By David Doub
Can you tell us about The Dungeon on KNON? What is your role with the show? Hello Nerds! Yes, and thanks for asking: “The Dungeon” is an extreme metal radio show on KNON 89.3fm in Dallas Texas. You can tune in every Saturday night from Midnight to 4am to hear all manner of underground metal from across the world, including Death and Black Metal. “KNON” is public radio, broadcasting 24/7 and we are totally listener supported. Raven is the resident DJ and Dungeon mastermind who created this show in 2000, and our amazing supporters have kept us on the air for 20 years now! You can pledge too, at KNON.org. While you’re there, check out the live stream or navigate to our archived shows. It’s been great working with “KNON”. “The Dungeon” has always held a special place in my heart as I used to tune in when I was a teenager. Raven and the crew opened my eyes to so many bands back in the day and 7 years ago, I was invited to come on board and share my metal collection as well. I host the “Lexen Destro Black Metal Power Hour” bimonthly, which focuses on black metal – old and new. With the recent rise in the popularity of this genre, I get more requests than ever. What got you into Heavy Hardcore Metal? Its hard to say, I was always drawn to music that was heavy and fast. When I was a kid I became obsessed with surf music because it was so fast. Later that evolved into a love of punk, metal and hardcore. So, I guess I have Dick Dale to thank for all of this. What are some of your all-time favorite Metal bands and what are some new up and coming bands you think should get more notice? Well “Slayer” was one of my first loves so that definitely goes down as an all time favorite. I am known for playing a lot of “Pest” and “Carpathian Forest” on the show, and I really love “Nadiwrath” as well. “Watain” is always a favorite, I never miss them when they play a show. Some of the newer bands I’ve been listening to are Sarastus, Cloak, Wiegedood, Antzaat, Hovmod and Vale of Pnath. “Vale” isn’t really new, but they just put out some killer stuff. What are some great local dark Metal bands you’d like to give a shot out to? Luckily Dallas has no shortage of talented acts. Shout outs to Absu, Thy Antichrist, Wildspeaker, Steel Bearing Hand, Cleric, Sardonic Witchery, Blasphemous Goat Vomit, Empty Shell, Psyciatric Regurgitation, Demonhammer, Judas Goat, Nocturnal Wolf, Chemicaust, Infidel Rising, Skull Archer, Dei Aemeth and many more! What are some nerdy and geeky things you enjoy as well? What are some of the nerdy and geeky things you enjoy in North Texas? I’m a huge nerd, I think that deep down all metal kids are. Metal is an inherently nerdy thing, just look at all the bands inspired by nerd culture! Everyone knows that D&D and heavy metal go hand in hand ever since they both survived the satanic panic of the 80’s. Not to mention there are quite a few metal band names inspired by the works of Tolkien: Amon Amarth, Burzum, Balrog, Nazgul, Mordor, Carach Angren, Isengard, to name a few. That doesn’t even include all the song names that originated in “Middle Earth”! Viking, Pagan and Folk metal are all the history nerds, and there is actually more than one band inspired almost entirely by Warhammer 40k. Bolt Thrower is the best-known example, having had their cover art created by a Games Workshop artist. So, there’s that. In addition to nerd metal; I’m a bit of a bookworm and a gamer so a lot of my nerding takes place at home. Though, I can be easily spotted at Half Price Books, Keith’s Comics, or Madness Comics from time to time. I like to check out the Cons and Cosplayers when the mood strikes me, I never miss Texas Frightmare Weekend! I’m also a huge science and history nerd. If I’m not brushing up on the Romanovs or the Lapland War, I’m looking at protozoans, making new slides for my microscope or buried beneath my neurology volumes. I also collect weapons, medical antiques, bone specimens including real human skulls, and I keep pet wasps. That’s nerdy too, right? What are some of the best concerts you’ve been to? Please share some of your favorite concert stories? Oh wow, there have been so many with so many great memories it’s hard choose favorites. “Gwar” is such a fun act. I wouldn’t say they’re my favorite metal band, but they are definitely my favorite stage performance. I always try to take someone who’s never been or someone who isn’t really into metal to see their reaction when all the blood starts flying. Although, there was one show in Oklahoma where I walked in on Nergal from Behemoth and Corpsegrinder from Cannibal Corpse rocking out to Britney Spears on the bus. That was pretty epic. Where does the name for Lexen Destro come from? The “Destro” surname came from one of my other business ventures. I had a screen-printing company called “Team Destro” when I was in college. Raven had asked the team and I to come on the show and talk a little bit about some of our shirts. That was my first time in the Dungeon. He had advised we use stage names, so I picked Lexen since it was close to my actual name… Which shall remain a mystery! MUAHAHAHA! That was my first time in the Dungeon. It wouldn’t be long before I was calling it home. If you could be in any band who would it be? Oh geez, I don’t know. I admire bands from a far, but I don’t know if I could actually be in one. I don’t even know how these things happen, it must be so difficult! You get several people; all on the same page, all collaborating on the same piece of art, all adhering to the same schedule and if they survive long enough to experience any success, you throw them all in a van and send them on their way for months at a time and see whether or not they kill each other. It baffles me. Can you tell the best records to summon demons with? Asking for a friend. Well, you have a few good options here. “Dissection” is great for that sort of thing but be careful or you might be found dead in ritual circle like their front man, Jon Nödtveidt. You would likely gain some demonic favor with “Watain” as well, known for their on-stage rituals using real blood of undetermined origin. For a little ambiance the first “Batushka” would be nice, with its monastic chanting and sinister riffs or even a few “Beherit” songs since they sound like they were actually recorded in the underworld. Last but not least, “Arckanum” is great for summonings. Their founder, Shamaatae is a well published occult author with “Ixaxxar Press”. He could probably tell you if you’re doing it right. https://www.facebook.com/THE-DUNGEON-KNON-893-FM-Dallas-Texas-171563375475 http://www.knon.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LexDestro More About KNON's Rebuilding after getting hit by a Tornado - https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/music/2020/01/16/first-came-the-tornado-then-the-scorpions-but-indie-radio-station-knon-finally-has-its-new-home/ |
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