17 Years of desecration by Ezurate

Pure Armafuckingeddon Soulraping Black Metal (the way it should be). these are the words of the band and let's see what Holocausto inferni and Marbas Daemoneus Hellstorm have to say about the band and their latest album "Eve Of Descration".

Good evening brother, I heard your new opus "Eve Of Descration". This is the first time hearing after reading so much about you.
HI: Hello and good evening!!I am glad you listened to our new album!! And it seems as though you like it!! Thanx for your interview!! I am always happy to talk with those who like what we do!!
MDH: Hailz! Thanks kindly for the questions! I am Mike aka Sir Marbas Daemoneus Hellstorm, drummer of the "Pure Armafuckingeddon Soul Raping" black metal force known as Ezurate. Ezurate was founded by myself, guitarist (John) Blackthorn, and America's version of Dead, the late Ben "Count Nocturon" Maiben anno 1993.

To get me up to speed on, can you give me a little history of the band and how long Ezurate been together?
HI: Yes!! In short! Ezurate has been together for 17yrs!! Started in 1993! I joined the band at the end of 2002!! And I manage the band as well! And Marbas helps me with everything! Incase everyone doesnt know who you are talkining to I am Holocausto Inferni the vocalist of Ezurate!! We are currently working on the new album "Summon Thy Legions" and rehearsing for Michigan Deathfest 2010!!
MDH: We made 2 demos- 1995 and 1997. We also released our. 1st cd in 2000. I do not wish to glorify any egos of any past members of this band. They are all great musicians and friends.
Fast forward to 2002. I met guitarist Valac. He brought the beast known as Holocausto Inferni with him on vocals. These two guys along with myself and Blackthorn are the core of Ezurate. We have had bass players, but currently seek one.
The core of Ezurate has released "Infernal Dominatio 2007" "Blasphemous Hierarchy" "An Ending To Revelations" and "Eve Of Desecration" all on the mighty Rotting Corpse Records.

Ezurate was one of the eariler pioneers of the USBM movement if I'm correct?
HI: Yes! This is correct. We were one of the first and still are one of the best!!

Illinois has produced it's share of USBM band like for example Judas Iscariot, and Pazuzu. Can you tell me how much the scene change since it's infant years?
HI: Yes we have had a good scene for many years.  Judas Iscariot is the most well known. I like that band myself. Pazuzu is almost laughable. It has a former member of Ezurate. And that is all I am gonna say about them!The scene used to be fluent with raw bm. But not so much anymore. Everyone knows that Chicago is a death metal town! And for awhile was a trendy 80's metal scene. There are still some good bands here. Veneficum is a great band. And a lot other acts that we are friends with. But bands like Nactmystium and other fakes are politicians. And try to talk shit and keep Ezurate down. We aren't a part of that nonsense. Blake knows where he came from. And should be happy he was ever a part of Ezurate. Nuff said.
MDH: You could say Ezurate was amongst the early pioneers of USBM. Excellent of you to mention Judas Iscariot and Pazuzu. I do support both. Mention other USBM: Bloodthrone, Nethervoid, Quinta Essentia (BSD/Nunnos), Terra Noir, Kult Of Azazel and Inquisition!
Texas to Arizona has a great scene. I hope to slay these lands sometime. NJ/NY has a definitive brotherhood of metalheads.

Seem like now that all the novelity of the Norweigian black metal scene has worn off. The USBM scene is gaining a little monmentium with Absu putting out an excellant album. And Lighting Swords Of Death released their debut on Metal Blade. Seem like the USBM is finally getting it's due.
HI: Yes, I would agree. The bands that I have heard that are the frontrunners are very good. Instead of that trendy USBM drivel. That was once the norm. I feel good about the new scene. In the US. And I feel we are the leader of the new realm of USBM. And I am very proud of that.
MDH: Norway isn't a novelty... Norweign black metalers in the early 1990s were a culture phenomenon. Still pretty cool you ask me. Great evil vocals! I have been inspired by Swedish death and black metal musically.
Metal Blade is one of the great labels for heavy metal and its genres. I still dig Osmose in France. I enjoy labels like Nuclear Blast, Century Media, Season Of Mist, Candlelight and others who would throw down some dough to put their bands on the road.

How "Eve Of Descration" differ from Ezurate's previous releases?
HI: Well, I think that our song writing has gotten better. I dont think that there is that much difference over all. We have just gotten better as musicians. And our sound quailty on the recordings is better. That said. This is our best album.
MDH: "Eve Of Desecration" picks up where "Blasphemous Hierarchy" left off. It was our newer material when we recorded and mastered it with the almighty Chris Djuricic of Studio One and Belle City Sound. This band enjoys playing very fast-blast chaotic, melodic, barr chord-full chord, destruction and with acoustic guitar. The album reflects our music writing getting better, more professional, and faster.

Has this been the same line up? If not, how long this line been together?
HI: This is the same line up for the most part. Since mid 2003. Blackthorn, Marbas, Valac and myself is the constant. We have gone through different bass players. And we are looking for a replacement.

