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Interviews Diabolical Dismemberment

Interview with Sean Nelson (Guitars/Vocals/Programming) and Jim Nelson (Bass/Programming)

Interview conducted by Barbara Williams (Crowley)

Date online: April 5, 2003


Hailz!  How are you guys doing?

Sean: Couldn’t be better.

Jim: If we were any better, we would be dead, hahaha.

What made you form Diabolical Dismemberment?  How long have you been together?

Sean: Well, from when we were kids we were always the neighborhood metal heads. We grew from metal to Thrash; then we found our true love in death metal when it took off in the early 90's, but we have been together as a band since around 1983.

Jim: Yeah, all the great bands from the beginning, Carcass, Napalm Death, Death, Immolation, Goreguts, and on and on..

Who came up with the name?

Sean: Well, in the early days we went under the name "Insane" (and it was, haha); then we grew to know that was a bit on the cheesy side!! We had a decent following under that name--lots of tape trading and life dubs floating around town.

Jim: Then when the time came and our death/thrash started, I came up with the name Morbid Massacre. We stuck with it for almost a year when we were listening to a tape where we work and a customer came in. It took a second to turn the tape off and he said, "wow, now that’s diabolical"--and it stuck!!

Sean: On the way home the same day I added "Dismemberment" to it. We liked it and agreed. That’s how the name was born; plus, it’s such a long name, we didn’t have to worry much before we had it copyrighted.

You released "Nocturnal Bloodbath" in 1997.  Was it under Diabolical Dismemberment?

Jim: yes

Sean: Yes, and there was a demo before that called Butchery, recorded live just like Nocturnal Bloodbath, using a turntable stereo with mics.

When will we see the next CD release? I know you've been diligently working on new material.  Is there any specific label you may be using?

Sean: I’d say, the new one will be unleashed in a few months; we’re looking forward to it!

Could you tell us a little about the lyrical concept for this album?

Sean: Well, as always, death/rape/and lots and lots of PURE GORE!!

Jim: No love songs here, hahahah.

How do you write your music and how do you get the inspiration for your writing?

Sean: Horror movies, news on TV, seeing sick things that are all around us.

Jim: What we would like to do to people who have been in our lives: make 'em suffer!

Do you consciously think about staying in the Diabolical Dismemberment style or music?  As a musician, do you play other sorts of music on the side or is this your 100% musical taste?

Sean: Yes. Diabolical will always be rude, nasty, and perverted!! I don’t think this band will ever be satanic or nothing, though.

Jim: We have a side project called CEMETERY VISIONS. It’s more in the Goth/Death/Doom vein--kind of in the lines of Katatonia, My Dying Bride, Opeth. We have fun with it.

Are you presently a studio band or have you gigged?  If not, will we be able to see you play pretty soon?

Sean: We record our own stuff. With the Gloom of the Dead demo we had some bad times in the studio and we prefer to do our own thing—to keep it raw and to have no pressure.

Jim: We gigged a lot in our days, but living here in Knoxville doesn’t do much good when you’re playing for a bunch of drunk’ bastards yelling, "play 'Free Bird’"!! Hahahah.

How would you describe your style of vocals?  Have you had role models?

Sean: Wow! Now that’s a tough one. UUmmm…Well, you can’t tell by the music we do, but the singer song writer I most admire would be "Mathis Lodmalm" from Cemetery. Dude is a fucking god!!

The music scene really changed between the 70's, 80's and 90's.  What would you say has been your strongest influence?

Sean: Sabbath, Exodous, Testament

Jim: I know one of the biggest: OVERKILL!!

Sean: As far as the 90'—damn, there is so many great bands out there: Cryptopsy, Dying Fetus, Grave, old Unleashed, and old PUNGENT STENCH!!

Which bands are on your list of favorites?  If I were to look through your CD collection, what would I find?

Jim: You would find a huge selection of metal from Venom to Katatonia to Dead Infection.

Sean: Trial of the Bow, Exit-13--lots and lots of underground stuff!!

When did you start playing and how old were you when you became interested in metal?

Sean: Well, being brothers, ALL of our lives, but Sabbath started it all.

Jim: Yeah! When I bought "Master of Reality" we knew this was good shit!!

Outside of playing Metal, what kinds of things do you enjoy doing?<|p>

Sean: PORN!!

Jim: …and lots of it!! But really, Music is our life.

Who designs your CD artwork and who has the final word on what actually goes on the album cover? Does it have any special meaning?

Sean: Well, with the covers we both decide on what will be on there. As far as design goes, Ashlie Gillis, my girlfriend, does all the hard work and built our websites for both our projects! We would be lost without her.

Jim: Yeah, she is the best!

I have just recently read an article (on anus.com) about boycotting Christian metal.  What are your feelings about that?  What does "Metal" actually mean to you?

Jim: Anus.com? I gotta see this, hahah! Well, as far as Christian metal goes, we were always fans of "Mortification," "Living Sacrifice," and Seventh Angel.

Sean: Yeah! It’s all in the music, not as much the message for us. Hell, I can sit and listen to Deicide and minutes later crank some Living Sacrifice as long as it’s metal and you  can mosh to it!! What is metal to us? A way of life!

I have just recently heard some heavy criticism from a metal fan who finds that Black metal is no longer acceptable because the satanic content most albums have.  As an atheist he sees this as a form of religion.  What's your take on this?

Sean: Well, it seems that a lot of Black Metal is changing; it’s not as satanic as it used to be, but after reading the book Lords of Chaos it makes you wonder what’s real and what’s just a show. Look at Mayhem--just a bunch of kids really trying to be scary; then all goes wrong and it turns to murder. And the church burnings? That’s as bad as me burning a cross in someone’s yard 'cause I don’t like 'em. A waste of time!

How is the music and being Diabolical Dismemberment connected with the person you are?  Is your band image a reflection of you or completely separate?

Jim: Well, musically it’s us; we vent a lot through our lyrics--lots of HATE, which is in everyone!

Sean: Yes, it’s in everyone. Not to be negative, but from time to time you think, "Fuck! I’d rip that bastard limb from limb"!! Or even faintly like Raping the dead: we’re not and never will be into writing music about Satan. We just like the darker side of life.

Any good books, movies, food, booze, or other cool some things you could recommend?

Sean: Lords of Chaos; very old Barton-100 proof; Tequila and Sunny D is nice.

Jim: Brewskies!! And a good book is always Penthouse or Hustler!!

Sean: And barely legal!!!!!!

What does the future hold for Diabolical Dismemberment?  Where do you see yourself a couple of years from now?

Sean: We’re going to be pushing on and hope to get signed with one band or both to disappoint our LOCAL bands here in Knoxville. GUYS! We’re never going away! We’re never gonna quit! Get over your GAY-selves and grow up! It doesn’t matter how many tattoos you have or what kind of amps; its all what you can do with it!!

And this space is reserved for greetings or anything else you would like to say.

Jim: I would like to say the music and memory of Chuck Schuldiner will never die!!

Sean: He was the godfather of death metal!! And people: if you have never listened to DEATH, you are missing the legacy of a god!! R.I.P brother!

Thanks so much and have a good one!

Sean: Thank you for taking time with us. It was a pleasure talking with you.

Jim: Yes, a true pleasure. Thank you!




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