GLORIOUS TIMES & CLUB INFINITY PRESENTS: SIX FEET UNDER & GUESTS - NOVEMBER 7 2012

GLORIOUS TIMES & CLUB INFINITY PRESENT:

THE AUTUMN APOCALYPSE TOUR
SIX FEET UNDER/CATTLE DECAPITATION/WRETCHED/SEPLOPHILE/VILE VINDICTION

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 7-DOORS AT 6PM-ALL AGES SHOW-TICKETS ARE $15 ADVANCE - $18 DAY OF SHOW - AND CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT

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Tickets are also available at the following locations:
The Club Infinity Box Office, 8166 Main Street, Williamsville NY
The After Dark Box Office, 630 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY
The Record Barron, 3048 Delaware Avenue Kenmore NY
Music Matters (248 Meadow Dr, N. Tonawanda and 527 Cayuga Dr., Niagara Falls, NY)

SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED - APOLOGIES

GLORIOUS TIMES & THE FUNERAL HOME PRESENT: PHOBIA & GUESTS OCTOBER 15 2012

GLORIOUS TIMES & THE FUNERAL HOME PRESENT:

MONDAY OCTOBER 15 2012

PHOBIA/STRONG INTENTION/DESTROYED IN SECONDS/DROGHEDA/IMMINENT COLLAPSE/AVULSION 

 

AT THE FUN HOME LOCATED AT 366 ONTARIO STREET IN BUFFALO NY

$10 ADMISSION-DOORS AT 6PM-SHOW STARTS AT 6:30PM.

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BODE PRETO: BONDED BY INVERTED BLOOD

 Oracles of inverted blood: Bode Preto (photo - Erick Miranda)

It's no secret we love a lot of the extreme music from Brazil. Bode Preto (Black Goat) are a newer outfit who stand head and shoulders apart from the mediocrity infesting a once proud band of pioneering spirits - and these guys are preparing their forthcoming debut album entitled 'Inverted Blood' which is due to be released quite soon, with pressings in Brazil, Germany and the UK (so it will be available to most people on the underground level).

GT has been able to get a bit of a dialogue going with Bode Preto's Josh S and Adelson Souza while they've been working on the material, which came to us out of the darkness and quite frankly took us by total surprise. This is going to be one of the most special releases in a VERY long time in extreme metal, not just from Brazil either, period.

 GT - So Josh, was it you that actually started Bode Preto? Was it you alone or with other people (we ask this due to the 2010 EP 'Dark Night' having other members than this new line-up). What sort of style did you originally intend on making?

  Josh S - Yes, we started as trio, but I invited the other guys and had already the idea of how the band would sound and look like. It was, and is, intended to be obscure, morbid and violent metal band. For me the best bands and records are not so clear which style it is, is more about the energy and the act of search for something. It's very intense when there's the birth of something new, when it's not so clearly categorized. If you listen to Sarcófago's I.N.R.I. it's not Grindcore, Black Metal, Death or Thrash Metal, but it's everything together brought to a next level. I always think about the D.R.I. Crossover album that was released the same year of I.N.R.I., and what they were talking about on their album Sarcófago was already doing 10 times more intense. I love D.R.I and a big amount of Punk and Core bands, but nowadays with the Deathcore tag new people think is silly to say that hahahaha. In music and creation we can build our own world and talk about what matter for us, with this band in a very concentrated way of short songs, images, lyrics, videos and live performances, it's like a movie and it attracts me very much.

GT - Can you tell us about the former members and current members of Bode Preto? Their work on the 'Dark Night' ep was really killer...

Josh S - (photo - Bianca Lessa) 

Josh S - It was Junior Oliveira on the drums and Pablo Erickson on the bass, they are the kind of guys who grew up in the same street and have played together for 8 years now, they have a band called Mortal Thrash where Pablo plays the guitar. At this moment I see that each of them is taking care of their own life. I have been playing in bands since 1993, and have some stuff released with Monasterium (Death Doom Metal band from the 90's), I remember when we were talking about creating Monasterium that we already had the LP of The Endoparasites released by Cogumelo with Adelson on the drums. I'm saying that because it was a great achievement for a band at that time to have a LP released by them.

 Junior (original Bode Preto drummer) 2010 (photo - Bianca Lessa)

 Pablo - (photo - Bianca Lessa)

GT - How did you and Adelson end up hooking up to constitute the new Bode Preto? You guys live something like 3000km apart?

  Josh S - We knew the previous bands of each other, both of us were used to have pen pals and trade tapes on the pre-internet era. Now it is quicker as we can have real time conversation. I recorded a demo by myself, struggling to try to play the drums as well, and sent to Adelson who instantly felt that he could develop and record the drums. It was perfect time as I exchange my drum kit and a guitar amp for some credits on a traveling agency. But the deal was with a friend so I could keep the drums for one month to have the time to record it. With that we could buy the tickets for Adelson to come. He stayed for 7 days in my house and we recorded it in one of the rooms, the same where he slept.

Adelson - I knew the band through a mutual friend. We started talking at Facebook and saw that I could record in Teresina. Josh sent me the songs by email. It really was hard to conceive because it is not common in Brazil. Never crossed someone here in Brazil almost 3000 kilometers to record and I did it! 

 Adelson & Josh fine tuning the enigma - (photo - Erick Miranda)

GT - That's definitely dedicated to the extreme,  how the hell do you manage to get everything accomplished with that sort of distance?

