Greetings all. I hope you’re doing ok in this crazy world where greed and power are front and centre. I can’t control other’s actions, but i can control how i respond and what i do. At least that’s something. We’re lucky to have such great music around to focus on and enjoy. Lot’s of new music about. Aiming for more interviews this year to help keep humanity connected. Take it easy and take care out there. Horns up!
(Photo – Geneveive Rodda. Temtris)
Greg \Mh/
Greetings Endless Grin from Canberra Australia. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.
Congratulations on two brilliant releases. The newly released single ‘The Shadows’ and ‘Decode’ released on 31 st December 2021. They are both brutal onslaughts of pure sonic power and invention. Strong energetic performances and great audio production. The sound is passionate and massive.
Hey Greg, massive thank you for having us on and for your kind words, we’re beyond stoked that you’ve enjoyed our songs and I’m looking forward to diving in with this interview!
What does good mental health mean to you?
As you know Greg, I work in the field of mental health and I think this is a great question. I’ll try and answer it without sounding too clinical. All of us go through parts of life that cause, sadness, anxiety and stress, and some of us may even go through it more than others. I think good mental health begins by building a certain degree of self-esteem and self-confidence. I don’t mean thinking that you are top shit at everything, but knowing in yourself that you are enough and then learning to trust yourself to navigate the world because it is essentially innate that we are wired for survival. Remember that your self-worth should never be dictated by anyone but you. I believe the next step is learning ways to deal with stress and coping with adversity in a healthy and positive way.
Life is fucking hard and the obstacles are going to be there
whether we like it or not, but we can control how we let them shape us. There’s tons of resources out there that detail how people have overcome some of the worst situations in their lives. Talk to people, share your experiences and be open and flexible to change. I’m a big fan of Stoicism and I recommend reading “The Obstacle is the Way”. Be present in the moment. This sounds cliché as fuck but think about it. How many of us are stuck ruminating over the past or feeling anxious and planning for the future that we do not stop to just enjoy the present. Try it. Just actually stop what you’re doing right now and notice the smell in the air, the ground beneath your feet, or how your breathing sounds. That’s the thing I love about playing live because I get to immerse myself in everything that is going on around me at that point in time.
Do not be afraid to seek purpose. I believe having purpose in our lives, whatever that purpose may look like gives us a focal point, so that no matter what we encounter we know that we have something we are striving for. I also believe that your purpose whatever that may be should only be defined by you. Finally I think good mental health means taking care of your sleep. I say this but I’m probably the worst in the band for it.
Sleep is crucial to brain function and there’s a heap of research showing how even having a tiny lack of sleep can add up and have adverse effects on mental and physical health.
Great answer. What motivates you? What keeps you going?
The thing that motivates me I think is being able to play alongside my brother. It’s a lifelong dream and its easy because he’s such an awesome person and guitar player all round. He can also be fucking annoying but he’ll probably say the same about me. He keeps pushing the envelope and that definitely keeps me going because he shows me what is possible in terms of guitar playing and song writing. Coming together and playing with a group of like-minded metal heads is the other thing that motivates me. Everybody brings a perfect piece of the puzzle into the equation and its hard not to look forward to catching up with the band to make music. I think the best feeling of all however is bringing it all together on stage and just letting everything go in the moment. Seeing the crowd go wild at the end of it all makes everything worth it because I feel like they’ve literally shared a part of me and genuinely enjoyed it – and that makes me want to do more.
Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this?
Without getting into too much detail, Joel and I lost a close family member about 2 months ago. It is bloody hard but I’m thankful that we have people around us that we are able to confide in and talk to, friends and family which meant we were not necessarily processing things alone in our head. I never really had to deal with grief or loss at this level so it all came as a pretty rude shock to me but I learned that by looking at the times we had together and fondly remembering them rather than focusing on the loss helped me cope with it. The other thing I think Joel and I did was to try our best and keep to our routines as much as possible. I’m not saying we didn’t feel sad or we ignored it. When the feelings came up we let ourselves feel them but at the same time we tried to do everything we’d normally do just to keep some sense of normalcy in our lives and to keep inching forward.
