Asphyx Interview
Martin Van Drunnen is probably the most important Dutch man in the history of Death Metal, and in the top 10 countries of Metal, the Netherlands surely fits in, small as it may be. When most people think of the Netherlands, many today automatically think, mhmm, weed, bicycles, weed again, and tall people, but for ages, the Netherlands has had one of the strongest Death Metal scenes in the whole world. Class acts such as God Dethroned, and Sinister, and most noticeably Asphyx, have been bringing out gems in the genre for a long time. But within the great scene, there is no man as prolific as Martin Van Drunnen.Most renowned for front-manning both Asphyx and Hail of Bullets, as well as being the vocalist for both Pestilence in the Consuming Impulse era, and Bolt Thrower for 3 , his list of achievements is only rivaled by how freakishly tall he is (well, not so much in the Netherlands, which is the tallest nation in the world.) Well, here’s Van Drunnen!
M- Hello Martin! You’re quite a busy man with the new Asphyx and Hail of Bullets on the side, what are you up to these days? How are you?
MVD- I’m fine , the only thing is, it’s bloody cold here! It’s freezing outside, could be a bit better. I don’t like the cold anyway, I’m more into sunny weather and nice temperature. For the rest, things are going very well. The new album, everyone enthusiastic and the acknowledgement is going well, couldn’t be better!
M- So, rumor on the street is, that the new Asphyx album, Deathhammer is coming by soon, what can you tell us about it?
MVD- I mean honestly, thing is, every band will say it about their last album ,“best we’ve ever done” but in this case I think it really is. Were really pleased with it, not just the way the songs are, but also basically everything. Not just the songs themselves, but also even the way we worked on them, was really relaxed. We took our time with the mixing, and Dan Swano (Metal producer/ EX-Age of Sanity) already knows what to do with our sound. Death The Brutal Way was the first time we mixed with Dan, but now were set. With Deathhammer we knew what he was capable of, I think he knew too how to improve what he did on the previous album. So it’s just the thing of, it’s like an orange, on a tree, now finally we’ve gotten all juicy. and got more ripe as a band. Also I think, because we have Alwin Zuur on bass, he’s way more enthusiastic and has more ideas how to do his own things on the bass on Asphyx. Bass never sounded as good on an Asphyx album as it does on Deathhammer, it’s his earnings. The atmosphere, and the band itself, it’s just perfection, I think. The songs overall are a bit, stronger when it comes purely to the composition and the arrangement. It doesn’t usually take us a lot of time, it’s just how we do things. We just put riffs together, we start chilling and banging our heads.
M- what are some lyrical themes on the album? Although I realize it’s like asking Cannibal Corpse about the ideology behind their music (laughs)
MVD- (laughs) We don’t just sing about slaughtering and butchering, we sing about that too, but in a more sophisticated way. Basically it’s a whole range for a Death Metal album, it has history, war, horror, Sci-Fi, things that happen in real life. That basically what it’s about. Maybe also a kind of fun kind of lyric, like a rock n’ roll basic thing about drinking and having a good time. I mean everything I think about it, a song idea that I have, have to fit it with the music. Can’t sing about a Minefield with a fast song. I’d probably save it for something slower.
M- how do you feel Deathhammer is different than Death The Brutal Way? How do you feel Asphyx advanced since?
MVD-I think, after all the years the band has been wandering, I think the band found it’s soul in a way. It’s really like one body now. With four fellas doing their thing. But all together, we are able to make as a band, an album like Deathhammer. We all feel that way really. Sometimes you make albums and afterward, you think this could be better or that. I don’t think we could do anything better on it, for us it’s really hard in a way: how are you gonna top this one? But that’s our concern for later on. I also had this feeling I never had it before in my whole career. I had this strange feeling in my gut a couple of times after a few times listening to this record. I called the drummer and asked him if he had the same feeling, it’s one of those albums you make once a lifetime.
M- It’s been 3 years since the last Asphyx album, how does it feel to be back with that band? How is it different than working with, say, Hail of Bullets?