  Josh S - I had already the songs and a demo, as a matter of fact I have recorded these songs a dozen of times trying to find how it would work better. Adelson is as obsessive with music as I am, so he was listening to the demos 30 times per day before coming, when he arrived after the first 20 minutes playing together for the first time we felt that the most important we had already, which was the chemistry of playing together and the clear intention to make something strong doing the best we can. 

Then we made 2 days of rehearsals, recording with 1 mic on the room and 4 days of drums only recording. I felt that he had the potency on his drumming to go far beyond the demos, that's exactly what we did, took the songs to a next level of energy and always looking for the perfect cadence. We were working like a chess game, each one having the time to bring his point, not trying to win but challenging each other. The songs had already a structure, but Adelson brought a considerable amount of chaos, that I accepted and adapted my own way of playing and the songs themselves.

We tried to make the least amount of editing as possible, recording almost every layer of instruments with an unique take. We also have a special guest with 3 guitar solos on the record, it is Fábio Jhasko (former Sarcófago), that for me is an immense honor and for the music it brings a real time warp from beyond. He recorded his parts in São Paulo.

The 2010 EP

GT - The 2010 short 4 song ep 'Dark Night' is very unique with the almost rock'n'roll (or  some might call it 'heavy metal' parts) which is something strange even for proto-death metal of the early to mid 80's from Brazil. We know the line up was different, and the song writing was a little different in that other people no longer in the band contributed, yet the songs really still stand out. Have people caught on to this mixture and has the reception been good?

  Josh S - Interesting that you make the comparison with the bands from the 80's in Brazil, that of course were and are very important. But for me in Bode Preto bands like Mystifier and early Genocídio have more influence than Chakal for instance. I believe that this rock'n'roll aspect comes from Black Sabbath, Beatles, Little Richard, Gene Vincent... that is something that called my attention to music, it was not rational decision.

GT - From the advance unmixed incomplete songs we've been lucky to hear so far (advances from 2012) - there is definitely less of the rock'n'roll/hm identity in any of the passages. This was intentional or simply evolution?

  Josh S - It was result of going deeper to find out and create an essence to this band, we have ripped a veil now we have space to dive and develop it further. Maybe it will come back in the future but it seems that this band is creating it's own legs, now is moment to let it go a bit by itself to then catch it again and ride with it. The solo of Inverted Blood is kind of Heavy Metal.

 GT - New fans ride this silly 'retro-wave' - they want clones. It's been stated, we think accurately too, that Bode Preto honestly relay a genre whilst still remaining extremely individual. This is no small feat, especially when so many bands just want to mimick others. How in the hell have you pulled it all off? It seems a little bit like Grave Desecrator's 'Insult' LP in that they, like you, have recaptured a feeling that's still fresh sounding rather than simply cloned mid 80's Brazilian style.

  Josh S - The retro approach is pointless and trendy, is the same as pop music trying to sound 80's or some other shit. For me would be very difficult to limit a band to a decade or so. I always liked things to be doing as they weren't before, and cutting edge approach to the music and the sound. We didn't use triggers or tricks because we like it that way, not trying to achieve a specific sound from another band. We are just playing and recording it the way we love and presenting a band that sounds good to our ears. If bands like Slayer or Kreator would be retro they would be clones of Motorhead or Venom.

Adelson - When I traveled to record it all with the Bode Preto, I was conscious that I was in a band that represented something genuine and honest. Not that many others are not .... but ... References to "Insult" are different from "Inverted Blood" although we have many things in common. “Inverted Blood” is more introspective although the approach is very explosive.

 Adelson & Josh - (photo - Erick Miranda)

GT - Obviously there's a ton of differences between Grave Desecrator and Bode Preto. Now Adelson, you actually played drums on the Grave Desecrator 'Insult' LP. Were you a full time member or were you like a session musician helping them out?

Adelson - I was a full time member.

GT - You toured with those guys as well, right?  Not just around Brazil, but over in Europe as well....? What are your thoughts as a musician and also a fan of the experience?

Adelson - Yes, the tour was in 2010. There were 10 shows: three in Germany, three in England, two in Italy, one in Germany and one in Austria. It was supposed to have another in Germany but police canceled the show because the place had no emergency exit. The most prominent gig was at Live Evil Fest in London with the legends from Angel Witch. I saw Angel Witch on the stage! Kevin Heyboune and Bill Steer kills!!!!!!

GT - Will you be on the forthcoming Grave Desecrator releases Adelson, or is your collaboration with them over?

Adelson - No...I had problems with them and don't have any contact with the guys. I don’t have the "Insult" album at home ... I never even saw the LP, for example....

 GT - Would fans ever see a shared gig between yourselves and Grave Desecrator? We can't really imagine anyone would survive that if it happened...

  Josh S - That would be great, for sure some people can die of drinking too much alcohol hahahahaha

Adelson - One day it might happen... but I don’t think about it ... what I think is that both bands will do their best so they come up on stage...

 The original Bode Preto laying foundation to what is to come.

GT - Josh, you've been vocalist/guitarist with BP from the start, how do you feel about the current direction of the band, in comparison to your previous work with it?

  Josh S - I feel that we are going further on the points we had before, bringing it forwardl. For the first time, since I started to record music, the process only made the original idea stronger. As it was recorded in my own home studio, we lost on the technical material, but we gain much more in time to try things out and the right moment and concentration to perform and to record. 

