LUCIFER`S FALL
DOOM METAL
FROM
AUSTRALIA
Band Questions
answer by Deceiver
Philip Howlett
DOOM MASTER
Please introduce yourself and the band members briefly?
The band members are...
Deceiver (myself) – Vocals
Unknown Unnamed – Drums
Cursed Priestess – Bass
The Invocator – Lead Guitar
The Heretic - Guitar
What does the band name mean and how do you get it?
The band name was inspired by the Gustave Doré artwork of Lucifer falling
to Earth. I just thought it was an excellent image and also a good band
name. Plus it links into Satan’s Fall by Mercyful Fate. I was actually
surprised that the name hadn’t been used already.
Where and how was the band founded?
The reason for starting Lucifer’s Fall was to form a more traditional heavy
metal/doom metal band which would have a more definable style than my
other band at the time Rote Mare. Lucifer’s Fall began in 2013 rehearsing as
a three piece with The Mother Superior on guitar & vocals, myself on bass
and vocals and Unknown Unnamed on drums. I then cut it back to a two
piece project recording everything on the first album myself apart from the
drums which were done by Unknown Unnamed. As with all my
bands/projects it is based in my home town Adelaide, South Australia.
You are also active in two white bands and you alone are responsible for
everything at Solemn Ceremony! you can not live without music and you are
something like the doom father of australia?
Solemn Ceremony is a solo slow doom project which is kind of a
replacement or continuation of my old band Rote Mare but in a more
traditional style. It’s intended to always remain a solo project utilising the
services of friends and musicians that I know. Ha ha It’s true that I cannot
live without music. It drives me onward with or without success. The
important thing for me is to keep doing it no matter what without
compromise. I joined Dire Fate as a bass player a bit over a year ago. At the
moment I don’t really write for them in any way. I just joined because I love
what they do and they needed a bass player. As for being the doom father
of Australia that’s definitely not for me to say.
Which of the three bands has your priority?
Lucifer’s Fall is my priority currently as it is the thing I have put most effort
into thus far. Compared to Solemn Ceremony it’s far more developed and
well known and is finally getting a bit of momentum generated.
Was it hard to find suitable band members who fit musically and humanely
with the band?
It actually wasn’t very difficult. Lucifer’s Fall began with Rote Mare
members. Ben (Unknown Unnamed) is employed at the same place that I
work. When I asked him to play drums he agreed. I found Sean (The Mother
Superior) through a local metal forum. Everyone else who has been in the
bands since then are from that social circle of friends. So we all get on very
well and have similar music tastes. We only really ever had one guy in Rote
Mare who didn’t work out.
What does the band name mean?
Lucifer’s Fall is just a nice piece of imagery really. It doesn’t have a great
amount of meaning really. It just sounds good and fits well.
What are the lyrics about and who of you is writing them ?
The lyrics are mostly about mythical beasts, Satan, doom, punk attitude,
religion, sacrifice, hypocrites and anything else I can think of... As the singer
I write all the lyrics so far although other members could contribute if they
felt like it.
Which bands inspired you and how would you describe your music to
someone who has never heard a sound from you?
Reverend Bizarre, Cirith Ungol, Saint Vitus, Arkham Witch, Motorhead,
Black Sabbath are some of the most obvious influences. Really anything
that is traditional heavy metal or traditional doom. I would describe us as
traditional Heavy Metal & Doom with attitude.
Please tell me something about your last album II: Cursed & Damned ?
II: Cursed & Damned was released at the end of 2016 by Nine Records. The
music was recorded over 3 or 4 days in the studio earlier in 2016. The
vocals were recorded later at home. The album was recorded, mixed and
mastered by Jared at The House Of SAP. The songs contained
contributions from all members and some from a previous member (The
Mother Superior). The album is a mixture of doom and heavy metal with a
couple of punkier moments thrown in also. There is a possible vinyl release
coming sometime in the future.
At which project or which band are you currently working on new songs?
We are currently working on the 3rd album for Lucifer’s Fall titled III: From
The Deep. We have 11 songs written of which about half are rehearsed and
ready to go. We aim to record early-mid 2019. I am also about to start
writing for the second Solemn Ceremony album although there is no time
frame worked out for that yet. I’ll just see how it goes.
Is it hard in Australia for a metal musician or fan? is one still looking at the
street because of his look or is one accepted
I guess it’s fairly hard to get anywhere with it but I think that’s pretty true for
almost all original music these days. As for metal I think that traditional
doom is probably the least popular form of it that you could imagine. So
yeah it’s hard to play a lot of gigs or get many people along to shows. I think
the look is more accepted these days. Either that or I just don’t give a fuck
anymore because I’m old.... ha ha.
What were your live highlights and with which bands did you play?
Live highlights for me would be Doom In June 2017 & 2018 because we
played with the two Melbourne bands that we love Eldritch Rites & Dire
Fate. In terms of crowd size the first gig we played as Lucifer’s Fall with
Mournful Congregation was great fun.
Which band would you like to play live with and why?
Saint Vitus, Pentagram or Cirith Ungol would be a dream as they are all
hugely influential bands for Lucifer’s Fall. Any tradition doom bands would
be great although they barely ever tour here. Perhaps we need to go
overseas sometime.....
Have already resulted in friendship ?
Not sure what the question means exactly. But I first met the guys in Dire
Fate and Eldritch Rites when I travelled to Melbourne to see Saint Vitus.
This helped form our brotherhood of doom
With what do you earn your money except with the music?
I work at a party hire company. I put up marquees and deliver furniture for
various private and government functions.
How important are social media for you as a band?
