NUNSLAUGHTER

NUNSLAUGHTER has been a source of fascination with me for years. There are some bands I like but it never moves past the music. It seems like I'm that way with just about everything I listen to today. Most of it, anyway. But when it comes to musicians like Glen Benton of DEICIDE or Don Of The Dead from NUNSLAUGHTER, I want to know more, like how their onstage image matches up with who they are in civilian life, for example. I was that way with ALICE COOPER also, back in the day. 

When I pitched the idea of talking to Don from NUNSLAUGHTER to Wormwood's Dr. Abner Mality, I told him I was going to do an interview that took a left turn off the "beaten path,” that is,  not asking the same, somewhat tired questions guys like Don get asked in every other interview they do. Instead, I wanted to get to know him a bit better, who he was, and how that person aligned and fit into the terror machine known as NUNSLAUGHTER. When it was all said and done, mission complete.

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: Let’s go back to your childhood for a bit. Were you raised in a Christian family? 

DON OF THE DEAD: My mother did take us to church on Easter and Christmas, but we almost never went any other time. She had a falling out with the church after my father passed away. I was only 7 years old, but I do remember her asking the church for assistance because we were poor. They, in not so many words, told her, “too bad but the church cannot help.”

She did take me to CCD. There were classes taught by the church on Sunday evening to prepare the kids to become members. I disliked it and directly after I was confirmed by the church. My mom asked me if I wanted to continue to go and I said “no.” She never asked me to go again.

 WC: Another curious question. As a kid, maybe before you got into metal, did you play any fantasy role playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons? I ask that because metal, D&D, horror movies, they all tend to go hand in hand together.

 DOTD: Yes, D&D was at its height when I was younger, and I really liked the fantasy role playing. It was escapism and something fun to do at night or in the winter. I was probably 17 the last time I played D&D.

WC: When you got older and discovered metal, do you remember what age that was, and what band it was? 

DOTD: It was first or second grade (1975 -1976). My friends were talking about KISS: “Kids In Satan’s Service.” That seemed like something I wanted to be involved with so I found out as much as I could about KISS. By fourth grade, me and three friends decided to “become” KISS and enter a talent show. We didn’t play our instruments, but we would mimic them and jump around like idiots. The day never came for the talent show but the four of us remained close, all because of our love of KISS.

Later on, I can recall listening to OZZY and really liking his vibe. This is back when magazines would tell stories of him biting the head off of a dove after signing his contract, and all the drugs. Cool stuff to a pre-teen. Then I found out he was in a band called BLACK SABBATH. Dark lyrics and a tinge of witchcraft, I was in. I gladly sold my soul for Rock n Roll.

WC: Is your stage persona different than who you are in “everyday life?” If I met you at the grocery store for example, would that experience be pure chaos and utter mayhem, or just the opposite?

DOTD: I am fairly calm and if you met me, I’m sure you would think “what a boring guy.” I usually say something to people who are out and about wearing metal tees. You just never know who you are gonna meet.

WC: Following up, what’s the oddest place (like a supermarket, for example) a fan has recognized you at?

 DOTD: I don’t think it’s an odd place, but I was out to dinner with my mom and had a person come up and introduce themselves. My mom thought it was neat. Usually, it happens in a town where we are performing, or in an airport, so it is not unusual for people to say hello.

WC: It’s apparent to me that the name of the band and lyrical content – “Raid The Convent” for example – is meant to be outrageous and piss people off. Jello Biafra did the same thing with THE DEAD KENNEDYS and of course, there’s THE MENTORS as well. Were THE MENTORS or DK or punk rock in general an influence on you creatively? If so, can you elaborate on this a bit?

DOTD: I am still a fan of DK. I’m not sure if they influenced my musically, but the attitude was pissed, and I liked it. I did get a chance to meet Jello here in Cleveland and I talked briefly to him, and I mentioned NUNSLAUGHTER  to him. I did like THE MENTORS, especially the first two albums. Absolutely over the top attitude and lyrics. They had something going on but with that subject matter you can only go so far. That I what I feel about NUNSLAUGHTER and the subject matter we discuss.

WC: Do you have a legitimate interest/belief in Satanism?

DOTD: When I was younger, I was drawn to Satanism and still hold true some of the teachings. I still like the symbolism and the vibes from many of the dark arts, so I use it in our live shows. As far as religion goes, I abjure all religion. My dislike with Christianity grew with age. The more I heard and observed, it made all religions to me seem absurd. I believe in nothing.

WC: If you follow the teachings of Satanism, do you believe in committed relationships or simply the physical act of being with someone, anyone? A lot of us probably imagine that the life of a rock star, such as yourself, is rife with orgies, and threesomes, and well, more!

DOTD: People have their own path to take though life. I’m not an orgy kinda guy. I like motorcycles and a cold beer. Traveling and meeting new people is great as long as it is not at an orgy.

I would say I am more of a one-person commitment kind of guy, but life is short so you gotta do what you think is fun and exciting. 

WC: Would you ever consider doing an interview with a Christian interviewer and debating viewpoints with that person?

DOTD: I think it would be like hitting your head against the wall. To debate, the parties involved have to have common ground and a consensus of basic principles. Example being, if two people can’t agree water is wet then how can you debate the nature of water? 

