Your new album "Merciless Hammer of Lucifer" hits store shelves this month. So, I think we’ll start this interview off talking a bit about it. Your sound has sort of become more and more refined over the last several albums. Of course that’s not to say it’s dulled in any way or even mellowed out in the least. heh. Besides the typical “faster”, “harder”, etc. description, what would you say sets this new album apart from previous DRAWN AND QUARTERED works?

This our 5th CD. It's the fourth one recorded by the same guys in 4 years. The musical growth of each individual and the band as a whole is evident. Also Jesse O'donnel has engineered and helped us produce these last four records. The confidence we have in each other and the familiarity with the studio helps the recording process immensely! So every time we are striving for a great sound, great performances, interesting effects and production techniques. This time I used a different set up on the recording of the rhythm guitars, used some different guitars, passive pick-ups, Marshall and Mesa amplifiers. Also I tried to stay away from some of the guitars sounds and effects I used on the last record. I wanted a totally different feel to this record. The playing is cleaner, and the whole album sounds better really loud. You can add to the eq instead of having to take away from it on your stereo. It will sound better on TV and Radio. Dario had a new drum kit, so that makes a big difference, helping with the quality of the drums tracks. Greg recorded with a slightly cleaner bass sound, and used a different effect on his solo section. I think we got a good clean vocal, with relatively good articulation, reverb and presence in the overall mix.

Musically the songs are very organic, flowing. It doesn't sound like we're reaching for something or throwing riffs together randomly. There are some parts with guitar and bass orchestration that is very interesting to listen to.

The songs are very different from each other. I went for less over the top solos this time, to craft more musical solos, no dive bomb or long delay stuff, and only one song with a wah-wah pedal guitar solo, the intro to the last song. There are some real moody sections that build up naturally and a lot of cool guitar and bass lines, melodies, harmonies and solos. For those not familiar with our stuff, we play brutal death metal leaning towards the dark side. I kept some of the overlays and interval play more subtle in the mix to create and interesting overall sound. The overall mix is not as hot as the last records, there is more room to breathe for the music.

Finally, we had programmed click tracks to each part, so the recording process was easier. We rehearsed for months to the click. That helps a lot in many different ways during production.

I don’t think many people (who aren’t in bands) really understand what it’s like to record. Tell us a bit about the recording process. How many hours did you invest? Were there ever any arguments within the band? Did you spend a lot of time recording the same parts over and over again?

Many people have seen movies or have read about well known bands and how they recorded or how long certain records took. If you had unlimited funds and time or your own studio facility, bands can and do take YEARS to make records. Or you can make it in one day. Either way can get great results. All of our recordings have been on a budget. So we spend the time in the rehearsal room, working out every part, rehearsing, writing, honing the songs into shape. Then we think about booking studio time to record. The studio is a stressful environment for any band. Sometimes you don't have as much time to do things over and over. That time could've been better spent elsewhere. You need to know your parts. Because when it is on tape it is like being under a microscope. And for me I have a lot of work to do. All the rhythms, and leads/solos. Usually it is 12 or more hour days, not including travel time. That could be five or more days in a row sometimes. We all have a good amount of experience at this point with various projects, demos and albums. So we have a lot of fun. I love recording and creating the records. There can be arguments. Mainly when time is a factor. Sometimes there are little things that seem to go wrong at the worst times. Not to mention stress from your regular life. Mixing is difficult. Usually the whole band is there and everyone hears different things. There is a lot of re-evaluation of mixes, sounds effects, eq, levels. There will be differences in opinion. We don’t really argue. Mainly it is just an awesome experience, being creative with your friends, achieving the goal of making records is an honor, and we take it seriously. Being in a band, making records and playing shows is something I dreamed of as a kid.. I want to make at least 20 DRAWN AND QUARTERED records.

You’ve recorded all of your albums, if my memory serves me correctly, at the same studio. Is there a reason why you have stayed ‘loyal’ to The Autopsy Room? Do you think they are a choice location for some of Seattle’s other Black/ Death Metal bands?

