With bands such as Cryptopsy and Nile gaining worldwide acclaim over the past couple of years, one might assume that today’s death metal fans won’t tolerate anything short of technical overkill. Not surprisingly, the number of bands playing this brutal, yet intricate style has risen proportionally. What has resulted is a scene that is rather saturated at the moment.

In a land that is better known for its quality dairy products than its death metal exports, a redeemer lurks in the shadows. Since 1995, the Milwaukee-based quartet known as Jungle Rot has proven that sometimes, less is more. Over the years, the band has been wise enough to realize that their music doesn’t require constant tremelo picking or bizarre time signatures; the songs are powerful and effective just as they are.

Guitarist Kevin Forsythe was more than willing to wax informative on subject matter which ranged from Jungle Rot’s latest mid-paced romp (»Dead and Buried», on Olympic Recordings) to the current state of the local and worldwide scenes. I, for one, was impressed with Kevin’s honest and frank answers to questions which would normally elicit non-commital responses from all but the most outspoken interview subjects. A more steadfast advocate of true death metal would definitely be hard to come by, and we thank Kevin for the time he devoted to our queries.

- (CA) While most of your peers seem insistent on being as fast or technical as possible, you guys have been content to play a style that is slower and more straight-forward. Have you found that death metal fans are receptive to your different approach?

- (KF) Yes, we have in a way. A lot of people that listen to us also listen to fast brutal death metal. We have gained our following by putting on the best live show we can. For real, we go up there and bust our asses. I listen to a lot of fast metal and we do play blast beats, we just use them as a way to build a crescendo. It is not just mindless noise!

- (CA) Your bio states that you were not particularly pleased with Pavement (who released your first full-length album, «Slaughter the Weak»). Was it just the usual label issues (i.e. lack of promotion, no tour support) which led to your dissatisfaction, or were there other factors involved?

- (KF) Well, Pavement did give us money and promotion. The reason we left is they did not see the band going in the direction they wanted us to go. They wanted to change our image, and our sound. We were like FUCK THAT! We realized no matter what label you go to they will not share the same vision you have when it comes to the next album. So we went to Olyimpic because we needed someone to push it the way it needed to be pushed, and so far, they have done a good job.

- (CA) I have heard that despite the annual Metal Fest, the scene in Milwaukee isn’t especially strong. Is there any truth to this?

- (KF) Milwaukee is very weak right now. There are only a few bands left, and most of them suck really bad. The only good ones are FOREVER IS FORGOTTEN and 7 ANGELS 7 PLAGUES. You will be hearing about them soon — they rule. I try to help the scene as much as I can, but I only get shit for it. I will put on shows and put out compilation CDs, but all the local bands are too busy fighting over who is bigger and better rather than helping the scene. Fuck ‘em, they can go work the scene themselves and release their own records. Then they can see how rough it is out there!

- (CA) Your lyrics have traditionally been based on violent themes, and of course, your cover concepts are all war-related. Do you ever see Jungle Rot taking a different approach in either of these areas?

- (KF) No, not really. We have always had a theme about this band, in a way that has helped us stand out from the underground. We will always have our image, and we will always play violent death metal.

- (CA) Please expand a little on your fascination with military combat. Are there particular books or films that drive your interest?

- (KF) No, it is from respect. We have total respect for the troops that have fought and died for the country, and those who are in the service now. Some people in Europe are kind of giving us shit for having a military image; saying we are a cult. But that is not true. We just play music and write about what we think is cool.

- (CA) There have been a couple of instances where European censors demanded that your CDs be released with alternate covers. What are your feeling on this?

- (KF) I think it is a bunch of shit. There are other bands putting out way more graphic albums than we are. I have no idea why we were singled out. In a way, we are kind of glad it happened, for it helped get the word out about the album. But on the other hand, a lot of people got back to us, saying that they did not like the cover, and we had to get back to them and say: «hey, our hands were tied; it was this or nothing!». So I think we are on someone’s list. The new album cover was not too graphic, but once again what are you going to do, you know?

