Author / Musician JOEL GAUSTEN - "I Credit KING DIAMOND As Being One Of The First People I Ever Read Who Absolutely Dispelled All Those Common Misconceptions Surrounding Satanism"
August 8, 2009, 15 years ago
In a new interview, author / musician Joel Gausten discusses his career as a music writer, which also includes a book on Satanism entitled Words From The Third Side: Essays On Sex, Satan & Success. An excerpt is available below.
“King Diamond is a wonderful performer, he’s a very creative man, and he’s done very good things for our organization,” says Gausten. “I credit King Diamond as being one of the first people I ever read who absolutely dispelled all those common misconceptions surrounding Satanism. People like him, David Vincent from Morbid Angel, these were the people who came before, and I’d like to think that I’m carrying on a tradition of intelligent people in the music industry who are unafraid to say exactly what they think and what they feel.”As for those that may see Gausten’s views and faith as nothing more than lucrative shock value, Words From The Third Side is recommended reading.
“I think the shock value aspect is taken away pretty quickly once you read it. I’m sure when you spoke to King Diamond it was the same thing. Obviously I’m very fortunate to have many dear friends in the organization who are very supportive, but there is a whole different side of people who like the other stuff I’ve done that have said ‘We know Joel’s not a freak, we know he’s not a nutcase, we know he’s a productive member of society, so there has to be something to this.’ They may not necessarily agree with what I have to say, but at least they know it’s coming from a somewhat healthy place (laughs).”Go to this location for the complete interview. Click here for more information on Gausten's work.