My condolences to you and family. I think your answer will be very helpful to anyone experiencing loss at the moment. Thank you. What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?
For me making music is really about self-expression. I’ve always felt that an emotion or idea is always conveyed better when there is music paired with it. I do it because it’s fun, expressing yourself is cathartic and it is even more magical when 4 other people are in sync with you. You add the crowd to this and it’s just magic. The feeling never gets old for me.
When did you start making music? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?
Joel and I grew up in a household where there was always music so it was pretty normal for us to start dabbling in songwriting soon after we both picked up our instruments. Both of us played in different bands from a young age but we just never had the chance to play in the same band together I guess due to the fact that there is a 8year gap between us, me being the older one. I had actually stopped playing guitar for like 10 years until Joel moved from Singapore to Canberra in 2019 and that’s when I slowly picked it up again. I’d say I’m still getting into the grove f songwriting whereas Joel is just a machine. All of us are working full time pretty much but we make sure to carve out time to make music because it is important to us and it is fun. It does mean that we have to sacrifice certain other things but thankfully we all have pretty supportive partners in our lives and this makes it easy.
Your biography mentions the diverse musical backgrounds and experience of the members. How does the influence of Delhi, Singapore, Canberra, the world, impact your music?
I think in the fact that we aren’t purists. Different genres of metal like different cultures have elements that make it unique and wonderful. We’re not afraid to blend stuff in if we think it sounds good. I think the shadows is a good example of that.
Harshit’s vocals are incredible and drive home the bands powerful songs. How did you put the lyrics and vocal lines together? Do you have a whole lot of thoughts or ideas written down to draw upon, or do you wait to hear the music to get vocal ideas?
Harshit normally waits for us to give him the complete song. Sometimes we will give him a theme as well like for the Shadows we told him the song has to be about an assassin. If we don’t give him a theme then it is mostly him just coming up with a theme by himself and he will write lyrics that fit that theme.
I suppose it’s not difficult to find plenty to write about currently in Australia. What are some areas of life that are important to the band?
The Shadows started with Joel basically playing too much Hitman and then wanting to write a piece that reflected the tension and mystery of an assassin that infiltrated a party and went on a killing spree finally killing his target and slipping out amidst all the chaos. We conveyed this to Harshit and he basically took that and ran with it, crafting the story of the assassin that slays the wicked to free his people who are oppressed. We come from cultures where we’ve had to fight for freedom at one point or another so it tied in perfectly with our beliefs. We have themes that we are passionate about that will be obvious in our other songs but we usually write what we feel inspired by at the time and these tend to be tied into
the things we feel strongly about.
How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove?
Our songs are driven primarily by the guitars and vocals but it needs to have a solid foundation. I believe part of the reason why the guitars and vocals sound so good is because the bass and drums work in unison to bring our riffs to a different level. It is very important for the bass guitar and drums to be tight and form that foundation in which we can layer our guitar parts and vocals over.
Joel and Josh on guitars. Do you both give a lot of thought and arrangement with guitar parts, or do you have a more intuitive style where it just seems to fall together effortlessly?
Josh; For me it’s a mix of both, I usually hear a melody in my head and then sit down and figure out what it is. After that I try and break it down to see what is going on and how I can mess with the rhythms or the notes to make it more interesting. I like to get a fair bit of input from Joel first so there’s a bit of back and forth before the final parts get written. Generally I think being brothers lends itself to most of our guitar parts working well with each other? You tell me LOL
Joel: Part of my guitar practice includes lots of improvisation. Sometimes while exploring new ideas I will come up with very interesting lines which forces me to stop my practice and develop the idea. I often gravitate towards changes between riffs that are very bold and dramatic in nature. I would say 90% of the time we will come up with stuff where everything just seamlessly falls into place. I would attribute this to the fact that we both grew up playing guitar together and listening to the same kind of music. And honestly there is no better feeling than working with another guitarist who understands the music that we write together. The icing on the cake is that he is also my older brother as well so I get maccas after every jam session!
