Steve Rowe (Mortification) hat nach einiger Zeit Ruhe mal wieder zwei neue Bands für sein Label Rowe Productions unter seine Fittiche genommen. Eine davon sind die Thrash/Death Metaller von Scourged Flesh. Drummer David beantwortete mir auch gleich flugs einige Fragen.



1. Can you tell me the history of Scourged Flesh?

Scourged Flesh was formed in Febuary 2006 by brothers David (Drums) and Todd (Guitars/Vocals) Kilgallon. Simon Bracegirdle (Bass) was brought into the band in about March 2006. Both Todd and myself knew Simon from our Church. We originally formed under the name Testified but it was decided to change the name to better suit the direction we were heading in. We played our debut gig in June 2006. Since then we have played 2 more gigs. We would have done more but alot of the time in 2006 was spent writing material and rehearsing for the debut album "Released From Damnation". Since recording the album we have played a metal Service with our mates Grave Forsaken and been writing material for the next album. We are hoping to do alot more gigs in 2007 and hopefully we can record the next album this year as well. We are aiming to play at Blackstump in NSW this year but we are waiting for God's direction in this.

2. What does the name Scourged Flesh mean?

The name Scourged Flesh is talking about Jesus being whipped or flogged before He was crucified. We took our name from the Bible passage - John 19:1,2 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head.
If you look at the logo I drew for the band, it has the crown of thorns around it. The colour red in the logo is a symbol of Christ's blood which was poured out on the cross for us all. The lettering of the logo is shaped like fire which represents that we are going to Hell unless we repent and turn to Jesus for salvation.

3. How would you describe the sound of Scourged Flesh?

I am unsure how to describe our sound. Alot of people have said we sound like "early Mortification". Steve Rowe says we are like the self-titled Mortification era. Personally I don't know what we really sound like. We have such a wide variety of influences from many different Christian Metal bands around the world. Perhaps some of our songs sound like: Mortification/Living Sacrifice? The best way to find out what we sound like is to go to www.myspace.com/scourgedflesh and check out the songs on there.

4. I love the cover artwork by Troy Dunmire for your CD, like knights from heaven are fighting with guitars against demons, can you tell me more about this?

The cover artwork was already painted by Troy Dunmire. We saw the artwork on his website at www.troydunmire.com. We thought the artwork matched what we were going for so paid Troy to use it. It shows demons being chopped down by God's army. I think the cover stands out and shows that satan and his dominion will be defeated by God. That was the message we got through it and that's why we decided to use that particular artwork.

5. Can you tell me more about your work with Troy Dunmire?

Working with Troy Dunmire has been great. It came about because I love the Mortification CD covers he did so I emailed Troy and started discussing some ideas for our CD cover. It turned out that he had already done the artwork for the CD cover so it worked out really well. We found the artwork on his website and paid him to use it. Since then Troy has also done a T-shirt design for us. I hope that we can continue to work with Troy for many years to come. He has really helped us out and we are very grateful to be working with him.

6. How came the contact with Steve and Rowe Productions?

Firstly I have to say that working with Steve Rowe is a gift from God. I had been in contact with Steve by emails for quite a while. In all our discussions it never came up about the possibility of us being signed to Rowe Productions. In August 2006 Mortification came to Perth to do 2 shows. This was the first time we had met Steve in person. We all felt really blessed to meet Steve and it was a dream come true for us to see our favourite band (Mortification) play live. Before Steve went back home I gave him a DVD from our first gig to give him a idea of what we are doing in Perth. A few weeks later I got a email from Steve saying he wanted to release our debut CD on Rowe Productions. I was so happy, what a HUGE honour. We are forever indebted to Steve for his generosity and support.



7. Can you tell me more about the christian metal scene in Australia, in the 90ies I've heard some samplers from Rowe Productions like "The Extreme Truth", "The Raise The Dead" etc.

I am not 100% sure what the Christian metal scene in Australia is like. In Perth there are only 2 Christian Metal bands that I know of - Grave Forsaken and us (Scourged Flesh). I have heard that there may be a 3rd Christian Metal band forming in Perth but I don't know the details of that. Some other Christian Metal bands from Australia are: Mortification, Paramaecium (changing name to Inexordium), Fearscape, Synnove, Ethereal Scourge (no longer a band). Until we do a Australian tour we are a little unsure as to what the Christian Metal scene in other parts of Australia is like. In Perth the scene is relatively new but going very well.

8. Can you tell me more about the lyrics?

The lyrics are based on Scripture (the Bible) and our own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We have a few different aspects that are brought to focus in the lyrics. In the debut album we have focussed on really bold Christian lyrics that outline the need of salvation through Christ. Todd writes the majority of the lyrics however "Evangelistic Rituals" was written by both Todd and myself and "Spiritual Awakening" was written just by me. "Evangelistic Rituals" is saying that we have to be the light in this world of darkness and to be true witnesses of Christ. We outline that we shouldn't hide the truth of Christ but should rather tell others about the love of God. It also outlines to the Chrisians who don't agree with what we are doing that God has called us to preach His Word through Metal music. We believe that everyone should hear the message of God's love for them. "Spiritual Awakening" outlines the simple facts of the Christian faith. I prayed to God to show me what to write in "Spiritual Awakening" and it came at a time when I was disgusted with satan's schemes. I based the lyrics on the fact that Jesus has defeated satan and that satan can't take us away from God's love. The lyrics for the next album are focussing on the sad reality that people will be going to Hell if they don't put their trust in Jesus and we also focus on our personal walks of life, both with Christ and before we gave our lives to Him.

9. I've heard you'll be writing new material for your next album soon?

Yes, we are currently writing new material for the next album. We have 7-9 songs completed but we are still going to be writing more. A few of the song titles are: "Ashes To Hell", "Eternal Affliction", "Washed In Blood", and "Internal Bleeding". We are still unsure when we will record the next album but we would like to record it sometime in 2007. We are trusting God that it will all happen in His time.

10. Any last words?

First and foremost I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for all His blessings that He has given us. We are nothing without Him and all glory is due His name. Also, many thanks to Steve Rowe for all his support. To everyone else who has supported us in any way whether it be by buying our album or praying for us, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of you. Lastly, thanks to Dirk for the opportunity of this interview. God Bless!!
In Christ - David Kilgallon.

© by CrossOver