Interview with SADISTIC FORCE
We had a conversation with James Oliver. Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Last time we talked was almost 5 years ago, when you released your EP ''Pain, Sex and Rapture''. You are going to release the compilation CD "Morbid Oddysey". Tell us a bit about this project.
Yeah, that was my first interview for this project! It’s interesting for me to look back at that time. Sadistic Force has definitely come a long way. I’m glad to be talking to the filthy dogs again! Morbid Odyssey is a twenty five minute EP with five new songs featuring our new turbocharged lineup. It’s the first release to feature our new drummer JP. Old fans will notice a new level of aggression and power in the Sadistic Force sound with the addition of the new members. The compilation version is being put out in Europe by Black Flame Rebellion. It features Morbid Odyssey and then all the earlier stuff (such as Pain, Sex, and Rapture) that’s hard to find these days. This will include Black Moon Sadism, Lagoon of Doom, and our songs from the Sadistic Rot split with Hellrot. That CD will be a convenient way for Euro fans to get some good shit in their collection! The release date for MORBID ODYSSEY is August 22nd, and the Black Flame Rebellion edition will be out in October.
The cover art has a sick atmosphere! Tell us some details about it.
The cover art is based off the title track MORBID ODYSSEY. The lyrics of the song come from the point of view of the guy getting high in the graveyard. He likes to smoke unorthodox materials such as the ashes of hellfire-desecrated bodies, recently extracted brains, and crushed up human bones to achieve a psychedelic high like no other. If you look closely you’ll see that he has one of our Horde Member patches on his vest. This goes to show you the sort of fan this band attracts!
What can you tell us about the lyrics?
Besides that one, there are lyrics on this release about the dark art of serial killing, extreme BDSM, striking down your enemies in the name of Satan, and witches defeating The Inquisition through black magick forces.
How did your cooperation with Black Flame Rebellion occur? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
We met in a Polish graveyard one night and got high together. Other than the collaboration with them, and a cassette compilation appearance with Black Pages Records from Sweden called Ritualistic Offerings, we are doing the DIY thing through our own label called Pure Abandon Records. It’s the first time Sadistic Force has put out a vinyl LP without the collaboration of a label (or two). It will end up better for us this way in terms of being able to keep the profits and such, but it’s way more work! We are putting out LP and cassette and even a live concert VHS tape called BLASTKRIEG AT VALHALLA. All of this can be ordered on our Bandcamp page. We’re also working on distribution in Europe via some distros in a few countries there. I think we’ll most likely work with a label on the next record, but it’s cool to do this Pure Abandon thing this time around. I also started writing horror novels and I’m using Pure Abandon as my own independent publishing house as well. Check out Linktr.ee/JamesOliverHorror for more information about that. My books aren’t for wimps!
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Well, for those who watch the BLASTKRIEG AT VALHALLA concert video, you might notice that there’s more camera angles at the beginning then in the latter part of the set. The filmmaker is a friend of our bass player Mike who apparently brushed off the question when asked about how crazy the mosh pit would be. Two of the cameras were taken out by moshers and the dude was PISSED. Mike said that he was shaking his head at him from the crowd and mouthing the words “I’m done!”, but later he came in with a handheld camera and shot more footage. There’s so much stuff to handle and keep track of at shows that sometimes things like warning the camera guy that his cameras are gonna get knocked down slips your mind! He was so mad that we had to convince him to actually finish the video.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to a new metal band? What should they avoid or focus on?
I would say that you should do this because you enjoy it and because you're passionate about your genre. Don’t get too caught up in social media bullshit. But hey, maybe I’m old and out of touch! I’d say the important thing is to focus on creating good shit and not concern yourself with trends or being accepted.
Do you see any differences between the metal scene in the US and Europe (labels, bands, fans, etc.)?
I’d say the differences are relatively small in the scheme of things when it comes to the true metal fans and people who contribute to the underground. Different countries do have different social quirks when it comes to communication. Some cultures tend to be more blunt and straightforward and others are more reserved and passive-aggressive. (This varies from country to country). It really seems to me like good, proper metal seems to be thriving more in Europe than here, where everything “core” is in demand. All the popular and up-and-coming American death metal bands are made up of people from the beatdown hardcore scene who graduated to playing Bolt Thrower and Obituary riffs, and the same pretty much goes for the higher profile American thrash bands who discovered Exodus but still retain a hardcore sound. Personally, I think hardcore sucks.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
Fuck that shit. It needs to be rejected at every turn. There’s no place for it at all.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new metal band to avoid or what to do?
Avoid AI for sure! I don’t know if I have a ton of advice to give. I mostly just focus on writing songs and then do what needs to be done to get them heard by people who will like them. Just be aware that it takes lots of hard work and dedication to make anything happen. And don’t spend your band money on Onlyfans subscriptions.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal has been a lifestyle for me for many years now. I think for real fans metal is always a lifestyle. That doesn’t necessarily mean partying all the time and going crazy (but metal makes the best soundtrack for that). The metal lifestyle means obsessing over your favorite albums and your instrument or craft and constantly getting excited for new releases, as well as educating yourself on the old stuff that paved the way. I’m gonna do bullet points for the metal albums that pump in my NUTS instead of a numbered list so there’s no impression of a ranking system. Off the top of my head:
Riot - Thundersteel
Runemagick - Enter the Realm of Death
Bewitched - Diabolical Desecration
Protector - A Shedding of Skin
Acid Witch - Stoned
Bastardizer - Dawn of Domination
Toxic Holocaust - Chemistry of Consciousness
Immortal - At the Heart of Winter
Talon - Never Look Back
Speedwolf - Ride With Death
What are your future plans?
We’re going to tour for the new record in the fall. That’ll be in the USA with one of the country’s most top notch black thrash bands. Stay tuned for that!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
It’s cool to do another interview with Filthy Dogs of Metal! The last one was done before Sadistic Force had ever played a show and only had one short EP out! Our catalog has expanded significantly since then, so go check that out if you like black thrash/speed metal stuff. Our most ferocious release to date MORBID ODYSSEY comes out on August 22nd through Pure Abandon Records.
Check us out at:
www.sadisticforce.com
https://www.youtube.com/@SadisticForce/videos
sadisticforce.bandcamp.com
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Sadistic_Force/
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
