1) First of all, comment and compare the new songs with
the old material in details.
The new songs crush the old ones. More violence and aggression in them.
The old ones are killer, but I think we have progressed into more lethal
band now.
2) Do U think U've given 100% this time or could the songs come out
in a better way if U'd had more money and time at your disposal?
We never believed you have to be in the studios for two months to
make a killer album. Most songs are played with the best emotion
right when you start them off. To do a million takes on a song kills
the natural flow of a song. Fucking come in and assualt like a
panzer tank is the way record.
3) I believe that the guitars, esp. in the solos and the vocals are
mixed low. What do U think about it?
Just turn the album up to maximum volume!! Actually I thought they sounded
fine. Sometimes in the studios everything sounds so perfect on the studio
speakers that you do not realize these things until later. But I am
totally satisfied with this recording.
4) Why did U decide to mix "Wrath of War" in Germany?
Actually it was mastered in Germany. We did the final mix here in Texas.
Osmose suggested we get it mastered by Peter Neuber. I think he did
a fantastic job in bringing out all the power of the music.
5) I don't have the lyrics of your latest effort. Can U tell me who
writes them, what they talk about, and what U're inspired by?
Swornghoul and Blackthorn write the lyrics. Concepts involve ancient
retribution. War and Battle. Satanism. And the lies of the Christian
Church. These hymns of Blasphemy are inspired by the thoughts that form
in our demented minds.
6) The bands who've influenced U most are prob'ly Angelcorpse, Immortal,
Vital Remains and then who? What are your all-time fave/most important
black metal bands?
Those bands you listed I like but I do not think they are influences.
Our most vital influences are Blasphemy, Sarcofago, Necrovore, old Mayhem,
old Slayer, Possessed, Beherit, Dark Angel, and Celtic Frost. (THIS
MAN HAS ALL OF MY RESPECT, HE'S WISE AND GOT A-1FLAVORS/NOTE OF MARKUS
GANZHERRLICH). These bands are fucking masters of black and death metal.
7) How much place's Black Metal have in the US now that it's outa fashion,
and everyone knows your country's very sensitive to fashion changes?
Black Metal here in the States is supported by some diehards fans
and that will never change. Yes the trends come and go here and that
will always be the case with most people here. But there are some of
us who live for black/death metal and never will change our ways for
poser trends. The trendiness of our country is very repulsing!!
8) What do U answer those claiming that in the last 10 years there's
been a steady music and originality quality levelling downwards along
with an increase of the number of CD's released?
I think the people who say these things do not look hard enough for
the bands who are unknown and making some very incredible music. Some
of the old guard have lost their power and it time for the new hordes
to rise from the underground. Everything rises and falls.
9) How did it happen that U play Black Metal and not another genre?
Do U have any side projects of other styles?
Because Black metal is what I express myself best with. I do like
other styles of metal but Black metal is elite. We have not other
projects at this time since we focus on Thornspawn only right now.
10) What was the hardest period of your career, why and how did U overcome
that?
I think when our drummer and vocalist moved away for a year to another
city. We only got to practice once every couple of months. But we insisted
in not breaking up due to passion for this band. He is back now and
things are going strong.
11) Is San Antonio's Festival U organize the biggest in the US as for
Black Metal?
Blackthorn our drummer has been the organizer for the fest the last
couple of years. I say it is the one that started it all over here.
There was no black metal fest here until The Sacrifice of the Nazarene
Child started. This fest has had many underground bands play including
Absu, Black Witchery, Sadistic Intent, Krieg, Judas Iscariot, Kult of
Azazel, Ibex Throne, The Chasm, Noctuary and of course Thornspawn. This
fest is the only one that matters to many here.
12) Could U cite some of the new bands that have impressed U more favorably?
Waitan, Antaeus, Black Witchery, Arkhon Infaustus, Revenge, Noctuary,
Manticore, and that is all I can think of off hand.
13) Do your shows have any scene specialties or are they simply based
on the music impact? We have things like smoke and candles. Banners
too. They all add to the ambience of our live show.
14) Which countries outta the US did U play or are U gonna play in?
We want to play in Mexico, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium,
and Denmark. This is where we seem to have a lot of interest.
15) U're one of the very few black bands with a drummer/singer and above
all U never changed your line-up. Quite a record! How come? Didn't U
ever find a valid drummer or singer? We have had bass player problems
since the beginning. But guitars and drums have always been the same
core. Well, Blackthorn handles the vocals and drums with ease so that
is not really an issue. We did have one vocalist on our Demo "The
Dacian Empire" but he moved to another city so that sucked. We did
experiment with a vocalist once awhile later but he was not of the mental
standard we required. He was a damn fool actually. Our new bassist Hellbeast
is doing some backing vocals and this is working out killer.
16) How have your previous Cd's sold worldwide? Do U sell most in the
US, Japan, Norway or elsewhere? Since we never got any real type of
statements from Baphomet it is hard to say. I think though we got the
best distribution here in the US.
17) Which are Thornspawn's short and long terms goals?
Short term would be to get on a good tour. Long term would be to create
an even more lethal album in the future.
18) A personal curiosity. Do U earn more from the royalties deriving
from the Cd's sold or from the merchandising U sell at your shows? Again,
we never got one royalty check from Baphomet so I can't really answer
you. But we do sell a lot of merchandise at shows.
19) Apropos of war , do U think a 3rd World War's about to begin? How've
your lives changed after that damned 9-11-01? Are U less scared of terror
assaults, since U live in San Antonio, which is not the last city in
the US, tho not even a symbolic or a nerve-center of the Star-Spangled
economy?
San Antonio is a major military city in the US. There are alot of Air
Force and Army bases here. So we have to keep up our guard. Most
Americans are more ready to fight than be scared of a bunch rugheads.
They want a war and we gave them one. I can't wait to see every single
one of them drowning in their own blood!! We let our country get too
nice with political correctness. The beast has been tamed for too long.
.20) D'you have any ideas about how your next songs will sound like?
They will be more grim and aggressive. We shall never let our assault
down.
21) Do U wanta signalize your e-mail address and website for the ones
who still don't know U? Yes, you can reach me at Thornspawn@aol.com
and web addy is www.thornspawn.net
22? Final message/greeting/threat. Take all the place U wish.
Hails to you Markus for taking the time to interview us. Prepare for
Annihilation. The Wrath of War has begun!!!
MARKUS GANZHERRLICH - 02/06/02