Harassor’s first full-length is one of the most acidic releases of 2011. It is an ultra harsh recording that provides for quite the nightmarish experience. Fusing black metal, punk and noise, the California trio has adopted an anti-musical approach that once experienced is difficult to shake off. In a genre where lo fi has come to signify simple-minded and lazy, Harassor are proving to be the bleakest exception to the rule. At the other end were all the members of the band, guitarist James L Brown, drummer Sandor GF and vocalist Pete Majors. Read on and spread the word.

DS-So you guys have been together since 2002. It has been nine years since the band’s inception and the sound of Harassor is still very raw. How would you say that the band has changed since its formation? Has the sound evolved? Have you as people evolved?

S: Our sound is deliberately raw. Our approach is simple & savage. Up until most recently we produced all of our recorded material ourselves, a consciously D.I.Y. approach. We are not musical virtuosos and we're not here to prove anything. We play a style that comes natural to us, a primitive yet progressive sound of blackened brutality. Much of our music is fueled be genuine hatred - our brand of sonic bile is an ideal artistic release of inner demons & negativity. All three of us are functional adults with busy schedules, we have limited time to invest into this band, but we are extremely focused on our craft and produce a sound that stands alone. We are a tight unit of like-minded individuals & best friends. Throughout the years we have also become far tighter as a band - and that's an obvious fact, thanks to nearly a decade of hard work.

J: I would say the biggest change is how we have all grown as musicians. Each one of us has improved at what we do, and in how we respond to each other when we're playing. This is the longest I've ever been in one band, by far. There's a chemistry you develop, I think of it as a kind of telepathy. Musically speaking, we can finish each others sentences. Some of our best moments come out spontaneously because we can read each other so well. So that part has improved, that non-verbal communication. As far as our overall goal, or philosophy perhaps, I don't think that's changed at all. We still have the same grim, bloodsoaked vision of darkness we've always had.

P: I think most creative people always are evolving. The band has changed in many ways over the years. We've all become more competent musicians and broadened our musical awareness and knowledge. I can't say that the band initially had any goals. I certainly have my own agenda when it comes to my lyrics. They're very personal to me and my disdain for lying, cheaters and the religious contention of this world. We did quickly become motivated to record and releases our own music. However that ambition didn't necessarily translate into quickly releasing anything.

DS -There were four years in between 2002 and 2006, when your first demo came out. I mention this because many bands tend to quickly put out material they come up with. What happened during this period?

S: The band did not start out very seriously, at first we formed for a single festival appearance, but we stuck together and gradually started taking the project more seriously. We always kept busy with different projects when not working on Harassor. There has been ups and downs, but it has been a slow, gradual increase of commitment from all of us. We're in no hurry to please anyone, other than ourselves.

J: Yes I think we got off to slow start, the band was pretty casual. It's true that when you look at how long we have been together, our recorded output has been very small in comparison with other bands. It started out as almost a side-project at first, however I do think that we've always been a live band that has played lots and lots of shows over the years. So you could say that instead of recording, we were schlepping our gear to every dirt-hole dive bar and club in every crack and crevasse of LA. But, another reason I think that our release output has been so slow is that we are all frustrated perfectionists. As much as it may sound like our music is recklessly or haphazardly recorded in whatever crude manner you may think, we actually take great care to painstakingly get just the right mix in our recordings, to the point of over-obsession.

P: We were playing a lot of shows during that time. Mostly with experimental bands. We were always active rehearsing and playing. We actually finished and released our first demo in 2005. The music was recorded in our rehearsal space in late 2004 and the vocals were recorded at the Il Coral in early 2005. We didn't actually become a band until 2003. I think in 2002 we more or less had a few jams under the name Anatoth with a second guitarist named Robert Blackburn. So really the time frame is more like 2 years within our inception and first demo.

DS-I got to say that I was very impressed by the rawness of your sound. It is very simple, yet to me it was very affecting. Is Harassor a band at all interested in progress? How do you view that, an evolving sound?

S: We're a simple band with simple goals. I'd rather be the AC/DC of black metal than the DREAM THEATER of black metal - if that ain't make sense to anyone, that's fine with us. However, we find that the focus and directness of our sound often surprisingly appeals to people who don't traditionally enjoy metal music. Of course we're into progression, it's inevitable - we're far more able musicians now than we were at the time of the recording of the recently released self-titled LP. Our upcoming releases will prove this without a doubt. Also, we have a very improvisative & experimental side that most people are not aware of, however it's an important part of our band's artistic focus. The song "She Who Makes Dogs Shiver" is a largely improvised piece, so is the material on our cassette "Astral Psychosis" - no guitars are present on that release, only synth, drums & vocals - a style I dubbed "Dark New Age"... We have also been collaborating with the mighty experimental artist Hive Mind more recently, combining raw black metal with harsh noise. Our sound will NEVER be sterile or overproduced - that's my personal guarantee.

