ANGTORIA - FOUR YEARS AFTER STARTING A NEW BAND, CRADLE OF FILTH SINGER SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA HAS AN ALBUM FOR US ALL


Anglo-Swedish Metal outfit ANGTORIA is fronted by the high profile British singer Sarah Jezebel Deva – a woman who has made a significant mark on the extreme Metal scene as complimentary vocalist for CRADLE OF FILTH, COVENANT, THERION, TULUS, GRAVEWORM and MORTIIS.

Initially releasing a demo in 2002, ANGTORIA was eventually picked up by French label Listenable Records and in late 2005 entered Sidelake Studios in Sundsvall to begin recording a debut album. In April 2006 the recording arrived, interestingly titled 'God Has A Plan For Us All'. Sweltering in the current UK heatwave Sarah Jezebel Deva battles her way through the Rockdetector Fearsome 40.

First of all, what are you up to right now?

"Doing this interview for you! Surfing the net, talking to people... checking out my pimples and drinking tea! Hating this hot weather! It's a record breaking 36 degrees in the UK. We don't get much rain anymore! It's annoying! How the hell am I meant to grow my potatoes?"

What are your present obsessions?

"Driving and drinking tea! Not at the same time! I just brought a new car. Can't stop driving it!"

Can you pinpoint the moment you made the decision to become a musician?

"Yes! Believe it or not I was about two years old. I was standing in front of the fire and I was singing "Lalalalala" and I loved it... I knew I wanted to sing then."

Recommend a book that has truly inspired you. Why did it make such an impact?

"'The Satanic Witch'. It made pissing myself seem sexy! If you read it, you would understand."

Where is 'home' and why do you live there?

"England. Ha ha! I live there because it's my home! I don't have a choice! If I had a choice, I would be rich! If I were rich, I would still live where I live just maybe move into a bigger box! I love England. I would never leave but I would love to have a vacation home somewhere in Sweden or Norway."

What is the album you haven't got in your collection but really should have, and why?

"That's impossible to answer. There are so many albums I want but to be honest, I have too many I've still not listened to. I suppose the last DEAD CAN DANCE album that was released. I'm a huge fan of them. Oh and the latest CARPATHIAN FOREST 'Fuck You All'."

What record recently has really surprised you with its quality? Is there any album you own and enjoy that might surprise your fans?

"The new MOONSPELL album 'Memorial' blew me away. I like them a lot but nothing has blown me away since 'Wolfheart'. That's the best MOONSPELL album ever. This new one just shocked me. They are like a new band. As for surprising fans... well I have a few gay albums for sure but I'm not telling you! Ha ha!"

Who are your musical heroes?

"Madonna, Prince, DEAD CAN DANCE, EMPEROR."

If you could collaborate with any musicians to do a project album, who would they be and why?

"Mike Patton, SEBASTIAN BACH and Ihsahn of EMPEROR. They have all vocally inspired me over the years. Haven't you noticed my manly voice and long beard?"

Name some musicians that really should be getting more attention.

"Argh! I can't think! THE GATHERING for one. The veterans of female fronted bands! Everyone else copied! And THERION! I sung for them for about six years and miss them dearly but I had to move on. That band deserves so much more. They have been doing for years, what NIGHTWISH have been trying to do!"

Other than music, what other types of Art do you appreciate?

"Martial Arts. I have a love for history also. Recently CRADLE OF FILTH visited Elizabeth Bathory's Castle in Slovakia. Its was amazing for us to finally get there."

Besides the instrument you are known for, which other instruments can you play?

"Bass. I've been playing on and off for over ten years. I'm OK. I can write, that's all that matters."

The first concert you ever attended was...

"Apart from local gigs, UGLY KID JOE with support from the SCREAMING JETS. I was about 16 I think."

When and where was the very first time you performed music?

"My music? I've never performed with ANGTORIA, unless you can count when we did the video for the song 'God Has A Plan For Us All'. But the first time I ever sung live was when I was 11 I think. In a Jazz band just outside London. I sung 'Summertime' by Ella Fitzgerald."

From a performers point of view, what has been your most memorable concert and why?

"I can't say that either. I've done hundreds of shows with many different bands. There have been many memorable shows. I suppose one that stands out was in Mexico City with THERION. When I was singing 'The Rise Of Sodom' and when I hit my high notes, the audience went mad and started clapping and screaming. They made me feel like the best singer in the world! It choked me up. I couldn't continue. When I got off stage I cried because it had totally overwhelmed me and because it was the last show on the tour and I didn't want it to end."

When was the last time you really felt you were struggling in your career and faced extreme adversity?

"About three or four years ago when CRADLE OF FILTH toured with IMMOLATION. I was very sick two times in a row and I had no choice but to sing and no chance to recover. It damaged my voice so much, I'm still suffering. It damaged my confidence very much also. Then a year or so ago, the stage design for the CRADLE OF FILTH tour didn't help matters. I was put right next to the drums. So drums were shooting down my mic every show. I couldn't hear properly and I was messing up everything I was doing. I was really at an all time low, to the point I quit CRADLE OF FILTH and found them another singer. Somehow, I got through. I wasn't as shit as I had been made to feel. We were in rehearsals one day and I kind of forgot the problems and I hit notes I hadn't done in a long time. It was my way forward. I totally except I'm getting older and my voice in changing. Im not afraid of change but when you feel you have let people down, it sucks!"

What has been your career highlight to date?

"So many! CRADLE OF FILTH's 'Midian', 'Vempire ...Or Dark Phaery Tales In Phallustein' and ANGTORIA's 'God Has A Plan For Us All'. My album! Also going on tour with TYPE O NEGATIVE was a dream come true and also doing ten weeks on the 'Ozzfest' in the USA. Amazing times."