MVD- Ummm, it’s a strange question in a way, there’s no answer to it. The recording process and writing process, we just took our time. If Bullet had some riffing, and thought we had some times, we thought if it was worth it to go into the practice room. It was just the process in the last years, all relaxed and easy, so it’s not that all of the sudden you get together and start working on an album, it’s been going on between everything that you do. Sometimes we’d do a jam and then a week later I’d do some shows with Hail of Bullets. It’s not like all the sudden being back with the band; it’s just now having an album you’ve been working on for a while. I’m proud of the fellas, I’m not the kind of guy to say I’ve done well on this album, I’m too modest, but we did well. I can’t wait to go onstage with the fellas and play these songs for the first time . That’s the first challenge, I’m sure they're (the crowds- ED) gonna love it like hell
M- so, you’re a musician with quite a past behind you, can you tell us a bit about that? What was it like being a part of 3 of the biggest Dutch Death Metal bands ever, sans perhaps Sinister and God Dethroned?
MVD- I don’t consider myself that way, really, I just do what I like to do and feel very privileged. Some way, I was just born with this organ called my throat. I developed it that way. I don’t know if I can call it a blessing, I am very proud of what I’ve done; it’s all very honest. Because for me there was nothing really weak in between. I don’t think I’m a part of the biggest bands; in the end I’m just a Metalhead. Just a fan of the music, who’s able to live a dream. I feel very privileged in the end I’m just a fan of the music.
M- it’s good to hear your grounded in reality, many people let success go to their head
MVD- I think it’s very typical with us Dutch, there’s a Dutch saying- keep your feet on the ground, don’t lift off and lose it on the clouds or something. That’s the way I was raised as well. With American bands, it often goes wrong, I’m a rockstar, blab la bla I have a nice house in California all that shit. It’s just not the way we are, it’s a bit of a European thing, I act that way as well.
M- are there any achievements in particular that you are proud of? Like perhaps the Rack, or , or Of Frost and War?
MVD- Wow, like I said before, I’m not actually proud of anything I did in particular. I’m also proud of the fact I can say I never made any weak album. It’s already one achievement. You see certain bands, lets be honest, when Celtic Frost came out with Cold Lake, what the fuck is this shit? Or how Metallica is out now, when you grow out with shit like Kill Em All, that was the stuff. I’m happy I never made an album that weren’t true to my roots, I never became commercial. Never appeared on an album that I said in the end, wow this sucked or I was really terrible. For example, when I did Frost & War with Hail of Bullet’s, I was proud of that. I am also still very proud of the Rack, even If it sounds very different than what we do today as far as production goes. There has been massive advancements in that field, you’d be stupid not to use it. Of course I’m most proud of Deathhammer right now, maybe now I’ll make a new album with HOB and said this is the best shit I’ve ever done. But in the end, there’s not one bad album. Right now, Deathhammer is the one. But even the Comecon album, for the rushed job I did there, I still liked it. Turned out well. No there’s not really one favorite, most people would say perhaps Consuming Impulse. But I like it as much as Last One On Earth and …Of Frost and War. It’s hard to choose, again I’m a down to earth guy, I never listen to my own music. The only reason I have to listen to my own albums it to practice or do some fresh up for a set or to listen to new songs on the setlist we didn’t play much before. It’s not like I sit at home, listen to the music I recorded and think woah, I’m perfect and jack off to myself. I mean, that’s what fucking crazy narcissistic people do.
M- Pufft, I bet that’s what James Hetfield did after recording Lulu (laughs) “watch our fans kill themselves! Bathe yourself in our glory!!!” Anyway, Speaking a bit about Pestilence, it seems that following your departure they went down the drain, any indication as to what happened?
MVD- I Left (laughs,) no but many people don’t really know that I had also a big part in the arrangements of the songs. Although Patrik is a very good guitar player, but there’s a difference between being able to do good lead guitar and good riffing, and being able to write songs. Yeah well next to that, I would say to him if you want to do stuff like Spheres, do another project with a guitarist you like, but don’t screw your fans with all this jazzy stuff. This shit I’m definitely. not gonna sing, I’m not gonna make songs like this. It was inevitable; I had to leave the band. For me it’s a bit sad to see that, especially sometimes like these days, to see a band go down that bad. I made two fantastic albums with them, which people still want me to sign. They come up to me saying “I still like Consuming Impulse so much,” you know thank you very much and I still like them too. You know the other people in the band and my friends give me links to watch, and hear them screw up, and other versions of Out of the Body , their more or less ruining the good name of it. I don’t think it’ll last long before it’ll have to stop. Like what can you expect? You can’t just screw your fans like that? But that’s just my opinion.
