues. A lot of diehard demons with passion and fire for metal attend these shows. Besides that, it's an honor for Belphegor to share stages with thrash legends Exodus and Kreator. It's awesome to celebrate total Krieg with the American and Canadian demons again.

Austria is considered one of the most metal countries out there. How did the US stack up this tour? How was fan response?
First off, I don’t use the term “fan.” Don't like that word, you know. It's about brothers, sisters, supporters, whatever. We are on the road all the time and preach the blast beat. I think we are really intense and always concentrate on the fast and extreme tracks in a live situation. Demons should come to our live shows to experience the real explosion first hand.

What’s one thing the USA could learn from Austria? On this tour, there are two German bands, two American bands—who parties harder?
Exodus are the party animals! We really enjoy being with those dudes on the road...but we're also working hard to get the shit done correctly. It's a challenge for Belphegor, you know—I mean, the other four bands are thrash troupes, and we play death/black metal.

First things first, can you explain your album title? What is a bondage
goat zombie?
Sure man. “Bondage” because this album is concerned with bondage, S&M, that filthy stuff, and is overall inspired by the themes in the work of ingenious Marquis de Sade. “Goat” has been our trademark since the end of the ’90s. “Zombie” goes along with my opinion that there are people who are brainless zombies that sleepwalk the earth, infesting it like a plague.

You spell Satan with an “h” in “Shred for Sathan”—why?
It’s like daemon; in the old times it was written like that. We always use archaic verses/poems/incantations. That’s why we mix up Latin, English, and German—if you would translate it in English, it wouldn’t make any sense. Besides, it’s authentic and a Belphegor trademark.

Your music always involves a lot of sexual imagery. Where does sex, for
you, fit into death metal?
Fuck yeah, of course. It fits perfectly. Musick, sex, and Sathan, you know? We are totally
into it, and it is Belphegor to the highest.

A lot of the new album surrounds the Marquis De Sade. What inspired you to chronicle such a notorious figure? What attracts you to De Sade?
Basically, the lyrical concept of Bondage Goat Zombie deals with the fascinating life of the Marquis De Sade. I was more than impressed by De Sade as I get my hands on 120 Days Of Sodom, Justine, or Julliette. I really recommend those scripts. Also, his life was very impressive. I used many of his original verses for the album. He was a rebel and was in jail about 25 years for his art and ideals. Even during that time, he always refused to kneel down. The message is clear: It’s about rebellion in man, free will, and to take your own decision. Walk your own path… In my opinion freedom is the most important thing in life! The flagellation at the end of the track “The Rutenmarsch” is not fake, and we used original verses from Donatien Marquis De Sade and as always, one sentence from F.W. Nietzsche.

Belphegor’s lineup has changed a number of times over the years. Why?
How is the line-up right now?
It's not easy to find one-hundred-percent dedicated musicians who like to be on the road and spend much time in the rehearsal room and the studio and for whom the band is on the first place… We demand a lot. But we always recruit experienced musicians to guarantee the brothers and sisters an intense Belphegor live inferno. It's not a big deal. We are on the road the whole year. The core is solid and ready to kick some serious ass!

Your sound has evolved so much over the years—what has changed since
the Last Supper days? Where is Belphegor heading?
Yeah, music thrones above all. To get better as band/musician is the rule in
Belphegor. While trends come and go, death and black metal is forever. Real metal in general. You know? Nowadays death/black metal rules the world and is the strongest, the most archaic of all kinds of music. We always have to search for evolution and explore the music and bring it a bit further each time. That's the master plan. Belphegor always tries to bring something interesting to an already oversaturated metal market. The most important thing is that when you play a Belphegor album, you immediately recognize that it is Belphegor. Bondage Goat Zombie was such a huge evolutionary step for this band in terms of sound, songwriting, and the musicianship. I´m really more than proud of it. Besides, we already started to record the new yet-untitled album. It will be released in October 2009, so better be prepared... Hell awaits! Throw thy horns, Belphegor are back to skull-fuck you!!!

Interview by Chris Krovatin