Although the rise of the Black Metal scene caused quite a stir worldwide and thus gave birth to several new Black Metal artists, there's only been a few Danish contesters, and most of them have gradually vanished like thin air. However, Sønderborg's Denial Of God are still sickening well and undead. I summoned vocalist Ustumallagam in order to salute him and his music with the freedom of speech on "Metal Reference's In-Briefs". Ustumallagam was originally supposed to answer my questions for the interview series "Five Shots from the Hip", but his computer crashed and he moreover felt strangely unable to reply before deadline. However, the vocalist of D.O.G. and publisher of Tornado magazine later decided to submit his opinion in another interview.

 – What's going on in Denial Of God these days?

 – Right now we are waiting for the picture disc version of our 7"EP "Robbing the Grave of the Priest" to come out on the Australian label Apocalyptor Records.

 – ...And then what?

 – Then we finally start rehearsing again and record the long awaited full length album "The Horrors of Satan". The songs and concept are ready to scare your soul.

 – From which energy source do you nourish in order to keep on going with Denial Of God?

 – That must be our big fascination for horror, metal and the dark side. It's a never ending inspirational source, you can dive into and get the best out of. I admit that sometimes it all seems futile and we are not going through easy times right now either, but we refuse to give up. We have so much we still want to do with the band, so just wait and see what the future will bring.

 – What gives you the biggest pleasure being a part of Denial Of God?

 – That's very hard to say. It's a great feeling every time you see your newest release coming out. But it's also great to play shows, when people ask for your signature on records and jackets, or when you record and really have to give your best. In Belgium a fan handed me one kilo of maggots to throw on the audience. That was great too. It's impossible answer really.

 – What's your opinion on the current Black Metal scene regarding the commercial value and mainstream appeal?

 – Personally the so-called black metal scene makes me sick. What used to be really interesting and a home for the most demented and sick people is now just a playground for stupid kids who like to shock their parents. It has all become so commercial and trendy labels like Nuclear Blast, who used to mock black metal like Mystifier in their old catalogues in 1991 or so, now sign Black Metal bands too to have a piece of the cake. At the Wacken Open Air we even saw how people were handed out free Dimmu Borgir candy in small bags with pentagrams on. I guess that says it all about what this has become. It's just a stupid circus now. Only a very few bands today still hold high the flag of real black metal like Watain, Grand Belial's Key, Arckanum, Inquisition, Blasphemy, Megiddo etc.

 – I know that you're devoted to many genres of metal, but which of those do not appeal to you?

 – If we talk about real metal, I like all kind of styles. I am into black, death, speed, thrash, doom, heavy, whatever metal. There are no limits as long as it's got spirit. If you are thinking about nu-metal, I can only say this thing does not exist. It's a term invented by labels and businessmen. No real metalhead would ever call Limp Bizkit or the likes for metal, as it's just silly hip hop with distortion. I hate those bands with a passion and hope they will die of drugs or AIDS.

 – Besides Denial Of God, you're running Tornado magazine. Tell me about that…

 – I publish Tornado magazine, and #5 will be released sometime in October, I think. This time I've interviewed bands like Blasphemy, Misery's Omen, Victimizer, Watain, Vomitor, Sodomizer etc. Also old legendary bands like Mirage and Ripper. I always wanted to do a magazine, but never got started as I had no money for it. One day I simply said I wanted to do it seriously and did. No big deal. It's great to be able to support your favourite bands.

 – What on earth are you doing in the Godforsaken, provincial town of Sønderborg in Jutland?

 – I often ask myself that too. I could move if I wanted to, but to where? Denmark is so boring. No cool scene or shows.

 – Denial Of God has been alive and unwell for several years. Have you ever thought about splitting up?

 – I see no reason to quit. I can't see my life without the band. We have so many more stories to tell and graves to desecrate.

CHAOSEMPIRE