M- Were you ever asked to rejoin the fold? Would you do a reunion today if that came up? What would it take for you to do it?
MVD- No, never, that has never been on my mind. If I play in a band, first I wanna have fun, but with them I wouldn’t have any fun, I’m quite sure. He’s still like, we all grow, as people as men, there’s a big difference between when your 20 to 24 to 46 as I am now. Apparently he stayed that age, he’s still an idiot. I mean still, people read his articles and tell me to see what he’s saying about me. He hates the fact I’m more successful than he is, you know I don’t have to deal with that shit. I am just doing my thing, having fun. I’m in fantastic bands with great people with dedicated Meatheads, if I had to do it, it would be a pain in the ass. I’d ask him, “lets play the old songs the way they should be played” and he’d answer “no lets play them this way” and I’ll be like, “well go fuck yourself” and leave again. There wouldn’t even be a show (laughs)
M- also, how do you feel about the Asphyx albums that were recorded in your absence?
MVD- Still good, it’s one thing people can never say about Asphyx, that they neglected their fans or changed their style. They stayed true through all their albums. Maybe one of the outstanding ones is Asphyx (self titled album) or Wings of Inferno, we even considered playing some of those songs live. Problem is we have such a wide range and the fans usually really want to hear The Rack and Last One on Earth. You also have to play songs off the new album, so we have to sacrifice certain songs, we have to skip. You can never do any good (laughs)
M- is there a band in particular you’d say you like working with?
MVD- No it’s both, it’s a pleasure. Their very different, It’s nice to see and experience, as they both work well. Maybe it’s more laid back in Asphyx because of Mr perfect himself, Eddie Hitler (Drummer Ed Warby,) he wants everything to be absolutely perfect. But that’s a good thing too, that what makes the difference between the two bands. I can even learn from him. Because sometimes he has a different way of thinking, because he thinks like a drummer. Then he has a different way of thinking about vocal patterns, it’s nice to still learn after so many years. Then you go all the sudden like “woah, that’s an eye opener” it’s nice to work with both. It’s just a privilege. Eddie is one of the best drummers around in this world, he’s’ incredible. What he does with his solo project, 11th hour, he writes lyrics, produces, I’m just like “you’re a little genius you know that?” and it’s fine working with him in the band. I like how it is with both bands, it’s different. it’s, with both it’s a pleasure. Maybe because it’s different.
M- also, how do you compare the old-school Death Metal scene and the newer scene, both in Holland?
MVD- Well, honestly, the strange thing is what’s happening now. Still there’s a lot of old bands going very strong, Legion of the Damned is still going, although I guess their more Thrash and they came out of the occult, Sinister is still going and Howitzer started again, all these old guys are still going strong. We see each other , and we have a good time. Last time we went to a show we saw Henri (Sattler, guitarist/vocalist) from God Dethroned in there. So you know, when we see all the old fellas we have a great time. The only band we don’t really see around is Pestilence, they’re not as accepted. Most of the old bands are going well, but There’s a bunch of newer bands we liked, like Nailgun Massacare, Funeral Whore,and Entrapment. They play really oldschool Asphyx- Autopsy type Death Metal, its’ nice to see they play what we were playing. We invite these guys to play with us. Their really honored and we talk a little bit, and singers come to me and ask how to do this, and ask for advice, it’s nice it’s really nice, it’s a good scene, it’s growing again, it’s developing.
M- do you like the direction modern Metal is taking? any bands that interest you in particular?
