In the ’70 and the ’80; Holland was a wasteland when it comes to metal. Vandenbergh was the most known band. But things has improved in the ’90. Pestilence was the first band to break through and they were followed by an avalanche of brilliant metal bands. They were very much supported by some hard- working labels and magazines. One of the new bands are Mangled. They are paired with a new, rapidly growing label called Fadeless Records. This pairing has, quite deservedly, gained a lot respect in the last months. We caught up with Pepijn from Mangled.



1. When and where was Mangled started ?? Could you give us a brief biography ??

Mangled was formed back in 1989 by Pepijn (vocals), Erwin (giutars) and Wilko (drums). In 1991 Harold (guitars) joined Mangled and some time later Paul (bass) to complete the band. In 1992 : Mangled recorded their first demo "Cadaverous". we appeared on the compilation CD Appointment With Fear vol.2. 1993: Mangled recorded their second demo "Perish". After making 1000 Mangled friends all over the world we signed an agreement with Wild Rags Records, to release the "Perish" demo on CD format. This appeared in 1995. Also in 1995 Paul decided to quit because of personal reasons. A few months later in 1996 also Wilko decided to stop with the band. Shortly after this Floris joined Mangled to take his place. Mangled started completing all the new material and recorded one new song called Bathe In Blood to appear on the single CD ...In Emptiness. Last year Mangled recorded 10 new songs, including Bathe in Blood. Meanwhile in the spring of 1997, Wild Rags released ...In Emptiness, and the new bass player Loek joined the band.In the spring of 1998 Mangled signed a deal with Fadeless Records to release the new material on a full-length CD. Our debut CD called "Ancient Times", is released in September of 1998.

2. You released a MCD and a single CD on Wild Rags Records, if I am not mistaken. Please tell me more about this release.

That's right. Just after we sold over 600 copies of our "Perish" demo, we signed an agreement with Wild Rags Records, to release the "Perish" demo on CD format. (this appeared in 1995). Spring 1997, Wild Rags released our single CD ...In Emptiness, three songs of Brutal Grave Rock. "Bathe In Blood" recorded at ORC, July 1996. " Psychodead" recorded at Reynders Recording Attik, July 1993."Call Of Silence" recorded live in Ludwigshafen (Germany), 11th June 1994. Original track on: Mangled - Perish (demo/mcd).

3. What was your experience with this label ??

We are really satisfied with the things that Wild Rags did for Mangled, as I told you in question 2, he released the "perish" demo on CD format, and he released a single CD called ...In Emptiness, the response was very good.

4. Your album "Ancient Times" was released this autumn trough Fadeless Records. Please tell us more about this album. For example the recording, the writing process and the featured tracks.

Mangled's debut full-length CD "Ancient Times" released in September 1998. 10 songs of Brutal Grave Rock. Tracks: Raise My Fist In The Face Of God, Eve Of Mourning, In Ancient Times I: de christianis, Bathe In Blood, Era: Odium, Goatrider, The Sleeping Paradise, In Ancient Times II: Erotica, In Ancient Times III: Bellum Gallicum, Mangled. Recorded at ORC, January 1997, mixed at RSA by E. Hermsen. Layout design by John van der Heijden OHOHOH designers. Lyrics by P. Houwen Music by Mangled.

5. Please explain the lyrical concept on this album.

The lyrics are about anything that interests our singer Pepijn , especially about the dark sides of life. In the early years of Mangled, (at the time of our first demo "Cadaverous"),he only wrote about gore subjects, but this couldn't really satisfy him. Then he started to write about his own life. Some are about sex, other about the fake thoughts of religion.

6. There is a huge difference between the MCD you released on Wild Rags and "Ancient Times". How would you compare these two releases ?

After we released our MCD "Perish", (1995, recorded in 1993) Mangled changed from line- up. A new drummer, and a new bass player, this has to do with the difference between the "Perish" MCD and the "Ancient Times" CD I think. The sound is much better, guitars and drum parts are much faster and a bit technical.

7. It is my impression that the new Goth Music scene follow the same pattern as the Romantic New Wave scene did 20 years ago with bands like ABC, Duran Duran and Human League. The similarities are striking. The Romantic New Wave scene was a reaction to the Punk music; the new Goth Metal scene is a reaction to the Death Metal scene. What is your view ???

I really don't know.

8. Following my last question; what would you call your music ??

We call it "Brutal Grave Rock", and I think it is what Mangled is playing. We can call it Death-Metal, but why should we, there is only one band that makes Brutal Grave Rock and that's Mangled !

9. The album is a blend of all types of metal. How would you describe the music on the album ?

Our music is influenced by some main trends in old school Death-Metal. It's very Brutal but still melodic. Our guitar sound is more 'Swedish', we have a lot of melodic influence caused by acoustic guitar and keyboard parts. The vocals is always been sick and gore. All this is covered with deep, heavy drums and splattering bass parts. I can't tell which band we are influenced by, because we listen to all kind of music.

10. What is your political, religious and philosophical views ?

We of Mangled all reject fascism, racism, nazism and all religions, because these systems are meant to impress and indoctrinate mankind. Our devise is: Think free, live free !

11. Are any members of Mangled involved in other bands/projects ?

Yes, every member has another project or band besides Mangled. Erwin and I have a Death-Grind project called Disgorge, it's like Mortician but much faster and twice that brutal. And I play also in two other bands: Inhume, best grind band in The Netherlands, together with Loek our bass player, and in a metal / hardcore band called Juice Tigers. Loek is playing in the following bands, Inhume, Insult. Our singer Pepijn is playing in a 80's cover band called Masters of Maiden. And our drummer is playing in a hardcore band, called Dawn of Anger.

12. What are your plans for 1999 ?? Any tour plans ??

The important thing for us is: Writing new songs, and hopefully we gonna do a tour through Europe, but I can't tell you when, cause nothing is for sure.

13. Do you have a merchandise list ??? From what address can the band be contacted ??

Mangled merchandise: There are new shirts / long sleeves coming up, stickers for free and of course Mangled's debut album "Ancient Times" Fad004.

Thank you very much for this interview! A big hail to all true Death-Metal freaks!! Good luck with your zine !!!

Everyone who's interested in writing, trading, merchandise etc., write to:

Mangled
Vermeerstraat 8
5961 AV
Horst
The Netherlands
e-mail: graverock@hetnet.nl