TYPE O NEGATIVE's STEELE Calls New Album 'A Sonic Legacy Of Past Mistakes'

TYPE O NEGATIVE frontman Peter Steele claims that the group's upcoming album, "Life Is Killing Me", does not represent an attempt to replicate the group's past works. "That style of songwriting is still in me and I like the songs from those albums, whereas I am less fond of [1999's] 'World Coming Down', since it reminds me of things I was involved in at the time." Steele further reveals that staple TYPE O issues of "self pity," "hatred," "drugs and death," "religion," and "the usual" are all a part of the lyrical tapestry of "Life Is Killing Me". He contends that the album is less depressing than its predecessor, with less dirges and different songwriting styles. He elaborates, "There are three types of songwriting: one is hardcore/punk, almost like party punk. The other is the older style of goth-metal that we have always done. The third is a combo of '60s and '80s type of songwriting." He concludes, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, that "'Life Is Killing Me' is a sonic legacy of past mistakes."

Self-deprecation aside, Steele is forthright and open when discussing his latest creations (or mistakes, depending on who you ask in the band!) Regarding specific songs on the album, TYPE O chose to cover a song from "Hedwig And The Angry Inch" musical, to illustrate its infamous sense of humor. "It's about a transvestite who goes in for sex change and the doctors fuck it up. I thought it would be fun to play it live, because we sped it up a little to make more punky." The song "I Like Girls" is Steele's response to homosexuals who try to pick him up. "Whether a man or woman finds me attractive, I take it as a compliment, although I am more flattered when it's a woman. Thanks for the invite, but I like girls.' The song is punky and I am sure that it's going to be misconstrued, so we're going to be prepared." "Nettie" centers around Steele's mother, while "Above All Things" is about his father. "How Could She?" finds Steele asking all of his favorite female TV characters, cartoon or human, a question. "I mention every single one from Edith Bunker to Judy Jetson, all who I encountered when sitting in front of the TV, eating a TV dinner." "A Dish Best Served Cold" is self-described revenge anthem.

TYPE O continues the time-honored tradition of producing its own albums at Systems Two in its homestead of Brooklyn, in the interest of avoiding "outside tentacles." Both Steele and keyboardist Josh Silver helmed "Life Is Killing Me". "I want to hear what is going on in my ears, what I hear in my head," says Steele. "I am not talking about the 'voices' I hear. I am talking about getting as close to my goal as possible. Within this band, the four guys are married to each other and the cap is always left off the toothpaste. We don't need a fifth clown coming in. At 41 years old, having been in bands for 30 years right now, I know how to get what I want, musically. Lastly and leastly, there is financial incentive for producing my flesh ourselves, and not just because we can walk away with chump change, but because anyone we'd like to hire would cost half a million dollars. There goes all my drug money for the year. That can't happen."

Steele doesn't cite any new influences on "Life Is Killing Me". Other than calling himself an audio plagiarist, Steele admits he still listens to the same music that he always has, such as "early '70s metal, psychadelic '60s, '90s trans-dance shoegazer stuff. It's the basic inspiration comes from my feelings. I'm on a constant search for new and interesting ideas, which I am not usually successful at."

TYPE O NEGATIVE's "Life Is Killing Me" is due this summer through Roadrunner Records.