In a quest to find some good underground metal music around the world, I stumbled upon Verkrag. Verkrag is a one-man project masterminded by Anton Van Niekerk. He is a risk taking, offensive (at times), brutal, taboo artist in a good way. His music and images are very bloody and black metal styled. What makes him extra interesting is that he is based out of South Africa, of all places. He often features dark and lovely (and often bloody) models in his art and videos too. Some he calls his ’13 Victims’ (also the title of his album). His way of self promoting and getting his artistic vision spread around the globe is interesting too. I asked him a few questions that will delve into the mind and madness that is Verkrag…

Chemical Magazine: What inspires you to create the often very horrific art you make?

Verkrag: The human virus… We destroy everything we touch. Our social order resembles that of insects with some reigning higher than others – almost ‘holy’ and ‘divine’.

Truth is no one is better than another. We are all just apes and we all shit, piss and fuck. We speak of creating a better world but no one really does anything to accomplish that since money is GOD and we are its faithful serving slaves spending all our time trying to get more of it while life passes us by.

Chemical Magazine: It is not very common to hear of extreme metal acts from South Africa. How is the ‘scene’ there and how does the environment shape what you do? Also, do you plan to do live shows?

Verkrag: The metal scene here is growing fast and a lot of the Johannesburg bands are getting great reviews. However, metal here doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Not from the media and not from the general public. Even the ‘fans’ do not support the bands enough and mostly only the usual used up groupies, and drugged and drunken idiots attend gigs. With that being said I do not feel that I will ever play live.

Chemical Magazine: Even from a semi-hidden part of the globe, you have been very effective at getting your name out there. With an ever-changing music scene, album sales replaced by downloads ect. What is your most effective promotional tool?

Verkrag: My only promotional tool is the Internet so I use my art, videos, interviews and reviews to spread the sickness of Verkrag.

Chemical Magazine: What are a few of your major musical influences?

Verkrag: I am influenced by bands like Silencer, Bethlehem, Sterbend, Urfaust, Nortt, and then of course more mainstream bands like Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh, Nile, Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir.

Chemical Magazine: In addition to your own work. You have collaborated with other artists around the globe. Where are the acts from? Also, are you planning any more collaborations?

Verkrag: I’ve been the vocalist and lyricist for Wrath Passion (Norway) since late 2009. Wrath Passion was founded by Daniel Markussen and has an online fan base of over 150,000. At the moment, Wrath Passion is number 4 on the ReverbNation Metal Charts in Norway, with Dimmu at number 1, Immortal second and Enslaved at third place. The first song I did for Wrath Passion, ‘Black Hole’, is also used in an American Horror/Gore movie called ‘The Back Room.’ Wrath Passion recently signed a license with the PSYCHO 78’s, the American, no-holds barred co-ed Roller Derby team from New Jersey that would allow the 78’s to use three Wrath Passion tracks – “Creatio Ex Nihilo”, ‘Christian Extermination’ and ‘Black Hole’ on DVD, events, live performances and exhibitions. These tracks will feature on the new album that will be released late 2011.

I also did a collaboration song entitled ‘Never Enough’ with Throne of Malediction from Missouri, USA and it is a featured bonus track on their new album entitled ‘Ceremonial Blood’. The album will be available through Ziekte Records. This is the 1st time ever South African and North American Black/Death Metal musicians have collaborated in creating a piece together and that obviously also makes this the 1st collaboration Music Video between USA and South African artists to be released.

The most recent collaboration work I did was with Sandmist from Malta. I did guest vocals on a song called ‘The Inquisition’. All music was written, composed and performed by Oliver M Grech with lyrics and vocals by Vanja Plavsic Obscure.

Chemical Magazine: Are you recording songs for a new album as of yet?

Verkrag: I am currently working on 2 songs where I include some African tribal drumming. 4 tracks have been recorded thus far and the album will also have 3 collaboration bonus tracks added (with Wrath Passion, Throne of Malediction and Sandmist). The album will also have some songs in my own language and lyrical content will include; African witchdoctors/Voodoo, A race war leading to a white genocide in South Africa, self mutilation and suicide and of course the sickness that is religion… All religions!

Chemical Magazine: Is there anything you would like to add? Feel free to plug any new projects or rant at will. Your time is much appreciated for this interview.

Verkrag: The Verkrag ’13 Victims’ album was made available as a Free Download from the 13th of May. Give VERKRAG a ‘Like’ on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/VERKRAG) then simply join the ReverbNation mailing list to download the album.

Thanks to all the friends and true fans for the support. Appreciate it. Spread the sickness…

Interviewer: Eric Horner