Interview frontman Yasuyuki of the Japanese legend band Abigail! Interview conducted by Patrick late August 2016…

The Japanese veteran black metal have just released their fifth full-length album. So we decided it was about time Canadian Assault caught up the with the band. They have not been in the pages of CA since first interview in about 11 years! So it is time let's get on with so proceed dear readers...

 

Hello Yasuyuki how are things going with you these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers?

Hails ! I'm Yasuyuki. Singer and music composer of Abigail. We just played at Metal threat fest in Chicago on July. Now we are entering to rehearsal studio for play Fall of summer fest in France on September.

When did you first get into metal music and who were some of the first bands you listened to?

Maybe I was 13 years old ? I was big fan of Japanese rock music like RC Succession, YMO, etc. Also Japanese metal was popular on Junior high school days. I got cassette tape of Loudness, 44 Magnum, Earthshaker etc from friends. After I was into metal music. Later I bought LP records Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Venom, Metallica, Accept, Night Ranger, etc. Then I started play music. First I started practice guitar play for 44 Magnum, Earthshaker, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, etc. I was playing guitar with local friends before I formed Abigail. It was no name and played cover songs Venom, Motorhead, Slayer, GBH, etc. It's high school days.

I believe you formed Abigail back in 1992 what gave you the idea to form this band? Who were/are some of the bands biggest influences?

Yes Abigail was formed in 1992. I was big fan of Old school black metal like Venom, Bathory, Sodom, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Bulldozer, etc. Then Death metal was very popular early 90's in Japan. There were no black metal band without Sigh. So I decided start japanese black metal band. When we formed the band we influenced from Bathory, Sodom, Venom, Bulldozer, Hellhammer, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Burzum, Beherit, Blasphemy, etc.

Abigail has worked with Nuclear War Now for many years. How did you come in contact with this great label?

First contact with Yosuke. I remember he sent to me Blasphemy Live LP in 2001. He was interesting release the Abigail the 1st album by LP version. I thought that Blasphemy Live LP is cool old school black metal layout. I decided release the LP version on his label. Also he organized our west coast tour in 2002. That was a great tour.

Abigail is getting ready to release their fifth full length cd titled "The Final Damnation" how long did it take to write the music for this release?

Yes Our new album "The final damnation" will be out soon. This album is back to out roots. It's mean early black metal days. We played many countries after we released "Sweet baby metal slut" album. But many guys told me Intercourse and Lust is the best Abigail album ! Ha ha. 2017 is our 25th anniversary. So I decided to record a black metal album again for die hard fans. I think the new album is better than the 1st album. You can listen to cool lead guitar melodies and powerful drum sounds. Sound quality is better than 20 years ago. Also I composed metal punk songs for latest fans. I think all fans enjoy this album !

Besides the new release Abigail has released quite a few split 7inches over the years who are some bands you have shared the wax with? Do you have a personal favorite?

I love split 7'ep ! Maybe it's the best promotion stuff for the bands ? Many guys asking to me why are you release the split 7'ep with unknown bands ? Yes I want to support new bands. If they can spread band sounds with us, I'm ok ! I want to support new underground bands for future metal scene. My favorite split release are Shitfucker, Wastlander, Sigh, Manzer, etc.

Are their any new, upcoming splits that the readers should be on the look for? If yes who are some bands you will be working with? Are their any bands you would like to work with given the chance?

We just released new split CD with Dulvel from Colombia. Dulvel is cool black rock'n roll bands Like Hellhammer. We are planning release the split 7'ep with G.S.D, Nocturnal Damnation. Vuil, Lustrum. I would you like to release the split with Bulldozer.

Has the band gotten to play "live" very often over the years? What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years?

We are playing 8 shows or more in Tokyo the years. My memorable shows are 20 years anniversary shows in Tokyo 2012, Maryland death fest 2013, Metal threat fest 2016, Live in India 2012, Live in Berlin 2012.

Does Abigail have any upcoming shows that the readers should watch out for? Is their a certain country or place that you would like to play?

We will be play at Fall of summer fest in France on September 2016. Also we are planning first South America tour on July 2017.

Abigail comes out of the Japanese metal scene what is your opinion of Japan's metal scene over the years?

