1)Hello Andi, please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hi Patrick, thanks for the interview brother. To the readers, I am the owner of extreme Metal Label, Vrykoblast Production based in Singapore since 2002. I am also a vocalist for Vrykolakas, one of veteran Death Metal band from Singapore that still going strong.
2)When did you first discover metal music and who are the first bands and artists that you heared? Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
When I start hearing metal was way back in 1987, when my Dad used to have couple of Black Sabbath Lps in his collection. If I recalled back, the first time I listened to Master of Reality album and I was instantly hooked to it. Since I been craving for more heavier music.. Slayer reign in Blood, Bathory – The Return,and Under the sign of black mark, Metallica From Kill em All album till their 4th album And Justice For All. These are the first few bands that really get me to Metal.. For current bands that caught my attention, I covered wide spectrum and hear various genres from Death Metal,Thrash Metal Black Metal,Doom and their sub genres primarily because I run a label, so the bands that I signed are really the ones that caught my attention.lol..My personal collection favourites are still bands from the 90s like Immolation, Suffocation, Revenent, Nile, Incubus(florida) Massacre, Master Hammer, Roots, Darkthrone, Impaled Nazarene, Mayhem..Nowadays there are tons of good young bands in the scene that if I to listed them down here it will be a very long list….lol
3) I believe you started your journey into the underground metal music scene back in mid to late 90’s, what is it that kept you going after all these years?
The journey started back in late 80’s . In earlier times when I started off to the mid 90’s are the discoveries of obscure bands from over the world. During that time there are no such thing as Internet, so I have to depend on Fanzine, Flyers for informations to purchase the band releases and also by Tape trading, where we can trade with other metalheads around the world, dubbing 90 min cassatte and stuff them with many demos releases as possible. That was the day man…Metal are in my blood, Once I am hooked to the music, the flame of passion will never end till I die..
4)Back in the 90s, I know fanzine were hugh. Did you read a lot of Fanzines back in the day? What do you feel made a good fanzine? What were some of your favourite fanzines to read back then?
Yes, brother, cut and paste zines are still best in my opinion. I have read couple of great zines during those era, because from year 90-93 I am also an editor for a zine called Metempsychosis and Dunknown zine. Only printed 30 copies each issues that time from school pocket money that I saved(Lol). Good fanzines during that times that I read are Satanic Death fanzine, Final Holocaust, Slayer Mag, Hammer Of Damnation, Brutallica Mag, Terrorizer Mag.I always believed that the content of the zine must have qualities like in depth Interviews and reviews to be a good zine. It shows that the editors really did a deep research about the bands and these type of Interview or reviews really excite me. Also during those times there are scene reports of new bands emerging, lots of contacts, Flyers pasted everywhere on the fanzine. These are small information that make the fanzine good to read.
5.Are there any current fanzines that you read? Do you try to keep up with any of the webzines that are out these days? If yes what are some webzines that you like to read and keep up with?
I think the last zine I read a month ago is Chaos Magazine, it was quite an old issue actually. But the info’s are packed with reviews and interviews with over 80 pages. Still love that zine. Nowadays it is easy to read new info’s, reviews, interviews while on the go with webzines. Just a scroll on your hand phones. I still occasionally read few webzines nowadays like winter Torment webzine(great job on the zine Patrick)Chaos Vault, Metal Reviews, Metal Zones to name a few…
6.Besides Fanzines, I know tape trading was hugh as well did you ever do much tape trading? What are some of early demos and releases that you trade for?
I did couple of tape trading and most famous tape trader that I trade with during that time is Uncle Underground Jansson jan from Belgium with his hugh collections of albums, rare demos collections. Did received early demos of Kreator, Sodom, Slayer, Mantas(pre Death) to name a few. I also traded with one guy from Sweden, but cant remember his name. He was into demos of Asian bands during early 90s, and he have around 5000cds collections. I used to trade like 7-8 times with him, giving him dubbed tape with 4 or 5 demos from asian bands while he trade his cd to me..And you know when cd first started out, the price are damn expensive, so till now I find it mysterious why that that guy willing to trade his collection of Cds to dubbed cassettes.
7.Andi, I believed you started Vrykoblast Prod in 2002. What gave you the idea to start this label? Are you satisfied with how things have progressed over the years with the label?
I started out together with my partner, Kai, Guitarist of Vrykolakas back in year 2002. Our initial ideas of forming Vrykoblast Productions was just to press Vrykolakas releases only Since we wanted to do self releases on our mcd and album, it good to have our own label to supports while dealing with other labels. But we received more and more promos from unsigned bands that wanted us to release their album, so we changed our directions to be a full pledge Label. The journey from 2002 till present, there are up and down concerning outside issues that affecting the label like family issue,loss of job. I stopped handling the label from 2010 due to these issues and kai started to handle the label alone till 2018 when he decided to let Vrykoblast be inactive since it was too overbearing for him to handle the Label and band alone. In July 2020, I decided to activate back the Label due to stability with my job although the economy was pretty bad shape due to covig 19 pandemic. So far the progress of the label are doing pretty good. Sales although slow but constantly came in and my plan for this year to have 8 schedule releases.
