– Hello, thanks for answering to our questions. What’s currently going on into the HELLISH OUTCAST’s camp?

Hi, thanks for checking in! We’re currently in booking mode and writing some new tracks for our next album. So active I’d say!

– First off, if you don’t mind (and as you are a relatively new band; have been around for several years but have just released your first full-length album), I would like you to start with some history of HELLISH OUTCAST.

You’re right; we’re a fresh breath of air, although we have already been celebrating our 10th year anniversary! It all started back in 2001 when Martin (guitars), Max Morbid (bass) and I came together through mutual friends to start a band. We immediately hit it off musically and the HELLISH OUTCAST lifeline has been slowly carved out since then. We were searching for the most aggressive sound and trying to capture real and heartfelt brutality with the music.

We spent some time in the early days with Martin doing vocals in the band, but ended up recruiting Sjalg Otto on vocals. It felt really good to be a four piece with this expression, and having the singer doing nothing but tearing his lungs apart and crushing the fans at the front row. Sjalg Otto departed in 2010 but contributed to “Your God Will Bleed” with some lyrics. When he left I quickly got in touch with Thebon and asked if he would be willing to join the band – to which he didn’t hesitate.

It immediately felt like we had found the right man for the job – and HELLISH OUTCAST was complete!

 

– And why did you pick that name for the band? Both its origin and meaning.

HELLISH OUTCAST is a name inspired by the angel Lucifer, as he was thrown out from heaven.

 

– As I said before, you have been around for several years but have just unleashed your debut effort, in fact you were formed back in 2001. Why did it take you so long to finally release your debut album?

As mentioned we spent some time trying to find the spirit of the band. And were going through some years of technical schooling I’d say. We had a few attempts recording demos and finally released the “Raping – Killing – Murder” EP back in 2008. But we were really picky about the music and wanted it to be as perfect as possible before we entered international murky waters with our music. As we have all been fortunate enough to play live and record with other bands, as well as building the live reputation of HELLISH OUTCAST back home, I feel we now know more about what to expect and how to work as an efficient unity. However – our reputation as a brutal live band grew and we soon got booked for Lithuanian Devilstone Open Air and Bloodstock Open Air in the UK last year – before our debut record was out! So it helps to put on a massive show when you’re out playing for sure!

 

– This new album is entitled «Your God will Bleed». How are the first reactions being? Are you happy with the final outcome?

Reactions have been good so far. We’ve recieved alot of attention from the press, and reviews are always great. But the most important thing is building a strong fan base and we love interacting with new people who starts following the band online or when we’re out playing. The most rewarding thing is connecting with fans that gives the impression of really understanding what we’re trying to do. And fortunately we’ve met a few already!

 

– I had the chance of listening your previos EP, «Raping – Killing – Murder» and now this album, and I think your new piece is more complete, aggressive and it seems like you had more clear your ideas, like if you were self confident with each step, isn’t it?

You’re absolutely right. We spent so much time fine tuning the songs for “Your God Will Bleed” and collaborated with Bjørnar Nilsen on the production. He is most known perhaps through his efforts on Taake and Helheim alongside his own band Vulture Industries – and is a good resource to the Bergen scene. But it was a really good experience having recorded and released the EP beforehand. It helped in realizing how little control you have over the music when it’s first out there. And you really want it to be as decent as possible. You want to show your best, you know!

 

– Anyway, how could you describe «Your God will Bleed» in just 3 words?

Aggressive, brutal, majestic

 

– Leaving aside the musical aspect on this opus; what do some of the lyrics deal with?

Our lyrics always concern the sick human mind in one way or the other. We attack the week mentality of being servants to the elite. We try to display characters out of normal society and give religion a good beating too. There’s not a single day you don’t hear about catholic high priests that interect sexually with young aspirants, or stupid drug wars in South America. Slaughters in Africa…you get the picture. And it’s always about oil, money or status…it’s really disturbing when you think of it..

 

– On the other hand, the cover artwork looks plain and natural. How does it fit with your lyrics?

The artwork was inspired by the artwork from the previous mentioned EP. Both designed by the eminent Frediablo, x-Grimfist. The goat head with the burnt gas mask on is supposed to reflect the lyrics and our agenda in one image. You can interpret the artwork as you like, but I have always seen it as “we the people” representing the burnt goat, and the mask is there to keep us from breathing the poluted events that’s raging the world…and you all know what the goat represents…

 

– This album has been released through the British label Transcend Music. How is everything going with them so far? They aren’t a really big label, so I guess they can pay you the attention you guys deserve.

Transcend have been backing us from day one, and it really feels good to have people who burns with the same enthusiazm as you on board. They’re not the biggest label, but for us it is perfect. We’ve been talking about building the band from the UK for years, and when it feels right we don’t look back.

 

– In 2010 Thebon (KEEP OF KALESSIN) joined HELLISH OUTCAST. With the exposure that KOK are currently having, do you think will be easier for HELLISH OUTCAST to get noticed by a broader audience? Is this something positive in promotion terms?

Of course. We hired Thebon for his vocal range, and his immediate presence in whatever song he’s singing. It also helps alot that he quickly became like a brother to the rest of the guys as well. But we do get our music out to more people, as KOK has such a strong herd of followers.

 

– You have already filmed a video for «Face Forced Down»; how was the experience like? And do you plan shooting any other clips off this album?

It was really cool to shoot a video, and we wanted it to be as chaotic as possible. To reflect the music 100%. We have already released a new video for the title track, “Your God Will Bleed” thorugh Metal Hammer UK – so you should all check it out immediately! It’s really brutal, and blood soaked…

 

– And finally, what are the near-future plans for HELLISH OUTCAST?

We’re planning some shows in Norway and Europe at the moment, and we’re also heavily into the next album, so keep your eyes out for HELLISH OUTCAST! Your Ears Will Bleed!!!

 

– That has been everything from my side, thanks once more for your time. If you want to add some final words, feel free to do it.

Thank you so much for the interest in HELLISH OUTCAST, and I hope you enjoy the music…hope to see you all on the road as soon as we hit your local tavern!

Keep supporting the fucking underground!

Yours truly,

Mads ALKOLUST Lilletvedt

 

Sergio Fernández

sergio@queensofsteel.com

 

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