Interview with

KADATH [FIRST KNOWN AS THE CULPRITS] TOOK FORMATION IN THE EARLY-MID 90'S WHEN GUITARIST/VOCALIST PATRICK MAUPIN AND BASSIST SHAWN ELLIS MET AT A LOCAL FAST FOOD RESTAURANT THEY WORKED AT IN OKLAHOMA.

INSPIRED BY THE 80'S THRASH BOOM, KADATH SET OUT TO EMULATE THAT AND INJECT THEIR OWN STYLE INTO IT. THE OVERALL SOUND IS COMPARABLE TO EARLY MEGADETH [SO FAR, SO GOOD...SO WHAT!], TESTAMENT [SOULS OF BLACK] AND METALLICA [KILL 'EM ALL].

THEY RECORDED THEIR FIRST DEMO OF 6 THRASHING ORIGINALS AND DUBBED IT "THE HELL BEYOND" IN 1996. AND SINCE THEIR FORMATION, THEY HAVE SHIFTED THROUGH AS MANY LINE-UP CHANGES AS MEGADETH OR IRON MAIDEN [OK, I WONT GO THAT FAR!] WITH SHAWN AND PATRICK BEING THE ONLY ORIGINAL MEMBERS. SINCE THEN THEY HAVE RECORDED QUITE A FEW MORE DEMOS AND HAVE EVEN OPENED FOR THE FAMED DEATH METAL BEAST KNOWN AS CANNIBAL CORPSE.

SOMETIME THIS YEAR [THAT WOULD BE 2000] THEY WERE ON TEMPORARY HIATUS WHEN SHAWN WAS A LITTLE TOO BUSY WITH OTHER THINGS IN HIS LIFE, SO PATRICK DID THE NATURAL THING AND JOINED ANOTHER BAND KNOWN AS ESPIANAGE. WELL, I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT KADATH IS BACK NOW THAT SHAWN HAS TIME FOR IT, BUT THEY AGAIN, ARE THE ONLY MEMBERS AND ARE IN DIRE NEED OF ANOTHER GUITARIST AND A DRUMMER CAPABLE OF NICK MENZA ROBOT-LIKE ABILITIES [SAME HERE, MAN! MENZA IS THE GOD OF DRUMS!]... HERE IS THE INTERIVIEW WHICH WAS DONE VIA EMAIL OVER THE PERIOD OF A FEW WEEKS IN LATE SUMMER-EARLY FALL '00...

U.F.-When first starting Kadath, who were you primary influences? you seem to be really influenced by 80's thrash most of all.

-The Metallica of the 80's was the biggest influence, along with Testament, Megadeth, Stormtroopers of Death, Anthrax, Black Sabbath/Ozzy, Danzig, some british metal bands: Holocaust, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Diamond Head (to name a few), and we really liked the raw, thrashy sound of some of the Misfits' harder stuff, ex: Earth A.D. We incorporated a little of each of these groups and others into a straight forward guitar riff-rock type setting and came up with a sound that we really liked.

U.F.-Were you at all inspired by the new grunge/alternative movement that was building up at that time? what was it, like '92 when kadath was first formed?

-Well, 1992 was basically just the year that the idea to form a band came about--it's conception. Shawn and I really didn't start trying to put together a band until early '93, and even then, we just didn't have the playing expirience, or much direction, or even a permanent place to play. It wasn't until '94, that we were getting more organized and serious, and trying out musicians for our group, as well as writting some original material towards the end of that year. When Pearl Jam started getting national radio play, my initial reaction was: I liked 'em. I liked their sound because I was really into Led Zeppelin. They seemed to have that same kinda groove. I had also heard of Nirvana, and bought their "Nevermind" CD in late '91. I really liked them, because their sound was so different from anything being played on the radio at that time. Unfortunately, as the 90's wore on, it really annoyed me that so many horrible bands were hacking those two bands' styles. The music that was labelled "alternative" had gone fully mainstream, and was no longer an alternative. By the Spring of '93, every cheesy, slop-noise, Nirvana/P.J. ripoff in America had a 2 minute, three-chord "song" on the radio. That really left a bad taste in our mouths. That was when we really started to hate the whole "alternative rock" scene, and decided that we were gonna go totally against all that, and go for a sound that was much more developed, skilled, and musical. --Qualities that had all but vanished from rock music. While we respected (and still do respect) the pioneers of the grunge/ alternative rock movement, we weren't interested in going in that direction. So, to answer your question: Yeah, we thought the whole "Seattle" thing was kinda "neat" for about 15 minutes, and then we got really sick of it. We were inspired by the pure apathy and lack of guitars and musical content/ skill within that sound, to get our band going, and just kick some ass!

U.F.-How do you feel about the whole new wave of "black metal"? doesnt it seem like these new black metal bands have forgotten what it is in the beginnning? it seems to me like they take the whole satanic thing a little too serious these days...

