Lord Klopek of Vladislas likes beer that looks like motor oil
Vladislas is the brainchild of Lord Klopek. The band started as a three piece in September of 1999 under the name First of the Fallen and included Necro Dan, Klopek and Reaper. The band dissolved within a few months as Necro Dan went on to start a one man project known as Burning Winds. At this time Klopek formed Shemhemforash with another member and Necro Dan did come back around in time to issue to a two-song self-titled promo disc. Shemhemforash went through a variety of lineup changes and in March of 2002 became Vladislas when Klopek got together with Nybas of Winds of the Black Mountain fame. Nybas did not last long and was replaced by Supmur the former drummer of established black metal act Masochist. The band at this time also added Nuuzi on guitar and Nocto on vocals. After many struggles and lineup shuffles (including the departure of Nocto) the band released a 4-song demo entitled ’Acolytes of the Black Circle’. The demo saw limited distribution as the band began performing live shows with Lucifer’s Hammer, Summon and A Gruesome Find. Nocto rejoined the band in January of 2003 in time to release a professionally produced 4 song MCD entitled ’The Season of the Witch’.....The MCD was picked up and released by Vile Art Records out of Ohio. The band went through another lineup change and began working with Lucifer’s Hammer as session musicians before finally landing on its feet under the management of Metal Mom and her Castle Blakk Recordings. The new lineup is looking forward to a less chaotic future.....
interview with Lord Klopek on 04-11-2003
Please give us a short introduction of yourself?
I am the founder, lyric and riff writer, creator and owner of Vladislas......I am 33 years old and have been jamming for about 5 years, listening to metal music since i was very young and listening to black metal since 1991....
Why are you so keen on appearing on the BRUTALISM site?
because my music is intended for the European audience as i have all but given up on the American scene....
So how and why did you came up with the name? Is there a kind of concept around the band?
the name comes from a character in an underground horror film called ’Subspecies’.....the concept of the band started around the historical character Vlad Dracul or the real life Dracula if you will....the music continues to include influences from underground horror films, mythology, early Norse black metal, as well as all elements of world history as well as some Communist/Socialist political beliefs
Why did you choose black metal as art expression? If you see it as art expression.
it seems the heaviest and most theatrical form of expression to me, i have written a small amount of fiction and screwed around with a low low low budget movie but the music was the quickest way to capture the darkness
When you started making music with what style did you start? And how did you evolve to BM?
i have always played black metal as it is the first music that demanded of me to no longer just listen to music but to create my own as well....
Are there some styles you totally shit at? Why?
most of the American corporate stuff obviously sucks....the Seattle scene from the early 90's...like Nirvana and all that really blows....not to mention the fact that people in America think of that as metal...
How deep can you penetrate a sheep with your foot?
never tried as i live in the city....
How pleased are you with the new record? Your opinion about the sound quality?
the new record is alright but the stuff on the way will blow it away....the recording was low budget for sure and one day i hope to go into a metal centered studio... are manager is friends with James Murphy of Death that just did the new Summon disc and it is a possibility when we get the resources together that we will end up in his studio.... we have also gone under a complete lineup change for the better as the other member on that record took 18 months to do those four songs... it was supposed to be a full length! the new members and i already have 8 songs for the full length...
Why did you put a male on the cover while refering to witch?
it is actually a female....didn't know she looked that gruesome...
Are you interested in the occult world? What is your favorit sacrificial ritual?
my interest in the occult are centered more around politics and pagan lifestyles.... in America you are expected to be a Christian.... anything outside of that is not accepted..... at least in midwest America where i live.... no better ritual than a live show....
In what kind of town do you live? How is religion involved in your community?
a live in a fair size industrial town that is very anti-intellectual and very class divided.... it is also very Catholic in fact i went to Catholic schools growing up.... no metal scene.... many poor people.... many rich people.... the religious right is currently attempting to shut all of the strip clubs in town down..... black metal is not on there radar....
What are you doing in daily life? What kind of work do you do?
I read lots of non-fiction, listen to and play music and follow world affairs..... believe it or not i am a high school history teacher.....
Do you live on your own? House or appartment? Doing your own shopping?
yes i own my own house.... live with my wife and two children....
What is your favorit food? Fast food or home made mother dish? Cook yourself?
favorite food would probably be..... not sure really..... chicken, spaghetti, tacos, ethnic foods.... home made foods made in restaurants are good... i suck at cooking... but do try at times...
How high is the useless crime scene in your area? Is the police doing something to it?
the class warfare.... or lack of education has led to some crime.... lots of inbreds..... gang bullshit..... gang shootings have picked up over the last few years.... cops are doing what they can i guess.... although there is not a lot of closure....
Is the death penalty in your state active? What is your opinion on this subject?
death penatly is here and i am for it although i think life in prison is a worse fate.... there are people who society would be much better if they were removed from the planet via the death penalty....
What is your favorit eatable underwear flavor?
not sure what all flavor there are.....
Why may beer sold to over 18 while in the USA the beer is fucking light? What is your favorit export beer?
actually beer age is 21.... everyone drinks bud light, miller crap like that..... the laws do nothing to stop underage drinking anyway.... i like guiness and any porters or stouts really.... i like beer that looks like motor oil......
What other hypocrite rules are there in the USA?
people in prison on marijuana charges while child molestors get probation.... people running fucked up day cares... any abusers of children should be killed.... while peace loving marijuana smokers sit behind bars.....
Do you write your frustrations in your lyrics? Or how do you dealing with it? Do you know which band had an album with the titel Dealing with it?
i do write my frustrations in my lyrics and am working to write better lyrics about what is going on around me.... i have just been so caught up in the historical stuff.... i would like to take the project in a more political commentary direction....outside the general frustration with the Church..... I used to own Dealing with It by D.R.I. on vinyl.... must have played it 500 times!
Have something to say that will sell your records? What if your record don't sell?
i think if people saw us play live they would buy our stuff... within the black metal community anyway... i don't think i am going to convert any Metallica fans or anything... to like our stuff you have to already appreciate the scene...... don't know if there is anything i can say... if they don't sell or well... the happiness was in making... it has been picked up by people in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, UK, Brazil, Vietnam, South Korea, east and west coast of U.S. so far... that is all i want.... to know that some metal heads maybe listening to my music somewhere far away.... thrills me enough....
Any favorit statement that cover your existence?
maybe something from Thoreau about walking to the beat of your own drummer.... which has double meaning.... happiness in doing what I want with my music and also finally getting the drummer for this project that i wanted....
Last rites?
sincere thanks to you for helping get exposure for the project and eternal hails to all of Europe..... where my heart and hopefully one day rest of me will reside......
