Your debut album “The Laws Of Power” was out on 17th of March – how are the reactions? Do you even care what people talk/write about you and your music?
The reactions have been mixed to say the least, which was expected. Many people now-days just don't get the old school early 90's stuff. They didn't grow up with it, none of their friends listened/listen to it, and they simply don't care. A lot of people saying, “The production needs some work.” Well that is probably because we chose to do it that way! Drums are not grid edited or sample replaced, no metronome was used for recording, very minimal editing, this is as raw as we could possibly make it without sacrificing quality. We wanted this sound from the beginning, everyone is expecting pablumized, by the numbers, easily digestible music these days, and dammit we aren't having it!
As far as caring about reviews, I'm not gonna lie I do to a point. It is hard to ignore someones critique of music you have put your blood, sweat and tears into. At the end of the day most of these reviewers get a cd on their desk, are told to review it by lunch, and slap together a haphazard “review”, drop in a couple old school band references, ie, Sadus, Morgoth, etc, slap a 7 on it and call it a day. One guy gave us a lower review because we included the EP on the album for free... Said it dragged the album on. News flash that's not part of the new album you are supposed to be reviewing! At the end of the day we are a new band, and nobody owes us shit, so we don't mind paying our dues, but some people really get it, and that makes it all worth it in the end.
You started a few years ago as a Grindcore/Death Metal band: What brought you to your current old school death metal sound?
We never set out to make this sound, that is the best part haha. I (Jesse) moved to Vancouver in Spring 2011 to continue my old band, Red Kahn, more of a thrash band where I did guitar and vocals. Very quickly I realized everyone and their mother was trying to start a band. I hooked up with some old school guys out here and met one of my lifelong friends, who began to get me into much heavier music, like locals Abuse, Crackwhore, Sinned, etc.
I was always more into thrash, and older death metal, but the BDM started to creep it's way in. We found a guttural vocalist and played one show. He skipped town, I took over vocal duties, and the rest is history. We just kept writing new shit and this is what came out I guess.
What was your first encounter with this kind of music?
Being a teenager in a small town, Medicine Hat, Alberta, me and all my buddies would listen exclusively to tapes, mostly old heavy metal, thrash and death metal. I was always into things like Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, etc, but the album that sealed the deal for me was, Blessed Are The Sick by Morbid Angel. Got that on tape and changed the game. Read all the lyrics, worshiped that album. Special shutout around that time also to Once Upon The Cross by Deicide, Blasphemy Made Flesh by Cryptopsy, and Annihilation of The Wicked by Nile.
In your promotion text you advance a pretty negative opinion about modern, more technical varieties of death metal. Don't you think that 90's death metal wasn't more than just a technical and sonic progression of the then existing types of metal?
Very true! I agree, death metal was the natural progression of thrash, into a more brutal/evil/technical form. Shortly after that it stagnated, followed by the amazing BDM scene that emerged next. But as far as music goes, right now, this very moment, it seems like a lot of it is missing it's “soul.” There is no emotion other than brutality or technicality. It doesn't make me think, it doesn't make me feel. If music doesn't make you feel a certain way, then it is of no use to me. If I listen to a band and all I think is, “Damn that guy must practice a lot.” there is probably something missing haha.
What do you consider the most interesting development in music within the last ten years?
This answer is going to come out of left field, and it will probably make a few people question our/my KVLT status, but as listed above I feel most music is stagnating currently, not just metal. I (Jesse) don't speak for the rest of the band here, but I am huge into early 90's rap. Specifically the dark/evil/demonic rap coming out of Memphis Tennessee in the early 90's, such as Three Six Mafia, Lord Infamous, Tommy Wright III etc. So my current pic would be a guy called, Ghostemane from Florida.
He has been putting out music for about 3 years, and has close to 15 albums, all available free on Bandcamp. He is the only artist I can think of that is creating a “new” type of music. Blending grindcore, death metal, black metal with early 90's memphis rap. With songs like “Euryonymous” and “John Dee” producing some really creepy vibes, and some of the darkest music videos in existence. I saw him wearing a Chuck Schuldiner (RIP) tribute shirt in a music video and it was all over for me haha. If you want a good example of what I mean look up, “Exhumed” by him off his album Rituals.
