NAMED AFTER THE classic English horror actor, KARLOFF is the one-man side project of TOM HORRIFIED, drummer and vocalist in death metal trio GRAVEYARD GHOUL. KARLOFF released their first demo – a three song masterpiece of HELLHAMMER-style metalpunk – in 2018, followed in October last year by the more polished E.P ‘Raw Nights’. This latter saw them described by salivating critics as ‘Fucking riff machine’*. Then in May this year they put out a split 7” with their countrymen KHAOS through Hieb Stich Records, and now they are preparing their first full-length album. I caught up with the man himself for a quick Q&A:
How did Karloff start and what were your main inspirations?
At the beginning KARLOFF was a side project cause death metal was my first love but punk like DISCHARGE and POISON IDEA will always be my second love. And since GRAVEYARD GHOUL was clearly not the right one, I had to start a new band. I still write the music and lyrics by myself, but I have great live musicians by my side with whom this band would not be what it is today. Thank you guys!
Why did you choose the name Karloff, and what are your favourite films with him in them?
I wanted an independent name that does not immediately reveal what kind the music behind is. I don't want to commit myself to anything, I want to be free in creating music. My favourite film with Boris is very clear, "Frankenstein", but I also like 'The Mummy' and such films with him. He was a great actor.
The 2018 demo sounds a lot like Hellhammer, but 'Raw Nights' not so much. Was it a conscious decision to move away from the Hellhammer sound?
It was not planned to copy a special sound. I didn't want to sound like HELLHAMMER. I don't think the world needs something like this again. Therefore the sound on the "RAW NIGHTS" developed more towards the "Karloff Sound" as I imagined it. I wanted my own.
Do you prefer the old-school bands with their 'rugged' sound, or the more modern ones?
I prefer the raw sound in almost every genre. A load of dirt has never hurt. I always find it a little more "real". Nobody can bring this smoothly polished 8 track guitar sound live. This always sounds boring to my ears. I need dirt, give me dirt!
Which specific albums have influenced you most as a musician?
Well, I can give you five: 1. AUTOPSY - Mental Funeral, 2.TURBONEGRO - Ass Cobra, 3. DISCHARGE - Hear nothing see nothing say nothing, 4. DARKTHRONE - Blaze in the northern sky, 5. THE VICIOUS - Alienated
German fans stayed loyal to true metal and punk in the 90s, when it was becoming 'unfashionable' elsewhere. Why is that?
The German scene is really something special. You often hold together and it feels like family in the underground scene. But I'm not really interested in it either, I mostly look at the music scene from the outside and only follow bands that really impress and inspire me.
Do you prefer writing and recording, or playing live?
Live! I think all the processes in a band like studio, rehearsals and songwriting are clearly work. But playing live is the reward for that. An experience that is always different and always great!
Where do you get your lyrical inspiration?
Differently. Life & Death, Hate & Fear but very often it is things that hide me in my head. Dark thoughts. "What if" - it is often negative, somber and depressing for people outside. But that's not always the case.
How does Karloff compare with Graveyard Ghoul?
KARLOFF is Raw Punk, GRAVEYARD GHOUL is Death Metal, that's it!
Which instrument do you prefer playing?
Difficult to choose but if I have to I would say drums! It's fun to hit the shit out of this thing (haha)
How do the punk and metal scenes compare politically, and where do you stand?
There are few things I really hate, one of them is clearly racism! I always remember a saying by Charles Bukowski: "We'll all die, each of us what a circus! That alone should make us love each other, but it doesn't. We are terrorized by trifles, eaten up from nothing."
What is the best experience you've had with Karloff?
The best thing we experienced in our short time as a band was the weekend in Linz at the Steel City Sorcery. An incredible festival with great people and great atmosphere!!
How did Covid19 affect the band, and what are your plans for the future?
We had actually planned a small tour this year, which we unfortunately had to cancel. We are currently using the time to work on the first album. The tour will be rescheduled in 2021.
What new bands from Germany would you recommend?
It's hard to say. Not really new but fresh I suddenly think of MINEFIELD, WAYWARD, KHAOS (check out our split 7" with these guys) and NEKROPULSE.
Any further comments?
Fuck your life loving attitude!
J.Cooper
Copyright Metal Punk Inferno (2020)
*No Clean Singing
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