A conversation with Janell Fulghum Emmanuel (Trey Azagthoth from Morbid Angel's mother)

[@chrisg1621]

The first time I ever saw Morbid Angel perform was 2013 in Charlotte, NC, and if I'm not mistaken, it was the day that his father passed away. Even so, Trey STILL put on a great show and afterwards he posted himself outside of the bus to interact with fans. I had, what I consider to be, the privilege of speaking with him about everything and nothing at all for upwards of 45 minutes to an hour. I hung out so long that I eventually started to help several folks have their pictures taken with the legend. I also met my wife at that show. After 8 years or so of close friendship, a short courtship, and an even shorter engagement, we were married this past November. Because of that, Trey and Morbid Angel are nearly directly responsible for our first baby that's due in July! FUCKING WILD. It was such a humbling experience to realize that such an absolute magician of guitar and truly visionary song writer would set aside the world collapsing burden of death to spend a few minutes with my cheesy ass. He's such a warm guy and full of love for music and the people that keep it going and he'll always have my support and gratitude for the impact he and Morbid Angel have made on my perspective as a musician, as a person, and for creating the opportunity to plant the seed that would eventually become our family.

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

Thx for tuning in Chris and great story 🍺

[@chrisg1621]

@@ScarsandGuitarspodcast sorry for writing a book, but thanks to you as well for listening and publishing this interview!

[@macabre19]

I had the same experience meeting the living legend last night in Joilet, IL . He's a one of a kind talent and a phenomanal person who enjoys his fans. A true gem.

[@chrisg1621]

@@macabre19 that's awesome! Glad to hear that Trey is still doing well and safe after the incident with the twister. They're skipping NC this time so I probably won't get to go to this one unless we drive to GA. It's been 10 years 🫠

[@macabre19]

@@chrisg1621 I enjoyed your story about Trey and meeting you're wife. The metal community is the best.

[@guitarsandhotrods]

I love Trey. We are still friends after about 45 years. He's as kind as the say is long and I'm blessed to know him.

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

Please pass on my gratitude for decades of the greatest riffs since Black Sabbath and solos since Van Halen!

[@guitarsandhotrods]

@@ScarsandGuitarspodcast I sure will.

[@corm1000]

Trey's mom is smart too, you can tell in this interview. She is informed on the things beyond what I would think her demographic would be informed on.

[@ryanmozert]

Yeah that's so great she's proud but she said he was Christian and a Christian Home in a Christian upbringing have you even looked on at thetracks of altars of Madness/ one of them is called blaspheming the Holy Ghost

[@MoreBud-Angel]

This was one of the most important interviews I have ever taken in in my life. We're lucky for Trey; but He truly is the lucky 1 with having her as his Mother. She is so much more advanced than women I've heard in their 20's. I'm of the belief She IS Morbid Angel.

[@commentarywiseisbias]

How badly I want to see Morbid Angel before these guys retire.

[@666bpm4]

I think Janell should write a book, or help write a book, about raising children with Asperger's or medically diagnosed issues. Sounds like she did EVERYTHING right. Listening to her reminds me of my aunt that kinda took care of some family.

[@martymartin2894]

And serious addiction

[@truthskr7127]

Addiction usually goes hand in hand with this diagnosis. Having said that no death metal band will match the material Trey has written. I am very thankful for this very gifted musician 🤘🤘

[@billschwenke790]

I commented here before, but also coming to mind is after Chuck of Death passed away, I contacted her online and heard back, another awesome Rock Mom!

[@billschwenke790]

Thumbs up; Chuck's mom...I refer to

[@vincevandergraff1508]

Trey will forever be a pillar in the extreme metal community, and a giant of a guitarist and musician. Thank you for doing this rare kind of interview, and thank you Janell for fostering and encouraging one of the greatest creative minds of our time.

[@rossprince8549]

What a fantastic lady and lovely supportive mom. Absolute pleasure to listen to 👍

[@joeljones8066]

I hope Trey gets well soon 😢

[@biorythmicshifter]

Trey is a genius level player and composer in my opinion. His influence spans far and wide, way beyond just death metal players. Even guys like Steven Wilson cited Morbid an influence. Opeth wouldn’t sound the same without Morbid Angel, among countless other important bands. Personally I LOVE Heretic, I’m not sure why that album is rated so low among fans or critics is beyond me. That was the pinnacle of Trey and Pete’s relationship to me, the way the guitar locks in with the drums is next level stuff. I actually love much of the guitar work on Illud regardless of what the consensus is on that, Dave’s lyrics and performance is the low spot for me but the guitar work is great. I’m rooting for Trey still, I feel he still has much to offer the music world and anxiously await new material from his exceptional creative mind…

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

That’s cool if Steve Wilson likes Trey because Wilson is a rare talent. I’m with you on heretic, it’s an album I listened to for ages after its release and found much to like. However, the production is bone dry, which puts many people off. As for Illud, you can almost split that album into two parts as you’ve got the straightforward, death metal cuts, and then there are the other ones; Trey’s guitar tone never sounded better than on that album though. The album I enjoy the least is the recent one, I just don’t understand what happened there.