J: The raw, primitive sound is a conscious and very deliberate decision on our part...no accidents or mistakes here. To me, it is our ultimate statement against the "over-produced" commercial sound. When music is produced too much it loses its soul, its essence, its art brut, its humanity. To be flawed is to be human. We don't want to just be a fist in the face of modern metal...we want to leave it beaten to a pulp and bleeding from its ass in a scum-filled back alley. This is war, and we are psychotic barbarians with nothing to lose. So we may refine our sound, and write better songs, but the raw, DIY attitude will always be a part of what we do.

P: We definitely are interested in progress. Your sound has to evolve! James' guitar sound/tone and playing has always been evolving. Sandor's drumming technique and proficiency as well. For me I've grown into much more of a vocalist than I ever was when the band began playing. I now use many styles and textures with my vocals to compliment the music. I always think we'll have raw sound due to the fact that we don't play pretty pop music.

DS-Punk definitely plays a part in the sound of Harassor. Would you agree? If so, what are the main punk influencers in the sound? Would you say that you want to balance metal and punk in your sound? Would you say Harassor is a punk band or a metal band? Both?

S: Hardcore punk is a huge influence in our sound AND our largely D.I.Y. underground approach. It's fair to say Harassor's sound is black metal powered by hardcore, but we have NOTHING in common with trendy metalcore bands or black metal-flavored hardcore bands that bigger metal labels promote to naive younger audiences. Most of that crap is sterile and has little grit. We're not trying to "balance" anything in our sound, we only use elements that come naturally to us - our songs typically form out of improvised jam sessions, we continually mold & morph our material. We also have very strong doom/sludge influences as well as experimental, industrial and noise sounds. We are all avid music fans with diverse tastes.

J: I agree, punk and hardcore has a lot to do with our sound. I followed a lot of crust punk, grindcore, power-violence, etc., back in the late-80's early 90's. Those styles are a big part of my background and filter into the DNA of my riffing style. Ildjarn is also one of our biggest influences. There's an idea we're interested in of creating maximum atmosphere with minimal technique, which Ildjarn achieves in spades, and Von as well. I'm also a big fan of Bone Awl, Raspberry Bulbs, and Akitsa. As for shows, we've definitely experienced being a little too punk for metal shows, and a little too metal for punk shows. But at the end of the day I don't think it's an issue; there are enough opened minded people in LA and those boundaries don't exist so much out here, we've played with bands in wildly different genres and people are pretty accepting. We've played so many shows in so many different places, we're comfortable anywhere, because we've found our center as a unit. We play for each other as much as the audience. We just trudge onwards with our mission, grim and without need for approval.

P: I do agree! I don't think it was apparent to us at first that we were creating a mix of metal and punk. Our sound developed naturally as all of us are influenced by punk, hardcore, metal, crust, doom etc. I would say were a metal band but I agree with the punk moniker as well. As far as punk influences go...I was very influenced by the crossover hardcore-trash bands of the late eighties. Accused, Cryptic Slaughter, DRI etc. We've always had difficulties finding the exact type of bill because we're not an exact type of band. Our early days found us playing with too many experimental bands. We probably could have benefited more by playing more punk and metal gigs but I wouldn't have changed it. We all have roots and projects that are more or less experimental in nature. The fact that we don't have a type is a tribute to the diversity of the band.

DS-The guitar arrangements are incredibly crude. No solos, as far as I can hear and very basic riffing. Do you think that this primal approach appeals to certain kind of people? What type of people have you found to be the most receptive to your sound?

S: No solos in Harassor - no wanking off here!!!

J: At this early point in the band, when we recorded the debut LP, my approach to writing the guitar parts was to "de-evolve" the art of the riff to its most primitive and punishing state. I have always been a rhythm guitarist, not a lead guitarist. I tend to be drawn to rhythm patterns over scales. In a way I am trying to use the guitar as another percussion instrument. That being said, I also attempt to infuse our songs with subtle melody, and as jagged and crude as they are there's usually an underlying catchiness. Another thought is that we are capable of writing more technical or complex material, we have just simply chosen not to. Technical proficiency is but one tool to make music, useful but not necessary. Of equal importance to me is instinct and natural ability. It's my personal aesthetic preference to play primitive caveman metal.

P: I agree the guitar sound is crude and basic. We're not reinventing the wheel. I don't think our sound specifically appeals to any certain kind of people or audience. I can say that people who are opened minded about extreme music tend to enjoy it.

DS-Please tell us something about the recording of the full-length. Where was it recorded? How long did it take? Were you aiming for the sound you obtained? Anything you are not happy with the end result? How has the response to this album has been?

