Metal Monthly - As a kid(s), how did you personally identify with "death" metal, in particular?

Steve – As a kid I think I identified with Death Metal real well because it was different. It wasn’t the crap you heard on the radio or what everyone at school was listening too. If you listened to it you had something wrong with you and I think the whole “shock” value of it made it even more exciting and gave you all the more reason to go out and buy the most grotesque and disgusting Cannibal Corpse shirt you could get your hands on or start your own band and take the chance to write about the most fucked up shit you can think of but cant act out in real life.

Metal Monthly - Describe in a word or phrase, what you like best from each of the following sub-genres of metal:

a) extreme;

b) thrash;

c) black; and,

d) groove?

Steve - First and foremost I want to say that I like this question because I think you can find a genuine taste of all these kinds of metal in the music that we are performing today. I say a genuine amount because we aren’t trying to throw certain elements in certain songs or cater to a certain crowd. We just show up to rehearsal with the attitude that we are going to play what we like and what we would want to personally listen to and this is what comes out.
But to answer your question, I like the tempo and the in your face mosh action that thrash metal bands bring you. I like the very evil lyrical content, the triumphant song structures and the high screaming vocals the Black Metal bands bring you and if I had to say something about whatever the hell groove metal is I like to be able to pump your fist in the air, bang your fucking head and get down in the pit like you can whenever a band gets a good groove going in their chorus or whatever.
Whenever generalizing all the genres you would call it “extreme” I don’t think there is really a definition for “extreme” metal.

Metal Monthly - In trying to write music that "sticks with your fans all day long", how are you studying the art of musical and/or lyrical hooks?

Steve – There is no real study involved other then just being fans of the music ourselves. It’s kind of just the take one to know one mentality. We are all metalheads and we know what sounds good and what doesn’t. We take the music we make very seriously and we understand each other. I think that’s real important and with that said it’s not hard for us to respect each others constructive criticism. If something can sound better played a different way or flow better with an idea someone else has than we don’t get all pissed off, we listen to each other and try to flex to whatever sounds the best in the end.

Metal Monthly - Growing your popularity is an important goal; what would you REFUSE to do to become more "successful"?

Steve - Damn, that’s a tough one. I guess I’ve never really thought about it, but I suppose if someone asked me to change some lyrical content and sing like an emo kid who misses his fake ass, Atreyu headband wearing, girlfriend or something I would have to tell them get fucked.

Metal Monthly - Along those same lines, you guys are big promoters of the
"Underground" scene; for you, would there be such a thing as too much success?

Steve – Not at all. If we can gain success from what we are doing then it’s mission accomplished. The style of music we play is becoming more and more accepted everyday and its bands like us and thousands of others that are making it that way. It’s a tough business to make it in but we are going to stick with it for as long as it takes. No matter what success level it will always be worth it.

Metal Monthly - In terms of being performers, as well as musicians, would you say that you appear any differently on-stage versus in your personal life? (i.e. does SS have a "look", or a PR-image)

Steve – I don’t think so. I seem to be the same in your face, arrogant bastard on the stage as everyone says that I am off. As far as my other guys are concerned it’s what you see is what you get. We aren’t trying to be something that we aren’t. We are a metal band, we go up there and give it our all every time. Whether there is 10 people or a 1000 we bang our fucking heads off and shred the crowd a new asshole because you never know who is watching. No antics or stage shows just a well executed set and real life tales of brutality.

Metal Monthly - Have you noticed any differences, positive or negative, in
West-coast versus East-coast audiences?

Steve – We haven’t had the pleasure of playing the east coast yet so I cant answer the question completely, but everywhere that we have traveled and every audience we have played to has been very accepting and very enthusiastic so I am sure the east coast will react the same. But on the same note we are playing the T.M.T. Metalfest @ Tioga Center in New York this summer!! That will be our first taste of east coast action and we are very excited to be a part of it so I will let you know how it goes!

Metal Monthly - You define your band as "hard-working"; what do you do that is above and beyond the average band's work ethic?

Steve – Well I’m not necessarily saying we are above and beyond anyone but I do want to stress to the labels that when you sign us you aren’t just getting a group of guys that play well. Because you can be the best musician in the world but if you don’t have the drive and dedication it doesn’t mean shit and that is why this is such a cutthroat business. You see bands going through member changes and shit all the time because getting signed comes with extensive touring schedules, quitting your jobs and basically dedicating your life to the music that you love to play and we understand that. So right now while maintaining full time jobs and whatever else it takes to get by I see what’s happening right now as a warm up period. You will see us at shows several times a week doing hand to hand promotion for whatever we have coming up. Or nightly online promotion and whatever it takes to spread the word. So that’s what I mean about Sacrificial Slaughter being a hard working band.

Metal Monthly - DREAM QUESTION: If you could be signed by any label, name them:

Steve – We are currently pursuing contracts with the usual suspects. Metalblade, Roadrunner, Earache, Prosthetic, etc.

Metal Monthly - Have you ever considered "Anger Management"?

Steve - I am currently enrolled in a court mandated 52 week anger management program. The classes are expensive and annoying, often resulting in me being even more pissed off. They don’t call me the criminal for nothing. Thanks.

P.S. this interview was fueled by a 12pk of Keystone and the Defleshed album “Fast Forward”

Cheers!