Interview with Dale Roy of Canadian Assault Zine

 CANADIAN ASSAULT ZINE

INTERVIEW WITH DALE ROY EDITOR OF CANADIAN ASSULT ZINE AND CO-OWNER OF AUTOPSY KITCHEN.....DONE BY PATRICK FOR NO BULLSHIT ZINE


HAILS MY METAL BROTHER!!! HOPE YOUR DOING WELL THESE DAYS.PLEASE TELL THE UNDERGROUND A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR-SELF..
Hails my metal brother! I thank you very much for allowing me to express my views in your dedicated work! I am an old bastard, at least by UG scene standards, I will be 31 in October ’04, I was born and raised in Canada and spent the first 24+ years of my life there before moving here close to 5 plus years ago. I was pretty deep into tape trading (something I have had to stop doing due to my heavy work load) in my younger days and had probably 12 or 15 regular traders at all times worldwide from 1991 to 1998 or so. I wrote for many other fanzines from 92 until 97 such as The Sepulchral Voice (CAN), Inner Source (USA), Growling Brutality (CAN), Eternal Darkness (USA), Devourment Of Souls (Malaysia) and some more. Then in late 1997 I decided finally to make my own fanzine, it was my dream for many years and I finally realized this dream. I put out my first issue in early 1998 and recently (well maybe not that recently) I put out my 8th issue. As of roughly 7 months ago, myself and Jeffrey Kusbel (Assistant editor of Canadian Assault) started a record label called Autopsy Kitchen records but I am sure we will discuss more on that later.

I KNOW YOU WERE PRETTY YOUNG WHEN YOU FIRST DISCOVERED METAL. AT WHAT AGE DID YOU HEAR YOUR FIRST METAL BAND? WHAT WAS IT ABOUT METAL THAT YOU FELL INTO A LIFE LONG LOVE/OBSEESION WITH IT?
I discovered metal believe it or not at age 9 in late 1983. The first band? Oh fuck, I don’t know for sure but I think it was Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Ozzy probably all on the same day haha. At the time I was hanging out with older guys as many small towns like that there are not many kids so you have different age groups hanging out and I at that time was hanging out with guys ranging from the ages of 13 to 16 years old. They got me into it early. Then I quickly passed them by as they thought all the new bands I was discovering were too noisy and heavy for them (Hellhammer, Venom, Sodom, Grim Reaper, etc...) and before long none of them listened to metal anymore anyway. This fact coupled with the isolation of our area would explain why I was into metal for 6 years (1989) when I discovered there was such a thing as the underground and that was truly an awakening! Anyone who has read the editorial from issue # 8 (split with Leather 'N Spikes zine) will know I am very proud of the fact that I have been into metal for over 21 years now! Not to mention 14 years into the UG scene. I know that is a good question on the last part but how does one even put something like that into words? It is such an intangible and indescribable feeling. I guess it is everything, the rebellion against society (though with the amount of PC people in the scene these days I am not so sure anymore!?), it is a big epic adrenaline inducing fuck you all to anyone who does not worship metal! It is the aggression, the passion, the hate, the uplifting triumphant emotion, it is the extreme and brutal imagery and lyrical content, it is the soul massaging solos, it is the headbanging riffs and rhythms, it is the distortion, the attitude… See what I mean how can I put that all into one or two sentences without it sounding cliché or sappy? I will leave that to better writers than I, thank you. It is all of this that fuels me and continues to fuel me, every now and then when I wonder why do I still do this after so long I put on a Venom record or get a new demo for review that just kicks my ass and it all comes rushing back.

