HELLWITCH “Syzygial miscreancy + demos” Double LP out now on FOAD Records / INTERVIEW WITH PATRICK RANIERI
HELLWITCH “Syzygial miscreancy” double LP is finally out on FOAD Records and available both in the limited splatter blue vinyl edition…
…and in the regular black one!
As we previously anticipated, this double LP includes a special remastering of the band’s cult album from 1990 + a huge selection of early demos (complete) and live footage ranging from 1984 to 1995, all of them for the very first time on vinyl. This treasure of aggressive US Death Metal is served in a thick high glossy gatefold sleeve including rare flyers, photos, lyrics and a detailed biography. To find out more about the band’s early years and the making of their classic debut LP forged at Scott Burns’ Morrisound studios at the same time DEICIDE were in to record their 1st s/t album, we asked some questions to PATRICK RANIERI, guitarist and singer – enjoy this exclusive interview made few days ago!
What was the main input that pushed you guys to start Hellwitch? Anything special that you would like to recall/mention from the very early days of existence?
Actually, it was Harry Tiyler (vocals, text book + seat cushion (drums!) on demo ’84) who took the initiative to form HELLWITCH. I was somewhat interested, but HE pushed for us to record at least one song! “NOSFERATU”! This was mid ’84. Personally, i was very happy just playing guitar in my college dorm room along to Slayer/Metallica first albums! Musically, it was Slayer, Possessed, Metallica, Exodus and Raven that drove me early on.
Your sound evolved from 80s thrash roots to a more complex and somehow progressive expression of extreme Metal that was very fresh and innovative when “Syzygial miscreancy” was recorded… what brought your sound and influences to such a progression and how was the Metal background around you guys in Florida during those years?
Thank you for the perceptive take on our sound! I can’t really pinpoint anything in particular. One thing I DO recall. Growing up, i was very impressed by the fact that every LED ZEPPELIN song sounded completely different from each other! They were the KINGS of self diversity, in my opinion. I truly wanted HELLWITCH to have that quality. I strove to make each HELLWITCH song different and distinct. Also, as a fan, i always preferred bands that kept you thinking while listening. There could be no “filler” riffs in HELLWITCH music. As for the “background”. We were playing shows with Morbid Angel, Massacre, Nasty Savage, Genitorturers, and other FL pioneers. Seeing them LIVE was a great inspiration in some areas. To this day, Trey (M. Angel) is one of my MAIN lead guitar influences (in case you can’t tell! haha!). But musically, NONE of my fave bands were from Florida, back then.
Can you explain how was “Syzygial miscreancy” recorded, any anecdotes about the legendary Morrisound Studios and the experience with Scott Burns at the time?
Oh man, thats a story that could fill a book! haha! Reading the HELLWITCH comic book depicts most of the highlights. It’s available from our website for $5 (plug, plug!) Basically, we were FORCED into Morrisound’s MOST expensive recording area due to a scheduling error! Thus, we HAD to COMPLETE the recording in 25 hours, TOTAL! And we did! It was a rush job, but I regret nothing. The mix is a bit rough, but for 3 days in a studio, it’s a miracle. Much of the credit goes to Scott. When I would review my production notes with him during the recording, he quickly understood almost every concept I had envisioned. One of the MOST impressive parts of the recording was the intro. In Mordirivial Dissemination. The cassette tape i provided that contained the Godzilla stomping/growling sound FX had to be synchronized very specifically with the beginning of the drum march. This was practiced once and then RECORDED! For such a multi-layered piece, it came out perfectly with little effort. I am still impressed by this. Scott’s split second timing was key in this. Also interesting was the fact that we were recording at the SAME EXACT time that DEICIDE was recording their first LP! We would be leaving and Glen would be arriving. The next day, we would arrive as Glen and co. were leaving! I knew them a bit, but was not a fan at that time. Glen and I would exchange hellos in passing. But yes, as for the recording, we initially recorded bass, drums, rhythm guitar all AT ONCE! I then went back and did all the rest of the tracks. Brutal! By the time we mixed, we were exhausted. This explains the rather uneven mix.
Hellwitch has a very long story of bad fate with ripoff labels, among which the controversial Wild Rags… can you give us more details about all this and your feelings about being a musician and seeing the result of your creativity so ill-treated by greedy and dishonest people?
Oh yes…we’re the Rodney Dangerfield of death metal! ha! No respect! Wild Rags was actually the first rip off label and in retrospect, they weren’t as bad as some that came later! Granted, he NEVER paid us any $, but he did give us shirts, LP’s and CDs. BUT, he was to pay Morrisound for us to record “Terraasymmetry”. We recorded and he NEVER paid! Morrisound was ripped off by the Wild Fag! In ’92 Lethal Records (Michael Piesch) signed us to release “Terraa..”. HE paid Morrisound and released the recording. But then, SUPER RIP OFF! That piece of shit, mother fucker NEVER contacted us again! We never even got a copy of “Terraa..”!!! TOTAL rip off! There were a couple more incidents later on with smaller labels like Progressive Arts Music. However, it seems now we’re having the same old HELLWITCH “luck” again with Displeased Records, as you know, Giulio! As for my feelings about all of this. Sadly, it loses it’s “shock” after a few incidents. I almost expect it when we enter into a contract now. The best we can do now is get advance payments from labels. In most cases, this is the ONLY payment we ever receive. BUT, there have been honest labels, of course. Flight 19 treated us well with the ’87 demo 7″. The Singaporean label that released our split with Storming Steels has been totally honest. And most recently, this guy Giulio (FOAD Recs.) has emerged as a person of the utmost integrity! So, all in all, I DO still have some faith in record label humanity. hahahahaha!
How do you feel about this brand new vinyl reissue of “Syzigial miscreancy” over 20 years later, coming out as a double LP with tons of bonus material? FOAD Records is a label still very devoted to analog recordings and vinyl, do you think vinyl has still some importance/value today?
We are totally EXCITED about this new re-issue! As the older, more original metal pioneers are experiencing a resurgence in the scene, the formats too are resurgent! Personally, 12″ vinyl was what I grew up with and BIGGER is BETTER with music I think! haha! a BIG cover with BIG artwork and inserts is EXCITING!! AND, I love using my turntable as well! So, YES, vinyl is VERY important, I think! FOAD is keeping history alive! Maybe even reviving it a bit! Hail SATAN!
What’s currently going on with Hellwitch? Any shows and new recordings planned?
HELLWITCH is actually busier now than EVER before! From 2011 until now we have done a tour of the N.E. U.S. Also played local shows with Obituary, Massacre, Deicide, and more! In Nov. 2012 we play in Miami with Napalm Death/Municipal Waste! No plans for any new recordings though we do have 2 new songs completed. Basically, we just rehearse for shows now, thats about it.