Whitney Moore from metalsucks.net once described death metal as the “spooky cousin” of scary/evil black metal – what comes first for you, the dark and menacing side of the music, not least being expressed through lyrics and imagery, or the “fun factor” (bang your head, get wasted, have a good time listening to fast, rhythmic, energetic music)?
Hard question! I really enjoy dark evil music, but I like a balance. On our album the lyrics are mostly about personal strength, power and how to deal with hardships, akin to Crowbar. Then others are more horror based ie, Decapitated By Beasts. I enjoy dark lyrics and imagery for sure, but we also don't promote a lifestyle of “getting wasted.” I am very much into bodybuilding and personal strength and development, so I would prefer our whole crowd eating chicken breasts and doing squats, but I don't expect that anytime soon haha.
As far as fun factor goes it is high on the list. I want our shows to be high energy, good times, with lots of laughing between songs and a good vibe. I'm tired of going to oppressive shows where nobody talks to each other, and everyone just stands around with their arms crossed before going outside to suck down another pack of cancer. Balance is key.
Speaking of fun: On your regularly fed Youtube channel one can find live clips, vlogs about boozy camping trips and – a charity appeal to finance a new PS 4 for your drummer and “band dad” (?) through crowdfunding?? Could you please recount, what's that all about?
Well I (Jesse) am a video editor. I have a lot of resources at my disposal, so I try to do a lot of different content. If I have an idea I think is funny, I do it. That was literally how that go fund me happened, we made 100 bucks from that btw. Most of that is literally how we are off stage. When we are hanging out we are always laughing our asses off, we are all best friends. We aren't acting for the camera or anything, just documenting every day life. We went camping, I brought my camera, shot some dumb shit and tossed it together. If you find us after we get off stage that is probably what we will be like. I think it adds a new dimension to the band. That is just how we are off stage. We like to have fun. Once we are on the stage and it's time to perform, you will witness a very different beast.
Would you swap today's Youtube/Bandcamp etc. for a flourishing, world wide tape trading community?
Hmm not sure on that one. On one hand tape trading sounds like it was a great experience, but as I am pretty young, 26, I never experienced it first hand. The mysticism of just getting a tape and not knowing anything about the band other than the music sounds like a wicked experience, but it is simply not possible anymore with today's access to information at your fingertips.
On one hand you can find any music, from any band, from any year, within 30 seconds, so in that respect it is better than it has ever been. I don't think anyone has figured out the new model for being successful in this medium. Hence why we are trying to try new things in this field of “social media.” Labels don't do what they used to, they don't operate the same way. The band itself has to be willing to promote their own work, and sell themselves. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing for a band willing to put in the work.
What is the perfect death/thrash metal album?
Hardest question yet! I'm going to assume you mean best mix of thrash and death metal, and not just best death metal album or best thrash metal album haha. My pick would have to be, Slaughter In The Vatican by Exhorder. Such a huge influence on my riffing style and vocal delivery. Glad to see them getting a bit more recognition these days. A close second would be an album I only recently found but that has take over my life. Fatal Exposure by Chemical Breath. Also huge shoutout to Oppressor, one of my favorite bands ever, check out Solstice of Oppression. One more for good measure, Idolatry by Devastation, these 4 albums are essential for any Death/Thrash fan.
The band has gone through several line-up changes during the last few years. How did that influence your musical development and where do you see yourself in the near and remote future?
Ahh yes, lineup changes, a necessary evil it seems haha. It pretty much came down to finding members all moving in the same direction, willing to put in the work, and put the band first, above their girlfriends, friends, jobs, and any other commitments. On the new material we are writing, we are writing more as a band. We are a cohesive unit, with a slightly more focused direction. Everyone has really come into their own, so I foresee a truly crushing sophomore album in the future.
Thanks a lot for your time! I hope you're doing well and to hear more of you in the future! And please forgive me all the language mistakes I have certainly made. ;)
Not at all, your English isn't nearly as bad as my German is! Cheers and thank you for your time! PREPARE TO BE ASSIMILATED!