[@biorythmicshifter]

@@ScarsandGuitarspodcast i love the production on Heretic, the clarity of the riffing is because of that particular scooped sound. There is a lack of bass presence but I can blast that album all day long and not get ear fatigue like many death metal albums. It strikes me like And Justice for All, I dare say it’s my number one go to album from Morbid and I’ve been a fan since the first album. All the songs Trey wrote on the last album are top shelf material, it’s the songs written by the other guys that don’t stick to me. They’re decent songs but significantly less quantity than Trey’s material. The demo version’s released after sounded better to me because I could hear the nuances in the riffs better. The production was way too bass heavy and drum heavy which made it sound muddy. I agree on the dichotomy on Illud but I liked the range of variety, the songs written by Vincent were subpar and took away from the impact. Listed to Thr Creator Had a Mastertape on In Absentia, you can hear a bit of Trey’s riff influence there. I definitely agree with you on Steven Wilson, he is a special talent as well.

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

@@biorythmicshifter 100% on ‘Complete Acid Terror’; when I heard that, I thought that’s how the album should sound. If I listen to ‘Kingdoms’, it’s only the Acid version. I really like Illud cuts like I Am Morbid, Destructos and 10 More Dead, the fans hated them, but I can see where Trey was taking the music, if just for a moment. Although ‘Too Extreme’ is ridiculous.

[@williamkoscielniak7871]

The guitarist for Gojira is quite obviously influenced by Trey as well. I agree that Trey truly is a musical genius, or at the very least a musical savant. His technical ability is at a very high level of course, but what really separates him from the rest of the pack is his compositional brilliance. He created an entirely new sound that took influences from Neo-classical, thrash, black sabbath-y psychedelic riffs, and other types of stuff that I have just never heard before and integrated it all into a coherent whole. And that's not even counting is ethereal, spacey, otherworldly sounding solo'ing. I can't look back at a guitarist prior to Trey and say "Oh THAT'S where he got his inspiration from!". He is so singular that you cannot find one style or one guitarist that influenced him. He is a true original.

[@biorythmicshifter]

@@williamkoscielniak7871 I agree, much of Gojira’s schtick was taken from Trey. They turned his Nothing from Not and Where the Slime Live riffing into a whole band sound. Opeth took a lot as well, Masters Apprentice starts with a Morbid riff. Despite all the bitching and complaining I really enjoyed the weird riffs and groove on Destructos on Illud. That stuff is as catchy as the plague to my ears. His solo on Summoning Redemption is otherworldly, the 2 finger tapping with chords used to ethereal effect was pure genius. The rhythmic swing that he puts in his riffs like Rebel Lands is untouchable to this day, no one riffs like that. I can pin point so many innovations and idiosyncrasies in his sound I would be here for days, it’s good to know there are others like yourself that can appreciate what gifts he brought us through his music…

[@slidvonjunzt7608]

Man, I always love hearing from and about the metal moms (and dads).. Hearing a nice elderly lady referring to death metal drumming legend Pete Sandoval as a sweetheart just puts a huge ass smile on my face!

[@tjcaruthers5593]

I really liked how you steered the topic of I am Morbid to a more positive of having two bands playing Morbid Angels music. You did that very professionally and how it wasnt stated that not only Trey wrote those songs, but David Vincent wrote those songs as well. I recognize that couldnt be said or Treys mom could of been offended.

[@TheBadger3804]

Trey's mom is a very intelligent woman, and what she said about Trey's energy and death metal being how he releases it is something I connect to a lot. As someone with aspergers myself, I don't do well with other people so I am often very angry or depressed, and death metal is the best way for me to release a lot of my anger and my energy

[@aver3312]

what a lady, supportive mother beyond words... thanks for your releases Give us Commando's interview! cheers

[@energyintuition]

We want to hear commando!!

[@billschwenke790]

He's mentioned Edward Van Halen as a man he worships too, and I'd say EVH dying had to effect him, it was a shock for all fans

[@fredrikh3547]

They need to go to Europe indeed, their cancellation of the Swedish dates last time was one of the greatest disappointments of my adult life.. Have seen them 4 times, first time 1995. My absolute favourite band. Nice with this kind of interview, Wish Mum Azagthoth all the best!

[@pablobarrera7613]

Asperger, cyclist, fan of dinosaurs and motorsports... I feel I have so much in common with the guy.

