DEMONIC CHRIST

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Way back in the 1990s when the days of tape trading thru the mail was in full swing I exchanged letters with a girl named Dana Duffey. I had been familiar with her work with Mythic, as my ex-boyfriend actually had introduced me to their Mourning In The Winter Solstice EP. Being a female musician myself I had admired Duffey’s musical abilities. No other woman was doing death metal vocals or playing guitar as fiercely as her and receiving total respect from the male dominated world that metal is. After Mythic came and went I got wind of Duffey’s new band DEMONIC CHRIST through a mention in a metal magazine. I wrote to the address provided and received a letter back with a DEMONIC CHRIST demo tape included. The music on the tape was unlike anything I had ever heard before. Keep in mind this was 1993. It was evil, Satanic skull crushing metal and I thought it was fucking mind blowing. In the late 90s I was lucky to obtain the original release of Punishment For Ignorance on CD, as well as a compilation entitled Awakening that DEMONIC CHRIST had a track on. As the 90s ended DEMONIC CHRIST went dormant as Duffey lived her life. There were one off shows here and there over the years. However, not knowing if they would ever be heard from again, fans made fan pages dedicated to Duffey and DEMONIC CHRIST with utmost praise, wanting and awaiting her triumphant return. In 2012 Duffey broke the news that DEMONIC CHRIST was in fact reforming! Like a corpse from a grave DEMONIC CHRIST has risen again. Starting off 2013 as one of the headlining bands at Cathedral Of The Black Goat Fest III I jumped at the chance to finally see the woman who was one of the biggest influences on my life in metal. I was honored to meet and befriend Duffey and told her of the time I received that DEMONIC CHRIST demo tape from her in the mail. It was amazing to finally see DEMONIC CHRIST get their due as rabid fans went insane during their ritual. And now, in her own words Dana Duffey gives you insight into DEMONIC CHRIST, how it all began and their diabolical future plans as well as insight on her previous band Mythic and its demise. Never underestimate the most respected woman in metal!

Sioux: Greetings Dana! I think one of the most exciting things about 2013 was the return of DEMONIC CHRIST. Can you tell us how this resurrection came about?
Dana: Hails and thank you! I have been continuing to write music over the years and knew at some point I would return fully. The resurrection came about when DEMONIC CHRIST was asked to play Cathedral Of The Black Goat Fest III. This was the inspiration to get things moving again.

Sioux: DEMONIC CHRIST recently did some one-off shows and an East Coast tour to announce your return. How was the experience and the audience reactions? Any stand out stories? Do you plan to do more touring in 2014?
Dana: Yes! After the COBG fest in March we then played Martyrdoom (NYC) Fest in June of 2013. Followed by a 10 day tour of the northern East coast in November ending at Messe des Morts Fest in Quebec, Canada. All shows were excellent really. As much as people complain that there isn’t a scene and people don’t come out to shows, I found this to be anything but true. We had really great turn outs at most locations, except where promoters didn’t do anything at all to promote. This is the weak link in my opinion. The audience is out there, the so called “scene” is thriving. It is not what it once was in the early 90s, but it is still very viable. The biggest change I saw out there today vs. 20 years ago is the amount of women at the shows who are truly into the music and are contributors to the scene. I think this is awesome! Stateside, Martyrdoom and Baltimore were probably our top shows based on the crowd energy response and the energy from our performance. Messe des Morts was the cream of the crop! Best everything! Perfect way to end the tour! Perfect moment!

Sioux: You have a split in the works with a certain Finnish black metal band, any word on that?
Dana: Yes! I just received word the vinyl is at the pressing plant! This is a split EP (vinyl only) with comrades Horna and will come out on Kvlt/Hammer Of Hate Records in Finland. So hopefully this release will be out in the next month or two! This will be the first EP release for DEMONIC CHRIST!

Sioux: The last DEMONIC CHRIST full length was released back in 1995. How has the band evolved sound wise since then? How is it to record again?
Dana: Yes, it has been a very long time since a full length was released. I have some regrets over this, in hindsight, I really wish I would have pushed it further sooner, but my personal life took over. Becoming a mother took precedence. Several promo tapes and tracks were released after Punishment For Ignorance and I think the progression seems very natural if you listen to the music from the beginning till now. It feels great to record again! I am very eager to begin recording the new opus!

Sioux: DEMONIC CHRIST is no on the Hells Headbangers label, and congratulations are in order. Can you talk about the new album and what we’re in store for? Will it also be released on vinyl or cassette?
Dana: Thank you! I am very proud to have signed with Hells Headbangers. I do think they are the great quality label and distro, one of the best in the US! The new album is titled The Great Purge and will be out sometime this year. Cover art is by Paolo Giraridi who has worked with Inquisition, Basphemophager, Prosanctus Inferi and many others. It is a great honor to have the images in my mind portrayed on canvas through the eyes and hands of this amazing artist! I do think the music continues to progress but the original USBM style remains. I am ready to go full force with the album, holding nothing back. I feel I have a lot to make up for! You won’t be disappointed.

Sioux: It is well known that you started out in Mythic. Any plans to resuscitate Mythic or is the past better left alone?
Dana: Unfortunately, with the way things ended with Mythic as well as the drama that has continued over time that is an impossibility.

Sioux: What made you want to make the transition from Mythic to DEMONIC CHRIST?
Dana: I was always held back lyrically. The other girls were not into Satanism or the Occult so I was very limited. This was frustrating. There were also personal differences between us that really became a problem quickly. When we played the Milwaukee Metal Fest in 1992, we played with a session drummer, as our drummer had already been let go. Deicide headlined and when I saw and felt what they were doing, it was a sign to follow my heart and create a blasphemous band, so DEMONIC CHRIST was born. Conceptually right then in 1992 although the “Deceiving the heavens” demo didn’t come out until 1993.

Sioux: Recently you did some guest vocals and participated in a video with Wolfpack44. Tell us how you came to be involved in that project.
Dana: That was an amazing experience! Wolfpack44 is the brainchild of Electric Hellfire Club’s Rictor Ravensbruck. I knew him from many years back. He asked if I would be interested in participating and lending my vocal abilities and it was a no brainer. Knowing Rictor, his musical history and his Satanic views, I was proud to be part of this. It was my honor. I have bonded with all the members and consider them family. I would love to work with them further in the future!

Sioux: As a vocalist, when out on tour, how do you keep your voice in top form?
Dana: I have found the most important thing is to not talk during the other bands which is a great strain on the vocal chords. I wait until in-between so I am not ruining my voice. Hot tea with honey is awesome too, before and after the ritual. That’s it really… if you don’t shred your throat on stage it’s not hard to maintain.

Sioux: What does 2014 hold for DEMONIC CHRIST?
Dana: The release of the forthcoming album The Great Purge on Hell’s Headbangers and more live shows! We have a date set in Chicago for November. More shows and hopefully touring to come!

Sioux: Thank you so much for your time Dana, it’s quite an honor to interview you as I’ve been a fan for quite some time. I shall leave the last words for you!
Dana: Thank you Sioux, it has been my pleasure! Thank you very much for your support over the years and now! Thanks to all who have supported DEMONIC CHRIST over the last 22 years! This is just the beginning! Follow us on Facebook. Hail Satan!