Wrest.

THE UNITED STATES black metal scene is led by one of the most intimidating personas out there! Wrest hails from San Francisco, CA. Not only is he a renowned drummer in the black metal scene as well as a respected tattoo artist in San Francisco, but Wrest is also known for producing some of the coldest black metal around. From Leviathan to Lurker of Chalice, it's all valid. And it is indeed a breath of fresh air! Each Leviathan release is like a book with evil information in it, from the artwork to the music. It's all connected seamlessly and makes the entire thing a menacing piece of work.

How long have you been into metal, and how long have you been playing drums?

I've been interested in metal, in one form or another, for 20 years or so. I've always played drums--as long as I can remember.

Being a black metal isolationist, do you still play a lot of live drums?

More so recently. I played a couple of shows with Nachtmystium and Krieg last year, and I'm recording live drums now.

On the Leviathan/Sapthuran split release, you play electronic V-drums. Will there be more of this on any of your upcoming releases?

Actually, it's the other way around. The split with Sapthuran was the first time I recorded a real drum set. All the other material I've done has been on the digital kit.

Will you ever record live acoustic drums on any of your releases, or do you think that acoustic drums have no place in what you're currently doing?

It's always been a matter of using what I have. I'm recording acoustic drums for the next full-length right now.

When you sit down and physically play, is there a different approach that you take when playing acoustic drums compared to electronic drums?

I have to hit harder on the live drums. I prefer acoustic drums, but the digital drums are easier to record.

Your split releases with Xasthur, Crebain, and Sapthuran are very memorable. When you're approached to do a split release, do you write material particularly for that release, or do you always have material available?

I don't listen to the other band's stuff until I'm finished with my side. The separate sides of the split with Xasthur fit well.

Underneath all the fierce brutality in your music there are some key melody lines. Where does this come from? Any influences from outside the world of black metal?

I listen to a lot of different music--soundtracks, classical, noise, bleak fucking funeral doom ... Whatever reverberates through my larynx and causes a feeling.

Another project that you collaborate in is Twilight, which also features the work of Xasthur, Krieg, and Nachtmystium. Southern Lord released this in 2005. How long did it take you to make this Twilight release?

This was Azentrius' idea. Even though we all live in different cities, the recording went very quickly. I was the one who had to mix it, which seemed to take forever. Lots of shitty gear was used to record that one; it came out well, considering what we had to work with during the recording process.

Will there be another Twilight release?

We'll start writing and recording the next record at the end of this summer. We've already started to write; everybody is busy with their own projects. As of now, the plan is to record something this Fall.

Do you foresee Twilight playing live and touring?

Azentrius, Imperial, and myself are the only members who've played live before. I wouldn't want to add outsiders.

Lurker Of Chalice is a self-titled release that was put out by Southern Lord in 2005 as well. Now, this is you by yourself. Does a different name mean that you approached this differently than a Leviathan recording?

LOC was a chance to work on something slower and less restrictive, by my own standards. A lot of the material on that release has been around for awhile. Besides the different tones, tempos, and voice, the creative process is very similar to Leviathan. It's very different to me--less genre-oriented, slower and spacious, with more feeling. The lyrical topics are different. These expressions are more prominent for me these days.

What black metal groups or solo artists are you currently listening to?

Ruins of Beverast, Loss, Thralldom, Malign, Arvo Part, SVEST, Sigurblot, and soundtracks by Cliff Martinez.

Do you worship Satan or any higher powers?

Though my belief in Him is very strong, I wouldn't use the term "worship." Embrace is probably closer. We're all fastened to the five points in some aspect.