| For over 20 years, Deicide has been ripping, shredding and bleeding some of the most intense- evilest tunes on the planet. They are without a doubt one of the most important, influential and controversial bands in the death metal genre. 2008 has brought forth Deicide’s latest offering, entitled ‘Till Death Do US Part.’ Founding member and drummer Steve Asheim shared his thoughts on Deicide’s latest release, early Amon days, the Hoffman brothers and more. |
Blissfulviolet: Hey Steve, thanks for shooting the shit with
us....Before we get into the latest Deicide news I wanted to touch
base on the fact that Deicide has been creating awesome, brutal,
evil music for a little over 20 years now. Did you ever think Deicide
would make it this far?
us....Before we get into the latest Deicide news I wanted to touch
base on the fact that Deicide has been creating awesome, brutal,
evil music for a little over 20 years now. Did you ever think Deicide
would make it this far?
Steve: No, never did. I always thought we’d be done "A year from
now" whenever "Now" was. But by just taking it 1 album or 1 tour at
a time and before you know 20 years has gone by.
now" whenever "Now" was. But by just taking it 1 album or 1 tour at
a time and before you know 20 years has gone by.
Blissfulviolet: So what would you say has or hasn't changed for
Deicide? Do you consider yourself the same guy you were back in
the day when the band first started?
Deicide? Do you consider yourself the same guy you were back in
the day when the band first started?
Steve: Pretty much, I may be a little more cynical and a little less
trusting and my patience is running at a lower level then 10 years
ago.
trusting and my patience is running at a lower level then 10 years
ago.
Blissfulviolet: Thinking back to the early 'Amon' days, when
recording 'Feasting the Beast' in Benton's garage; what first
memories come to mind?
recording 'Feasting the Beast' in Benton's garage; what first
memories come to mind?
Steve: The house, the dudes that were there and that smell of cat piss.
Blissfulviolet: What can you tell us about Amon's first gig at the Sunset Club back in 1987; I read that
it was a bloody meat bath in there...
it was a bloody meat bath in there...
Steve: Basically it was a butcher-shop leftovers food fight- with a live Deicide soundtrack, combined
with an old-time western bar fight and furniture destroying spree topped off with a police forensics
investigation; to make sure the remains weren’t human.......GOOD TIMES~!
with an old-time western bar fight and furniture destroying spree topped off with a police forensics
investigation; to make sure the remains weren’t human.......GOOD TIMES~!
Blissfulviolet: Florida is like the 'Disney Land' of death metal. Considering that Deicide has been
around for years, what would you say has kept Deicide fresh, original and alive in the scene?
around for years, what would you say has kept Deicide fresh, original and alive in the scene?
Steve: Probably the fact that we don’t have anything else to do with ourselves or would want to do. I
guess the fact that we are willing to keep doing it is why we are still around...Because we choose to be.
guess the fact that we are willing to keep doing it is why we are still around...Because we choose to be.
Blissfulviolet: Would you say there was or is a huge dilemma of competition or rivalries among
Florida's death metal scene?
Florida's death metal scene?
Steve: 20 years ago maybe. But nowadays it seems like everyone is over the ‘Competing with each
other thing’ and just trying to do the best they can with themselves.
other thing’ and just trying to do the best they can with themselves.
Blissfulviolet: Do you ever miss the original Deicide lineup that featured the Hoffman brothers?
Steve: No, never.
Blissfulviolet: Although it's in the past and has been talked about before- could you give us your side
of the story as to why Brian and Eric Hoffman are no longer in Deicide?
of the story as to why Brian and Eric Hoffman are no longer in Deicide?
Steve: Yeah it’s about money and their willingness to accept money. They didn’t earn any reluctance
to go and earn their fair share. They were lazy and in the end they became a liability more than an asset
to the band. They were obviously done years ago, but just too spoiled to quit. They’d rather try to kill
off the band rather than see it continue without them. I wonder how that worked out for them? Oh yeah,
we've done 2 great records without them and they haven't done shit- Except run their mouths on the
internet. The results speak for themselves.
to go and earn their fair share. They were lazy and in the end they became a liability more than an asset
to the band. They were obviously done years ago, but just too spoiled to quit. They’d rather try to kill
off the band rather than see it continue without them. I wonder how that worked out for them? Oh yeah,
we've done 2 great records without them and they haven't done shit- Except run their mouths on the
internet. The results speak for themselves.
Blissfulviolet: As for the new album, 'Till Death Do Us
Part' I must say, it seems to mix both old and new Deicide
styles; not as melodic as the last. Would you agree and
was this the overall goal sound wise?
Part' I must say, it seems to mix both old and new Deicide
styles; not as melodic as the last. Would you agree and
was this the overall goal sound wise?
Steve: Yeah, we didn’t want to be as melodic, so we
turned that aspect down some, made it darker. I like it.
turned that aspect down some, made it darker. I like it.
Steve: Well it’s worked pretty good, I’d say, we’ve been
going 20 years. Writing new songs isn’t that big of a deal. I
just kind of think about what I want to hear and make it
happen.
going 20 years. Writing new songs isn’t that big of a deal. I
just kind of think about what I want to hear and make it
happen.