I guess it’s fairly important as it’s an easy way to let people know what
you’re doing and get information out there. I’m not sure how effective it is
but there are not that many other alternatives for promotion.
What would you (her) want to achieve with the band?
As much as can be achieved. In the end I’m happy with whatever level it
attains as I do it for the love of it and not for any other reason. However it
would be nice if it managed to pay for itself at some point.... ha ha.
Maybe you can recommend some bands from your area?
My favourite band that I’m not in is Eldritch Rites. Great angry traditional
metal melded with doom. Another recommended project with almost all the
same members is Open Door Of Doom. Not strictly local as they come from
Melbourne. Locally I like Road Warrior & Mournful Congregation. Most
people should have heard of Mournful. Road Warrior are a new old style
Heavy Metal band. They have a new album out and are well worth checking
out.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS !
Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
I grew up in Adelaide where I still reside. My childhood was fine and
uneverntful. I was always a fairly introverted child which still continues to this
day.
How was your school time you were rather the good student or the break
clown ?
Definitely not the clown. I guess i was a good student behaviour wise most
of the time but academically I only ever did enough just to pass my subjects.
How did your parents react when you started making metal music? did they
support you and how do you feel about your music today?
My parents have always been supportive of any music I have done over the
years. They have never discouraged me from doing it. Ha ha I would say
they didn’t react either way. I don’t think they cared one way or the other.
I’ve always enjoyed the music I’ve made. Although looking back on the old
material I wrote I’ve definitely improved over the years.
Would you be successful in making music as a musician?
I guess it depends how you define success. Having people willing to put out
the music you make is one level of success. Years ago I never thought that
would happen. I guess the next level is having it pay for itself. Like I’ve said
before I just enjoy doing it so success is not such an important thing.
Success is writing a good song that you are happy with really.
What was your first concert as a fan and what memory do you have of it?
My first concert as a fan was Iron Maiden – Beast On The Road tour in
1982. I loved it. It was an amazing show that I’ll never forget. Iron Maiden
had such a raw energy at that time.
Are you someone who loves the hustle and bustle of the big city? or rather
looking for peace and relaxation in nature?
I like both to be honest. As far as eating out, making music, buying music
and seeing gigs goes I prefer the city but I do love getting away from it too.
Do you actively practice sports or are you more of a passive spectator?
I used to play and watch a lot of sports. I don’t do much of either now. I got
bored of watching it and I’m getting to old to play it. My work and exercise
regime keeps me fairly fit though.
When it comes to your physical well you can cook or let you cook for you ?
Both. My wife cooks me nice meals. Things I cook tend to be more thrown
together and made up on the spot. Usually with lots of garlic, onion, tomato
and cheese....
What does your environment tell you about your passion for metal (friends /
family / colleagues) ?
Most of my friends are metal or at least music fans. Many of them play in
bands. I enjoy hanging out with people who love or play music. I don’t really
get people who aren’t into music.
How do you see the problem with the haters on the internet who have to
announce their mental garbage in anonymity always and everywhere?
I hate it. Hiding behind a keyboard. They would never dream of saying such
things to people’s faces. Plus they never know the first thing about the
person that they abuse. It’s just pathetic in my opinion.
What do you think about the internet in general? a blessing or a curse?
It’s both. It has the potential to increase everyone’s knowledge and
information but often works in a more negative way by promoting opinions
rather than facts.
What would you personally like to do in your life?
I don’t have a great many goals. I’d love to play overseas at a doom festival
in front of a great crowd with a bunch of other bands that I enjoy and admire.
Which question would you like to have answered and why?
I don’t think there’s anything I care that much about. Just happy to live my
life and take things as they come. It is what it is.
Australia
It’s a nice place to live. Full of interesting places and animals. Full of stupid
people and politicians with idiotic ideas much the same as everywhere else
I’m sure.
Austria
Ha ha. Lucifer’s Fall has been named as Austrian a few times.....
Black Sabbath or Witchfinder General
I love both. Black Sabbath for their overall influence and the sheer weight of
great albums over the years.
Candlemass or Solitude Aeturnus
I like both but Candlemass for me. Epicus Doomicus is one of the greatest
albums ever recorded.
Sausage roll
I used to eat them with sauce. I became vegetarian a few years ago so no
more... Maybe again when lab grown meat is a reality.
Rugby League
Not interested.... prefer Australian Rules and Soccer.
Carlton Draught.
I don’t drink beer.
Family
You can’t choose it. Ha ha
Drugs
Not personally but if people want to it doesn’t bother me.
Great Barrier Reef.
Never been there. Would like to see it if it’s not dead sometime soon.
Terrible environmental policies of our government.
Your top 10 all Time Fave and your top Five Albums in moment !
Impossible question but here are some of my favourite albums of all time.
Angel Witch (ST), Rainbow – Rising, Candlemass – Epicus Doomicus
Metallicus, Cirith Ungol – King Of The Dead, Saint Vitus (ST), Raven – Rock
Until You Drop, Reverend Bizarre – II: Crush The Insects, Deep Purple – In
Rock, Black Sabbath – Born Again, Motorhead – Overkill. There are so
many others.....
Currently listening to
Lethean – The Waters Of Death, Road Warrior – Power, Shelton Chastain –
The Edge Of Sanity, Voivod – The Wake, Angel Of Damnation – Heathen
Witchcraft.
The closing word is yours?
Thanks so much for this interview and a bunch of interesting and different
questions. Lucifer’s Fall says thank you to all the supporters. Thanks to
fans, friends, interviewers, record labels, bands and anyone else who has
helped us out. As usual our final word for those who don’t enjoy what we
do.... Fuck You! We’re Lucifer’s Fall.
© 2019 by Haschi`s Metal Corner
