Toxic Holocaust Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Right now I'm taking a break from packing for our upcoming European tour. We have a lot of shows coming up in Scandinavia, Europe and the UK, not to mention a U.S. tour with the English Dogs.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?
A lot of people have mentioned that its a lot more aggressive and in your face. I think it is varied a bit more than previous records, I tried to incorporate a few different tempos and song structure ideas on this one.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?
Lyrical topics range from ancient and historical occult topics such as Necromancy, Witchcraft etc. I wanted the lyrics to be a lot darker on this one.

4. Out off all of the shows and tours that the band has done so far which one did you enjoy the most?
Actually the last show we played in L.A. was the biggest and the craziest of the whole tour. It was a great way to end the tour.

5. What are the touring plans for the new release?
We have a lot of touring plans actually, some I can mention some are still in the works. First up though is our Scandinavia/Euro/UK tour. We'll be over there for 6 weeks, take a couple weeks off then do something cool in January that I can't mention yet and then a U.S. tour with the English Dogs.

6. On a worldwide level how has the new album been received by underground metal fans?
It seems to be doing really well, getting good reviews and good press. There's always the shit talkers, but that's the nature of the beast. Can't please everyone, nor do I want to.

7. Have you received any backlash for being a younger person going for this music style, since your music is rooted in the 80's and a lot of metal heads from that era look down upon the younger generation?
Not so much anymore. I think that all died down because those people realized I was doing it from the heart. I mean I've been doing the same thing since I've been in high school. haha

8. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
Hard to say, it won't be the same as Conjure because I don't like to make the same record twice, but I will still sound like us. I never like to give the fans a curve ball too much where they feel cheated.

9. You have been on Relapse for a few years, how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?
Relapse has been truly amazing so far. I couldn't have asked for a better label.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced the sound of the new album and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Venom, Sodom, Slayer and Bathory come to mind for shaping the sound of the band. New records and bands are anything from bands like Nocturnal, Midnight, Vomitor etc.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
I like reading, building electronics like guitar amps and pedals...ya know nerdy shit. I don't usually have much time for anything outside of the band though.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks for the support. Keep metal nuclear.

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Infest Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Regards!
Well, we just came back from a tour (Serbia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic), and now we need to book more dates for winter tour. New members joined the band, so even our album has been released few months ago, new songs and ideas are growing every day, so we are practicing and making some new stuff…

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

New album sounds a little bit different from our past two albums, but it’s not some changing of style, it’s just that we all made a progress in musical way, so riffs are maybe complicated than on the past two. I think that spirit of Infest sound still strikes with the same energy, and maybe a little bit stronger.
Production also made a big progress here, regarded by Honza Kapak (Hellsound studio) , who produced this album.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album?

Lyrics on new album are influenced by everything that surrounds me, and what make me so pissed off, and it’s so obviously that lot of things are not as they supposed to be here. Faith manipulation, politics, terror across the land, corruption on every corner…and many many more….

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Meaning of a word Infest is when something is devastated, choked… We are playing aggressive music, and I think that this name really fits well in a whole thing. There is couple of band named Infest also, but we are here since 2002-03, so I don’t have in mind changing a name or stuff.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

One of the best shows ever was in Macedonia last year, but after this tour that we had, it’s really hard to choose the best show, because all of them have some message and some good atmosphere that give us straight to strike with new albums, shows and stuff…People accepted new album very well, so this tour we did was amazing for the same reason, because people knew the lyrics and it give really special effect to gigs .Our stage performance comes from itself, it’s just what we are, we show it on the stage. No fakeness, no compromises…only real death/thrash metal madness.

6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

Touring is very important to me, so I book concerts everywhere I can, and play a lot.
We have finished our GENOCIDE OVER EUROPE TOUR, and now booking has already began for some new shows.
We have in plan to tour with our brothers from The Stone in February, and in March we have some plans for Sweden shows, but It takes a lot of things to make before, so I will wait until we finish all the stuff, and then I will announce it …

7.Currently you are singed to Grom Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you compare it to your old label?
Milan is my very good friend, and we know each other for years. We don’t have such a label-band relation, it’s more like brotherhood. He understands all band problem with promotion, touring and stuff, so we have all the help we need by his side, and also from other 3 labels. (Butchered records, Zero Budget, Terror blast). Organization of some shows across the Balkan, printing flayers, picks and stuff...It’s just a small part of what he did for us.
We are in good relation with the old label, and that’s the main reason why we united 4 labels to release this album. As I said, brotherhood, not label-band relation.

8. On a worldwide level how has your new album been recieved by fans of black, death and thrash metal?

I received a lot of e mails from almost every part of the world, so i think that we still need some more time to let the people hear this album , and also to find our band. Distribution of new album is very very big, so I think that 8/10 is the right relation.

9. I know that in the past the band members participated in many other band is that still going on these days?
Zombi has a big portfolio behind.He played in The Stone, May Result, and still plays in Simargal & Vehementer, but Infest is his main occupation.Khil plays in his origin band Svargren, and Tyrrant is playing in Soul in Cage.I had to left all the other bands I’ve been involed in, because i have a lot of work to do with Infest.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Music that I mostly listen to is death metal from early days, and also black/thrash metal from early period.I am not a big fan of new kinds of metal that is „popular“ these days.Very old school, agressive and quality stuff from bay area, Swedish death metal and that kind of stuff is my favorite, and its the same with the other guys from a band.We are all influenced by that kind of stuff, but mostly from a bands Iron Maiden, Dismember, Unleashed, Slayer, old Sepultura, Sadus, Sodom...

11.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Oh , its hard to say for everyone, but I practise wing chun kung fu, and I am football fan, so I visit games and stuff.For the rest of the guys, you’ll have to ask them J

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks a lot for your interview, it was a pleasure to answer your questions!
Best regards to your zine, and regards to all our fans and supporters world wide!
You guys rule!
666
Vandal & Infest

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