Blissfulviolet: Some critics have been questioning the
albums content and title, 'Till Death Do Us Part', stating that
albums content and title, 'Till Death Do Us Part', stating that
Steve: I just think it’s cool how everyone will bitch about how Deicide and Glen’s lyrics are so ‘One
Dimensional’ and it’s always the same, BLAH, Blah, BLAH. Then he gives them something different and
what do you get...More bitchin. Point is you can’t aim to please people, please yourself and people can
come along with it or not. It’s their choice.
Dimensional’ and it’s always the same, BLAH, Blah, BLAH. Then he gives them something different and
what do you get...More bitchin. Point is you can’t aim to please people, please yourself and people can
come along with it or not. It’s their choice.
Blissfulviolet: Previously, you were pretty angry with Deicide not being able to tour. While creating
this album, were you able to eliminate some of your rage?
this album, were you able to eliminate some of your rage?
Steve: You bet, I poured it all into the music. You can hear it I think, the anger and frustration. It’s in
there.
there.
Blissfulviolet: Deicide has just announced that there will be a tour in support of the new album and
this time around Benton will be able to tour with you guys. What details can you give us so far?
this time around Benton will be able to tour with you guys. What details can you give us so far?
Steve: It’s actually all still pretty new info and honestly after all of our previous problems, I try not to
concern myself too much with it. I just wait until I’m told to be somewhere and then I just show up.
concern myself too much with it. I just wait until I’m told to be somewhere and then I just show up.
Blissfulviolet: Speaking of touring, Deicide is notoriously known for being banned from certain venues
and countries; any thoughts or regrets?
and countries; any thoughts or regrets?
Steve: Yeah, I wish we hadn’t been banned from these places. But it’s all for different reasons- Some
out of our control and some very much in our control. The stuff in our control I’d like to get a better grip
on.
out of our control and some very much in our control. The stuff in our control I’d like to get a better grip
on.
Blissfulviolet: Back to the album, is there a story behind the
album and cover art?
album and cover art?
Steve: Just Glens fascination with hatred for love and
matrimony. It’s self evident.
matrimony. It’s self evident.
Blissfulviolet: What would you like fans to gain or experience
when listening to Till Death Do Us Part?
when listening to Till Death Do Us Part?
Steve: I just hope they like it and remember it. Keep playing it
for a while, you know?
for a while, you know?
Blissfulviolet: Absolutely. Aside from Deicide, you are also in
the band ‘Order of Ennead’. What can you tell us about this
project, how does it differ from Deicide and when should we
expect a debut release?
the band ‘Order of Ennead’. What can you tell us about this
project, how does it differ from Deicide and when should we
expect a debut release?
Steve: Our debut release is set for September. It is different from Deicide in a few ways. There are
some mellower and more melodic parts, but plenty of ripping and shredding too. An eclectic mix, let’s
say. There is also some of the fastest stuff I’ve done up to date. I’m putting some intense piano stuff on
there too. I hope everyone checks it out. Lyrically and conceptually it’s not full of hate like Deicide, It’s
kind of more Philosophical.
some mellower and more melodic parts, but plenty of ripping and shredding too. An eclectic mix, let’s
say. There is also some of the fastest stuff I’ve done up to date. I’m putting some intense piano stuff on
there too. I hope everyone checks it out. Lyrically and conceptually it’s not full of hate like Deicide, It’s
kind of more Philosophical.
Blissfulviolet: From the demo track on the ‘Order of Ennead’ myspace, black metal elements seem to
be present. Are you a fan of black metal?
be present. Are you a fan of black metal?
Steve: Sure, some of it; the good stuff.
Blissfulviolet: How do you invest your time outside of music, I heard you're a huge gun collector…
Steve: I wouldn’t say I’m a huge gun collector. I have what I feel what I need, that’s all. I fill my time with
lots of stress-reducing activities like playing music, working out, smoking my stuff. It’s all good stuff.
lots of stress-reducing activities like playing music, working out, smoking my stuff. It’s all good stuff.
Blissfulviolet: A while back, you had an interesting encounter while in Austria involving a leaky pen
and the suspicion of robbery. What went through your mind while being accused?
and the suspicion of robbery. What went through your mind while being accused?
Steve: I actually wasn’t at all surprised. This kind of thing happens to me a lot. I know it was a hassle
but in my mind I knew it’d work itself out, just a matter of how long it was going to take. Makes a good
story though.
but in my mind I knew it’d work itself out, just a matter of how long it was going to take. Makes a good
story though.
Blissfulviolet: Well thanks for your time; it’s been interesting…so here’s an interesting question. If
you were granted 1 secret power what would you choose and why?
you were granted 1 secret power what would you choose and why?
Steve: The power to grow the best weed in the world witout fear of prosecution, or of screwing it up.
Blissfulviolet: Good one! Any final thoughts?
Steve: Thanks for your time and support for the band Deicide. Keep on the lookout for Order of
Ennead, This fall in stores and on tour.
Thanks everybody.
Ennead, This fall in stores and on tour.
Thanks everybody.
| Interview with Steve Asheim By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Glen usually writes the lyrics, while you
compose the music. This partnership must be working out
great. How do you go about creating new music? Do you
have a certain method?
compose the music. This partnership must be working out
great. How do you go about creating new music? Do you
have a certain method?
it is not as 'Evil' as previous Deicide albums. What are your thoughts on such criticism?