Interview with the crazy group known as A Band Of Orcs

I recently had the chance to speak with the theatrical death metal group, A Band Of Orcs about their new CD, War Chiefs Of The Apocalypse. If you have not yet heard about these guys yet you might want to check them out. The Orcs play seriously good death metal with a twist. In addition to the auditory onslaught they also add a theatrical element and costumes based on the role playing game Dungeons And Dragons. The combination of stage show and music is striking and quite honestly…awesome. I really dig these guys and was more than excited to sit down and discuss their new record, War Chiefs Of The Apocalypse.

The name of the band A Band Of Orcs is interesting to say the least and sounds as if there is a story behind it. Where did the name come from and what is the story?
Filth: Us Gore-stained Axe Tribe in Hirntodia, but manager Gruesome Grimp tell us we called A Band of Orcs in this realm.”

Gogog: Yes, Gogog kill puny human D&D nerds that rolled “A Band of Orcs” on “Random Encounter Table.”

Gronk!: D&D make chaos magic, Grimp summon us and we come fulfill Domination prophecy, sung in Canticles of Gzoroth.

Now that your brand new CD, War Chiefs Of The Apocalypse, is complete how do you feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome?
Hulg: “Stupid human, who tell you it brand new? It more than 2 years old. Hulg eat yer brainzzzz now. You not need.”

Gogog: Yes!!!!” We like very much. It tells of great prowess in battle, ending of your world, preparing Orc children for war, and how me kill my father to become leader.”

Gronk!: Hail Gzoroth!

All: Hail Gzoroth!

Filth: Me shred, epically!

What was the writing process like for this CD.? Did you guys all write together? How long did it take?
Filth: Me write solos, songs fall in around solos.”

Gronk!: Filth is filthy liar. Can’t write. He spew music into recording-sorcery-machine first, then shred epic solos. Me Gronk! And him Gogog tap inspiration in fiery inside for chants of Orc glories after.”

Gogog: Weird. Gogog chant song about Hulg, “Bring Out Your Dead,” and Gronk! chant song about me, “I, Gogog.” He pay tribute to tribal leader, as Orc shaman should do.”

Gronk!: Praise tribe, Hail Gzoroth!”

All: Hail Gzoroth!

Give us some insight into the meaning behind its title?
Gogog: It mean you humans doomed. Domination is coming and us leaders of Domination, “WarChiefs of the Apocalypse.” You die soon—“

Gronk!: Or maybe we spare you, since PureGrain help Orcs proselytize the wicked. What say you, Orcs?”

Filth: Nah, throw him to fiery jaws in Gzoroth.”

All: [hideous laughter]

Are there any tracks on this disc that are personal favorites or that have good stories behind them?
Gogog: Obviously. “I, Gogog” the greatest chant on EP, ahahahah. I kill my father to become leader of tribe and new arrogant god of human realm.

Hulg: Braiiiinzzzzz!

Gronk!: Hulg mean he like “Bring Out Your Dead,” because it telltale how he eat your miserably, mushy human brains.

Oog: Oog smash now?

Filth: Oog mean him like all songs ’cause he gets to smash.

Many of your songs are so hard and intense that I am sure they translate well into a live setting taking on a whole new life in front of a live audience. How does it make you feel when the emotion and power that you envisioned in the recording studio, come to life while playing in front of a crowd?
Filth: In studio there no circle pit. Live, circle pit brings great power, fills meat, make Orc even stronger.

Hulg: Hulg stare out, moving ocean, hair, leather, crunchy bones, fear in all dark corners of room. Make Hulg almost remember desire.

Gogog: It makes us feel like your new arrogant gods and leaders.

Gronk!: Kneel before Gronk!, ahahahahha.

Gogog: No kneel before Gogog. I, leader.

Filth: No, me leader. Kneel before Filth.

Hulg: Shut up!!!!! You all stupid…

The band keeps things interesting thematically. Can you talk about some of the subjects you tackle on this record?
Gogog: Blood. Fire. Death. Cher, ahahahaha, and Justin Bieber.

Hulg: Shut up, Gogog!

Gogog: I, leader. I tell the up-shutting of. Go stew in the battle wagon now!

Hulg: AHHAHAHA nulghhhhh…

Gronk!: Him musta ate some bad brains. Hulg have indigestible.

Filth: Filth not tackle anybody on record. Record is just noises, loud, sharp noises. Human need come to show to get tackled by Filth.

Tell me about a book or two that you’ve read that you think other people should read?
Filth: What that?

Gronk!: Him mean what wizards use for spells. But us not wizards. Stupid books. Me shaman; call on ancestor spirits and fire of Gzoroth for spells.”

Gogog: Hulg tried to eat book once, because Jed told him they brainy, ahahhaaha. Him not like much. Almost eat Jed’s brains for suggesting it.

Do you have any touring plans made yet?
Gogog: Grimp handles that. Us just show up with our axes.

Are you looking at any particular bands you’ll be touring with?
Gronk!: Maybe with allies NekrogobliKon. Maybe we just go with selves, ahahahaha!

Any closing words?
Oog: Oog smash now?  [ END ]