I think latest Japanese metal scene is cool ! Underground metal scene is not big in here. But There are many cool new age bands like Return, Significant Point, End All, etc. Also still active legend bands like Sigh, Sabbat, Casbah, Unholy Grave, etc. Japanese fans are not calm. Very violent and crazy ! I'm proud of Japanese metal fans and sluts.

Who are your all time favorite Japanese bands? And are their any new bands you feel the readers should watch out for?

My favorite Japanese bands are Sigh, Gorgon, Sniper, old Casbah, Sacrifice, etc. New bands ? I recommend Return, Significant Point, End All, Self Deconstruction, Witchslaught, Hell Freezes Over, etc.

Besides bands does Japan have any good distro's or labels that you could recommend to the readers?

Record Boy, Record shop Base, Oblitereation records, Weird Truth prod. Rock Stakk records, S.A. Music. Deathrash Armageddon. Support please !

In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground metal scene today? What does UG metal mean to you?

Best is born new age black metal scene in early 90's. Worst is cool underground bands suddenly change music style after get big deal (I totally agree! - Dale). True underground metal make next trend and dead.

Besides working in Abigail please tell the readers about your other bands activities?

Barbatos released a new album "Straight metal war" on Hells Headbangers. This new album is influenced from Japanese metal music and singing by Japanese. Also Babratos played first USA show at Metal threat fest in Chicago. That was great response ! Tiger Junkies is still active. Maybe we will be play first show in USA next year ?

When not working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Working at Factory. I'm drinking alcohol at local bar and listen music without band works.

Thank you Yasuyuki for taking the time to fill this interview out. Do you have any final words for the readers?

Thanks for the interview Patrick ! Please check Abigail new album and find gigs date on official Facebook page. We hope to play again in USA soon. Thanks for your support !

Yasuyuki

https://www.facebook.com/ABIGAILBARBATOS-208365735859610/

https://myspace.com/666abigail

 

 

 

The Abigail Discography 

Demo #1 1992    

Blasphemy Night Demo 1993    

Descending from a Blackend Sky 7" EP 1993  

Promo Tape 1995    

Screaming for Grace Split 7" EP with Funeral Winds 1995  

Intercourse & Lust Full-length 1996  

Confound Eternal 7" EP 1996    

Welcome All Hell Fuckers CD EP 2001  

The Bulldozer Armageddon Volume 2 Split 7" EP with Decayed 2001    

Witchburner / Abigail Split 10" EP Picture Disc 2002    

Sexual Metal Holocaust Split 12" LP with Barbatos 2002  

The Gig of Wrath CD-R Live album 2003    

Kamikaze Splitting Roar Split Cassette Album with Sabbat 2003    

Forever Street Metal Bitch Full-length 2003  

Diabolical Nights of Infernal Destruction Cassette Album Rehearsal & Live Album 2003    

Alkoholik Metal Blasphemers Split CD with Korihor 2003  

Spell of The Pentagram Cassette Live album 2004    

Fucking Louder Than Hell Full-length 12" LP 2004  

Evilized Japan Split 7" EP with Sigh 2004    

Posesion Demoniaca Cassette Live album 2005    

Outbreak of Evil Vol. 2 Split 7" EP with Force Of Darkness/Villians & Midnight 2005    

Abigail Loves Ilona, as She Is the Very Best Cassette Compilation 2005    

Alive... In Italy Live album 2005    

Hexenkreis / Live in Germany 2004 Split 7" EP with Front Beast 2005    

Ultimate Unholy Death Full-length 2005  

Eastern Force of Evil: Abigail's Tribute to Sigh 7" EP 2005    

Alive... in Thailand Live album 2006    

Satan's Revenge Live!!! Split CD with  Barbatos & Cut Throat 2006    

Tribute to Acid – Acidiehardmaniaxe Far East Split 7" EP with Unholy Grave 2006    

Alive... in USA Cassette Live album 2006    

Morbid Upheaval / Abigail Split 10" EP with Morbid Upheaval 2006  

The Early Black Years (1992-1995) Compilation Album 2007    

Apocalyptic Nightmare Continues Cassettle Album Split with Effigy 2007    

A Celtic / Japanese Alliance Split 10" EP with Morrigan 2007    

Abigail's Tribute to NME 7" EP 2007    

Far East Necromancers 7" EP 2007  

Street War Metal Kommand Split 7" EP with Hate Kommand 2007    

Speed Metal Motherfuckers Split 7" EP with Vorkuta 2007  

Speed n' Spikes Vol. III Split 7" EP with Nekromantheon 2008    

Street Metal Alcoholocaust Split Album with Barbatos & Abigail/Barbatos Tribute Band 2008    

