Enthraller: of Slaves and Gods and Devil Kings

Enthraller has been terrorizing the Los Angeles area for over 14 years, providing a death metal soundtrack for those living  within the so-called City Of Angels.  Having provided support for legendary acts such as Obituary and Deicide, Enthraller is more than ready to lead their extreme death metal crusade.  The band has just unleashed their second disc of total brutality entitled The Devil King of the Sixth Heaven, and it’s desitned to garner the band a good deal of praise well beyond their hometown.  Check in and we speak with three of the members on such subjects as slaves, and gods, and devil kings…

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Enthaller, and how long the band has been in existence?
Enthraller originated during the summer of ’96 in Lakewood, CA.
“I am the guitarist for Enthraller, I do lead and backing vocals and I composed most of the new material,” Kyle Bell said.
“I play the drums, help arrange music, I write lyrics and do backing and lead vocals,” Ray-K-47 said.
“I do lead vocals, write the lyrics and manage the band,” Stephen Bowman said.

What is your opinion of the local Los Angeles music scene, and how does Enthraller fit into the scheme of things?
“We think that the local scene has a variety of everything anyone would want to listen to,” Ray-K-47 said. “There are so many schemes in so many things. Enthraller is a raw force that is penetrating through the grand scheme of things.”

How does this new CD compare to your previous release Slaves And Gods?
“The Devil King of the Sixth Heaven is lyrically darker and more melodic than Slaves and Gods, that’s for sure,” Bowman said.
“While still keeping true to the band’s sound, the new CD is lyrically and musically darker, but still provides a powerful message,” Bell said.
“It is a fresh new sound and groove all-together. It’s a whole ‘nother level of bustin’,” Ray-K-47 said.

Is there any story or concept behind the CD title The Devil King Of The Sixth Heaven?
“Yes. The Devil King is the negative function that exists within all living beings,” Ray-K-47 said. “He is also regarded as the manifestation of the fundamental darkness inherent in life.”

Where do you get your ideas for some of your lyrics? Please cite two songs and what the lyrics are about.
“The different turmoils and tribulations of life and the things we experience in day-to-day life and all of the things humans do to other humans,” Bowman said.
“Mindless Slaves is a song about the different masses mindlessly following ideas or teachings that are full of cross-purposes, failing to seek out the roots of the concepts they dedicate their beings to,” Ray-K-47 said.
“The song Born of War is about being born in Los Angeles,” Bowman said.
“It’s about being privileged enough to be born in the modern militant-industrial-complex, as well as about getting to see fellow human-beings who are a part of different teachings and societies through time employ brain-wash techniques,” Ray-K-47 said.

Who did the artwork for your new CD and how much overall input did you have on it?
“Mister Tony Koehl. He drew exactly what we asked and what we described to him,” Ray-K-47 said.

What could one expect from a live Enthraller show?
“Absolute madness,” Bell said.
“A raw, clean, powerful unique musical experience,” Ray-K-47 said.

What was it like performing in support of such huge bands as Deicide and Obituary and did you get to meet and hang out with any of their members?
“It was awesome to play with some of the gods of metal,” Bowman said.
“It was an honor to kick ass with bands that I grew up listening to. I got to kick it backstage and drink beers with a couple of guys from Obituary. Glen and I gave each other a “What up?” with a head-nod. That was cool,” Ray-K-47 said.
“These are the bands who made us what we are today,” Bell said. “It was a privilege to share the stage with them.”

How easy of difficult is it to put out a CD on your own?
“It was a challenge because, as a band, we (had) to raise money for each little thing in order for the album to be mass-produced,” Bowman said.
“It takes hard work, a lot of focus and a strong will to perservere on the mission to put out a CD,” Ray-K-47 said.

Any label interest? There should very well be with this new one!
“Yes. We are in the process of sharing it with many labels and individuals who are affiliated with labels we wouldn’t mind working with,” Ray-K-47 said.

Who produced The Devil King Of The Sixth Heaven and what was it like working with him?
“We produced it with Alex Crestcioni of Shrine Recording studio in Valencia, CA and were honored to have Colin Davis master it,” Ray-K-47 said.

Are you or any other members involved with any other bands or projects outside of Enthraller?
“I help out a lot of my fellow musician-friends. I make beats and music on my computer for future projects and for my friend B.G.V (Baby Gangster Villain), who is a rapper, producer and entrepeneur. We’re like two masterminds ready to put a new spin on the mundane industry,” Ray-K-47 said.

Any touring plans in the future for Enthraller – or local shows on the horizon?
“We will be playing a Death-metal festival in Las Vegas Friday, July 16 and Saturday, the 17, and we are also planning a summer tour,” Ray-K-47 said.
“We will be playing with Fallen Figure and Insecticide Thursday, March 18 and the Eclipse in Harbor City, CA. We will also be playing Thursday, March 25 at Suzy’s Bar and Grill in Hermosa Beach, CA,” Bowman said.

Do you have any messages for metalheads here in the Los Angeles area?
“Fans keep music alive,” Bell said. “Keep supporting your local metal-scence.”
“I look forward to seeing the brutal ones head-banging and moshing in the pit,” Bowman said.
“Besides y’all keeping it real, raw and expansive, I can’t wait to play with all the cool bands and party with everyone as well,” Ray-K-47 said.

(Interview by Kenneth Morton)

Enthraller on Myspace