Castigate from Germany delivered one of '98 highlights with their brilliant debut album "Bring Me The Head Of Jesus Christ". This album is another proof that today's Death Metal scene has never been stronger. We contacted Castigate's frontman Bjorn through their promotion company Sure Shot for the story behind this fantastic album.
1. When and where was Castigate started ? Could you give us a brief biography ?
Castigate was founded by Arnd in 1990. We had several changes but now our line- up is finally complete with Arnd (guitars), Bjorn (bass & vocals) and Thorstein (driums). I (Bjorn) has been with the band since 1993 and Thorsten since Nov. 1995. We had just one demo released before our CD.
2. Please tell us more about your demo releases.
Our demo "Evocate The Dark" was released in early 1995. We got quite good critics from the underground-press for this one. Just to mention a few we got good reviews in the Ablaze- Mag and Rock Hard.
3. Although Castigate are marketed through ZYX Music and System Shock here in Europe; I guess you are signed directly on Pavement Music. How did you get in touch with Pavement Music.
We didn't get in touch with Pavement Music at all. We signed to System Shock (eeeh….sorry. My mistake. -ed). That's it. I think every European band on System Shock is also on Pavement Music in America. But that's not our business. Our business is devastating Death Metal.
4. Your debut album "Bring Me The Head Of Jesus Christ" was released this autumn. Please tell us more about this album. For example the recording, the lyrics, the writing process and the featured tracks.
We recorded the album in only 10 days in Feb./March '98 in Berlin, Germany at the Factory of Audio Arts- Studio together with Roman Schousel. By the way, he is a former member of Pyogenesis.
It was quite satisfying there. We has a lot of fun.
Lyrics ? We don't have a real concept concerning our lyrics. Every song is different. But there is always a lot of splatter- stuff involved. That's Death Metal.
On the album, there are beside the new ones also some old songs from our demo. But with a new style, of course. I thing we found a fucking cool combination of both old and new tracks.
5. In my view, the title track is a coming classic. It is a brilliant track. Please tell us more about this track. Have you had any problems with this track or the album from the paedofile extreme right wing Christians in USA ? Any boycotts from the big record store chains ?
Actually this track is rather old. It was the first song we wrote in our current line up. It was in early '96 I guess.
We had problems with the paedofile Christians…..What ?? Sorry, never heard of that. Well at this point of time we don't have problems with any record store chain. But maybe this will change. I hope not, but who knows. Time will tell.
6. It is also my view that the Death Metal scene anno 1998/'99 are far stronger than the Death Metal scene anno 1990 - '93. As the heirs of this scene; what is your view on the Florida scene anno '91 - '93 and today's Death Metal scene ?
I think in '91-'93 there were only a few bands who played really good Death Metal, for example Morbid Angel. You're right the scene is far stronger today. In my opinion the American Death Metal bands of these years gave the most inspiration for other bands who are now on the Death Metal market. The people just want to make extremely aggressive music, and Death Metal is the way to make such a style of music. The scene is nowadays far bigger, because there are many good bands out now who play really good Death Metal. In '91 -'93 there were only a few because the music style was very different. Not so much Death Metal but Punk, Hard Core or Thrash Metal. I think the people want to listen to such extreme music, and in my opinion, American bands gave the example and inspiration for many others. I hope this scene keeps on growing !
7. How would you describe the Castigate sound contra the typical American Death Metal sound ?
The Castigate sound is a mix between American Death Metal and our own opinion of playing Death Metal. I think we are influenced by Morbid Angel, Mortican, Dying Fetus and Suffocation. We want to play a similar style but we don't copy them !!
The songs are self-made and written in the way we want. In my opinion every band is influenced by other bands or sounds of music, but finally they make their own definition of music.
8. What is your political, religious and philosophical views ?
The answer is none.
9. Are any members of Castigate involved in other bands/projects.
No !!!
10. What are your plans for 1999 ? Any tour plans ?
We hope to go on tour maybe in early '99. Unfortunatelly we don't have as much free time as we would like to due to our jobs. So, we have to check that with our holidays.
11. Do you have a merchandise list ? From what address can the band be contacted ?
Baron Productions
C/O Arnd Kleinkes
Pommern Str. 23
45770 Marl
GERMANY