Lefler, Barksdale, Barnes, and Higgins

Why did Cataclysm break up? How many releases did you put out before you disbanded?
Basically Jim and Chris just grew sick of dealing with uncommitted losers who were more concerned with playing what's popular at the time. I guess another factor was they just got sick and tired of each other, as well as the entire scene. After taking a break for awhile, Jim and Chris decided to start jamming again and Assisting Sorrow was born. Both of them grew incredibly musically and are much more mature. Cataclysm put out two demos from 1992-1994.

List the main influences on your band.
Many different bands influence us all. Iron Maiden, King Diamond, Forbidden, Death, Atrocity, Morbid Angel, Helloween, and Helstar top the list.

You have a strong progressive/power metal sound to your band. Was this intentional? Do you get any shit about this from the more brutal-oriented death metal fans?
I don't think it was intentional, but we have always been into power metal and progressive metal. Those kinds of music is what inspired us to play in the first place. Yes, we do get some flack in our shitty scene, but that is because most of them are jealous trendy losers.

How often do you play live? How do audiences respond to you?
We play about twice a month. We seem to get pretty good responses. I'm sure it could be better, but what can one expect from Louisville?! Most of the people here are into the flavor of the week bullshit I do know that Assisting Sorrow does indeed have an impact on this scene. People won't forget us.

Promo 1999

You play a lot of covers live. How important is playing covers to you? Do you plan on recording any covers for your albums any time soon?
We love to play the classics! People seem to go nuts over them live. It's fun to play Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Coroner songs. Actually, we never really work on cover tunes. We usually just pound them out on the spur of the moment. I would like to record a cover for an album in the future, Maybe something by Goreaphobia. We'll see. We've also just recorded a cover of "Tbe Uninvited Guest" for Dwell Records King Diamond tribute CD. It should be killer!

Your debut demo CD is quite promising. How has the general response to it been?
Great! We couldn't be happier. All we've had so far were great responses.

I hear you are going to be recording a full-length CD soon. Tell me a bit about it. Are you going to shop it to labels?
We are recording our first full-length album right now. The new songs are a lot more complex and melodic, as well as catchy. With all the good reviews we've received so far, hopefully a contract is not too far away. I think being an American band doesn't help much, though.

Future Silence

Is Mike Barnes a full-time member now? Is Chris going to do some more clean-style vocals on your new CD?
Yes, Mike is a full-time member of our band, as well as Abominant. Yes, Chris is going to do much more clean-style vocal tracks on the new material.

What made you decide to become the bassist for the band?
At first I wasn't even interested in being in the band. I just did the artwork for the three-song demo. I invited Chris and Jim to my house to check out some art samples and they spotted my dust-covered bass guitar resting in the corner. They had a show planned a month away and asked if I wanted to try out for the spot. I did so, having never actually played the bass until that day. But I have played guitar for years.

List what you consider to be the top five albums of all time?
My top four are Atrocity "Longing For Death," Sentenced "North From Here," Septic Flesh "The Ophidian Wheel, and Abominant "The Way After." Chris' favourites are Iron Maiden "Powerslave," Death "Human," Judas Priest "Painkiller," Morbid Angel "Altars Of Madness," and Yngwie Mainisteen "Marching Out." Mike is partial mainly to Iron Maiden "Somewhere In Time," Crimson Glory "Transcendence," Septic Flesh "Mystic Places Of Dawn," Judas Priest "Defenders Of The Faith," and Celtic Frost "To Mega Therion."

What are your day jobs and hobbies? I'm a gardener. I mostly just lay around and do art all day. Chris works for UPS and does nothing but play guitar and listen to music. Jim is a firefighter and works out all the time. Mike is a professional butcher and likes metal, beer, sex, and more beer.

Demo 1998

With a band name such as yours, I could see people thinking you play doom. How did you come up with the name? It came from Cataclysm's 1993 demo, "Assisting Sorrow."

Are there any other cool metal bands in your area?
Assisting Sorrow and Abominant are the only true metal bands in this immediate area. The new band Psychopathy is starting off good, as well as Estuary Of Calamilty and Thorns Of The Carrion from northern Kentucky.

What do you think about the current state of the underground and the rise of all these shitty gothic, trendy, rap, and retro bands in the "metal scene" nowadays?
It has definitely died down quite a bit since 1993. There are too many damn labels. I try not to think about trendy loser bands too much. I'm just sick of all this crossover builshit. Korn, Coal Chamber, and Fear Factory are not metal. It's all just rap music to my ears. It has no feeling and won't last.

What are some future plans for the band?
To keep writing songs, playing shows, and hopefully put out a cool full-length CD.

This interview is now at an end. Closing comments?
Thanks for the interview. I hope heavy metal never reaches mainstream status again. That will be the death of it, for sure.

Contact: Assisting Sorrow
c/o Chris Leffler
7345 Saint Andrews Church Road Apt. #10
Louisville, KY 40214-4057

Check out the band's official website at: