Interview with Whore Of Bethlehem Posted on 3-523
1.Hails how are you doing this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
I’m doing well, thanks! My name is James VanDenBerg, and I’m the vocalist for Whore of Bethlehem.
2.When did you first discover death and black metal music and who were the first bands you listened to? Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
I first discovered death metal in about 1998. At the time I was into just generic metal and numetal until I discovered my brother's Deicide shirt. It was the Serpents of the Light insert art and it said I AM NO ONE on the back. I discovered more bands through just scouring the thanks list on a couple of my brother's CDs and found so many gems… It all started with Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, and Morbid Angel then blossomed more underground. My first death metal concert was Cannibal Corpse and Dark Funeral at the House of Blues in Chicago. Some of the more current bands catching my attention are Nordjevel, Unmerciful, Throne, Sanguisugabogg, and I have to send a shout out to a band local to me known as Stabbing who have been making huge waves in a very short period of time.
3.Whore of Bethlehem was started in 2009. What gave you all the idea to start this band? Are you satisfied with how things have gone with the band over the years?
The band was started in 2009 and during the first 2 years I’d say was very much in its infancy stages. Ryan Sylvie who currently plays lead guitar in the band, formed the band with Rene Martinez and went through several lineup changes initially. The idea of the band was to play a heavily blackened form of death metal to break away from the TXDM sound. The first track had Ryan singing and playing guitar with Rene on drums entitled Hideous Resurrection. It was like 50/50 black and death metal with the grossest guttural vocals. You can find it on youtube. After that they landed a front man who was in the band for a year or 2 and Phil King (current rhythm guitarist) joined the band really solidifying the sound. They hit the studio and recorded the first album. When it came time for the vocalist to do his parts, he revealed to the band that he was quitting after recording. And so, Ryan reached out to me asking if I would sing for WoB wanting the same vocalist on the album to be the one performing live as well. At the time, I was singing for a band called Uncleansed, but I wasn’t entirely happy, so I said yes right away. I rewrote the lyrics except for the one Ryan had written and finished the album about 3 months later… Am I satisfied with howthings have gone? Yes and no. lol I’m always wanting more for the band and so, I don’t think we’ve accomplished what we set out to do just yet. That being said, we’ve had some great shows and memories and I wouldn’t change a thing.
4.What is the current lineup of Whore of Bethlehem? Who would you say are the bands biggest influences? And how do you feel the band’s music has progressed over the years and releases?
James VanDenBerg- Vocals
Ryan Sylvie- Lead Guitar
Phil King- Rhythm Guitar
Sam Axelrad- Drums
Alan Berryman-Bass
I would say our biggest influences are Dark Funeral, Belphegor, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, Monstrosity, Marduk, Deicide, etc… The list goes on and not necessarily in that order.
I feel WoB has really been a transformative band. Each album has been an evolution for us as songwriters. We’ve maintained this lineup for many years now and still always push to be faster, sicker, and more extreme. You’ll notice a huge difference between the first and second album due to our rhythm section changing. And then you’ll hear us get much more brutal with the 3rd album!
5.Ritual of Homicide is the bands third full length release. How long did it take the band to write the music for the new release? How long would you say it usually takes to complete one song?
It was about 6 years between albums, so we were due. During that time my wife and I had our son, and other members of the band had their own things going on. Covid was also a thing and destroyed live music for a bit there. So, we weren’t pushing too hard to write. Sometimes we can write a song in just a couple rehearsals there on the spot. Other times we can take months depending on how much we change up the songs. It also depends on how busy our live performance schedule may be.
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6.Where did the band draw influence for the lyrics on the new release and what are some subjects written about?
The lyrics are a continuation of the WoB brand. Our songs generally revolve around misanthrope and a distaste for religion with plenty of violence to boot.
7.Besides the upcoming Ritual of Homicide release are the bands previous releases still available for the readers to purchase? Besides physical releases do the band have other merchandise currently available for the readers? If yes, what is available and where can the readers purchase it?
Our first album can be bought through us or through Redefining Brutality Records. Our second album can be purchased through us, or a label called Black Market Metal. Both are available streaming and for digital purchase too. We have some killer shirt designs, flags, patches, stickers, etc through our website www.whoreofbethlehem.com
8.What have been some of Whore of Bethlehem's most memorable shows over the years? Who are some bands you have had the opportunity to share the stage with?
Our most memorable shows are the ones where we are on the road out of state. Playing show after show with your best friends is a great feeling. We’ve been fortunate to play with tons of killer bands over the years. We’ve played with Suffocation, Origin, Hate Eternal, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hypocrisy, Immolation, Dark Funeral, Marduk, Belphegor, Cryptopsy, Devourment… There’s too many to list but you get the idea.
9.Are there any upcoming shows or tours planned in support of Ritual of Homicide? If yes, where will the band be playing?
Right now we are playing fests and single shows but are totally open to touring once we get the right opportunity. We are playing Texas Dismemberment Fest with Mortician, Gored in the Heart of Texas Fest and various TX dates.
10.Whore of Bethlehem comes out of the Texas death and black metal scene what is your opinion of the scene in Texas over the years?
Forever changing! There have been some seriously killer bands that have come from the TX scene over the years. The capitol of death metal isn’t Florida or California, it’s TEXAS!
11.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Texas and are there any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
My favorite death metal band out of Texas is probably Sarcolytic. Unfortunately, they aren’t active anymore. Other honorable mentions are Infuriate, Flesh Hoarder, Reviled, Unnecessary Surgery, Bruka, Serpentian, Hinayana, Demonseed, Id, and last but not least Stabbing. I could go on. There are tons of killer extreme metal bands out of Texas.
12.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I have a wife and son that keep me occupied. Aside from the band I have a pretty standard dad life lol… I am also a drummer (not in a band) and I enjoy playing from time to time. I’m also a music nerd so I listen to music wherever I can and watch a lot of drum performance videos.
13.What does underground metal mean to you?
It’s been where I’ve resided for my whole musical career. I’ve made a ton of friends and had some pretty cool experiences along the way. So, I’d say in a way it’s like a family. You can make friends all over the world joined together by the love of extreme metal. I don’t necessarily agree with the word “Underground.” I think we’re due for metal to dominate the world again!
14.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Check out our new album “Ritual of Homicide” coming out March 24th through Comatose Music! Spread the word about WoB and tell those fest promoters that you want to see Whore of Bethlehem! Whore Of Bethlehem https://www.whoreofbethlehem.com/ https://whoreofbethlehem.bandcamp.com/merch https://www.facebook.com/wobethlehem Comatose Music https://www.comatosemusic.com/ https://comatosemusic.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Comatosemusiclabel https://www.instagram.com/comatose_music/?utm_medium=copy_link