BEFORE THE BIRTH OF CANADIAN ASSULT YOU WROTE/CONTRIBUTED TO A BUNCH OF ZINES.WHATS WERE SOME OF THE ZINES YOU WROTE FOR? WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR FANZINES?
I think I may have answered most of this one at the beginning sorry. But I will list some of the ones I wrote for in the distant and not so distant times gone by. Which included Eternal Darkness (USA), Growling Brutality(CAN), Inner Source(USA), Devourment Of Souls (Malaysia), Discordia (CAN), Leather ‘N Spikes (CAN), Agonia War zine (Poland), The Sepulchral Voice (CAN) among others. I was just asked the other day to do an interview for the 2005 Summer (I think it is his 10 issues anniversary or something?) issue of almighty Vampir zine from Macedonia of all places. Simply I became interested due to the fact not long after discovering the UG scene, I discovered fanzines. Unlike some who buy them for this interview or that one. I buy fanzines because I a fan of fanzines, I got to the point I was easily or possibly even more excited to get a fanzine as a demo by some band I was dying to hear. I was writing editors often about new issues, to tell them how much I loved their work etc… and became friends and even tape traders with some of them. Then I started to want to do my own fanzine, however I lacked the time and to be dead honest, the confidence to pull it off myself so I kept up my torrid tape trading pace but I started receiving offers to write for other zines and before long I was writing for a small army of them and loving every minute of it. It still is a proud feeling to see my writing in a freshly released fanzine, whether it be mine or someone else’s. By the end of 1996 I started to get more serious about finally doing my own fanzine and in mid ’97 said fuck it, I have the money to do it now, so I did and here we are years later and I am still going even though possibly I will take longer between issues do to a myriad of circumstances of obligations I will not bore you with.

WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA TO STOP CONTRIBUTING TO ZINES AND ACTUALLY CREATE THE METAL BIBLE WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE TODAY? ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH ALL YOUR ISSUES SO FAR? WILL C.A NO.9 BE A SPLIT ISSUE AS WELL?
As I stated above I kind always wanted to do it all along. Then I finally started working and had some extra cash to burn and thought to myself, you have no excuse, you know what is involved and you have paid your dues, go for it cunt! I guess I am satisfied yes, certain issues I am more satisfied with than others. I thought my 2nd issue was pretty killer than I kind of got off track and made probably my least favourite issue, number 3. Not that it is a bad issue really, just I lost a bit of confidence in my writing, or more specifically my interviewing skills and kind of took too many people up on offers to do interviews for me, instead of doing them myself. Also I totally worshipped Drogheda and the guy (even though I met him in person since and he was really cool then a few years later) was kind of an asshole to me and seemed to be rushing through the interview which sort of got me down on that issue. Some people like that interview and I guess get a kick out of that I don’t know. It did not help he insulted the greatest band in the world – VENOM!!!!! Other than that it is mostly minor complaints really, stuff I could have done differently or better, however issue 6 had a horribly unforgiveable printing job and the two interviews with white writing on black background were indistinguishable and one, the Bestial Mockery interview was a great interview but you could read it! I have it on my site still I think if anyone got that issue and to help make up for it I had my friend Filip of Agonia War zine in Poland re-print it in his new issue a few months later. No unless things change in a drastic fashion, number will definitely NOT be another split issue and I will be sure to pick my partners a bit more carefully (personalities need to mesh too, not just content) in the future, I was spoiled when I did the split with Keith Dempe of Eternal Darkness in issue 4, Keith and I are such old friends and so deeply on the same wavelength it was the perfect fit. I think I will wait a couple more issues before I entertain such an idea again. I know people love it though.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE READING THIS WHO IS THINKING OF STARTING A ZINE.. IN YOUR EYES WHAT MAKES A GOOD ZINE?
You mean a print fanzine? Don’t do it! HAHA Just joking but it is getting tougher and tougher, the die hards who still buy, support and worship fanzines are dwindling year by year. It seems even if it is third rate, never updated and lacking in attitude, content and personality people will always go for what ever is free, I am of course talking about webzines. So my advice is, just never plan for it to be on a big scale, otherwise you will lose way too much money. Do what you like, do not accept too many adverts and always say fuck you to labels saying they will take out an advertisement for interviewing this band or that band. If your interview or review space is for sale, then you are selling out the whole scene and screwing us all over. Fanzines like Grimoire of Exalted Ad Space, SOD, etc… etc… have hurt the scene almost beyond repair over the years. If things are slow the first 2 or 3 issues, trust me that is way it is always is, so don’t fold up like so many other fly by nights always do. Obviously my idea of a good zine, is Canadian Assault or I would not be releasing it. However, what I would say to someone starting out is just look around, take the best of what you see from other fanzines, add things you do not see but would like to and try to put your own spin on everything and make sure your personality shines throughout the zine. That is what really makes a zine come alive, we have all read fanzines that seem as if they are written by some impartial sports referee who is afraid to piss anyone off or give an opinion that is not the PC scene one.