Where was "Eve Of Descration" recorded and how long did it the band to record "Eve Of Descration"?
HI: It was recorded in June of 2008. It took us about 3 weeks to record. The majority of the time was spent on mixing and mastering. We recorded it at Studio One in Racine Wisconsin. And mastered at Belle City Sound.

In your own words what's your opinion of the Chicago or USBM scene now these days?
HI: My opinion is that the scene as a whole is lame. There are some great bands here. But there are too many polaticians here. Bands with no talent trying to keep Ezurate down. Nuff said. But over all. I think the US scene is getting a lot better.
MDH: I love Chicago, but the fucking pussies here need to get out to more shows. There are too many bands playing retro thrash. From what I can see its because that's where major labels draw the line on "nice nice." Tell those fuckers to sign more norsecore black metal... hint hint.....

Anytime during the band's existence has Ezurate ever had the oppurnity to play outside of Chicago?
HI: Yes. We have played NY/NJ, LA, Milwaukee and Alabama. We have a great following around the country. We want to play Florida, Pennslyvannia, Virginina. And anywhere on the Southern East Coast. Also we want to play Texas and Arizona and even New Mexico.
MDH: We keep it evil while production wise a little unpolished. Ezurate has played only a handful of shows across the USA. We would like the opportunity to slay Europe, South America, and beyond! If Ezurate never gets mass distribution or tour support from a major label we intend on continuing to abominate our listeners as we have the first 17 years.
I want to get out and beyond the places my wife and I visited in 2008... England, Vlad the Impaler's Romania, Italy, and France... My passport awaits!!
Playing some of those renown fests like Wacken would kill!

Tell me about Rotting Corpse Records. Is this label owned by the band? How long you been on Rotting Corpse?
HI: We do not own the label.  It is a label that Ron and Lori run. From Chicago. They have many great bands on it. We have been with Rotting Corpse since 2007 and they do a lot for Ezurate. Great promotion. And making our CDs accessible to the world.
MDH: Rotting Corpse is their own entity. They've helped to continue and further Ezurate.

Is there any bands Ezurate listen to or like at the presnt time?
HI: Yes, we al listen to Marduk, Dark Funeral, Dissection and Setherial. But right now I have been listening to Annotations Of An Autopsy, Circle Of Dead Children, Autopsy, Darkthorn, Mayhem, Abyssos and the aforementioned. I listen to a lot of death/black metal.

What is the bands plans as far as support for "Eve Of Descration"?
HI: We plan to promote the CD as much as possible. And we want to play big fest like the Michigan Deathfest. And play other states to help promote.

Is the band planning to do anyshows in Texas? If so how soon?
HI: We don't have any plans right now. We would love to play Texas. If we get any offers that are good for the band then we will play there. We definately want to play Texas. It would be great.

What I like about the albums is the fact there's no keyboards and I love the classical guitar parts too.
HI: Hahaha. Me too. I hate keyboards. They were cool for awhile in the late 90's. But it is enough already. To me keyboards aren't metal. We all love the straightforward approach. Which is what black metal is about. We play the music we want to hear. And I think we create enough atmosphere that we dont even need keyboards.

What are your favorite tracks on the album.
HI: My favorite  tracks are "Invocation Of The Seven Gates", "Noctem Eternus", "Destorying Divinity", "I Am Thee Almighty", "Creed Of The False Prophet", "Thy Infernal Entity", "The Black Cross Of Berziers", and "Overthrown Deity". But I love all of the tracks.
MDH: Check out the tracks "Salvation Denied", "For I Am The Almighty" and "Creed Of A False Prophet"!

What inspiration you got when composing the music and lyrics.
HI: My inspiration comes from my own hatred of religion. And from evil books I have read and evil movies I have seen and life in general. I am not sure where the music comes from. But I am sure it is influenced by the bands we listen to. And what feelings my bandmates have in life.

The band has any new material written for the next album?
HI: Yes, we are currently rehearsing the new songs for "Summon Thy Legions". As well as the next CD after. Mainly we are focusing in on the new album. A lot of the music has been written and some of the lyrics. I am finnishing up my lyrics. And Valac is finnishing his songs. Blackthorn has his music and lyrics complete. We are rehearsing vigorously. To get them mastered and tight.
MDH: I can tell you that USBM continues to get more brutal. Ezurate intends on sticking to our formula: Loud, Brutal, Evil, and Fast Metal music.

Sorry I didn't have many questions for you. I would like to thank you very much for your time is there anything else you like to add?
HI: Hell! No problem brother. Ezurate appreciates your support. We are happy you like our music. All I can say is I hope all of our diehard fans and new listeners will buy the new CD "Eve Of Desecration". You won't be disappointed. And this is just the beginning of our next chapter of our legacy. The first 17yrs has been great but the next 17 or so is gonna be unbelieveable. Hornz/hails to all. Thanks for the interview. Ezurate appreciates it very much. Until next time. Cheers.
MDH: We have another album in the works called "Summon Thy Legions!" Thank you and see you soon!