What do you believe constitutes the heart & soul of Rock music?

"You want me to be honest? Unfortunately money! Everything is driven by money! I'm not saying passion doesn't exist but once a band gets to a certain level, its all about money."

The Big Three – Who is your favourite amongst LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH. Why?

"None! I don't like any of them. Not my kind of music. If OZZY OSBOURNE was in there, I would have said him. I'm not a fan but I do like his stuff more than BLACK SABBATH!"

**What's the last piece of music you made that put a big smile on your face?

"My vocals on the new CRADLE OF FILTH album 'Thornography' which is due for release in September. I didn't do much but I was happy with the mix I heard from one of the songs!"

What's the most daring piece of music you've made?

"I haven't a clue. I suppose the DEAD CAN DANCE cover I did of 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley'. It's a folk love song. People were so used to hearing me sing opera, I wasn't sure how people would take it and I got an amazing reception! One of the first times I did something completely different."

As a public entertainer, how much responsibility do you feel towards providing a role model for your fans?

"None what so ever! I am me! Who am I to think I'm better than they are? To think and act like I have more knowledge or more wisdom than them just because I'm a singer. I mean, they have their own minds don't they! If I take drugs for example, it would be stupid of them to take drugs also just because they admire me. I hope I can help inspire people in a good way but that's about it. I have my own identity and they have theirs!"

How difficult is it to run a band as a democracy / functioning unit?

"If I use my band as an example, not hard at all. ANGTORIA is young. If I think of other bands, very hard because as time goes by, the honesty goes. Being up front and saying things to people's faces becomes harder. Lots of politics! And then money seems to take over. You still have your drive but money/contracts/deadlines take over!"

When was the last time you were really excited about visiting a country?

"South and Central America two years ago! I love the place! All of it! I've a deep love for that part of the world. One of my favourite places is Columbia. Don't ask me why but I adore it. One day I would like to live there for a while."

Ever done a gig when you've been really ill?

"All the time. And it's no fun. Fucking up my voice and damaging it for people who haven't a clue why you can't hit your notes is draining and upsetting! I can't get on the mic and say "Sorry guys... but I'm really sick, so if I sound like a cat getting done up the bottom, I'm sorry"! That's so gay! But no one cares! They want a show! They will judge no matter what. That's the long and short of it. I can only try! I always get sick on tour. I don't know if its pre nerves or I'm just built crap! But I get sick! Its like all the germs are waiting for me in my bunk!"

On tour, what are your daily rituals before you get to the gig?

"Ok... ready? Wake up, look for the toilet, shower, get food, bitch about something, get bored, bitch again, wait around, eat more food that i don't want! Look in the mirror and say "Oh bugger, I'm fat". Bitch again about being bored and everyone else bitching! Wait around till sound check. Listen to everyone else bitch. Do sound check. Get annoyed because it's bad sound. Go for dinner..... wait, wait, wait, put make up on, use the toilet again, bitch about the guys pissing on the floor and toilet seat, warm up my voice, wait, wait, wait.... intro starts... get a little nervous, sing! Bitch on stage to myself about the bad sound. Come off stage, get undressed, arse around for a while, talk to some fans, wait till band are on the bus before going to bed, get into my bunk... search it for someone's dirty socks or under pants or something else nasty! Hope someone isn't drunk so I don't get pulled out of my bunk and kissed and licked and farted on! Same shit, different day! On the rare occasion I go out and get bored! The highlight is the show and the fans! Without them, we are nothing. People think touring is so much fun! It really isn't. That's why most bands probably turn to drugs and booze. It passes the time of day! That's honestly how it is!"

What absolutely has to be on your rider?

"Ewoks and chocolate!! Ha ha!"

What is the most extravagant thing you have purchased?

"I suppose a new car. That always drains your bank account."

Truthfully, how important is it to you the way you look?

"I don't really care what people think. To some I may be perfect, to others I may be ugly! It's all a matter of opinion isn't it! What matters is what I think. No one else. I'm 80% happy with myself. If I wanted people to give a shit, I would have had liposuction and become a model! I'm singer and this is Metal! Music first!"

Rock n' Roll is famous for its extremes in the hair dept. What's the worst hairstyle you have ever seen?

"The Mullet is strange if you ask me! I mean, how can anyone think its cool! Also men who insist on having long hair but have a huge bald patch on top! That's funny! Shave it off Damn it! It won't grow back!"

Describe your strangest celebrity encounter.

"I think having members of bands, that you have grown up listening to, trying to fuck you is always funny! Most of the time I think guys just assume you're a groupie, until they see you on stage doing your thing. Most of the guys I lusted after when I was 16 years old are now old and their faces are hanging off. It's still flattering though!"

What's the biggest scar on your body and how did you get it?

"My forearm. I used to cut myself! Yep! Another one of those. I used to use glass. Don't try that at home kids!"

Have you ever come close to death? What happened?

"Nope! Not yet! Hope it never happens either."

What subject is guaranteed to get you into a heated debate?

"Child sex offenders, rapists and the line "Females shouldn't head bang"!"

What is the last injustice you saw?

"Some pizza guy getting mugged by stupid kids in hoodies! The main guy hit the pizza guy around the head with a plank of wood. But lets be honest, everywhere you look there are is injustice! Scum walks the earth and scum will destroy this earth!"

What do you hope to achieve before you die?

"A family. I want to adopt actually. Also to leave my mark on the music scene!"

What happens to you after you die?

"I go onto the next earth plane! Knowing my luck I'm gonna come back as a four legged pigeon!"