Deicide
I Call Satan on the Phone

04.02.2011

Deicide is definitely a metal legend no matter whether you like them or not. But even more legendary than the band itself is its frontman, Glen Benton. Many tough guys playing extreme music turn out nice and quiet when you talk to them offstage, but Benton is not that case. You can hate him for not letting any interesting information out, but on the other hand, he doesn’t let a casual conversation ruin his image. As far as I can judge by this phoner, Glen is indeed a vile person that believes in Satan and doesn’t give a damn about any morals.

First of all I would like to ask you about your new album “To Hell With God”. What do you want to say with this title?

What I want to say is as long as we keep believing in God and living the lies of God, living under the book of God, we are going to hell.

As I understood, the lyrics on the album are, as always, about blasphemy and Satan. Is it easy or difficult for you to follow this lyrical concept on every record? Have you ever considered writing about something else on a Deicide album?

I said we are going to destroy ourselves with God… What was the other question?

Is it easy or difficult for you to follow this lyrical concept on every record? To sing only about blasphemy and Satan?

It comes from my soul.

Have you ever considered writing about something else on a Deicide album?

No.

On your previous two albums Steve Asheim was the producer. Now Mark Lewis works with you. Why did you decide to engage him?

I am the executive producer, Steve is the producer, and Mark co-produces with me and Steve.

In a recent interview you said that the new album will be “less melodic, a little more blast-beat, chaotic sounding stuff”. Was it the result of recording with a new producer, or was it the original plan?

I can just say it was a plan that came together well.

A lot of bands speak about how they develop and evolve with each record. Is development and evolution something that you seek to achieve with Deicide?

I think the new stuff is just a better production. We went to a different studio and worked with Mark Lewis and it was all the changes.

“To Hell With God” is the first album you have made for Century Media Records. Why did you choose this label?

They offered us a very good deal. What we have seen is that Century Media promote their bands well. So we are hoping to achieve our goals with this label.

Why did you stop working with Earache?

My contract went out.

The cover artwork of “To Hell With God” is very nice. That person above the skeletons is Jesus, am I right?

Basically it is Jesus coming back to Earth and finding us all in hell. Basically it’s Jesus in hell, but this is our hell.

How does the process of making a cover artwork usually go, and how was it with “To Hell with God”?

I come up with an idea. And then I find the artist who turns my idea into something that I like.

Your guitar player Ralph Santolla has announced his departure from Deicide already a couple of times. However, Century Media’s website once again lists him as a band member. What is Ralph’s status in the band at the moment?

Ralph got back to work. Ralph played on the previous record, Ralph plays on this one. So he is still part of the band.

You and Ralph seem to be very different in your religious beliefs, he has even said that he’s a Christian. How do you cope with that situation?

Well, if he is a Christian, I can only say this, “When his day comes and he will be standing in front of Saint Peter in front of heaven’s gates he will get a lot of explaining with him”.

What do you think about Amon, the new band of the Hoffman brothers? Have you been in contact with them lately?

Never heard about it.

When you explained Hommfans’ departure in various interviews, you said that they lost interest in playing and making music. At what point in time did it happen?

I didn’t want to talk about them.

Is it easy for you to stop the relationships with a person?

Stop relationship with a person?

Like Hoffmans.

Like anybody - yeah.

Deicide have played some tours without you. How do you feel when somebody else sings your lyrics?

Hmmm… You should have been asking the other guys. I don’t give a shit. They did what they have to do against my wishes and paid for it.
 
Have you seen Deicide playing without you?

I see them every time at the soundcheck. I go in the hall and watch.

At the moment Deicide don’t have an official website, and the band’s MySpace page is run by Earache and only devoted to the back catalogue. In the time when the Internet seems to be the biggest promotion tool, do you think such limited presence in the Internet is sufficient for Deicide?

Well, we do have the official Deicide MySpace page – type in “theofficialdeicidemyspacepage”, just like that. And Facebook.

How did you get a job with Vital Remains?

Good friends told me about this band and asked me if I could do it. I said ok.

What is currently happening with Vital Remains?

I have no idea.

Will you play with this band in future?

I don’t think so. Got too much work with Deicide to do.

In one of the interviews you said that you “have a spiritual link” with Lucifer. How do you get in touch with him?

I call him on the phone.

When did you realize that Satanism is your religion?

It realized me. I just lived in the shadows when I was a child. Growing in the shadows – and that’s what I am. I am in the opposite side of light.

How did your parents react when you start playing a death metal band?

They were proud of me, because I achieved my goal.

I heard that you are a big fan of Elvis Presley. How did you get interested in Elvis?   

When I was kid a listened to Elvis, Chuck Berry, The Beatles and all that stuff, also The Who. Then I start to listen to heavier stuff when I was a teen. Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and all that’s stuff. Then forward to Venom, etc.

I have also heard that you like Korn and Limp Bizkit. Most of true metalheads hate these bands. What can you say about it?

Limp Bizkit? I have never heard them. (He did say the contrary in an interview I have personally read – ed.)

You have diverse musical tastes. Have you ever thought about doing a side project?

Ahh… Yeah. If the right project comes along I will take part in it.

I heard that you stopped drinking alcohol. What made you to do so?

I only drank on tour when I was rounded with people that made me miserable. People no longer allow me to be miserable, so I don’t drink anymore.

What kind of motorcycle do you have?

2009 Harley Davidson Rocker.
 
Do you often ride alone or with friends?

I like to ride alone.

What do you think about such persons as Marilyn Manson? Is he a real Satanist?

Marylin Manson? He is a cartoon boy.

And what about bands like Venom, which members claimed to be Satanists, but now are saying that it was all just image?

Still a great band, man, what can I say. They started it all.

Some of the bands that play extreme metal are connected with nationalism. What do you think about neo-nazis?

I have no interest in politics and that shit, man. But I don’t give a shit about ‘em.

In a previous interview you said that you like animals and you have a dog and fish. But when back in 1992 two boys killed a dog and told the police they were inspired by Deicide, you didn’t look as if this animal’s death made you sad.

Just like anything man. When something happens not into my world, I don’t give a shit. If someone does it to my dog I will cut their balls and put them down their throat.

Do you like sports?

I like football, yeah.

What is your favorite movie?

Shit, man, I got a lot of them. I think “Silence Of The Lambs” was a really great movie.

Favorite book?

Whatever is next to the toilet.

Deicide were supposed to play in Russia a couple of years ago, when the band was touring without you. A gig was scheduled, but the band refused to cross the Russian border, and promoters made some very negative comments after that. Is there a chance that you will still play in Russia one day?

I hope so. I have nothing to do with that situation. I have never worked with that promoter and guys did that all thing without my involvement. So I apologize to anybody that might been affected by it.

What do you do in your free time (when you are not on tour)?

Well, everything. Ride a bike, or fishing or, you know, I like the shopping. Spend time with my family, go to different places. Las Vegas, you know.

What is your favorite place to go?

Home.

Deicide on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theofficialdeicidemyspacepage

Special thanks to Stefan Franke (Century Media) for arranging this interview

Sergei “BoBr” Bobrik
January 28, 2011
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