DEAD WORLD

Death-industrialist project Dead World is a prime example of this, with Jonathan Canady remaining as the sole member of what was once a "normal" band. With an armory of devastatingly heavy albums already under his belt, his stark view of the world has spawned numerous other projects with one thing in common: no subtlety required!

I guess most of the people out there are mostly familiar with you through the releases you did some years ago on Relapse Records. What made you decide to part with this label, and what have you been up to since?
My decision to leave Relapse was simply that I wanted to start releasing my own music myself, because this is the only way I could see being able to make some sort of living out of it. Plus I have more creative control over what I do. Control is essential in all aspects of life. Since leaving Relapse, I have been working on music a lot more. I have been working on projects outside of the "industrial metal" genre mostly, although I just recently started working on ideas for the next DEAD WORLD release. I have completed over four tape releases this year for my power electronics project DEATHPILE and I have been doing live performances of that material, as well. Also, I've completed a CD´s worth of material for a total-noise project called BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA (with Scott Candey from GRUNTSPLATTER and CINDER SKIN) and another CD worth of tracks for a dark ambient project called HOLLOW EARTH (with Michael Hensley of YEN POX and BLOODBOX). Those will be the next two releases on Malsonus. Beyond that, I am promoting noise shows here in Denver and trying to finish getting my degree.

What are you studying, and do you feel that this has any influence on your creative flow or the subjects you choose to cover?
I am getting a degree in computer graphics. I tend to deal with the same subjects for my art as with my music. I do a lot with murder, sex and general despair. I feel that since I've been in school, I am a little more able to articulate my passions and thoughts. Also, I am not as afraid to be honest with the things that make me who I am. I have no need to censor my thoughts or emotions just because they are not politically correct.

So far, Malsonus has concentrated only on Dead World and some other projects that you´re involved with personally. Do you see this continuing in the foreseable future, or do you have even more grandiose visions concerning the future of Malsonus?
For the time being I will concentrate on projects directly relating to my creative (destructive) output. This is in order to keep things simple while I finish my last year of school. After things start picking up more, I may begin signing outside bands whose work I enjoy. I would like to expand in the realm of video releases, as well, but we shall see.

If Malsonus already was a well-established label with enough money to sign up a couple of new bands outisde your immediate surrounding, what bands would that be... and why?
I'd rather not answer that one yet. I will say that I have a few ideas and the bands will probably be in the "industrial metal" and power electronics genres. I am doing a compilation of different power electronics outfits from around the world called "The Sound of Sadism". That is tentatively slated for the middle of next year. Thats all you'll get out of me at this point.

And what bands can we expect to see on this release?
So far I have confirmations from: CON-DOM, BLOODYMINDED, ATRAX MORGUE, AUBE, IUGULA THOR, HYDRA, SKIN CRIME, MSBR, GRUNTSPLATTER, DISCORDANCE, SLOGUN, MANGLED CLIT, TAINT, and BLACK LEATHER JESUS. I will also be doing a DEATHPILE track for this release. If everyone comes through with their contributions, it should be an amazing comp.

Can you explain some of these other projects and releases, and how they all fit into Jonathan Canady´s views on the world around him?
Well, the DEATHPILE project takes up most of my time right now due to the great response I've been having so far. I like creating power-electronics because it is a more blunt way of expressing my passions for sexual and violent subjects. BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA and HOLLOW EARTH are more because I enjoy those styles and I wanted to work with people who I believe are exceptional "musicians". These creations all fit into my world view because they are all dark and destructive in their own distinct ways. I hate the world and people in general. What better outlets for these feelings (a good psycho-therapist, perhaps? - ES)?

You seem to be heavily into the concepts of death and de-humanization when making music. Is this merely a way of expressing your anger or frustration, or do you believe in the imminent demise of the world as we know it?
The world is in its death-throes as we speak. I am just expressing what I see every day. Stupidity, weakness, self-destruction, worthlessness, degradation and despair. I am looking forward to the end of this sick world. I am also taking much pleasure in the bi-products of the end of mankind.

If heaven and hell actually exists, where will you end up... and where would you want to end up?
The idea of hell is much more appealing, although I don't believe in either. Actually, my hell would probably be having to listen to Concrete Blonde or Alanis Morrisette as I keep cutting off my ears with razor blades and have them grow back for eternity.

Is hell simply a metaphor for life on earth?
No, my conception of what hell would be is much more pleasing than actual life on earth. The idea of eternal suffering, pain and torture along with lakes of lava and giant insects devouring damned souls is pretty exciting. Needless to say, I really enjoyed Dante's Inferno.