With the lyrics we arrived to a point that is not talking about ourselves as individuals, even going through individual experience and points of view. Themes like Mother of Ferocity appeared already in 'Verminoso', which is about how the mothers are the first agents to the conditioning of the little humans, not even with the intention but deceptive by a system of values based on the profit of money and ego. That system only awaits for more fuel and work power to keep on functioning. They provide it very well with repressed and fearful children. They become adults that see no escape to that apparently eternal chain of shallow comprehension and experience of life. Just become the new Mothers and Fathers of that suicidal insanity. We are victims and executioners at the same time. 

Inverted Blood is about the opposite of life, it's not death, but the repression of life, the negation of life. The repression of the ancient form of perpetuate life, our sexual potency. This time I brought some subjects from dreams, symbolic images that come from an ancient wisdom of our nature.

The new foundation - (photo - Erick Miranda)

GT - It's good to hear that the 'modern'  black metal influence hasn't resoundingly dominated Bode Preto. It's just enough to compliment but not ruin anything and degenerate the band into something silly like most of the bm bands are. It's obvious the glorious times era bands are an influence, care to name any particular bands/releases that really guided you guys to make the decision to go the way you have with music?

  Josh S - From Black Metal we got the morbid and bestial aspect. Bands like the mighty BATHORY, BEHERIT, BLASPHEMY, VON, SAMAEL (Worship Him era), SARCÓFAGO, MYSTIFIER, IMPALED NAZARENE, early ULVER, MAYHEM (old), but for sure the Florida Death Metal scene had big impact here, for me MORBID ANGEL and DEICIDE the most. I'll name now some bands with no particular connection AUTOPSY, MUTILATOR, HELLHOUSE, CARCASS, DOOM, AMEBIX, SEPULTURA, POSSESSED, MANIAC BUTCHER, PARADISE LOST, DISGORGE (USA), SEX TRASH, BLACK WITCHERY, SINISTER, SLAUGHTER (CAN), METALLICA, TERVEET KADET, RATTUS, WEHRMACHT, Rövsvett, Poison Idea...

Adelson - We have the feeling that guided some releases from Necro Death / Black bands the late '80s and early '90s. It was a time when albums were not plastic and the bands really sounded threatening and ugly. Brazil has always been particularly good at it. Another important feeling is the old hardcore bands from Sweden, Finland and Brazil. Chaos on earth!

 
GT - We have a deep affection for the Brazilian bands, since we were part of things as fans in the beginning, watching for that new release on Cogumelo (which was then the most prominent of the Brazilian labels at the time).  We see Bode Preto as being a band that could have easily been on one of those early releases, say in 1986 on Cogumelo's Warefare Noise Vol 1 comp 12''. What do you think about that?

  Josh S - That compilation has a magical aura, If you feel the same with BODE PRETO for me is an honor.

Adelson - Maybe my participation has much of that feeling because I recorded a band (The Endoparasites) by Cogumelo Records. But in 1993. The classic bands from 80s (Sepultura,Sarcófago, Chakal, Mutilator) from Cogumelo, I saw many of their gigs during the years of their releases. All this is in my blood.

GT - By the way, what was each of yours favourite part of that comp?

Josh S - SARCÓFAGO.

Adelson - Mutilator.

The classic Warfare Noise compilation - (photo - Alan Moses)

GT - Are fans in Brazil actually comprehending what you're doing? The old Brazilian sound and attitude is well known to us and others from the old record/tape trading times - but is it being acknowledged on a larger level that you are carrying the sword from one era to other? Is the international response any better or worse than at home?

Josh S - We are having very good response from the old school true bangers from different parts of Brazil and overseas. You are the first one to send an interview, and it's before the record is out. What makes me very glad is that you got the deep core intention of this band.

Adelson - I can not say for other bands but the impression is that we are well received.

GT - We're not sure about how old you guys are...? and how long have you been playing music?

  Josh S - I'm 34 and started to play guitar by myself when I was 13, in Monasterium with 15. Since 2001 I have worked with music and live performances for physical theater and dance, with different directors and choreographers, developing it and presenting on stage in countries like Netherlands (where I lived for almost 2 years in different periods), Germany, Czech Rep., Belgium, France and several cities in Brazil. The experience with this kind of work taught me a lot about the discipline in the process of creating and realizing a piece of artistic manifestation. I'm very used to the fact of traveling long distances to meet a group, or a person, to create something together. Because of that for me was quite spontaneous the process of working with Adelson to develop the band and record it. Music has always been my way to avoid the pre-determined life I would have without it.

Adelson - I am 41 years old and I've played since 1987. My first real band was The Endoparasites in final from '89.

GT - We got to ask you: do you have any favourite record stores in your towns/or in the past that you enjoyed visiting or hanging out at? If so, can you tell us any stories about that?

  Josh S - I liked a lot to go to a shop called WAR PIGS it was a tattoo shop of a friend called Bernardo, he was a drummer for a violent band in the vein of early D.R.I. called AZINUS. We had an agreement that we would only pay for the ink and needle and he would tattoo us from the band for free. His name is on our demos and CD of Monasterium, he died in 2000 in an accident and I have 3 tattoos done by him. He had a fucking green soldier pig as a logo and he would tattoo it for free..hahaha I have some friends with that pig on their skin, not me hahahahahah.