The Eastern Desekratorz Split Album with Mantak 2008    

Alive... in Singapore 12 " LP Live Album 2008    

Holocaustik Metal Sexxxekution Whoreslaughters Split Album with Ironfist & Deiphago 2008  

Kamikaze Metal Attack over Finland Video 2008    

Apocalyptic Necroholocaust Split CD with Evil Damn 2008    

Alive... in Tokyo 12" LP Live Album 2008    

Split 7" EP with Syphilitic Vaginas 2009    

Raw Black Thrashing Madness Split 7" EP with Evil 2009  

Alive in... Osaka 12" LP Live Album 2009    

Satan Plays Speed Metal Split 7" EP with Chainsaw Carnage 2009  

Live 2002 7" EP 2009    

Nuke 'n Puke Split 7" EP with Wastelander 2010    

Russo-Japanese Metal War Split CD with Bestial Reviler 2010    

Farewell to Metal Slut Split 7" EP with Midnight 2010  

Alive in... Germany 12" LP Live Album 2010    

Alive... in Tokyo Part 2 Cassette Live Album 2010    

Sweet Baby Metal Slut Full-length 2010  

Thrash Metal Superstars Split 7" EP with Paganfire & Black Sister 2010    

United Alkoholic Speed War Metal Split CD with  Adhoksiny & Hell Torment 2010    

Pictavian Samurais Split 7" EP with Manzer 2010    

Tribute To Gorgon 7" EP 2010    

Reaper's Night Split 12" EP with Sign Of Evil 2011    

Split Cassette Album with Camlann & Retaliation 2011    

Drink Beer. Listen Hell Metal! Split 7" EP with Fornication 2011  

Fucking Satan Split 7" EP with Nunslaughter 2011    

Alive in Nagoya 12" LP Live Album 2011    

The Lord of Satan 12" LP Compilation 2011    

United Metal Massacre Split 7" EP with R.I.P. / Oldblood  & Radiation 2011  

Tribute to Gorgon Part 2 7" EP 2011    

Hellbastards of the Underground Split Cassette with Nocturnal Hell 2011    

Evil Metal Massacre Double 12" LP Live Album 2012    

Satanik Apokalyptic Kamikaze Kommandos Split CD with Winds Of Genocide 2012    

Alive in... Bangladesh 12" LP Live Album 2012    

Alive in... India 12" LP Live Album 2012     

Alive in Sappolo 12" LP Live Album 2012    

Blasphemous Live Fornication Split 7" EP with Black Angel 2012    

Split 7" EP with Hell's Bomber 2013    

Axis of Evil Split 7" EP with Akashah 2013    

Split 7" EP with Lucifer's Sanctuary 2013    

Tribute to Gorgon Part 3 7" EP 2013    

Tribute to Gorgon The Bootleg 7" EP 2013    

Tribute to Gorgon The Live 7" EP 2013    

Live at Road to Hell Vol 3 Cassette Live album 2013    

Black Mass Prayer 7" EP 2014    

Region of the Underworld Split CD with Taekaury / Catacumba & The True Endless 2014  

Live At El Puente Yokohama Cassette Live Album 2014    

Farewell To Metal Slut In Nagoya Cassette Live Album 2014    

We Are Ugly Motherfuckers... Fuck You!!! Split CD with Bomber 2014    

Alive In....Thailand (We're The Pussy Hunter) 7" EP 2015    

Split Cassette EP with Necrocannibalistic Vomitorium 2015    

Live at Grind Freaks in Nagoya Cassette Live Album 2015    

Eastern Black Metal Yakuza 12" LP Compilation 2015    

The Best of Black Metal Yakuza Cassette Compilation 2015    

Bloody Your Lovely Pussy! Split 7" EP with Shitfucker 2015    

Massive Kamikaze Attack Cassette Live Album 2015    

Sweet Baby Metal Slut Gig Cassette Live Album 2016    

The Final Damnation Full-length 2016

Satan, Bitches & Rock 'n Roll Split CD with Dulvel 2016

 

 


 

 

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