Murderous Visions from Painsville, Ohio

A friend told me, that he will come along with some friends. This time it was Richard Schneider of Schloss Tegal, bringing Stephen, Rebecca and Dan from Painsville, Ohio to Dresden, Saxony. But they did not only come for having a good party, they wanted to play their own music, as Stephen and Dan did later as Murderous Vision in our small, little club Alte Feuerwache. After hours and hours of listening to their CDs, thankfully given by the band to be on our disposal and reviewed in this lovely tiny webzine, the time arose, to dive deeper into the murderous visions of Stephen Petrus. Some of his points of view, we cannot tolerate, as the club|debil, who wants to take over the world, cannot accept that our planet is erased by someone...

Can you please introduce yourself and your allies in MV?

Currently i am (Stephen Petrus) the only member of the project. I don't expect this to change at any point. I have utilized friends from time to time in the live setting and in the studio, but i feel it works best if i am the only one with decision making privileges. It is after all my child. I do not feel it is worth completely sharing with anyone.

Can please tell us about your musical career? How did you get into industrial music?

I have been attempting to make music since the age of 14. I started out playing Guitar as a teen and switched over to electronics at about the age of 21. I first started listening to more conventional Industrial music like Skinny Puppy, which led to finding things like Megaptera and Brighter Death Now. A pivotal transition indeed! I first began making Industrial music in 1993 or 1994 under the name Norbert Lenski. Murderous Vision began in late 1994, it's beginning has been documented in several other interviews, so will spare the boredom of repeating.

Which bands etc. influenced you?

Initially it was the Cold Meat and Slaughter Productions bands that really got me thinking and excited. I still love all of that material and follow the output of these bands. For years i was immersed only in Industrial music, i listened to nearly nothing else. Currently along with Industrial i have also rediscovered my love of other genres of music. I listen to a lot of Black Metal these days along with Psychedelic stuff and my guilty pleasure, synth pop. My current favorite is Spiritual Front. Simone is creating some of the most heart felt music out there these days. I can feel the pain and sorrow in this work that many bands try to achieve, only to fail miserably.

Can you please tell us about the concept of MV? What themes is MV dealing with?

Well, i don't know if there has ever been an in stone concept. I guess this changes along with my mood and current interests. The music as of late has been a bit more autobiographical than in the past. Some realizations over the past years have dictated this. Realizing that i am absolutely alone in the world and that people's interest in my life extends usually only to the point that it does not take anything away from their lives. When i wake in the morning it is just me, when i go to bed at night it is the same. I assume that when i take my last breath, it will likewise be alone. I have come to accept this and it really does not affect me like it did when i first realized it. I think i am starting to embrace this, and it is reflected in my nihilistic art.

The musical output of Murderous Vision has changed over the years in it's style. Can you please tell us the reason?

I tend to write music that i want to hear. This is the best way to keep your heart attached to it. So, whatever style i am into at the time usually finds it's way into my sound. I like to think that i have grown quite a bit as an artist over the years, thus making it easier to achieve the sonic goals i have set out for myself. The early days were pretty much directionless, i did not know where it was going, or even where i wanted it to go. This is very apparent when listening to the first two albums. On Suffocate... the Final Breath i think i finally began to see what was possible for me musically and it dictated the basic direction of the project.

How would you characterize MV? What is typical for your project?

Hopefully nothing is "typical" for Murderous Vision. I would characterize it i guess simply as the artistic output of Stephen Petrus.

What sound sources / equipment do you use?

For the current album i used a Korg Triton, Roland MC303, several soft synths and samplers. The sound sources or samples used where many. Sounds recorded from my living space as well as the factory i work in. All of this captured on my trusty Apple g4 Powerbook using Logic Pro.

Your artwork is often influenced by fin de cycle-aesthetics. What does fascinate you about this?

I am a very bleak person i guess. This reflects in my sense of humor as well. Or so i have been told. I see very little these days to show me a bright future for myself, or anyone for that matter. Everything related to happiness has an air of falseness to it. It is at least always short lived. Then it is back to emptiness.

