Taipei Metal

Interview: Nocturnal Fear - War Metal

For over a decade, Detroit, Michigan  thrashers Nocturnal Fear have been dropping one bunker busting album of searing warfare-inspired Teutonic terror after another. Heavily inspired by the likes of legendary acts such as Sodom and Kreator, both lyrically and musically, Nocturnal Fear is a band that has known exactly what its message is from day one, and hasn't compromised its sound or values for one note or a single line. With a new album, Excessive Cruelty, the band's fifth full length, just released on Moribund Cult, founding member and guitarist Reverend Slavehunter talked to Taipei Metal about the new record, and Nocturnal Fear's unwavering and incendiary approach to true thrash metal.

Taipei Metal: First of all, Nocturnal Fear has a new album coming out on August 30th, Excessive Cruelty. What do you want people to know about this album?

Rev. Slavehunter: Well I’d like to know if their local hospital treats Brain Melting, because that’s what’s going to happen when you hear this. This album will rip your face off and feed it to the dogs-any True Metaller will love Excessive Cruelty!

Taipei Metal: This album seems to follow some themes that are very familiar to Nocturnal Fear. What keeps you coming back to warfare and the dark side of humanity from a lyrical perspective?

Rev. Slavehunter: There is a whole generation of 20 year olds in America who have known war for half of their lives. We are attracted to the dark side of humanity because hypocrites deny it exists. We hold a mirror up to their faces, there is a very dark side to people. If you put three people in a room they will kill each other to survive.

Taipei Metal: Nocturnal Fear has been described as a death/thrash act, but what is your own assessment of your band's sound, and what are your biggest musical influences?

Rev. Slavehunter: They would be Sodom, Kreator, Destruction, Possessed, old Morbid Angel, Sarcafago, anything fast evil and heavy!

Taipei Metal: Which do you prefer, the old school of metal, modern metal, or both, and why?

Rev. Slavehunter: The old school. It was more of art for art’s sake. It was done with more passion.

Taipei Metal: Being an American metal band that focuses heavily on war, what is your opinion of how the United States treats its troops in general?

Rev. Slavehunter: The Troops are Bad-Ass Mother Fuckers. We don’t agree with politicians who decide what wars they fight-but the troops get nothing but respect from us.

Taipei Metal: Which do you prefer, addressing real issues in your music, or keeping things more on the side of the imaginative, and why?

Rev. Slavehunter: Anyone familiar with the band knows we only deal with real topics and always will. This isn’t some gay hardcore band that sings about being hard ass gangsters. That shit is for cock sucking faggots with whores for mothers.
Taipei Metal: Again, given your band's focus on warfare and weaponry, can you explain your personal stance on whether or not war is necessary component of human nature?

Rev. Slavehunter: From the time we lived in caves and one guy wanted to fuck the other man’s woman, or steal his goat, man has been violent. War is as natural as breathing to humans; humans who are not cowards. Some of us believe that some things are worth fighting for. The time comes when push comes to shove, you may have to fight for what you believe in one day.

Taipei Metal: Nocturnal Fear recently went past the decade marker in its existence. Looking back on the band's first ten years, what do you feel your biggest achievements and best memories have been thus far?

Rev. Slavehunter: The fact that we are supported by True Metallers all over the world, that is what we value most.

Taipei Metal: How do you feel the band has evolved musically over the course of the five full-length albums and one EP that you've put out in your career?

Rev. Slavehunter: We had a clear vision from day one, with our first release we hit the ground running. I feel from the feedback we get from the fans we have consistently put out quality Metal discs, not a single weak one. We always strive for a high level of musicianship, and well thought out lyrics.

Taipei Metal: Looking ahead to the next ten years, what do you hope to achieve with Nocturnal Fear?

Rev. Slavehunter: To tour Europe, and to keep putting out Killer War Metal!