1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
Death Tribe was created as a reminder that we are all going towards the same destination - Death.
It will question our life choices and experiences with the inescapable fate of death in mind.
It has no genre boundaries as it can jump for Black n Roll to Heavy Metal and if necessary it will deliver non-metal music depending on the experience in discussion.
2.In February you have a new album coming out, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
With my good friend Linus from Obscura/Alkaloid on Bass and Matthias from Dark Fortress on Drums,it is impossible to imagine anything less than great rhythm section on the album that created a strong base for my guitar riffs and melodies.I have 6 different vocalists on the album from war torn or politically corrupt countries, be it Lebanon, Syria, or even Armenia as the album follows the journey of a human that was spit out into the world like most of us.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects that you explore with the music?
All lyrics are about the life experiences and conditioned reactions towards this life we never chose and we should break free and mark it with our own unique voice.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Death Tribe'?
It is a call-out to all music lovers to join the Tribe and adapt the same attitude and approach towards life by not bending the knee but facing life with eagerness and accountability.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
The artwork shows that the world has an identity complex that cannot be escaped, several personalities are fighting to come out of this turmoil to express themselves but they are tamed by the social acceptance syndrome. We developed as a human race to become similar patterns imprisoned in our own bodies with similar features that we have almost become insignificant.
https://charlesassaf.portfoliobox.net/
6.Originally you where from Lebanon but now reside in the Netherlands, how would you compare living in a European country to a Middle Eastern country?
Lebanon has much more beautiful landscape than The Netherlands but its socio-political mayhem, corruption, neighboring countries, built in racism, unaddressed sexism and sectarian government system make it incomparable. In Lebanon, you are chained to the ground with a ton of steel and if you want to move forward you have to make a 1000 times more effort than in a developed supportive society like The Netherlands. In Lebanon, although I had the most wonderful parties with the most wonderful people, I had to be raised in bomb-shelters, I had to wear bullet proof jackets as a child, I had to escape the city many times because we were bombed from one of the neighboring countries, I had to undergo several kinds of pressure from authorities be it governmental, religious or even social. Having said that, I have only been in The Netherlands for 4 months and cannot tell you how the future will be, I am no victim of the past because it shaped me to who I am today and I am not here as a refugee but rather a knowledge migrant as I built myself to be of higher value. I am grateful for my past and experiences and looking forward to keep doing what I do best to leave this earth with a mark and be celebrated in Death as in Life.
7.On the album you also have some session work from some of the members from 'Obscura' and 'Dark Fortress', can you tell us a little bit more about their contributions to the recording?
Whatever I say about these great talents will fall short from listening to the work and appreciating their musicianship. They delivered better than I could ask for and without them the album would not sound the same. I think the best thing anyone can do is listen to their chef dóeuvre rather than me describing it at https://deathtribeofficial.bandcamp.com
8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Unsigned by choice as I do not want a record label that will benefit from the work rather than the work benefits from the record label. Such is the case of many PR, Booking Agents and Labels these days. It is a pity that as life is ridiculed into a copy paste manner. Everything is being treated the same way. Bands are becoming one hit wonders. Label are turning into promoters. I would love working with a label that still delivers on its promise and works on making the music available and heard so that it maximizes its sales and makes a return on their investment without asking the band to do it all freely and be thankful for it too. Having said that, I would like to see this record on a Limited Vinyl and if a label wishes to take of this part then I am open to offers.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of extreme metal?
Always better than I could ever ask for - Truly greatly appreciated but Death Tribe is not only about extreme metal. We need to open the membership to the Tribe to other metal heads too.
10.What is going on with your other musical project 'Kaoteon' these days?
Kaoteon is going stronger than ever. Last year we released Damnatio Memoriae with amazing talents on board, Marduk's drummer Fredrik Widigs and Linus from Obscura on Bass and won the Global Metal Award at the Golden Gods from Metal Hammer UK.
This year we just finished the mixing and mastering our upcoming album at Antfarm Studios in Denmark with Adrian Erlandsson from At The Gates on Drums and Linus is returning on bass.
All I can tell you is that I explored new territories of darkness with this album going from our most aggressive track to date on the record to our slowest and gloomiest too.
11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?
Exploring new territories, developing a sound of my own that is recognized at the hit of a note, I am a recording musician for now and not on the road as I still have a passport that does not allow me in any place if I do not have a successful career by day. So I am trying to defy all equations and do what many do not manage to do from their parents basement.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I always enjoyed music that comes from the soul and hence I enjoy everything from roots to blues, from black metal to good groundbreaking death metal, I enjoy my depeche mode as much as my David Bowie records, Nick cave and Tom Waits and nowadays I am honestly listening to the new KAOTEON and DEATH TRIBE albums mostly and whatever Spotify recommends in between.
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Travel, Vegan Food, Wine, Whiskey and Beer, Adventures and Business Investments that work.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks a million for taking the time to discuss this new album with me and I hope that you will always do your part of the music industry with integrity and passion to deliver the best to the world and help those who have a message that leaves the world a better place conquer those who are discussing sexual intercourse with aliens on a flying boat.
Cheers and all the best.
https://www.facebook.com/DeathTribe.Official/
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