Revel in Flesh are a new old school death metal project fromGermany. On guitar, bass and vocals is Haubersson, a musician I have been in contact with for some years now, as we both love our old school death metal sounds. The opportunity arose for Ave Noctum to have a chat to Haubersson, to find out what Revel In Flesh are all about and what is going on in their rotten world at the moment.

AN: Greetings Revel In Flesh, how are you doing in dark depths of the death metal world?

Haubersson: Cheerz to all AVE NOCTUM readers!!! I’ve just weaponed my self with a can of coffee to rush into this interview. Oh yes, not to forget, I’ve just received the new promo of the upcoming MCD of my Mexican comrades ZOMBIEFICATION – damned great rotten Death Metal, even a lot better than their debut album!!! Keep an eye out for that J

AN: Congratulations on ‘Deathevokation’, it’s a great sound, how has the response been to the album so far?

Haubersson: Thanx Paul, so far it’s doing really well, especially when you face the fact the before January 2012 REVEL IN FLESH was only known to a handful of (more or less) involved people. The CD version has been out since end of March 2012 on FDA REKOTZ and the vinyl will follow in June. We’re still in the middle of the promotion process, so it’s growing! You still have to keep in mind that this kind of old school Death Metal is nothing for the masses, it’s for those who really have a fetish of this 90ies style, yeah!!!

AN: How did Revel In Flesh form and when? I understand Haubersson used to be in Immortal Rites and Maggesson is well versed in the music scene also.

Haubersson: To make it short, it was already obvious in the end of 2010 that my old band IMMORTAL RITES was falling apart due a lack of time, motivation and changing circumstances in daily life (family, job etc.). It was a hard process and decision for me to accept this since I was in that band since 1996, so I took a long time to think before I took the initiative to contact my old comrade Maggesson again. Maggesson is a really active guy in the local scene here for years. He also has a lot of 90ies Death Metal roots, especially with his bands APOPHIS and DAWN OF DREAMS (don’t mix them up with Austrian gothic grap!). Well, Maggesson owns a small home studio and after a little e – mail discussion I was there to record the “Deathevokation” opener “Culpa et Inferna”. It was the first time for me doing guitars and vocals on a studio recording (AN: Haubersson normally handled bass guitar duties in his former band). It all went really smooth and after one track we’ve done another one etc.; actually the whole thing was the first recording done for myself and to realize the ideas I developed since 2007. In the end it worked so good that I’ve decided to give the baby a name, so REVEL IN FLESH was born right from the Death Metal crypt, Ha! Ha! Maggesson became a part of the project after a few months of involvement, so we’re nowadays the core group of REVEL IN FLESH. It’s a really healthy and productive way of working.

AN: What is your musical vision for Revel In Flesh?

Haubersson: Doing Death Metal in the classical sense with a lot of inspirations back from the days where it started. The thing with REVEL IN FLESH is that we like to have a clear union of all elements: Music, sound, lyrics and arts under the banner of real Death Metal. The music has to feel good to us in the first place, that matters most. If others like it as well then it’s fine, but most of all it is enjoying and having a good time for us with this kind of musick.

AN: F.D.A. Rekotz – what made you sign and release the album with them? To be honest, I always find that label has a good quality control filter and they rarely release below expectation albums.

Haubersson: I’ve been in contact with Rico / FDA for a couple of years in dealing with my fanzine etc.; so the contact was already there. I’ve showed him some rough mix MP3 versions of REVEL IN FLESH tracks in November 2011 and after a short negotiation we’ve signed right away. There was not much discussion with other firms etc.; we felt really fitting to FDA, especially since their roster with bands like ENTRAILS, REVOLTING, GOREGAST, MASSIVE ASSAULT, BLOOD MORTIZED etc. that speaks for themselves. It’s a healthy and friendly co-operation and he does the best he can for his bands, but in the end you have to face the fact that this is underground music in every sense!!!

AN: For the benefit of our readers, who did the artwork? What was the concept given to the artist?

Haubersson: The artwork of “Deathevokation” was done by Spanish long – time underground artist Juanjo Castellano (known for his work with SATHANAS, VOMITORY or BLASPHERIAN). He did an awesome job for our debut album and this artwork totally transmits the aura of a classical Death Metal release. I’ve had a really good communication with Juanjo regarding the concept, which is based on lyrics and also on the vibe of the music. I’ve given him some MP3s of album samples and also some visual references. He nailed it down totally to our satisfaction. It’s an eye catcher and I can’t wait to see this artwork on a vinyl format!!!

AN: What was it like to work with the legendary Dan Swanö?

Haubersson: I’ve already worked with Swanö on a project of my older band, it was once again a totally smooth and easy going co-operation. Swanö gave us some essential tips for the mixing process; a really enriching way of co-operation. I was totally blown away by his latest works for ENTRAILS, HAIL OF BULLETS, ASPHYX etc. and it’s obvious that this guy has a wide range of musical experience in Death Metal. His classical works for MARDUK, UNANIMATED, EDGE OF SANITY, MERCILESS etc. are milestones. He really managed to give us a kick ass mastering – simply the right person for us!!! No more words needed!!!

AN: Did the mixing happen with the bands input as well as Dan’s magical skills?

Haubersson: To avoid any misunderstandings, the mix was done by Maggesson with some suggestions by Swanö. “Deathevokation” is, expect for the mastering, a homemade recording, so to speak.