Love the improv angle! How was the recording process for The Shadows and Decode? Did you record it live, or record an instrument at a time etc? Have you been recording some new songs too?How is it going?
Covid threw a massive spanner in the works for us recording wise because we had pretty much recorded guitars for 4 tracks but then there was issues with the studio closing and as such we had to start from scratch. Joel basically took it upon himself to learn how to record and he has basically been
responsible for recording the band. We do it one instrument at a time and its been a learning process for him but it’s also pretty cool because now we have control over how we want things to sound before it gets sent off to be mixed and mastered.
What are your plans? Are you in the studio recording more material? Some more touring, or any dates you can mention?
Our drummer Jamie is a bona fide rocket scientist, who unfortunately has gotten a job offer in Auckland and is relocating there. We’re in the process of finalizing a new drummer and then it’ll pretty much be all systems go. The plan is to finish up one or two more originals before the end of the year and hopefully do some shows along the east coast so stay tuned!
Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or finding life difficult at the moment?
If you’re struggling right now please be kind to yourself. You are not alone in this and there are people out there that care immensely about you. Do not be afraid to lean on them for support. You are absolutely not a burden and just need a helping hand because you are experiencing a tough time that is out of your control. Reach out, talk, seek help, things can and will get better!
Thanks Endless Grin for taking the time to talk with us.
Greg \MH/.
Music links: https://www.facebook.com/endlessgrinofficial
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa1ICUwJpynavCwrGws4JoQ
– Greetings Gav. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here. Congratulations on your new release ‘In the Blood’. A great song and performance. The production and mix is outstanding, and the video clip looks ace!
Gav (Vocals): Thanks for those kind words Greg. A lot of DIY effort went into making it as good as we could. We’ve had a great response so far.
What does good mental health mean to you?
G: To me good mental health is a sense of contentment and confidence in your emotions and abilities. Being able to cope with uncertainty and manage changing circumstances well. I suppose I’d characterise it mostly as an absence of doubt in your intrinsic worth or the value that you bring to the people you’re around or the activities and environments that you find yourself in.
– This is a question i would usually ask pre – pandemic, but either way, how is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or a big gig. Is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? Or during a pandemic?! If so, how do you adjust/cope?
G: Generally speaking, we’re all pretty normal guys. We’ve got families, day jobs and the usual life stuff. There’s always a bit of a comedown after the build up to a significant gig or series of gigs; kinda like the post xmas blues. So we’d typically just focus on the normal stuff and plan for the next ones. But the Covid situation was a complete anomaly in that respect. It added an extra layer of uncertainty where nothing was “normal” and longer term planning went out the window. I suppose we were affected much like every other musician in that way. When everything shut down we were planning a tour then live shows were taken away and nobody knew if or when they would be coming back, so we found ourselves at bit of a loss. So we turned to writing but the initial stages of the pandemic enforced isolation from each other and couldn’t meet up and write in our practice space as we’d normally do. So we just had to find other solutions to keep the ball rolling, be patient and wait and see how things developed.
What motivates you? What keeps you going?
G: I’m motivated by creativity and connecting with others.
– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this?
G: When I was in my early 30s I had my lowest point mentally. The scariest part was not noticing that it was taking hold. I’d always been pretty positive and un-phased by most things up to that point, but found myself in a deep dark hole, and I couldn’t see any light on the horizon. I couldn’t identify any particular causes – to outside eyes and even myself I wasn’t particularly hard done by, had a decent job, somewhere to live, a partner who loved and supported me – all the standard life stuff was in place, but internally I had an all encompassing melancholy and general lack of purpose/direction/motivation. Just a numbness about most things.
This was before I joined Centrilia, and after splitting with my previous band – a period of time where I had no creative outlet to speak of – reflecting back on that time this was been a major factor. I was just existing – doing the ‘stiff upper lip’ bit and soldiering on.
