California-based gothic/black metallers WILLOW WISP are featured in a new interview with Dark Underground Zine. An excerpt is available below.

Q:How do you feel your image has influenced other black metal or gothic bands, you have had the imagery before most of the bands?

Toe Knee: "Curiously enough, many newer black/death metal and gothic metal fans think we ripped the image from CRADLE OF FILTH or GORGOROTH, but we started wearing rusted, homemade spiked gauntlets and early, primitive corpsepaint as far back as 1986.We were also covering songs by BATHORY, IMPALER and DESTRUCTION in 1986/87. Research is important, especially if you make false claims as to a band's lineage.You cannot pass a test without study. Most fools usually get straight F's......failures, one and all."

Mr. Horrorble: "Willow's members past and present have always realized the importance of the dramatic theatrical presentation that sets us apart from typical black metal bands. Though inspirational to us on multiple levels, black and white is overused and boring. Willow has always had an extreme look that transcends genres. A little of this and a little of that is how we approach it. Other bands and local metal musicians seem afraid to do a look like we do and often criticize it. Fear of being called gay is a lot of it."

Q: How has your newer material been received so far by extreme music fans worldwide?

Toe Knee: "Considering we are by far harsher and more vicious than ever musically and the way we present ourselves on stage the fans have been more receptive .There will always be those far less adept and unqualified 'fans' who mock and scorn us out of sheer, uninformed stupidity but the more savvy and researched will understand and appreciate our progression."

Mr. Horrorble: "'I Watched You Drown' has been an instant favorite for people. That's cool because it's brand new and on the CD. Kind of funny because it's a departure from the rest of the songs on the CD."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Willow Wisp recently uploaded three new songs to their official MySpace Page - click here to check out '7734999', 'Prisoners Of Technology' and 'I Watched You Drown'. The tracks are pulled from Willow Wisp's new album, Antihuman Manifesto, available soon. According to the band it "promises to be some of the most unique and eclectic/esoteric/black metal the world of metal will ever hear!"

For more info visit Myspace.com/willowwispband.