Alot of bands came out of the thrash/speed metal movement of the mid to late 80's,and while some like SLAYER and KREATOR were and still are well known to die hard metal fans,many more were unkonwn and obscured by the large,titanic names that came from the United States and Germany at the time.
One country that never had a truly sucessful thrash scene was the United Kingdom. Tons of thrash bands formed in this country,and most remain unknown to only the most dedicated thrash metal fanatics. SABBAT were one of the few bands to succeed where others like XENTRIX, RE-ANIMATOR, and ACID REIGN grew a small but loyal cult following.You may also add the band ANIHILATED to that list. Due to shoddy treatment from their label and the indifference to the countrys thrash movement they were forgotten.
The way this interview came abut is rather interesting.
I found a copy of the bands album "Created in Hate" at the store where Anthony and I buy most of our metal. After listening to the tape a few times I assembled a review of the album,saying that it was mediocre and sounded a bit too much like SLAYER. Then,one day on the message board this site has,I saw a message about the band. I read it and the person who wrote it said that I was "rather harsh" on the album,and that I should give their other album "The Ultimate Desecration" a listen. I e-mailed the person back,and after a while,I asked of the person was in the band ANIHILATED. Sure enough it was SI...the bands vocallist and guitarist. I thought that an interview might bring about a renewed interest in the band, seeing how they were underrated and overlooked for their time. Read ahead and enjoy. This is the first time I am reading this info as well,so it's a learning experience for all readers. Chris O'Brien
U.F.-Where and when did the band that became ANIHILATED form? What other bands were you or the other members of ANIHILATED in before you got together?
SI-In 1982,Ipswich(UK) was a hot bed for punk rock bands,one of these was called PROSPEX.I was 15 and at high school when I got a call from Paul,the drummer with PROSPEX,he had heard that I could handle a guitar a bit.They came and saw me,we had a chat,they listened and I joined. Man we were crap!!! Our singer was awful the songs boring,the whole punk thing was a drag at the time.I wanted a change and suggested we lose the singer and get a metal edge to our sound. I was listening to MOTORHEAD,METALLICA and stuff like that .So we lost the singer and I took over the vocals,guitars and had more of a say in the songwriting. This had a dramatic effect,our following grew and we recorded a demo. Mark,who was in a Cocteau Twins-type band at the time,was drafted into the band as another guitarist and from then on things got a lot heavier.
U.F.-Were there alot of Speed/Thrash/Death Metal bands in the UK at the time you formed ANIHILATED? Was it easy to find places that would let the band play? Describe the UK metal scene at the time.
SI-At the start of our metal years in 1985 there were a fair few bands around such as ONSLAUGHT,ENGLISH DOGS,SACRILEGE,BOLT THROWER,CIVILISED SOCIETY,ANTI SECT etc that had evolved from the punk scene into a more metal oreintated stance.Later ,1988-89
more metal bands emerged such as SABBATH,ACID REIGN,XENTRIX and RE-ANIMATOR.
We initially found no problem getting gigs.People wanted thrash bands and if you talked well to the promoters you were in.Later though,as it became a money spinner,you had to pay to support bigger bands.The uk scene was buzzing though and the mix of punx and metalheads was a great thing to see. This did change though as the punx began to rebel at what they thought of as "dumbass metal" and soon the crowds halved.It took a while to win over the strictly metal crowd.
U.F.-Who were the bands that influenced ANIHILATED? Who were your personal influences as a guitar player and a vocallist? What was the line-up of ANIHILATED? Were there any changes in the bands line-up?
SI-As a band we were influenced mainly by SLAYER,EXCITER and METALLICA. Personally ,as a guitarist I was influenced by IRON MAIDEN,DESTRUCTION, HELLOWEEN and SLAYER. Vocally i was more influenced by CARNIVORE,VENOM and CELTIC FROST.
The line up was 1984-1990:Si-Vocals,Guitars/ Lee-Bass/ Paul-Drums and Mark-Guitars
1990-1990 Si-Vocals,Guitars/ Li-Bass(different li) Paul-Drums and Ian-Guitars
U.F.-How long did it take for the band to write songs and release a demo tape? What tracks were on the demo? What was the name of the demo? Were there any other demos recorded before you guys got a record deal?
