Interview with Digestor (Ghoul)

Ghoul is back again to release their first full-length in over 5 years! Transmission Zero is getting released November, 8th on Tankcrimes and even after being together for 10 years it is evident when listening that all of the energy is still there. We had the chance to ask Digestor a few questions about the new release and the future of Ghoul. 

Foul Feast: How are things in Creepsylvania?

Digestor: Cloudy with a chance of MURDER!!!

FF: You guys just recently kicked off the tour in support of the new album, how did that go?

Digestor: We were recently kicked off the tour?! Why weren't we notified?! Oh, for fun. We actually have not left for tour yet. We leave Oct 12th.

FF: What other bands can we expect to see joining you on this tour?

Digestor: We're going out with the legendary Gwar, Every Time I Die, and we will be joined on the last couple shows of our leg of the tour by the stellar Warbeast.

FF: Has Ghoul ever done a big tour like this?

Digestor: No, the biggest tour we've been on was a tour of the Schlitz brewery. We were kicked off that one too, incidentally. Hey, if they don't allow swimming in the fermenting tanks they should put up a sign. I'm not a mind reader.

FF: Explain a bit how Transmission Zero differs from the past Ghoul releases.

Digestor: It has a different cover, different lyrics, and a different title, but I have to admit it has a lot of the same riffs. Again, I kid you! It's certainly a good companion to Splatterthrash, but I think the music is more aggressive this time out, and there are a few curve balls thrown in there that people will have to discover for themselves.

FF: Who did the amazing coverart for Transmission Zero?

Digestor: A wonderful artist named Bill Hauser who has done work for many, many other great bands. We were so lucky that he agreed to work with us after only three hours of hooking him up to a car battery and electrocuting his bathroom area. Mainly we were lucky because the battery was about to run out of juice when he agreed. If only he had the willpower to hold out a few more minutes he could have avoided this whole mess.

FF: A few years back you did a split with Brody's Militia, do you plan on doing any splits in the future? And if so who are you wanting to do it with?

Digestor: I believe there is a split planned in the future with a certain band on a certain label. I can't elaborate any further, as I signed a non-disclosure agreement and I take those things really seriously.

FF: Do you have a favorite track from the new album?

Digestor: I really like them all, but if I had to pick one I'd go with the title track. That and the secret track. Oh, I gave away the secret! Me and my big mouth...

FF: Do the hoods help with your thrashing abilities? I'm just trying to wrap my head around the mystique behind Ghoul.

Digestor: I'd like to wrap your head around something... The hoods only serve to hide our hideous visages. The cocaine is what helps us thrash.

FF: What kind of shenanigans was Ghoul up to during the 5 year break between albums?

Digestor: A little of this, a little of that. Hiding from cultists, burning down orphanages; you know, the usual.

FF: How did your deal with Tankcrimes fall into place?

Digestor: One day we were loping through the catacombs and saw one of his "Tankcrimes" stickers stuck on the skull of a small child. This showed an impressive lack of taste, respect, and common sense. We knew right then that he was our kind of clod. Though he's a bit of a recluse and more or less stays off the grid we managed to track him down, and after a lengthy and detailed description of what we would do to him if he didn't put out our albums he agreed that it was a good idea.

FF: What was your biggest influence musically going into this album?

Digestor: The last Ghoul album. We don't get a lot of new music in Creepsylvania.

FF: Any final words?

Digestor: If I have one life to live, let me live it as a blonde!

Ghoul- Transmission Zero

If you are a seasoned metalhead you are most likely no stranger to Ghoul. These guys have been consistently tearing it up since 2001. It has been five years since their last full-length and they have finally returned with their long awaited album Transmission Zero. In between albums Ghoul made the switch from Razorback to Tankcrimes but they haven't changed much musically. This is still the same vicious thrash that we've come to know and love from the band, and let's face it, does anyone really want it any other way?

The riffs on this album are beyond amazing. You could be sitting in the waiting room at your dentist office awaiting a root canal and immediately when the first riff kicks in you'll go into full on numbskull mode and start a moshpit with the two elderly people sitting beside you. This is Ghoul doing what they do best and that consists of them breaking out of your speakers/headphones and sending you into a heavy metal fog. Enough with these stupid references, the bottom line is that this shit slays.

For the most part Transmission Zero tends to be more of a straightforward thrash album when compared to the previous Ghoul releases. There is a great deal of energy put into every track and tons of catchy gang shout sections. As usual all these tracks have the perfect sound to throw an audience of metalheads into a moshing frenzy. With that being said there are a few surprises on this record as well. One of which is the track "Morning of the Mezmetron" which takes a slower approach and breaks eight minutes. The track gives off an eerie vibe and is a great change of pace for the albums overall flow. The old school sound shown on tracks like "Death in the Swamp" and "Transmission Zero" are extremely entertaining and make you want to go out and ride a tidal wave of blood.

Overall the five year wait paid off. Ghoul has done it yet again and it is beginning to seem like they are unable to release a bad album. This has been in constant rotation since I received it and it may very well be my favorite Ghoul album. Not many new albums come to mind that have a replay value quite like this one. Each track stands out and they all have their own qualities that separate them from one another and it all flows together seamlessly. Fans of metal in general should get this along with all the other Ghoul releases. They are growing to be one of the most consistent bands in the metal scene today and this album is just another perfect example of that. Old fans will not be disappointed, newcomers will be amazed, everyone wins. Get it!