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Old Interview: Reaper
March 11, 2007
by ©Scarlet Metal & www.whoresofchaos.com
http://www.myspace.com/oldhellmetal

Scarlet: 'Down With the Nails' released on Tyrant Syndicate Productions
last year is one hellishly great piece of thrash. How does it feel to know that
Old has made an indelible black mark on metal culture?

Reaper: How should that feel? We are not the kind of clowns who jump up
and down because we got a record deal with Tyrant. I mean on one hand it's
great for us that we got such attention but on the other hand don't you think
that they are just metal fans too...like you and me? But ok, it's a glorious
feedback to know that some more people understand metal in that
old school way like we do..because it's a very lonely path without
a real strong support besides a few people and your own heart.

Scarlet: What exactly is it that fuels your fire?

Reaper: The music is inspired by music- old school metal in general,
thrash, death, heavy, black, doom..doesn't matter. How the structure of
a song will be built up, is a part of feelings... like ups and downs in your
life. To give the different feelings a much intensive result is my part
with the voice and the lyrics. I would say my part is inspired by the
dark side of my life...in different forms with different feelings.

Scarlet: Would you say your life is pretty much 'all consumed' by Old
and metal music right now?

Reaper: I am in a few months 29 years old and I got my first vinyl around
20 years ago. It was Iron Maiden 'Killers' album. So you see I spent more
LIFE with Metal than with anything else, and metal still takes up around
70-80% of my day...even at work. Old takes a big part of my free time-
like answering emails and snail mail of people, mags, label, gig organizers,
etc...sending packages with shirts and other stuff to people..etc.
Sometimes it's hell but ok...I choose a life in hell.

Scarlet: The insert of Down With The Nails credits "Old" under lyrics.
However, are you the main lyricist?

Reaper: I am the only one who writes lyrics in OLD. I don't like to talk
about their meaning because I think people should do what I do when I
read the lyrics of other bands. I like to drown in my OWN feelings in some
lyrics and I don't need to understand their real meaning. I understand them in
a very personal way for myself. Sometimes, one single word in the lyrics opens
whole worlds in my mind. You know, I want people do the same with my
lyrics.

Scarlet: Is creating the lyrics and the music a cathartic process, a
creative process or both? Do you feel that you express yourself best
through lyrics and music?

Reaper: I like the philosophy ALONE TO BE ONE WITH THE MUSIC.
That's why music and lyrics are a good way to express myself FOR myself.
I don't make music to show other people how cool am I. Fuck that shit!
I have other knowledge in other things to express myself for other
people..like in my job or with my girlfriend...or simply in other things
which are happening in life.

Scarlet: In reviews the influences of Old seem to be most often cited as
Hellhammer/Celtic Frost and Venom. Are you fully conscious of all of
your influences? or are they more of an eruption of your own subconscious?

Reaper: Like I said, the music is inspired by music..of course Hellhammer
/Celtic Frost…the lyrics are inspired by myself in hell.

photo: Reaper