8.Do you run the label by yourself or do you have some friends that help you out? What do you feel is the easiest and hardest part about running a label?
As I explained in the last question I run the label alone, from promoting, distributions and sales. Right now I have recruited a dedicated PR company Metal Devastation PR to help with promotion of Vrykoblast releases and they have done a great work in promotion department for us. I always felt Promotion is the most difficult part in running the label especially when we signed unknown bands so people can hear their releases and support these bands by buying their releases.There are no easiest part in running a label honestly, but for me the best feeling is when you clinch a deal with the bands that you wanted to sign.
9.What do you look for when signing and releasing a band? Are you currently searching for new bands to sign and release or is the label full right now?
Quality Song composition is the first criteria when I look for a band to sign. Genre and sound quality are secondary to me since I am open to all type of metal music. Vrykoblast is a small label but we are a dedicated label with a big bite.. Right now my schedule are already full for the year, but who knows, if the sales of my upcoming releases are very good, I don’t mind to release 1or 2 more bands. Nothing is confirmed.
10.What are some of your current releases that are available for readers to purchase? Are there upcoming releases that the readers should keep an eye out for?
All my current and upcoming releases are good. We have releases that suit for death, Black, Thrash metal fanatics. Do check vrykoblast webshops for our current releases. The latest release just few weeks ago is Homicide, a talented Death Metal band from Bangladesh that execute excellent Death Metal with a twist of Technicality. Not too much of technical riffin and drumming though, just a nice crisp of technical layering on top of those heavy and intense death metal music. 4 more releases coming out by end of april. Thy rites, a black thrash outfit from Brazil with their 4th album. A co release with Satanath Records. If you into south American type of Black metal, should dig this album out. Then Demonized Priest, a black speed metal from Chile with debut album Necromantic Ritual. A killer album that fused black, and speed metal. Fans of Merciful fate and Bewitcher should buy this album out. Then we have From The Abyss of Cuba. A relative unknown band but now receiving rave reviews with their upcoming album Chaos Supremacy. Hugh production, thick layers of guitars sound, lots of groovy parts, a pure Old school death Metal in vein of Incantation, Morbid Angel and BloodBath. Devoured,of Indonesia, one of the band that surprise me a lot with their 2nd concept album The Curse Of Sabda Palon. Indonesia, a mecca for Brutal Death and slamming death metal with swarms of brutal death metal bands emerge a shining gem that play good old school Swedish Death Metal. This album is mandatory for those Swedish death metal fans. 2 more upcoming releases will be Antologi – Chronicles of , A Death Thrash Metal act from Singapore. Comprising of skilful veteran musicians Impiety , Abatory, Vrykolakas. Another release that worth to shout for. And Necrophile – From Obscurity Cd, demos and split compilation. A discography consist of their early demos and also the famous tracks from split with Abhorer. This album will be a classic release with limit to only 300 copies mainly for old school meatheads and collectors. Watch out for Necrophile for a September/October release.
11.If there any labels or distros reading this, do you do many trades or do you prefer to buy wholesale? What styles of Music do you carry in your Distro?
We did trades with labels. I am a old school boy, trades with labels are always my priorties. I have traded with over 30 labels so far from Europe, US, Canada and Asia countries except for Labels from South America. Currently the borders for South America countries are closed to Singapore, so trades can only presume once the borders are lifted. We have also few distributors who bought wholesale from us for a pretty good and cheap price. We are still one of few labels that used US$ for purchasing. There are hundreds of distro cds on Vrykoblast Webpage raging from recent releases of Death, Thrash, Black metal bands. Should check the webpage out.
12.What does underground Metal mean to you and how do you feel it has changed over the years?
What I find disheartening now, many metalheads opts for downloading music compared to purchase physical formats. Because of these changes, download from digital format, a lot of labels big or small folded their business because this will really slow down their sales. I wont be surprise if another 10-15 years down the road, all the physical formats like CD, Tapes, LP will be extinct. For my label, I am not into anti download but you don’t get the feel the belonging of real stuff in your hands. Only physical copy is true…
13.Besides running the label, you are also vocalist for Death Metal band Vrykolakas. When did you first become interested in growling and screaming.
I did play in a band called Obsequies back in 89-90. just a bunch of young school boys playing covers from Metallica to Slayer but nothing much.From there I have learnt how to sing in harsh vocals and make me interested to sing in deeper register voice. Then in early 90s, the first inhuman vocals I heared is Incantation Onwards of Gogolta album. That really makes me interested to imitate Craig Pillard style of vocals. Deep inhuman dark growling that fascinate me..