YOU AND I HAVE BOTH SEEN ALOT OF PEOPLE COME AND GO IN THE U/G. WHAT HAS KEPT YOU MOTIVATED AND INTERESTED ALL THESE YEARS.....
I think I may have answered this more or less in the question about what I love about metal. So quite contrary to my usual mouth diarrhea, I think I can answer the final portion of this question by saying I keep doing the zine for two reasons and that is to support the scene and second for that one person who writes me every issue telling me how special Canadian Assault is to them and the impact it had upon their lives. That is enough for me to keep going because it sure as hell is not the dwindling readership, losing a ton of money on each issue and etc… that are incentives to keep these old bones pulling the sled.

YOU AND JEFFREY K. {CO-EDITOR OF C.A ZINE} HAVE STARTED UP AUTOPSY KITCHEN REC.WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO JUMP FROM DOING A FANZINE TO RECORD LABEL? I BELEVE THE TWO OF YOU LIVE DIFFERENT STATES SO DOES THIS MAKE IT HARDER ON YOU TWO?
As mentioned earlier you are quite right, it is Jeffrey and I doing the label. Well, believe it or not we decided to do the label around 3 years ago, then did not do much about it and the rest of the time we have been saving up money and making big plans. Then finally we just went for it, we were going to start off really small and build it up from there, the first release was supposed to be a rehearsal tape from Nachtmystium. Then before I knew it Jeffrey phones me up and says “what would you think of the tape turning into a full length live vinyl LP?!” I said yes of course and now 7 months later to my own personal shock we have an amazing distro up and running with a paypal shopping cart and everything, not to mention in that 7 months we have out an LP, a split 7” EP and most recently a full length digi-pak album of all new studio material from Nachtmystium. Not too fucking bad for that short of a period, especially considering how long we spun our wheels! I think the label thing just started because honestly both Jeffrey and I both secretly wanted to start one for a long time or at least had the idea to do it one day and then the subject came up and we realized we were on the same page. I really hate to admit it but I have found out how true it is that people support the music and labels much, much more than fanzines. There are times when being in different states is a real hindrance, more so than the zine. Especially with regards to meeting up at shows and doing a label table at shows and shit. Also of course to make things easier and less complicated the distro, stock and orders have to be run out of my address and that address is Jeffrey’s. I think it was more a natural decision to start with as I always did everything as far as trades/sales/printing shop etc… with the zine so Jeffrey took on those items with the label and I must say he is doing a killer job too. I kind of handle everything to do with the website and I am basically the graphics department I guess, plus I help here and there with promotional matters. In the end we work it out and it is less of a problem living apart then one would think, especially being able to Email back and forth with graphics files and what not.