SI-We tended to have songwriting bursts. The 1st demo was mainly old songs but we did write 2 the day before we recorded it!!! The 2nd demo was also a few months old. This was re-recorded adding an extra track and released as the 12 inch ep "Path to Destruction" on our own label. This sold out pretty quickly and got some great reviews. The trax were...Innocent Victims/Anihilated/Thunderflash/Shadows of Fear.
This was released in mid 1986. After quite a while in 1987 we were offered a 2 lp deal with Xentric Noise Records,liscensed worldwide via Metalworks.
U.F.-Why did you accept the offer from METALWORKS records? Were there any other record offers from any other companies at the time? What was your record deal with METALWORKS like (how many albums were you signed for)? What other bands were signed to the label? Did METALWORKS have a worldwide disrtibution or licensing deals worldwide?
SI-We accepted the Metalworks offer as it was the best looking deal. It was for 5 albums with £3000 rising to £10000 recording budget.We were promised gigs,B.C. Rich and Marshall endorsements,worldwide distribution,publicity,slaves,assess milk as much gold as we could eat!!. It all looked good,a solicitor checked the contract and approved it. Other bands on the label were;VIRUS,DEATHWISH,DELIVERENCE,LORD CRUCIFIER and ARDKORE. They were all screwed just like us.
U.F.-Was "Created in Hate" the first record the band released on METALWORKS? Why is the song "Anihilated II" on the album? Where the hell is "Anihilated I"? What was the creative process of the band like?
SI-Created In Hate was licensed to Metalworks by Xentric Noise ,we signed direct to Metalworks after that was released. Anihilated 2 was on C.I.H as it was a revamp of a track that appeared on the 12" "Path to Destruction". We wanted to show our progression from 1986-89.
Our creative process was basically this;I would sit at home with my portastudio and guitars.After kicking a few riffs about and getting a song roughly sorted,I'd go see Mark and we'd kick the song around a bit more. We'd both re-write riffs and whole songs depending upon what we thought of what we were presenting to one another. Then using a drum machine and a bass,Mark and I would basically finish the song then give tapes to the other two to learn. Lyrically we would find a theme for the song then work out the possible rythmn patterns to fit with what we were doing on the guitar. Using a pen we would dot out a line of syllables on a paper sheet then fit the words into it. Sounds complicated but it works!!!!
U.F.-What bands did you guys tour/play locally with after teh record came out? Did you ever play outside of England?
SI-We played with a lot of bands including;DEATH ANGEL,VENOM,EXODUS,ONSLAUGHT,SABBAT,ACID REIGN,ENGLISH DOGS,
EXTREME NOISE TERROR,CHAOS UK,DISORDER,DOOM,SACRILEGE,CIVILIZED SOCIETY,dDEATHWISH,AXETHRASHER,XENTRIX,GBH...
and many more.We wanted to play abroad but it was never possible to arrange as Metalworks never came up with the cash.
U.F.-Did METALWORKS promote the album and give the band tour support? How many copies of the album were sold internationally?
SI-They did one ad,nothing else.We only spoke to them once after the release of Ultimate Desecration. After that they never answered the phone or returned calls or did anything. They offered no promotion,no publicity,no tours,no support slots ,no info on record sales(although I saw on their PC that Created In Hate had shifted several thousand copies)they didn't pay us our royalties,they did not come good on their promises of endorsements,gigs or any other reason why we signed to them.
Basically they dissapeared with the money. Offices were locked,phones dissconnected. We contacted their parent label BMG who told us that they had paid them in regard to our lp's and that we had to claim our royalties from Metalworks. They did add that they had been unable to contact them either.
We never heard from them any more until 1993(approx) when someone claiming to be from Metalworks rang asking us if we wanted to do a tour of Japan with VIRUS ,they wouldn't leave a number to contact them and even so by then the band was finished.We never heard from them again.
U.F.-How long did it take ANIHILATED to write the second album "Ultimate Desecration"? Was there anything different with the bands songwritting between this album and "Created in Hate"?
SI-Ultimate Desecration took 6 months to write,we dropped several songs on the way and drastically rewrote bits and pieces of the ones that appeared on the lp. We wrote in the same way,taking on board some of the critisisms levelled at us after Created In Hate.We got more "metal",faster,tighter and more individual,we wrote songs that were a bit more complex. We all improved as musicians especially Paul whose drumming was much better all round. It was good to have a pro producer as well because Paul listened to him about the drums he was using,on C.I.H he used the heaviest drums around but for the next lp he went for sound,not volume. We had more say in the production with the band sitting in the assistant producers chair.