WC: If you had the opportunity to do so, and you knew you wouldn’t get caught, would you consider burning a church or targeting a priest/minister/nun in an act of violence? I ask this question not to be a smart ass, and I do realize your style of music is devil music, but the aforementioned acts have allegedly been linked to certain black metal bands in the past.

DOTD: Not for me, at least not now. I just don’t care enough about Christianity and churches to do anything. They are an afterthought and not relevant to me or modern times as a whole.

If people want to wallow in stupidity I say, “let them”.

 WC: Do you engage in holidays like Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or Easter with your immediate family (parents, siblings, nephews, nieces, etc.)? If you don’t, has that ever been a sticking point between you and them? 

 DOTD: I have a wonderful time at family / friend’s functions. Yes, we gather at holiday times, but it is not about the holiday, it is more about having the time to do it. I don’t pray or ask for divine help, and my family and friends know where I stand, so it’s never any pressure. I am old ,ya know…HA

WC: What do your immediate family and/or non-rock N roll friends think of NUNSLAUGHTER, and/or your personal beliefs, is it foreign to them, are they offended by it?

DOTD: Most seem fascinated with the stories I have and the experiences / memories I’ve made. It is so unique, and really not everyone can relate, but they like to hear the tales. Most of my geography knowledge comes from actually going there and seeing places in person. Conversations are easy because I can talk about the places they have been or wish to go.

WC: I love the official video NUNSLAUGHTER  did for the song “God” as well as “Red Is The Color Of Ripping Death.” Both are killer! I show them to as many people as I can. Have you considered getting into acting at all, or trying to produce your own horror movie? You’d be great at it!

DOTD: Thank you. As a young person I wanted to be a director, but I lost focus and moved on. I did not want to be in front of the camera. I had stories to tell but I decided to tell them with lyrics rather than film. I did make a few student films. The black and white footage in our video for “Broken and Alone” was a student film I made back in the early 1990’s. It was challenging to tell a story in a silent film, but it was a blast to make.

I did some work on films in the late 80s and early 90’s. Bill Hinzman from “Night of the Living Dead” / Flesheater became a close friend, and he brought me along for a few films.  “Santa Claws” is my only IMDB film credit for a speaking role and first camera assistant. I also worked on “Baskins Run”, “Star of Jaipur” and the atrocious “Naked Horror”. We did many T n A movies, all low budget, and all B horror.

WC: At some of your gigs, namely your performance at Milwaukee Metal Fest (2024), a lovely young lady dresses up like a nun and dances onstage with the band. Was she in the video for “God” as well? What’s her connection to the band?

DOTD: Angel. She was not in the “God” video as we did not meet her until many years later. She has danced 2 times for us when the time is right. She is a blast to have on stage and we are appreciative that she likes to help out with stage antics.

WC: Can you relate the wildest, most outrageous rock N roll experience you’ve ever had, or were part of, which took place at a gig you never in a million years expected to see?

DOTD: I think all bands have had their “Spinal Tap” moments. There are quite a few stories of drugs, women, cops, and border patrol, but none that I personally think are outrageous. They are just a day in the life. The older I get, the more I avoid the moments, because I just want to play a good show and leave.

WC: Following up the last question, does anything really shock you nowadays or catch you off guard at all? I get the feeling you may have seen quite a bit in your life.

DOTD: I don’t really see anything that shocks me. I still get surprised by events and people but not shocked. 

WC: Is NUNSLAUGHTER  a full-time gig for you these days? I thought I had read in a previous interview that your day job was working in the field of IT.

DOTD: I’ve had three distinct careers in my life. I graduated with a B.S. in Broadcast Communications and started off working in T.V. and Film only to wind up doing weddings albeit in Hawaii. 

After moving back to the mainland, I went to a trade school to learn about Information Technologies and that took me to a career working as a Network Administrator for a bank and eventually ending up at NASA for a bit.

When Jim Sadist died I kinda freaked out and sold everything to move to Arizona to become a Harley Davidson mechanic where I worked at the HD proving grounds in Yucca, AZ testing new motorcycle designs. It was a wild time, and I would not trade any of these experiences for anything. Recently I have focused on the band and creating more music. I’m not sure how many years I have left so I gotta make the most of them.

WC: In your mind do you see a point in time when NUNSLAUGHTER  will eventually end? Could you do what you currently do onstage, with all the intensity you put into a live performance, in your 70’s? It seems to work out for Bobby Liebling, right? 

DOTD: This music is about energy and if I can’t do that, I would want to turn it in. I’ve seen some of the legacy bands live and it is a disappointment. They are phoning it in and, in my opinion, cheating the fans of a good live show experience. To each his own. I hope when the day comes someone will tell me to pull the plug on the band.

WC: Final question, and I give this space to you to say whatever you want, promote any new records or gigs/touring, whatever you want to talk about.

 DOTD: We have a new LP finished. It is titled “Satanic Chaos Legions”. It should be out by the end of 2025 or early 2026. Metal is Death, Death is Metal. NUNSLAUGHTER is Death Metal.

NUNSLAUGHTER