for
Painkiller Mag #5
January 2002
Interview with Steve Silvester
by YangYu/Draholic
all pics are linked from www.deathss.com.
by any problems refer to webmaster
Thanks to Emanuele
Gentile & EG - PUBBLICHE RELAZIONI;
The short of "IN DEATH OF
STEVE SYLVESTER" would be IDOSS and not DEATH SS. Most people would of
nazi's "Sturm Staffel" the first time they hear this name. Are there
certain relations to this as you start using the name in this form?
No! Any political or nazist relations! The double "S" are only the initials of my name and surname! DEATH SS means the "DEATH" of the old Steve Sylvester and his rebirth in the light of occultism...This happen when I've founded the band, in 1977!
DEATH SS has been found at the end of the 80'S? But you already has been active since 1977! (I was two years old back then!). How was the italian metal/rock scene back then? How was your music back then?
The first years were not very productive...We wasted time in black magic rituals, orgies, drugs and everything that was extreme or "proibited"...This caused the end of the first line-up ! We started as a real professional band only in 1988 with our first album called "..in DEATH of Steve Sylvester"!
Please tell us more about your activities between 77-87. Our knowlegh about italian bands is so little. But I know you had some personal problems durch 82-87(?) and left the band. Which band. The former formation of DEATH SS?
There's not so much to tell...At that times we were only child (12-13een), and music was only one of our topics...We recorded only a bounch of self-produced singles and then we broke-up in 1982... In that year I was recovered for mental and phisichals damages, dues at my extreme life-style...Only in 1987 I was able to start again with the band in another town and with new more able elements...
You seam to be also very active with occult stuffs. Was this the reason for your breakout? I can make a picture ofwhat it is all about. You also joint some organisations this way (Aleister Crowley?)? Do you really believe into magical rituals and such?
I follow a personal life-philosophy and I'm a member of the Ordo Templi Orients, the magical order organized by Aleister Crowley... I'm not a fanatic and I'm not a "satanist" but I follow the motto "Do whath thou wilt"! For me satanism is just the shawdow of christianity. Occult/Witchkraft is a totally different power. And horror is just the evening/weekend-thrill for 8-to-5 workers. But you combine all these elements together.
Is this just entertainment or do you aim something special with these?
All this is the combination of all my principal interests: heavy music, occultism, horror movies, terror comics, bizzare-culture books, Ecc. Ecc.. It's more than a simple entertainment...It's a way of life!
On the few fotos I saw of you earlier you all were dressed up like characters/figures in some horror/fictional films. In fact you still do this. Do you also play on stage in this outfit?
Yes! Of course! Everyone of us assumed a characther of an horror-B-movie hero: the vampire (me), the mummy(the bass player); the werewolf (the drummer); the zombie (the guitar player) and the Phanthom of the opera (the keyboard-player)... All those characters and costumes were changed year after year, but we still wear a very original horror outfit...
Can you send us your legendary foto with you naked on a harley in a grave yard? How much do you invest into make up and outfit (procentual to the budget you get for the cd production)?
You can find that picture and many others in our official web-site: www.deathss.com. Our look is very important and we always try to have a very good outfit live and in the photo sessions...We spend a lot of money for this but this is our way to rock!
Do you think you are an actor when you are performing materials of DEATH SS? I mean you are really doing "shows" and not only playing your songs.
I'm very involved in everyone of the song I play...So I try to describe every situation my music and lyrics suggest with my theatrichals acts..During the live-show we're helped by actors and performers who intereact with us on the stage and we make use of giant projections and special effects...
DEATH SS is very popular in Italia and you even received a tribute compilation. Which bands are paying tribute to you on this CD and which is your fave?
I love all the performances of all the bands involved in our tribute: Tenebre from Swedish, Internal Void from USA, Church of misery from Japan, Northwinds from Belgio, Tempter from Spain, Ecc. Ecc.. I'm very proud of this compilation and I know that a second one is ready to be out soon...
The only CD I know from you is panic and I am amazed by it. Its breathless. For me it is not less qualified to than the bestsellers of Bands like PARADISE LOST, RAMMSTEIN or CRADLE OF FILTH. Only "Panic" can offer much variaties with no fillers. I really love each song. What I dont understand is, DEATH SS seams still not being that popular like the named bands.
This is sad but true... We are the most importan band in our country, but we're still not very knowned abroad...This 'cause our label haven't a real distribution outside Italy and our records are often very hard to find... I hope that things can change soon with our new deal and our new album in 2002!!!
Do you think your
popularity is limited only because you are an italian band?
This can be a cause....Many people are still thinking that Italy is only the country of "spaghetti&mandolini"... DEATH SS are here to show them that Italy rocks, and It can do it very well!!!
Are you also interested into other metal styles (death/black/epic...)?
I love to listen every kind of music, metal and not...The important is that the "vibe" of what I'm hearing is good!
You are running your own label Lucifer Rising just to meet the need of DEATH SS. Will you also sign and suport other bands? You are also producing other bands?
Yes! I(ve signed and produced "SINE MACULA" and "XHELLS"....
I like the front page of the booklet because its one of the few covers I've seen without any bandname or cd titels. But you have an outer cover around it. Do you think names are important?
I personally take care of the artwork and package... What is important for me is the impact the cover can give you when you watch the cd for the first time...
You have some sexual nearly pervert images (hidden?) in the booklet. It that a link to the erotic you want to perform with the music? Do you think horror is erotic?
I think that sex is the most important act of magic.... Our music and image is a concentrate of horror, magic and sex in the way of the old B-movies of the '70es....
You reissued all backing programms with bonus tracks. How does the sales go now? Is "Panic" a big suport to sell the old stuff?
"Panic" is now our most best-seller album and naturally it carry on our back catologue...Anyway our old cd are always well sells in the time...
You must have a lot skills in live acting etc. Can you imagine to try and play in a (horror) movie?
Why not? I think to be experienced enough to play a principal role in horror movie... Maybe one time I'll try to realize something in this sense...
SELF Dist. is doing a good work to introduce you to asian people. Your last words now to all chinese Metal/Indie mainacs.
I really hope to come to you soon, guys! I'll show you the most perverse horror- metal show you'll see in your life!!!! Stay evil and...Do what thou wilt!
STEVE SYLVESTER