Interview – SKULLSMASHER (USA)

SKULLSMASHER is grinding from California, USA which is currently consists of Andrew (guitar/bass/vox) and Jimi (drums). The band released “Cranial Emulsification” Tape in 2018 (limited edition tapes made by Night Rhythms Recordings) and limited to 25 dubbed cassettes “Promo 2018” through Nameless Grave Records. Debut full-length “Rocket Hammer Brain Surgery” was unleashed somewhere in March/April 2019; CDs by Selfmadegod Records and cassette-tapes via collaboration of Acid Redux Productions and Nameless Grave Records. SKULLSMASHER is recently (in August, 2020) back with new brand EP entitled “Advanced Disco Theory” so you guys should check it out now! – Interview by Harshziqr [13.09.2020]

First of all, please introduce Skullsmasher; history and lineup?

We’re a grindcore band based out of the Bay Area, California. It started with my friend Brandon (Azath, Draghkar) on guitar, and some of our other mutual friends on drums and bass. They put out a demo but got super busy and dropped the project; me (Andrew, I also do Azath and Ripped to Shreds) and Brandon got to talking about doing a super fast grind band and decided to revive Skullsmasher, and we wrote an album in a couple of weeks and put it out with Selfmadegod records. Jimi (Human Obliteration) joined the band on drums maybe half a year after that: he was moving up to northern California for school so it worked out that me and him would be able to jam together. Brandon ended up quitting cause he was too busy with all his other stuff going on, so now it’s just me and Jimi.

Please describe your music and sound? Bands that influenced?

We play fast melodic riffs and fast blastbeats. I mostly do high vocals. Some of the big influences on our music would Gridlink, Cloud Rat, Insect Warfare, Orchid, or Deterioration. 

What are the topics and messages written in the lyrics?

The lyrics are all about my feelings. I’m not good at expressing myself directly, so I have to disguise them in metaphor. In Skullsmasher, I don’t write about video games or anime purely because I enjoy that particular show or game a lot, but because a particular scene or image is reminiscent of some feeling.

Tell us further about the latest release “Advanced Disco Theory”?

I wrote it quite a while ago… I would say around mid 2019, and we recorded it at the end of the year. It took a while to come out since our original plan for it fell through. I wanted to focus on the melodic elements that were present in Rocket Hammer and bring them to the forefront, and also up the crusty punky feel. But there’s still a lot of straight forward grinding.

What would you like to say about “Rocket Hammer Brain Surgery”?

It’s a bit different stylistically from Advanced Disco Theory. It’s less subtle and more like a brick to the face with the blasting and thick riffs. It actually uses a drum machine, not a human drummer. I’m still very proud of it and plan on playing quite a few tracks off it live.

How do you see the band progressed musically since the early days?

When Brandon started it was more like Impetigo and Repulsion, thick death metal and primitive grind. Now it’s just fast fast fast.

Next releases and future plans?

Next is a split with Fake Meat; Harlan (Bodies Lay Broken, The Men’s Toilet) on guitar/vox and Sleazy Derek (Myxoma, Brain Corrosion) on drums. They’re finishing up their full length album but next on their plate is our split. They’re good friends of mine and have performed on a bunch of my releases, Derek sang live for Ripped to Shreds in Taiwan and I played guitar in Extremely Brutal with Harlan at Antimusic Fest. 

Also once this pandemic bullshit is finally over me and Jimi will be performing these songs live ASAP… The Men’s Toilet was supposed to come to California and we were going to play with them but obviously all that got canceled.

Thanks for your time. Last words?

You can still grab our new EP from our bandcamp. Also be sure to check out the recently released Human Obliteration album! Stay grind and stay fast!

facebook.com/skullsmashergrind

skullsmasherdeath.bandcamp.com

Interview – MICROBIOVIRGEN (Ecuador)

That’s the result of quarantine and dadaism. No politics, no ecclesiastic. Spontaneous, creative, noisy, chaotic. MICROBIOVIRGEN from Machala, Ecuador loves Noise and Chaos as a means of reaction. Sebastian speaks… – Interview by Harshziqr [04.09.2020]

Hello dude. What encouraged you to form Microbiovirgen? Introduce a bit about yourself?

Microbiovirgen was formed in April 2020 (quarantine) in Switzerland by a single member Sebastian from Ecuador, South America.

How do you define Microbiovirgen, both musically and soundwise?

Microbiovirgen is spontaneity influenced by Dadaism and chaotic by noise, those are the foundations of creation, not music, not pretty. The idea is always to destroy the forms. Not only auditory but also visual. Musically, there is no technique, there is no harmony, only chaos.

What are among the (other) bands that really influenced you?

Really influences not only come from bands but also from external noise. Too many to mention. Bands from Ecuador I would say Chancro Duro, N-ch, Ente, Operacion Canguro, and international bands Pigsty, Alienation Mental, Infest, Napalm Death, Fuck The Fact, Nasum, Torsofuck, Sete Star Sept, Cephalic Carnage, Purulent Jacuzzi, Psyopus and many others.