Adelson - WOW, the record stores here hava many stories, São Paulo was common to have many fights between factions of Metal and Punk in the streets near from Gallery Of Rock!! I had some problems with that too!!!! I always frequented several record stores since the beginning of the '80's, and my fave here in Rio de Janeiro was Heavy Discos which was also a record label and released bands like Dorsal Atlântica, Extermínio and others. But my preferred record store was in São Paulo in a place called Galeria do Rock (Gallery Of Rock) and is one of the biggest record stores in Metal in the world! Really many,many record stores!!! Paradise!!!! Imagine it in 80s!!!!Only for maniacs!!! Outside from Gallery Of Rock had a most important record store in Brazil called Woodstock Discos but the store don’t exist anymore. I worked 5 years in a store between 1995 and 2000 called Marquee. Cogumelo Records was a shop well before turning into a record label and there were only funny types. By the early morning the store already had a bunch of drunk people at the shop door and everyone vomiting. Hahahahahaha

 The multi-storied Galeria do Rock in Sao Paulo

  GT - Josh, so far, what would be the most memorable show you have played in Bode Preto?
 

Josh S - With BODE PRETO for sure in EL KHURU INFERNAL FESTIVAL in Fortaleza, a city 600km from Teresina. It was a 2 weekend festival that resulted in an underground documentary called "BLACK METAL ALÉM DO SOL" (BLACK METAL BEYOND THE SUN). With bands like ETERNAL MARTYR and HORDE 666.

GT - We'll leave it to you fudido amigos to say what you want in closing, again we cannot wait for this record, it's gonna hand so many people their asses! Thanks lads!
  
Josh S - We are now on the mixing process of the debut, it will be called Inverted Blood, will be released in Brazil through Läjä Records. It will be on our site for download. There is possible to buy digitally our EP (from 2010 entitled 'Dark Night') and in October 2012 the debut will be available as well. 

We use Bandcamp, it's very interesting as the payment go direct to the band via PayPal, and you can have it with high quality. We are working on the line up, there's a guitarist learning the songs and we are looking for a bassist, both to play live together with me on the guitar and vocals and Adelson on the drums of course. Thank you for the fantastic interest in BODE PRETO, that's the first interview I answer to USA. Cheers.

Adelson - We are really anxious to this release and we believe it too. We greatly thank Fabio Jhasko (Sarcófago in “The Laws Of Scourge” ) for your participation in the solos in “Inverted Blood”! In Germany will be released by Ketzer Records (the same label that released the first 2 recordings from Grave Desecrator) and in England on cassette by Goatprayer Records. I believe that will be released in October/November. In Brazil will be released in October by Laja Records. And really thanks very much for you, and the great Glorious Fucking Times! We appreciate your work!!!!!! We wait see everyone around!!! Chaos on earth!!!

Contact: 

BODE PRETO - OFFICIAL FACEBOOK 

BODE PRETO - OFFICIAL BANDCAMP 

for older 'Dark Night' ep era at Myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/soturnusskullcrusher 

SHIT IS GONNA HIT THE FAN WITH THIS NEW ALBUM 'INVERTED BLOOD' - DON'T MISS OUT - GET IN TOUCH WITH THE LABELS IN YOUR REGION NOW TO MAKE SURE YOU GET A COPY:

LÄJÄ RECORDS - BRAZIL 

KETZER RECORDS - GERMANY 

GOATPRAYER RECORDS - ENGLAND 

HUGE THANKS TO BIANCA LESSA FOR HER GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION OF PHOTOS!!

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 Get yours while you can! - (photo - Chuck Parsons)

YES, IT WAS THAT GOOD!

Home of the Hits, Buffalo, NY

In the days of yore metalheads of all ages would go to an ancient institution known as a "record  store". Our first experience at those majestic places was often when we were young kids going along with a parent, older sibling, cousin or even an uncle. We'd stick by their side as they'd head to the "rock" section then watch as they slowly flipped through the vinyl and every now and then they'd grab one  piece and pull it up above the rest so they could see the cover in it's full glory then flip it over to see the track listing. Our young preteen minds were just beginning to truly discover music.  Radio (there was no mtv yet) was our biggest musical influence.

Choice finds from the early 1980's at Cavages.

On the left is European version on Bronze Records, on the 

right is the American version on Mercury/Polygram

 Ace's Records in Tampa FL, city location. Morbid Angel 'Covenant' listening party 1993. (photo - Cindy Moses)

It was the '70's and rock music was splintering into many genres. Stadium rock controlled the better part of the decade but by the end the backlash against it began to grow. As the decade ended new genres battled for a foothold in the minds of the youth....metal was bubbling up, punk exploded and the ghastly disco emerged (and just as quickly died). Our impressionable minds were exposed to the likes of Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Budgie, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Ramones, Stiff Little Fingers and even some new English bands like Motorhead and Iron Maiden. The aural assault we faced would set the foundation for the people we were about to become. To this point the chain record stores still satisfied our needs, but that would soon change. We were content to head (with parents as we were still to young to drive) to Cavages to pick up vinyl copies of Iron Maiden and Motorhead.

Another early purchase from Cavages,
Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast"

We became teens and continued to seek out music beyond the realms of what our parents listened to. Mainstream radio was no long sufficient for our growing hunger for new music so we searched the dial and discovered college radio or a local station that would have a late late night show of heavier hard rock music. Suddenly we were exposed to music our parents couldn't understand. Rock music, but a little faster or heavier or experimental; all brand new to us. Like a junkie, we were always seeking our next fix, that new music that just hit us like a baseball bat to the chest. When you first hear metal you know right away if you're a metalhead,  it grabs you by the throat and affects you. Music wasn't just background noise to us it was much more...it was our friend, our escape.

