"Musically we all work together perfectly, the band has never been tighter, and we all get along great."

Do any of you understand how much I love death metal?  I mean, do you truly understand how much I adore this music...and the fact that I adore even it's most disgusting, vile and despicable subcultures? If you do, this next interview is right up your alley. I was able to interview Mike Majewski, vocalist and former bassist, of Texan death metal legends Devourment.

Devourment since their inception has specialized in creating the most vile and uncompromising music known to man. Their stuff is what nightmares, horror films, and slumber parties at Michael Jackson's house are made of...the most evil things imaginable. Though they were once broken up, the band has reunited with two new members and released their best album to date Butcher The Weak. Mike was cool enough to answer some questions about Devourment's latest disc, their history, and the future. Enjoy, sickos!

Josh: First off Mike, thanks for doing the interview. How's everything in Texas, these days?

Mike: No problem man. Things are going great right now. We have been really active the last year, managed to write and release a new album, got tons of practice in, started playing shows and we recently just got out of the studio again. We recorded 2 songs for a split with Godless Truth, Sarcolytic and Sect of Execration which is due out in April on Ossuary Industries Productions. We recorded a brand new song called “Deflesh the Abducted” and a cover of “The Pick-Axe Murders” by Cannibal Corpse. It’s our best stuff yet, and we are really excited about them!
    
Josh: You dudes just completed your first live show of '06 in Austin, Texas.  From what many are saying, it was one of your most brutal performances to date. How was the show from your perspective?

Mike: Considering it was our first show in over 4 years, my first show on vocals and Ruben’s first on guitar, it went way better than we ever hoped for. Our goal was to just play a stable set and sound good. We just felt comfortable, the crowd was amazing and it all just went fucking great. We couldn’t have asked for a better return!

Josh: You've also confirmed two more live appearances at New Mexico's Gathering of The Sick and The Central Illinois Metal Festival.  Any other live shows in the works for this year?
 
Mike: Yeah, we just booked 2 New York shows in May! One in NYC on May 12^th and the Sick Shit Fest on May 13^th in Saratoga Springs, NY. We also Have another fest booked in Oklahoma in September and we are hoping to do a California tour by the year's end as well. Next year we are gonna hit Europe.

Josh: I've got to tell you, a lot of bands that are inactive for so long and return with a new album usually end up failing miserably...however, Devourment's new release "Butcher The Weak" is going to go down as one of this year's most frighteningly sick recordings.  In fact, it seems like you guys sound more lethal now than you did when "Molesting The Decapitated" was released.  How long did the actual writing of the new disc take?

Mike: I guess I can say about 6 years and that would be kind of true. Meaning that 3 of the songs on Butcher the Weak were actually written 6 years ago, right after Babykiller was first released. They sat dormant for that long but I always intended to get Devourment going again, when the time was right. Ruben and I wrote the rest of it over a period of about 8 months in 2005. The key was not to rush anything.  We were anxious to get something new out, but we also knew we had to live up to Molesting which had a really big following so there was a lot of pressure to deliver. We took our time and we couldn’t be happier with the end result. 
    

Josh: As far as recording goes, the production is a lot better as well.  I would never expect you guys to have a polished sound, but this time around, everything is much clearer in the mix.  Where did you do the recording at?
    
Mike: We actually recorded at the same studio that Molesting was recorded at. We knew one of the things we wanted to improve on from Molesting was the production. We wanted to keep the music relatively clean, but maintain the heaviness and dirtiness Devourment is known for. I think it worked out very well.

Josh: This album also marks your transition from bassist to vocalist of Devourment and to be honest, it seems like a very natural transition by the sound of the disc.  How did you guys come to decide that you were going to be the new vocalist, after Wayne Knupp's departure?

Mike: Well, when Wayne left I thought about what we could do for a vocalist and almost immediately I thought that I would do it, or at least give it a try. Mainly because I was very aware of Wayne and Ruben’s vocal style so I didn’t really trust that anyone else could capture the feeling of it. I told Ruben I was gonna try it and he said ok. I tried it at practice one day and we all knew it would work. 
    
