Updated: 06/11/04

In the grand tradition of Burzum and all that is astounding about underground Black Metal, Leviathan has been circulating self released CD’s all over the San Francisco Bay Area for several years. Now with the release of The Tenth Sub Level Of Suicide on the Moribund Cult label, front man Wrest is gearing up to assault the world with his somber compositions. Here is a recent e-mail interview I conducted with the morbid mastermind. Read on for a darker look…

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Leviathan, and how long the band has been together.
Leviathan consists of Wrest and Wrest alone: Manually played digital drums, bass, guitars, vocals, paranoia… The recording rituals began in ’98.

What exactly is the Tenth Sub Level of Suicide? Where did you get the idea for this title?
“10th Rung Of The Ghost Climb.” The many levels of a decision to leave this place. This is a lyric I wrote about five years ago. It fits appropriately.

What is the easiest and most difficult aspect of doing this project on your own?
Most difficult: the drum duties… trying to keep my meter, playing fast. [10th Sub Level is mid-tempo, for the most part]. Doing the drum tracks first with the song only in my head. I don’t think any part of it is easy.

What is the metal scene like in San Francisco and how does Leviathan fit in?
S.F. used to have a thriving metal scene. There are still places like Lucifer’s Hammer that have metal shows. Once in a great while, something interesting. Ludicra is the only band in town remotely resembling “Black Metal” that performs live. The others are mostly death. There are 2 one-man projects creating the real thing: Draugar and Crebain. These individuals choose to do it themselves and it is for the best!!! This is blackened metal expressions at their finest. “Bands” have talked the shit about Leviathan… “Doesn’t play out… just records at home, etc.” They ride miles of cock nightly, waiting for Dimmu Borgir or Dark Funeral to hit town.

With Leviathan being a solo endeavor, have you ever wanted to do live performances?
We will see.

Where do you get the ideas for some of the lyrics on your CD?
Hatred, paranoia, day-mares,… life, this time around.

What do you think of the NSBM scene and the mixing of racism and nationalism in with Black Metal?
I think it makes sense. This is about war and hatred… all things too horrible for consideration. Leviathan is not a political entity… not something I think about, lyrically or otherwise. I can’t narrow down my disgust for the entire human race, that far. S.F. is filled to the brim with liberal P.C. crybabies. Any time I go to a show or even talk about B.M., there’s always these disclaimers coming out of their mouths. Weakness. I find it interesting that some of the biggest “Nazis” have produced some of the most amazing expressions. Listen again, pussies.

Jesus Christ -- man or myth?
Maybe a man, at best… bed-time story?? I don’t think about him. It’s the parasite followers that must parish. If that means defiling their “master,” so be it. A means to an end.

What does Satanism mean to you, if anything?
A decision to utilize one’s own will. Embracing the darkness that is surely inevitable. Rinsing your soul, your very being, in this. Medication.

With such depressing music, are you a fun person to go out around the Bay Area and get drunk with? Or are you a grim old bugger?
I have absolutely no interest in inebriation of any kind. You could swill piss in the dens of the androgyny-ridden, white-belt, spock-rockers. The emaciated “cool-kids” will surely peg your high water pants for you.

Do you agree with me that Britney Spears is the total goddess of all mankind?
I think maybe her hind section could pass for something deity-like. She’s so wholesome. I have a fairy tale/holiday for her. It involves the Keester Bunny!!!! Happy Keester, Britney!!!

What is it you'd like a listener to feel after listening to your new CD?
Their life ebbing away.

If you were invited to participate on a Burzum tribute album, what song would you want to do and why?
The 10th song on Aske [Instrumental]. Listen to it and “why” will become obvious.

If the world were suddenly to come to a end, what song would you like to hear before the final explosion?
Any Xasthur song.

Any final thoughts from within the deep entrails of your mind you'd like to share?
FROM NOW ON: FUCK YOU ALL,FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tentacles Of Whorror is the new Leviathan release for 2004, now available from the Moribund Cult!