-I'm not a real big buff on black metal, but yeah, I get your point. It almost seems like its become a contest to see who can play faster, or harder, or be more "satanic". The truth is: In most genres of music, the fans of whatever type of music aren't interested so much in what the lyrics say, as they are the actual music. I mean, let's face it, a song could have the coolest lyrics in the world, but if the music sounds like shit, and you can't get into it, why would you want to listen to it? It seems like the music has taken a back seat to the lyrics, and the whole "evil" image thing. Some might say that these groups take their "satanic" image way too seriously. I think a good portion of them (the bands) are laughing all the way to the bank, if ya know what I mean. If there's money to be made, anyone can pretend to be a devil worshipper. But, ya know, I don't doubt that some of those groups are authentic in their satanism. I don't have a problem with that. If they rock, they rock. If they don't, oh well...I can always put on a classic Venom album!

U.F.-Quite a few people including myself, have compared kadath's sound to that of early testament...is that something you could agree with or argue with?

-I guess I can agree with that. In the evolution of the band, we were heavily influenced by that type of mid-80's thrash/metal sound. Without really shooting for any certain or exact sound, I guess we came out sounding sort of like them. Your sound is always gonna be a direct reflection of your influences, and Testament was definitely one of them.

U.F.-You told me recently that Kadath has been put aside for a while, and a lot of bands have said that before breaking up, that isn't the case now is it? that would be a discouraging thing at this point in time when the majority of metal bands get too wrapped up in the artsy thing [with the whole orchestrastion and female/gothic vocals thing], the corpsepaint post-bathory black metal thing, or the whole "brutal death metal" thing, and kadath is one of the only bands left playing non-pretentious, kick-ass riff-o-rama 80's thrash metal style.

-I believe there is way too much showmanship, and not enough good music to back it up in a lot of these groups today. Flashy clothes, and stage props may dazzle some people, but those things won't make ya sound better. Kadath is not necessarily "broken up", but, to put it simply, on hold. If I can ever get back in a position to where I can reform the group, I definitely will. Right now, my main project is a playing guitar for a 3-piece (myself included) metal band originally from Las Vegas, called "Espianage". I wouldn't, nor will I ever "sell out", or stray from my riff-metal roots, so you know that I wouldn't being playing with these guys if I didn't like their sound, or didn't see definite potential in this group. As of right now, I'm playing their songs, and its pretty cool because I have complete freedom to write in just about anything I want. Their sound was basically a kind of hard 70's/80's metal when I joined, three months ago, but I've noticed, since then, that my style of playing is affecting the overall sound.--giving it a lot more crunch, and basically, metalling it up on several levels. I think if you liked Kadath, you'll like Espianage. It is a little different because the current songs were written and composed by Mike Herbert and Mike Edwards, the bassist/vocalist, and drummer, respectively. But, by adding me to the lineup, they've added a whole new dimension, and in essence, attained a whole new sound. We're in the process of making a 4-track demo of the current songs, and have plans to release a CD by then end of the year. I'll keep ya posted on that. I think a huge road block for Kadath has been finding a drummer who has the skill, and motivation to playing our kind of music. Unfortunately, a lot of drummers around here are either just not good enough, or just don't believe in the sound, and are afraid to stray from what is popular and widely accepted as far as rock/metal goes. Finding a good drummer would be solving 90% of the problem. Until that happens, Kadath will remain idle.

U.F.-On the song of your namesake, there seems to be a very strong mercyful fate influence, have they affected your sound at all?

-This may surprise you, but I'm not very familiar with their material. The Kadath instrumental, like most of the other songs, was just a collection of riffs and harmonies that I kinda built in my head over a period of time, and then recorded when I felt that I had a complete song.

U.F.-Wow, thats a suprise! where do you wish to take kadath? is it something you would like to pursue as a career or is it just for fun? i think you guys could easily be one of the best underground metal bands on the face of the planet, considering nobody else i've heard is doing the 80's cali-thrash style which is really a shame because i think that along with the "new wave of british heavy metal", it is one of the best scenes to ever happen for music, and most metalheads tend to look past that in favor of the norweigian black metal bands or the gothenburg bands like in flames and dark tranquility. and i really think kadath could go places if you just got the right exposure.