Eides Records (Pittsburgh, PA)

 Original Ace's Records t-shirt front. (photo - Alan Moses)

Original Ace's Records t-shirt back. (photo - Alan Moses)

Now full-fledged teens we were discovering bands you couldn't find at the chain record stores of the day. We had to find the smaller mom and pop owned record stores who often employed college aged kids as cashiers. Upon entering the record store we would be nearly overwhelmed as our first sight would often be the big message board filled with show flyers, flyers of people looking to form bands or bands looking for members. Often as you wandered the aisles randomly flipping through the albums the guy behind the counter would offer up some wisdom, first asking what band was your favorite then saying if you liked them you should check out this other band. You had never heard of the band he suggested, but still you bought the album....of course, after first checking out the artwork and song titles. 

Insert for the Accused's 1987 album, including thanks list

We were hooked, metal had taken us over. Now, we would go to record stores without anything specific in mind, we would just go to flip through the vinyl and check the new arrivals. It became commonplace for us to buy vinyl based solely on the cover, that glorious 12" by 12" record sleeve art. We discovered bands  solely because of the impressive album art, bands that didn't get airplay on any radio station. Sometimes we were disappointed, but many times we discovered gems that took us deeper into the realms of metal. After discovering a few gems we began a routine when we would buy an album, before we even put the vinyl on the turntable we'd be reading the insert and looking over the "thanks" list to see what bands were mentioned so that the next day or the next week we could head to the record store with a list of bands to check out.

The back of Possessed's 1985 masterpiece "Seven Churches"

By this point we were metalheads, even if we didn't realize it at the time. Record stores were becoming more than just a place to buy music. Many of us discovered our first fanzine at a record store. Friendships were started at a record store. While flipping through the vinyl another kid walks in wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt ( a rarity in those days) and you immediately felt a camaraderie with him. He begins flipping through vinyl and you eye up what he's looking at..."that sucks", "that's killer", "have you heard of these guys?"...There was an immediate friendship, outcasts banding together. In your small town school you could very well be the only one or one of a very select few who listened to acts like Motorhead, Venom, Iron Maiden, etc so whenever you stumbled upon someone else with those same musical tastes you were compelled to talk music with them.

The Cro-Mags 1986 classic "The Age of Quarrel"

Record stores had become a hangout. You could spend hours there flipping through vinyl, checking out the flyers, talking to the counter person and other metalheads from the area. The college kid working the counter now knows you and your purchase history so he points out more and more undiscovered goodies. As your hunger for metal grows you discover other bands with a fast, aggressive sound. Bands like DRI, Cryptic Slaughter, the Exploited and other punk/hardcore/crossover bands squeeze their way into your collection alongside the early thrash acts you've discovered...Slayer, Metallica, Exodus, Possessed....

Ticket stub for the Buffalo show (at Buffalo State College)

of the 1986 tour featuring Motorhead, Wendy O. Williams and the Cro Mags

 Ace's full page ad which ran in most local publications and was also sent out in official Morbid Angel C.O.D. info packs to bring people to the store on their next US visit.

Fast aggressive music had us hooked. It was all new so we weren't limited by genre or self imposed musical labels. Punk, hardcore, crossover, thrash, speed metal, and the emerging bands that would become death metal, grindcore, etc. filled our vinyl collections. Almost by necessity shows featured a mixture of genres.....and we loved it. Tours with a mix of bands that wouldn't happen these days, like the 1986 tour of Motorhead, the Cro-Mags and Wendy O. Williams. We were outcasts but at shows such as that we saw that we weren't as few as we thought. Walking amongst a mixed crowd in those days it was commonplace to see punks wearing the patches of bands such as Slayer and Metallica (pre-Master of Puppets) and it was just as common to see metalheads wearing shirts by bands such as DRI, Agnostic Front and Cryptic Slaughter.

The 1990 classic; purchased at Home of the Hits (Buffalo)

The '80's were ending and thrash was being supplanted by the more aggressive sound of death metal. The local independent record store was the only place to go to purchase albums on the emerging European labels of Earache, Century Media, Nuclear Blast and Peaceville. Death metal was gaining popularity and the record stores took note and started carrying demo tapes and releases by smaller obscure labels. Often those smaller labels would only release vinyl as CD's were still new and expensive. Record stores began to be more than just shops, they began to be involved in the scene that gave them life. Buffalo's Home of the Hits underwrote the metal show on WBNY and offered discounts to anyone who brought in a flyer or ticket stub from the previous metal concert. Stores in other cities began to sponsor the occasional concert, host meet and greets and become not just the hub for their local scene but a tourist spot for bands and fans passing through town. No trip to Pittsburgh could be finished without first stopping at Eides Records and while there visiting with counter person Rob Tabachka (Eviction) and no trip to Florida was complete without stopping at Aces Records and visiting with James Murphy (Obituary, Death, Cancer, ...and more).

