INTERVIEW WITH DANA DUFFEY OF DEMONIC CHRIST BY NOX

NOX-years ago you played in the all girl group mythic.many feel all girl bands are more novelty than legitimate.was it essential for you as a woman to have
an all girl band in the beginning or was it simply a coincidence?
DANA-Yes Mythic was an all female death doom band formed in 1991. As for it being essential, absolutely not. I started writing music, and thought of forming a band. Never really considered finding other females. I saw the female band Derketa in a fanzine and thought it was very cool that there were other women into this music. At that point I thought I may be the only one ... I saw that they only had one guitar so I wrote to see if they would be interested in adding another only to find out they had disbanded but the remaining members were interested in my music. We got together & all went well so Mythic was born. I would not choose to work with women ever again though.

NOX-you mentioned in an interview I read on your site hat during your mythic years you wanted to move the band in a satanic direction but your fellow band
members wouldn't let you.was this because they were Christians or just uncomfortable with any form of satanic blasphemy?I've actually met Mary Bielich she
doesn't seem very dark or evil to me!  
DANAI-I do not think either of them were actually Christians however they did not enjoy my mockery of Christianity and said they were not wanting to be represented in a Satanic way. Neither of them appreciated blasphemy or evil.

NOX-In your years in mythic did your band ever form a legitimate following amongst the male headbangers?I enjoyed Mythic's music but I've always noticed girl
bands have a tendency to attract more pocket pool players or deviants then true music fans.the great kat comes to mind.she had a loyal base of fans but I
always found the woman talentless.you are very attractive but I enjoyed your music more.did mythic ever suffer from such sexist attitudes?
DANA-There were sexist assholes, but right away I think we established ourselves amongst many loyal fans of metal. We played our first show within 2 months of forming and it was a fest type show so many people got to see us perform and there was an instant respect formed I believe. I think it is was a novelty to see women playing heavy music and probably always will be.

NOX-Demonic Christ is such an evocative and powerful name and I applaud you for your stance against the Christian lie.still in our modern times Christian devils have been transformed into Islamic ones.from bob Larson to Osama bin laden.islam and its primordial hatred of women and religious oppression represent a new terror even more violent and dangerous to free minds.could you ever imagine taking a stand against it?  
DANA-I certainly could. I am not conforming to ANY religion & Islamic ideals are not an exception! Muslims and christians alike are my enemies. Mind control or putting limitations on anyone's soul is in my eyes a form of terrorism in itself and will not be tolerated. Fortunately in the USA while we still have to deal with the sheep mentality of the majority, we are able to express our thoughts and have the freedom (for the most part) to practice whatever religious beliefs we choose. I will put up with these ignorant fools only because in the trade off I can be free OF religion.

NOX-you claim to be a satanist.are you a satanic witch and have you ever read laveys book?the term Satanist covers much ground.what is your opinion of the great man known as Anton szandor lavey and what is your personal satanic philosophy?
DANA-At one point I did classify myself as a Satanist, mainly for a better lack of terms. According to Anton LaVey's description of Satanist, I am indeed one. Free thinking and self glorified, bowing before no "god". Indeed there is a broad spectrum of who could be considered a Satanist by Anton's description but I believe this must be so. Satanism is about individual thoughts and beliefs, not adhering to any particular set of ethics, codes or doctrines. It is about releasing your soul, setting yourself free to carnal desires and to be whatever you choose to be... free of guilt, sin or reprimand. The only one you must answer to is yourself. You must live with the decisions you make. What you do determines the outcome of your time here on earth. There is no one to blame but yourself for bad things that happen to you and there is no one else to thank when things go in your favor. There are others who can take your life or the life of someone you love and humans are to blame for such things, not gods. It takes great strength to believe in yourself so much, to put yourself on a pedestal, to consider yourself a god in your own eyes, but I believe this is what it takes. I believe since no two individuals are exactly alike there can be no rules to follow for life. It is up to the individual to decide his path, his fate, his destiny. Everyone is looking outside for answers when they are there, with you all along. You just need to look the other direction. Have faith... faith in yourself. As for being a Satanic Witch, what do you think?