Eventually my physical health suffered and I reached breaking point where I cracked up emotionally. I was forced to confront the monkey on my back and be open up to my wife about how I just wasn’t okay. Around that time we’d just conceived our first kid which was no doubt subconsciously adding to the existential crisis too. We made a plan for me to take some time out, stop working and I was going to focus on the kid when he arrived. Then around the same time I got a new boss at my job. I had really open conversations with them about it all; they convinced me to give them 6 months and let them try different working arrangements and help me to sort out my work/life balance. They were unbelievably supportive and it was like a weight coming off, I’ll be forever grateful to them for the empathy they had for me. Their showing some belief in me allowed me to start believing in myself again. I found a new rhythm and some stability to hang on to and gradually clawed my way back into myself. I started reaching out to musicians to find a new band. Hooked up with our Guitarist Davy who I’d known for years and was starting a new project which eventually became Centrilia and the rest is history. The lessons I learned from that shitty experience was how to identify those thoughts & feelings when they occur – they still do from time to time. When they start creeping in again I know I need to externalise them and drag them into the light – communication is key.
I agree. Communication and connection are key. No human is an island. Isolation can be dangerous. What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?
G: Making music is a primal urge for me – without it, it’s like I’m missing a limb. It acts like a form of meditation. A central point of focus where I can escape or process my thoughts. If you’re lucky at the end of the process you’ve birthed something meaningful and interesting to others. At the very least you’ve scratched your creative itch. The writing process is addictive. When everyone’s intuition starts to synchronise it’s unlike anything else and difficult to describe to someone who hasn’t experienced it first hand.
When did you start making music? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?
G: Like most, I started in high school. A guy in my year had started a band playing covers and was looking for a singer. We were into the same bands, so I, full of piss and vinegar, thought “I can do that” and went down to a rehearsal to try out. First time on a mic – “Propaganda” by Sepultura haha. Music and the band quickly became the central focal point of my life – everything I did was music or band related. Eventually we progressed from covers to original songs – the songs were terrible. Eventually we developed taste and the songs became less terrible. You learn your craft by failing a lot I suppose.
The more failure the better, as long as we get up again, and grow. It means we are trying. I love your debut album ‘’In the name of nothing’ from 2019. Aside from the excellent sound production and musical performance, what stands out for me is the bands use of syncopation. What i mean is throughout the album there are some powerful ‘choppy’ sort of rythymic synchronised musical bits which punctuate the songs and cut through, demanding the listeners attention. Drums are big and solid, and right on it without overplaying. Guitars are tight, harmonious and intricate. Bass is strong and supportive, Vocals are in your face and expressive with a great tone.
G: Too kind. Thanks dude.
How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove?
G: For the style of music we play, yes tightness in the rhythm section is absolutely critical. Without that foundation everything just else falls apart. We tend to write in a way where each element has its own space to breathe and flourish where it needs to – but always in service of the song as a whole and aiming for as many hooks and grooves as we can. We are very guitar driven and usually that’s where the song will start from – a riff or a hook. Vocals are just another instrument in that in that mix. When it comes to words I see my job as interpreting the music – I translate the emotion of the music to add some meaning/context.
How was the recording process for your last record ‘In the blood’? Did you record it live, or record an instrument at a time etc?
G: We had planned on recording & releasing more music in 2021, but the disruption of Covid put a kibosh on that. So ‘In The Blood’ came about as a concerted effort to release at least one single before the end of the year. A kind of ‘up yours’ to Covid if you like. The recording was split out by instrument across a week and similar to the last album we did a lot of pre-production to iron out the structure beforehand, so when we went into the studio we were well prepared. We worked with our good friend Steven Jones again on this one, so we were on familiar ground. (Steven is a disgustingly talented guitarist and songwriter in his own right and plays with the excellent Scottish band Bleed From Within). We had tracked the album ‘In The Name Of Nothing’ with Steven but also asked him to mix this time round. His bandmate Scott, who’s always been very complimentary about us, was kind enough to lend himself to the track as a guest vocal – they were in the studio finishing off their own upcoming album around the same time we were in so it all worked out quite well.
