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Orodruin - Templars
Of Mount Doom
Interview by Themis Pamfilos
(10 March 2004)
Last year ORODRUIN released
their debut “Epicurean Mass” and left me completely speechless. The same
happened with the recent split 12” with the other top new generation traditional
doom band REVEREND BIZARRE, which was yet another proof of their talent.
Given the quality of the young blood added to genuine doom metal the future
certainly looks bright for the genre and ORODRUIN is one of the main reasons.
Therefore, I can’t hide my enthusiasm of having the opportunity to interview
ORODRUIN’s lead guitarist and spokesman John Gallo, just before the band
kicks off its European tour.
 Hi John and congratulations
for your new split EP with Reverend Bizarre, it’s a killer release.
Hello Themis,
thanks for giving us the opportunity to share some words bro.
Would you like to say
a few things about the history of the band for those unfamiliar with it?
Orodruin
came into motion… well back in 1998. Being a fan of Sabbath, Saint Vitus,
Witchfinder General, Pentagram, and Candlemass I knew this was the kind
of music I wanted to play. That’s what made me put the band together.
I wasn’t sure how far this band would go, so I’m surprised at all the
feedback and acceptance we’ve got in the scene.
You are off to a European
tour soon. How do you feel about it? Do you have a bigger following in
Europe or in the U.S.? There is information that your concert in Greece
with While Heaven Wept was cancelled. Is this true, and if yes, do you
have any idea why?
Orodruin is ecstatic
to have this opportunity to tour Europe. It’s like a dream come true.
None of us has been over there so it will be like a new adventure.
From what I hear it seems the Doom scene is a lot bigger so I expect we’ll
have a better response over there as opposed to the US. As far as
the Greece show, Tom from WHW was setting that up but they had to cancel
it due to personal reasons so obviously we won’t be playing either. It’s
too bad cause I’d really love to play there!
How do you feel being
about being part of all the Templars of Doom and the Doom Shall Rise II
festivals? Could you ever imagine playing in the same stage with Wino,
Victor Griffin, David Chandler and other doom icons a few years ago?
As I said
it’s a dream come true. I’m just a simple doom fan, never thought I’d
be in this position but I must say it rules. We’re really looking forward
to Doom Shall Rise, it sounds like it could be our best gig yet! Of course
I’d better not jinx it! Hah The Templars festival will crush as well,
our brothers in Gates of Slumber are setting that up. I’m surprised how
well Jason is putting that together. It’s almost like a nitro enhanced
BTL II!! I’ve been wanting to see POS so that will be an honour!
I know
there is going to be a new EP titled “Claw
Tower and Other Tales of Terror”
released,
which will only be available at your concerts. Wanna talk about it a bit
and fill us in?
Sure, Claw
Tower is a new album that features 4 new recordings and a re-release of
some old demo material. It’s definitely a must for any collector who wants
to hear how we’ve evolved into what we are today. The new track Claw Tower
will shatter your skull with a hammer! It’s very classic doom, Paul Chain,
Pagan Altar, early Pentagram style! We also do a hefty cover of
“Stand up and Fight” by Quartz on this release! If anyone who isn’t going
to see us on the road in Europe wants a copy please drop me an email at
john@born-too-late.com and I’ll reserve
one for you.
One think I love in ORODRUIN
is the fact that everything about the band seems to be made carefully
and cleverly. First and foremost the music, but also I really appreciated
the cover art of both “Epicurean Mass” and the 12” split, the choice of
the band name, and in general everything seems to be well thought after.
Is that impression correct? How easy is it to achieve all that being an
underground band?
Thanks
man, I appreciate your perspective. When it comes to art and layout I
like to have it match the standards of doom in which we play. When you
buy a doom album it’s gotta have a cool atmosphere and vibe behind it.
I must admit it’s not the deepest thing but it’s definitely emotional.
I’m passionate about the music and the layouts and that’s what we convey
in our whole package.
 Traditional Doom metal
is on the incline the last couple of years. Because it is my favourite
metal genre and because I closely follow it the last 16 years, it was
always there for me. However, I cannot help but notice the really talented
bands that appeared the last 2 or 3 years, ORODRUIN, REVEREND BIZARRE,
VOODOOSHOCK being great examples. What are you views regarding traditional
doom’s reinforcement?
This is
a great time as so many true doom bands seem to be coming about. Don’t
Forget The Gates of Slumber from Indiana, this band destroys live! The
real doom genre is so small but the bands within it are of the highest
quality. This is a genre that isn’t about money and trends….we are about
playing what we feel and hope that some people will appreciate it.
John
you also run the
www.born-too-late.com website for quite
a few years now, which obviously is dedicated to traditional doom. Tell
us about it and pick the 5 most important doom bands in your opinion (Black
Sabbath aside).
It’s just
a fan site that I’ve had since 1997. At that time there really wasn’t
much on the net in relation to doom metal music. I remember when Russ
Smith first got on-line (in the late 90’s), John Perez had recommended
he check out Born Too Late. It’s not like there is anything extremely
informative about it, but it was just sharing something you love with
others, and I’m glad I’ve been able to meet so many people in the scene
from it.
5 most
importants bands……
Well I
was gonna say Sabbath….there would be no doom without them!! 1. Saint
Vitus 2. Trouble 3. Witchfinder
General 4. Candlemass 5. Pentagram
Which
doom band you really want to see live but never got the opportunity?
Well Saint
Vitus with Scott Reagers on vocals!! I’d love to see Vitus really bad.
That would be my dream. I’ve already seen Candlemass and Trouble so that’s
fulfilled. Actually I’d really like to see Penatgram!! Bobby Leibling
is the man!
Is Wino
god?
He is the
man, his guitar playing and chord style is amazing. I think he really
influenced a lot of people in this scene as far as riffery is concerned.
Actually, I wanted to see him with Vitus but I missed that reunion show!
What comes after the
Claw Tower EP? Talk to me about this and your future plans in general.
Beyond
this release and the tour we’d like to start work on our masterpiece double
album that will garner the masses beyond submission! This will definitely
be something no other band has dared attempt and we’re going to take that
step! We are also planning a split with The Gates of Slumber on Hellride
music.
Mark Hegedus obviously
does an excellent job in PsycheDOOMelic records. Do you think that we
witness the birth of a new Hellhound?
Well, this
man is a machine! He has so many releases now I can’t even keep track!
We are lucky to be involved with a friend we can trust. I’d really like
to see psycheDOOMelic up in the ranks of Southern Lord and Rise Above.
I will say Mark is paying a bit more focus on the real doom stuff.
 Which do you think are
the reasons that make doom bands and fans so devoted to the genre? What
distinguishes them from the usual metal fan?
It’s something they’re
passionate about. I mean an extreme metal fan is much more common and
it’s not hard to be exposed to such. When it comes to doom, agreed it
comes from Sabbath but to truly understand the genre itself you have to
delve even deeper. It comes from a general feeling that was founded by
Sabbath and reinvented through the doom bands themselves.
What are your predictions
regarding ORODRUIN’s future? Which is the ideal scenario regarding the
bands evolution according to you?
Make albums, tour Europe, drink beer and
the lamentation of the women.
Thanks a lot John, and
I wish to the band all the best and may things turn out according to your
desire. Until our next interview continue to spread the teachings of doom
metal in the same extremely talented and respectful way you did so far.
Thanks
Themis, we hope to get to Greece soon! In doom.
Themis
Pamfilos
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