AN: ‘Deathevokation’ sounds real, it doesn’t sound like you messed around with pro tools or anything like that, there are a lot of bands jumping on the bandwagon to produce old school death metal sounds of late, but without much quality control, were you conscious of this and did you try to sound different to the cluster of bands doing similar things? Or was this natural, I mean, you live and breath this sound right?!

Haubersson: Speaking honestly, it’s always a lot about trying out things, doing it the way you can really do it and simply use the possibilities you really have. You can have endless discussions about sound etc. – to me the most important thing is: It has to feel good and in the end it doesn’t matter which method you use to fulfil this! I started with this project, because I truly love this type of Death Metal, it was never the idea to create something outstanding, special etc. – the only thing I wanted to do was doing music that expresses the feeling when I connect with this music. I see myself in first instance as a fan and not as a musician.

Maggesson is more the technical guy of us; he’s totally into equipment, giving try outs, using different settings etc. – it was mainly his work that made REVEL IN FLESH sound like it does. I’m more the execution guy, Ha!

AN: I assume you use Boss HM2 pedals! What else do you use to create that glorious death metal sound?

Haubersson: Of course the BOSS HM2 pedal is our magic tool. It’s not that much about professional tools. I also used an old IBANEZ guitar for the recordings, nothing special, but it works in a cool combination. Of course we will not unveil all secrets, but one thing is for sure: A certain amount of beer always helps you to get in the right mood J

AN: I believe this was your first vocal duty? How do you feel almost becoming a front man in such a band? Have you decided what instrument you will play should there be live shows in the future?

Haubersson: I’ll just do the vocals live; that works best for me. I can’t do guitars and vocals at once; that’s too much. I need a good feeling and no stress to it.

AN: Do you have a “live show” line up, or will you remain as a two piece for now?

Haubersson: You nailed it down: We’ve started with the first rehearsals in Feburary. Some cool dudes from German CHAOSREIGN, DEATHVASTATION & DEMONISED will help us to bring REVEL IN FLESH on stage. It’s a really good chemistry right now and we owe a lot to these guys. Currently we’re working on a 40 minute setlist.

AN: With this in mind (live shows), do you think we would see Revel In Flesh live at some point? I for one would like that, I get frustrated with bands like Paganizer and Ribspreader who rarely tour, especially over to our little island!

Haubersson: It’s a small world in Death Metal: We will play our first show on 18th of May as a local support for PAGANIZER (!!!) and GOREGAST in a small town nearMunich, south ofGermany. So you know where to go, Ha! Ha! I’m totally excited about that – all of us have live experience from previous bands, but this is a new situation to all of us in some way or another.

We have a few bookings on the run. In the moment of writing we’re already confirmed for NOCTURNUS Festival taking place this December inBerlin. On the bill will be bands like PUTERAEON, FUNERAL WHORE, CHAPEL OF DISEASE, DECEMBER FLOWER, GOREGAST etc. – a truely fine gathering for all old school maniacs J

AN: Who would you say are closest in your minds out of the bands that have come and gone (in some cases maybe) to the Revel In Flesh sound, i.e. your major influences?

Haubersson: It’s hard to nail it down but if you want a long list, eat this: ENTOMBED / NIHILIST, DISMEMBER, FLESHCRAWL, GRAVE, ENTRAILS, EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, TORMENTED, BOLT THROWER, BENEDICTION, MASTER, old DEATH, old MORGOTH, first 2 AUTOPSY albums, CANCER, first CEMETARY, early NECROPHOBIC, IMMORTAL RITES, DAWN OF DREAMS, APOPHIS, old SEPULTURA, CENTINEX / DEMONICAL, old EVOCATION, DENIAL (Mexico), PAGANIZER etc. – you know the list could be endless, but in the end I think REVEL IN FLESH has a certain own charm as well and our new material gonna proof this even more.

AN: What are the three albums you could not live without?

Haubersson: Hard to say because this may change each day, but let me put it like this: Can you imagine a great old school DM drinking night without “Like an ever flowing stream”, “Left hand path” or “Altars of Madness” – I can certainly not J

AN: Are there any hobbies are interests outside of Revel In Flesh you would like to talk about? I understand Haubersson is involved with a cool zine ‘Mystical Music Zine’ (http://www.mystical-music.de) , what does Maggesson do outside of Revel in Flesh?

Haubersson: Maggesson is a full blood musician – he works really hard on his Death/Grind project ROTTEN POPE as well, expect a blasting hell with that one. I guess he will soon post some samples.

Beside the musical shit we’re ordinary freaks dealing with the daily shit happening in daily life, so to say!!!

AN: Thank you so much for your time, ‘Deathevokation’ is a cool release; we hope to hear from Revel In Flesh once again very soon.

Haubersson: We have to thank you, Paul! About the future: We’re already in the song writing mood for a possible new album and there are also some plans for a possible split 7”EP, which we unveil (hopefully) soon. Our Death Metal machinery is rolling onwards, so keep yourself updated by checking the following sites for news, infos, merch etc.:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Revel-in-Flesh/304228902958414

Official Homepage: http://revelinflesh.jimdo.com

Cheerz to all who supported REVEL IN FLESH so far!!! Death by Metal!!!

Interviewed by Paul Maddison