BEHEMOTH
An interview with TOMASZ ORION WROBLEWSKI
Interviewed at the Comcast Theater in CT at the 2009 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL
Interviewed by Brandon Lee
Forward and Live Photos by Lena Lamoray
www.LenaLamoray.com
BEHEMOTH has been bringing their visionary construct to the masses since 1991. They take their audience on a visual and auditory journey into their dark world. They are frequently met with opposition due to their artistic interpretation and their favor of the dark arts. Their videos depict vivid imagery that some people choose not to handle but I feel they are inventive and perfect accompaniments to their music. BEHEMOTH just released their ninth studio album, EVANGELION and it available everywhere on METAL BLADE RECORDS so pick up a copy.
Brandon: Let’s talk about your new record.
ORION: It’s our 9th record and we tried to stay more focused on the music itself and the atmosphere. With this album, we are kind of going back, I would say.
Brandon: So, would you say this is a more sinister piece?
ORION: There are so many brutal death metal bands, and we are not trying to compete. People say we are blackened death metal or extreme metal, or whatever. We don’t really fit into any labels.
Brandon: Well, I guess your image, the corpse paint, is the only thing that can sell you as black metal then.
ORION: Probably.
Brandon: So, your fan response in America is very positive, and I have no idea what goes on in Europe. All I know is you’re close to getting banned from your homeland.
ORION: Yeah, they are called the All-Polish Committee for Defense Against Sects. They are giving us a hard time; they are some kind of organization working for one of the government parties. We had some shows cancelled, some court trials, and so far we have won them all.
Brandon: This is all for your anti-Christian act?
ORION: Yes. They are actually giving us a lot of press. Like mainstream kind of press, this is good, even if they speak badly about us.
Brandon: Well, in America, not too many people will chew you out for saying “Fuck Jesus!”
ORION: Still we are having protests at the shows.
Brandon: Well, it gives you more press, like you said, which worked for Marilyn Manson, who you are on tour with.
Brandon: I am to understand you guys are regular guys who enjoy football and lift weights for fun?
ORION: Yeah, we spend most of our time on tour, and once you realize it is your life happening, you should stop treating your body like a bag full of shit. Because when you’re on tour, you’re eating shit, and doing crazy stuff and it doesn’t affect you until the time that you realize that that’s your life and you’re not going to go back home for months. And, Behemoth stage shows are kind of demanding.
Brandon: I just heard your new record leaked on the internet. Now a bunch of people are downloading it for free. Is that the kind of thing that bothers you?
ORION: It is too bad it was a little too early, but it was going to the internet at some time. Still, whoever wants to buy it is going to buy it anyway. Metal music is kind of specific. People buy the records just to have them.
Brandon: So if they download the music for free, then they better go buy a $20 t-shirt!
ORION: Yes! Please. That is awesome.
http://www.lenalamoray.com/
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
2009 CRUE FEST 2 Live photos MOTLEY CRUE GODSMACK COMCAST CENTER Mansfield, MA
2009 CRUE FEST 2
COMCAST CENTER Mansfield, MA
Live photos and review by Lena Lamoray
CRUE FEST returned this year with a second installment of new bands and the legendary rock darlings, MOTLEY CRUE. The Monster Energy Stage featured REV THEORY, 16 SECOND STARE, CAVO and SHRAM. The main stage brought us MOTLEY CRUE, GODSMACK, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, DROWNING POOL and CHARM CITY DEVILS.
The classic hard rock band from Baltimore, CHARM CITY DEVILS opened the main stage and played a tight set that started the night out right. They are signed to NIKKI SIX’s label, ELEVEN SEVEN MUSIC, for a good reason. Their music is a blend of classic, blues and rip roar n’ rock n’ roll.
These guys rock their tight pants and their guitar player, NICK KAY offered me up one hell of a handshake. DROWNING POOL is always a great band to catch live. I’ve seen them a few times and they always put on an energetic and pleasing show. I love the vintage style microphone that RYAN McCOMBS uses. DROWNING POOL has had their music featured in a bunch of films such as THE PUNISHER and more and just about every sporting event, especially the WWE. BODIES is the best rage ready rock hit for any event. I can honestly say that they are really just a bunch of laid back guys with really pleasant attitudes that just happen to put out music that will kick you in the ass. THEORY OF A DEADMAN remind me a lot of NICKELBACK but I think the pompadour sporting front man, TYLER CONNOLLY was having an off night because he was not pulling off some of his vocal ranges. I have never seen them live before but I have to believe he hits them a lot better on most nights. Someone get that man a cup of tea with honey! The band as a whole was good. GODSMACK is always a favorite in the Massachusetts area and the girls and guys (you know who you are) go crazy over SULLY ERNA perhaps because his name is so much fun to say. They have even invented a game that uses his name, odd I know. They brought back the use of the spotlight and that was well received. GODMACK loves their explosions! They sounded great and showcased their hits VOODOO, I STAND ALONE, STRAIGHT OUT OF LINE and more. Hopefully, we will have a new album in 2010.