- (CA) I think «Dead and Buried» sounds excellent; it’s clear and powerful without sounding too polished, and (bassist) Chris Djuricic played an integral role in its production. Has he produced any other projects?

- (KF) Yes, he has done a ton of albums for the likes of GORGASM, DISINTER, CORPSE VOMIT, ORIGIN, SARCOPHAGUS, and a bunch of others… the list is very long. I hardly see him; I only see him at practice, for he is always in the studio.

- (CA) Please describe the first live show you played as a member of Jungle Rot. How does it compare to your more recent gigs?

- (KF) Well, the first show I played was at the House of Blues in Chicago. That is by far the best place to play in the country — it is very top-of-the-line. The shows we do now are of the same intensity, it is just that we can not play the House of Blues every night!! Every show I have done with the band has been 100% the best I can do. We tear it up as much as we can. It is hard to say what shows are better, for we play as hard as we can every time.

- (CA) What do you think of the «covers craze» that so many bands are into these days? I know «Darkness Foretold» contained a lot of covers, but that was in ‘98. Aren’t there too many bands who are recording covers just for the hell of it? Shouldn’t there be something unique about a cover song that makes it worthwhile for fans?

- (KF) Well, if you are going to do a cover you should make it with your band’s stamp on it. We did a bunch of covers, but we did it in a way so when you put the disc on, you can still tell it is Jungle Rot. I hate it when bands do covers and you cannot tell the difference between the original and the cover.

- (CA) Tell us about your observations of the current death metal scene. What do you see that is encouraging? What do you think needs improvement?

- (KF) Well, the only good things that are going on is that it is easy to get signed nowadays. There are a shit-ton of upstart labels that need albums to put out. But on the other hand, the underground has been getting flooded with a lot of shit that is hurting the scene. I think we need more bands that realize that you have to put out a good album (sound and package) to get a good response. Also, you have to push it as much as you can, even if you are signed — still make phone calls and do mail. The scene needs to get more bands that are more willing to get involved in the underground.

- (CA) What meaning lies behind the name «Jungle Rot»?

- (KF) Well, the first line-up’s drummer came up with it. He just suggested it, and the band agreed. It was not a planned out thing, it just happened!

- (CA) What bands have influenced Jungle Rot the most?

- (KF) Sodom, Slayer, Destruction, Death, Obituary… the old school kings have been an influence. We also look at a lot of hardcore, like Hatebreed, Poison the Well, Earth Crisis and Buried Alive.

- (CA) What do you know about Russia? Have you heard any Russian bands?

- (KF) I know of a lot of good bands! Ens Cogitans, Echo Silence, and a bunch of others that I cannot spell or say correctly! I have heard a lot of music coming from a label called More Hate Productions, and I think he is doing a great job of getting people to look at Russia as another possible metal uprising.

- (CA) What bands would you like to tour with?

- (KF) Fleshgrind, Six Feet Under, Forever is Forgotten, Slayer… God, the list is very long! I would like to go on the road with bands that not only are like us musically, but fun to hang out with. A lot of Chicago bands are a blast to party with, and a lot of East coast hardcore band are fun as hell also. So we will see!

- (CA) Closing comments?

- (KF) Thanks so much for the interview — keep supporting the underground, and everyone take a look at our new web site at www.junglerot.net. You can get up-to-date info on shows and other things. Keep in touch and keep killing!!

- (CA) Thank you for the interview, Kevin, our best wishes to you and Jungle Rot! We would also like to say «thank you!» to Jim Forst, publicist for Olympic Recordings, for his invaluable help with this interview.

Visit official Jungle Rot site @ www.junglerot.net

Visit Olympic Recordings site @ www.olympicrecordings.com

E-mail Jungle Rot @ jungle_rot[AT]hotmail.com

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