Josh: Why did Wayne leave to begin with?

Mike: He had a lot of personal issues in his life that he had to take care of and just didn’t have the time to commit to the band. He made the decision to leave on his own. It was hard for him as he wanted to be a part of the band but he had more important things he had to take care of. We respected his decision and we all remain good friends.

Josh: To say that Devourment's history is volatile would be an understatement.  For a long period of time, you guys had actually broken up.  Why did you breakup in the first place, and more importantly, what made you decide to return to brutal death metal?
    

Mike: Before the actual breakup happened, there was mounting tension between certain members of the band. It wasn’t being handled the way most of us wanted it to be handled and it led to problems. Basically it stopped being fun and started to become a business which just sucked. The last show we played was in Colorado in 98, which was actually the CD release show for Molesting the Decapitated. Ruben got arrested in Colorado and ended up doing 2 and a half years in prison. That was basically the last straw. Ruben and I both made attempts to get the band going again but both failed. Ruben and I were both finally able to commit to the band again together, we found the right members for the remaining positions and it worked out. The time was right this time.

Josh: So tell us a little about the two new members, Eric and Chris, while we're on that subject.

Mike: We couldn’t have asked for 2 better members. They are both incredible musicians and very cool guys. Musically we all work together perfectly, the band has never been tighter, and we all get along great. No pressure, its all for fun and we are all enjoying it.

Josh: Do you guys have any bands outside of Devourment or is this the sole band for all involved?

Mike: Ruben and I don’t, but Eric plays drums in a melodic death metal band called Hyperion and does vocals for a Brutal band called Rhome. Chris has a band called Intestinal Fortitude, which is a mix of brutal grindcore and wrestling. They all have myspace profiles.

Josh: Now, you're also becoming known as one of the best logo and album cover artists in the death metal scene.  How did you get into art and is this what pays the bills for you?

Mike: I’ve been doing it for quite a while now but my skills have improved quite a bit, enough to get me more work anyway. I make money on the side from it but it’s not my main source of income. I actually work for a Special FX company, that’s my full time job.
    
Josh: Now it's time for our Speed Round of Questions! Prepare yourself! Spiritual or Religious?

Mike: Neither.

Josh: Favorite sports team?

Mike: The Dallas Mavericks and Stars.
    
Josh: What's underneath your bed?

Mike: Socks...and a few skulls.
    
Josh: If not for Devourment, what would your bandmates do?

Mike: Have more free time.
    
Josh: What CDs, if any, have you literally worn out from excessive playing?

Mike: Immolation's "Here In After". (Note from Josh:  Feels good to know I'm not alone.)
  

Josh: Which Devourment song best sums up your life and why?  And considering the subject matter, I'm aware this seems a bit strange but I'm seriously curious about it!

Mike: "Butcher The Weak".
    
Josh: Who's the next Texas death metal band to watch out for?

Mike: Scattered Remains.
    
Josh: And finally, a little role reversal.  Any questions you would like to ask me?

Mike: Sure...WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?

Josh: Zakk Wylde's talent...no wonder he can't find it.  So, it seems 2006 is shaping up to be a very successful year for you guys.  Now that the band is back and re-energized, what's next?

Mike: We're gonna play as many shows as possible, release our second DVD and start writing the next album.
    
Josh: And finally, what legacy would you guys like to leave on the world of extreme music?

Mike: That we didn’t have a bad song on any album, that we were the most brutal that ever was, and that we are remembered as cool guys! 
    
Josh: Any last words?

Mike: Thanks for the interview Josh, very cool indeed. Our second DVD will be out this summer and if you don’t have Butcher the Weak, get it. Thanks man!

Josh Thorne

We'd like to thank Mike and the rest of the Devourment camp; good luck with new DVD...keep butchering the weak!

Related Links
www.devourment.us