U.F.-What happened to the band after the "Ultimate Desecration" album was released?
How long after the albums release did the band break up? Who or what was responsible for the band breaking up?
SI-After the lp was released we were all set to go.We had new gear,employed an accountant and were ready for touring......a year later we had played 4 gigs,we had to arrange them ourselves,at quite a cost.We had no money,I was homeless as my first wife had thrown me out for not getting paid so she had to work for the rent. We had to return some of our equipment as we had no cash to pay for it. We found a proffesional managment company that wanted to "buy" us off Metalworks but they discovered that MW had basically fucked off with all the cash and couldn't be found anywhere. Mark became very depressed and dispondent at that time and left the band. Months later Lee left too. Paul and I recruited Li a bass player and Ian on guitar but,even with a 3rd lp half written and sounding seriously good,the friction between Paul and I was too much and we decided to call it a day. We had always had a stormy relationship within the band but that sometimes helps the creative process. I also had alot of personal problems at the time...so that added to the bands problems,so in the end it was best for us to break up...even though it was painful to do. The label fucked us over anyway,and why work for invisible employers if you are constantly getting screwed by them?
To this day we have never recieved a single penny from Metalworks for either lp. Metalworks basically screwed up my music career and possibly my life for a while.
U.F.-Did you play in any other bands after ANIHILATED broke up? Did you ever try to unite the band? What happened to the other members after the break up? Do you still keep in touch with any former members of the band?
SI-I formed a band called "Nightbreed" we were doing ok but our drummer wasn't too good and to be honest my heart just wasn't in it. I was still contracted to a record company that noone could contact and so my hands were tied in regards to other record contracts. I wanted to put Anihilated back together but..Lee sold all his stuff and wasn't interested. Paul and Mark were playing together in a pop band called LOVE LIES BLEEDING. They were alright,but they didn't want to play metal anymore. Still,they were a worthwhile band.
When they split Paul formed a band with Ian(the last ANIHILATED guitarist) called CROWROAD. They are still going and play a sort of heavier "Rush"...,a rock trio who have a lot to offer someone seeking something different. They will soon be signed up if there is any justice in the world. I recently managed to contact Paul and it seems he was trying to find me for years but hadn't managed it. He sent me some of his band Crowroad's new stuff and it is pretty cool,not metal but great stuff nonetheless. Crowroad are worth a look if you like your rock a bit less metal and heavy
I see Lee quite a lot and we get on fine. Mark and I occasionally have a chat which again is nice.For some reason Paul never speaks to me unless I basically jump on him and hold him down,which is a shame as I hoped over the years that we were better friends than that (That's no longer the case. See the paragraph above).
U.F.-After ANIHILATED ended,you mentioned something about wrestling. Were you a performer or did you work behind the scenes? Describe your work with the wrestling organization (carachter/gimmick? Any title reigns?) What ended your career in wrestling?
SI-I wrestled for the 5 Star Assosciation.Using the "Jason Vorhess" character from Friday The 13th. Boiler suit,hockey mask and machette. I injured my knee in an out of the ring leap and didn't fight for a while. During my break though I fell from my truck at work and damaged my spine. Four operations later and I still walk with a stick,2 at times.This happened in 1994 and again I got no workers compensation as the company "lost" all the evidence of negligence.
U.F.-Have you remained active in the music business (managing bands, working for a label,etc...)? What is/was your affiliation with the UK Black metal band CRADLE OF FILTH?
SI-I managed a few bands in the early 1990's. Co-writing and producing several demos with them. One of the bands had a guitarist called Robyn Eaglestone in it. When his band split he joined my band NIGHTBREED on bass,which I always thought was his instrument. I helped him to improve his ability and a year or so later he left to join CRADLE OF FILTH who he still plays for. I got on well initially with C.O.F I checked their first record contract for them and had a laugh with them. However one christmas I had to throw them out of my house ....I had been out and got back to find my dog pissed and puking and shitting everywhere,my house was totally wrecked. Robyn ,who was my housemate at the time had invited them back for a party. I threw the little buggers out and since then I have only spoken to Robyn,who is still a good friend.
U.F.-Are you currently trying to get the master tapes of your records from METALWORKS? Would you like to re-release the ANIHIALTED catalogue someday?
Would you put the bands songs on a program like NAPSTER or a site like MP3.COM just to get your music out there for people to enjoy? Would you release the bands demos and/or live recordings to get the ANIHIALTED name out in the metal public again?
