Since Issue #75, Decibel has brought you left-of-center b-sides, rarities, live recordings and new songs from top-tier metal bands via the outstanding Flexi Series. Want to hear the stories behind these recordings? Read on.
This month, we followed Eloise Hawking to the Lamp Post to determine the exact location of Creepsylvania in current time-space, then piloted the X-Jet to the location and parachuted directly into the most putrid hellstench we’ve ever experienced. After being disemboweled and beheaded for being far too nerdy, we were stitched together (incorrectly) and reanimated so we could complete our interview with the most foul Ghoul and bring their words back to you. Ghoul’s “Wall of Death” graces our current issue, and you deserve to know what it took to make this happen.
When were you approached to contribute to the Flexi Series? How many died to get the message to you?
Digestor: Many Bothans died to get the message to us. It was a waste of good Bothans, to be honest. As far as I know, Decibel’s management contacted our legal team, who then contacted our manager, who passed the word along to the A&R rep at Tankcrimes, who scratched the message out on the floor with his paw. Our label head, Scotty, got the message and contacted us. Then the whole thing happened again in reverse when we responded. It was six months of that nonsense until we finally had an iron-clad 68 page contract hammered out and we could share a celebratory toast, which we did over the phone.
How did you choose “Wall of Death” for the Flexi? How many died during the selection process?
Digestor: We closed our eyes and threw a dart at a dart board. Then after that was over we decided we needed to hunker down and pick a song for this flexi thing, and the obvious choice was “Wall of Death”. It has everything you want in a Ghoul song; piles of skulls, brutal oppression of downtrodden villagers, Romero-esque social commentary, and riffs that sound familiar, but not actionable. One person was maimed during the selection process, but no deaths, unfortunately.
When and where did you record the song? How many died during the recording of the song (including the body count outside the studio within the time that the recording sessions were happening)?
Digestor: We recorded at Antisleep Audio in Oakland, CA., during one of our many sojourns to that area about 6 months ago. It didn’t take much time at all, and in fact was a “piece of piss”, as they say. I don’t actually know if anyone says that, but they should. The body count over the day or two we recorded reached well into double digits in the studio (there was a ska band recording next door), and I lost count of how many people we murdered outside. Let’s just say Oakland will probably be able to close a homeless shelter or two.
Your Flexi is white. What do you think about that color choice?
Digestor: Yeah, s’alright, innit?
Have you listened to other songs in the Flexi Series? What is your favorite Flexi so far?
Digestor: I’ve heard a few of them, and liked everything I’ve heard (Iron Reagan, Exhumed, Napalm Death, Toxic Holocaust, and Midnight come to mind), but I’m partial to “Zochrot” by Carcass. And I’m not just saying that because we’re touring with them in July and I want to lick their boots. That’s one of the reasons, but not the only one.
Check out all of the Decibel Flexis here.
