Interview conducted 1/12/99
By Mike Coles

I have never been a fan of Acheron, but I decided to interview Rev. Vincent Crowley nonetheless, because of his involvement with the Church of Satan and the underground. I thought that he would have been more of an intelligent interviewee, but from reading some of his replies, I just thought that some of his replies were really immature. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but you can decide for yourself.

The Outcast: What are your opinions on religion?

Crowley: Religion is a mind controlling device to herd in sheep to the flock. Satanism is the only recognized "religion" that is more of an un-religion religion that worships the self.

The Outcast: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change and why?

Crowley: Nothing, I am fine with the way I am.

The Outcast: If you could change only one part in history, either in your life, someone else’s, or an event, what would you change and why?

Crowley: The birth of Paul (Saul of Tarsus), the true creator of Christianity. If he never existed this madness would not exist in this form.

The Outcast: What are your beliefs on Satan and God? Do you thing they are actual beings? Why or why not?

Crowley: Both are mythological characters described in a fictional book, God being the symbol of weakness, Satan representing strength and rebellion. In Satanism, the use of Satan is as an archetype, representing the self and the dark force of nature.

The Outcast: What is evil to you?

Crowley: It is a label given to us by Christians. I don’t believe in a defined term for good or evil, but I will proudly wear the label if Christians want to use it, primitive way of thinking.

The Outcast: What is your #1 philosophy in life?

Crowley: Live it to its fullest!

The Outcast: Why do you think people go from one extreme to another; for example from a Satanist to a Christian or vise-versa?

Crowley: It depends on the individual. To me Satanism is just a part of evolution for some.

The Outcast: What is your opinion on morals?

Crowley: Who defines moral? I have my own set, but they may be different from others.

The Outcast: You’re walking down the street and a Christian walks up to you and hands you a flyer that reads, "Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart?" and begins to talk to you about his beliefs. A) Do you calmly tell him sorry but you have different beliefs and begin to talk about each others beliefs over a nice hot cup of coco. B) Walk away and say nothing. C) Tell him to fuck off and die.

Crowley: It depends on my own mood, maybe all of the above. Debate him, tell him to fuck off and walk away.

The Outcast: For one day you have God’s power, what do you do with that power?

Crowley: God has no power! (Ha, ha)

The Outcast: What would be the ultimate pleasure for you?

Crowley: To bathe in the blood of my enemies.

The Outcast: What do you hope to find after death?

Crowley: Nothing, who cares!

The Outcast: What are your beliefs on Murder? Rape? Eye for an eye? Turn the other cheek?

Crowley: Murder- It depends. Rape- a power trip. Eye for an eye- the true law of the elite! Turn the other cheek- Law of the weak!

The Outcast: I hate to get personal, but what was your childhood like? (Example: Divorced parents, alcoholics in the family, abuse, or any other negative aspects that humanity tends to unleash upon other human beings.)

Crowley: Christian parents that were normal, but quite religious. No Geraldo stories to tell.

The Outcast: Were you ever "forced" to attend Church growing up? If so, what was it like and what religion/denomination was it?

Crowley: Yes, first Catholic, and then Baptist. It was the worst time of my life. Mindless drones worshiping a parasite.

The Outcast: What have your experiences been like with Christianity, if any?

Crowley: Always bad. It’s a war to me. Christianity is my enemy until I die.

The Outcast: Do you think people have a right to voice their opinion about a religion, or a "religious" belief without actually experiencing it?

Crowley: I believe in freedom of speech, but my voice must be heard also.

The Outcast: What was your life like before you got into metal? (Examples: Thoughts, personal beliefs on God/Satan, if any, etc.)

Crowley: I was too young to remember, just a punk ass kid hating the world.

The Outcast: Do you believe that metal is actually the Devil’s music? Why or why not?

Crowley: Yes, metal is Hell’s house music. It was created by disciples of the underworld.

The Outcast: Would you agree or disagree that metal, maybe not so much the music, but the contents/subjects that the bands sing/scream/growl about are pretty negative? What about other styles of music?

Crowley: No, I think it is all forms of artistic expression. Music and art should have no boundaries.

The Outcast: Do you think that by listening to lyrics about death, destruction, gore, Satan, the death of all that is holy, sexually contents, etc... can influence someone’s state of mind? Maybe making their lives/mood/state of mind a bit negative because they’re exposed to it everyday if they’re heavily into a style of music that tends to talk about negative subjects?

Crowley: It depends on how weak minded the person is. I have listened to metal for many years and I haven’t committed mass murder or raped a nun. Well, at least not yet! (Ha,ha!)

The Outcast: Do you think that Christian metal can actually exist? Do you think that it is a contradiction, metal and Christianity being in the same sentence? The whole "life style" that metal is categorized under (Ex: Sex, Drugs, Violence, etc...)

Crowley: As we said, metal is the devil’s music, not God’s. Christians only use metal for propaganda, not because they like it. (I strongly disagree! - Mike - 2004)

The Outcast: In your opinion do you believe that evil can be used for good and good for evil?

Crowley: They don’t exist to me!

The Outcast: What is your definition of a hypocrite?

Crowley: A Christian!

The Outcast: But wouldn’t you agree that humanity as a whole, not just Christians, are a hypocritical race?

Crowley: Very true. Humans are the worst species on the planet. My dream is for a massive religious /race war, everyone against everyone.

The Outcast: The Laveyan Satanists believe that they do not practice animal or human sacrifices. In the picture you sent me you were holding a dagger above a woman to where it looked like she was a sacrifice. If you want people to believe that philosophy, what was the point in taking a picture like that?

Crowley: This is called artistic psychodrama and ritualistic expression, which I feel is very important to capture certain elements for the band. Unlike a lot of Satanists (Laveyan and/or otherwise) I could care less about what people think. I’m not here to make sure "others" understand what I am doing. Fuck everyone; I do what I want, if others don’t get it, fuck ‘em!

The Outcast: How is the Church of Satan getting along right now? Have a lot of people fallen away from being a Satanist since the death of Anton?

Crowley: There’s a little tension between Lavey’s daughter and Blanche, but everything else is fine. Things have not really changed too much. A lot of people are still interested with Satanism and the Church of Satan. Satanism goes far beyond the life of Anton Lavey. Satanism holds merit on its own.

The Outcast: What’s your opinion on bands using nude females on their covers, live performances, ads, etc...just to sell more albums? It seems that more and more bands have been doing it ever since Cradle of Filth started getting more and more attention for their album covers.

Crowley: Who says "all" bands do that to sell more albums? We’ve used live nude women as altars on stage since the early 90’s. Sexuality is a very powerful thing, if used correctly. I’m so sick of people saying "this" or "that" is selling out. If Cradle of Filth uses nude women to sell albums, good for them, but I do things because I want to. Acheron is far from being a sellout band. Sex, power, and violence are very important traits for us.

The Outcast: What’s your opinion of David Vincent playing in a band where he has to wear a skirt?

Crowley: It’s not me, so I could care less. I can’t imagine David in a dress, but I heard he recently did on stage. Being a big Morbid A. fan, I would rather see him doing that, but "do what thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law." He can do what he wants. I wouldn’t do it, but that’s just my opinion.

The Outcast: How’s Full Moon Production treating Acheron’s release? Good sales?

Crowley: They have done more for us than any other label. I am pleased with the sales thus far.

The Outcast: Any closing words?

Crowley: I have recently finished writing out the new album "The Apocalypse," which we hope to record by the middle of the year. Keep an eye out for us. Acheron will continue to be the thorn in society’s side. Ad Maiorem Satanae Gloriam!