You come from Painesville Ohio. Can you please tell about your place? I've seen at one of your videos that there are a lot of wasted industrial areas. So can we call it "typical industrial"? ;-)

Well, Painesville is certainly an Industrial landscape. It is on the lower end of the income scale, so you can assume what kind of folks live here. It is absolutely infested with illegal immigrants, and all the crime and rape that come along with people who live in these rat-like conditions, just to be in this country. Painesville is crime, poverty, depression, bad feelings, and all that the name implies, other than that i love it here!

What about the industrial / independent music scene in your area?

Near non-existent. There is a pretty flourished scene of circuit bender noise that i just became aware of. Mostly younger people i think. I have nothing against what they are doing, but i don't think that there crowd would enjoy Murderous Vision, so i tend to shy away from that scene.

On "Life's Blood Death's Embrace" one of your collaborators is Brethren. I read he's a "controversial industrial musician"? Can you please enlighten us?

Well, i do not speak for him. What i will say is he is quite outspoken in his views on the world, as well as politics. He is open for intelligent discussions with anyone. His email address is brethren14@aim.com.

Where do your fans come from? Do you have connections outside the States?

Judging by sales and distribution it seems most interest is in Europe. Here locally i would say there is little to no interest. Ohio is not exactly a hotbed for anything outside the realms of metal and rock music. The most popular bands in this area are cover bands playing Kiss and Motley Crue bullshit. It is quite laughable actually.

As an American: Do you have problems with your actual government? ;-)

I am sickened by many policies this nation enforces. Freedom is a fleeting concept here in the United States. We watch as rights are taken away daily. All under the guise of protection of the greater good. Sound familiar? I tend to look at things from the perspective of being on an island, as my own nation. I tend to conduct myself however i like. If this stands outside what is considered legal than so be it. I do not go around acting like a criminal, so i feel this concept is morally correct. With that in check i rest easy. I am quite embarrassed for the most part by the fact that i am a part of this nation. The actions of my "countrymen" do not represent my views or position in the world. It is merely unfortunate that i happened to be born in this location. I have no support for the American Political System.

How would world look like if you were god? ;-)
Eradicated.

Back to music: A new MV album is announced, "Cathartic Drifts in a Sea of Sadness". What can we expect and when the CD will be released. Can we get it here in Germany?

There are a few delays currently, so i am looking at early fall or late summer at best. There is still work to do on the cover art, and some financial issues arose that depleted some of the funds for production. It will absolutely be available in Germany, as well as anywhere else worldwide. I have a pretty good distribution network in Europe/Asia and if all else fails it could be ordered directly from me for a very reasonable price.

What future plans you have with MV?

I am only able to see my future up to the release of the new album and possibly a return to Europe for some more touring in February of 2008. Other than that i have no direction. I wish to do these two things at this time and nothing more. Thinking of the future right now leaves me with a bleak feeling.

You have/had some side projects. Can you please introduce them to us?

Well, the most well known is In Death's Throes, of which i was a part of from 1998 till 2003, when the project went into hiatus. I also do a project currently with the Murderous Vision live drummer called Tempered Decay.
There is a full length album in the works for this project, but other commitments on both of our behalf's have kept it delayed. It will happen at some point i am sure...

You also lead a label: Live Bait Recording Foundation. What principles you have for a release? Can people send you their Cds for release? What will be next?

I am not currently accepting demos from anyone. For the last few years it has been for the most part a vehicle for releasing the work of Murderous Vision. This with the exception of the Megaptera DCD. Peter Nystrom has been amazing to work with, a true friend. I used to have more vigor for releasing for other artists, but one artist in particular ruined it by being an asshole. Spending close to $1300 releasing his album, only for him to shit mouth me once he landed on a bigger label. When i go to Belgium in February i may pay him a visit and give him the opportunity to run his mouth directly to my face. I would consider releases for others in the future, but it is totally of my choosing. A demo most likely will not impress me enough to invest the kind of cash it takes to do a release right.

Murderous Vision - bringing you the finest in Dark Music since 1996.
www.murderousvision.com
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