Love him or Hate him, you cannot deny that KING FOWLEY lives,breates,sleeps and does everything humanly possible to keep the flame burning for METAL! With his bands DECEASED and OCTOBER 31,as well as his label OLD METAL RECORDS,he is a very busy man,and I was honored when he said he would do an interview with us here at UNSTOPPABLE FORCE. In this brief interview (at least brief for this page,count this as a mini-interview,but it still fucking rules...I couldn't think of alot of questions.),King tells us about the new DECEASED EP,as well as the future of his label and both DECEASED and OCTOBER 31! READ ON! Chris.
As of 2002,Old Metal Records is dead and is now known as BATTLEZONE RECORDS.
C.O.-What can you tell us about the new DECEASED ep "Under the Mourners Veil"? Are the songs a return to the death/grind style from early in your career or are they more like the songs from Supernatural Addiction? What are the originals based on? Why did you chose those particular songs to cover?
K.F.-The e.p will be a bit 'aggressive' but still in the deceased mold of all eras of the band!We want to record an e.p and get back out and tour! then sit down and do a full scale record full of insanity and metal!!! the original songs are based on fiction and non fiction! Topics include the 3 convicted arkansas teens from the 'paradise lost murders' story, a fictional tale of a child's fears, and more!!! the covers are now 'Zombie Attack' from TANKARD, 'Deathrider' from ANTHRAX, 'Reaganomics'D.R.I., and 'Plunging to Megadeath' from HALLOWS EVE! Four tunes we love and want to cover, nothing more, nothing less!!!
C.O.-Can you give us a brief history of the band OCTOBER 31? When did you start the band and why? What has the band released up to this date? Is that band on hiatus while you record the new DECEASED material?
K.F.-OCTOBER 31 was started in 1995! I put the project together to create some old school 'metal' tunes for fun. it took off and has since seen three records surface... 'The Fire Awaits You', 'Visions of the End', and 'Meet Thy Maker'! Both DECEASED and OCTOBER 31 are writing new material as time comes around. I always keep busy so both bands have time to do what's needed! look for the new OCTOBER 31 album in the summer of 2001! it is called 'No Survivors!'!
C.O.-What is the mission of OLD METAL RECORDS? How long has the label been around? What were your first releases? How did you get the oppurtunity to write the liner notes for the CIRITH UNGOL Re-issues on METAL BLADE?
K.F.-To bring back the sound that is metal rock to peoples ears! i'm sick of these 'copy' bands like HAMMERFALL and PRIMAL FEAR being the latest craze. Bullshit! Hear where it all came from! old school=OLD METAL RECORDS!!! Tons of releases from LAZZ ROCKIT to BLESSED DEATH to GRIFFIN to WITCHCROSS and more! Metal Blade faxed me and said my name kept getting brought up to do the liner notes for the record! I had done a single by the band and people knew I loved them! I did it and that was that. It actually helped get OCTOBER 31 signed as the label mentioned they really dug the OCTOBER 31 material! it led to talks and then a deal was struck!!!
C.O.-What do you have plans on releasing in the future? Will the label ever sign new metal bands which are somehow connected to classic metal bands?
K.F.-We will sign anything we like and admire! A few bands are in the works of signing up with me! Sadly too many people have been interrupting my deals with greed and stupidity so I can't really name bands yet! Soon though! I don't want anyone stealing my thunder you know! sorry!
C.O.-How do you gain the rights to re-release these records? How do you get the demo/ live bonus tracks for the re-issues? Do you plan on improving the packaging of the albums with maybe band histories,old fanzine articles,reviews,or anything else like that?
K.F.-Alot of bands I contact and we go on an agreement! In the beginning we were just putting them out there! I wolud try to find contact but sometimes there was none! so I took a chance by just pressing it! This happened with SOUND BARRIER for example! They eventually heard about my cd and contacted me! They were very happy to see someone cared about them and their music still! I aint in this for money let me tell ya'! I just hate all these 'suit and tie guys' keeping classic records and bands in their 'vaults' because they are too lazy to release them in up to date formats! As for the packaging, I have learned by trial and error what to do with my releases! In the very early days we were eating oodles and noodles to survive so it wasn't possible to add booklets, lyrics, etc. to the discs. As time has gone on we have gotten our heads on,our necks tighter and planned it out better! OLD METAL is a very, very viable label I assure you! We have a very cult following and support the world over! It was time for someone to stop talking and start releasing, OLD METAL did it! Have you seen the other labels popping up now ala OLD METAL style??? I'd like to think they took our cue and ran with it!!! All we ask is to keep it honest and without greed! real prices fair for all!!!
C.O.-What are some records you wish you could re- issue,but can't because they have been re-released already or just aren't possible to be re-released?
K.F.-I don't again want to say as we may get something real soon we are hoping for! A lot of labels try and back stab OLD METAL out of jealousy and greed! We can never talk about plans because of this! They will try and 'undercut' us! It has already happened a few times!!! No problem,but I hope everyone reading understands the 'cut throat' buisness practices of these 'crap' people and labels!
C.O.-What is the problem with bands like HAMMERFALL and PRIMAL FEAR?
K.F.-They are contrived rip offs of bands from the past! Inspiration is one thing! Complete rip offs is another! how many JUDAS PRIEST melodies and riffs will PRIMAL FEAR steal? How long will HAMMERFALL pretend to be metal? Their new record is gayer then hell! Europe, Dokken worship!!! B.S. I hate hammerfall! They are egotistical jerks! Like 'em if you want! Rock star posers must die!!!!
C.O.-Is it true that DECEASED is planning to tour with ANVIL next year? Personally, I think it would kick major ass.
K.F.-We hope! HIRAX is part of that too! We shall see! It would sure beat touring with bullshit death metal bands we have nothing in common with! We are from the 80's metal movement! we grew up on MERCYFUL FATE, VENOM, and MOTORHEAD! Not SUFFOCATION and OBITUARY!!! We shall see! Wish us luck!!!
C.O.-When can we expect the "MORE DEATH METAL FROM THE GRAVE" to be released? Why didn't you release it on OLD METAL?
K.F.-T thought about DECEASED RECORDS (and we still do for future records!) but it cost money to do all of the stuff we did for that record! We aren't rich boys so it wasn't viable!!! Who knows when it'll come(Financial difficulty with the label is the reason for the delay on it,I think-Chris)! It was recorded over 2 years ago now! I say 6 months from now on a guess!!! It will be a great 2 disc set when it does surface!!!
C.O.-Any final comments? Can you please leave the address for the company and recent releases so that anyone who wants to order your product can do so? Do you have a website? Whats the address for it?
K.F.-I'll give you my E-Mail:kingsley22@starpower.net and my home address (as well as contact for info/ orders for OLD METAL RECORDS)
King Fowley
5953 N. 10th ST.
Arlington, VA. 22205,U.S.A.
If anyone needs anything just get in touch!!! Thanks much for your support with this interview! And all the readers don't take no shit! Keep your ideas fresh and real! Bullshit trends and propaganda are shit! No Gods No Masters! Cheers, King Fowley
