Interview with LIVING EVIL
We had a conversation with Executioner (Vocals/Guitars). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about LIVING EVIL (Members, Starting Year etc).
Well firstly the name LIVING EVIL is stolen from a song title by Canadian speed metal royalty, EXCITER. We started officially when my partner BLACKLUNG took up the drums almost two years ago. We’ve scrapped a lot of songs along the way and are always writing more. Our lineup is now completed, with our new members; bulldozing on the bass, we have ARGUS. Smoking the lead guitar, ABRAXAS. And I am EXECUTIONER, I do vocals, rhythm guitar and write the music.
You have recently released your demo ''Curse The Cross''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
The response has been really cool and exciting. WolfKult Religion graced us with a thoughtful review. A lot of our peers in active and legendary bands are diggin it!
The cover artwork has a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
Well thank you! Shitty photos are my favourite album art ever. Those are my hands behind the and that is my guitar in front of it.
And what about the lyrics?
The lyrics like the music just write themselves. I just make time for it or allow it to flow when it comes. I write about whatever's on my mind, various kinds of evils in living, ya dig?
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
We would love a label but honestly, DIY is cool for going at our own creative pace. The other guys are in multiple bands. So for now we are fine with no label deadlines working against us. I think the best of both worlds for us would be a DIY label with like minded chillers!
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Well In the depths of recording trenches. I forgot how many times I say “curse the cross” in the song “curse the cross”. So just imagine a tired and hungry black lung and myself in a loop of laughter and frustration counting out how many times we say curse the cross. Many crosses were cursed that day!
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
They all are good but TAPES forever. Pocket sized, budget friendly, the mainstream normie world hasn't completely caught on to them again yet. If they break, it's not as tragic as breaking a vinyl.
Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
So many bands, it's a variety! Motorhead, Bathory ,Running Wild, WASP, Destruction, Venom,Black Death, Crowley, Hallows Eve, Razor, DEVIL LEE ROT.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Well to have a band you are sacrificing netflix and doom scroll time at the end of your busy work day. If that sounds appealing to you, then go for it! Personally I’m selling a fest ticket I was looking forward to attending, so I can afford shirts before our first show. That’s not more of a sacrifice for me but being realistic. if you aren't a trust fund band, then those are the fucking realities! You can either go to out of town shows, or play your own? hard to be both in this economy!
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Our first show is July 30th. We get to open for some local old school legends Debt of Nature and WITCHKILLER from Toronto! Ideally there's lots of blood and poser sacrifice. Realistically, if people are raising their fist and having a good time, then that's good enough for me!
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
I think it sucks and it's the opposite of what metal is. The whole point of art is the journey. The trials, errors, fuck ups, it’s figuring out your own flavour of juice. Following what you like! AI takes out the necessary journey and ultimately the fun. It's the most soul-sucking, stale and capitalist BS since the keto diet. Living Evil says, fuck no to AI!
What attributes do you think that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
I think if you just don't have art work of a guy staring at a castle, then you're already off to the races of something different!. I think there is such a thing with “too many cooks in the kitchen” for songwriting/ too many members in a band and a hard truth is not everyone in the band needs to contribute to the writing. Having a loose theme with a less is more approach!
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Bandcamp is the best I think it for sure helps. And Youtube channel uploads have become a really cool means of discovering new bands. I think you do have to have some kind of a Social media presence in this age. Adding cool looking guitar babes and any and all goat dudes on facebook has forsure helped spread our evil!
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Heavy Metal band to avoid or what to do?
I have next to no music industry experience, but avoid asshole band members who “dont need to practice” or bitch a fit about their share of band rent, but always have money for booze. Man children with shitty attitudes , avoid those!
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
The scene here is cool. Totally a mix bag, but that’s Victoria, and what makes us unique. There is lots of punk, a few metal bands and lots of noise artists. Cavity Curiosity shop is the life blood of our scene. Supreme Echo Records is where you will find the coolest vintage heavy Metal records. Aswell his label of the same name puts out these cool archival releases. Both these shops also double as show promoters. My friends and favourite local bands are Heliophage (doom metal) Empty Chalice (black metal) Pillagery (black metal) Slogutis (wtf are they,fucking killer) Fell Deeds (crust) Hedonist (osdm) Altered Dead(osdm) and Starcave Nebula (black fucking metal).
What does Metal mean to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal means fuck you and fuck your coworkers playlist.Here’s my 10 not in any particular order but if I only had time to save these 10 from a sinking ship, it would be these!
Razor - Evil Invaders
Wasp - Self Titled
Mercyful Fate- Nuns Have No Fun
Megadeth- Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Bathory - Under The Sign Of The Black Mark
Motorhead - Overkill
Venom -Welcome To Hell
Judas Priest -Sad Wings Of Destiny
Slayer- Hell Awaits
Iron Maiden- Killers
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I know a bit for sure, there are so many killer bands from Greece. Blacklung is the bands black metal guy through and through, and a lot of his favourites come out of there. He is actually wearing a GOATVOMIT shirt as I write this!
What are your future plans?
I plan to just keep playing music, get my red seal in carpentry and open up a boutique coffin shop.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Mine and our pleasure. Thank you too FILTHY DOGS OF FUCKING METAL! We are, LIVING EVIL. Born among the dead, and under the sign of the black mark. Living Evil is who I am. I show no mercy and I do not quit. EVIL LIVES. Posers, can cry about it! Bless the sinner, curse the cross.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
LIVING EVIL CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577186521942
https://www.instagram.com/livingevilofficial/
https://livingevil666.bandcamp.com/album/curse-the-cross