MVD- Yeah plenty of. Like I said the youngsters here in the Netherlands. Good ol’ Autopsy’s comeback. From Germany I like Blizzard, Withcburner, Hellish and Crossfire. There’s a good one from Israel, Sonne Adam, we are playing together for Deathhammer’s release show in Germany. I heard already, that they seem to be very honored to do that, we’re very pleased to go up to them and have a beer, and hope they won’t be nervous, were just humans, it’s going to be very packed. They can expect hell from the crowd, with the way they rage. I hope they won’t be scared on stage. The crowd, if they like you, than they’ll go for it. The TuRock is like a metal temple with a big name, it’s a big building and it’s really scruffy, you can make it anywhere if there. I’m happy for them. Coffins are a good band as well, from Japan.
M- Also, what happened with Bolt Thrower? You were in the band for around 3 years from what I read, yet recorded nothing and were all of the sudden out of the project completely, what’s the story behind it?
MVD- Well basically I caught a disease that made my hair fall out. all the sudden I had all these spots on my head and I had no idea what happened. I got diagnosed with alopecia areata but at the time, I knew not what’s going on with me. But my long hair has been kind of a trademark and I had to fight through many things to have it. I lived in a rural town, and I was the only Metalhead in my school, no one had long hair. We had fights all my time. I was proud as it was a part of my identity. It was hard for me to go onstage like that, first I had to cope. If it returns, I’d shave my head. The disease wasn’t a big thing, just a disturbance in your immunity. It’s not as bad as an incurable cancer or worse things, didn’t hurt, just mainly that I felt like a part of my identity was falling off. They wanted me to do the shows, and I felt I couldn’t. We have to play these shows and if you don’t want to do it, we’ll ask Dave (Ingram). So that’s why we parted, in a way. But no hard feelings, we’re still friends, Besides being the frotman of a band like Bolt Thrower, it’s an honor. There’s only 3 people in the world who can say that, and I’m one of them.
M- Speaking to a musician as involved in the Death Metal scene as you are, you must have amazing road stories, any one in particular you’d like to tell?
MVD- Umm, I think this is the best one, so disgusting. You know these tour busses, they have like piss holes, these tanks. The tanks can contain like 200 liters of pure piss, so you can imagine that’s like piss for like a week or days if you drink enough. I remember it being Benediction bus, this is the type of shit that only happens with Benediction. So we open their bus, to load some gear, and all the sudden there is some horrible smell, like fuckin hell what’s this?! You smell like piss everywhere, their like the piss tank broke. 250L of piss, flew straight into the sleeping bunk of the bus driver. So his clothes and mattress were soaked and the rest went onto the speakers. So when they were onstage, the crowd was like what is this horrible smell? And you can imagine the face of the driver, All his clothes full of piss and the his mattress. Everyone thought now that it was over, that the smell was gone. But then it broke down again. One of these things, I mean we were playing with Benediction, we weren’t on the same bus, but we had the same thing with.Pestilence. A bit in America, Patrick told us he had to take a shit in the camper, and we said no because we knew it’d break. We said “you’ll just have to wait, keep it in until we reach a city”, but sure enough, later, the tank broke. I was like, you took a shit man! “me no?” you did it you bastard! It had this double flow, with his shit in it. Our van was smelly like shit the whole time, through the whole tour. Interviewers wanted to do interviews outside of the van, but I said” I fucking sleep in t his thing, we either do the interview here or nowhere.” He took a shit but never admitted it, he fucking did it, 2 months with that smell that bastard…
M- So, what is the musical future for Martin Van Drunnen hold? What are your plans for Asphyx and Hail of Bullets?
MVD- Well first promoting this album, first 2 release shows in March. Then afterward many nice shows this year, one we go back to Greece, then first time playing Portugal, yeah some other things booked like Obscene Extreme Czech republic and some nice things coming for us. For HOB there’s some shows here and there, we want to slow down so we can come up with the follow up On Divine Winds. Plenty of things to do still, never boring.
M- ohhhh a new HOB, can I get any hints as far as concept? Or too undercover?
MVD- Very under cover, I don’t anyone to steal this bloody concept, this is going to be something else. You’ll see that when it comes out.
M- any final words to the Israeli crowd?
MVD- yeah sure, thanks for all the support that people gave us, or even through emails or shows in Germany. I had some, who came with stuff. Thank you for the support through this year. We hope to come through Israel!
M- much thanks! Cheers