NOX-many modern black metal bands have turned there back on lavey and Satanism in general feeling satan is just a creation of the churches imagination.do you feel black metal has lost its satanic roots?when I think of black metal I always think of satanism!your last name Duffey is celtic.have you ever explored your Celtic
roots magickally?I know I have!
DANA-Not sure that black metal has turned it's back on Satanism... I think those that began with it are still using it. There are many new bands that for whatever reason are following the Norse ways, perhaps to pay homage, perhaps just to be trendy, but to me if it is not attached to some emotion & a real set of beliefs it means nothing. Of course I have explored my Celtic roots! I have always been very intrigued with my heritage & feel very deeply my Scottish roots. Magick is a way of life for me, not because I have an interest, but because it is interested in me.

NOX-I know you are now a mother of two and I wonder if you are raising your children within the satanic tradition?did you have your children baptized in a church of Satan or will you allow them to grow up and make the own choices?don't you feel with the amazing amount of Christian and multicultarism in our mainstream society that such a decision could prove dangerous?shouldn't a child be protected from the start?
DANA-Yes I have two children. My daughter is 7 and my son 2. I am raising them to be strong individuals armed with knowledge and a strong sense of identity to truly think for themselves and make decisions based on their gut instinct. I am giving them morals & guidelines. They are both too young for much more but I will not teach them anything beyond respect for themselves, respect for nature, that they hold the key to their own destiny and are responsible for their own triumphs and failures and to not trust anyone 100%. As far as religion is concerned, they will know my views but that they are allowed to think for themselves whatever they choose based on their life's experiences and I will love & support them no matter what so long as their beliefs are truly their own.

NOX-you once said in an interview many years ago that the black metal scene is nearing its end.now your returning after a long hiatus.how do you feel now?
DANA-I think that what the black metal scene was in the early 90's did end. It can never be again. It has changed so much, it is almost unrecognizable to me. More commercialized and accepted amongst the mob of teenage angst... Things that were once sacred, have been desecrated. I am glad I was able to be a part of black metal when it was still truly a cult. I guess I am getting old because I do not want to accept the way it is now. Still, I will continue with my blasphemy because it is in my blood and my time here on earth employs it.

NOX-you seem very dedicated to the raw underground sound of true black metal.i enjoy early cradle and I was wondering how do you feel about the modern glamour boys of the scene like dimmu and dani filth.is there mainstream success healthy or will it prove destructive in the long run?have you ever felt tempted to commercialize your bands sound?
DANA-Indeed I am very dedicated to the underground. This is where I found my "home". I do not believe glamour belongs in black metal at all. I think that Cradle to black metal is very comparable to Metallica in thrash. their early stuff was very good & even influential to some, then this commercialization of sound and look has completely shit on the face of what was once highly valued and important in underground Black Metal. Black Metal was never meant to be something the majority would understand or even like. Taking it to that level has proven to be detrimental to the integrity of Black Metal. And NO, I have never been tempted to change the sound of DEMONIC CHRIST at all.

NOX-what bands in your eyes keep the true spirit of black metal alive underground or not?
DANA- Lots of bands keep the flame burning. Not sure mentioning band names here is necessary.

NOX-recently I read an interview with ex-members of demonic Christ(I believe it was a dark moon interview)were they attacked your playing ability and I believed claimed they left the band due to the simplicity of your song writing.I wonder are you still in contact with any ex members and were musical differences truly the reason for there dismissal?
DANA- Yes they did say those things... There were definitely musical differences as well as personal issues. It matters not at this point. As for contact, I have had a little, but have not seen any of them since 1998. The fact remains that Demonic Christ is my band so no matter who is in it, it is still my vision. www.demonicchrist.com