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Interview with Infest
By Sam Thomas : October 2007
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Basque grindsters Infest have recently released
their first full length CD, an extremely competent offering that is
still one of my favourite extreme releases of the year. I was
intrigued to find out whether their view of themselves was in any way
similar to mine…
Your music is described as death, grind or
hardcore. How would you describe it?
Infest is group who won't hesitate to mix different styles of music.
Each of you see what you want but I think that we're pretty close to
grind with a slight hint of hardcore. You've summed us up pretty well.
:)
What are your main musical influences?
Our main influences are Grind groups like Napalm Death and Nasum. We
also listen to groups such as Mumakil and Blockheads, who are, to us,
great influences.
It’s taken three years for you to release “Feel
the Rage”. How hard has it been to keep momentum for that length of
time?
I have to say that in 3 years we didn't not do anything. We released a
selfproduced demo in 2004 then an MCD promo in 2005 before signing
with Deadsun/Hurricane in 2006. We then concentrated on recording an
album to release it at the beginning of this year. So, it took us a
lot less than 3 years to release it. We try to be as regular as
possible and try to keep up an effective work rate.
Has the album turned out the way you wanted it
to? Is there anything about it you would like to go back and change?
Obviously it's very difficult to be 100% satisfied with a recording.
But we are very happy with the work done by Kameamea Studios and
Petunkeib Records. The conditions were great. Would we like to go back
and change something ? I don't know ... It's better not to ask
yourself these type of questions. We're happy with it, and that's
enough.
Was it difficult for you to get a record deal?
After our MCD we got in contact with several labels to release "Feel
the Rage" We got a few propositions and went for Hurricane. It
happened quite quickly and we didn't have any difficulties.
You’ve played at the 2007 Soul Grinding
Festival. What was that like?
It was an amazing gig. We played along side some awesome bands. The
organisation was great and we have amazing memories. Unfortunately it
was the last of this festival. But there might be a replacement
festival ... we'll see.
Being such an extreme band, do you find it hard
getting gigs in France?
Yes, I think it's a lot more difficult, getting good gigs in France,
but it's not impossible. There are quite a few associations who are
active and continue to keep French metal alive. Grind Your Soul and
Bestial Experience organise great gigs in this country. But it's true
that it's not easy for extreme metal bands. |
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Do you consider yourselves to be Basque or
French first? What influence does this have on your music?
I'll start by answering your second question. It doesn't have an
influence on our music. We're simply people who live in French Basque
Country who respect different cultures and languages of our area.
Would you consider recording a cd entirely in
the Basque language?
Bud isn't Basque so we wouldn't compose a whole album in the Basque
language. That doesn't mean that we can't do one or two songs in the
Basque language in the future. We like languages and "Feel the Rage"
proves it: 5 songs in English, 5 in Spanish and 1 in French. :) :).
Do websites like MySpace help underground bands
reach a wider audience?
Yes, I think that they're something that's becoming more and more
indispensable for bands to heard everywhere. But, we must be careful 'cos
I also find that there are more and more bad quality bands on these
types of sites and they could ruin the scene or at least disinterest
people.
Have you received more attention in France or
from other countries?
We concentrated on promotion in France and we toured France back in
February and March so it's certain that at the moment we have received
more attention in France than we do any where else, but that should
change because "Feel the Rage" is now available in the UK, Benelux,
Italy, Spain and Germany. Plus, in November we're hitting the road,
with our friends Goryptic (US Brutal Death). A new tour in Spain and
Portugal.
Finally, is there anything you would like to
add?
First off I'd like to thank you for this interview and I invite your
readers to listen to our music and to get in contact with us at this
address :
www.myspace.com/infestbaiona
Continue to support the Underground
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