S: All the material on our LP was self-produced, including all recording & mixing duties. We were deliberately going for an extremely severe & biting sound – getting a wall of sound out of a drum set, guitars & vocals. We wanted thorny & not silky smooth! Since we don't have a bass guitarist - we like to bring the guitars WAY up in the mix! It's important to note that the recordings on our self-titled release are from over 5 years ago and contains the earliest & rawest phase of the band. Perhaps we'd do some things differently now, but the LP represents what we wanted to achieve with those recordings perfectly well. The 5 songs on side A are the original versions from our very first demo - we wanted to preserve the very uniquely harsh feel of those recordings, however atypical and unpolished the sound might be to the average metal fan. We'd like to acknowledge the assistance of Roskva from Lightning Swords Of Death - who mastered the songs found on side B of the LP - he actually helped to make those sound more raw, attempting to match the material on side A, haha.

J: We've had a great response with the album. People really seem to like it. I'm still impressed with the sound we got from one guitar, drums and vocals. We've come along way since then, not just in our songwriting, but what we've collectively learned about recording and production.

P: The LP is essentially our first demo remastered. There are some newly recorded versions and songs that weren't around during the first recording session in 2004. That initial recording took place at the Hollywood and Ivar studios. That was our rehearsal space where we shared a room with Erebus Nyx & Styx...I'm sure I misspelled the name. I'm not happy with the vocals. They we're all done in one take. The whole process ended up taking years when you think about the original recording and the release of the LP. We more or less wanted to get something out there on vinyl. We weren't aiming for a sound in my opinion. The Harassor sound has always come naturally. No discussions of what it should or shouldn't be. No one telling the other what to do or play. The response has been great! However it's odd because I really don't think that's how we sound anymore. Like I said before we've always been evolving.

DS-What is the song "Ildjarn is Dead" about?

S: Like most Harassor songs, I have no idea what it's about but it sure rocks!

J: I'll let Pete explain this one!

P: We're all big Ildjarn fans. His music is an obvious influence. I wanted to write a song in the vein of Ildjarn as a tribute.

DS-I am really hooked on “Torch the Village”. Many bands practice this raw, primal approach, but few can replicate a riff this basic. As I listen to the mid tempo parts, I just think of Hellhammer and shit. Please tell us something about this song and your music in general? What do you think your music evokes? What would you hope the audience walks away with after having listened to your music?

S: Our music is designed to tear away at your mind & soul. Our music evokes the fright of unknown psychological & emotional depths, the fright of total annihilation, the fright of violent death & incurable disease. Again, it's an artistic outlet to our vilest fantasies and desires. No positive messages are found here...

J: This song was a bit inspired by Voivod, at least the dissonant quality of the main riff. I like that sound, it can give the riff an alien or hallucinatory vibe. I definitely want to create the most psychotic and confrontational atmosphere possible. By not always giving the listener a comfortable tonal range they can relax in, we keep them agitated and uncomfortable.

P: That song specifically is hateful. It evokes hatred for humanity. It tells a story of injustice and criticizes as well as antagonizes government and Catholicism. I have no hopes for our listeners to walk away with. They should take what they want from it or leave it the fuck alone.

DS-If the record as a whole is quite unsettling it comes to an end in a peak of unsettlement, if that makes any sense. “She Who Makes Dogs Shiver”, doesn’t rock. It is great, but uncomfortable, humid, turgid and a bit disgusting. What was the idea behind this song?

J: As Sandor mentions above, "She Who Makes Dogs Shiver" is an example of an improvised jam. One of those moments where we let the tape roll and caught a sort of magic moment. But we've always jammed like this, it helps us get ideas flowing and improves our chemistry. I agree that "She Who Makes Dogs Shiver" has a different vibe than the rest of the songs, I mean they share a bleakness in tone but that song is more down tempo than the rest. I thought it was a great way to end the album.

P: That song is unique. It was recorded live in our first rehearsal space at Hollywood & Ivar. I can remember wanting to jam something doom and drone that built up to something bigger. We constantly jam at every rehearsal. This is the main way we write songs. That song came so naturally but really hasn't been duplicated for a live show. However we do often play unwritten building jams during live shows. The song was titled by James. It's a funny title, as we always maintain a sense of humor about everything we do. I remember crouching down on the other side of the rehearsal room, stoned, drunk and with the lights down low we began singing as I let my emotions take control and channel the hatred and anger I was feeling.

DS-Can you tell us a little bit about the cover artwork of the full-length? I don’t have a great eye but I have no idea what it is. How did you come to it? Who created it? What is it supposed to represent?

