Interview with Ptahil 2013

By Bradley Smith

Ugh, I have just finished having my will to exist extinguished once again by your new album, Almighty Propagator of Doom and Despair.  Can you tell me about its creation?  How do you feel it is a progression/regression from your previous effort?  What were you trying to accomplish with this album?  Also I must say, the production is a bit strange at first.

With "Almighty...", we focused on the principle that creating more life, whether intentionally or un-intentionally only perpetuates the mass enslavement of the spirit into the prison of the flesh. What we set out to accomplish with this recording was for the listening participant to realize this aspect in their own life.

There are a lot of subliminal messages recorded within this release. It was made to be ritualistically enticing both forwards and backwards. This is why the recording has such a strange production. I actually found it very difficult to mix and master.

It has been a long journey from the early rumblings of Ptahil to the release of your third full length.  How do you think this journey has changed you?  When you look back at your humble beginnings what do you say and how do you think you have become wiser in the ways of music since then?

Every day you change. Every day you grow. Change is the doorway to new thoughts and experiences. I can say that since the creation of Ptahil, my mind has become more open, my spirit has become more connected with the forces beyond myself and my body has become more worn. Every endeavor involving Ptahil is not for gaining power in this life, but rather the next.

What a strange choice as an American with Judeo Xtian roots to choose Ptahil (pronounced Fet-a-hill) as a name for your band.  Mandean Cosmology is not a normal spiritual path that us Americans come across and explore.  What about that deity appealed to you and how did you first come across its existence?

I came across Ptahil in my theological studies. The controversy whether Ptahil was a good deity or bad was what intrigued me the most. When you look at the world, there is a lot of contradiction. Black is white in this world. Ptahil is our way of connecting with the spirit of the times. Willingly causing distress and torment within this realm for mankind to grow beyond its shell and to be enlightened with senses and feelings that go beyond us in this level of existence.

Soon you will be doing a split with Rites of Impiety correct?  And if I remember correctly, your lyrics will be somewhat inspired by a rape case in Steubenville.  What about this rape case motivated you?  And the lyrics appear to be somewhat masked as they are about two ancient Mesopotamian deities that are in opposition on their treatment of children, correct?  Can you expand upon that?

What motivated me about the rape case in Steubenville, OH is that I am from that Ohio Valley area. It is a tri-state area between Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. I knew first hand of the nepotism at work in that area. There is this problem everywhere but the connection I have with this area is unbreakable. It is worse in this area because this was only one of many cases that actually received exposure where children were being molested and raped by people of authority.

The songs, "Lamashtu" and "Pazuzu" were composed. The song, "Lamashtu" represents her as the baby killing, child molesting corruption that I see represents that Ohio Valley area. The song, "Pazuzu" represents unholy retribution towards this molesting force by decimation of the haven cities of such things through famine & disease. The songs' lyrics make no mention of anything involving the case specifically. They are more spells that were composed to hold the energy of the gate that such spirits come through. Since the recording of the vocals for these songs and the unlocking of the gate, some of the guilty have been imprisoned. As a vow that I made to those who guided my hand in manuscripting these spells, these songs will never be played live in an attempt to open the gate, unless the situation calls.

What event led you to the path of a drummer?  What styles, elements, effects do you wish to achieve and utilize when you are drumming?  How do you feel that drumming is a reflection of your personality?  Are there any other drummers you admire, who are they and why?

I started when I was 4 and my Grandfather bought me my first little drum kit. Between beating on those & pots and pan lids. In middle school I got more discipline with the theory element of music. Drumming was always there. In more ways than one, drumming is like breaking chains for me. Drummers I admire and why, Buddy Rich for inventing the blast, Nicko McBrain & Neil Peart for making drumming stand alone and Dave Lombardo and Pete Sandoval for turning the drums into a weapon.

You have stated recently that you are working with legendary Demonic Christ!  Obviously you must think highly of Demonic Christ in order to collaborate with them.  Aside from drumming, what is your role in the band?  Will you be contributing more musically or just drum lines or what?

Indeed. I've always had a lot of respect for Dana and Demonic Christ. Drumming for them is an honor. I am looking to be just the drummer though. I enjoy just drumming to what Dana creates.

As I understand it, when planning and writing for a new album you meditate on the dark forces of life for inspiration and guidance.  What does that involve and how do those forces move you?  When meditating is it stripped down, just you and your thoughts or do you involve ritualistic/ceremonial aesthetics, etc.?

It is different depending on mood, topic and wanted outcome. They always involve meditations. Whipping myself into a certain mental state, charging the house with certain energy and never asking for lyrics, but rather writing down what is told to me. I have made my house (where we write, rehearse and record) a temple for spirits. There is always a hidden hand involved with the making of Ptahil music... members that are in the shadows conversing with us. Sometimes there are poisons involved. Sometimes there is masturbation and/or perverted sexual practices involved. Sometimes there is blood letting and/or animal sacrifices involved.

Then there are the songs that are rituals themselves. "Regards, Foreman Exu"; "Satanicus Sabbathicus"; "Lilitu"; "Semen, Blood and Shit"; etc.

On a completely different note, you are highly involved with raising snakes, correct?  How did you get involved with that and what activities does this entail?  What was your initial impression of a snake when you first came across it in your life?  Where did this event take place and what kind of snake was it?

Yes, sir. I pretty much started with a corn snake to break me of a fear of snakes from my childhood, as most people are brainwashed into fearing the unknown. After getting into them I just ended up getting more and more. I never entered into breeding them. I just have my little collection that I take care of.