What have been recorded and released (so far) by Microbiovirgen?

I have recorded 8 demo Tracks and the moment I am working on a debut Split, which will be released later this month. (all Tracks were recorded in a home studio).

Tell us the subjects and messages written  in the lyrics?

All lyrics of the songs are about the irony of the world where we live. Politics, Ecclesiastic, Corruption. The irony of human development…!!

Next releases and future plans?

The plan is to continue recording songs for a future demo.

What is your opinion about noise/grind scene nowadays?

Every time there are many more annexed and experimental genres, which I think is very good and has made the scene grow a lot. 

Thanks for your time. Last words?

Thank you very much for the interview and the support. Cheers…!!

facebook.com/microbiovirgenunofficial

microbiovirgen.bandcamp.com

Interview – RIP (Malaysia)

RIP from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan (Malaysia) is quite a new name in local underground scene and they claimed their brutal noisy music as WarGrind! This band was formed in 2019, and now on their way to blast your ears with debut EP tentatively entitled “Unconditional War”. – Interview by Harshziqr [02.09.2020]

Introduce us band history and lineup?

Our band was first plan in a whatsapp group, where our frontman called each bandmate to form a grindcore band. The guitarist is new into the scene. While, bassist, drummer and vocalist quite an old-timer. To continue the legacy of Psychotic Sufferance. The main man Amir. RIP lineup are:

Min (ex Ventrical) - Bassist

Fahmi (ex Mental Phobia) - Drummer

Mox (ex Destheria) - Vocalist

Ajiq - Guitarist

What does RIP mean / stand for?

RIP stand for Radical Interference Persecution.

Could you define your music and influences?

We tried the experimental between War Metal and Grindcore. The mixed combination will produce the sound of wargrind. Its like the new subgenre we into. The inspiration we took in producing the music of our own are from varieties of old school classics and some modern era of grindcore and metal band likes Napalm Death, Nasum, Terrorizer, Magrudergrind, Anal Cunt, Regurgitate, Exhumed, Dying Fetus, Sepultura, Nunslaughter, Aborted, Carcass and last but not least Psychotic Sufferance.

What were written in your lyrics?

We express the lyrics to potray the benefits, cruelty, damages, and the untold story of war. Also we voice the unmoral activities of humankind.

What were recorded and released so far?

First EP will be released on 19th December 2020. It was recorded at Ballistic Studio Seremban. Fully engineered by Fahmi. Start the recording session on 7th August 2019. The Premiere music video of our track in EP have been release in Youtube. Search for RIP - Panic Disorder Premiere Track.

What do you hope for your band in the future?

All we wanted is to make grindcore great again. Make it phenomenal and worldwide.

What’s your comment about grind scene in Malaysia?

So far, our scene is doing well. We hopefully to seek more grindcore band from our local scene to go for international market. In local Grind scene, we being supportive despites the ideology and beliefs. Keep the spirit. The ideology is main reason why underground scene cant go further. Quite frustrating. We have to change this. Dont let it burden our small scene. Plese we begging for this to change.

Thanks for your time. Last words?

We RIP will try our best delivered what special and unique atmosphere of the grindcore era. Thanks for interviewing us Harshziqr. We really appreciate this opportunity.

facebook.com/ripwargrind
instagram.com/rip_wargrind

Interview – PRIMORDIAL HARVEST (USA)

PRIMORDIAL HARVEST from Columbus, Ohio (USA) created during quarantine period due to Covid-19. This one-man band project did not take long to release the debut tape “Malevolent Mask”. – Interview by Harshziqr [01.09.2020]

What encouraged you to form Primordial Harvest? Tell us the band history and current lineup?

The main reason Primordial Harvest was formed was because of quarantine, I had so much time on my hands, I decided to create a new project and see what I could do with it. I’ve been writing this stuff since about March of 2020 and hope to put out more this year. Currently, the only member of the band is myself (Alex) but I’ll recruit some friends for when we can finally play shows again.

How do you describe your music and sound? Where do the influences come from?

Our sound walks the line between hardcore and grindcore - short songs and breakdowns are essential. The bands that really influenced this are Weekend Nachos, Wormrot and Agoraphobic Nosebleed.

Please explain further about your lyrical themes and the messages?

I think the lyrics mostly revolve around mortality and personal struggle. I always struggle with the concept of life and death because it does bring me existential dread constantly but at the end of the day, there is nothing we can do about. The only thing we can do is continue to live and enjoy what little time we have on this planet.

Please inform us about the release of “Malevolent Mask”?

Malevolent Mask is a great introduction for us and is available everywhere now. I am excited with the response so far but I can’t wait to release more stuff later this year and show everyone how our sound is continuing to develop.

Do you really satisfy with the recording quality and the mixing/mastering outputs?

I think our first release sounded great recording wise, my friend Robert did an exceptional job. I will say that our next release will sound a bit more noisey and abrasive.