SI-Unfortunately I have no idea how to contact the Metalworks company that has the master tapes. If I could I think they at least owe me the return of them. If I got them I would find a way to re-release the lp's on CD .If that wasn't possible then I would get them on mp3.com .
I don't have any live tapes or demos of good enough quality for general release,but anyone sending me a blank tape and postage I will tape some stuff for them.
U.F.-Is there any chance for the band to maybe get back together and play any festivals like DYNAMO or WACKEN OPEN AIR? Would the band record another album if this was possible?
SI-I reckon if a good enough offer was recieved then I could get at least Paul and Mark interested in reforming. I'd love to play live again and to record the 3rd lp would be excellent. It was tentativelly called Carnival of Souls and the trax written were Shattered,Midian,Burning of the Southern Cross and Love Among the Damned.
We had refined our sound and ,without copying anyone,the best way i can describe it is;SLAYER- Divine Intervention(without the shit drumming). Mix in a bit of CELTIC FROSTs Into the Pandemonium and then add a pinch of CORONER. Well powerful,speedy yet technically precise and tight. It would have been awesome compared to what had gone before,I really think it would have given us the lift we needed to get worldwide recognition..
U.F.-What is the current scene for Heavy Metal music in England at the present moment? Are there alot of wanna-be metal bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit in England?Is REAL Heavy Metal dead over there?
SI-Real Metal has died a death here really. Everyone wants to be limp bizkitt,linkin park or korn,or they want to be Death,gothic metal like CRADLE OF FILTH...now I can live with the korns of this world (although the sameness of all the bands makes it impossible to tell them apart sometimes) but I'm afraid the goth "we are evil vampires" image of CRADLE OF FILTH leaves me cold. The whole thing has been done so many times before. Amazingly some idiots actually believe it's original. I mean C.O.F all go to shop in supermarkets,they all go out in the sunlight,most of them lived with thier mums till they were in their mid 20's. I see all these bands looking and sounding the same,where is the originality????.Musically I don't mind proper death metal,but COF are a bit too overblown for me,the vocals too extreme the music borders on unlistenable at times,too much like hardcore thrash punk than metal. But thats only my opinion,others love it so there you go!!!
So all in all I don't follow the scene much as I feel it's stagnant ,the 80's were much more exciting.
U.F.-What are some albums/bands you have heard recently that you would suggest to people like myself who are stuck in the 80's?
SI-I don't have much new...I like the bloodhound gang!...But if you missed these in the 80's try to get a copy.
ENGLISH DOGS-Ends of the Earth 12"/Forward Into Battle lp/Where Legends Began lp/Metalmorphosis 12"
SACRILEGE...Beyond the Realms of Madness 12"/Turn Back Trilobite lp
CORONER-R.I.P. lp/No More Colour lp
EXCITER-Heavy Metal Maniac lp
ACID REIGN..Moshkinstein 12"
VOIVOD...anything up to album 4
U.F.-What would you like ANIHILATED to be remebered for in the overall scope of metal?
SI-I want us to be remembered for being honest,writing challenging lyrics and exciting music. We helped a lot of other UK bands get going. We were pretty manic live too. We were as good as our peers and with better promotion etc we could still be going now.
U.F.-Is there a way that anyone who wants more info about ANIHILATED could contact you? Do you still get mail from people who ask about the band?
SI-I still get the odd letter from overseas not as much as i used to obviously but a lot of people get the Ultimate Desecration and want to know if the band has anything else out.If anyone wants to contact me they can write to me at
Si
166 Henniker Road
Ipswich
Suffolk England
IP15HQ
20)Any final comments?
SI-Thanks for the interview. If you can, get the lp's. I want a cd copy of them as I only have well worn vinyl versions so if anyone has cds of them I can copy them on a cd rewriter then return them PLEASE!!!!!!!! Also if anyone has info on Metalworks and how to get the master tapes back please let me know. If you listen to the lp's its important to remember that Created In Hate was recorded and mixed in 2 days. Its raw and the production was entirelly down to the head of Xentric Noise Records. He left mistakes in,backing trax in and we were dissapointed with his mix although,all in all we were proud of the lp. I like Ultimate Desecration much better. Any companies interested in rereleasing any of our stuff,I still have the master tapes for the first 12"
but any assistance in wrestling the masters for the lp's from metalworks would be greatly appreciated!!!
ANIHILATED Discography
