PW: When we last had a chat you did mention that Christian Death were working on an album called ‘Ten Excuses For A Suicide.’ I am assuming that current events and the state of the world politically led to this being perhaps put back with the more relevantly entitled ‘American Inquisition’?

Maitri - Since our great ancestors started Christian Death in ages old, we have been in competition with The Bible. The many works of Christian Death have led to the new result “American Inquisition.

Valor - Ha! ha!, yes, Ten Excuses... was put way back on the back burner and then the gas went out, when the twin towers came down

PW: Just to clear up a question that many will be wondering about, the new album is primarily the work of yourselves and Nate Hassan on drums according to the back of the promo. You also have various session musicians but seem to prefer arranging most of the instrumentation without outside influence. Any particular reasons for working this way, is it a case of too many cooks or perhaps distance involved between like-minded contributors?

Maitri - We just did what we could to get it done. Life is inconvenient, It is difficult when the people you want to work with live thousands of miles apart. Valor is very compulsive and impatient for results that is why he is a great engineer and producer too.

Valor - I refuse to take all the credit, Maitri has achieved the Valor seal of approval for production and taught me a thing or two.

PW: One thing that is particularly noticeable is the array of ‘exotic instruments’ that Valor employs on the album. These are as varied as violin, yali tanbur, mandolin and ‘assorted percussion’ (which I am intrigued to find out what exactly this includes). Are you one of those people who can simply pick up pretty much anything and quickly figure out how to play it, or is it all a long learning process?

Valor - I am from a family of musicians and always had access to many varied instruments of which drums and percussion were the first choice for the primeval toddler that I was. I tinker with instruments to suit my needs. I am not a virtuoso, but I give it my soul.

The percussions which you inquire of are: the Doumbec and Indian Tabla, the Tar, the Mid East tambourine otherwise known as the Daff, finger cymbals, as well as assorted Latin percussion such as the Congas, Cabasa, Bongos as well as Bells, Tubular Bells, Chimes, Cow Bells, Triangles, actual human skull blocks, whips, chains and blunt instruments, salt and pepper, then place in a medium sauce pan and simmer until ready to serve .

PW: As far as the theme and concept of the album is concerned it is one that is described on the whole as subtle and for the listener to work out in their ambiguity. However it strikes as Christian Death’s ‘state of the world address’ as far as I am concerned, dealing with conspiracy theories and George Bush and his holy war amongst other things. Would you care to elaborate a little and what are your views on the political climate in America at the moment? For us in the UK on the outside looking in, the word ‘worrying’ would certainly be on the tip of many tongues?

Valor - I regret to inform you but the UK is not on the outside. It is firmly entrenched within. Nor does the Queen simply take high tea and put on fancy clothes. Remember this?, British monarchy falls, Oliver Cromwell takes control - monarchy re-assumes power but pretends to have none, Really?! And who controls America? Surely not “We The People”. Countries are not that at all and never have been. They are merely the acquisitions of the most powerful landlords and we are the tenants this is why in Britain all land has a 99 year lease to the crown.

In order to convince us to comply with the way they want things done, leaders will tell us that God is on their side and so should you be, or you will be punished by both them and again after you are dead by God.

American Inquisition is a wake up call to the meek and the gullible. The powers that be are Hell bent on bringing back the Dark Ages and The Inquisition where once again you can be executed for not believing, reading books, masturbation or having sex with the woman on top.

PW: Another subject the album embraces is TV evangelism, something else that thankfully is not rammed down our throats over here. It is probably due to this that it is something that I find fascinating. How can people be so gullible as to enshroud these false messiahs in so much glory, adoration and of course cash? Do you consider that some of these tin-pot control freaks actually believe they can offer redemption to those that revoke the moral ills of the world and how controlled is America by their message?

Valor - perhaps some do actually believe in God, however, my intuition and my understanding of man tells me most do not. Once they ask you for money, then you know where their heart is. There are many people in America who really want to do the right thing, unfortunately, they are notoriously the victims of scoundrels, swindlers and emissaries of god and this makes them very dangerous. Sadly, as elections are now the focus of every newscast in America, it seems candidates are sized up by how religious they are.

PW: American Inquisition is your debut album on French label Seasons Of Mist. You seem to have worked with a lot of different labels in recent years including Candlelight more recently. How did this change come about and how are things going so far?

Valor - To find a label that actually cares about the music, the lyrical content, the motivation and goals of a band is quite impossible. Season Of Mist are an impossible dream and we are glad all our contracts with former labels are null and void.