 Ace's Records, Oldsmar FL Flea Market location 1991. Employee's Alan Moses & James Murphy modelling the selection of hair band hats. (photo - Derek Petrovitch)

Alternate show flyer by Home of the Hits (Buffalo),

including a discount at the store

CD's had taken hold in popular culture but metalheads still cherished their vinyl. Record stores were carrying fewer and fewer pieces of vinyl and more and more compact discs. As they were morphing into something new, the record store began to lose it's charm. Compact Discs were the prevalent form of media in the record stores by the close of the decade. We once would spend hours at record stores looking at the glorious 12" by 12" cover art, but CD's didn't hold that same appeal. Now, we found ourselves heading to the record store for specific releases instead of just going there with nothing specific in mind. Our generation was becoming adults and it was time for the next generation to move in, but along with that new generation came the internet. Soon it would be possible to discover a far away band without having to trade for the demo and without having to head to the record store. The once hallowed record stores began closing their doors signaling the end of an era. 

12" vinyl on the left, standard CD on the right.

Vinyl purchased at FBS Records (Tonawanda, NY), 

CD purchased at Home of the Hits (Buffalo)

 Ace's Records staff jacket which belonged to owner Frank Dansecs. (photo - Alan Moses)

We sit back now as aged metalheads, a lifetime older than the age when people would tell our parents "It's just a phase, he'll grow out of it", remembering those days fondly and feeling sadness for those younger than us who will never truly know how special the record store was. We can look through our collections and tell you which store we bought that particular album at ...Home of the Hits, Rock Steady, Pop Tones, Aces Records, Eides Records, Metal for Melbourne, Utopia,...Holding that album the memories flood back of the store, the counter person, the friends we made there, the wall of flyers and much more. So, when someone younger asks "Were the old days really that good?", we can honestly answer "Yes. Yes, they were" and the record store was a big part of why those days were so special to us.

 Keith Collins (ex-Savatage, Tampa Bay Metal Awards, Tampa Bay Spike), David Vincent (Morbid Angel), Ace's Owner/Operator Frank Dansecs and Brutality vocalist Scott Reigel. 'Covenant' listening party 1993. (photo - Cindy Moses)

RITUAL QUARANTINE: THROUGH HELL AND BACK

In September of 2011 Ritual Quarantine from Buffalo NY would play their first gig. In the next eight months their guitarist would be shot and paralyzed, their drummer would become a ghost to his friends and band mates, then one of their singers would die (at only 29 years old). Still, the band pushed on to play their second gig ever on July 14, 2012 (opening for Deceased). Here's a brief interview with guitarist Tony Lorenzo.

Doug Luke and Tony; 1st Ritual Quarantine gig 

Sept. 2011  (photo - Brian Pattison)

GT - For those who don't immediately recognize your name, can you tell us a bit about your musical background (former bands and such)?

Tony - Just started out as a kid trying to add my own couple of riffs to the local music scene. In 2004 I started Sons Of Azrael with my best friends and somehow got a 4 album deal with Metal Blade Records, you know every kid's dream, every band's nightmare honestly. After touring with Beneath the Massacre, Vital Remains, Crematorium, Pyrexia, Unearth and God Forbid we thought we had it all figured out but due to internal conflict and drug issues with the singer I left the band. After that I joined a band called Vessel on bass guitar which was a blast but short lived. Then I started a power trio called Black Tongue which is still active and just really fun to do any time I get a chance. Then finally Ritual Quarantine in 2011 with old and new faces... it's been a wild ride!

GT - Late 2010 or early 2011 I asked Seplophile if they would be the backing band for Kam Lee at A Day of Death 2011, very soon after they learned guitarist Matt Backlas would be unable to do the show. Greg (guitar) then approached you to fill in for both the Kam Lee and Seplophile sets. Was it an easy decision to say yes to doing both?

Tony - It was as easy as breathing. Those guys are my brothers and I've known them and jammed with them for years. The only new face for me jamming wise was Sean ( bass ) but I've also known him for nearly a decade between shows and friends so yea right off the bat, just a flat out easy decision for me.

Tony playing with Seplophile at A Day of Death 2011 (photo - Maga Sanchez)

GT - How difficult was it for you to learn both the Seplophile and Kam Lee sets? At any point in the learning process did you feel any pressure knowing it would be the last time Kam would be playing Massacre tunes and you would be a part of it?

Tony - To be honest, I had not heard much about Massacre and the back story of Kam Lee so I felt no pressure. A few days of listening to the material and doing a bit of research I realized how significant it was to be a part of it and then the big picture really hit me. It became surreal very fast! Learning the Massacre stuff was very fun. The Seplophile stuff, not so much! haha. Those guys have killer, FAST as lightning riffs. So, yea it was a task, but my life in music was full of tasks so I wasn't about to shy away from giving it my very best.

GT - July 13, 2011...I picked Kam up at the airport and took him right to practice with you guys. How cool was it to break into "Dawn of Eternity" and look over to see Kam doing vocals while you played?

Tony - The whole time up to then we had been jamming along to Greg's ipod. When the real deal arrived I was kind of confused. A not so tall, Asian man walks in with basketball shorts and flip flops on!! But, he was very nice and right away I could tell this meant a great deal to him. As soon as he took the mic, I got goosebumps. He was seriously the best death metal vocalist I'd ever heard let alone worked with! Plus the record we were jamming was legendary so I felt like a little kid that day. I'm sure it's safe to say that we all did in our own little ways.

Tony and Kam at the 1st rehearsal on July 13, 2011 (photo - Brian Pattison)

GT - July 16 (A Day of Death) finally arrives with Seplophile's set early in the day. How did that set go for you? Feel good playing those songs with friends even though you knew it was a one-time thing?