Our first record was recorded at Vagrant studio in Seattle, known for Punk rock. It was self financed. We had a very limited amount of time. Everything was first or second takes. One chance to mix. All analog tape with a few punch-ins. We rehearsed every day for months before that one. I never expected to go back there. Our former drummer set that up. The engineer was ok, but Jesse at "Autopsy" puts in a lot more hours, and adds a lot more to the whole package. He ran sound for us at a local club. I heard some demos he had done as well. So I booked time there to do "Extermination Revelry", our second album with Jesse at the "Autopsy Room". He always has cool ideas and can understand the nuances and sounds your thinking of and how to make them a reality or be open minded about trying things. He can record all kinds of music, and has done a lot of good records. Yes in this area, this is a very good place to record Black/Death metal.

A small detail that really sets you apart from other bands is the fact that you hire an artist to paint your album covers, while many bands seem to more or less collect random images. You have used the same artist repeatedly. I am extremely curious how you found Mr. Gabriel Byrne and aside from his obvious talent, what made you decide that he was the #1 choice.

Gabriel was a local artist/musician we had known for years. I first met him in 1992. He tried out drums for a band I was starting (PLAGUE BEARER), he declined to join. But did offer to do art for me. I was researching for the "Bubonic Death" demo, he sent me some cool sketches. I was working on recording my own CD and was going to have him do art. Eventually we changed the band name to DRAWN AND QUARTERED, did some more demos. We recorded the tracks for "To Kill is Human" in 1998 and hired Gabriel to do the artwork. We got the art for the next cd around 2000, but didn't record it until 2003. Gabriel is part of the DRAWN AND QUARTERED family, works very hard for us, and does amazing work. We give him ideas and concepts, but he does his own thing really. As our music has matured, so have his paintings evolved. We are very fortunate to have him as an associate.

Your sound would be described as “Death Metal”, but lyrically it’s more Black Metal in essence. What differentiates the two is often matter of opinion and argument. Which would you consider the apt category for Drawn And Quartered? How would you describe your sound and band ideals to someone completely unfamiliar?

We consider our music death metal. There is different sounding types of death metal, out there. We use a lot of black metal influences, lyrically and musically. Really going back to Venom, Slayer and Bathory. The detuned guitars are usually a death metal characteristic, as well as the lower register vocal. Often we compose music in a classically influenced way, but extreme, detuned and sounding more like a horror movie soundtrack. The vocals are more like an instrument, but not totally inaudible. We use a lot of faster tempos, sometimes doomy and atmospheric. We construct mainly classic metal arrangements, not extremely long song style compositions.

Religion... religion.... religion. I must get into this topic with you. Unlike a lot of bands who consider themselves Death Metal, you utilize the infamous inverted cross, have a shirt that reads “Kill for my master” and of course there’s your new album titled “Merciless Hammer of Lucifer”! I suppose it is safe to say you aren’t some kind of pansy christians out to convert unsuspecting folks. So, do you consider yourselves part of any religion? What do you think of religion as a whole?

Often the imagery and phrases used have a deeper meaning than what might be on the surface. Our anti-christian, anti-human titles are a direct influence of 80's thrash like SLAYER. I have no masters or gods. If there was a religion I would consider myself aligned with, it would be the opposite of christianity. I'm not afraid to deny gods and christs, I am a god. I am a conduit of energy that allows the flow of ideas from the ancient forces that rule the universe, therefore I must and do create. You can call these forces that connect us all whatever you want, I guess. Knowing how to flow is what is important. I am so far beyond caring about what ignorant masses of mediocrity believe.

Unfortunately these people do have influence in my life, this pisses me off, so I help write songs persecuting and calling for the end of these offensive "religions" and the hypocrisy surrounding them. Keep your beliefs to yourself. Don't impose your limited scope of understanding upon my existence. I study history and theology and have a good understanding of the origins and function of religions and how they have evolved. I've never believed in a god, and find wisdom in the writings of Anton LaVey, among others. I consider myself a SATANIST, but am not officially affiliated with any religions. My band members have their own personal beliefs and I'll not speak on their behalf.