PW: Moving onto the actual songs on the album; the opening song ‘Water Into Wine’ with its violin refrain reminds a bit of The Kronos Quartet ‘Requiem For A Dream’ soundtrack music. In a way lyrically the number grasps the American Dream and illustrates all that is wrong and corrupt with it. Is this a fair assessment and another thing that I have to wonder is, do you expect any condemnation from the more patriotic citizens within the New World disorder?

Valor - I have always tried to expose the corruption that drenches our lives in the swill of greed and lies. My name is Valor, a name I try to live up to and I will continue to make a stand, hopefully, I will not be burnt at the stake because of it.

PW: Musically the album is at odds with its themes and is at times certainly upbeat. Example is ‘Stop Bleeding On Me’. There is almost a psychedelic garage sound on this with the warbling keyboards and in fact the album at times tunes in and drops out to the music of past decades. Was this the intention and which era are your heads most comfortable in?

Maitri - There is no intention to be in any era. We simply just locked our selves up with no music by other people, no radio, no TV, . Deprived of music, we only created what our souls craved.

Valor - Just as the ocean tides go in and out and as day turns to night, so too are the positive and negative forces at play on American Inquisition. The lyrics are the negative charge and the music is the positive force that completes the circuit.

PW: I mentioned in the review that ‘Narcissus Metamorphosis Of’ is as catchy as hell and with a chorus so hook laden it almost has potential to enter the charts. I suppose this follows on from the equally catchy likes of, ‘This Is Heresy’ and ‘Church Of No Return’ albeit in not quite such a blasphemous manner. I guess the question is, have you ever been tempted to perhaps sneak something under the radar perhaps under a different name and subvert the mainstream musical mass?

Maitri - I find it time consuming just to put my soul in Christian Death and Lover Of Sin. That is what fulfils me.

Valor - My life is Christian Death

PW: It wouldn’t really be a Christian Death album without some sort of reference to drugs. I really love the song and the intriguing title of ‘Dexter Said No To Methadone’. I actually fired that over to a friend in America with a toddler called Dexter (but for some reason not heard back)! Is the song about anything in particular, it sounds written on a personal level?

Valor - I prefer not to mention any names, but yes, it is personal and refers to close personal friends

PW: The other pharmaceutically inclined song ‘Angels And Drugs,’ is a beautiful ballad. Valor’s vocals sound timeless, perhaps there is a touch of Lou Reed as he waits for the man about them whilst Maitri is his Nico. OK so the clichéd interview question is; Christian Death embrace the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll lifestyle. What are your drugs of choice and do you ever see yourselves slowing down?

Maitri - Life is a drug for me and everything to make it better I will use or try.

Valor - Some people drink a fine wine to help enjoy their meal, some people drink to make fools of themselves and throw up everywhere. There are many substances, which for thousands of years, people have used to; commune with the gods, posses courage to go into battle, to escape, to emphasize the exhilaration of love making. I prefer the latter. I am a connoisseur of fine substances much like that of wine. Like with most things, one must know ones limits.

PW: I guess a tour is imminent with the new album to promote. One thing I have to ask is if you are going to tempt fate and visit London (and perhaps more of the UK) again? The band suffered with sound that can only be described as raped when they supported Cradle Of Filth and last venture at the Garage saw them jetlagged having flown in from Mexico City and the gig cut short, with smoke and an invasion of firemen. Are Christian Death jinxed in London?

Maitri - Of course we are coming to London, it is one of the best places to play. Naturally we hope nothing goes wrong. It is an emotional battle, when all you want to do is have a great show.

PW: One final thing is what future plans do you have and is there likely to be another Lover Of Sin album Maitri? After the excellent reactions to the last one a lot of people would like one.

Maitri - Right now, I just started enjoying the ride this album has got us on, I haven’t even got to the peak yet. When I come down from my high I will resume work on the new Lover Of Sin album which will be entitled “Horney Beast”.

Any final words?

Valor - It is not about the CIA, it is not about doomsday, it’s not about the Christian Muslim or the Jew, IT”S ABOUT YOU

So there you have it, intrigued, well you certainly should be. Christian Death are a band that go way beyond the music. Theirs is a passion and one that as Valor points out, their life. If you are familiar with the band, you will be aware of this and no doubt will have sought out American Inquisition at the first chance. If not, it is a damn fine starting point to illuminate yourself with both their music and ideologies, after all is wisdom not knowledge?

Interviewed by Pete Woods
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