WHAT HAVE YOU RELEASED SO FAR? ANY UPCOMING RELEASES TO WATCH OUT FOR? IF A BAND READING THIS IS INTERESTED WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN SIGNING A BAND?
To start off we released the Nachtmystium “Live Blitzkrieg” album on vinyl, which promptly sold out and is no longer available. That was followed up with a split release with the freshly born Shades of Death records out of New Jersey. It was a split 7” involving Nachtmystium and Moribund records band Xasthur. That was released in 1 thousand copies with a special edition of 100 clear copies that came with a split t-shirt of the bands. The special edition is sold out and regular pressing only has a small handful of copies available so order it ASAP or forget about it I am afraid. Finally yet again is Nachtmystium with a full length album on digi-pak CD, the second pressing will be on regular jewel case (price will be cheaper though) with an entirely different layout, so if you want the souped up digi-pak version don’t wait forever to order one. Okay here is a run down of what is coming up on the label (at the end of the interview I will put more detailed information and if you have room to print it I will leave that up to you.): Superchrist "South Of Hell" Full Length CD AKR004 Release date: October 2004 (Halloween perhaps?) Chemikiller "Evilspeak" Debut Album/CD AKR005 Release date: November 2004 Morbid Darkness "Return From Death" Double 7" EP AKR006 Release date: Unholy Xmas Eve of Blasphemy 2004 Profanator “Shit On The Cross” 7” EP AKR007 Release date: Winter 2005 Superchrist "Back & Black" Vinyl LP AKR008 Release date: Winter/Spring 2005

I ASKED KEITH {ETERNAL DARKNESS CREATIONS} THIS QUESTION BUT WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR OPINION.. TODAY THERE IS ALOT OF TALK ABOUT WHO IS A "TRUE" METALHEAD AND POSERS? HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE A "TRUE" METALHEAD AND ALSO POSERS?
Of course in a general sense this is a gray area, is it not? However when we are talking individual opinions and well that is what you are asking for. Then I think a true metalhead is someone who is dedicated to it for life, they like what they like whether the big labels or magazines tell them they like. A true metalhead never thinks about making a quick buck off another die hard or die hards more precisely. A true metalhead in my view does not watch tv or listen to radio unless it is talk radio haha. I don’t know it is all straight in my head, it is a hundred different subtle things that define a die hard, it would literally take a book with all the individual points, counter points, philosophies etc.. being tied together and as I said everyone’s definition is different but the same if you know what I mean, it is a moving target. To be very simple and ultra general, a true metal does not follow trends and despises those that do, including the bands and labels which perpetrate them. A true metalhead never denies or forgets the roots and godfather bands of metal! I guess a poser is the exact opposite, someone who can be lead around by the nose, who jumps from one metal fashion to the next or even one genre to the next. I have known so many in the past who have done this and are now in the hardcore scene or the goth scene or the MTV scene. They are money driven but easily manipulated. A true metalhead is born that way, it runs through our veins, it is a medical fact!!

WELL MY FRIEND WE'VE REACHED THE END HOPE I DIDN'T BORE YOU TO DEATH....THANKS FOR DOING THIS INTERVIEW AND DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL COMMENTS?....................
You surely did not Patrick Deathrasher and I appreciate your eternal support my old friend. You have been slogging it out along side me for years and you have my respect you ole metallic bastard! Last words are just hails to all who have written or supported us, for the rest of you get in touch, write me or check out the label site we have some amazing stuff coming up that you will shocked a small label managed to get a hold of release!! RIDE THE WINGS OF HADES, DEATH IS ON OUR SIDE!!! ~ DALE

CONTACT CANADIAN ASSULT ZINE/AUTOPSY KITCHEN: C/O DALE RROOOY, 8687 Jones Road, Slatington, PA. 18080, USA
OFFICIAL LABEL CONTACT: AUTOPSY KITCHEN RECORDS 1001 Woodhollow Dr. Schererville, IN. 46375 USA

http://www.autopsykitchen.cjb.net

AUTOPSY KITCHEN CATALOG:

Nachtmystium "Live Blitzkrieg" LP Autopsy Kitchen Records release AKR001 Release date: December 25th 2003 Nachtmystium was formed by Azentrius is early 2000. Some of the music on early demo tapes was written as early as 1998, but the band was not established until early 2000. There have been a slew of session members over the years and there are still active session members to this day...but Nachtmystium is and always will be Azentrius. The purpose of Nachtmystium is to create the darkest, most depressing and hateful black metal possible...this goal will never change. >>>SOLD OUT<<<

Nachtmystium/Xasthur split 7" AKR002 Release date: March 12th, 2004 This split 7" ep has been in the works for over a year and was originally scheduled for release on another record label but that obviously never panned out for the bands involved, the other band being none other than Cali's own malefic madman's home studio project Xasthur. Malefic in addition to his own recorded track also provided the introduction (on either side of the vinyl) and fitting end to this release. Both of the band's tracks are unreleased and this should be a special ep for anyone remotely interested in either.