[@helpalongyourwayiitx470]

Another great conversation! Keep up the good work!

[@GV213]

Trey is almost 60..she gotta be 80..she sounds smart for her age

[@kellybogues]

Very much appreciate you sharing this interview with us. Best regards.

[@leonidaspapanikolaou3165]

Hello from Greece. George Emmanuel (Trey) is the best guitar player in death metal.

[@azwris]

Leonida, do you know who is the Greek person in his family?

[@leonidaspapanikolaou3165]

@@azwris probably his father. Trey's last name is Emannuel (Εμμανουήλ), a widespread surname in Greece. And, of course, Trey's surname is from his father.

[@CS_Murphy_R9]

I first found out about Trey years back(1990 i think?) when i was searching for other guitar players that used the Dimarzio PAF Pro pickup. I really loved this pickup and wanted to see if any Metal guys used them because the PAF Pro is not really designed for Metal but sounds great anyway! Trey was in a guitar magazine and said he used the PAF Pro in his 6 string guitars.

[@truthskr7127]

This was an awesome interview, thank you!! 🤘

[@seekah1]

Fascinating conversation, thankyou so much for this 👍

[@mikerauter1859]

Great interview Andrew and fascinating insight into Trey's psyche and talent. I've been a fan since I heard Altars in 1990 (I'm old!) and always ignorantly assumed his 'eccentricities' were media exaggerations and/or underground folklore, had no idea he has lived with Aspergers Syndrome during his amazing life and career. I'm certainly not a doctor, but a simple google search explains Aspergers as being on the spectrum of autism. This is echoed by Janelle's mentions of his fanatical obsessive approach to things and crippling social awkwardness (entering a restaurant to quote the example she used), both apparently classic symptoms of the Aspergers disorder. Would love to hear you interview other metal musicians who may also suffer from mental illness and physical illness and specifically how they feel these disabilities may actually hinder or even help their art as Trey does, as Janelle explained. Aspergers is within the spectrum of autism so you can essentially say Trey is autistic, what an amazing story and creativity, well done mate.

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

Thanks Mike, that's a fantastic suggestion! Do you have any recommendations on how I could broach the subject without potentially offending my interviewee? My conversation with Donnie Vie from Enuff Z'Nuff touches on certain aspects of this topic.

[@mikerauter1859]

@@ScarsandGuitarspodcast Thanks Andrew, I acknowledge the sensitivity and respect needed to approach these themes without unintentional offense. Perhaps a warning of the delicate subject matter in the opening credits and links to mental health and disability services in the info under the title. We talk about mental health and disability in basically all other areas of life, would love to see the 'hard' men and women of metal be able to reach out for help and support too.

[@dimifisher]

It's not an illness, its just your brain functions differently

[@BrettVaughn]

Awesome insight. Thanks for all you do man!

[@bumpofdeath666]

Trey cool cause of him I felt like someone he just is for real he really. Cool 🎉

[@demonbell8258]

👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 awesome

[@theironforce3000]

Those are some serious mom answers. Sounds like a nice lady overall.

[@sapientiaovatlantis3249]

Thank you for this one

[@cudgel_metal]

totally agree with you on Illud. I liked it. The hatred was ridiculous.

[@redwatch1100]

Trey is the most Innovative rhythm player we have ever seen from any guitar player in general rock history. Nobody writes riffs like him.

[@billschwenke790]

Another good mention left out at the beginning are Kreator, Sodim, Celtic Frost/Hellhammer, and Entombed/Carnage...iirc, the early-mid 80s heavies

[@billschwenke790]

Typo obviously: Sodom

[@MrSimondaniel3]

yea it's curious how many Death Metal histories either don't mention Celtic Frost, or refer to them as a pre- DM influence. to me they seem like death metal. same with Sodom & possibly Kreator.

[@ZEPEH-46N2]

5:30 imagine being the lucky sob to hear our god Trey summon lava from the core of the earth for the first time in a guitar store… I can only imagine

[@fnuclone1229]

Amazing!

[@bk4698]

Very nice

[@image30p]

A trust type of interview. I'm interested because I also have a background in journalism.

[@billschwenke790]

Trey is George E the 3rd technically, isn't he? Great interview of course but not just in Metal but many Rock bands internally fall apart and it's a shame that lasts generations of fans

[@axilleaskazuya5370]

Woooow holy fuck, that's great

[@markcooperartcomofficial]

Too bad you can't interview Dallas Ward. No one wants to acknowledge his contributions, which to me is aggravating. I don't like rock star egos and you can't trust anything anyone says.

[@rottenroth]

Dallas was highly important to Niles sound, they are fucking great in their current form too but there was something special about him and so spot on as a guitarist and vocalist playing all that difficult shit flawlessly is just unbelieveable.