So what are your plans? Some more touring or any dates you can mention? Is the live scene opening up there?
G: Things are so uncertain live wise we’re just going to be focusing on more studio time and writing the next releases.
Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or finding life difficult at the moment?
G: My advice is: Don’t be afraid to show your vulnerability or admit when you’re overwhelmed. The world is chaotic, and the natural response to chaos is to get overwhelmed. But you can take steps to minimise the chaos. Just do the next ‘right’ thing – whatever that is. Whether that’s getting out of bed, making a meal, going for a walk. Speak to someone to externalise the emotions.
– Thanks Gav for taking the time to talk with us. Greg \Mh/.
Band music links: https://www.facebook.com/Centrilia/
Website: https://www.centrilia.com/
photo: Stephen Dewar Visuals
Warm greetings to all. It’s been a hard year for most of us. Many live music tours have been on, then off again due to the pandemic. But there has been a lot of music also made at home, in the shape of live broadcasts, and albums/recording projects. Lockdowns have provided an opportunity for many musicians to collaborate online with others from across the globe, or even across the street. I look forward to interviewing various artists about what they’re up to and how they’re managing mental health. Let’s hope the world and live music opens up again real soon where all are as safe as possible. Take it easy on yourself.
Greg \MH/
(photo – Genevieve Rodda of Temtris.)
Hello Narshadden. Welcome to Metal Health. Congratulations on your music to date. I’m enjoying listening to ‘A silence across lands’ your release from 2018, along with the tracks ‘Forsaken’ (2019) and ‘Bridge to sorrow’ from last year. Some beautiful gentle solo bass and guitar beginning those tracks respectively, before glorious musical mayhem is unleashed! Some very nifty guitar work on ‘Unholy Witchcraft III’ your latest release from May 2020. Congratulations on the great music to date.
What does good mental health mean to you?
Good mental health to me means that you’re in a good and healthy mindset, having the right people and good relationships with those people and your hobbies. Keeping headstrong at work and in everyday life isnt easy but there’s always support and be able to maintain a health headspace.”
How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?
“I don’t currently tour but it is something I’d love to do if the opportunity arises.”
What motivates you? What keeps you going?
“Listening to metal, I always hear something in a track like a riff or a drum beat and I just have the urge to make something up to that riff or drum beat, and just the satisfaction of knowing that there people out in the world to listen to my music, keeps me pushing on.”
Are you a positive thinker? How do you stay positive?
i’m not always a positive thinker but i always try to think positively, i stay positive by just listening to music and hanging out with supportive and loving people, recording music is a great escape to express and release things”
“I have been through some rough times, work related issues and suffering from anxiety and depression. I made a few changes including job changes and seeing people for my mental health.
Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.
I used to go home and scream my heart out to release all the negative crap that built up at work or after a crap day,”
What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?
“I make music for personal development and to build a fan base, i did it originally to release my problems and express it musically, now i do it because i know there’s people out there that listen and to get better musically”
When did you start making music? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?
“I started recording and releasing music a couple of years ago when I was 18, I’m 20 now. it was something i always wanted to do… I wasn’t worried about negativity, I just wanted to get something out there. it fit into my life by being a release and a place to be for myself. Metal has been a huge part of my life since I was 12 and it was just a dream to be able to create something and I’ve pushed to start making that dream come true.
How important is it for the bass and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove?
“Drums and guitar is more important for me to be tight, my music is very raw and not well produced, i like to match the guitars with my voice to make an impact and atmosphere with the drums, The bass in my recording can be very subtle for intros and be a inaudible wall of noise for background effect for harsher segments, I don’t try to make a groove but to build a depressive/atmospheric sound, it isn’t meant to be easy listening.”
How is the recording process for you? Do you bang it down live with other musicians where possible, or record one instrument at a time, etc? I see you’re a multi instrumentalist!
“I record all instruments individually, my drums used to be real but now I’ve moved on to programming. normally goes drums, guitar, bass then vocals, i write my vocals after the instrumental is complete. I’d like to try a band with other musicians but it’s hard to find someone with the same ideas and mindset.