-Thank you for the compliments! I hope, at some point, to get Kadath back on track, and take it as far as I can go with it, ya know. Music is definitely my career of choice. It's important to have fun with it, but I could never see myself doing anything else, as far as a long-term career goes, besides playing in some sort of musical group. The 80's thrash sound has sort of become a signature style for me, so you know that any heavy metal project that I'm part of is gonna have a lot of that influence in it. And, I agree, its an excellent sound. The only explanation I have for its near-disappearance is: When the grunge scene came about in the early 90's, suddenly, it wasn't cool to learn and become skilled at playing your instruments anymore. I think a lot of that still lingers today. Lazy-ass musicians! --And what's kinda sad is: A lot of the kids around age 16-20 don't realize what a great sound existed before 1991-92, because they grew up with that grunge sound being shoved down their throats. What it boils down to these days is: Extremes. Every "black," or "death," or "hardcore" metal group out there that isn't really big in the mainstream (and even some within the mainstream) is trying to outdo the next group by playing faster, detuning lower, growling louder or deeper, or writing more depressing, fucked up lyrics than the others...and it doesn't seem like anyone is paying any attention to the musical content. There is no median. On one hand, you've got remedial three chord progressions with watered down, repetitive riffs and lyrics that are the absolute staple of American rock stations, and on the other hand, you've got unbelievably over-complex, 300 bpm and most of the time, completely atonal endurance test/competitons that, to me, just sound like pure noise. I enjoy playing, and listening to the type of music that I do because it lands somewhere between the two. No, it's not always a 90 mph thrash-fest, nor will it put you to sleep, but, to me, the 80's thrash sound will always be interesting, musical, and really, a timeless sound. I've always believed that with the right members and connections, Kadath could be one of the better metal groups out there. Unfortunately, things haven't gone my way. So, the search continues for a drummer, and lead guitarist that are right for the group. Meanwhile, things continue to progress with my current group, Espianage.

U.F.-What is your primary gear set-up?

-I play a white Gibson Explorer w/10-gauge Ernie Ball Slinkys, and sometimes Dean Markley strings. A lot of people ask why I use 10s instead of 9s. Simple. 10-gauge strings make for faster, tighter picking and riffing! I run a 90 watts (bridged) Crate Excalibur head through two Excalibur cabs. The top cabinet has 4 stock Crate speakers. The bottom has 4 Celestions, which sound great! The two cabs combine for an excellent sound. Hmmm...what else? Oh, I use .88mm Dunlop Tortex picks. That's pretty much it for my equipment. I couldn't tell ya much about the other guys' [in espianage, not kadath-e.c.] stuff, except that our bassist's rig is Fender, and the drummer plays on a Ludwig set. All of this is run through a modest, but ear-slashing little PA and speakers. We're ready to get out and start playing some shows as soon as we complete this demo and tie up some loose ends in some of the songs.

U.F.-What is your favorite album of all time?

-Without a doubt, I'd have to say Megadeth's "Rust in Peace" is my absolute favorite, and by far, their best effort yet. In my opinion it's one of the best (if not THE best) metal albums of all times. From start to finish, Dave's thrashy, superbly written, NWOBHM-influenced riffs combine with Marty's outstanding lead guitaring ability for a sound that just blows my fuckin' mind everytime I listen to the album. Of course, I shouldn't leave out the robot-like precision, and intricacies of Nick Menza on drums, or the ass-rippin' bass playing by David E. The lyrics are interesting and cool. The vocals rock. Overall, the album is excellent. It's a shame that the four of them are no longer playing together. To me, they were the perfect formula. But, i've heard rumors that their next album will be more like the older ones. If that's true, I'm sure it'll be a very kickass album!

U.F.-To finish this interview, what words of advice do you give to young aspiring musicians such as myself?

-Don't be afraid to go against the grain with your sound. There's nothing worse than a group that is just a mirror image of 18 other groups out there. Play the style of music that you love, and don't ever let someone tell ya that you're wrong, or not gonna be sucessful because your sound doesn't parallel the flavor-of-the-month bands on the local radio station. I've been heavily into the whole NWOBHM/riff-metal thing for going on 8 years now, and you wouldn't believe the amount of shit I've been dished over the years for not wanting to have anything to do with the mainstream. Obviously, people who liked Kadath's sound were on our side, and I think they realize now that we were an oddity, and something that was a little ahead of it's time. Then there were the rest of the people (mostly guitarists trying out for us) who had decided that we were just all wrong, and they were gonna be the ones to "save the day" and "fix" us by dulling down our sound to fit radio-trend standards. Fuck them! We laughed in their faces, and we still do! --Because crappy, bubblegum, fad-rock will always be just that. A fad. But, the type of music that we love will always be timeless. Another thing I'd like to point out is the fact that a lot of these classic metal groups are making a comeback. Not just a few of them, either! Shitloads of em! Manowar, Saxon, Maiden...just to name a few! The style is coming back around again. Don't be surprised if in a few years some of these hardcore Kid Rock or Eve6 fans start growing their hair long and jumping on the metal bandwagon. So, in closing, my advice would be: Do what you feel you must do. Play what you like. Don't listen to anyone but your allies. Don't follow the trends. Stand out and be different. You'll get noticed a lot quicker that way. One more thing: Let the music be your gimmick, not your clothes, or your attitude, or your stage image. Put on a good show, play from your heart, and most importantly, ROCK!!!

Thanks for the interview, Erik. It's been fun! Feel free to interview me again whenever ya want! SEE YA!

U.F.-Ok man, thanks a lot for doing this interview, and keep the metal going strong!

Contact Patrick Maupin about KADATH at Blitzfiend@aol.com

DISCOGRAPHY

The Hell Beyond Demo

The Silver Key Demo

LINKS