With the rise of positive, people friendly “Death Metal” (we all know it’s not REAL Death Metal) and being from such a p.c. city as Seattle, have you gotten any backlash?

Some people just don't like evil or death in their metal, therefore you get straightedge vegan, emo-metal. The true metal diehards are the kind of fans we have. No one says were on their blacklist....

You’ve been around for about a decade, and it seems it’s not until pretty recently that you started getting some of the recognition you have long deserved. What was some of those years like trying to build your name?

In 1994 we changed the band name to DRAWN AND QUARTERED, we wrote and rehearsed about 3-5 days a week for a couple years before recording a demo and doing shows in mid 1996.We honed our stage act playing any show we could find. After a few years we became the premier opening act in this city in the late nineties, early 2000's. We opened for and did some tour dates with the greatest acts in metal, about 2 dozen of them. We've had some great out of town experiences and some small tours. That was good exposure. Now we've spent a good amount of years expanding our catalog and honing our playing skills, so we are really ready to do some heavy touring! It has been a great experience, but you must have an absolutely unswerving desire and energy to do this consistently for this long.

I can remember a time where you guys were playing clubs every single weekend in Seattle! Now you’re shooting videos, getting some play on MTV (as the rumors go) and even starting to plan for future tours! It has to be a pretty dramatic change.....

We have had quite a few local shows. Mainly other metal bands would book shows and we would play everything offered, to get more experience. Now, when we are writing, sometimes we won’t do shows for a while, to focus on writing or recording. In the past we'd have shows to do as well as rehearse for the record. I have deliberately not wanted to play shows around here anymore for a while. Now we will only play really good shows around town, I plan on booking some tours soon. The growth has taken a lot of time and work and been very gradual. We have been very fortunate, and had to capitilize on opportunities when presented to us.

Not only do you have several slaughter ass albums and years of experience under your belt, but you also have achieved all of this with very minimal line- up changes! I believe you only switched out one member in your entire DAQ history! Very impressive. You fellows must have a strong hold on a common goal as well as ideals.

After the first record we have only had one official member change. We have been lucky. And we get enough satisfaction from the experience that makes it all worthwhile. There were some line-up changes in the earlier demo days.

You recently made another video for this new album! It’s a lot darker than your previous two... even more ‘serious’. How did you come up with the concept? Tell us a bit about the process...

I stumbled upon King of Hearts productions here in Seattle, and they have made us a couple of really cool videos. They found the location, and made the video. We just show up with our gear. We might have some ideas and help with some things. This latest shoot was at a condemned house, soon to be demolished. It was a former drug house. There was no power, they used a gas generator, and the fumes made me puke. It was a weird skanky old house! The videos take about half a day to make. Running through the song about 15 times. They do all the editing, and do a great job!

I know it’s a common question, but you have so much history that I am quite curious, what’s your biggest achievement to date?

This latest video and the release of this new CD is huge for us. There have been a lot of great moments, and there are some cool shows coming up later this year, I 'm looking forward to playing.

I often ask bands what they want their fans to walk away with. I think I’ll turn the tables on this one though. With your new album, what do you want to walk away with?

I want to be able to continue making records, and generate enough interest to be able to do bigger tours and play for more people. I would like to make some or all of my living doing music or related work. I want to create a legacy, a name for the band and myself, achieve some respect and success in the metal industry. I want our label to make money from our record catalog, put us on the road, and try to make a career out of this. I will find a way to make this all work.

It’s about that time to run to the store before, as my significant other calls it: “Booze ’o clock”. I humbly thank you for your time and giving us a look inside one of Seattle underground’s most infamous bands. We are at the money shot question.... your last words?

Thank you for the thoughtful questions, and the exposure. I'd like to plug our myspace page at drawnandquartered666 and our forum on metal-realm.net. Please visit, discuss, view our videos and listen to our songs. Order our records, vinyl and t-shirts at moribundcult.com