It’s all made up on the spot with the song title already made, the new EP This cold… dark winter has all the titles already made and i build the song to that title.
How was/is the songwriting process for you emotionally? Does the music seem to come easily?
“Music seems to come pretty easy to me. I’m not a great musician but I’m not afraid to show emotion and opinions through music. the more i release and create the better i’ll get, i started guitar around 3 years ago and i don’t learn songs i just make my own, that’s the process i like and i’ll keep.”
So what are your plans ? Depending on the covid situation, any touring or gigs you can mention? Any other projects musical or otherwise happening? I read on your Facebook page you have an E.P. almost completed? Sounds interesting.
“The only plan I have currently is focussing on this EP. I’ve been struggling to get motivated but now I’ve sorted stuff out. I’m going to get something together by the end of 2021 and early 2022.
It has been interesting so far, spending more time trying to get the sounds I want and aiming for a slightly better production level. recording hasn’t moved too far but it’s starting to kick off now.
I’m also considering putting my name out there looking to create a project or join a project with different people… but we’ll see.”
Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or finding life difficult at the moment?
“There’s always someone out there that will support you, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. There’s lots of different ways to deal with mental health, mine is music and someone else’s could be walking or listening to music.
There’s more support out there than you think so don’t be afraid to reach out. It was something I always used to hide but I talked to someone and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It helped a lot.
We all have troubles but don’t give up and push through it will work out in the end.”
Well said. It’s ok to reach out, and we should if we’re not feeling ok. Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with your upcoming music albums. Greg \Mh/
Thank you for the opportunity of an interview, i hope everything is good and stay safe
Thanks Narshadden of Volkume.
Music links for the band: https://www.facebook.com/Volkume666
Greetings friends.
It occurs to me that the Corona virus is the least of our worries compared to the current public panic and worry/anxiety we are experiencing, such as in supermarkets (non mainstream food supply tip= health food/ Asian supermarkets). The mental health fallout and consequences are to me, more dangerous than the virus. Remember, most people recover with rest. Unfortunately there are tough times now and ahead for awhile for many people employed in hospitality and entertainment. There’s talk of govt’s providing financial assistance to people affected. We’ll see if that happens in time. Try to take it easy if u can. Look after yourself and your family. Try to check in on friends, neighbours. This will pass soon enough. If u want to talk, i’m around.
Talk soon. Greg \Mh/
Happy new year everyone!
Hope you are good and ready to give it plenty in 2020. There will be lots of new and great music being made to be sure. We have more interviews with metal artists and people who have something to say around mental health coming up.
On a more sobering note. Major bushfires are burning around Australia at the moment, sadly resulting in loss of life and property. Our thoughts are with all affected by the fires. In Victoria if you want to help, you can donate here https://www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/make-a-donation/bushfire-disaster-appeal/?fbclid=IwAR26-dr3dRyjJm9wom-pUNR-dzNV9uuNkTOgFUxF6FM0RAi6HcBS6cC7IA8
Take it easy and talk soon.
Greg \Mh/
Greetings friends. Hope you’re good.
The other day I caught up with groove metal duo Neorythm, currently based in Rovaniemi, Finland for a yak about mental health. The band was formed over 300 years ago, so i suspect these ‘temporary conductors of the eternal’ may have learnt a thing or two about mental health over the years. Read on……
– Hello Neorhythm! Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.
Red1: Greetings!
Red2: Tekhae erruob!
– What does good mental health mean to you?
Red1: It is enough for me to feel that I am on the right way. If it is, then everything is fine with health.
Red2: The state corresponding to the healthy natural balance of the three-dimensional world, correlating with the full physical health, with all the included and well-functioning neural-psychological barriers and protective reactions. Thinking in the direction of creation and goodness.
– How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?
Red1: We are always at home and at the same time always on the road. This is a very conditional division of concepts … The most important thing is how we perceive reality. Thus, we are always ready for any difficulties.
– What motivates you? What keeps you going?
