We caught up with Necrophagia‘s Killjoy and Sean during their tour stop at DNA Lounge in San Francisco, where they’re currently sharing the stage with Venom Inc. The legendary death metal band opened up about the current tour, new material, the state of extreme music, and reflections on their legacy.
On Touring with Venom Inc.
Todd Owens: You’re about a week into the tour with Venom Inc. How did that all come together?
Killjoy: “Our manager reached out and said they personally requested us. We were in the middle of writing a new record, but when something like Venom comes calling, you don’t say no. If it wasn’t Venom or someone at that level, we probably wouldn’t have put writing on hold.”
Sean: “It’s incredible. Touring with heroes like Venom is amazing. I’ve been a fan for a long time.”
New Music on the Horizon
Todd Owens: It’s been about two years since WhiteWorm Cathedral. Are you currently working on the next album?
Killjoy: “Yeah, between this and other upcoming tours, we’re aiming for a mid-next-year release.”
Todd Owens: Still working with Season of Mist?
Killjoy: “We’re in a contract year, so it could go either way. I’ve always believed it’s better to stick with the devil you know, though.”
Clearing Up Production Rumors
Todd Owens: Did James Murphy produce the last record?
Killjoy: “No, that’s a common mix-up. We actually worked with Jamie Gomez Arellano — he’s worked with Ghost and Cathedral. There were some production complications, but not really on our end.”
Sean’s Journey with Necrophagia
Todd Owens: Sean, when did you officially join the band?
Sean: “Since 2010 — so about five or six years now. I’ve known Killjoy since the ’80s and was part of the second lineup, but it didn’t work out back then. Now it’s come full circle.”
Thoughts on Metal Then vs. Now
Todd Owens: How do you feel about the evolution of metal, especially extreme music, from the ’80s to now?
Killjoy: “There’s still great stuff out there, but I don’t keep up with everything anymore — it’s overwhelming. I recently discovered Acid Witch, which I like. But mostly I stick to The Smiths, Morrissey, Slayer, Venom, Frost, and the Plasmatics.”
Sean: “It’s evolved a lot. There are insanely talented musicians out there, but personally, I’m still stuck in the ’80s and ’90s.”
From Tape Trading to Streaming: Then vs. Now
Todd Owens: Any thoughts on how the internet has changed music discovery compared to the old tape trading days?
Killjoy: “It used to be more personal — waiting for a package you read about in a zine was exciting. Now, everything’s at your fingertips. It’s easier to discover music, but harder to let it really sink in. People hear one song and move on, whereas before, a whole demo tape could grow on you.”
Sean: “Exactly. I used to buy tapes based on the cover art alone. Now, it’s so easy to sample things online.”
Collaborations and Side Projects
Todd Owens: You’ve worked with a lot of musicians outside of Necrophagia. Any collaborations that stand out?
Killjoy: “Working with Maniac from Mayhem was really special. I also enjoyed working with Casey Chaos from Amen. We recorded some stuff that never got released. Same with Joe from Anal Cunt. I’ve lost touch with many people over the years, though — it’s easy to do when your phone changes and you lose contacts.”
Reflections on Early Albums
Todd Owens: Let’s talk about Season of the Dead (1987) and Ready for Death (released in 1990 but recorded earlier). What’s the story there?
Killjoy: “Season of the Dead was actually a rewrite. The original just didn’t reflect where I wanted to go, so I changed the vocal style to something more poetic, almost spoken-word. Ready for Death wasn’t meant to be released, but it got bootlegged and came out anyway.”
Songwriting Process Today
Todd Owens: What’s the writing process like today? Is it collaborative?
Killjoy: “It often starts with a riff or even just a song title. Sean and I collaborate a lot — he’ll bring in a riff, I’ll suggest changes, and we bounce ideas back and forth. Everyone in the band has input. It works really well.”
On Performing Live (Then and Now)
Todd Owens: Did you play many shows in the early days?
Killjoy: “Not really. We focused more on writing and interviews. By the time we had a solid lineup and recorded the album (twice), we broke up just two months after Season of the Dead was released.”
Phil Anselmo’s Role in the Comeback
Todd Owens: Phil Anselmo helped bring the band back together years later, right?
Killjoy: “Absolutely. Without Phil, I wouldn’t be doing music today. I haven’t spoken to him in a while, and I don’t think we’ll work together again musically, but I’ve got nothing against him. Life’s too short to say never — I’d gladly have a beer or a joint with him sometime.”
What’s Next for Necrophagia
Todd Owens: Any final thoughts or plans for the rest of the year?
Killjoy: “When we get back, we’ll dive into writing. In late April, we’ll headline a European tour. Summer’s for recording. After that, we might hit more U.S. dates with Venom, maybe another Europe run, and we’re definitely doing South America with them. That’ll take us through the end of the year.”
Todd Owens: Do you get a say in who supports you on tour?
Killjoy: “They asked me who I’d like, and I said Beherit and Blasphemy. Whether they’re available or not — who knows?”
Necrophagia continues to push the boundaries of horror and metal, remaining true to their roots while embracing a new generation of fans. Stay tuned for more from the band as they prepare to release new material and conquer new stages worldwide.
Catch Necrophagia on tour and stream Silent Echoes wherever you get your music.
Categories: Interviews, necrophagia
Capital Chaos TV 
Leave a comment