CATHOLICON
1.First of all, tell us the history of “Catholicon”
We started around April of 1994. We’ve been in Baton Rouge, and active all that time except for a respite though most of 1996 and most of 2001. We didn’t start playing shows regularly until late 1997; but have continued to do so since then. The music has changed a little back and forth between death and black metal over the years, and the lineup has changed around more than a few times; but the basic ‘spearhead against orthodoxy’ concept has remained intact and the message has remained clear and unchanged.
2.Tell us some details for the full lenght cd “Lost Chronicles of the war
in Heaven” and the promos cd’s
Well, Lost Chronicles was recorded on and off through all of 1997 in our own
little practice room on ADAT and was a rather primitive effort. It basically was 2 songs from each of the first 4 years of our existence, and represented what we were going for at that time, I guess (slow, atmospheric death/black metal). None of us like the album a whole lot, since the recording, mix, mastering, and especially performance by all of us could have been alot better. I’m happier with the 2000 Rage Of Achilles re-issue because it is a direct transfer from the raw original DAT unmastered, and represents more of what the album really sounded like. The 1998
self-release is pro-mastered and more polished out; but not under our direction or input. All the promos since then (1999 and 2002) are samplingsof the long-awaited concept album we have been shopping around to blackmetal labels forever. We finally have some solid interest from a good company we believe in, and will be entering the studio hopefully in early 2003 to do it finally. I’ve been talking to a couple studios already and I think we only have a couple more songs to finish.
3.Is there any feedback from the audience about these cd’s till now ?
People like the 2 demos alot. A few misguided people love the first album
too. hahaha
4.Which is the procedure when you write the songs?
Well, I have written the majority of the lyrics up to this point, which usually come in a point of inspiration. I can go literally for years without writing a single word, and then it will hit me like a brick—-I will be asleep or at work or in the car and it will just hit me, the wordswill come together in my head and I will have to write it out. I keep a pen everywhere just for that reason. The music is written independantly. So
far, the band has had three guitarists who have written music, and some of all that material is still in use. I’m sure they each have their way, but I can tell you that lyrics and music are written independantly and often years and years apart. Then they both go through a process of give and take until they are worked into each other. I used to do this, I think I.N.R.I. has the concept down well enough now to handle most of that.
5.Have you already played any gig?
Too many to count, yes. We did more this year than ever before, and still
have 3 more to go.
6.Your influences from the metal scene?
More from old school metal and bands far away from here than anything in the
local scene. We’re the only band in the state that has absolutely no local sound or influence to it. That’s not a negative comment towards all those that do, just a matter of personal preference and pride for us.
7.Tell me you favorite album and your favorite band
My favorite album of all time, metal-wise, would have to be ‘The Eye’ by King Diamond. My favorite bands are King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Venom, Paradise Lost, Lacuna Coil, My Dying Bride, Tiamat, Samael, Death, G.G. Allin and the Murder Junkies, and a few others. It really changes on a monthly basis actually, but there are some mainstays.
8.Where do you come from?
Baton Rouge, LA, USA
9.Tell me your opinion about the metal scene in your country
As far as the unsigned bands, there’s honestly not much to tell. I’m to the point where I just about stay out of it. I still support everything and everyone in lots of different ways; but I don’t see much that I really like anymore. Nu-metal crap all over the US, local bands all trying to copy the same formula, and the so-called underground bands all trying to copy a generic version of Suffocation. There are some good good bands, but they’re getting harder to spot these days.
10.Do you know anything about the metal scene in Greece?
Not currently, I used to do alot more tape trading and writing overseas than I do now. I’m getting too old and anti-social. I used to order some stuff from a Greek label (Cyber Music, I think?), I got the first Varathron album from them. That first CD was the best one.
11.What are your plans in the future for “Catholicon”?
To do a second album that will be a concept album exposing the history of Christianity, then to tour for it. After that, I honestly don’t know. We take things one day at a time.
12.Is metal a way of your life?
Yes. Everyone who knows me knows that it’s all I listen to in my car, at home, and at work. It’s a part of my daily routine and always on my mind, and I still spend a shitload of money on CDs every payday. I’m 28, which is an age when most people begin to really get tierd of the music scene andmove on with their life. I’m still trying to do both at the same time. I’m not ready to lose track of things yet. Or course, ten years ago I used to have time to follow every band and all the gossip and to read every word of lyrics in every CD. I can’t do any of that anymore, but I still buy more
than I ever did and go to as many shows as I ever did.
13.I found you through internet, do you think that the net can replace the
old underground days?
It is cool; but I still have fond memories of writing my pen pals all over the world, and getting all the letters and ads in the mail. It was on a much more personal level back then ten to twelve years ago; and I miss that. I miss it alot. It was more real, and a letter that was hand-written from someone really meant something. An email really doesn’t. When someone writes me to the band PO box, they are going to get alot faster, better, and more personal attention from me than if they email me off of our website. That’s because they had to take more personal time to do it, and so I will too.
14.Thanks for your interview and close the interview as you like.
Hey, thanks to you Antwnis, keep doing whatever you can to keep metal alive in your corner of the world. Stay in touch, and take care. I can’t wait to see the interview when it’s published online. I can’t wait to see in once our drummer gets a hold of it either (that’s a private joke). Thanks!
