1.Hello please introduce yourself to the readers?
I’m Ron (RK) Kaiser, Vocalist & founding member of Blasphemous
2.When did you first discover death and black metal?What is it about these genre's that drew you in and keeps your interest today?
Not long after I started my first year of High School back in 1990-91. I started with traditional Metal & some glam, then I got into Metallica & Slayer and got into heavier stuff. I would go to a record store called Rock & Roll Plus on South St and there would be a great selection of underground & imports that they wouldn’t have at the Tower Records across the street.
3.Who were the first bands that caught your attention? Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
Obituary, Deicide, Death, Sepultura, Morbid Angel got my ear early on. Currently, Undeath, Skeletal Remains, Torture Rack, Necrot, Obscene, they all got new albums that are in heavy rotation.
4. Blasphemous was started in 2003 what gave you the idea to start this band? Are you satisfied with how the band has progressed over the years?
Myself and our original drummer were in a grind band that fell apart, so we decided to explore something different. It was very raw and primal sounding at first. For a long time we had what seemed to be a revolving lineup and it was tough to get real chemistry when you constantly have to change a member here or there. Once I reformed Blasphemous in 2016, I felt a new energy and once the lineup came together, it felt natural.
5.What is the current line of the band? Who would you say are Blasphemous's biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years?
The current lineup has been consistent since 2016, with the exception of one change in 2020. Myself on vocals, Hal Microutsicos(Rhythm Guitar/Backing Vocals), Steve Shreve(Lead Guitar), Mark Vizza(Drums), and Dan Lee(Bass). As far as our influences, it’s been mostly consistent, Deicide, Death, Morbid Angel, Dissection, Mayhem, Angelcorpse.
6.To Lay Siege And Conquer is the bands fourth full length how long did it take the band to write the music for this release?Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
Ideas for this go as far back as 2019. 2020 was Covid and it kinda killed things temporarily. Typically, Hal or Steve will have an idea, trading riff ideas back and forth. And they’ll share the ideas with the rest of us. Hal will program drums on these riff ideas, and the rest of us learn it and play it out together.
7.Where does the band draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some subjects written about on the new release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
On this album, Hal has stepped up with the lyrics. Ordinarily, I’ve handled the majority of the lyrics and vocal patterns. But Hal wrote the lyrics for three songs and the themes vary, but overall darkness can be found in a lot of subjects we write about. The title track “To Lay Siege And Conquer” can be construed as an anti religious theme or even anti political too, I like to mix it up, you can’t have a full album be a half hour long Christ-bashing session.
8.Besides the upcoming To Lay Siege And Conquer are the bands previous releases still availible for the readers to purchase? Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently availible?If yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase it?
The first two albums are out of print. But they are available on our Bandcamp page for digital download, and eventually will be on other streaming services. We got our other releases available there and also shirts too. Very soon we will have a beer available from Attic Brewing Co in Philadelphia called “Dead And Still”
9.Has Blasphemous gotten to play very many live shows over the years?What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years?Who are some of your favorite bands that you have gotten to share the stage with?
We have, but over the last few years we haven’t played as often as we wanted. But one of my favorites was playing with Watain in Allentown back in 2008, it was the end of their tour, and this was when they still had the animal blood and carcasses. The stench stuck with you and the smell somehow lingered in my car afterwards.
10.Are there any tours or shows planned in support of To Lay Siege And Conquer? If yes where will the band be playing?
Right now we are doing a show the week after the album comes out. It will be 11/2 in Philly with Antichrist Siege Machine and Entrail Asphyxiation. We may do some more weekend runs and mini tours in 2025, hopefully some fest appearances too.
11.Blasphemous comes out of Pennsylvania's black and death metal scene.What is your opinion of the scene over the years in Pennsylvania?
The scene has definitely gotten better. There’s definitely more interest now than 10 years ago. And there’s plenty of promoters helping to push things.
12.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Pennsylvania?Are there any new bands you could recomend to the readers?
Around here, I got to also include South NJ and Delaware area too. All-time, definitely Goreaphobia, Polterchrist, Mortal Decay, Sapremia, Crucifier, Corpus Rottus. Currently: Cavern Womb, Scorched, Outer Heaven, Hematoid, and Distant Dominion(which has members of Mortal Decay, Polterchrist, ICE, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, Krieg)
13.Besides working in Blasphemous do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
Hal has a project called Engulf, that has a few releases. He does all the vocals and guitars and drum programming. The rest of us dabble in projects too, but that’s the biggest one of note.
14.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’m big into brewing my own beer. It takes time, but it’s so much fun to do.
15.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thanks for taking time to check us out. Get the new album “To Lay Siege And Conquer” out 10/25 on Adirondack Black Mass! Blasphemous https://blasphemousphilly.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/blasphemousmetal https://www.instagram.com/blasphemous_official/ Adirondack Black Mass https://adirondackblackmass.bigcartel.com/ https://adirondackblackmass.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/adirondackblackmass/