1.Hello Billy please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello Patrick, and greetings to all our friends and readers of winter torment webzine. I am Billy the bassist and vocalist of the Greek death metal band "Death Courier".
2.When did you first discover metal music and who were the first bands and artists you discovered?Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
In the early 80's I was struck by bands like Venom and Bathory. Before them, I was into Kiss and Black Sabbath, but I always was seeking more heaviness and speed.
3.Death Courier was originally started back in 1987 when did you first get the idea to start this band?How did you come up with Death Courier as the name for the band?
After the release of Possessed's "Seven Churches" and Destruction's "Sentence of Death", I was looking for musicians to build a similar band. In the beginning, we played Bathory and Venom covers. The name 'Death Courier' came from the 1986 demo "the Courier" by the German death/ thrash band Samhain (later named Desexult). Being big fans of the band, we took the name Death Courier in early 1986.
4.Who would you say are the bands biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years?For the readers who are not familiar with Death Courier's sound how would you best describe the bands music?
We love bands like Terrorizer, Possessed, Razor, and Sodom. I think these are our major influences. We play a ferocious mixture of deathrash with maximum speed, and an old school atmosphere. So check out and see what you think.
5.Necrotic Verses is the bands newest release that will be released through Transcending Obscurity Rec. when did you and the band first come in contact with this label?
We spoke to Kunal, the mastermind behind Transcending Obscurity Records, and he loved our last album "Perimortem". So when he heard the demos for "Necrotic Verses" he offered to release it. We love the excellent work done in every release of transcending obscurity records, and Kunal is a cool friend to work with who does everything to help and promote all the bands.
6.Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?How long does it usually take to complete one song?
George, our guitarist, and I make all the music. It usually takes a few months to complete a song as we rehearse it again and again in the studio to make it more violent and extreme.
7.Who usually writes the lyrics for the music and what are some topics written about on the new release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
The lyrics mostly are written by me. Although, I took a lot of inspiration for the lyrics on "Necrotic Verses" from obituaries and poems written and found on gravestones around the world. They are mixed with my lyrics, so in a strange and twisted way, there are some hundred people involved in the writing process. Usually first comes the title of the song as an idea and then we create the music and end up with the lyrics.
8.Besides the upcoming Necrotic Verses release are the bands previous releases still available for the readers to purchase?Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently available if yes what is available amd where can the readers purchase it?
We have re-released the demo cassette in superb quality… we have "Demise" (1992) and the 7" "Necrorgasm" (1991) release from Nuclear War Now Records on vinyl, and "Perimortem" (2013) on CD. Soon there will be a new t-shirt design from the band which, alongside all the old material, can be purchased from the Death Courier Facebook page or directly from me at: billycourier@gmail.com
9.Has Death Courier had the opportunity to play very many shows over the years?If yes what have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years and who are some bands you have shared the stage with?
Yes, during our 30+ years in the Greek metal scene we have had the luck to play with many amazing bands such as Rotting Christ, Septicflesh, Varathron, Aura Noir, Dead Congregation, Mortal Torment, Mass Infection and many more.
10.When it is safe to play live again are their any shows or tours planned for the future?If yes where are some countries and cities the band will be playing?
Due to Covid-19, it is not safe yet to play here in Greece, and we have had to cancel a few concerts and are waiting for new dates to be announced. Mostly our concerts are in Greece, and because of the difficulties we face with our work schedule, we can't make tour plans yet. Still, we once played in Nuclear War Now fest in Germany in 2014, which was a great experience for us, and we hope to return soon.
11.What does Underground Metal mean to you and how do you feel it has changed over the years?
I try to listen to everything that falls into my hands…. I respect everyone and support fellow bands in any way I can buying merch and going to concerts. We always need new blood and new ideas! In the old days of tape trading, you could find only a handful of bands playing metal, but all of them sounded exciting and fresh. After all these years of expansion, there are now thousands of bands playing a variety of metal forms. Still, it can be challenging to find something that sounds as fresh and unique as the first wave of great metal bands.
12.Death Courier comes out of the legendary Greek death metal scene what is your opinion of Greece's death metal scene over the years?Do you feel it has gotten better or worse or stayed the same over time?
Back in the early years, the music scene was small, and everyone was exploring its varieties. Today, we live in a different reality with hundreds of great bands playing all types of metal. I think a lot more people are into the music now. Today the Greek metal scene has gone worldwide thanks to the internet and many great record labels and distributors.
13.Bill as mentioned earlier you have been a part of the underground metal scene for years back in the 80's and 90's were you a big reader of fanzines?If yes what were some of your favorites to read?
That was the only way to learn about new metal bands, so the original fanzines helped us to spread Death Courier everywhere.
Starting from the old "THRASH METAL" zine from Greece to Andreas Veneris' "MERCILESS DEATH" zine and others such as "BUTTFUCK", "GENITAL GRINDER", "VOICES FROM THE DARKSIDE", "GLORIOUS TIMES", "SLAYER MAG", "TEMPLE OF ADORATION", "BELLS OF ACHERON" zine and too many others to mention. Last but not least, I couldn't talk about zines without mentioning "BLACK BLOOD" which kept the underground alive in the old days.
14.What do you feel made a good fanzine and are their any current fanzines or web-zines that you like to read today?
A good fanzine can open your eyes and guide you in finding your way in music, shaping your tastes. There are too many brilliant webzines to mention. Still, please feel free to check out the Death Courier Facebook page and read some of the excellent reviews and interviews from these last few weeks…
15.Besides fanzines tape-trading was also big back then did you do a lot of tape-trading in the early years?What were some of your favorite demo's and releases that you traded back in the day?
We had a great tape trading community those days with many friends in many countries. I had hundreds of letters every month! I remember I had loads of demos from bands like Merciful Fate, Nihilist (who later became Entombed), Possessed, Sodom, Death, Slaughter Lord [AU], Casbah (from Japan), also Samhain / Desexult (including very important "the Courier" demo tape) and too many others to mention.
16.Bill when you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
I usually take my family on road trips away from our hometown. Life in the city is shit. I prefer to explore new places, learn about history, read and sometimes paint. Life can be simple when music fulfils and completes you.
17.Besides Death Courier do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo prorjects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
Yes, George, our guitarist and Ilias, our drummer, also are part of the local death metal band Vermingod (check them out they are brutal).
18.Bill thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thank you Patrick for your time and support, this interview was great. I wish the best for Winter Torment webzine. I would like to thank everyone who showed interest in Death Courier all these years, take care, keep in touch, stay brutal, and join the couriers.
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