Tony - That set was really fun because it was mine and Greg's second time sharing the stage that year already (the first being the Sons Of Azrael reunion in April for a cancer benefit) and it just felt right. I felt I did a good job at helping them shine as a new local powerhouse that didn't come to fuck around that day. I was happy to help.

GT - A bunch of bands played in-between the Seplophile and Kam Lee sets at A Day of Death. Did any particular band/set stand out for you?

Tony - Derketa was fucking awesome! Those gals can throw down and I really got into them that day. Then Deceased!! That was my first time hearing about them let alone seeing them! one hell of a live classic band.

Day 2 of Kam Lee rehearsals (July 14, 2011) - (photo - Brian Pattison)

GT - Finally, the moment arrives for you guys and Kam to take the stage. As promoter and the guy who asked you guys to be his backing band I felt a little bit of nerves. I knew you had all been in previous touring bands and would be professionals, but did worry about about how the old schoolers would react and even more importantly to me, how you guys would perform. My mind would put at ease nearly right away as you raced around the stage. Did you feel any nerves as the intro played?

Tony - Not at all! It was just another day at the office and I feel we showed up and destroyed it properly. To be honest, I think we sounded better than whoever's going around calling themselves Massacre right now, lol no hard feelings guys, whoever you may be.

GT - In the days immediately after A Day of Death, Greg (Seplophile) told me you had been rejuvenated and were looking to start a band. Ritual Quarantine (the band you would form) was comprised of mainly people from the punk and hardcore scenes. What made you decide to approach the people you did to fill the various roles in the band? Care to give a little info about each member (for those outside of Buffalo who may not know them or their previous/current/various bands)?

Tony - To be honest, it kind of all just fell into place. The SOA reunion got me and Derrick (drums) jamming again and we wrote a bunch of songs in like a week I think lol. Then we got in touch with Britt Wagner (bass), a super all around talented girl who's been in a crapload of other various Buffalo bands in different positions. Then Jessika Marvin and Doug Luke on vox. Those two come from somewhat legendary backgrounds so I felt the lineup at that point was rock fucking solid.

1st Ritual Quarantine gig (Sept. 24, 2011) - (photo - Brian Pattison)

GT - Ritual Quarantine seemed to get off to a fairly quick start with a facebook page up and songs posted in seemingly no time. A gig was quickly announced for September. Did you at all think you were moving too fast in scheduling a gig after being a band for such a short time?

Tony - Nope. We had all done this enough times to know how to do it right. Everything was very carefully planned. I did all the recordings and quickly Jess and Doug had lyrics. It was a very natural and seamless beginning to a project. Probably the best I had ever been a part of.

GT - Debut gig comes and RQ plays a short but great set. It impressed the hell out of me for sure. Were you happy with your set that night and the crowd's reaction to it?

Tony - I LOVED that night man. It was just perfect in every way. Short and sweet and the kids loved it. I was very ready to get this band rolling the right way!

RITUAL QUARANTINE'S FIRST GIG

GT - Seemingly right away there was talk of new songs and new recording, it appeared Ritual Quarantine was primed for a quick rise within the Buffalo music scene, when that fateful night in October changed everything. Care to say what happened in your own words? 

Tony - Well, a friend and I were walking to the store which was only a few blocks from my house and we were approached by a guy with a gun and he told us to give him what we had on us and then that's when I saw the shot.. and I hit the ground immediately and the dude ran away. Needless to say life hasn't been the same since. Karma is a bitch though man and that little punk will find himself in a hole someday.

GT - I knew the moment I heard about it from Greg that I would be organizing a benefit for you, but wanted to wait several weeks to see how things went before I started planning it. Almost right away other benefits were planned, including one in Pittsburgh and one at DBGB's in Buffalo. Were you surprised at the show of support that you received from the metal community worldwide?

Tony - Of course I was. I'm a very humble person and I've never considered myself of any huge significance to the local scene but the show of support from family and friends immediately was just unbelievable and actually was how I began to cope with my injuries right away. I felt truly blessed and still do to this day there is nothing better than an entire community getting together to support one of their own. If it were anyone else instead of me, I would be on the front lines for that person!

The crowd at a Nov 2011 benefit for Tony at DBGB's (photo - Brian Pattison)

GT - Jan 7 arrives, the day of the benefit at Club Infinity, and you were able to get a brief escape from the hospital to see part of the show. How cool was it to first see a partial reunion of Tirant Sin - with Dennis John Glinski (Grave Descent), Rich Ziegler (Grave Descent), Paul Mazurkiewicz (Cannibal Corpse), Rob Barrett (Cannibal Corpse), Jim Nickles (Vile Vindiction) and for one song Cameron Verrastro? 

Tony - Now keep in mind, that was my very first time out of the hospital since october so that alone was a huge shock for me. When I pulled up I was greeted so warmly and I teared up right away, then I remember I got in just in time to catch the last 4 Avulsion songs and let me tell you...THEY FUCKING KILLED! I've always loved those guys, hands down one of the best Buffalo bands. Then after a few hot wings and lots of hugs, Tirant Sin hit the stage. They blew me away... I headbanged for the first time in three months and lemme tell ya.. I definitely woke up sore the next day. I love Rob and Pauly for droppin what they had to do in order to come up and make that happen \m/

GT - After Tirant Sin's set came another reunion set that was special for old school Buffalonians and a bit more special to you since your uncle Frank was in the band...Beyond Death, with their original lineup of Frank Lombardi, Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse), Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse, Deicide) and Darrin Pfeiffer (Goldfinger). For their set you got to be right on stage by Frank's amp. Were you as impressed as me with how great they performed? It was as if they had never broken up.