J: The art came from our friend Martin De Pedro here in Los Angeles. I'm not sure of the details of its creation, or Martin's meaning or intention behind it, but I do feel its a great visual compliment to the music. It echoes an abstract level of hatred exploding in psychotic chaos...hatred that turns the world to red. It also gives an impressionistic snapshot of the Harassor live experience...which often is literally soaked in blood.

P: It is an art piece by Martin De Pedro. He says it was designed specifically for the band. It's called The Crimson Harassor. I love it! His t(rape) label co released the record and we wanted him to do the cover. I wouldn't be able to elaborate any further on his artistic motivations or directions.

DS-The Los Angeles music scene seems to be pretty strong and diverse these days. Would you agree? Any like-minded musicians in the area? Any underground acts you would recommend?

S: The response to our live shows has been uniformly positive - this band was made for live rocking, we can play any time any place with any band. We don't need fancy equipment or expensive instruments. We bring IT every single time - an intensely un-godly primitive sonic energy... Good underground music is alive & kickin, metal or otherwise. You just gotta seek it out: Ides of Gemini, Sodomia, Icon Of Phobos, all the Black Twilight Circle bands, Tearist, Actuary, Bastard, Low Places, countless others.

J: Yeah we love the LA scene. This is where Harassor was born. We've paid our dues and the scene is good to us. There are alot of great bands and great people, there's always exciting things going on.

P: The scene in LA is diverse. We've always been pals with Lightning Swords Of Death. The live scene is rough. Much like LA everything is very spread out and there's been a decline of clubs/venues for awhile now. The response to the band varies. People usually tell me they like it or loved it. I've never really had anyone start shit with me or the band at a show. If someone didn't like us or our music, they were too gutless to say or do anything at the time. That's to their benefit. Confronting me at or during a show could be detrimental to your health.

DS-All of the band members have other musical projects going on. Pete and James you have Dargar, and James has Lord Foul while Sandor has Lord Time. Please if possible each of you talk about your other musical projects, what they represent and how they differ from Harassor.

S: Lord Time is my main solo black metal recording project (http://lordtime.bandcamp.com/). I also perform & collaborate with experimental/noise/avant-garde musicians as Andorkappen, sometimes performing alone live with my "solo inhuman voice" - I'm a natural improviser when it comes to music & art.

J: Lord Foul is my old solo black metal project from 1993-1994. I recorded 2 demos, which have recently been re-issued on CD by Forever Plagued Records, and LP by Dais Records. Dargar is a side-project with myself and Pete, we've release one cassette demo of cut-up metal noise oblivion on my label Rising Beast Recordings (www.risingbeast.bigcartel.com). Moonknight is my current solo project, kind of a blend of depressive black metal, thrash, and post-BM/shoegaze. I have one full length out called "Toplov", and the second full-length "Ligeia" is almost completed. Moonknight is sort of where all my leftover extra ideas go once Harassor's been taken care of.

P: Dargar spawned from Harassor rehearsal when we would switch instruments. Dargar specifically was James playing drums and me on guitar and vocals while Sandor took a break. The recording was very different. It actually consisted of two nights of James recording me playing guitar and one night of vocals. He then programmed the drums and cut pasted the songs together using garage band. The songs weren't really written and couldn't be duplicated live. However we do plan on creating another Dargar record soon. Dargar differs from Harassor in it's approach and concept. It's not an actual live band so it has more limitations. Especially when you consider my horrible guitar playing. I also have been collaborating with Greh Holger's Hive Mind project. We've played a handful of shows and are about to record a new project that is yet unnamed.

DS-Finally, what are you listening to right now?

S: Tombs, Xeno & Oaklander, Dolorvotre, B.O.R.G., Burial Hex, CRAFT, Flesh Eaters, Locrian, Muddy Waters, Raspberry Bulbs, etc - always listening to music... Not all metal, but mostly all dark!

J: Lifelover (RIP "B"), Lurker of Chalice, Antediluvian, Cruciamentum, Portal, Lantlos, Hypothermia, Tukaaria, Murk, Worship, Vasaeleth, many, many more, I'm constantly listening to music and checking out new bands.

P: I run a new/used all vinyl & cassette record store so I'm all over the place. I love the post-Black Metal shoegaze shit coming from France. I also tend to listen to a lot of Failure, Jesu, Killing Joke amongst others. Lately I tend to listen to minimal wave. Whether it be early 80's reissues or newer bands. Death rock, goth/industrial and synth based music has been my jam for the last year and half or so.

DS-Last words?

S: D.I.Y or D.I.E.

J: Thanks for the support!

P: Think for yourself! Don't be weak minded and adopt Christian rhetoric. Power exists within. Spirituality comes from within. Don't allow yourself to be controlled. Be your own Master. Good or Evil is all relative. Crush the religious scum!

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Live pic by Adam Murray, Check his work here....

Interview by Ignacio Brown