Dark Hails!!
Thank you all for checking this new interview out this time I was lucky enough to get a Interview with Tomas and his black metal label "Forever Plagued so anyone who is into black metal should check this label out today.He has a lot of new releases out dealing with cd and cassettes. so be sure to check out all his pages at the Links at the end of the Interview
regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
Interview with Tomas owner of Forever Plagued Records. done by Patrick
1.Greetings Tomas thank you for taking the time to do this interview when did you first discover metal music? Who were some of the first bands you listened to? Who are some of your current favorites?
When I was about 8 years old, had heard most through an older sibling. Remember being fascinated with Kiss which was short lived. I ended up liking WASP, SLAYER, Metallica, a lot, but disliked Dio a good bit back then. Was never able to check out VENOM which was another tape that was there but I was too young to listen to that hahah. My current favs are the titles I've discovered over all the years, just depends what mood I'm in I like lots of different stuff, definitely not limited to metal.
2.What gave you the idea to form " Forever Plagued Records"? How did you decide on the name for the label?
Wanted to create a record label that was not only dedicated to underground black metal but was also one, with the bands and the music. A record label that fully stands by their bands. The name represents those of us who forever walk doomed to despise most of what humanity and the meaning for organic life is about, not focusing on the religious aspects but of course plays a big roll for many of us I would think.
3.Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about starting a label? Do you run the label by yourself or do you have some help from friends? How many hours a day would you say you work on label releated business?
Don't do it, we don't need you, there are far too many labels run by incompetent people already no need for another. FPR is a very small operation and probably always will be, its run by a few dedicated people when necessary. A record label is a 24hr job unless you have a full staff which in the underground that is probably a good way to keep zero funds for actual content and ultimately the end of that label.
4.What are some of your current releases the public can get? Do you have any newer releases coming out before the end of the year?
We have quite a bit coming out these days and in the past of course. We've released some great titles such as NIGHTBRINGER, INCURSUS, TENEBROUS, DEMONCY, GRAVELAND, NOCTERNITY, AKITSA, FUNEREUS etc Coming out soon is two new ORCULTUS demo tapes, newer stuff we have coming out would be two great acts from GREECE namely SEPTUAGINT / AKROTHEISM split CD, finally DEMONCY's Joined In Darkness on DigiCD for the first time ever, a new KULT OF TAURUS album is planned and an unknown band from Italy called MOURNING MIST.
5.What are some things you look for when signing and releasing a band? Do you usually look for the bands to release or do they come to you?
Well ultimately I look closely for raw hateful black metal but it must have energy! this style is certainly been played out and dumbed down over the years so it really takes a certain kind of band to pull it off. Other than that there are a variety of things I look for. Some of our newer bands have shown a kind of unique blend of styles that just seems to work in some way that I feel have something to offer therefore we'll release it and take the care into representing that title. Considering how busy I am I find it very hard to seek bands out, usually they come to us or have been found in some other similar manner. Usually the bands we seek out are already in the middle of deals or they are already signed altogether.
6.Tomas you have released both cassettes and cd's how do you choose which band to release on cd or cassette? I believe you also have released some vinyl releases in the past which is your personal favorite form to release on?
Well its all guess work in the end, but I haven't had great success with moving vinyl so I normally only do CD of newer bands unless a certain level of demand is created for that title then we may look into pressing vinyl of the band. Tapes are almost always demos or rare releases for us anyway. My personal favorite is CD, I rarely listen to tapes or vinyl. I do prefer demos on tape though, full lengths on CD.
7.Tomas you are also the drummer in the band Bloodstorm when did you join the band?
I joined the band in 2003 at some point.
8.Are you self taught or did you take lessons when first learning the drums? Who are some of your influences/favorite drummers? Do you play any other instruments?
I took lessons off and on for about 2 years. I don't really have any influences, I play fast and chaotic with very little discipline. I play guitar,bass,drums and dabble with keys.
9.What does black metal mean to you?
Evil, Darkness,Negativity,Hate,Destruction so on and so forth
10.Tomas what is your opinion of the U.S Black metal scene?
It has always seemed to be missing something. Certain bands have pulled off writing and
recording great albums but mostly it is stale to me. The people are even worse, why I do get along with certain individuals who have or do belong to the U.S. black metal scene, I could do without most of them, more so nowadays than in the past. I have enjoyed some great times in the U.S. in the past but nowadays it is a mystery to me.
11.Who are some of your all-time favorite u.s black metal bands?Are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out?
The classic titles would of course be DEMONCY - Joined In Darkness, JUDAS ISCARIOT - all releases, BLACK FUNERAL - Vampyr throne of the beast, HAVOHEJ - Dethrone The Son Of God, INQUISITION - Into The Infernal Regions Of The Ancient Cult, KRIEG - Blue Miasma, YAMATU - Shurpu Asaru, BLACK WINTERS EVE, INCURSUS - Eternal Funeral Trance & Adaestuo, TENEBROUS - Arias Towards The Black Sun & Opus Magnum. The few newer USBM bands that have done anything for me is FUNEREUS which we released their second album this year (if you even consider them U.S.) or WORMREICH which is alright, GALDR is a decent atmospheric black metal band, TUKAARIA is pretty good as well, HELLGOAT is getting better and better too.
12.Besides the U.S black metal scene you have released some excellent bands from various countries.Do you have a particular country that you feel has a great black metal scene?
I don't follow scene's I mean back in the day the Polish scene was undeniably pretty incredible but I don't search out a scene in order to find bands to enjoy. Right now Greece seems to be going pretty strong. We by coincidence seem to have quite a bit of Greek bands on our label but it certainly wasn't by choice it just ended up that way so I imagine they must have a pretty strong scene right now.
13.Thank you Tomas for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
See you in hell... on earth! join us!
www.foreverplaguedrecords.com
fpr666.bandcamp.com
www.soundcloud.com/forever-plagued-records
www.youtube.com/user/foreverplaguedrex