[@oliverphilippe3311]

Trey is the best along with randy Alex kk glen tony and the rest

[@Nissardpertugiu]

There s a lot of Downing in Trey s playing. Even in riffs, especially in stuff like antiquity stuff " invocation of continual "...

[@oliverphilippe3311]

@@Nissardpertugiu yes Chuck , Trey, and the Hoffman brothers took many riff ideas from kk and Glenn as well as randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen . As for black metal de mysteriis dom sathanas the song off the album title of mayhem almost sounds like the beginning riff in diary of a madman

[@meltv3399]

what album are yall talking about at 31:22?

[@MANGRINDER_band_]

Damn that intro by Erik is brutal 😂. Always thought he had a very cool deep voice

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

It’s a huge honour that he agreed to doing it. He’s a tremendous fella 🍺

[@assasinator1980]

That sounded like Satan himself 😂

[@adrianmercato3607]

I want to talk to Trey about jrpg's!

[@fredfredericks3496]

Nice woman. Trey, I hope you're ok, dude.

[@jorgeeljuri7776]

I told Dark Sproket to do music with me

[@Niarfor]

That's not Trey on Drum Check speaking

[@Nissardpertugiu]

The screaming in the middle of guitar sweeping its Trey

[@Niarfor]

@@Nissardpertugiu That might be Trey screaming, but that is NOT Trey speaking on that track when the guy is saying, "Okay Pete can we hear your kick drum please?"

[@joepotash234]

The guy speaking to Pete is actually Punchy, their engineer on that album and sound guy with other aspects in the band at different times

[@BillCoz]

Ted Nugent...the first metal band.. LOL moms are funny

[@Nissardpertugiu]

He had heavy stuff in 70's. The live album was savage

[@BillCoz]

@@Nissardpertugiu It wasn't "metal" though, hard/heavy rock yes, but not metal.

[@ivanaldomacena2969]

Hh!!!

[@billschwenke790]

Anti-god given talents, the Fallen Angel hahaha

[@SonOvLaw]

Dude is dead ass wrong about Kanye and The Kardashians 🙄

[@schlomogoldbergsilverman507]

wouldnt be better to talk to trey himself ?

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

Ugh… really?

[@zerothehero10]

Trey doesn't like doing interviews, he avoids them.

[@chrisg1621]

His mom doesn't seem like the type of person to overstep her boundaries in speaking on Trey's viewpoints and feelings.

[@xbreathingisirrelevantx]

Idk this level of insight is equally interesting because how often do you see the parent give their side of things?

[@macabre19]

Trey don't like interviews. It's probably difficult and uncomfortable for him.

[@afrya3307]

Dude sounds like you in love with Trey ...wanna marry him dude? he is just a guy who plays guitar lol

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

Does it feel good shitposting under an anonymous profile, dude?

[@johncodee9175]

​@@ScarsandGuitarspodcastWell said, Andy. Sodding trolls with nothing but brain-dead comments! 😫

[@azwris]

Άντε ρε παπάρα!

[@ZEPEH-46N2]

ANGEL AZAGTHOTH

[@dimifisher]

Why so harsh on Vincent man, have you heard Vltimas? It's a great band and he is not such a poser as many people make him out to be

[@ScarsandGuitarspodcast]

Who? Me? No way, he’s an icon of death metal. Have a listen to my chat with him.

[@dimifisher]

@@ScarsandGuitarspodcast Saying he could be in Bon Jovi the way he is, is not exactly a compliment

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Well considering David orchestrated the split from Trey and Richard and Mike in some stuff.

[@nathaninostroza7655]

​@@Nissardpertugiunah. Mike himself has said on interviews he was back then more hurt by Trey jumping on David Vincent s plan, not blaming David, since he gave Richard work too. And You know what? Mike says later in that interview, that he's ready to jam with Trey anytime soon if Trey wanna reach him. David was a businessman with a very singular talent, so him being a creative musician outside off death metal, then fine for him. I know it's tough to cut illud divinum insanus a slack due to it being a global dissapointment. But David being a poser and stuff, gimme a break. Still to this day, i think Steve Tucker s the more brutal singer, but David was always the better singer, he's really got a gift for a talent.

[@harryangel4822]

Oh, come on now. I was waiting for you to ask treys mother where and how he learned to bite himself to the point where it would make him bleed right before his concerts in the early days. 🩸 👈🏻

[@ryanmozert]

Or the fact that one of the tracks on altars of Madness is called blaspheming the Holy Ghost

[@ryanmozert]

don't blaspheme God. Ever. Period!!

[@SonOvLaw]

​@@ryanmozertsettle down Francis.

[@ryanmozert]

@@SonOvLaw no

[@MrSimondaniel3]

how he learned? you just bite real hard.