The reason for the CRUE FEST 2 is of course MOTLEY CRUE. You want to talk about a stage set-up! The show opened to reveal a patient on a vintage hospital gurney being “cared” for by treacherous doctors. Then the band was revealed in a white padded room set where they performed the first song, DR. FEELGOOD and then the walls were lifted to showcase an elaborate stage with platforms and levels and dancing girls. MOTLEY CRUE certainly gives you your money’s worth with stage set galore. As a photographer you can not ask for anymore except of course for TOMMY LEE to be present. Damn, you sparklers and those overzealous hands of MR. LEE! This was my first time photographing MOTLEY CRUE and I really wanted to capture all of the members. Not to say that MORGAN ROSE didn’t do a great job. That guy is a true pro. He had little time to prepare but stepped up and filled some really, really big shoes. MOTLEY CRUE have been around since the early ‘80’s and still have withstood the test of time and remain relevant in today’s musical society. Many other bands have tried to be just like them but there will only be one MOTLEY CRUE that consists of VINCE NEIL, TOMMY LEE, MICK MARS and NIKKI SIXX. It is great to see MICK MARS performing and doing what he loves. He is certainly an inspiration to pretty much everyone. The live set highlights were KICKSTART MY HEART, WITHOUT YOU, SHOUT AT THE DEVIL, HOME SWEET HOME, GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS and more. MOTLEY CRUE live appeals to every sense, after all, no other band will ever sound, feel, look, taste and smell like MOTLEY CRUE.
http://www.lenalamoray.com/cruefest2.html
http://www.lenalamoray.com/
COMCAST CENTER Mansfield, MA
Live photos and review by Lena Lamoray
CRUE FEST returned this year with a second installment of new bands and the legendary rock darlings, MOTLEY CRUE. The Monster Energy Stage featured REV THEORY, 16 SECOND STARE, CAVO and SHRAM. The main stage brought us MOTLEY CRUE, GODSMACK, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, DROWNING POOL and CHARM CITY DEVILS.
The classic hard rock band from Baltimore, CHARM CITY DEVILS opened the main stage and played a tight set that started the night out right. They are signed to NIKKI SIX’s label, ELEVEN SEVEN MUSIC, for a good reason. Their music is a blend of classic, blues and rip roar n’ rock n’ roll.
These guys rock their tight pants and their guitar player, NICK KAY offered me up one hell of a handshake. DROWNING POOL is always a great band to catch live. I’ve seen them a few times and they always put on an energetic and pleasing show. I love the vintage style microphone that RYAN McCOMBS uses. DROWNING POOL has had their music featured in a bunch of films such as THE PUNISHER and more and just about every sporting event, especially the WWE. BODIES is the best rage ready rock hit for any event. I can honestly say that they are really just a bunch of laid back guys with really pleasant attitudes that just happen to put out music that will kick you in the ass. THEORY OF A DEADMAN remind me a lot of NICKELBACK but I think the pompadour sporting front man, TYLER CONNOLLY was having an off night because he was not pulling off some of his vocal ranges. I have never seen them live before but I have to believe he hits them a lot better on most nights. Someone get that man a cup of tea with honey! The band as a whole was good. GODSMACK is always a favorite in the Massachusetts area and the girls and guys (you know who you are) go crazy over SULLY ERNA perhaps because his name is so much fun to say. They have even invented a game that uses his name, odd I know. They brought back the use of the spotlight and that was well received. GODMACK loves their explosions! They sounded great and showcased their hits VOODOO, I STAND ALONE, STRAIGHT OUT OF LINE and more. Hopefully, we will have a new album in 2010.
The reason for the CRUE FEST 2 is of course MOTLEY CRUE. You want to talk about a stage set-up! The show opened to reveal a patient on a vintage hospital gurney being “cared” for by treacherous doctors. Then the band was revealed in a white padded room set where they performed the first song, DR. FEELGOOD and then the walls were lifted to showcase an elaborate stage with platforms and levels and dancing girls. MOTLEY CRUE certainly gives you your money’s worth with stage set galore. As a photographer you can not ask for anymore except of course for TOMMY LEE to be present. Damn, you sparklers and those overzealous hands of MR. LEE! This was my first time photographing MOTLEY CRUE and I really wanted to capture all of the members. Not to say that MORGAN ROSE didn’t do a great job. That guy is a true pro. He had little time to prepare but stepped up and filled some really, really big shoes. MOTLEY CRUE have been around since the early ‘80’s and still have withstood the test of time and remain relevant in today’s musical society. Many other bands have tried to be just like them but there will only be one MOTLEY CRUE that consists of VINCE NEIL, TOMMY LEE, MICK MARS and NIKKI SIXX. It is great to see MICK MARS performing and doing what he loves. He is certainly an inspiration to pretty much everyone. The live set highlights were KICKSTART MY HEART, WITHOUT YOU, SHOUT AT THE DEVIL, HOME SWEET HOME, GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS and more. MOTLEY CRUE live appeals to every sense, after all, no other band will ever sound, feel, look, taste and smell like MOTLEY CRUE.
http://www.lenalamoray.com/cruefest2.html
http://www.lenalamoray.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)