Red2: Understanding of our infinity and the omnipotence of our mind and strength. The desire not to lose this cosmic perfection, presented to us by nature, but constantly ruined by ourselves.
Red1: I am motivated by the fact that we do not know much about the world around us. Continuous thirst for knowledge and new horizons.
– Are you positive thinkers? How do you stay positive?
Red2: Certainly yes. Positive prolongs life (and there is nothing better than immortality!), and we have it for many centuries. Just everything is nothing. All – there are little things. And everything can please.
Red1: I can’t always be positive. The world is not perfect and often I experience negative emotions that I try to use for good. It helps me focus on a specific problem and write music about it. I would even say that I need negative emotions. But I can control it, so there are no problems.
– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.
Red2: Of course there were, we are not iron. But hard times are given to overcome and grow, and also so that they are erased like dust from the consciousness afterwards.
Red1: Times can’t be tough or easy. To any difficulties in life leads a certain chain of events. We try to foresee this.
– What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it? Is it simply the opportunity for self expression?
Red2: Great happiness. A surge of internal energy, giving life.
Red1: For me, music is life itself. If I could not make music, I would not. It is like the ability to talk or watch.
– I note the band formed over three hundred years ago, but when did you start making music individually? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did mak-ing music fit in with the rest of your life?
Red2: The music is infinite, it was always there, and before our birth, it is the breath of “god”. We are only temporary conductors of the eternal.
Red1: Yes, he said everything correctly. Is always.
– I have just been listening to Nanogods from your Facebook page. Some nifty right hand syncopation work on the guitar riffs. I also love Diatribe. Great song! ‘Gravediggers of the earth, you are like parasites, on mother’s body’. It’s a great lyric, and a necessary reminder of the damage being done to this planet in the name of greed. Do you do any other work in the area of conservation or social issues?
Red1: I have no purpose to write complex music. I just try to convey my thoughts on the strings. If syncopes sound good, they will be there. If not, I’ll remove it and play differently. These techniques are simply a way to convey the right musical atmosphere, a way to highlight something, and to put something in the background.
Red2: As for our poems, our message, for which I am responsible – I am a poet, my work is a word, so I try to change the world by that. Everyone has their own purpose, and who knows what is more important.
– How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see the guitars and voice fitting in the groove?
Red1: Oh, this is the question that always interests me. We used a large number of different recording techniques before we achieved the desired rhythm section sound. Guitar work usually goes a little easier. The voice in our songs is a complete instrument, just like a guitar or a snare drum. It requires some space in the mix. Now we have started sharing multitracks of our songs on the Patreon page. There you can study in more detail the sound of the instruments and production as a whole. https://www.patreon.com/neorhythm/
– How was the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?
Red1: We use a common song recording scheme. First drums, then bass, guitars and at the very end we record vocals. There are only two participants in Neorythm, which is not enough for recording at one time.
– So what are your plans? I read you are recording a new album? How is that going? Some more touring or any dates you can mention?
Red1: Yes, now we are working on new songs. It will be a big, conceptual, unusual album. Currently four songs are ready. We really want to finish recording this summer and release an album this year. You can listen to the demos on the Patreon page, as well as some parts of new songs on Instagram.
Red2: Believe, our second album will be very interesting in its theme!
– Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?
Red2: The most valuable is the secret.
Red1: At the moment we are on Earth, where many people live. Anyway, we communicate with earthlings and influence what is happening here. You can hear our work in other projects, but no one knows that this is our own work.
– Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?
Red2: Know yourself!
Red1: Be yourself!
– Thank you Red 1 and Red 2 from Neorythm for taking the time to talk with us. All the best with the new album and future projects!
Greg \Mh/
Some links to the bands music below:
Red1 – music
Red2 – lyrics, messages
https://neorhythm.bandcamp.com/
https://www.patreon.com/neorhythm
LP Zetetic http://smarturl.it/zetetic
EP Meteoric Thoughts http://smarturl.it/meteoric_thoughts
https://www.facebook.com/neorhythmofficial/