Akercocke – Devils In A Suit

England may have invented black metal, but the Norwegians currently rule the genre. Cradle Of Filth are long gone into Goth metal territory, and its up to the Satanic Akercocke to reclaim the throne. With a new album under their (bullet) belts, the band continues to create unique and challenging black metal. To find out more about the band and its current misdeeds, we spoke to their drummer, David Grey.

Hey David, you have a new album called "Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone", which is hitting the charts. What sort of responses did you receive following this release?

Positive, thankfully. One never knows how people will feel about your new work, we tend to isolate ourselves from the rest of the metal scene, so when we bring our gift of new evil music, we never take it for granted that anyone else will still be interested in us.

How would you compare your latest release to the previous one, Chronozon?

Hopefully it is a progression, a logical step forward, as we have always moved from album to album.

You certainly are trying to create an uncomfortable and disturbing atmosphere in your music. What is the idea that you are trying to convey to your audience through these means?

We don’t contrive anything, we merely express ourselves musically in a natural and comfortable fashion. There is no intention other than to successfully produce some work that satisfies us as writers and performers. When other people understand where we are coming from then it’s all a bonus, but ultimately doesn’t really matter. We make music that we would want to hear.

Some define your material as Black Metal, though you can't overlook the Death Metal elements in your music. How would you describe Akercocke's style of music?

We don’t really spend a lot of time worrying about what to call our music, its just music that we enjoy writing and playing. That is what is important. What with the overall blending of different styles I suppose at the foundations of it all, we are a Heavy metal band.

What bands inspired you to play extreme Metal as you do in Akercocke?

For me, it was POSSESSED, my favorite metal band of all time. When I heard them back in 87 I knew that was the way forward. I was into Iron Maiden and mainstream thrash stuff, so when I heard Seven Churches it opened up a new world that I wanted to be part of. Things have never been the same since.

What was the process you went through to get all the music and lyrics written?

As I already mentioned above, we tend not to analyze the process of creativity. We tend to just get on with it and see what happens, that way we get an honest expression of our ability.

As I've heard you say before, your music is a path for you to express your religious views and ideas. Does this still apply to you today?

I don’t think we use the band to express our views and ideas any more than any other band. It isn’t important if you agree with me or what I think for you to like my music. It doesn’t matter what I think or say, if you like the noise that comes out of the speakers when you listen to our CD, that’s great.

As we know of course, your religious ideas are based on Satanism. Could you elaborate on those views that you are trying to express?

No, that’s thoroughly boring. I would rather talk about Star Wars, nobody ever asks me what I think about Star Wars, its always Satanism. That is just one aspect of my personality that isn’t that interesting to people that don’t know me anymore.

Do you express your ideas in occasions other than in your music?

In drawings and illustrations, I suppose.

What is the purpose of conveying these ideas to your audience?

You misunderstand the premise, it is to satisfy ME, not any one else.

You had a movie sample in "Chronozon", where was that taken from?

It comes from the Hammer House of Horror TV series, the episode called “Guardian of the abyss”. It stars Paul Darrow, stalwart of quality television acting since the seventies. I would recommend it to everyone and anyone, it is one of my favorite programs ever.

Were the books of either Dennis Wheatley or Alistair Crawly an influence on you?

Dennis Wheatley is always good for a fireside peruse, although his antediluvian attitude towards race relations leave a lot to be desired. Crowley was a drug addict, a pederast and a crushing bore. I would rather read Razzle.

Satanism is a rather common perspective amongst the Metal musicians. How do you see yourself different from all those other artists?

I don’t, I neither compare myself or consider any one ‘like’ me at all

How come that "Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone" is your first releasing without a naked woman on the cover? What is the idea behind the mysterious man in this CD's artwork?

Ha! It was a deliberate choice by everyone in the band except me! I wanted tits on the cover, nasty girls, there is nothing better! I’m afraid I was outvoted – they all wanted to do something different. I think the cover is alright, nasty girls with big titties in underwear, short skirts and over knees anything would be better in my opinion. I have no idea what the cover is all about, Theobalds could tell you.

Why did you quit Peaceville Records and decide to join Earache?

Because we foolishly thought that they could do more for us than Peaceville, unfortunately record companies are quite similar in many respects.

How come you only sign up with British labels, such as yourselves?

We would entertain any label that approached us with an offer, no other European, American labels had a good enough offer. We aren’t fussy who we accept money from. In fact we have a deal with Greek label Black Lotus who licensed our first album.

You just had a small tour in England. What was it like?

We did four dates in Nottingham, Edinburgh, Sheffield and London with Ted Maul, which was very enjoyable. We always have a good time on the road with the Maul and the reaction from English audiences is always good.

You also did a European tour. How was it?

It was quite an experience. Mortician are the coolest people to be on the road with, we know them from touring the US last year and hope to do more traveling together in the future.

Why did you choose to tour with them?

Because it is important to be with good people as well as a good band. We all love the caveman brutality of their punishing Death metal, we always have a laugh with them.

Do you have any distinct plans for the future of Akercocke?

More evil, more blasting and more violence.

Do you have any last words for the Israeli "Metalist" readers?

Buy all of our CD’s please.