The Black Metal scene has more or less merged with the Heavy Metal scene in the last years. Keyboards, female vocals and accoustic instruments are dominating the scene. Fuck it all, is my opinion. But there are some bands who refuse to give in to the commercial scene. One of these bands, are Maniac Butcher from the Czech Republic. They have so far released four albums with raw, primitive Black Metal.
We contacted the band for an update. Maniac Butcher’s vocalist Barbarud, gave us an update on the Maniac Butcher situation.
1. When and where was Maniac Butcher started ?? By whom ??
In 1992 by Vlad (guitar), Michael (drums), and me - Barbarud (vocals).
2. Please tell us what you did before you started the band ?
Since 1988 we had a plan to have Metal band called Maniac Butcher. And I had a band called Cintoreen Moor in 1990 - ’91.
3. Please tell us more about the two demo- tapes "Immortal Death" (’93) and "The Incapable Carrion" (’94).
They were our first recordings. Maybe the sound is not so good, but we are proud of these recordings too. We listen to them very much.
4. Please tell us more about the split EP you released in ’95.
That was a split with Dark Storm under common name "Black Horus Of Saaz". Unfortunate, it is our only vinyl release.
5. Your album "Barbarians" was released the same year. Please tell us more about this album. For
example the recording, the lyrics, the writing process, the concept and the featured tracks.
That was really a revolution album in the Czech scene. In that time, no band played Black Metal in the Czech Republic. The last precede Black Metal album was Master’s Hammer’s "The Jilemnice Occultista" 3 or 4 years before !! We founded the Black Metal scene in the Czech Republic.
6. That album was followed by the "Lucan Antichrist" album in ‘96. Please tell us more about this album. For example the recording, the lyrics, the writing process, the concept and the featured tracks.
We produced the album, but I ma not fully satisfied with the sound of my vocals. It is the last album with Michael on drums.
7. That album was again followed by "Krvestred" in ’97. Please tell us more about this album. For example the recording, the lyrics, the writing process, the concept and the featured tracks.
By my opinion, that album was much better than all our precede releases. Raw, brutal sound, really a good album, I think.
8. Your last album are "Cerna Krev" from ’98. Please tell us more about this album. For example the recording, the lyrics, the writing process, the concept and the featured tracks.
For sure our best album. That was recorded by only two men -Vlad (all instruments) and me (vocals).
9. How would you compare all your four albums ?
We play same type of music on all our albums. Fast guitar based Black Metal without any fucking keyboards, female vocals and other shit like that. Maybe our musicianship has improved during these years.
Surely we reached much experience we can use during recordings, sound making, song writing..etc.
10. You have released all your albums through Pussy God Records. Why ? With all respect; would it not be better to join a well established label in the west ?
Maybe.. Well we got 8 - 10 proposals during the last years. But we think it is better to release our stuff through Pussy God Records. We are sure that our album are out just two weeks after recording. We can make cover lay-outs just in way as we want. We have control on distribution, numbers of sold copies….etc.
11. What is the positive and negative things being located in The Czech Republic ?
I am proud of being a Czech, I love my country. Of course, if we were from Norway, we’d surely sell 10 x more of stuff, is it not like this ? The label "Norwegian Black Metal" sells the stuff really well, but who cares about "Czech Black Metal" ? Nevertheless, it is not important for us. We are proud to be Czech Black Metal horde.
12. How would you describe the Maniac Butcher sound contra the typical Scandinavian Black Metal
sound ?
For the first, it is not so easy to say what is "the typical Scandinavian Black Metal sound". The most of today’s so called Black Metal bands use sweet sound full of keyboards, female vocals..etc. The sound of Maniac Butcher is totally different. Raw and brutal !
13. What is your view on bands like Dimmu Borgir and Cradle Of Filth who has gone more commercial and family friendly ?
I don’t care of them. One thing is very disappointing for me: The music of these bands are labeled as "Black Metal", although this music is pretty different to real Black Metal.
I think it’d be better if we call the music if these bands "Sweet Metal".
14. What is your political, religious and philosophical views ?
I don’t care about politics and religion. Both are only good for making money and making slaves.
My philosophy is pure individualism. What is good for me, is good.
15. Are members of Maniac Butcher involved in other bands/projects ?
I and Vlad were members of Dark Storm from 1994, but I left it in 1997. In Spring 1998, we released a CD of our other project called Nhaavah.
16. What is your view on the Black Metal scene in The Czech Republic contra the rest of Europe ?
The Czech Black Metal scene is very small. Moreover it is full of trendy childish posers. I think only Unclean, Inferno and Black Rain are good bands and worth mentioning.
17. What are your plans for the coming months and year ?? Any tour plans ??
In early 1999, a split CD with Maniac Butcher/Inferno/Sezarbil should be out. And for the summer 1999, we will prepare a new album which will be probably called "Invaze".
18. Do you have a merchandise list ??? From what address can the band be contacted ??
Stuff from Maniac Butcher, all other Pussy God Records releases, and about 200 other Black Metal items
(CDs, demos, EPs etc.) are available from my address:
Radim Hora
Stroupecska 2144
438 01 Zatec
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
E-mail: Barbarud@post.cz
And our two web sites.
Maniac Butcher
Maniac Butcher
We wish Maniac Butcher good luck and we will follow their progress with great interest in the coming months and years.