I remember my grandfather & a neighbor killing a nest of baby black snakes because there were little kids around that they didn't want getting bitten... me being a nosy kid, being around them as they were killing them with a shovel, and the hysteria my mother and grandmother were in. Then I remember having interactions in my younger adult life, running the woods of West Virginia, seeing snakes in the woods and them streaking away from me in fear, not like the predatory evil I expected them to be. There was a profound realization for me at that point: Mankind/people, no matter how loving they are towards you and others will always rise up like monsters and murder any living thing that does not fit into their idea of a secure and stable reality.

I have a black snake now in my collection, Lilitu. On her worst days, she is never anything I could consider being of any danger to any child. She is a constant reminder to me that it is human beings that are the most dangerous animals and they should have their heads removed with a shovel and it should happen to people we love.

The world is a prison as you put it.  How so?  Do you think that all life's activities and motivations come from manipulation from outside forces?  Is there a way to escape this prison and what lies beyond this world?

The world is just a lowly, filthy realm. Life is the prison. All life manipulates and/or destroys other life as it's process. Human life has the unfortunate outlook of looking at this in a victim/villain circumstance rather than the successful and the unsuccessful. Because this human outlook we have allowed the mentally crippled few to make decisions for the whole. To make the collective divided and weak. Mis-nourished, lazy, unintelligent fighting amongst themselves for victories that only press down others.

All human life must be put to death. Death is the doorway to freedom. The doorway to vibration of the collective current.

As a person bound by earth and the deities from this planet, it got me wondering, do you think there is life elsewhere in the cosmos?  If so, do you think the same forces are at play in their spiritual existence?  In other words, do aliens worship the same devil and god that humans do?

I would have to say, yes, I'm sure life exists elsewhere in the cosmos. But what is life? Is life only meaningful & worthy of being counted if it is a humanoid that believes in these things? It makes me want to answer, no. Of all the life on this planet, humans are the only ones to think of separating these aspects into 2 different ideals. But maybe it is this conflict that somehow urged mankind into space? Certainly the "space race" was spurred along by a few countries fears of the other if they were to make it to space first. Looking at it this way makes me want to answer, yes. If the answer is yes, then who is to say that human concepts of gods & devils were or were not influenced by early encounters with aliens?

I noticed on your facebook page you mentioned Monsanto.  What's your opinion of this company and their use of Genetically modified organisms?  Do you think the European activists have the right idea by tearing up and destroying all GMO crops?  I will admit I was dismayed to find out that corporate greed once again ruled American politics when the Monsanto protection rider passed with zero debate or publicity.

Haha. The post you are talking about was my agitation to being hung up on by their receptionist. I had called with a few questions. One being, "If GMO foods are being grown to help keep food supply stable for the growing masses, then why the big deal about it being on labels?" In my talk with the receptionist, I had made mention that I didn't realize their company was very close to where I reside in Indiana & them being in Illinois. She said, "Yes, we have a plant in Illinois." I replied, "You have 2. I'm looking at your information online." She then panicked and hung up on me. The guilty see their enemies everywhere.

If Monsanto is poisoning the population to try and kill everyone, I say more power to them. But they don't, do they? They only make us weak & sick. I wonder if they are in bed with the pharmaceutical and health insurance companies?

I agree with what the European activists are doing by destroying gmo crops. In America though, I think we should have more gusto. Seeing how if caught destroying their property you will still be labeled as a terrorist. I say in America, it would have to be murders: Starting with their children and do not stop until every fucker with their last names are free from the chains of this world.

But alas, Americans are too moist nowadays to take such actions. Because we all get what we deserve. Just in this case it is cancer, life threatening food allergies, and unaffordable health insurance premiums.

On the off chance that we are speaking to someone directly, you know who you are, we are talking to you. Here you go:

Board of Directors: Gregory H. Boyce; David L. Chicoine; Janice L. Fields; Hugh Grant; Arthur H. Harper; Laura K. Ipsen; Gwendolyn S. King; C. Steven McMillan; Jon R. Moeller; William U. Parfet; George H. Poste, Ph. D., D.V.M.; Robert J. Stevens.

Company Leadership: Hugh Grant; Brett D. Begemann; Pierre Courduroux; Dr. Robert T. Fraley; Tom D. Hartley; Janet M. Holloway; Steven C. Mizell; Kerry J. Preete; Nicole M. Ringenberg; David F. Snively; Gerald A. Steiner.

"All flesh is bound together in sin. Death is the doorway that we all go in."

What are some of your upcoming plans for Ptahil?  Any upcoming shows?  Aren't you basically finished with your next album for Ptahil?  What about Demonic Christ?  Are you recording on the new album and how was the Cathedral Of The Black Goat Fest?

We have recently finished mixing and mastering our next full-length, "Born Against" and writing the next 2 full-lengths. We will be playing The Devil's Coven Fest, Cathedral of the Black Goat Fest 4 and several other shows.

I will be working on the next Demonic Christ recordings soon. The COTBG fest with them went well, but any show with pigs heads flying in the air is always a good show.

I'll leave you the ether with which to transmit any inspirational Words of negativity and sin as you so choose.  Thanks again for the interview and for creating some truly inhospitable music.

I would like to thank you sir for all the interest and support.

To people reading this, I would like to ask you, "Do you feel free?"

If you do not, then find what frees you and do it and be damned the consequences.