There are bands that play Death Metal, and then there is NunSlaughter. Since 1987, they have been the undisputed kings of Devil Metal, delivering raw, blasphemous, and primitive art without ever selling out. With their new album ‘Satanic Chaos Legions’ on the horizon and a massive European tour ahead, the cult is stronger than ever.
Today, at metalwar.gr, we have the distinct honor to talk with the legendary Don of the Dead about their legacy and the eternal flame of the underground.

Jo: Welcome Metal War! Don of the Dead, it is a true honor to have such a legendary figure of the underground with us. For over 35 years, NunSlaughter has been the standard-bearer for “Devil Metal.” How do you define this term in 2026, and why has it remained so uncompromisingly raw after all these decades?
Don: Greetings. Very cool to have this interview.
We coined the phrase “Devil Metal” many years ago to define our style of Death Metal. Our music is created with a punk ethos in the vein of most 80’s death metal bands. No guitar solos, no keyboards, no clean singing and shorter songs. Just riff after memorable riff with lyrics about Satan and Death. That is the explanation of Devil Metal.

Jo: Most bands from the 80s underground have either broken up or changed their sound. What is the “curse” that keeps NunSlaughter alive and hungry for more blasphemy after all these years?
Don: It is the music that drew me to the underground when it was just forming. Bands like Hellhammer, Sodom, Repulsion, Bathory and even Mantas / Death have few if any guitar solos, keyboards etc. This is what death metal is to me. Although the music scene has changed I have not changed my tastes.

Jo: You’ve recently released your new single titled “Jesus Fu*king Dies”, off your upcoming album “Satanic Chaos Legions”. How do you manage to keep the songwriting process so primitive and effective? Do you ever feel tempted to “clean up” the production, or is that considered a “sin” in the NunSlaughter book?
Don: It has really helped having band members that share the same vision for the band. Fresh Blood can sometimes change a band significantly but the main song writer, Tormentor, grew up listening to punk rock and he gets it. The simplicity and the aggression that has carried NunSlaughter for almost 40 years.
The recordings that we have done in the last 10 years have a very good sound but nothing that will get us a Grammy but that’s not the point. We make music we like and if you dig it too that’s even better.

Jo: NunSlaughter songs are known for being short, fast, and straight to the jugular. Is there a specific “formula” for creating a perfect 2-minute Devil Metal anthem? How do you decide when a riff is “dirty” enough to make the cut?
Don: Practice and more practice. Once you play the song or riff a few times you can tell if it’s going to work with the band or not.
We do not have a formula but rather there is a sensibility to the music that you either get it or you don’t.

Jo: You’ve released countless splits and EPs over the decades. Why do you prefer this “guerrilla” style of releasing music over the traditional industry standard of one full-length every few years?
Don: I think the music industry is created to make money but I want to make music. It is something cool to create a split record with a band or bands and then you are joined forever on vinyl. I dig it and it’s about having a good time, making friends and creating a piece of art that others can enjoy.
I think the better question to ask is why so many bands do not make 7”s or split 7”s.

Jo: Horror, blasphemy, and death. Are these themes just a reflection of the music, or is there a deeper, personal philosophy behind the lyrics of NunSlaughter?
Don: Death and Satan is where my lyrical allegiance lies. Sure we have some songs about various other topics but the most interesting are the songs with darker lyrics and meaning. NunSlaughter is a “what you see is what you get” kind of band.

Jo: A NunSlaughter show is a chaotic and raw experience. What is the most “unholy” or bizarre thing that has ever happened during a live performance?
Don: We did a show in Buffalo NY and I was gifted a severed goat head that one of the opening bands killed and beheaded the night before. I kept it and brought it home. I let the flesh rot off of it and kept the skull.

Jo: You saw the birth of Death Metal. How do you feel about the modern “old school” revival? Do you see any new bands that actually have the “spirit,” or is it mostly just a fashion trend?
Don: I see a cash grab. Many of the bands have been out of the music for many years and a few of them are returning to the stage in name only. Some bands out there do not even have any of the original band members. I’m not sure who enjoys these kinds of cover bands but in my opinion they should not be headlining tours of fests.

Jo: Don, you have been the constant force in this band through thick and thin since 1987. What is the one thing about NunSlaughter that you are most proud of after all these years of underground warfare?
Don: NunSlaughter is a name that stands out. It was not by design but rather an unholy blessing. The name is one that you do not forget and it is easily searched for. We bring the darkness and have done so for a few decades. I think even with this new album the power of the music stands tall. If death metal heads like music that is memorable then we are the band they should listen to too.

Jo: Your covers are always iconic, “filthy,” and recognizable. How important is the visual aspect of the band in conveying the Devil Metal message?
Don: I like to see and have various artists create our artwork. It is not only a way to showcase artists but a vehicle for the art piece to tell a story of what is on the recording. There are so many great artists that it is difficult to use all of the artworks that we receive but we are trying.
It is an important piece of the music puzzle and I am glad people appreciate the cover art as much as the music itself.

Jo: You recently announced your 2026 European Tour starting this June. What should the European “legions” expect from these rituals, and how does it feel to be bringing the new material from the BLKIIBLK debut album to the stage?
Don: It should be epic. When we toured on our last record “Red is the Color of Ripping Death” we noticed people already knew the song and lyrics. People had our records in hand and told me about what was their favorite song from that album.
I am stoked to have a new album for people to enjoy and revel in the blasphemies that we have provided. This is about the sickest album we have ever produced and each and every song is about Satan. That is what makes it special to me.

Jo: Aside from the new album release on June 26, 2026, what else is brewing in the NunSlaughter cauldron? Are there any more “deadly” splits or unexpected collaborations on the way?
Don: Of course there is. We have a four way split with Molder, Traffic Death, Exhumed and NunSlaughter happening by the end of the year. It will be on Redefining Darkness.
We have a split LP recorded with Ringworm too. We just haven’t liked it or found a label to release the music but I hope to see that early next year.
After that we have about half of a new album written and we will work to have that recorded sometime in 2027.

Jo (+1): If the world was ending tomorrow and NunSlaughter had to play one final song while the earth burns, which one would it be and why?
Don: If it had to be a NunSlaughter song it would be Cataclysm for sure.
If we could perform any song it would dig it if we performed “See you in Hell” from Grim Reaper.

NunSlaughter remains a pillar of the true underground, proving that honesty in metal is immortal. We thank Don of the Dead for his time and his dedication to the dark arts. Keep it primitive, keep it unholy.