What would be your next releases and future plans?

The current goal is to keep pushing the EP, release some merch and then by November / December of this year (2020), I am planning to drop some new stuff. Hopefully by this time next year we are also playing shows throughout the US.

Tell us a bit about the grind / noise / brutal music scene in Columbus, Ohio?

The music scene in Columbus has so much to offer in just about every genre. I would say the hardcore and death metal scene is really starting to make big moves. If you haven’t checked them out, Sanguisugabogg is taking over right now and I can’t wait for their new stuff. Some other really great hardcore / metal bands that come to mind from here are En Love, Zonezero and Ritual Eulogy.

Thanks for your time. Last words?

I appreciate you reaching out & giving me some time to talk about things. Stream our EP, follow us on social media and keep an eye out for new stuff later this year.

http://facebook.com/primordialharvest

http://instagram.com/primordial.harvest

http://primordialharvest.bandcamp.com

Interview – DAYS OF HATE (Brazil)

DAYS OF HATE was formed in May 2012 and this is fuckin’ Grind / Noise act from São Paulo, Brazil. Days Of Hate consists of Samuel Sales (vocals / guitars) and Cesar Chiozzo (drums). They released full album 2019 entitled “Espelho da Derrota” on Revolta Records and has just released a split with Paternogenesis (Argentina) in August 28th, 2020. Here we got the drummer Cesar answering our questions. – Interview by Pyan Nathias [28.08.2020]

Hello. Introduce us about Days Of Hate and the band members?

We started Days of Hate in May 2012 in São Paulo, Brazil. In the beginning of the band we were more a powerviolence band with grindcore influences but line-up changed many times and consequently how we sound too. About 8 different members played in the band and Samuel is a member for about 4 years. Since Samuel joined the band, we are sounding more noisecore, which is a king of noise that I absolutely love. Since 2012 we are playing local gigs non-stop and also in 2013 we toured the United States. We went on a full month tour in June 2013 there. Here in Brazil, we try our best to keep the band as active as possible, playing live as often as we can, releasing splits, records, organizing gigs and festivals. We also love to book international bands when they are on tour here. About the current line-up, at moment Days of Hate is me, Cesar, on drums, and Samuel on vocals and guitar.

Please describe in details about your music and sound?

Well, as I said, when we started the band, we had a different line-up. So we were more into powerviolence stuff. And then, line-up changed and we were more old school grindcore. Line-up changed again and then Samuel joined the band. So we add some more influences of noisecore in our sound and this is the way we have been sounding since then. Our goal is keep making noise and sounding as extreme as possible. Also, keep the band as a duo. We were a 3 piece band before, even a 4 piece we were too, but in 2 piece, Days of Hate sounds better. I love the current line-up and it won’t change anymore.

What bands / things that influenced you in songwritings?

Many bands have influenced us. Too many to mention. Bands from Brazil I would say Ratos de Porão, Brigada do Ódio, Noise, Sick Terror, DER… and international bands, a band that has a huge impact on our sound is Sete Star Sept. They are a huge influence for us. We also love Siege, Magrudergrind, Wormrot, Sakatat, Onanizer and many others!

Let us know some of the essential releases from Days Of Hate?

Since we started the band we try to release at least on record every year. So since 2012, we are putting out records with new songs. But I would say my favorites are: A Mão Que Alimenta o Ódio (2015), Distimia (2016), Do Oco Ao Vazio (2018).

Please explain futher about your latest / recent recordings?

Do Oco Ao Vazio, and Espelho da Derrota were recorded at the same day, at the same studio session, that’s why they sound similar, I mean, talking about the quality of recording. Nothing on the album were rehearsed previously and all the songs were recorded as improvisation. We just startedto make noise and jam and then the record was done. We also have another one that will be released late this year. We love to make this kind of record, because we fell ourselves free to make noise!

Report a bit about current Grindcore scene in your hometown?

Brazil has a small but good scene. We have great grindcore bands as such as DER, Desalmado and Facada. Also, I love Vermenoise, Poluição Sonora Gratuíta and Existência Miserável. The scene is doing ok, we I said before, we are trying to keep everything really active, so we do our best to help bands, book gigs and organize tours. This year we were supposed to go on tour with Sedem Minut Strachu, from Slovakia, but the tour was cancelled because of covid….

Tell us something about Revolta Records?

Revolta Records is our very own label. We use this label to distribute our stuff here in Brazil. We release digitally but also we print CD’s when we can afford that, t-shirts, stickers, and also we use this label to organize some gigs and festival. We do everything by ourselves in a really DIY way. That’s a very small label because we are always in lack of money, so we can’t print lots of CD’s. So we always release in a very small quantity.

Thanks for answering. Final words?

I’d like to thank you guys for your interest on our band, for your time and for the opportunity. We would love to go on tour in Asia someday, and if it happens, for sure we would love to play some gigs in Malasya! All the best and take care!

facebook.com/daysofhate

instagram.com/daysofhate

youtube.com/daysofhate0