14.Do you do anything special to keep your throat and voice healthy? Who are some of your favourite vocalist?
Smoke 30 cigerrattes a day to keep my throat and voice crisp and healthy hahahahaha. Nah, I don’t have special rituals in keeping my voice and throat healthy. But before any recording, jamming or even before performing,I like to drink a cup of ice coffee or a can of coke to keep my throat moisture and full of mucus. I always adore the vocals of Lord Worm ex Crytopsy, Craig Pillard of ex Incantation, Lindgren of Grave, Glen Benton of Deicide. These are my idols..
15.I believe the band is ready to release the 3rd full length “ And Vrykolakas Brings Chaos and Destruction”. When will the new release be available for the readers to purchase?
You can get our releases in different physical formats by the 1st of July 2001. The release date is special because it’s the date for the beginning of Vrykolakas in 1991, so it commemorate Vrykolakas 30th Anniversary movement in Underground scene..This upcoming album will be our best release to date of all our albums. Crushing Old school US Death Metal….
16.I believe you are working with different labels to release the new album. What are the labels you all will be working with?
We are working together with 3 labels to release our new album in different format. Dark Blasphemies records from Spain will release our album in CD format. Vidar records of Netherlands will release in 12” Vinyl and Sadist Records of Indonesia, they will do a special release for south east Asia countries in Tapes and Merchendise.. We are honoured to have these 3 labels to sign and support us to release this upcoming 3rd album.
17.How long did it takes the band to write the music for the new release? Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
Actually till now we have over 20 songs ready to last us till 5th album. , Kai (Guitarist) is the brain behind the band. He wrote and recorded all guide tracks for the songs and the rest of band members just improvised from the master songs he created. For me I am a so called like a PR for Vrykolakas Look for labels for release and promoting the band. And Edi our drummer, always infuse new ideas to make our songs better. So every Vrykolakas members have our own roles to play to make the band better.
18.What are the subjects written about on the new releases?
The concept of the album emphasize of event of after death experience and also the period of Armageddon, the beliefs of all the main religion’s contents in the emerging of Dajjal al Masih (Anti Christ) with his godlike power deceiving mankind to bow, pray and acknowledge him equal to God. Also there are songs about the emerged of Yajud, Majud (God & Magog) during the end of days, where they will decimate mankind and cause chaos to the entire world…
19.Vrykolakas comes out of Singapore’s Death metal scene. What is your opinion of the scene in Singapore over the years?
Singapore is one of the earlier countries in Asia that starts of strong in the underground scene back from the late 80s to early 90s. We have killer bands like Abhorer, Nuctemeron, Stukas, Profencer, Impiety, Global Chaos, As Sahar, Vrykolakas etc that really influenced the newer generation of metalheads especially Abhorer and Impiety. Not only in Singapore but in other continents as well. These are the bands that do garner new metalheads over the years. Basically there are full house in nearly every Gig supporting local bands. With the scene was strong back with newer bands forming up and releases demos, albums. But nowadays seem that there is a declining in the metal scene. Older bands becomes inactive, less support in local gigs, less people buying releases and merchandises of their local bands. One of primary reason is that as I explained in the earlier questions, younger generations of metalheads are more to download album in digital formats than owning a physical release…
But music wise, I can see that Singapore bands are much more creative in their song writing with killer hugh productions. But the only lacking with many bands in Singapore is in promotions department. They should push hard and bold to self promote not only locally but also internationally. I really hope that more Singapore bands get recognised and get sign by Foreign Labels.
20.Who are your all time favourite bands coming out of Singapore and are there any new bands you feel the readers should check out?
I listen to any local underground bands but for me the classic releases from Impiety, Abhorer, As Sahar, Nuctemeron are still my favourite listen.. There is one band that caught my attention, you should check out a death metal outfit Dispiteous, search them on facebook and bandcamp, they have an album released in 2020. Their album sound promising. I am looking forward to hear their upcoming album that they will release in 2022.
21.When you need to take a break from band and label work, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I usually spent my free time with my family, like a normal person did, spending quality time and bonding with my wife and daughter. Occasionally I will meet up with few of old metal friends to chill and talked about families and about our past old times in metal scene. Nothing much though.
22.Thank you Andi for taking the time to fill this interview. Do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thanks Patrick for the interview brother. Keep up the great work in promoting and supporting underground metal bands brother. The scene need more editors like you brother. 5 more upcoming releases should be release under Vrykoblast Production by end of april, Do get them and support the bands…Also watch out for Vrykolakas 3rd album “And Vrykolakas Brings Chaos And Destructions” to be release in different physical formats by the 1st of July. Only Physical Fomats is True!!!!! Label Contacts https://vrykoblastproduction.bigcartel.com/ https://www.facebook.com/vrykoblast.prod https://twitter.com/vrykoblast Band Contacts https://www.facebook.com/vrykobrutaldeath https://www.instagram.com/vrykolakas_sg_1991/