Nachtmystium "Demise" 2004 Digi-pak CD AKR003 Release date: July 2004 AKR003 has finally been established as the new full length offering from Nachtmystium titled "Demise". Autopsy Kitchen Records will be pressing the CD version of this album only. The vinyl will be available via Asgard Musik of Australia. Autopsy Kitchen will be offering the vinyl wholesale for a limited time immediately after release for US customers only. Write if interested. Also note that the cover art on the CD version will differ from that of the vinyl. Also of note is that the vinyl is not under license from Regimental Records as is printed on the back sleeve of the "Demise" gatefold. Autopsy Kitchen now has full rights to this release. The CD will be available soon and plans are to include a slipcase cover with every copy.

Superchrist "South Of Hell" Full Length CD
AKR004 Release date: October 2004 (Halloween perhaps?)

It is true those dirty Chi-town metallic motherfuckers known as Superchrist have been signed for not just one but two releases on Autopsy Kitchen. In addition to the "Back & Black" LP, we are stoked to announce we will be releasing world wide their brand new full length album on CD for all of you crack whore's to inhale. Dug up from Satan's own basement, songs like "Aim Low" and "Don't Ride With Superchrist" confirm the band's ability to write rocking hits, "Hurry Up and Bleed" and "Strangers in the Night" are instant classics in the old tradition. A classic in the making!

'YES, there’s a guitar solo in every song. YES, you can understand the words. YES, you can headbang to it.'...and YES, the Southern Lord of the Abyss drinks his whiskey old, fast & hard. So tell your wimp friends to listen to some real music, Superchrist, Superchrist!!!

Chemikiller "Evilspeak" Debut Album AKR005 Release date: November 2004 Marauding blackthrash goatwarriors Chemikiller are now signed to AKR for their debut full length album! No Vikings... No Corpsepaint... No Keyboards... No Gothic Stage Names... Just Black Fucking Metal... AKR005 is planned and inked in blood as well. A band we've all come to admire around here over the years, Delaware blackgoatholocaustthrash Chemikiller. Featuring the founder Ramrod on guitar and vocals and he has since added an actual line up for the new album which is unheard of in the Chemikiller camp. Also appearing on the album will be Joel Grind of the maniacal mutant thrash band Toxic Holocaust on drums as well as Lord Vic of Rampage on bass guitar. Expect no less than to thrash..black.

Morbid Darkness "Return From Death" Double 7" EP AKR006 Release date: Unholy Xmas Eve of Blasphemy 2004 Morbid Darkness never got their due. They roamed the underground scene from 1989 to early 1995, a time before time when black metal was a serious way of life before money and popularity infected the scene in the mid and late 90s. They embody the purity of the old ways, this recording from 1994 is flooded with all that is dark, evil and morbid in black metal. Prepare yourself for an onslaught of Warfare At Winters Solstice & Raise The Flag Of Blasphemy!

Profanator “Shit On The Cross” 7” EP AKR007 Release date: Winter 2005 Dark and brutal death/grind metal hell featuring Mexican maniac Antimo of Disgorge/Ravager/Demonized fame.

Superchrist "Back & Black" Vinyl LP AKR007 Release date: Winter/Spring 2005 "SUPERCHRIST has never taken pains to hide its influences, which tend toward the punk-influenced heavy metal of the early 1980s as heard on such long-players as No Sleep ‘til Hammersmith, Welcome to Hell, Bathory, W.A.S.P., and Killers. While many bands soften with age, SUPERCHRIST is only getting harder, and Back & Black is the proof." This superb album released on disc will finally see it's proper and rightful format, it shall be etched on dark as night colored vinyl - what else did you expect?