When you begin working on a new song, do you set out with the intention of creating a specific atmosphere, or is it more like you just come across a cool sound and everything just develops by experimentation from that point?
It really depends on what type of music I'm doing at the time. Some material is pure experimentation and improvisation, while some is more systematic and refined. All of it does have a unifying atmosphere of darkness, but that is simply because I am the one creating the sound.

Right now, I´m listening to a Danish band called Unveiled... and some of their material could be said to be influenced by Dead World. Do you believe there are bands out there that picks up on some of your ideas and develop them into their own sound and style?
I've been told before that I am an influence to certain bands. I hope that there are musicians creating music with a Dead World influence. I will have more music to listen to that way.

I was recently told that both Industrial Nation and Music From The Empty Quarter has both been terminated [not sure about MFTEQ, but IN seems alive and well... -DH], and Crewzine is already gone as an industrial publication. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end concerning industrial music, as the scene no longer seems capable of supporting even a small handful of professional magazines and most labels only sell a couple of thousand copies of each release?
I don't believe that any styles of music will disappear alltogether. Music goes underground and then gets more popular all the time. Look at death metal. This does not concern me. The reason I started my own label is so that I can get by even if a release doesn't sell very well. The point is that I can create the music I want, despite what the rest of the world thinks. No music I have done has ever been very popular, so I have learned how to deal with that fact and keep going. If my music began to sell even moderately well I would think something was very wrong.

Dead World started out as part of the heavy metal underground and now you´re firmly placed in the industrial scene. Do you see any major differences in how these scenes behave and operate, and is the industrial scene too narrow-minded in condemning other styles of music?
I am not firmly placed in any scene really. People that buy and enjoy Dead World are those that usually listen to a pretty wide variety of music. The majority of the people in the death metal scene still think DW is not fast and/or heavy enough and "too industrial" and most of the "industrial" fans think DW is too "death metal". Fuck them all. Both scenes are far too narrow-minded. It´s the people that enjoy both styles that get into DW.

Being a one-man band certainly secures you getting your own ideas across in the band, but it does pose some problems when it comes to playing live. Will Dead Wold forever remain a studio-only project or are you working on ways to make live appearances... and what about those videos?
I plan on getting together other musicians in order to do a small tour. This will not happen until sometime in 1998 due to my school responsibilities. I love to play live, but I want to make sure DEAD WORLD live will be as good as possible before I'll do another show. I will most likely do a video for a track on the next DW release.

There are several thousand bands already out there screamin for one´s attention. Why on earth should Dead World be the band that they should seek out and spend all their time and money on?
Dead World has a unique sound that continues to develop and improve with each release. People with taste will realize this. Plus most of the other bands creating this style either break up or go on to create a more profitable and watered down sound. Look at GODFLESH, PITCHSHIFTER, SCORN, SOUL STORM etc. Dead World keeps getting more pure and brutal. People can recognise and respect this quality.

Soulstorm is completely unknown to me. Could you tell me a little about this band and what they´ve released so far?
They are a Canadian "industrial metal" band that used to sound very similar to the first two GODFLESH records. They have two or three full length releases out. Just recently, I recieved a 7" EP they did for Fever Pitch. I was never too exicted by their early output, but this new EP sounds like they are trying to cross over into the pop-punk genre. Imagine Green Day crossed with industrial metal. I was so horrified by how blatantly commercial that release was that I wanted to break the fucking thing right there. I think maybe I'll burn it instead, so that I can try to put the entire horrifying experience out of my mind.

You could have ended up playing nice and soft music instead of starting Dead World. Why do people voluntarily start to play dark and violent music when they could be doing more "positive" stuff that seemingly make people happier when listening to it?
I create this type of music because it is a driving part of my personality... pure and simple. For me to make happy music would be like Hitler working for the Anti-Defamation League. As for the rest of the world: just make sure to get the gun barrel all the way inside your mouth before you pull the trigger.

Define happiness...
Like "love" I don't really care to use the word "happiness". There are fleeting moments of satisfaction and even more rare periods of contentment that come from doing music, being with the small percentage of other people that are worth dealing with, reading and so on.

Ok then, I guess it´s time for you tell the world out there how one could order some of your stuff...
All available material by Dead World, as well as most other related projects, are obtainable directly from Malsonus. Write to: P.O. Box 18193, Denver, CO 80218, USA for a free catalog and newsletter.

I guess most of what needs to be said about Dead World has already been covered by Jonathan here, so I won´t bother you with any more words. For those too hi-tech out there to actually use pen and paper, Dead World can also be e-mail at: canady@mscd.edu.