Tony - That set really showed me and reminded me why my uncle is my hero.. and how professional Alex, Jack and Darrin really are. Such a solid group of dudes who at one point carved their way to the top of the early Buffalo death metal scene. I'm forever grateful that those guys did that for me. They were the best band that night!

Tony with Beyond Death, Jan 7, 2012 (photo - Brian Pattison)

GT - With the big benefit over with, many in your position would have found it easy to slip into depression and feel bad about themselves. Instead pictures emerged of you picking up the guitar again and using a thumb pick as you could not hold a standard pick. There was also seemingly immediate talk of Ritual Quarantine beginning again once you got out of the hospital. So, as a big fan of Ritual Quarantine, I asked you to play my Deceased show that was not to occur until July. At that time did you have any doubts about your ability to play come July?

Tony - To be completely honest I almost KNEW I wouldn't be able to do it lol. I know our drummer (Derrick Sadkowski) had not been talking to the rest of the band or jamming with anyone and not even answering my calls so I knew I would inevitably have to cancel. But, my uncle and mother being very persistent made sure I picked up my guitar and tried to jam at least once a week and making sure I didn't give up on the prospect of playing because at the time I couldn't even hold a guitar let alone play it.. That's when the depression set in but I wouldn't let it win and take me over.. I refused anti-depressants and got over it with perseverance and pure will power. Now, I knew I had a goal.... July 14th!!

GT - Again things seemed to be looking well for the future of Ritual Quarantine as the months passed...you gained enough strength to use a pick, started writing new riffs and the other members seemed to be excited about picking up the pieces...but, tragedy would strike the band yet again in May when singer Douglas Luke (29) would die from a heart attack. Care to tell us a little about your reaction to hearing his death and more importantly care to tell us a little about Doug (the person/friend)?

Tony - Listen man...Doug had a rep with a lot of people. You knew to love or hate him in one way or another but no matter what you always knew there was something great about the dude. He always made sure we had our shit together and that we were getting to practice when we had to even though sometimes he would orchestrate practice and not even show up but then we'd write a sweet song so it was good/bad at times lol. The last few emails I got from him were "Hey guys we HAVE to do this show Derrick or not we need to do this". He out of everyone wanted this to happen so even though I had some doubts once tragedy struck I knew I had a goal for sure then...To play the show no matter what the cost it would be for Doug. Man, I still miss him very much to this day. He was a very great guy if you were close to him...................r.i.p. 

Doug Luke at Ritual Quarantine's 1st gig (photo - Brian Pattison)

GT - Provided with another easy and legitimate excuse for Ritual Quarantine to end, you and crew did the opposite and moved forward to honor Doug. Then, in June you were finally given the odd day out of the hospital and used some of those for band practice. What was that first Ritual Quarantine practice like?

Tony - It was surreal. I couldn't believe it was actually happening. Again if it weren't for my uncle I wouldn't even be there. He played a HUGE role in getting me in there because the space is up a few flights of stairs and everyone knows stairs and wheelchairs are mortal enemies!! But, Glenn Szymanski, the great dude filling in on bass for the show and my uncle helped me get up and jam. Literally lol. But yea now Brit moved from bass to drums, Jessie was alone on vox and Glenn was rockin' the bass. Everything looked great again and all faith returned once we realized we could do the songs with that lineup!! And do them even better actually.

GT - At long last the gig arrived (July 14, 2012)...Deceased (with King on drums), Abysme, Ritual Quarantine, Seplophile and Pregnancy Scare (formerly Inerds). A nice and cool 92 outside and easily over 100 degrees inside the venue. With only a few rehearsals under your belt were you nervous about the bands performance? With the set dedicated to Doug, were you happy with the set and the crowd's reaction?

Tony - I was totally ready for it even though the songs were newly named and Britt had a hard time remembering which song was which but over all besides me being too loud since I'm at ear level with my amp now I thought it was great for such short notice and the personnel changes. The crowd really seemed to dig it but you could tell between my hurdles and Doug and given everything this band has been through it was almost kind of emotional too, but we got through it and even got to play a new song at the end which was a tribute to Doug in every way! But, yea damn it was hot! But, what a show man. Deceased killed it to end the night!

Tony at Ritual Quarantine's July 14 gig (photo - Brian Pattison)

GT - With RQ's comeback gig now under your belt, what's next for the band? When can we expect some new recordings to surface? More shows planned?

Tony - There's a bunch of practicing and writing on the horizon! I really look forward to keeping this band alive. I figure sometime in August I will start recording new stuff for the second demo. We actually have another show planned for September 8th for a local man Brian Hulin's daughter's benefit. She has medical issues so a bunch of bands are going to throw down to do the show. It's a very good cause, Brian's a great guy and so is his family and they deserve all the help they could get! Just as me and my family needed help 7 months ago...

GT - Care to add any final words of wisdom?

Tony - Brush your teeth ... Support anything local from the food you eat to the music you listen to...That's truly the best way to live. We are a community and we are living in weird times and it is always good to know that there are still goods and services provided by local merchants, artists, and bands to and for us, the people. but enough of my ranting...Thanks to Brian at Glorious Times for everything he has done for me and my family and my city. He's not going to slow down just as I plan to keep doing the same!

RITUAL QUARANTINE'S RETURN GIG

Peighton Hulin benefit flyer - SEE YOU THERE!